What is a Home Warranty?
by Guest on Apr 24, 2014
A home warranty is a special warranty that is applied to specific items in your home. While your homeowner's insurance policy is there to cover damage to your home from vandalism, fire, and natural disasters; a home warranty will kick in to cover very specific damages and breakdowns, such as issues with your electrical system, a burst pipe, or a malfunctioning air conditioner or a furnace - as well as most other major appliances in the home.
This is how a home warranty works: just as you would call your insurance company to file a claim if a tree were to fall across your roof; if your washer broke or your bathroom sprung a leak, you would call your home warranty company. They would then set you up with a service appointment with an approved provider. Once the problematic appliance is repaired or replaced, the homeowner pays only a small service fee - the presence of the home warranty covers the rest.
Home warranties are generally priced about the same as your homeowner's insurance policy; and like your homeowner's insurance, a home warranty policy must be renewed every year. Some providers require full 1-time payment at the beginning of each year, while others offer installment plans. The total cost of a warranty policy is dependent upon the type of home being covered (apartment, single home, duplex, etc.), and maybe somewhat affected by the home's age, and will only be affected by its size if the home exceeds 5,000 square feet. Garages, whether attached or detached, are typically covered; but other structures, such as sheds and guest houses, would require separate coverage.
Should you purchase a home warranty for your home? Well, that depends on the number of major appliances you have in your home, their value, and what kind of warranty they have. If you move into a home that is already furnished with appliances of indeterminable age and/or condition, then a home warranty is a good idea. And even if you're bringing along your appliances, spending a few hundred dollars to cover several thousand dollars worth of property is never a bad idea.
Popular Articles
Three Places to Spend Money on the Exterior of Your Home
When you have the exterior of your home remodeled, you are investing, time, energy and convenience into the project and you want to make sure that...
94099 Views
Homemade Headboards-Make an Upholstered or Wooden Headboard
Homemade headboards can add a lot of personality to any bedroom. They can be coordinated with existing furniture and room decor or they can be the...
73970 Views
When to Use a Brush, Roller or Sponge Brush
Brushes are a good choice for painting trim and woodwork. They are also useful for cutting in the edges around the top and bottom edges and corners...
71605 Views
Creating a Cottage Kitchen with Bead Board
Kitchen decor can range from modern and bold to elegant and elaborate by using strategic kitchen pieces. One of the most popular decorating trends...
52464 Views
Gas Fireplace Diagnostics and Troubleshooting
Follow these steps for diagnosing and troubleshooting Gas Fireplaces repairs. For the average DIYer, this may seem intimidating, depending on the...
30454 Views
Latest Articles
Best Areas to Buy Property in Singapore for Long-Term Growth
Singapore's real estate market remains one of the most stable and lucrative in the world. With limited land supply, strong governmental...
on Feb 18, 2025
Troubleshooting Excess Water in Your HVAC Secondary Condensate Drain Pan
When maintaining your air conditioning system, it is easy to overlook the condensate drain pan - until excess water starts pooling in places where...
on Jan 12, 2025
Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs): A Beginners Guide
By combining the advantages of stock market and real estate investing, Real Estate Investment Trusts, or REITs, offer an alluring investment...
on Dec 19, 2024
Global Real Estate Trends: What’s Driving Property Investments This Year?
For investors hoping to optimize returns in the ever-changing world of real estate, knowing current trends is not merely a matter of staying...
on Dec 19, 2024
5 Reasons to Use Gutter Cleaning Services
Gutters protect your home from water damage by directing rainwater away from your roof, walls, and foundation. However, they often required regular...
on Nov 14, 2024
Featured Articles
What Type of Licensed Contractor Should You Hire?
on Feb 28, 2017
Hire Contractors / Estimates

Looking for a specialty project? There are many types of contractors available for your home improvement needs. Finding the right type of...
Sponsored Articles
Best Areas to Buy Property in Singapore for Long-Term Growth
on Feb 18, 2025
Real Estate / Finance

Singapore's real estate market remains one of the most stable and lucrative in the world. With limited land supply, strong governmental...
Actions
Top Categories
- Garden / Landscaping / Patio — 263
- Kitchen / Bathrooms — 240
- Real Estate / Finance — 202
- Appliance / Repair — 186
- Interior Design / Decor — 184
- HVAC / Air Conditioning — 148
- Cleaning / Maintenance — 144
- Improvements / Remodeling — 131
- Plumbing / Basements — 118
- Floors / Tile / Hardwood — 116
- Doors / Garages — 113
- Safety / Security — 113
Articles Archive
More DIY Articles
Creating a Backsplash Mosaic from Found Materials
When you are remodeling your kitchen, the last thing you want is for your room to look like all the other kitchens out there. You want your...
Livening Up Your Living Room
When wanting to make a significant change to your living room without completely changing the design, you should consider changing your living room...
Soggy Drainfields: Tips to Help Your Septic System Work
Going to the bathroom isn't something you advertise. It's not something you give thought to unless something's wrong. But, ignoring the septic...
6 Reasons to Choose a Freestanding Bath
Its official – the nights are drawing in and the days are getting shorter and the best thing in the world on a dark night is a hot bath. But is...
Using Air Conditioning in an Environmentally Friendly Manner
Air conditioning has become a necessity, especially with the rise in global temperatures. It's no longer comfortable to stride through sweltering...