6 Best Home Warranty Companies in Laconia, NH

How Does a Home Warranty Work?

A home warranty is a protection policy that assists Laconia homeowners cut the high costs of household repairs. These plans provide financial protection to repair or swap out 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 cost of the repair or replacement goes over the item's coverage limit. A home warranty delivers security for homeowners by helping them avoid expensive emergency repairs. They're particularly useful for those who own older homes or ones with aging systems. Newer builds with modern fixtures probably don’t need a home warranty.

What Does a Home Warranty Cover?

Home warranties help protect your home systems and appliances. Common appliances covered under a home warranty include dryers, refrigerators, garbage disposals, dishwashers, microwaves, washers, and more. Covered systems include electrical, air conditioning, heating, and plumbing. Many home warranties also offer add-on coverage options for central vacuums, septic systems, locksmiths, and even roof leaks. Laconia homeowners should know that most home warranty plans begin with a 30-day waiting period before repairs are covered. Additionally, most policies only address repairs and replacements due to normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't include cosmetic issues, pre-existing conditions, natural disasters, or misusing a system or appliance. Remember to keep up with preventative maintenance to help make sure your next repair or replacement is covered.

Key Home Warranty Terms to Know

There are several home warranty terms to understand before signing an agreement, including:

• Coverage limits: How much money your warranty provider will pay for specific repairs or replacements. Check limits on repairs for things like appliances, roof leaks, and air conditioning units.
• Deductible: The amount you pay toward a covered repair before the warranty covers the rest. Some plans have per-claim or yearly deductibles.
• Service fee: The out-of-pocket cost per claim that you pay for contractor access 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.
• Claim approval: The process providers use to determine whether a requested repair or replacement is covered under a home warranty plan.
• Trade call fee: An additional fee that some companies charge for appliance-related claims.
• Contract rate: The pre-negotiated rate a home warranty company has with its contractors. This rate is usually less than typical retail costs.

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 can have major differences in what's included. Most plans include protection for heating, electrical, plumbing, AC, and appliances. More comprehensive plans also offer coverage on other items such as spas, well pumps, pools, and roof leaks. Look for companies with varied coverage options, including upgraded plans. This helps you tailor protection to your home's 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 claim you submit. The costs from multiple fees can add up. You may decide to look for providers with more affordable fees to maximize your savings on each claim. Some companies also offer disappearing deductibles when customers go a period with no claims filed.

Reputation

A home warranty company's reputation gives insight into things such as timeliness of repairs, claim approval rates, contractor quality, and overall customer satisfaction. Use third-party review sites such as Google Reviews, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), or TrustPilot to research companies. Complimentary ratings and reviews indicate a company known for stellar service.

Contractor Network

Home warranty providers use networks of local repair contractors to manage repairs in a given area. Reach out to potential companies to ask how many repair specialists they have in Laconia and get an idea of how quickly your repairs could be handled in an emergency. More extensive networks raise 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 can add value beyond basic repair coverage. Additional perks help maximize the usefulness of the home warranty.

Is a Home Warranty Worth it in Laconia?

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Benefits of a Home Warranty

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

Not to mention, having a home warranty can save you some time by removing the need to research repair people — most providers will send a trusted professional right to your door to carry out the repair or replacement. Additionally, though home warranty companies vary, some providers will allow you to transfer your warranty in the event that you sell your home. This can make your house more attractive to potential homebuyers and help your home sell faster.

Downsides of a Home Warranty

Home warranties also have some cons. Although it can be convenient that the home warranty sends out a service technician who handles the repair for you, some people may not like this, and they would rather choose their own contractor. If that’s the case for you, some home warranty providers allow you to select a contractor.

Another consideration is that home warranties typically only cover malfunctions due to normal wear and tear. They commonly won’t cover home systems or appliances that need repairs or replacements due to natural disasters, animal infestations, improper maintenance, etc.