What to Look for in a Home Warranty Service

<h1>What to Look for in a Home Warranty Service</h1>Author: <a title="Craig Elliott" href="http://www.articlesbase.com/authors/craig-elliott/46175.htm">Craig Elliott</a> When you are looking for a home warranty service there are a few things that you need to consider. There are many different home warranties available from a variety of companies. Each of these companies and warranties differs – from company to company and from state to state. Let's look at what you should know before deciding on a home warranty service, so you can be sure you are getting the home warranty that is right for you.

What's covered?

One of the most important things to know when looking at home warranty services is what is covered. This can vary widely with different policies, different states and different companies. You need to know everything that is covered; including your appliances and which appliances are covered. As for the major systems in your home, such as heating, plumbing and electrical, you need to know how much of it is covered, if the labor is covered and to what extent you have coverage. It's important to note that most home warranties cover major appliances only, such as your stove, fridge, dishwasher, washer and dryer but often do not cover smaller appliances such as a trash compactor or garbage disposal. Be sure that you know what is covered on your policy and if there is something that isn't covered, that you discuss adding the additional coverage with your broker before signing for the warranty service. Most often, the following are covered with a home warranty service plan:<ul>

<li>Air conditioning

<li>Heating and furnace

<li>Dishwasher

<li>Doorbell

<li>Water heater

<li>Duct work

<li>Plumbing and plumbing stoppages inside the home

<li>Ceiling fans

<li>Electrical systems

<li>Oven or range

<li>Telephone wiring

<li>Garbage disposals (sometimes).</li></ul>

What isn't covered?

You also need to know what is not covered with your home warranty service. Most often the following items are not covered with your home warranty:<ul>

<li>Outdoor sprinkler systems

<li>Faucet repairs

<li>Garage door openers

<li>Spas

<li>Pools

<li>Permit fees

<li>Hauling away of old appliances

<li>Garbage disposals (sometimes)</li></ul>

How could my claim be denied?

There are a few reasons why your home warranty claim could be denied. In most cases, these factors are across the board and the same for most home warranty companies. Reasons your claim and payment could be denied include:<ul>

<li>Code violations

<li>Improper installation

<li>Improper maintenance

<li>Unusual or excessive wear and tear</li></ul>

For any of these reasons, your home warranty could be ‘null and void' and not cover your repairs or replacements if they need to happen.

How does the warranty work?

Once again, in most cases, the following information applies to all home warranty companies. However, you should double check with your home warranty company to find out if they have any different procedures to follow.

1. When an appliance or system stops working, you call the home warranty company.

2. The warranty company calls a provider to fix your appliance or system.

3. The provider calls you to set up an appointment.

4. The provider comes to your home and fixes the problem. If it cannot be fixed, they will contact the home warranty company. If your contract covers replacements, your home warranty company will pay to replace your appliance.

5. You pay a small service fee (which is usually under $100) for the work that has been done.

What is the service fee?

The service fee for home warranties ranges from $30 to $100 and depends on your policy. Be sure to ask your home warranty company what your service fee is. This is the fee that you will have to pay out of pocket each time you have a claim on your home warranty.

Terms and conditions

Always be sure to check out the terms and conditions of the home warranty before signing on the dotted line. This will ensure that you know exactly what you are getting – what is and isn't covered, and if there are any special provisions on your policy that you should be aware of.

How much does it cost?

Of course, you will want to know what the bottom line of the home warranty is – this is a good thing to compare against other home warranties, but be sure that you are comparing similar coverage.

Your broker/agent

Of course, you will need to be sure that your broker and/or agent are legitimate – check with the Better Business Bureau and ensure that they are allowed to transact business in your state. Secondly, your agent or broker should be able to answer any and all questions you may have – if they can't, it might be wise to select a different home warranty company.About the Author: Craig Elliott is a freelance writer who writes about topics involving insurance including <a href="http://www.ahswarranty.com">Home Owners Warranty | Best Home Warranty</a>Article Source: <a href="http://www.articlesbase.com/">ArticlesBase.com</a> - <a href="http://www.articlesbase.com/home-security-articles/what-to-look-for-in-a-home-warranty-service-363347.html" title="What to Look for in a Home Warranty Service">What to Look for in a Home Warranty Service</a>

When you are looking for a home warranty service there are a few things that you need to consider. There are many different home warranties available from a variety of companies. Each of these companies and warranties differs – from company to company and from state to state. Let's look at what you should know before deciding on a home warranty service, so you can be sure you are getting the home warranty that is right for you.

