6 Best Home Warranty Companies in Revere, MA

How Does a Home Warranty Work?

A home warranty is a protection plan that helps Revere homeowners lower the high costs of household repairs. These plans offer financial coverage to repair or swap out appliances and systems that break down from normal wear and tear.

Homeowners submit a claim and pay a service fee when something breaks. The home warranty company 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 gives homeowners reassurance by helping avoid expensive emergency repairs. The coverage is especially helpful for those living in older houses or houses with systems near the end of their life span. However, people with newer homes and functioning appliances might not need a home warranty.

What Does a Home Warranty Cover?

Home warranties cover your home systems and appliances. Common appliances covered include dryers, garbage disposals, microwaves, dishwashers, refrigerators, washers, and more. Included systems are usually electrical, heating, plumbing, and air conditioning. Many home warranty providers offer add-on coverage for septic systems, roof leaks, central vacuums, and locksmiths. Revere homeowners should know that most home warranty policies have a 30-day waiting period before they will cover the cost of any repairs. Additionally, most policies only cover repairs and replacements that result from normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't cover things like cosmetic issues, pre-existing conditions, natural disasters, or misuse of a system or appliance. You need to keep up with preventative maintenance to ensure that your next repair or replacement will be covered by the policy.

Key Home Warranty Terms to Know

Home warranty contracts use several terms that you'll want to know before signing, such as:

• 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 roof leaks, air conditioning units, and appliances.
• Deductible: The amount you're responsible for before your warranty covers the remainder of the cost. Deductibles apply to covered repairs and may be on a per-claim or yearly basis.
• Trade call fee: An additional fee that some companies charge for appliance-related claims.
• Service fee: The amount you pay our of pocket per claim for access to a contractor and repair coverage.
• Contract rate: The pre-negotiated rate a home warranty company has with its contractors. This rate is usually less than typical retail costs.
• Endorsements: Additional coverage for systems like septic, well pumps, and pools, which usually comes with a fee for each add-on.
• Claim approval: The process a provider uses to validate that a requested repair or replacement is covered under your plan.

Keeping these terms and key factors in mind will help you understand a home warranty contract and select a plan that's tailored to protect your home. Be sure to discuss specifics of coverage with potential providers during the quote process, so you can avoid unexpected fees.

Key Factors in Choosing a Home Warranty Company

There are several important factors to consider when choosing a home warranty provider:

Coverage Options

Home warranty coverage varies, although most plans cover heating, AC, electrical, plumbing, and appliances. More extensive plans may also cover additional items such as well pumps, pools, spas, and roof leaks. Look for a company that offers comprehensive coverage choices, including upgraded plans. Flexibility is important when trying to fit a home warranty to your home's specific needs.

Service Fees

Homeowners should anticipate paying a $60–100 service fee when filing home warranty claims. These per-claim costs can add up, so some homeowners prefer using providers with lower service fees to maximize savings. Some companies also offer disappearing deductibles when a homeowner goes a defined period without any repair requests.

Reputation

A home warranty company's track record provides insight into things such as timeliness of repairs, claim approval rates, contractor quality, and overall customer satisfaction. Look at third-party review sites such as TrustPilot, Google Reviews, or the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to research providers. Complimentary reviews and ratings indicate a provider known for stellar service.

Contractor Network

Home warranty companies use networks of local repair contractors to manage repairs in a given area. Contact potential providers to learn the number of repair professionals they have in Revere and get an idea of how fast your repairs could be handled in an emergency. More extensive networks improve the probability of getting qualified contractors to promptly service your home.

Added Benefits

Some home warranty providers provide bonuses such as smart home device protection, maintenance discounts, and energy efficiency upgrades. These add value beyond repair coverage. Added bonuses help maximize the usefulness of the home warranty.

Is a Home Warranty Worth it in Revere?

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Benefits of a Home Warranty

Temperatures in Revere can vary greatly throughout the year, which means your air conditioner and heating systems are most likely going to get a decent amount of use. As a homeowner in Revere, one of the benefits of having a home warranty is knowing that these home systems and major appliances can be covered in the event they have to be repaired or replaced.

As well as saving you money on out-of-pocket expenses, a home warranty can provide you peace of mind and save you the hassle of trying to find a qualified repair person to visit your home. Home warranties usually have a network of pre-vetted contractors who can handle any repair problems you may have. Additionally, having a home warranty can help make your house more appealing to potential homebuyers should you ever decide to sell later. Many home warranty companies will allow you to transfer your policy to a new owner and give them the protection you’ve been getting.

Downsides of a Home Warranty

Home warranties also have some downsides. Though it can give you less to worry about since the home warranty sends out a contractor who takes care of the repair for you, some homeowners may not like this, and they would prefer to select their own contractor. If that’s the case for you, some home warranty providers let you select a contractor.

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