Buying a home is often one of the biggest investments most of us will make, and it’s only natural to want to protect that investment.
While home insurance provides some protection, adding to that protection with a home warranty may be a good idea as well.
If you’re wondering about the benefits of a home warranty, here are 5 reasons you may want to consider one:
1. Peace of Mind
A breakdown of one of your home’s major systems or appliances can be a huge inconvenience. Depending on what exactly needs to be repaired, you and your family could even be left without heat or lights.
Add to that the cost of the repairs, and it’s no wonder so many people worry about home systems and appliances breaking down.
That’s where a home warranty really comes in handy. Depending on the level of coverage you choose, the warranty may cover the cost of repairs to the HVAC, furnace, electrical system, water softener, and appliances in your house.
While you may still have a challenging day or two waiting for the repair, knowing you can get your broken appliance fixed without having to pay out of pocket can be a huge weight off for many families.
Of course, depending on the age of the different systems and appliances in your house, they may already be covered by a manufacturer’s warranty.
So, make sure to research the items first to see if the benefits of a home warranty make sense for your own situation.
2. Enhances the Home Selling Process
If you plan to sell your home in the future, a home warranty can make that process easier. In general, houses for sale that offer home warranties tend to sell faster and for more money than those without.
The reason for that is simple. Since the home’s major components are protected by a warranty already, the potential buyer gets the peace of mind of knowing that the home’s components haven’t been neglected.
On top of that, home warranties are often transferred to the new owner when the house is sold, which means they can buy with more confidence knowing the home’s major systems and appliances will be repaired if there are any issues.
3. Convenience
When an item in your house needs repairs, one of the biggest challenges can be finding a technician that you trust to handle the work.
A home warranty eliminates that hassle by working with a network of experienced professionals. Rather than having to hunt around, you can simply request a repair and let the company holding your warranty handle the rest.
4. Affordability
Anyone that’s ever paid out of pocket for a home repair knows firsthand how pricey that can be. For many families, paying a small amount each month for a home warranty is a far more affordable option.
A renewable home warranty contract often costs less than $100 per month, and covers all major home systems and appliances. The small monthly amount may end up saving you big if you do need a repair.
5. Guarantees Professional Repairs
When it comes to selling your home, or even just ensuring your house insurance covers you, professional repairs are important.
While you might be able to save money by letting an unlicensed contractor perform a repair, this could potentially affect any future house insurance claim, since the insurer can’t know if repairs were made properly.
Additionally, if your home’s major systems or appliances break down after its been sold, having proof that past repairs were done by a qualified professional can help protect you from any legal liability.
Buying a home is a big deal. And, depending on the age of the home and its systems, taking advantage of the benefits of a home warranty may be a good choice for you.
If you do decide to look into purchasing a home warranty, make sure you know exactly what systems and appliances you want covered, and what type of coverage the warranty will provide.
As with any type of insurance, you may not have to make a claim. But, the monthly cost may still be worth it for the peace of mind in case anything does happen.