Every homeowner as well as home buyer in Florida knows that buildings in the state require a lot of care and all the protection you can provide due to the extremely high humidity level. Home warranty is one of the tools that help protect you by covering the high costs of home system and appliance repairs. For buyers, this is another layer of protection that reduces the risk of potential high expenses after moving to a new property.
Similar to insurance, a home warranty will pay for repairs of the covered items. Therefore, to benefit from this plan, you need to choose the coverage very carefully. It’s also essential that you research the provider’s reputation because not all home warranty companies can be trusted.
Top 5 Home Warranty Companies in Florida
Due to the high demand for this type of service, the vast majority of leading US home warranty providers operate in Florida. Considering coverage limits, trustworthiness, and transparency, some of the best among them are:
- Select Home Warranty
- First American Home Warranty
- 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty
- Choice Home Warranty
- Total Home Protection
The actual number of home warranty companies in Florida is much bigger, so looking for the right option for you will take time. In this industry, it’s essential to research the provider’s reputation to make sure that it can be trusted.
You also should remember that many providers offer only a few plans, so their coverage options might be limited. You’ll need to compare both companies and plans to find the one that will benefit you most.
How to Choose the Best Home Warranty Company in Florida for You
The market share distribution of home warranty companies is extremely uneven. There are about 180 providers in the US, yet nearly 80% of the market belong to the top ten veterans of the industry.
But this doesn’t mean that small young companies cannot be trusted. When choosing a provider, you should be focusing on those that are covering all of Florida. The company has to be well-represented in every part of the state and have a large network of highly-qualified local contractors. Its presence in other states is irrelevant as long as the company is certified and authorized in Florida.
Once you ascertain the provider’s legal status in the state, start researching its online reputation. Look up independent review websites and consumer forums, like Yelp. You should also look online for news about the company to see if it’s been involved in any public scandals or charged with fraud.
The final test is to study the plan itself, as well as the contract. What exactly does the plan cover? What is the coverage limit? How do you file a claim? How much is the service call fee? Are there any additional fees? How fast will the company pay after the claim? What are the grounds for claim denial?
Find answers to all these questions and make sure that the terms and conditions offered by the company are straightforward and fair. Never shy away from asking for clarifications and explanations from the staff before you sign the contract. Doing that will also help you to evaluate the level of customer service the company provides.
In Conclusion
Home warranties can be a great help to homeowners, and especially home sellers. Properties with this coverage are said to sell 11 days faster on average and for more money (about $2,300 per deal). Plans on offer vary greatly, from those that cover only appliances or only structural home systems to plans designed specifically for home buyers. Florida is a state with the greatest variety of options, so take your time studying them to pick what’s truly best for you. And remember, every person’s situation is unique. Therefore, what’s best for your friend or neighbor isn’t necessarily what will be best for you.