7 Best Home Warranty Companies in Arlington, VA

How Does a Home Warranty Work?

A home warranty is a protection policy that helps cut costs for Arlington homeowners needing appliance and system repairs. These plans provide coverage to fix or replace 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 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 gives reassurance to homeowners because it helps prevent expensive emergency repairs. Home warranties are particularly useful for owners of older homes or homes with aging systems. New homes with modern appliances might not need a home warranty.

What Does a Home Warranty Cover?

Home warranties cover your home systems and appliances. Covered appliances normally include washers, microwaves, garbage disposals, dishwashers, dryers, refrigerators, and others. Covered systems include heating, plumbing, electrical, and air conditioning. Many home warranty companies also provide additional coverage for roof leaks, septic systems, central vacuums, and locksmiths. It's important for Arlington homeowners to understand most home warranty plans have a waiting period of 30 days before repair claims will be approved. Most policies also only cover repairs and replacements resulting from normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't include natural disasters, cosmetic issues, pre-existing conditions, or misuse of a system or appliance. Be diligent about completing preventative maintenance to ensure your next repair or replacement is covered.

Key Home Warranty Terms to Know

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

• 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 air conditioning units, appliances, and roof leaks.
• Claim approval: The process by which your provider determines whether a requested repair or replacement is covered under your warranty.
• Trade call fee: An added fee that you'll sometimes need to pay for appliance-related claims.
• Endorsements: Optional add-ons that expand coverage for additional systems like well pumps, pools, septic, and more. Endorsements typically cost an additional fee.
• Deductible: How much you pay for a covered repair before your warranty covers the rest. Deductibles can be per-claim or yearly.
• Contract rate: A pre-negotiated rate that your home warranty provider has worked out with contractors. This rate is typically less than what you would pay retail.

With these terms and key factors in mind, you'll be able to better understand pricing and choose a home warranty customized to protecting your most essential home systems. During the quoting process, review coverage details with potential companies, so you don't encounter any unexpected fees.

Key Factors in Choosing a Home Warranty Company

There are several key factors to consider when selecting a home warranty provider:

Coverage Options

Home warranty policies differ significantly in terms of coverage. Most plans provide protection for plumbing, electrical, AC, heating, and appliances. More comprehensive options also include coverage for other items such as well pumps, roof leaks, pools, and spas. Look for providers with flexible coverage choices, including upgraded plans. This allows you to tailor protection to your home's needs.

Service Fees

With any home warranty claim, you'll pay a service fee, usually falling in the $60 to $100 range, which gets paid per claim you submit. The per-request costs can add up. You may decide to look for companies with lower service fees to maximize your savings on each claim. Some firms also offer disappearing deductibles for customers who don't file any claims over a certain timespan.

Reputation

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

Contractor Network

Home warranty companies have networks of professionals to handle covered repairs. Bigger networks raise the likelihood of getting qualified technicians to service your home ASAP. Ask potential providers how many contractors they have in Arlington to get a sense of how soon your repairs could happen in an emergency.

Added Benefits

Home warranty companies might offer perks such as maintenance discounts, energy efficiency upgrades, and coverage for smart home devices. 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 Arlington?

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Benefits of a Home Warranty

Home warranty plans are an inexpensive way to guard your home systems and appliances from normal wear and tear. With temperatures in Arlington hitting an average high of 64℃F, you may find that certain appliances, like your air conditioner, get a lot of use. A home warranty can remarkably bring down out-of-pocket expenses should your HVAC system break down.

Not only does a home warranty give you some financial relief, but it also saves you time. If an appliance breaks down, the last thing you want to do is find a technician and schedule a repair. A home warranty handles this process by sending trusted professionals to your door when you need them most. Plus, though it varies by company, some providers will allow you to transfer your warranty if you sell your home. This can make your property more attractive to potential homebuyers and maybe even help your home sell faster.

Downsides of a Home Warranty

One of the main drawbacks of a home warranty is not everything may be covered. It’s important to compare the different plans and choose one that covers all the appliances, systems, and add-ons you need.

Another stipulation is that home warranties typically only cover repairs needed due to normal wear and tear. They often won’t cover home systems or appliances that have been damaged due to natural disasters, animal infestations, improper maintenance, etc.