Home Warranty: Why Do I Need This?

Do not confuse a home warranty with home insurance. Consider what you get with a car warranty, for instance. A car warranty does not have anything to do with recovering damages from an accident, vandalism, theft, or personal injury. A car warranty merely implies that, if you do your part, the car will do its. And, while the car is under warranty, you have the assurance that any unexpected, covered repairs will be made promptly.

A home warranty does the same thing. It is a service contract for a specified period. Especially with a new home, you want assurance that the furnace works properly and won’t suffocate you, or freeze you. You want assurance that the wiring was installed correctly and that it will work as you expect it to and won’t cause a house fire. You want to know the roof won’t leak, and if it does, that somebody will be there in a jiffy to fix it.

A home warranty does not help you after some disaster intrudes into your life. A home warranty ensures all the systems and major appliances in your house function as they’re supposed to. A home warranty is very important when buying brand new construction. You want to make sure every toilet flushes, every drain drains, the major appliances function as they’re supposed to, and the foundation won’t ‘settle’. In an older house the inspection and disclosure should cover most of those contingencies.

A warranty is still useful for ensuring your furnace and air conditioning systems won’t leave you in the lurch, and that you’ll have a functioning hot water heater when you have houseguests. Especially with as busy as everyone is, it is difficult to stay on top of all the things that need periodic attention and record-keeping. A home warranty, especially in conjunction with a good service company, will keep you running efficiently. There is a fee for the warranty and usually a deductible, but parts and labor should be covered by the warranty.

A home warranty is purchased from a service provider, not an insurance company. Your local phone book is the best source. You want them to be as local as possible, don’t you?

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