What's covered?

One of the most important things to know when looking at home warranty services is what is covered. This can vary widely with different policies, different states and different companies. You need to know everything that is covered; including your appliances and which appliances are covered. As for the major systems in your home, such as heating, plumbing and electrical, you need to know how much of it is covered, if the labor is covered and to what extent you have coverage. It's important to note that most home warranties cover major appliances only, such as your stove, fridge, dishwasher, washer and dryer but often do not cover smaller appliances such as a trash compactor or garbage disposal. Be sure that you know what is covered on your policy and if there is something that isn't covered, that you discuss adding the additional coverage with your broker before signing for the warranty service. Most often, the following are covered with a home warranty service plan:

Air conditioning
Heating and furnace
Dishwasher
Doorbell
Water heater
Duct work
Plumbing and plumbing stoppages inside the home
Ceiling fans
Electrical systems
Oven or range
Telephone wiring
Garbage disposals (sometimes).

What isn't covered?
You also need to know what is not covered with your home warranty service. Most often the following items are not covered with your home warranty:

Outdoor sprinkler systems
Faucet repairs
Garage door openers
Spas
Pools
Permit fees
Hauling away of old appliances
Garbage disposals (sometimes)

How could my claim be denied?
There are a few reasons why your home warranty claim could be denied. In most cases, these factors are across the board and the same for most home warranty companies. Reasons your claim and payment could be denied include:

Code violations
Improper installation
Improper maintenance
Unusual or excessive wear and tear

For any of these reasons, your home warranty could be ‘null and void' and not cover your repairs or replacements if they need to happen.

How does the warranty work?
Once again, in most cases, the following information applies to all home warranty companies. However, you should double check with your home warranty company to find out if they have any different procedures to follow.

1. When an appliance or system stops working, you call the home warranty company.

2. The warranty company calls a provider to fix your appliance or system.

3. The provider calls you to set up an appointment.

4. The provider comes to your home and fixes the problem. If it cannot be fixed, they will contact the home warranty company. If your contract covers replacements, your home warranty company will pay to replace your appliance.

5. You pay a small service fee (which is usually under $100) for the work that has been done.

What is the service fee?
The service fee for home warranties ranges from $30 to $100 and depends on your policy. Be sure to ask your home warranty company what your service fee is. This is the fee that you will have to pay out of pocket each time you have a claim on your home warranty.

Terms and conditions
Always be sure to check out the terms and conditions of the home warranty before signing on the dotted line. This will ensure that you know exactly what you are getting – what is and isn't covered, and if there are any special provisions on your policy that you should be aware of.

How much does it cost?
Of course, you will want to know what the bottom line of the home warranty is – this is a good thing to compare against other home warranties, but be sure that you are comparing similar coverage.

Your broker/agent
Of course, you will need to be sure that your broker and/or agent are legitimate – check with the Better Business Bureau and ensure that they are allowed to transact business in your state. Secondly, your agent or broker should be able to answer any and all questions you may have – if they can't, it might be wise to select a different home warranty company.

Craig Elliott is a freelance writer who writes about topics involving insurance including Home Owners Warranty | Best Home Warranty

Rate this Article:

0 / 5 stars - 0 vote(s)

Re-Publish

Related Videos
Related Articles
Ask / Related Q&A

Play

The Psychology behind Effective Home Staging

Play

Home Staging Tips - Adding Pizzazz to Your Master Bedroom

Play

How to Shop for Home Staging Props

Play

Home Selling Tips – How to stage Master Bedrooms

Play

How To Save Money and Energy at Home - The Home Depot

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/home-security-articles/what-to-look-for-in-a-home-warranty-service-363347.html

Article Tags: Mortgage, Appliance Repair, Air Conditioner Repair, Home Owner Warranty, Home Buyer Warranty, Home Seller Warranty, Homeowner Program, Furnace Repair, Plumbing Problems

Latest Home Security Articles
More from Craig Elliott

Products to Prevent Burglary Attempt

By: Ava | 04/07/2009
There are many kinds of security products to protect you from burglary, such as security alarms, security cameras, driveway alarm, motion detector, etc. This article will introduce these products and talk about how to protect yourself from burglary.

Protect your home this monsoon

By: Prajakta Ambre | 03/07/2009
Home is the only one place in the world that makes you feel much secured. A heavy rainfall can do severe damage to your home structure and interiors. It's prudent to take special care of your home and protect it against uncontrollable weather risks. A comprehensive home insurance plan will not only secure your house and its contents against natural calamities but also against man-made disasters like burglary, theft, riot, terrorism, strike.

