6 Best Home Warranty Companies in Plymouth, MA

How Does a Home Warranty Work?

A home warranty is a protection plan that helps Plymouth homeowners cut the high costs of household repairs. These plans offer financial coverage to fix or replace appliances and systems that stop working from normal wear and tear.

Homeowners submit a claim and pay a service fee when something breaks. The home warranty provider then arranges a contractor to make the fix or replacement. The only time you may pay out-of-pocket is if the cost of the repair or replacement goes over the item's coverage limit. A home warranty policy gives homeowners peace of mind because it can help avoid expensive emergency repairs. They can be especially helpful for buyers of older homes or homes with systems near the end of their life span. However, newer homes with appliances and fixtures in good condition may not require a home warranty.

What Does a Home Warranty Cover?

Home warranties cover many household systems and appliances. Covered appliances normally include microwaves, refrigerators, garbage disposals, washers, dryers, dishwashers, and others. Covered systems include heating, electrical, plumbing, and air conditioning. Many home warranty companies also provide additional coverage for roof leaks, locksmiths, septic systems, and central vacuums. Most home warranty plans require Plymouth homeowners to wait 30 days before they can use the policy to pay for repairs. Additionally, policies normally only cover repairs and replacements resulting from normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't cover natural disasters, cosmetic issues, pre-existing conditions, or misusing a system or appliance. To make sure your next repair or replacement is covered, keep up with preventative maintenance.

Key Home Warranty Terms to Know

Home warranties use several terms that you'll want to know before signing a contract, such as:

• Claim approval: The process by which your provider determines whether a requested repair or replacement is covered under your warranty.
• Contract rate: The rate that your home warranty provider has pre-negotiated with its contractors. Normally, this rate is lower than what you'd pay retail.
• Trade call fee: An added fee that you'll sometimes need to pay for appliance-related claims.
• Service fee: The out-of-pocket cost you pay per claim for access to a contractor and repair coverage.
• Coverage limits: The maximum dollar amount that your warranty provider will pay for certain repairs or replacements. Check your contract's limits on repairs for things like appliances, air conditioning units, and roof leaks.
• Endorsements: Optional add-on coverage for systems such as septic, pools, well pumps and more. Endorsements typically come with an additional fee.
• Deductible: How much you pay for a covered repair before your warranty covers the rest. Deductibles can be per-claim or yearly.

If you remember these terms and key factors, it’ll help you choose a home warranty that's tailored to protecting your most vital home systems. Make sure to talk to companies about the specifics of coverage when getting a quote, so you can avoid unexpected fees.

Key Factors in Choosing a Home Warranty Company

When selecting a home warranty provider, there are several important factors to consider:

Coverage Options

Home warranty plans vary widely in what they include. Most plans provide protection for AC, heating, plumbing, electrical, and appliances. More robust plans also extend protection to other items such as pools, spas, roof leaks, and well pumps. Look for companies with a diverse range of coverage options, including upgraded plans. This allows you to customize your plan to your home's needs.

Service Fees

Expect to pay a per-service fee of $60-100 for each home warranty claim. As this charge applies to every separate claim, you may want to choose a provider with more affordable fees to maximize savings. Some providers also eliminate deductibles when customers have a claim-free period.

Reputation

A home warranty provider's reputation provides insights into factors such as repair speed, contractor expertise, claim approval rates, and customer satisfaction. Read through review sites like the Better Business Bureau (BBB), Google Reviews, or TrustPilot to learn more about companies. Positive reviews and ratings suggest a company known for providing quality service.

Contractor Network

Home warranty companies have networks of technicians to handle covered repairs. More extensive networks increase the probability of getting qualified technicians to quickly service your home. Contact potential providers to find out how many contractors they have in Plymouth to get a sense of how quickly your repairs could be handled in an emergency.

Added Benefits

Home warranty companies often offer extras such as maintenance discounts, energy efficiency upgrades, and coverage for smart home devices. These can add value beyond repair coverage. Added perks can maximize the usefulness of your home warranty.

Is a Home Warranty Worth it in Plymouth?

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Benefits of a Home Warranty

Since temperatures in Plymouth can be quite cold in the winter, the weather can put a lot of strain on your HVAC system. Getting a home warranty policy can help homeowners save money if one of these systems or appliances breaks all of a sudden.

Not only can a home warranty provide some savings, but it also saves you time. If an appliance breaks down, the last thing you want to do is find a repair person and schedule a repair. A home warranty takes care of the research by sending trusted professionals to your door when you need them most. Another added benefit of having home warranty coverage is that it can increase your home’s property value. If you ever decide to sell your home, you may be able to transfer your home warranty plan to the new homebuyer depending on the provider you purchased your home warranty through.

Downsides of a Home Warranty

Home warranties also have some cons. Though it can save you time when the home warranty sends out a repair technician who takes care of the repair for you, some may not like this, and they would rather select a contractor themselves. If that’s the case for you, some home warranty plans allow you to choose a contractor.

Another consideration is that home warranties usually only cover malfunctions due to normal wear and tear. They most likely won’t cover systems or appliances that need repairs or replacements due to animal infestations, natural disasters, improper maintenance, etc.