7 Best Home Warranty Companies in Bend, OR

How Does a Home Warranty Work?

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

When something breaks down, you submit a claim and pay a service fee. The home warranty company then finds 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 reassurance to homeowners because it helps prevent costly emergency repairs. Home warranties are particularly useful for older construction homes with aging systems. New homes with modern appliances might not require a home warranty.

What Does a Home Warranty Cover?

Home warranties cover many home systems and appliances. Typical covered appliances are microwaves, refrigerators, dryers, dishwashers, garbage disposals, washers, and more. Covered systems include air conditioning, electrical, plumbing, and heating. Various home warranty plans offer additional coverage for septic systems, central vacuums, roof leaks, and even locksmiths. Most home warranty plans require Bend homeowners to refrain from making claims for 30 days before they can use the policy to pay for repairs. Additionally, policies normally only cover repairs and replacements resulting from normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't cover pre-existing conditions, natural disasters, cosmetic issues, or misuse of a system or appliance. To help ensure your next repair or replacement is covered, keep up with preventative maintenance.

Key Home Warranty Terms to Know

There are multiple home warranty terms to learn before signing an agreement, including:

• Trade call fee: An additional fee that some companies charge for appliance-related claims.
• Endorsements: Additional coverage for systems like well pumps, septic, and pools, 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.
• 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.
• Coverage limits: Dollar limits that cap how much the warranty will pay for certain repairs or replacements. Check limits on roof leaks, air conditioning units, appliances, and similar repairs.
• Service fee: The amount you pay our of pocket per claim for access to a contractor and repair coverage.

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. Discuss coverage details with potential providers when getting a quote, so you can avoid surprise fees.

Key Factors in Choosing a Home Warranty Company

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

Coverage Options

Home warranties differ greatly in the items covered. Basic plans typically provide protection for electrical, heating, plumbing, AC, and appliances, while more comprehensive plans may also cover well pumps, roof leaks, spas, and pools. Look for providers with an assortment of coverage options, such as upgraded plans. You'll want to tailor your protection for your home’s 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 providers also offer disappearing deductibles if a customer doesn't submit any claims in a set timeframe.

Reputation

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

Contractor Network

Home warranty companies keep networks of contractors to handle covered repairs. More extensive networks raise the likelihood of getting qualified technicians to service your home ASAP. Reach out to potential providers and ask how many contractors they have in Bend to get a sense of how quickly your repairs could happen in an emergency.

Added Benefits

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

Is a Home Warranty Worth it in Bend?

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Benefits of a Home Warranty

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

A home warranty also saves you time and energy. Instead of spending hours finding and choosing a contractor 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. A home warranty can also provide value in other ways. For example, some policies can be transferred to another owner during a home sale.

Downsides of a Home Warranty

As for the downsides of home warranties, coverage varies by company, so it’s important to understand what each policy covers and doesn’t include in the contract.

Another downside is that home warranties may not include some repairs, such as those needed because of natural disasters. For example, if your house floods, the impacted systems and appliances probably won’t be covered by the home warranty.