Warranties can include a broad range of coverages and be issued by several different entities. From manufacturer or OEM warranties on products, to extended warranties or service contracts, to home warranties, most warranties cover residential warranty services for the repair of a failed covered product.
Let's consider the types of warranty and how they influence residential warranty services.
Manufacturers or OEMs offer two kinds of warranty services, implied and expressed. Expressed warranty products are explicitly offered to customers as part of the sales transaction, and include promises about a product or about a commitment to fix defects and malfunctions that might be experienced by consumers.
Manufacturer warranty services protect a consumer from product failure during the coverage period, and require the manufacturer to estimate product failures, such that they can set aside a 'warranty reserve', to fund future residential warranty services.
Manufacturers can also offer other kinds of warranty products, including extended warranties or service contracts.
Extended warranties offer residential warranty services that wrap around a manufacturer's warranty product. Extended warranties offer warranty services such as repair for product failures that occur after the OEM warranty expires.
Service contracts are often synonymous with extended warranties. The terms are used interchangeably. However, service contracts can also be described as a contract or warranty product which begins at the date of purchase, or DOP, of a product, whereas an extended warranty begins upon the expiration of a manufacturer's warranty period.
Service contracts cover the same 'break fix' or residential warranty service repairs which extended warranties cover, but also, in the case of a DOP contract include additional coverages for non-OEM covered features, such as food loss, power surge or no lemon coverages which can kick in on the date of a product purchase. Additionally, service contracts can also extend outside the traditional boundaries of 'break fix' coverage, particularly when paired with products which support smart products.
Home warranties are slightly different than extended warranties and manufacturer warranties. Home warranties, like fixHomz, cover residential warranty services including the cost of repair for covered products, AND home systems. They typically cover more product types than an extended warranty and do not have to be sold in conjunction with a new product (home) purchase. Home warranties cover appliances and home systems, such as:
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So, to tie it all together, when you purchase a new consumer product, like an appliance or TV, the manufacturer offers some protection against repair costs for a specific period, like a year.
You can often purchase an extended warranty on the same products from the retailer or etailer from whom you've purchased the product. Extended warranties extend the repair cost protection for an additional period of 1-5 years, depending on the product. Extended warranties often offer additional benefits like food loss that manufacturers don't.
A home warranty covers more products than an extended warranty, including residential warranty services on home systems and even utility lines, pool and spas, septic systems and well pumps. They can be purchased on new or existing homes.
The biggest difference between the two above is that the extended warranty protects electronics and computing equipment, whereas the home warranty doesn't.
So, as you craft your home protection strategy, extended warranties and home warranties are a great compliment to homeowners and automotive insurance policies, giving you and your family an end to end umbrella of coverage for those rainy days!
We know what you may have heard about home warranty companies. But rest assured, we’re not like most home warranty companies.
You see, somewhere along the way, home warranty providers took a wrong turn. They started caring more about profits than customers. They stopped caring if people sat on hold, paid for coverage they didn’t need, or had to take cold showers in the middle of winter. Seriously, what kind of company does that!? Certainly not one focused on its customers’ experiences with their brand!
When we set out to build fixHomz, we knew we had to come up with a better way. HomeEase is dedicated to finding a more modern approach for helping you benefit from a home warranty system that’s actually useful. To figure out exactly what was broken, we asked you about your biggest frustrations. Here’s what we discovered:
Of course, why wouldn’t you want those things? We want to give you all of that and more. At fixHomz, our goal is to make your life easier.
We go beyond the old “break-fix” warranty model by offering the perfect mix of prevention and ongoing care. Our on-demand service and extended protection for your home products and appliances mean, whether it’s a dishwasher repair, home theater installation, or tech troubleshooting, fixHomz has you covered.
Check out our home warranties, extended electronics warranties and on demand services by clicking below!
