6 Best Home Warranty Companies in Somerville, MA

How Does a Home Warranty Work?

A home warranty is a protection policy that assists Somerville homeowners in reducing the expenses of appliance and system repairs. The plans offer financial coverage to replace or fix appliances and systems that stop working due to normal wear and tear.

When something stops working, you submit a claim and pay a service fee. The home warranty company then finds a contractor to handle the replacement or repair. Homeowners may have out-of-pocket costs only if the repair or replacement costs go over the item's coverage limit. A home warranty gives homeowners peace of mind, as it helps avoid high-priced emergency repairs. The coverage is particularly helpful for those living in older houses or houses with fixtures near the end of their life span. However, homeowners with newer homes and working appliances may not require a home warranty.

What Does a Home Warranty Cover?

Home warranties cover your home systems and appliances. Covered appliances typically include refrigerators, dryers, garbage disposals, washers, microwaves, dishwashers, and others. Covered systems include heating, electrical, plumbing, and air conditioning. Many home warranty companies also offer additional coverage for locksmiths, central vacuums, septic systems, and roof leaks. Most home warranty plans require Somerville homeowners to refrain from making claims for 30 days before they can use the policy to pay for repairs. Moreover, policies typically 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 learn before signing a contract, such as:

• 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.
• Claim approval: The process providers use to determine whether a requested repair or replacement is covered under a home warranty plan.
• Service fee: The out-of-pocket cost per claim that you pay for contractor access and repair coverage.
• Coverage limits: How much money your warranty provider will pay for specific repairs or replacements. Check limits on repairs for things like roof leaks, appliances, and air conditioning units.
• Trade call fee: An additional fee that's sometimes required to appliance-related claims.
• Deductible: How much you pay for a covered repair before your warranty covers the rest. Deductibles can be per-claim or yearly.
• Endorsements: Additional coverage for systems like pools, septic, and well pumps, which usually comes with a fee for each add-on.

If you remember these terms and key factors, it’ll help you understand costs and select a home warranty tailored to protecting your most essential 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

There are several key factors to consider when selecting a home warranty provider:

Coverage Options

Home warranty coverage varies widely in the items that are included. Most plans cover electrical, heating, plumbing, AC, and appliances. More inclusive options also include protection for other items such as well pumps, roof leaks, spas, and pools. Look for companies with a range of coverage choices, such as upgraded plans. Flexibility helps you tailor your protection for your needs.

Service Fees

With any home warranty claim, you'll pay a service fee that can range from $60 to $100, which is paid per repair request filed. The costs from multiple fees can add up. You may decide to look for providers with lower service fees to maximize your savings on each claim. Some providers also offer disappearing deductibles for customers who don't file any claims over a certain timespan.

Reputation

A home warranty company's reputation can offer insight into things such as approval rates for claims, contractor quality, speed of repairs, and customer satisfaction. Look at third-party review sites such as TrustPilot, Google Reviews, or the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to research providers. Positive ratings and reviews indicate that a company is known for top-tier service.

Contractor Network

Home warranty companies maintain networks of local contractors to handle repairs in your area. Reach out to potential providers to ask how many repair technicians they have in Somerville and get an idea for how quickly your repairs might happen in an emergency situation. Larger networks increase the probability of getting qualified contractors to quickly service your home.

Added Benefits

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

Is a Home Warranty Worth it in Somerville?

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Benefits of a Home Warranty

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

A home warranty also can also save you time and energy. Instead of spending hours researching and selecting a repair person to fix your appliance or system, home warranty companies do the hard work for you and send a trusted professional to your door whenever you need them. Additionally, having a home warranty can make your house more appealing to potential homebuyers should you ever decide to sell in the future. Many home warranty companies will allow you to transfer your plan to a new owner and give them the same protection you’ve been benefiting from.

Downsides of a Home Warranty

There are also some downsides to getting a home warranty policy, like the coverage exclusions. For example, home warranties may not cover home systems or appliances that are already covered under a manufacturer's warranty.

Another potential pain point of home warranties is that they don’t cover systems or appliances that haven’t been properly maintained. This can lead to your repair requests being rejected, so it’s important to carefully follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for maintenance of your home systems and appliances.