6 Best Home Warranty Companies in San Bernardino, CA

How Does a Home Warranty Work?

A home warranty is a protection plan that helps San Bernardino homeowners cut the costs of appliance and system repairs. The plans offer coverage to repair or swap out appliances and systems that malfunction due to normal wear and tear.

When something breaks down, you submit a claim and pay a service fee. The home warranty provider then arranges a contractor to handle the repair or replacement. Homeowners may have out-of-pocket costs only if the cost of repair or replacement exceeds the item's coverage limit. A home warranty gives homeowners peace of mind by helping avoid expensive emergency repairs. The coverage is especially helpful for buyers of older houses or houses with systems near the end of their life span. However, homeowners with newer homes and functioning appliances might not require a home warranty.

What Does a Home Warranty Cover?

Home warranties help protect both your home systems and appliances. Common appliances covered under a home warranty include garbage disposals, refrigerators, dryers, microwaves, dishwashers, washers, and others. Covered systems include air conditioning, heating, electrical, and plumbing. Many home warranties offer additional add-on coverage options for locksmiths, central vacuums, septic systems, and even roof leaks. It's important for San Bernardino homeowners to know that most home warranty policies have a 30-day waiting period before they can be used to cover repairs. Additionally, most policies only cover repairs and replacements needed due to normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't cover problems such as natural disasters, pre-existing conditions, cosmetic issues, or damage caused by improperly using a system or appliance. It's important to keep up with preventative maintenance to help ensure that your next repair or replacement will be covered by your policy.

Key Home Warranty Terms to Know

Here are some essential home warranty words to understand before signing a contract:

• Contract rate: The rate that your home warranty provider has pre-negotiated with its contractors. Normally, this rate is lower than what you'd pay retail.
• Service fee: The out-of-pocket cost per claim that you pay for contractor access and repair coverage.
• Coverage limits: The maximum dollar amount that your warranty provider will pay for certain repairs or replacements. Check your contract's limits on repairs for things like appliances, air conditioning units, and roof leaks.
• Endorsements: Additional coverage for systems like well pumps, pools, and septic, which usually comes with a fee for each add-on.
• Trade call fee: An added fee that you'll sometimes need to pay for appliance-related claims.
• Claim approval: The process by which your provider determines whether a requested repair or replacement is covered under your warranty.
• Deductible: The amount you pay toward a covered repair before the warranty covers the rest. Some plans have per-claim or yearly deductibles.

With these important considerations in mind, you'll be able to better understand pricing and choose the right home warranty to protect your most essential home systems. When getting a quote, review coverage details with potential companies, so you don't encounter any unexpected fees.

Key Factors in Choosing a Home Warranty Company

When you're deciding on a home warranty provider, there are several important things to take into account:

Coverage Options

Home warranty policies can have major differences in covered items. Most plans cover plumbing, AC, electrical, heating, and appliances. More inclusive options also extend protection to other items such as well pumps, spas, pools, and roof leaks. Focus on companies with wide-ranging coverage selections including upgraded plans. Flexibility like this will help you customize protection for your home's needs.

Service Fees

Expect to pay a per-service fee of $60-100 for each home warranty claim. As this charge applies to every separate claim, some homeowners prefer to choose a provider with more affordable fees to maximize savings on every claim. Some companies also remove deductibles when customers have a claim-free period.

Reputation

A home warranty company's reputation provides insights into factors such as repair speed, contractor expertise, claim approval rates, and customer satisfaction. Look at review sites like Google Reviews, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), or TrustPilot to learn more about providers. Good ratings and feedback suggest a company known for providing quality service.

Contractor Network

Home warranty companies use networks of local repair professionals to manage repairs in a given area. Reach out to potential companies to learn the number of repair professionals they have in San Bernardino and get an idea of how fast your repairs could be handled in an emergency. More extensive networks increase the chance of getting qualified contractors to quickly service your home.

Added Benefits

Certain home warranty companies provide perks such as protection for smart home devices, discounts on maintenance, and energy-efficient upgrades. These bonuses can offer extra value beyond repair coverage. Extra perks help improve your home and help maximize your home warranty.

Is a Home Warranty Worth it in San Bernardino?

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Benefits of a Home Warranty

Temperatures in San Bernardino can get quite high in the summer, which means your air conditioner is most likely going to get a lot of use. As a homeowner in San Bernardino, one of the benefits of having a home warranty is that these home systems and major appliances can be covered in the event they need to be repaired or replaced.

Not only does a home warranty give you some financial relief, but it also saves you time. If an appliance breaks, the last thing you want to do is find a technician and schedule a repair. A home warranty deals with the research by sending trusted professionals to your door when you need them most. Additionally, having a home warranty can make your house more appealing to potential homebuyers should you ever decide to sell in the future. Many home warranty companies will allow you to transfer your plan to a new owner and give them the same protection you’ve been receiving.

Downsides of a Home Warranty

As for the drawbacks of home warranties, coverage varies by company, so it’s important to understand what each policy covers and doesn’t include in the contract.

Another thing to consider is that some providers don’t cover pre-existing damage and may require an inspection before your coverage can begin. Ask the home warranty company for clarification about it if you need more information or if this is a problem for you.