Similar to a warranty that comes with the purchase of a new phone, or piece of equipment, home warranties, cover home appliances and system repairs. Home warranties shield homeowners from the high cost of unexpected appliance breakdowns and system failures. They provide protection not just for your home, but for your budget and time as well.

What's great about home warranties is that unlike a standard warranty that comes with an appliance, home warranties cover a wide variety of appliances which can be customized depending on your needs. When signing up for a home warranty or receiving an initial quote, you will be asked to fill in basic information about the location of your home and which appliances you want to cover. Most home warranty companies like Choice Home Warranty, Select Home Warranty, or American Home Shield, offer a choice of several plans with options to add appliances based on need.

These home warranty companies will charge an annual contract fee for yearly coverage and a small service fee when they need to send someone to repair or replace an appliance. Typically home warranty companies work with certified local technicians who work quickly and efficiently to help ensure your home is back in working order.

As mentioned, home warranty coverage varies from company to company and there is no one set item list that all home warranties cover. In general, it's best to review your contract and make sure all your essential appliances are listed.

In general home warranties may cover some of these items and more:

Central heating systems

Air conditioning systems

Electrical systems

Plumbing systems

Washing machines and dryers

Microwaves

Dishwashers

Refrigerators

Ovens and stove-tops

As a homeowner, you never know when your essential systems or appliances may break, and repairing them can be both time-consuming and extremely costly. Home warranties are there to offer peace of mind by ensuring you’ll be taken care of by certified professionals when the unexpected occurs.