7 Best Home Warranty Companies in Sedalia, MO

How Does a Home Warranty Work?

A home warranty is a protection plan that helps reduce the high costs for Sedalia homeowners needing appliance and system repairs. These plans provide financial coverage to fix or swap out appliances and systems that stop working due to normal wear and tear.

Homeowners submit a claim and pay a service fee when something breaks. The home warranty provider then finds 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 exceeds 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 fixtures near the end of their life span. However, people with newer homes and working appliances might not require a home warranty.

What Does a Home Warranty Cover?

Home warranties cover many household systems and appliances. Common covered appliances include dryers, washers, dishwashers, refrigerators, microwaves, garbage disposals, and others. Covered systems include electrical, air conditioning, plumbing, and heating. Many home warranty plans offer add-on coverage for roof leaks, septic systems, central vacuums, and even locksmiths. It's important for Sedalia homeowners to understand most home warranty plans have a waiting period of 30 days before repair claims will be approved. Most policies also only cover repairs and replacements due to normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't include cosmetic issues, natural disasters, pre-existing conditions, or improperly using a system or appliance. Stay current with preventative maintenance to help guarantee your next repair or replacement is covered.

Key Home Warranty Terms to Know

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

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

Keeping these important details in mind will help you understand costs and select a home warranty that's tailored to protect your home. 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

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

Coverage Options

Home warranty coverage can have major differences in what's included. Most plans include protection for AC, heating, plumbing, electrical, and appliances. More robust coverage options also include protection for other items such as well pumps, pools, roof leaks, and spas. Look for companies with varied coverage options, including upgraded plans. This allows you to tailor protection 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 company with more affordable fees to maximize savings on every claim. Some providers also eliminate deductibles when customers have a claim-free period.

Reputation

A home warranty provider's reputation gives insight into things such as approval rates, repair timeliness, contractor quality, and customer service. Browse review platforms such as Google Reviews, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), or TrustPilot to research providers. Positive ratings and feedback indicate a company known for exceptional service.

Contractor Network

Home warranty providers have networks of professionals that they use to tackle covered repairs. More extensive networks improve the likelihood of getting skilled contractors to your home quickly. Reach out to possible providers to ask how many contractors they have in Sedalia to understand how long repairs might take in an urgent situation.

Added Benefits

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

Is a Home Warranty Worth it in Sedalia?

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Benefits of a Home Warranty

Since temperatures in Sedalia can be quite hot in the summer, the weather can put a lot of strain on your air conditioning unit and HVAC system. Having a home warranty plan can help homeowners save money if one of these systems or appliances stops working suddenly.

A home warranty also can also save you time and energy. Instead of spending hours finding and selecting a contractor to fix your appliance or system, home warranty providers do the hard work for you and send a trusted professional to your door whenever you need them. Additionally, though it varies by company, some providers will allow you to transfer your warranty if you sell your home. This can make your home more attractive to potential homebuyers and help your home sell faster.

Downsides of a Home Warranty

There are also some negatives to getting a home warranty policy, such as the coverage exclusions. For example, home warranties may not cover systems or appliances that already have a manufacturer's warranty.

Another downside is that home warranties may not include some repairs, like those due to natural disasters. For example, if a tree falls onto your house and damages the roof, the affected systems and appliances most likely won’t be covered by the home warranty.