7 Best Home Warranty Companies in Rochester, MI

How Does a Home Warranty Work?

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

When something breaks down, you file a claim and pay a service fee. The home warranty provider then finds a contractor to handle the fix or replacement. Homeowners may have out-of-pocket costs only if the cost of repair or replacement exceeds the item's coverage limit. A home warranty gives homeowners reassurance by helping avoid high-priced emergency repairs. The coverage is especially helpful for owners of older houses or houses with systems near the end of their life span. However, homeowners with newer homes and working appliances may not need a home warranty.

What Does a Home Warranty Cover?

Home warranties protect your home systems and appliances. Common covered appliances are garbage disposals, dishwashers, washers, microwaves, refrigerators, dryers, and more. Included systems are typically electrical, plumbing, air conditioning, and heating. Many home warranty providers offer add-on coverage for septic systems, locksmiths, roof leaks, and central vacuums. It's important for Rochester homeowners to 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, natural disasters, pre-existing conditions, or improper use of a system or appliance. It's important to keep up with preventative maintenance to help ensure that your next repair or replacement is covered by your policy.

Key Home Warranty Terms to Know

Before agreeing to a home warranty contract, you should learn key terms like:

• Trade call fee: An added fee that you'll sometimes need to pay for appliance-related claims.
• 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.
• Claim approval: The process by which your provider determines whether a requested repair or replacement is covered under your warranty.
• Endorsements: Optional add-on coverage for systems such as septic, pools, well pumps and more. Endorsements typically come with an additional fee.
• 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.
• Deductible: How much you pay for a covered repair before your warranty covers the rest. Deductibles can be per-claim or yearly.

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

Key Factors in Choosing a Home Warranty Company

There are several key considerations when choosing a home warranty provider:

Coverage Options

Home warranty coverage varies, although most plans cover heating, electrical, AC, plumbing, and appliances. More inclusive plans may also cover extra things such as roof leaks, pools, spas, and well pumps. Look for a company that offers robust coverage options, including upgraded plans. You want the flexibility to customize coverage to fit your home's specific needs.

Service Fees

With any home warranty claim, you'll pay a service fee, usually falling in the $60 to $100 range, which gets paid per service call made. These per-claim charges can add up. You may decide to look for companies 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 provider's reputation can offer insight into things such as approval rates for claims, speed of repairs, contractor quality, and customer satisfaction. Look at third-party review sites such as TrustPilot, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), or Google Reviews to research providers. Good ratings and reviews indicate that a company is known for quality service.

Contractor Network

Home warranty providers use networks of local repair professionals to manage repairs in a given area. Reach out to potential companies to ask how many repair specialists they have in Rochester and get an idea of how quickly your repairs could be handled in an emergency. Wider networks improve the probability of getting qualified contractors to quickly service your home.

Added Benefits

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

Is a Home Warranty Worth it in Rochester?

---

Benefits of a Home Warranty

Rochester’s cold winters can put a strain on a home’s HVAC system. Whether it’s summer or winter, a home warranty can cover your home’s appliances and systems in the event they need to be repaired or replaced. For example, if your air conditioner breaks down in the middle of July, a home warranty can cover the needed repairs, preventing you from spending unexpected money out of pocket.

A home warranty also saves you time and energy. Instead of spending hours finding and choosing a technician 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. Another added benefit of having a home warranty plan is that it can raise your home’s real estate value. If you ever decide to sell your house, you may be able to transfer your home warranty plan to the new homebuyer depending on the provider you have your home warranty with.

Downsides of a Home Warranty

One downside of getting a home warranty is that there are usually exclusions. For example, if one of your appliances already has a manufacturer's warranty, it may not be included in the home warranty, so it’s important to read over any contracts you’re considering carefully to get a sense of what is included and what isn’t.

Another downside is that home warranties may exclude some repairs, such as those due to natural disasters. For example, if your HVAC system is damaged from an animal infestation, the affected systems and appliances most likely won’t be covered by the home warranty.