Home experts to weigh in on home warranty when buying a house I'm working with ConsumerAffairs to write an informative article about home warranty when buying a house. I need US-based industry experts (e.g., real estate professionals, home warranty providers, home warranty service technicians, etc.) to share unique insights. To be considered, please answer the following questions (all or the ones you can answer): 1. What is a home warranty and how does it differ from homeowners insurance? What does a typical home warranty cover? Here, it’d be helpful to detail 1) Definition and purpose of a home warranty 2) Differences between home warranties and homeowners insurance 3) Common items covered under a home warranty 2. What are the benefits of having a home warranty for new homeowners? How can a home warranty provide peace of mind? Here, it’d be helpful to detail 1) Financial protection against unexpected repairs 2) Benefits for first-time homebuyers and owners of older homes 3) How a warranty can make a property more attractive to buyers 3. What systems and appliances are typically covered? What are common exclusions in home warranty contracts? Here, it’d be helpful to detail 1) Overview of covered systems and appliances 2) Typical exclusions such as preexisting conditions and improper maintenance 3) Importance of reviewing plan details and exclusions 4. What factors should be considered when selecting a home warranty provider? How do customer reviews and company reputation impact the decision? Here, it’d be helpful to detail 1) Importance of comparing coverage options and plan flexibility 2) Evaluating customer service quality and claims handling process 3) Considering company reputation and customer reviews 5. What is the typical cost range for home warranties? How do service fees and deductibles affect overall costs? Here, it’d be helpful to detail 1) Breakdown of annual and monthly costs 2) Variations in cost based on provider, location, and coverage level 3) Impact of service fees and deductibles on total expenses

The home warranty provided assistance to a buyer who purchased an older home built during the 1970s that had outdated heating and air conditioning systems. The home warranty provided coverage for several repairs that would have cost the buyer a significant amount of money otherwise. A home warranty, in simple terms, is a type of contract that promises to replace or repair the major area of the house such as heating, cooling, plumbing and electrical systems, and appliances in the case that they fail due to normal wear and tear, whereas homeowners insurance typically provides protection after a catastrophic event such as a fire or storm. Most of the home warranties that I have been able to afford have covered my heating and air conditioning, electrical, plumbing, water heaters, all kitchen appliances, and sometimes garage door mechanisms. The difference between the two became very apparent to me when my furnace motor broke down in the winter I could not get my insurance to cover it, however I did get my home warranty to cover the repair of the motor minus the service charge of the contractor. Best regards, Ben Mizes CoFounder of Clever Offers URL: https://cleveroffers.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benmizes/

A home warranty is much different from home insurance. It deals with specific parts of your house - usually appliances or systems. Home insurance, on the other hand, deals more with the home structure itself. It also covers things like liability and your personal belongings in the house. Home insurance doesn't have anything to do with wear and tear and deals more with emergencies, such as storms, theft, and injury. Home warranties however deal primarily with wear and tear. If you have a home warranty that covers your kitchen appliances, for example, and your older oven suddenly stops working, that warranty should help cover a replacement or repair. Home insurance would only potentially cover you here in the case of something like a break-in that resulted in your oven getting stolen, or a fire burning down your kitchen and destroying your oven.