7 Best Home Warranty Companies in Chattanooga, TN

How Does a Home Warranty Work?

A home warranty is a protection policy that helps lower expenses for Chattanooga homeowners needing appliance and system repairs. These plans provide coverage to fix or swap out appliances and systems that break due to 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 fix or replacement. The only time you may pay out-of-pocket is if the repair or replacement costs go over the item's coverage limit. A home warranty gives reassurance to homeowners because it helps prevent expensive emergency repairs. Home warranties are the most useful for older construction homes with aging systems. New homes with up-to-date appliances might not need a home warranty.

What Does a Home Warranty Cover?

Home warranties protect your home systems and appliances. Common covered appliances are refrigerators, dishwashers, microwaves, washers, dryers, garbage disposals, and more. Included systems are typically plumbing, electrical, air conditioning, and heating. Many home warranty companies offer add-on coverage for septic systems, roof leaks, central vacuums, and locksmiths. Chattanooga homeowners should know that most home warranty plans begin with a 30-day waiting period before repairs are covered. Additionally, most policies only cover the cost of repairs and replacements resulting from normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't include natural disasters, cosmetic issues, pre-existing conditions, or improperly using a system or appliance. Remember to keep up with preventative maintenance to help ensure your next repair or replacement is covered.

Key Home Warranty Terms to Know

Before agreeing to a home warranty contract, you should know key terms like:

• Deductible: The amount you pay toward a covered repair before the warranty covers the rest. Some plans have per-claim or yearly deductibles.
• Endorsements: Optional add-on coverage for systems such as septic, pools, well pumps and more. Endorsements typically come with an additional fee.
• Claim approval: The process a provider uses to validate that a requested repair or replacement is covered under your plan.
• Trade call fee: An additional fee that's sometimes required to appliance-related claims.
• Coverage limits: Dollar limits that cap how much the warranty will pay for certain repairs or replacements. Check limits on air conditioning units, roof leaks, appliances, and similar repairs.
• 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.
• Service fee: The out-of-pocket cost you pay per claim for access to a contractor and repair coverage.

If you remember these terms and key factors, it’ll help you understand costs and select a home warranty tailored to protecting your most essential home systems. Make sure to talk to providers about coverage specifics when getting a quote, so you can 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 warranties have significant variation in what they include. Basic plans typically provide protection for plumbing, electrical, AC, heating, and appliances, while more comprehensive plans may also cover roof leaks, pools, well pumps, and spas. Focus on companies with an expansive array of coverage choices including upgraded plans. This flexibility enables you to customize your plan to meet your needs.

Service Fees

Expect to pay a per-service fee of $60-100 for each home warranty claim. As this charge applies to every separate claim, some homeowners prefer to choose a provider with lower service fees to maximize savings. Some providers also remove deductibles when customers have a claim-free period.

Reputation

A home warranty provider's reputation can offer insight into things such as approval rates for claims, speed of repairs, contractor quality, and customer satisfaction. Use third-party review sites such as TrustPilot, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), or Google Reviews to research companies. Good ratings and reviews indicate that a company is known for quality service.

Contractor Network

Home warranty companies have networks of contractors that they use to tackle covered repairs. Bigger networks improve the chance of getting skilled contractors to your home quickly. Contact possible providers to learn how many repair professionals they have in Chattanooga to understand how long repairs might take in an urgent situation.

Added Benefits

Some home warranty companies provide extras such as smart home device protection, maintenance discounts, and energy efficiency upgrades. These add value beyond just repair coverage. Added bonuses can maximize the usefulness of the home warranty.

Is a Home Warranty Worth it in Chattanooga?

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Benefits of a Home Warranty

Temperatures in Chattanooga can get quite high in the summer, which means your air conditioner is most likely going to get a decent amount of use. As a homeowner in Chattanooga, one benefit of having a home warranty is that these home systems and major appliances can be covered in the event they have to be repaired or replaced.

Not only can a home warranty save you some money on repairs and replacements, it saves you time too. Instead of needing to vet service technicians yourself, home warranty providers do the work for you and send pre-screened technicians right to your door when you need them. Another good thing about having a home warranty is if you want to sell your home, some providers let you transfer your home warranty policy to the new owners. This can make your house more attractive to potential homebuyers and help your home sell faster.

Downsides of a Home Warranty

One of the major drawbacks of home warranties is not everything may be covered. It’s important to weigh the different plans and select one that covers all the appliances, systems, and add-ons you need.

Another thing to take into consideration is that some companies don’t cover pre-existing conditions and may require an inspection before coverage begins. Ask the home warranty company for clarification about it if you need more information or if this is a problem for you.