Back HomeHome Warranty – What’s it all about?
November 27th, 2011 by keithandkinseyGuest Post – by Kyle Ebley
Hello there. My name is Kyle Ebley, Territory Manager for Home Security of America, commonly known as HSA, a home warranty company based in Madison, WI. I’ve been called upon to offer some insight on the subject of home warranties: what they are, how they work, and why they are becoming increasingly more popular and important in real estate.
What is a home warranty? Glad you asked. A home warranty is the perfect complement to home insurance, because while insurance protects your home from fires, floods, etc, a home warranty covers the mechanical systems when they experience failure due to age. So when your furnace goes out on a cold winter day, or when your oven stops working right when you were making the feast of the century, your plans and pocketbook will be protected because you’re covered with a home warranty. See below for some examples of coverage a home warranty provides.
Things typically covered:
– HVAC system (your central heating and a/c unit)
– Appliances (ie, refrigerator, stove, dishwasher, clothes washer and dryer)
– Plumbing system (ie, hot water heater, water lines, gas lines)
– Electrical system (ie, fans, outlets, garage door openers)
Situations that might not have coverage:
– Failures due to something other than normal wear and tear (ie, improper installation)
– Secondary damage (ie, if a pipe bursts, warranty repairs the pipe, insurance covers walls and floor)
How does a home warranty work?
A home warranty is designed to not just save money, but also time. It’s a one-stop shop for all your mechanical issues. No more searching through the phonebook and hoping the technician you’re inviting into your home is reputable, insured, licensed, etc. Your warranty company does that legwork for you, so that with one phone call, you can arrange for quick service to repair or replace whatever system is failing, and you can rest easy knowing that you’ll receive professional service every time- and did I mention it’ll save you money too?
Why is a home warranty so popular now?
Since the industry started over 30 years ago, there have been many changes and advancements to the industry. Nowadays, warranty companies are covering more claims than ever (HSA has over an 80% claim approval rating). With this confidence in the product, real estate agents across the country have started including home warranties on their listings and closings to protect their clients, both sellers and buyers alike. It’s liability protection, budget protection, and a whole lot of peace of mind for everyone involved – and in today’s uncertain times, a home warranty will help you sleep a little easier.
The quick and dirty.
To sum it up, a home warranty offers great convenience, fantastic protection, a marketing edge, and several other advantages. So the next time you’re selling or buying a home, be sure to enroll for a home warranty- or, if you already own a home, we can protect that too. After all, we’re here to serve.
If you have any questions, I’d love to talk to you. Please feel free to contact me at [email protected] or 608-957-6829. And for further information, please visit our website at www.onlinehsa.com.
I always suggest that my seller clients offer a home warranty with an acceptable offer and that my buyer clients ask for one in their offer. It is just a good idea no matter if you are buying or selling to give that added assurance to the other party in the transaction.