7 Best Home Warranty Companies in Cedar Hills, OR

How Does a Home Warranty Work?

A home warranty is a protection policy that helps Cedar Hills homeowners reduce the expenses of appliance and system repairs. The plans provide financial coverage to repair or swap out appliances and systems that stop working due to normal wear and tear. When something breaks down, you file a claim and pay a service fee. The home warranty provider then finds a contractor to handle the repair or replacement. Homeowners may have out-of-pocket costs only if the repair or replacement goes over the item's coverage limit. A home warranty gives homeowners peace of mind, as it helps avoid high-priced emergency repairs. The coverage is particularly helpful for buyers of older houses or houses with systems near the end of their life span. However, homeowners with newer homes and modern appliances might not require a home warranty.

What Does a Home Warranty Cover?

Home warranties cover many household systems and appliances. Typical covered appliances include dryers, washers, dishwashers, garbage disposals, refrigerators, microwaves, and others. Covered systems include plumbing, heating, air conditioning, and electrical. Various home warranty plans offer additional coverage for septic systems, central vacuums, roof leaks, and even locksmiths. Cedar Hills homeowners should know that most home warranty policies have a 30-day period you must wait before they can be used to cover repairs. Additionally, most policies only cover repairs and replacements needed due to normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't cover problems such as pre-existing conditions, cosmetic issues, natural disasters, or damage caused by improperly using a system or appliance. You need to keep up with preventative maintenance to ensure that your next repair or replacement will be covered by your policy.

Key Home Warranty Terms to Know

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

• Endorsements: Optional add-ons that expand coverage for additional systems like septic, pools, well pumps, and more. Endorsements typically cost an additional fee.
• 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.
• Trade call fee: An additional fee that's sometimes required to appliance-related claims.
• Claim approval: The process providers use to determine whether a requested repair or replacement is covered under a home warranty plan.
• Service fee: The out-of-pocket cost you pay per claim for access to a contractor and repair coverage.
• Coverage limits: How much money your warranty provider will pay for specific repairs or replacements. Check limits on repairs for things like roof leaks, appliances, and air conditioning units.
• 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.

With these important considerations in mind, you'll be able to better understand pricing and choose the right home warranty to protect your most essential home systems. When getting a quote, make sure you review coverage details with potential providers to help avoid unexpected fees.

Key Factors in Choosing a Home Warranty Company

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

Coverage Options

Home warranty coverage can have major differences in what's included. Most plans include protection for heating, AC, plumbing, electrical, and appliances. More robust coverage options also cover other items such as roof leaks, pools, spas, and well pumps. Look for a provider that offers an extensive selection of coverage options, including upgraded plans. Flexibility is important when trying to fit a home warranty to your home's specific 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 more affordable per-claim fees to maximize savings. Some companies also offer disappearing deductibles if a customer doesn't submit any claims in a set timeframe.

Reputation

A home warranty company's track record gives you insight into things such as timeliness of repairs, contractor quality, claim approval rates, and overall customer satisfaction. Look at third-party review sites such as TrustPilot, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), or Google Reviews to research providers. Complimentary reviews and ratings indicate a provider 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 learn the number of repair professionals they have in Cedar Hills and get an idea of how fast your repairs could be handled in an emergency. Larger networks improve the likelihood of getting qualified contractors to promptly service your home.

Added Benefits

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

Is a Home Warranty Worth it in Cedar Hills?

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Benefits of a Home Warranty

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

A home warranty also saves you time and energy. Instead of spending hours researching and selecting a contractor to fix your appliance or system, home warranty providers do the hard work for you and send a trusted professional to your door whenever you need them. A home warranty can also have value in other ways. For example, some policies can be transferred to another owner during a home sale.

Downsides of a Home Warranty

There are also some negatives to buying a home warranty plan, like the coverage exclusions. For example, home warranties may not cover home systems or appliances that are already covered by a manufacturer's warranty.

Another thing to take into consideration is that some companies don’t cover pre-existing problems and may require an inspection before your coverage can begin. Ask the home warranty company for clarification about these things if you aren’t sure or if this is a problem for you.