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What are Residential Warranty Services? |
Residential Warranty Services are repairs or maintenance performed under a warranty product or warranty plan. |
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What is a Home Warranty? |
A home warranty is an annual service agreement that helps defray the expense to repair covered home system components and appliances when they break down due to normal wear and tear. When you request service, you'll pay a deductible to initiate the service request. We will schedule an appointment with a licensed, independent contractor with you to determine the issue. If the problem is covered by your home warranty, fixHomz Customer Advocates will direct the contractor to repair or replace your covered item subject to the terms and conditions of the home warranty. |
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How is a Home Warranty different from homeowners insurance? |
Homeowners insurance covers loss from incidents like fire, storms or vandalism. Home warranties pay for the cost to repair covered appliances and home systems. The coverage provided by a home warranty and homeowners insurance does not overlap but they do complement one another to provide comprehensive protection. |
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What does a Home Warranty cover? |
A home warranty covers systems like central air conditioning, heating, plumbing, electrical, and water heaters as well as appliances such as refrigerators, stoves, washers and dryers. |
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What doesn’t a Home Warranty cover? |
Home warranties don’t cover the costs to bring out-of-code systems into compliance, structural modifications, modifications to existing equipment, secondary damage and cosmetic issues are examples of items that may not be covered. |
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What's a deductible? |
With a Home Warranty you pay an annual fee for the warranty. You pay a set deductible (fee) for each service call you request. The fee is collected prior to sending out a service professional to complete the request and the remainder of the bill is sent directly to fixHomz by the contractor. The deductible keeps our costs down, so keeps your renewal costs down. You have no other of-pocket expenses! |
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Can I view a sample contract? |
You can view a sample contract here. However, keep in mind that contracts and coverage vary from state to state. |
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When can I start using my plan? |
You can start requesting service 30 days after you buy your warranty. |
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How do I file a claim? |
When a covered item breaks down, request service by calling 833.FIX.HOMZ Your fixHomz Customer Advocate will collect your deductible and coordinate a day and time to have a service professional come to your home. Your service professional will diagnose your problem and if it's covered by your home warranty, the technician will repair or replace your covered item subject to limitations and exclusions. |
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Are there any exclusions to my contract or limits to my coverage? |
Yes. We cover breakdowns that occur due to normal wear and tear. We don’t cover damage. See how it works in this video. In addition, other exclusions and limitations may apply. See a sample terms and condition above. |
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How long does my contract last? |
The standard home warranty on an existing home can be from 1- 3 years with renewals up to a certain date. |
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How do I request service? |
Once your coverage begins, you can request service by calling 833.FIX.HOMZ. |
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Is there a limit to the number of repairs during my contract term? |
No. We do not place a limit on the number of covered repairs, although some coverage limitations and exclusions, such as dollar amount caps, may apply. |
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How long until my covered item is fixed? |
There are many factors that affect how long it will take for your covered item to be fixed (such as parts availability). However, since we’ve recruited our network ahead of time, our goal is to dispatch your job when you call and get the contractor out within 24 hours. |
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Who are the service professionals that fixHomz sends out to customer’s homes? |
We use licensed, independent contractors from our contracted repair network. They’re managed to specific customer service and repair metrics. And they’re reevaluated on a job by job basis. Our goal is to provide the best customer service experience possible. If a contractor falls off, he or she is out. |
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We thought the issue was fixed, but it’s not. What now? |
We offer a 60-day warranty of work on repairs. The tech or a new one will be sent back out to get the job done. |
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Can I purchase coverage for my pool or outside utility line? |
Yes. You can add coverage for your pool, in-ground spa or utility lines to any of our plans. |
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Doesn’t a manufacturer's warranty cover the same things a home warranty does? |
A manufacturer's warranty typically covers the failed part of a single appliance or system, but it doesn't always cover the cost of the labor or repair. A home warranty pays to repair covered appliances and home systems that break down due to normal wear and tear outside the manufacturers’ warranties. |
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Can I cancel? |
Yes, you can cancel at any time. If you cancel your contract within the first 30 days of your coverage, we'll refund your contract fees minus any service and claims incurred. If you cancel your contract after 30 days, you'll receive a pro-rated refund of your contract fees for the rest of the contract term less any service or claims costs incurred. Terms may vary by state. |
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How do I cancel my Contract? |
To cancel your contract, please call 833.FIX.HOMZ |
See how a fixHomz can make it easy to protect and repair all the products in your home.
