What Does a Home Warranty Cover? Your Full Guide for 2021

We’re all spending a lot of time indoors these days. With bitter winter weather, ongoing lockdowns, remote work and school, and limited social engagements, a safe and comfortable home is more important than ever.

Malfunctioning home appliances and systems aren’t fun to deal with in the best of times. Today, when many of us have few other places to go, a plumbing, electrical, or HVAC issue can be devastating.

A Liberty Home Guard home warranty is an effective way to keep your home humming. We can cover virtually everything in your home, so you can be sure everything you need to live comfortably can be reliably and affordably maintained, repaired, and even replaced when necessary.

In this 2021 home warranty guide, we’ll go into the specifics of what our home warranty plans can cover. We’ll also share some information on how the home warranty process works.

In this guide, you will learn:

• What are the best home warranty plans?
• Home warranty coverage vs. homeowner’s insurance - what do you need?
• How does a home warranty plan work?
• How much does a home warranty cost?

What is covered by a home warranty from Liberty Home Guard?

A home warranty is a kind of service contract to help you maintain and repair your home appliances and systems. Liberty Home Guard will cover almost anything you own, though we do offer some standard plans that cover the most significant home equipment.

Our System Guard plan, for instance, covers the following:

• Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC)
• Electrical systems
• Plumbing systems
• Water heaters

And our Appliance Guard plan has coverage that includes:

• Washers and dryers
• Refrigerators
• Dishwashers
• Ovens, cooktops, and ranges
• Microwaves
• Exhaust fans
• Garbage disposals
• Ceiling fans
• Garage door openers

Your coverage doesn’t need to end there. You can also customize your policy to include coverage for additional appliances, home luxuries and services, and systems that are less common. Some examples include:

• Pools and spas
• Sump pumps and well pumps
• Septic systems and tanks
• Sprinkler systems
• Water softeners
• Central vacuums
• Generators
• Home electronics
• Ice makers
• Wine coolers
• Lighting fixtures
• Plumbing fixtures
• Carpet cleaning
• Gutter cleaning
• Re-keying
• Pest control

This is hardly an exhaustive list. Provided your appliance or system isn’t already broken, we will likely cover it. If you have a specific item you would like covered, you can talk with our team at (833)-544-8273.

What's the difference between warranty coverage and homeowner’s insurance?

Some new homeowners are unsure of the difference between a home warranty and homeowner’s insurance. It’s important to understand that they are distinct policies will little overlap.

Homeowner’s insurance is a way to protect your home and belongings from theft, fire, wind, hail, lightning, and other disasters. Coverage for flood or earthquake damage usually comes at an extra cost. Insurance isn’t always required for homeownership, but it’s unwise to go without it. Most banks require insurance as a condition of a mortgage, anyhow.

If your home or belongings are stolen or destroyed, your insurance policy will provide a pay out to help you rebuild or replace what you lost. Insurance won’t help you maintain your home appliances or systems, and it won’t replace individual appliances that fail due to normal wear and tear.

A home warranty, on the other hand, is a service plan to upkeep your home equipment. A warranty policy will cover home maintenance and service. It will also allow you to repair or replace an appliance or system that breaks down unexpectedly after years of use.

You can also think of it this way: homeowner’s insurance is for unexpected damage or failure, while a home warranty is for more expected repair (even if you couldn’t know exactly when that repair will be required).

How does a home warranty plan work?

The home warranty process is simple. Once your plan is active, you can submit a claim when a covered item requires service or repair. Liberty Home Guard makes this easy with a simple form on our website. And we’ll take it from there. We’ll find the appropriate technician to attend to your needs.

What are the benefits of home warranties?

There are several pros to warranty coverage. The primary benefit is savings on home maintenance and repair. The total annual cost of a home warranty—premium and service fees included—is frequently less than what you would spend on a single expensive appliance repair. A warranty, in other words, can pay for itself.

There’s also easier budget management. Equipment failures have a way of surprising us. Unless you have money stowed away, it can be a challenge to find the cash for repairs, much less replacement. A warranty can provide a fixed monthly cost to help you better manage your finances.

Another financial benefit is improved home values. Research has shown that homes with warranty coverage sell for a greater price than comparable home without coverage. Warranty-protected homes sell more quickly, too.

Finally, there’s convenience and peace of mind. With comprehensive coverage, you’ll know that anything that fails will be swiftly fixed. Liberty Home Guard maintains a network of licensed technicians who can repair virtually anything, anywhere, so you don’t have to worry about finding a reliable repairperson on your own.

How much does a home warranty cost?

The right home warranty is one that is tailored to your home and possessions. With a range of possible coverage comes a range of prices.

The main cost associated with a home warranty is the monthly or yearly premium. A cheap home warranty with limited coverage may have a premium of around $25–$30 per month, or less than one dollar per day. A more comprehensive warranty could be $50 or more per month. It all depends on the number of covered items, the types of appliances, and the state of your appliances—a beat-up appliance that’s likely to break down may cost more to cover than a newer appliance in excellent condition.

The other component cost of a home warranty is the service fee. This is a fixed fee that the homeowner pays when they submit a claim for maintenance or repair. This fee can be anywhere from $75–$150, depending on the company.

Beware of hidden costs, too. If you’re investigating warranties with other companies, be sure to ask about deductible and home warranty coverage limits. Some plans may lure customers with low premiums only to later take advantage of homeowners by charging surprise expenses or not paying out as much as expected.

How long does home warranty coverage last?

With Liberty Home Guard, your coverage can last as long as you want it to. We can provide month-to-month coverage or coverage that extends for several years. You will save more money with multi-year coverage.

Can home warranty coverage be extended?

Yes, you can extend your policy. Liberty Home Guard provides a new contract before the current contract expires. You can also contact us directly to extend your coverage.

Protect Your Home in 2021 and Beyond

The right home warranty is a prudent investment. With Liberty Home Guard, you can be sure that you’ll receive transparent, reliable, top-notch service. We’re proud to be the Better Business Bureau’s highest rated home warranty provider.

Use our website for a free quote. You can also call us at (833)-544-8273. We’ll help you craft a policy to keep your home safe and comfortable for months and years to come.