When most people think of a warranty, they’ll probably start thinking of a warranty on an appliance or even a car. What they may not realize is that warranties are also a common option for newly built homes, and even for older houses that have just been purchased. A home warranty, which can also be labeled a home service contract, typically provides coverage for the repair or replacement costs of certain appliances or other systems inside the residence. While it is an extra expense that has to be covered out of pocket, it can be a great way to save money and relieve stress in the long run.

Consider these five important reasons why you should purchase a home warranty.

1). To Save Yourself Money on Repairs

Repairing an appliance or another internal system in your home can be a costly proposition. Many homeowners would agree that when something in the house breaks down, it usually requires a big investment of time and money to get it repaired or even replaced. No matter how well a person takes care of their home, things are going to break, and the cost of addressing these problems can quickly jump into the hundreds or even thousands of dollars.

If you don’t have funds already set aside for unexpected home repairs, or if you just don’t want to dip into your emergency funds, a home warranty can help. If an item covered by the warranty is not working properly, a simple call to the provider is all it takes to have a licensed technician dispatched for the repair work. Better still, a home warranty can cover the cost of replacing an appliance or system if it just can’t be repaired.

2). To Have the Safety of Comprehensive Coverage

By maintaining a home warranty plan, you can enjoy the comfort of knowing that the most important appliances and systems are protected from unexpected problems that could otherwise be a real challenge to deal with. A warranty is not meant to protect you, or the home itself, from every potential maintenance concern (such as repairing or replacing doors, flooring, or the roof), but it will give you the peace of mind that comes with knowing that a small annual fee will help you save thousands in potential service and repair calls over the years for your various appliances, HVAC system, water heater, and more.

3). Avoid Searching for the Right Deal on Repairs

A big advantage of having a home warranty is that you won’t need to search through the internet and social media sites for reviews on a specific technician. Better still, you won’t need to spend time contacting multiple groups to try and determine which company will offer you a better deal without compromising the quality of their work. Even if you do settle on a technician, and feel confident they will give you the service you need at the price you want, you will still need to wait for an available service time that may not fit into your daily schedule. 

With a home warranty, you can have the support of a customer service team who is always ready to schedule an appointment at a time that is convenient for you, and with a technician who can be trusted to repair your problem the right way.

4). To Avoid Hidden Fees

Many people are familiar with the shock of receiving a repair bill from a technician that contains a whole list of unexpected costs. Unfortunately, there can be times when a technician might decide to add in certain services or cost estimates that can jump the cost of repairs far beyond your expected price. With a home warranty, these hidden service fees and unexpected additions to your final bill are never a concern because all costs and expenses are handled by the provider through your annual contract cost and a flat service call fee.

 5). To Save Yourself Time and Effort

Although some people might be very comfortable with the challenges of do-it-yourself home repairs, even they may not have the time or energy to take care of these projects. By maintaining a home warranty, you can have the support of a company that handles the heavy lifting for you. A call to your provider, or even an online request for a technician in some cases, is all it takes to get an appointment set up for someone to come look at your concern. This streamlined process leaves you free to take care of your regular daily challenges, and the technician can even be scheduled to visit at a time that is most convenient for you.