Maryland homeowners don’t have much to worry about when it comes to weather — it’s pretty mild year-round in the Old Line State. This is a good thing when it comes to maintaining systems and appliances, as there aren’t many climate factors that can wear down a home faster. But that doesn’t mean regular maintenance and repairs aren’t necessary.
To help cover those costs, Maryland homeowners may find a home warranty to be a helpful and effective purchase.
To make sure you get the most out of your money, it’s important that you find a warranty company that offers a plan that covers everything that’s important to you at a cost you can afford.
Other factors to consider when comparing home warranty companies in Maryland include:
- Add-on coverage: If you have a pool or a central vacuum system, make sure the company sells the type of additional coverage you need.
- Coverage limitations: Most companies limit how many repairs you can get per year or how much they’ll pay per covered item. Make sure its coverage is adequate and reflects how much you’re paying per month.
- Coverage exclusions: All companies have a list of things they don’t cover, like the knobs on your oven for example. In some cases, these exclusions may be more broad and impactful, so always read through the fine print.
- Pre-existing conditions: Not all companies cover pre-existing conditions or items that don’t have up-to-date maintenance records. If that’s important to you, ensure the company you’re considering does.
- Other benefits: Some companies on this list offer other benefits, like discounts on appliances, that can help seal the deal on choosing them instead.
In some cases, you can find this information easily online. But if you can’t, ask the company for a sample contract. Look for terms like “additional coverage,” “limitations,” “exclusions,” and “guarantees” to see what coverage looks like from this company.
Once you find the company that offers the best coverage — not just in terms of the number of covered items but also in terms of how much they pay out per claim and what other benefits they may offer — it’s time to sign your contract. More often than not, you’ll face a 30-day waiting period before coverage actually begins, so keep that in mind.