6 Best Home Warranty Companies in Claremont, NH

How Does a Home Warranty Work?

A home warranty is a protection plan that assists Claremont homeowners reduce the high costs of household repairs. These plans offer financial coverage to repair or replace appliances and systems that stop working from normal wear and tear.

Homeowners submit a claim and pay a service fee when something breaks. The home warranty company then finds 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 policy gives homeowners peace of mind and can help avoid costly emergency repairs. They can be especially helpful for people purchasing older homes or homes with appliances near the end of their life span. However, newer homes with appliances and fixtures in good condition may not need a home warranty.

What Does a Home Warranty Cover?

Home warranties safeguard your home systems and appliances. Common appliances covered under a home warranty include refrigerators, microwaves, dryers, dishwashers, garbage disposals, washers, and others. Covered systems include heating, electrical, plumbing, and air conditioning. Many home warranties also offer add-on coverage options for central vacuums, locksmiths, septic systems, and even roof leaks. Claremont homeowners should know that most home warranty plans impose a 30-day waiting period before repairs are covered. What's more, most policies only cover repairs and replacements resulting from normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't include natural disasters, cosmetic issues, pre-existing conditions, or misuse of a system or appliance. You must keep up with preventative maintenance to help ensure your next repair or replacement is covered.

Key Home Warranty Terms to Know

Before signing a home warranty contract, you should know key terms like:

• 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.
• Service fee: The out-of-pocket cost you pay per claim for access to a contractor and repair coverage.
• Endorsements: Additional coverage for systems like well pumps, pools, and septic, which usually comes with a fee for each add-on.
• 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.
• Claim approval: The process by which your provider determines whether a requested repair or replacement is covered under your warranty.
• 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.
• Trade call fee: An additional fee that's sometimes required to appliance-related claims.

Keeping these important details in mind will help you understand costs and select a home warranty that's tailored to protect your home. Be sure to discuss specifics of coverage with potential providers during the quote process to help avoid unexpected fees.

Key Factors in Choosing a Home Warranty Company

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

Coverage Options

Home warranty coverage varies, although most plans include protection for plumbing, AC, heating, electrical, and appliances. More inclusive plans may also cover other things such as roof leaks, spas, well pumps, and pools. Look for providers with a range of coverage choices, such as upgraded plans. Flexibility helps you tailor your protection for your needs.

Service Fees

Homeowners should anticipate paying a $60–100 service fee when filing home warranty claims. These per-repair charges can potentially accumulate over time, 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 reputation gives you insight into things such as contractor quality, claim approval rates, timeliness of repairs, and overall customer satisfaction. Look at third-party review sites such as Google Reviews, TrustPilot, or the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to research companies. Favorable ratings and reviews indicate a provider known for stellar service.

Contractor Network

Home warranty companies use networks of local repair technicians to manage repairs in a given area. Contact potential businesses to ask how many repair specialists they have in Claremont and get an idea of how fast your repairs could be handled in an emergency. Wider networks increase the probability of getting qualified contractors to quickly service your home.

Added Benefits

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

Is a Home Warranty Worth it in Claremont?

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Benefits of a Home Warranty

Since temperatures in Claremont can hit the negatives in the winter, the extreme weather can put a lot of strain on your heating system. Purchasing a home warranty can help homeowners save money if one of these systems or appliances stops working all of a sudden.

Not only can a home warranty save you some money on repairs and replacements, it saves you time too. Instead of having to vet service technicians yourself, home warranty companies do the work for you and send a contractor from their network right to your door when you need them. Additionally, having a home warranty can help make your house more attractive to potential homebuyers if you ever decide to sell in the future. Many home warranty companies will allow you to transfer your policy to a new owner and give them the protection you’ve been receiving.

Downsides of a Home Warranty

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

Another consideration is that home warranties typically only cover damage from normal wear and tear. They most likely won’t cover systems or appliances that have stopped working due to improper maintenance, animal infestations, natural disasters, etc.