A home warranty policy can be useful when some of life’s inevitable snarls and skeins take place in our homes. These contracts can help prevent sudden or major fixes to your home from taking on a consequential amount, which can so often be the case.
Warranty providers typically sell three policy types, namely an appliance policy and a systems policy, or a combination of the two.
An appliance policy covers most major appliances found in a home, such as air conditioning, cooking equipment, refrigerators, and the like. The systems policy takes care of any electrical, plumbing, heating or cooling work needed on your property, as well as ductwork and roofing repairs. Each plan covers a unique list of systems and appliances plus the option to combine some of them with an available discount.
When searching for a new home warranty policy, consider the kinds of appliances you have in your home and how long you’ve had them for, as well as systems. Newer appliances might still carry their manufacturer’s warranty but systems typically lose their builder’s warranty after 10 years.
Here is a list of the most common systems and appliances covered in major policies plus additional add-ons you can add to yours:
| Systems | Appliances | Add-ons |
| Heating and air conditioning (HVAC system) | Refrigerators | Pools and inground spas |
| Plumbing systems | Laundry machines (clothes washer, dryers) | Septic systems |
| Electrical systems | Ranges, stoves, ovens & cooktops | Well pumps |
| Water heaters | Built-in microwave ovens | Sump pumps |
| Ductwork | Garbage disposals | Ceiling fans |
| Doorbells | Garage door opener | Smoke detectors |
| Central vacuums | Dishwashers
|
Pros of a Home Warranty
- Can help curtail the costs of improvements and repairs to your home’s systems in a pinch.
- Can help you replace or fix broken or older appliances through a network of contractors that go to your home at a reasonable cost.
- Peace of mind that your home’s equipment is covered.
Cons of a Home Warranty
As with most home insurance or even medical policies, home warranties are never perfect, and often contain loops that prevent you from receiving assistance when you need it most. Some plans might require you to schedule and maintain a proper maintenance of your appliances through guidelines established by the carrier, and some could even ask for evidence of said maintenance being carried out.
Useful tip: take pictures of any maintenance or repairs that are performed on your home’s systems or appliances as evidence of proper care.
Choosing the Right Policy
When looking for a fitting home warranty policy, make sure to look around for different providers and gather quotes from each one including a list of their agreements and plan varieties, this should also contain a list of covered systems and appliances.
Structural elements, such as walls, windows, or flooring—basically, any foundational components, including the roof, are not covered by home warranties. In cases in which your roof might need to be replaced after a hurricane, or if a door or window frame cracks during an earthquake, your home insurance policy would need to step in to help cover the costs. This is also true to natural wear and tear of your home’s structural foundation.
To find the best policy, focus on customer service quality and simple claims processing, as well as transparency of service. Most plans cover the same appliances, so make sure to shop around to find the best price.
How a Policy Ties in with Your Roof
When you think about your home warranty policy, you might assume your roof simply isn’t covered by any policy, but you might be surprised.
Although there isn’t a standard procedure for roof coverage among carriers the same way there is for major household appliances, roof coverage is something that is growing bigger and bigger with every year.
Typically, warranty providers will only include roof coverage in their “Platinum” or “Combination” plans, meaning it isn’t covered on lower priced coverage brackets.
However, it’s important to note that current roof coverage is confined to smaller issues, such as leaks from normal wear and tear, and will not cover roof replacements. Leaks that are caused by natural disasters or poor construction are not covered, and will need to be repaired using cash or your homeowner’s insurance policy.
Know when to contact us
Sol Vista is a modern, high-tech solutions roofing company. We use the latest technology to ensure a seamless process for you and your family, and are prepared to answer any questions related to your home’s roof or building material needs.
Our team has many years of experience working with major roof replacements in Denver—yes it hails here. From residential roof replacement to commercial roofing inspections and consultations, we are committed to providing the highest quality solutions to your home or business needs.
Get in touch with us today.
