If you are a first-time homeowner, or just purchased a home in the past year, most likely the seller included a home warranty. They are usually good for one year from the date of purchase, and now it is time for you to renew your home warranty or go without one.
You’re looking back over the past year at what, if any, issues or problems there were that you placed a service call and you’re asking yourself, “Should I extend my home warranty? Or should I save that money and handle what happens as it happens?
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Your Current Home Warranty Plan
The home warranty you have in place now provided you a plan that would pay to repair or replace things like the appliances, the electrical system, the HVAC, the water heater, the plumbing system, even your spa or swimming pool maybe. And maybe you didn’t have any problems this past year that required a service call. But will you be that lucky this coming year?
Renewing your home warranty now will give you endless coverage of repairing or replacing the refrigerator or garbage disposal for the out-of-pocket expense of the deductible, also referred to as a service call fee, which is usually $50 to $75 per call. If your AC quits in the middle of July, one phone call will get an authorized service technician there to repair or replace for that small amount versus the possible $500 for repair or $5,000 or more to replace the unit could cost you. Home warranties are kind of like a security blanket for a homeowner. Those unbudgeted, unplanned expenses of repairing or replacing an expensive, but indispensable appliance or item will make you realize the value of a home warranty renewal. And then it is too late if you chose to go on without one.
Things To Consider Before Any Home Warranties Renewal Plans
You should take into careful consideration some things before making the decision to renew your current home warranty plan, such as the age of your home. Did you have any needs to repair or replace any of the major appliances and/or systems this past year where you were glad to only pay the $50 service call? How old are the other appliances and systems in your home – are they reaching their end of life?
Thinking about those factors and your household budget, decide which will be easier to afford if some unexpected, unforeseen repair or replacement were to come about.
If you have refurbished and updated things in your home recently, where most of the major appliances and/or systems are new, then you may be better off setting that monthly premium to the side as an emergency fund. If the money is left untouched, when something does break down or quit working, you would likely have enough set aside to pay for the repair or replacement.
How To Extend A Home Warranty Plan
If your current home warranty plan is about to expire, and you’ve had positive results with that company, you can choose to renew with them. You will get a letter or postcard in the mail reminding you that your current policy is about to expire and what you need to do to renew it.
Or you can take this opportunity to shop around with other companies. Talk with your neighbors about theirs, as well as co-workers, family, and friends. Use the internet to research different companies and make phone calls.
Either way, the current company or a new company, will schedule a time with you for a technician to come check all the appliances and systems, making sure they are all in good working order. If you have done your job as a homeowner and followed through with proper maintenance, called for service when needed, then there shouldn’t be any issues. If there is an issue with any of the items that you’re going to have covered under a home warranty plan, they will advise you what is needed to bring it up to standards before placing it under a home warranty plan.
Any home warranty company, like Liberty Home Guard, will make this renewal visit at no charge. You will be responsible for any out-of-pocket expense to repair or replace an item that isn’t up to standard, then your home warranty plan will go into effect.