Why Garage Door Repair & Maintenance are extremely important

By: saramorris384 | 03/07/2009
Go online and you will definitely find a long list of garage door repair and maintenance service providers in different locations around the country. You can also find that same long list in the yellow pages. It is probably a lucrative business venture, because no one would offer that service if not a lot of people will patronize it. It just goes to show that garage door repair and maintenance are deemed important by a lot of people, and so should you.

Transforming Your Garage Door by Repair

By: Sara Morris | 03/07/2009
You might have been putting off repairing your garage door even if it no longer operates as best as it should. If the garage door has been used for about five years, it is bound to get worn out in the near future.

Sturm Ruger Firearms – Ruger Light Revolver (LCR)

By: Jason Rafeld | 03/07/2009
One considerable advantage that a revolver has over a semi-auto pistol is reliability. You pull the trigger and it fires. If the round is a dud, just pull the trigger again. It’s just that simple, and in stressful situations, simple is your ally.

Home Security- Computer Security Systems

By: Ava | 03/07/2009
Computer home security systems help in various home security activities and can increase the amount of protection. In addition, a computerized system will save you a lot of time since most of the security related tasks will be done automatically.

To make own eletricity

By: suresh | 02/07/2009
Solar free energy is one the most favorite renewable energy sources these days. Solar control board systems don't still demand often maintenance and still cut on electric bills calendar month afterward calendar month.

Sturm Ruger Firearms – Ruger Light Compact Pistol (LCP)

By: Jason Rafeld | 02/07/2009
Safety is a big priority for the Ruger firearms engineers, and to that end, they have incorporated a “view hole” next to the extractor, to tell if there is a round in the chamber. This is enormously important, since the leading cause of accidental firearms discharges is “I didn’t know it was loaded”. With the view hole, all it takes is a quick glance, and there is no doubt.

Why Winter Weather Makes Your Home a Bug Magnet

By: Craig Elliott | 19/03/2008 | Home Improvement
Just as people tend to stay indoors more often during the winter, bugs like termites seek refuge in warmer places to protect themselves from the bitter cold of the winter months. They usually prance around in the summer, fall and spring. In the winter we don't see them around much. And yet...

Positive Aspects of Termites-a Fine Line Between Your Yard and House

By: Craig Elliott | 19/03/2008 | Home Improvement
It seems contradictory to say that termites are good. People are horrified of them, and home buyers who are looking for homes will ask the seller if there are termites in the house or if there are signs of termite infestation. Most times a "yes" answer will make buyers think twice.

What to Look for in a Home Warranty Service

By: Craig Elliott | 18/03/2008 | Home Security
When you are looking for a home warranty service there are a few things that you need to consider. There are many different home warranties available from a variety of companies.

What a Home Warranty Will not Cover

By: Craig Elliott | 24/02/2008 | Home Improvement
Many people think that home warranties are exclusive to new homes. This is not accurate, although for many years home warranties were primarily marketed for newly constructed houses. Today, many people are becoming more aware of home warranties for older homes.

Top Five Crucial Areas Covered in a Home Warranty

By: Craig Elliott | 24/02/2008 | Home Improvement
Home warranties vary from one company to the next in a variety of aspects. These aspects include rates, deductibles and also what is and is not covered under the warranty. However, the vast majority of home warranties will cover these five crucial areas in your home.

Tips for First Time Home Buyers

By: Craig Elliott | 24/02/2008 | Home Security
Buying a home for the first time is very exciting - no more renting, you are now paying and investing in yourself by paying your mortgage. However, through all the excitement of a mortgage and buying a new home, it's easy to get carried away and to forget some important things you should be looking for.

Trees That Can Withstand the Winter Cold

By: Craig Elliott | 19/02/2008 | Gardening
In the Interior of Alaska, the forests at this time of year show that few kinds of trees thrive here. The forests contain only a handful of families, white spruce, black spruce, poplar, birch, willow, with the odd tamarack or over-grown alder thicket providing scant variety. There was a little research on why so few tree types grow naturally in Alaska.

Reasons to Plant Evergreen Trees in your Yard

By: Craig Elliott | 19/02/2008 | Gardening
Evergreen trees are extremely valuable in your yard. Evergreen means that the plant retains its foliage all year long. Even in the smallest areas they can help to prevent a look of bareness in the winter months. They also make a great windbreaks and shelters for small animals and birds that live in your yard. You can plant evergreens in early spring and also safely in late August and in September. You can also transplant evergreens in these same seasons.