7 Best Home Warranty Companies in Heath, OH

How Does a Home Warranty Work?

A home warranty is a protection plan that assists Heath homeowners lower the expenses of appliance and system repairs. The plans offer coverage to repair or swap out appliances and systems that break down due to normal wear and tear.

When something breaks down, you file a claim and pay a service fee. The home warranty provider then arranges 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 peace of mind, as it helps avoid high-priced emergency repairs. The coverage is especially helpful for buyers of older houses or houses with systems near the end of their life span. However, people with newer homes and working appliances may not require a home warranty.

What Does a Home Warranty Cover?

Home warranties cover your household systems and appliances. Covered appliances typically include microwaves, dishwashers, washers, dryers, refrigerators, garbage disposals, and others. Covered systems include plumbing, air conditioning, heating, and electrical. Many home warranty providers also offer add-on coverage for septic systems, locksmiths, roof leaks, and central vacuums. Heath homeowners should know that most home warranty plans begin with a 30-day waiting period before repairs are covered. What's more, most policies only address repairs and replacements resulting from normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't include natural disasters, pre-existing conditions, cosmetic issues, or misusing 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

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

• 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 appliances, roof leaks, and air conditioning units.
• 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 septic, pools, and well pumps, which usually comes with a fee for each add-on.
• Trade call fee: An additional fee that's sometimes required to 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.
• Contract rate: The rate that your home warranty provider has pre-negotiated with its contractors. Normally, this rate is lower than what you'd pay retail.
• Claim approval: The process by which your provider determines whether a requested repair or replacement is covered under your warranty.

Keeping these terms and key points in mind will help you understand pricing and pick a home warranty designed to protect your most important home systems. Make 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 policies vary widely in what they include. Most plans provide protection for electrical, AC, heating, plumbing, and appliances. More comprehensive options also offer protection for other items such as well pumps, roof leaks, pools, and spas. 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

Homeowners should anticipate paying a $60–100 service fee when filing home warranty claims. These per-claim costs can add up, so some homeowners prefer using providers with more affordable per-claim 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 can give you insight into things such as approval rates, contractor quality, repair timeliness, and customer service. Check review platforms such as the Better Business Bureau (BBB), TrustPilot, or Google Reviews to research providers. Good ratings and feedback indicate a provider known for great service.

Contractor Network

Home warranty providers use networks of local repair professionals to manage repairs in a given area. Reach out to potential providers to learn the number of repair technicians they have in Heath and get an idea of how quickly your repairs could be handled in an emergency. Larger networks raise the likelihood of getting qualified contractors to promptly service your home.

Added Benefits

Some home warranty companies may include perks such as smart home device coverage, reduced maintenance fees, and energy efficiency upgrades. These can offer extra value beyond just repair coverage. Added bonuses help you enhance your home and get the most from your home warranty.

Is a Home Warranty Worth it in Heath?

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Benefits of a Home Warranty

Home warranties are a great way to protect your home systems and appliances from normal wear and tear. With temperatures in Heath hitting an average high of 60℃F, you may find that certain appliances, like your A.C., get a lot of use. A home warranty can significantly bring down out-of-pocket costs should your HVAC system break down.

Additionally, 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 it varies by company, some providers will let you 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

One downside of signing up for a home warranty is that there are generally exclusions. For instance, if you already have a manufacturer's warranty on one of your appliances, it may not be included in the home warranty, so it’s important to read through the contracts you’re considering thoroughly to understand what is included and what isn’t.

Another drawback is that home warranties may not include some repairs, like those due to natural disasters. For example, if your HVAC system is damaged from an animal infestation, the impacted systems and appliances probably won’t be covered by the home warranty.