What is an Extended Warranty on Home Appliances?

Home appliances have become so ingrained in our lives that we never even give them a second thought—until they break down.

Home appliances have become so ingrained in our lives that we never even give them a second thought—until they break down. Most of us would prefer not to do without their convenience, so we immediately call the local appliance repair shop when we have a problem. Home appliance repair from an authorized repair service isn't free, but an easy way to save money on the repair is to have a home warranty.

Who buys a home warranty?

A homeowner can purchase a home warranty at any time so long as they own the house, but most people encounter the opportunity when they first purchase their new home. A home warranty will usually be offered as part of the deal during the home purchase. A home warranty isn't your usual home insurance but covers several things in a home that are worth considering, even the pool! When buying a home with existing appliances whose current state of repair is unknown, it might help a person sleep better at night knowing that the appliances are protected.

What is a home warranty?

A new home warranty is an insurance agreement between the homeowner and the home warranty company that covers the appliances in a home; it does not cover items like the foundation or roof. If the appliances, such as a washer, central air or central heating, dryer, refrigerator, or water heater, are damaged and in need of repair, the home warranty company will send a technician to visit the home and assess the damage to verify that it is covered under your home warranty plan. If it is, the cost to the homeowner should be nominal. A homeowner may be required to pay the service fee, after which the warranty company will reimburse the appliance service for the repair, but some companies pay for everything. Depending on the repair cost, a family can save substantially by letting the home warranty company pay for everything. An added benefit to the process is that the homeowner won't have to bring the appliance into the repair shop, and the warranty company directly deals with the repair service.

What a home warranty covers

When buying a home warranty for appliance repairs, ensure it provides the necessary coverage. This means reading between the lines and looking at the fine print to see that everything is in order. There are a lot of limitations and exclusions, such as secondary damages. For example, suppose the refrigerator leaks all over the kitchen and ruins the tile floor; the floor is considered secondary damage. In that case, the home warranty company will fix the refrigerator but won't pay to replace the damaged tiles. A wise homeowner will shop around and compare various plans and their deductibles to find one that fits their needs and budget.

Conclusion

A home warranty should only cost a few hundred dollars for the entire year, which is a great bargain compared to the money a person would need to spend to have an appliance fixed by a nearby service center. The money savings alone isn't the only reason to purchase a home warranty policy. Just knowing that they are covered in the event of a breakdown provides peace of mind to many homeowners.

Mr Fixer is a fully licensed and insured company providing prompt and efficient installations for all your kitchen and laundry appliances. We guarantee fast response time, quality workmanship, and customer satisfaction.

Previous
Previous

What to Know About Shopping for Appliances

Next
Next

Troubleshooting Appliance Issues