When purchasing a house, it is almost an automatic reaction for many of us to purchase home insurance.
Indeed, home insurance is considered to be so vital that many mortgage providers will require you to have it prior to lending.
These policies help protect your home against incidents such as theft or damage from natural disasters such as fires or floods.
While home insurance is a useful and valuable benefit, it has its share of drawbacks, namely, the fact that it does nothing to protect the valuable items inside your home.
Your systems, such as heating and air conditioning, and appliances, such as washers and stoves, can add up to a hefty sum when considered collectively. If only there were a home insurance policy available to cover these needs.
Luckily, there is! Welcome to the world of home warranty plans. Below, we’ll look at America’s First Choice to determine whether or not it should make your short list of home warranty providers.
What Is A Home Warranty Plan?
If you have purchased a television, oven, or refrigerator, chances are it came with a standard manufacturer’s warranty of at least one year.
This protects you in the event that the product breaks or malfunctions. Home warranties are usually purchased through monthly installments to ensure continuous coverage.
If the item in question does fail, the policy provider is promising to repair or replace it to the original condition, meaning you are left satisfied that your investment is fully protected.
A home warranty plan works in precisely the same way, but covers appliances and systems existing within your home.
America’s First Choice proudly offers qualified technicians, quick repairs, and guaranteed replacements on everything from garbage disposals to water heaters in return for a small monthly payment.
There are different levels of membership available at different costs, depending on your specific budget, needs, and lifestyle. Policies are flexible and versatile, with the opportunity to add on specific features to further customize your plan.
American’s First Choice is one of our favorite home warranty providers. Here’s why.
How Do Plans Work?
A plan from America’s First Choice aims to make your life easier. When you need to make a claim, call the company’s direct number to connect with a customer service agent.
They will then schedule a licensed technician to visit you, diagnose the problem, and decide whether a repair or a replacement is the best solution.
A service fee of $60 will be required for the technician to visit your home, which is a competitive rate compared to other warranty plans of the same standard.
What Plans Are Offered?
America’s First Choice offers three main tiers of policies, with an additional option covering systems within your home.
Platinum
The top tier is the most comprehensive option, offering coverage for a variety of appliances:
- Oven/range
- Stove/cooktop
- Clothes dryer and clothes washer
- Gas or electric water heater
- Refrigerator with ice maker
- Garbage disposal
- Garage door opener
- Air conditioning or cooler
- Built-in microwave
- Heating system or built-in wall unit
- Plumbing system
- Electrical system
- Faucets
- Plumbing stoppages
- Ductwork
As the premium option, the price is higher for the platinum policy. Any interested parties can call for a free quote, which may be adjusted depending on changes made to the plan and the items covered.
Gold
The medium option, gold, is very similar to the platinum policy, with a few distinct exceptions. In general, it will not cover any extras, such as ice makers or plumbing stoppages.
Items included in this plan are:
- Clothes dryer and clothes washer
- Oven/range
- Stove/cooktop
- Refrigerator
- Gas or electric water heater
- Garage door opener
- Garbage disposal
- Air conditioning or cooler
- Heating system or built-in wall unit
- Plumbing system
- Electrical system
- Ductwork
As a result of the less comprehensive coverage, this is generally a cheaper option for customers.
Silver
Again, the Silver policy covers fewer items and systems and is an ideal option for those on a tight budget but still requiring some protection.
Coverage is included on the following:
- Oven/range
- Stove/cooktop
- Clothes dryers and washer
- Gas or electric water heater
- Garage door opener
- Garbage disposal
- Dishwasher
- Refrigerator
The Silver plan covers all the key essentials and is the most affordable of the three policy options.
Systems Only
In addition to the central three policies, America’s First Choice also offers a ‘systems only’ plan, which allows the homeowner to simply protect crucial systems in their home. These systems can be very expensive to repair individually.
This policy includes protection for the following:
- Plumbing system
- Electrical system
- Heating systems
- One unit of air conditioning or cooler systems
- Gas or electric water heaters
If you are looking for the very basics to be protected, this is an ideal option.
The versatility and diversity of America’s First Choice make their policies popular and appealing. There is an option only to cover exactly what you want, or to go all out for total protection.
Exclusions
It is important to note that America’s First Choice plans do not currently cover any pre-existing conditions, whether these are known or unknown at the time of activation.
All items must be in good working condition in order to qualify for coverage.
Alternatives to America’s First Choice
America’s First Choice is a great option for your home warranty, but if you’re looking to shop around, there are multiple options that are worth your consideration.
You can get a quote in minutes to help inform your decision.
The Pros and Cons
As with any policy, there are positives and negatives to take into account to help you make a balanced and informed purchasing decision.
Pros
- Technician Flexibility: Policyholders can use any technician – unlike some other plans, homeowners are not required to use technicians endorsed and supplied by America’s First Choice, but may select someone of their choosing. The only requirement is that all technicians must be licensed, bonded, and fully insured.
- Convenient Claim Filing: Claims can be filed in the 30-day waiting period, though the maximum payout will be limited to $150.
- Affordable Service Rate: There’s a standard, flat service rate of $60 – helps homeowners to budget and be prepared in the event of a claim.
- Guaranteed Coverage: A home warranty policy gives you peace of mind in exchange for a simple monthly payment.
Cons
- Policy Exclusions: There are some well-hidden exclusions and exceptions to be aware of. Make sure to read your policy carefully so you understand what you’re signing up for.
- Pre-Existing Exclusions: Any pre-existing conditions or issues will not be covered, whether you are aware of them or not at the time of taking out the policy. This means some essential items could be excluded from coverage.
Final Thoughts on America’s First Choice
America’s First Choice offers a clear, easy-to-use option for your home warranty. They offer three plan options, allowing you to select the one that will prove most beneficial to your home, needs, and lifestyle.
In addition, there is an option to purchase a plan to cover the systems in your home only—the ultimate budget option which still provides needed protection.
A home warranty plan can be a sensible, more affordable solution that keeps your home running smoothly.
Individual repairs and replacements can be pricey, involving a great deal of time and effort trying to find the best but most affordable solutions.
Replacing an appliance, such as an oven or refrigerator, can be expensive and even out of reach for those adhering to strict budgets.
A home warranty plan transforms this process into a single, affordable payment, meaning you will not have to spend vast amounts of money at short notice.
A warranty plan from America’s First Choice gives you the flexibility to choose what is right for you while also providing invaluable peace of mind and security.
The post America’s First Choice Review | Can a Home Warranty Protect You? appeared first on Good Financial Cents®.
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