6 Best Home Warranty Companies in Yarmouth, MA

How Does a Home Warranty Work?

A home warranty is a protection policy that helps lower expenses for Yarmouth homeowners needing appliance and system repairs. These plans provide financial coverage to repair or swap out appliances and systems that break due to 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 repair or replacement. The only time you may pay out-of-pocket is if the repair or replacement costs go over the item's coverage limit. A home warranty plan gives homeowners peace of mind because it can help avoid costly emergency repairs. They can be especially helpful for people purchasing older homes or homes with systems near the end of their life span. However, newer homes with modern appliances and fixtures may not require a home warranty.

What Does a Home Warranty Cover?

Home warranties cover your household systems and appliances. Covered appliances typically include dryers, garbage disposals, dishwashers, microwaves, refrigerators, washers, and more. Covered systems include electrical, air conditioning, plumbing, and heating. Many home warranty companies also provide additional coverage for septic systems, locksmiths, central vacuums, and roof leaks. It's important for Yarmouth homeowners to understand most home warranty plans have a waiting period of 30 days before repairs are covered. Most policies also only cover repairs and replacements resulting from normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't include pre-existing conditions, cosmetic issues, natural disasters, or improperly using a system or appliance. Be diligent about completing preventative maintenance to ensure your next repair or replacement is covered.

Key Home Warranty Terms to Know

There are a number of home warranty terms to learn before signing an agreement, including:

• Deductible: The amount you pay toward a covered repair before the warranty covers the rest. Some plans have per-claim or yearly deductibles.
• Trade call fee: An additional fee that's sometimes required to appliance-related claims.
• Service fee: The out-of-pocket cost you pay per claim for access to a contractor and repair coverage.
• Endorsements: Optional add-ons that expand coverage for additional systems like septic, pools, well pumps, and more. Endorsements typically cost an additional fee.
• Contract rate: A pre-negotiated rate that your home warranty provider has worked out with contractors. This rate is typically less than what you would pay retail.
• 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 air conditioning units, appliances, and roof leaks.
• Claim approval: The process by which your provider determines whether a requested repair or replacement is covered under your warranty.

With these terms and key factors in mind, you'll be able to better understand pricing and choose the right home warranty to protect your most essential home systems. During the quoting process, take care to review coverage details with potential companies, so you don't encounter any unexpected fees.

Key Factors in Choosing a Home Warranty Company

When you're deciding on a home warranty provider, there are several key things to take into account:

Coverage Options

Home warranty coverage varies widely in the items that are included. Most plans cover electrical, heating, plumbing, AC, and appliances. More comprehensive plans also offer coverage on other items such as roof leaks, well pumps, spas, and pools. Look for a company that offers an extensive selection of coverage options, including upgraded plans. Flexibility is important when trying to fit a home warranty to your home's specific systems and needs.

Service Fees

Expect to pay a per-service fee of $60-100 for each home warranty claim. With these per-request costs adding up over time as you file claims, you may want to choose a company with more affordable fees to maximize savings on every claim. Some companies also eliminate deductibles when customers have a claim-free period.

Reputation

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

Contractor Network

Home warranty companies have networks of contractors to handle covered repairs. Larger networks improve the probability of getting qualified technicians to quickly service your home. Contact potential providers to find out how many contractors they have in Yarmouth to get a sense of how quickly your repairs could happen in an emergency.

Added Benefits

Home warranty companies sometimes include perks 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 Yarmouth?

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Benefits of a Home Warranty

Since temperatures in Yarmouth can hit the negatives in the winter, the extreme weather can put a lot of strain on your heating system. Buying a home warranty plan can help homeowners save money if one of these systems or appliances breaks down unexpectedly.

In addition, having a home warranty can save you some time by removing the need to research service technicians — most providers will send a trusted professional right to your door to do the repair or replacement. Another benefit of having a home warranty is if you want to sell your home, some providers let you transfer your home warranty plan to the new owners. It can make your house more attractive to potential homebuyers and may help your house sell faster.

Downsides of a Home Warranty

As for the drawbacks of home warranties, system and appliance coverage varies by company, so it’s important to review what each plan covers and excludes in the contract.

Also, if you don’t maintain your home systems or appliances properly, or if they need repairs due to a natural disaster or animal infestation — anything other than normal wear and tear — the home warranty may not cover it.