Comparing Home Warranty Plans

Once you have narrowed down your list of home warranty plans based on Service Referrals (after reading our article on Service Referrals), the next step is to compare coverage plans and pricing.

Coverage Plans Comparison

In order to get a good “apples-to-apples” comparison, you need to make sure your coverage between plans is comparable. In my opinion, all coverage should include Air Conditioning (hey, I grew up in the South), but be careful as some “Standard” plans offered do not include A/C!

Here are the items that are in most Standard Plans:

Air Conditioning System (typically 2 systems are included but additional can be purchased)
Heating System (same as above–2 systems included but more can be added)
Ductwork
Plumbing System (leaks, valves etc…faucets and showerheads are usually an extra cost)
Plumbing Stoppages (only guaranteed for 24 hours)
Water Heaters (not tankless…only the traditional…tankless can be an extra cost)
Toilet Bowls
Recirculating Pumps
Electrical System (breakers, outlets, switches but not usually the breaker panel)
Garbage Disposals (not damage caused by foreign materials ie forks!)
Dishwasher
Oven/Stove/Cooktop
Built-in Microwave (they have to be built in as indicated by the manufacturer–not made to look that way!)

Strangely, optional coverages not included in the Standard plans are things you and I may use everyday, so be careful to make sure you have the right optional coverage in place.

Here are some Optional Coverage items that are included at an extra cost:

Premium Upgrades (extends the Standard Plan to cover stuff like faucets, showerheads, some code violations, ceiling fans etc)
Refrigerators (usually they must be located in the kitchen–no old garage refrigerator clunkers!)
Washer/Dryers
Pool/Spa Equipment (only heating, filtration and pumping equipment)
Built-in Wine Coolers
Stand Alone Icemakers
Garage Door Openers
Well Pumps
Septic Systems
Pest/Rodent Control
Termite Treatment

So make sure you are comparing apples-to-apples and make sure you are getting the right coverage for your home. It is no fun to find out after it breaks that you did not buy that optional covered item.

I hope this was helpful for you!