Home Repair Insurance Coverage

by Carolyn Kay 10/25/2020

Photo by: Caleb Woods via Unsplash

Home repair insurance is an optional service agreement also known as a home warranty. It is put in place to save costs when there may be a need for repairs or replacement of any major system or household appliances. Often added as an incentive to sweeten a sale, a great home warranty is a valuable option to have.

Items covered by this insurance might include the refrigerator, dishwasher, HVAC, plumbing, washer and dryer, electrical systems and plumbing. These appliances and systems may break down and need repair at some point due to daily use.

Apart from home repair insurance, there are other types of home protection plans that take care of expensive home repairs. Some of these policies are utility insurance, homeowner’s insurance and manufacturer’s warranties. Though they sound similar, each of the home protection plans is helpful in different situations.

What is covered by home repair insurance?

Note that home repair insurance covers items written clearly in the contract; it does not take care of anything outside the contract. Many home warranty providers have three coverage levels. They are the basic plan, an enhanced plan and a customized plan. The basic plan is the first level of coverage that takes care of appliances that you use every day. It also covers systems like garage door maintenance and dishwashers.

The enhanced plan is an upgrade of the basic plan; it covers extra items like a washer and dryer, jetted bathtub or water heater. You may also opt for a customized plan where you have the option of including specific features like a pool heater or well pump.

How to make a service request

Before submitting a service request, endeavor to call the company’s customer service line. Better still, you can often file a claim online. 

Follow these procedures when making a service request:

• Check your contract to be sure that the insurance plan covers the broken item.

• File a claim when covered items malfunction or stop working.

• Do not hire a contractor on your own, instead allow the home warranty provider to supply you with one of their professional contractors.

• Pay the technician a service fee.

• Ask if they will replace items that are not repairable.

There are a lot of benefits that come with home repair insurance. Go through the different plans available and opt for the one that is suitable for you. When you’re ready to start your home-buying journey contact me to go over the best strategy for securing a home warranty with your offer.

About the Author
Author

Carolyn Kay

As a Real Estate professional, I specialize in helping my clients buy, rent or sell properties in Westchester County. I am passionate, dedicated and committed to my clients and my first priority is to provide them with first class service and guidance throughout the entire process. It has been said that I go above and beyond for my clients to get the deal closed! I have experience working with clients who have financed their purchases with either a conventional, VA or FHA loan and have a good understanding of how they work; no sale is too big or too small for me to take on. My family and I relocated to England for 2 ½ years, this was a wonderful experience but at the same time, it was overwhelming. I have first hand knowledge of the challenges as well as the positives in discovering a new community. I was born and raised in Scarsdale and once married, my husband and I decided to raise our two daughters here. Both of our daughters successfully graduated from the Scarsdale schools and are both married, living and working in Manhattan. After living in the same house for 30 years my husband and I took the leap, sold our home and bought and renovated a condo townhouse in another town. Once again we are discovering a new community and fully understand the highs and lows of selling a home we loved and buying and making a new home. I feel that my personal real estate experiences have made me more in tune with my client’s needs and therefore better able to help them navigate through the complex process. Please call me so that I can put my knowledge and experience to work for you.