6 Best Home Warranty Companies in Airmont, NY

How Does a Home Warranty Work?

A home warranty is a protection policy that helps cut costs for Airmont homeowners needing appliance and system repairs. These plans provide coverage to repair or swap out appliances and systems that stop working due to normal wear and tear.

Homeowners file 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 exceed the item's coverage limit. A home warranty delivers security for homeowners by helping them prevent expensive emergency fixes. They're particularly valuable for those who own older homes or ones with aging systems. Newer homes with functional appliances probably don’t 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 dryers, dishwashers, microwaves, garbage disposals, refrigerators, washers, and more. Covered systems include heating, electrical, air conditioning, and plumbing. Many home warranties also offer add-on coverage options for septic systems, central vacuums, locksmiths, and even roof leaks. It's important for Airmont homeowners to know that most home warranty policies have a 30-day waiting period before they can be used to cover repairs. Additionally, policies typically only cover repairs and replacements that result from normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't cover problems such as natural disasters, cosmetic issues, pre-existing conditions, or improper use of a system or appliance. You need to keep up with preventative maintenance to ensure that your next repair or replacement will be covered by the policy.

Key Home Warranty Terms to Know

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

• 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 added fee that you'll sometimes need to pay for appliance-related claims.
• 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.
• 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 out-of-pocket cost you pay 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.
• 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, appliances, and air conditioning units.

Keeping these key details in mind will help you understand pricing and pick a home warranty designed to protect your most important home systems. Be sure to discuss coverage details with potential companies when getting a quote, so you can avoid surprise fees.

Key Factors in Choosing a Home Warranty Company

There are several important factors to consider when choosing a home warranty provider:

Coverage Options

Home warranty plans can have major differences in covered items. Most plans provide protection for electrical, plumbing, heating, AC, and appliances. More comprehensive options also include coverage for other items such as well pumps, spas, pools, and roof leaks. Look for providers with a diverse range of coverage options, including upgraded plans. This helps you customize your plan to your home's needs.

Service Fees

You'll pay a standard service fee of around $60 to $100 for each claim filed with your home warranty provider. This fee is charged per request and can quickly add up, so you may seek out providers advertising more affordable fees to optimize savings on each repair claim. Certain providers may waive deductibles after a customer goes a period of time with no claims filed.

Reputation

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

Contractor Network

Home warranty providers have networks of contractors to handle covered repairs. Wider networks raise the probability of getting qualified technicians to swiftly service your home. Reach out to potential providers and ask how many contractors they have in Airmont to get a sense of how soon your repairs could happen in an emergency.

Added Benefits

Home warranty providers often offer extras such as maintenance discounts, energy efficiency upgrades, and coverage for smart home devices. These extras add value beyond basic repair coverage. Additional perks help maximize the usefulness of the home warranty.

Is a Home Warranty Worth it in Airmont?

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Benefits of a Home Warranty

Temperatures in Airmont can vary greatly throughout the year, which means your air conditioner and heating systems are most likely going to get a lot of use. As a homeowner in Airmont, one benefit of having a home warranty is that these home systems and major appliances can be covered if they need to be repaired or replaced.

A home warranty also can also save you time and energy. Instead of spending hours finding and selecting a repair person 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 property 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 purchased your home warranty through.

Downsides of a Home Warranty

One downside of a home warranty is that there are generally exclusions. For instance, 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 thoroughly to understand what is included and what isn’t.

Another thing to take into consideration is that some companies don’t cover pre-existing issues and may require an inspection before your coverage can start. Ask the home warranty provider for clarification about these things if you need more information or if this is a problem for you.