5 Surprising Things Covered by a Home Warranty
Whether you sign up for a home warranty yourself or get one when you buy your new home, it typically covers problems with the big systems in your home, such as electrical, plumbing, and HVAC. Major appliances are usually included as well. But you might be surprised by some of the more unusual items a home warranty can cover. Of course, not all policies are the same, but if you have a home warranty and these things break, you’ll know who to call before you go the DIY route.
Make sure you familiarize yourself with your specific coverage. You may be pleasantly surprised by the number of items covered that might help keep some cash in your pocket.
1. Ice Makers
Since the ice maker is part of the refrigerator, it’s usually covered under most home warranty policies.
2. Spoiled Food
If your refrigerator stops working, you may be able to claim the cost to replace the resulting spoiled food. The really fun part is going to the grocery store and making a detailed price list for all the food inside.
3. Ceiling Fans
Ceiling fans are important fixtures in our homes and are sometimes viewed as being worthy of warranty coverage (assuming they were correctly installed). So whether the light won’t turn on or the fan blades no longer churn, call your home warranty company. If all the fans in the house are of similar age, you might want to have the technician inspect all of them.
4. Permit Fees and Code Violations
The accumulation of additional fees makes a home repair project expensive. City permitting fees add up quickly and can take a chunk out of your budget. If your service technician uncovers a code violation when trying to repair or replace an item, it can sometimes be covered by a home warranty policy.
5. Garage Door Opener
The garage is usually thought of as outside of the house and therefore not covered in a home warranty policy, so this is one that could go either way. And the simple motor garage door opener can be surprisingly pricey to replace.