[ad_1] There are plenty of required expenses to cover when you’re a homeowner, and home insurance is just one of them. But, you may also be offered a home warranty when you buy a home — either to purchase yourself or as a complimentary benefit for the home you’re buying. If you’re a new homeowner, this can be incredibly confusing. After all, what is the difference between home insurance and a home warranty? We know both can help protect against high costs when specific events in your home take place, but how are these two products different? The first thing you should know is the fact you have to buy one but you don’t necessarily need the other. Where home insurance is required by your mortgage company and absolutely essential, home warranties are optional. What are the other differences between home insurance and home warranties? This guide explains how each of these products works, their pros and cons and why they are important. #ap45964-ww{padding-top:20px;position:relative;text-align:center;font-size:12px;font-family:Lato,Arial,sans-serif}#ap45964-ww #ap45964-ww-indicator{text-align:right}#ap45964-ww #ap45964-ww-indicator-wrapper{display:inline-flex;align-items:center;justify-content:flex-end}#ap45964-ww #ap45964-ww-indicator-wrapper:hover #ap45964-ww-text{display:block}#ap45964-ww #ap45964-ww-indicator-wrapper:hover #ap45964-ww-label{display:none}#ap45964-ww #ap45964-ww-text{margin:auto 3px auto auto}#ap45964-ww #ap45964-ww-label{margin-left:4px;margin-right:3px}#ap45964-ww #ap45964-ww-icon{margin:auto;padding:1px;display:inline-block;width:15px;cursor:pointer}#ap45964-ww #ap45964-ww-icon img{vertical-align:middle;width:15px}#ap45964-ww #ap45964-ww-text-bottom{margin:5px}#ap45964-ww #ap45964-ww-text{display:none}#ap45964-ww #ap45964-ww-icon img{text-indent:-9999px;color:transparent} Ads by Money. We may be compensated if you click this ad.Ad #ap45964-w-map{max-width:600px;margin:20px auto;text-align:center;font-family:”Lato”, Arial, Roboto, sans-serif}#ap45964-w-map #ap45964-w-map-title{color:#212529;font-size:18px;font-weight:700;line-height:27px}#ap45964-w-map #ap45964-w-map-subtitle{color:#9b9b9b;font-size:16px;font-style:italic;line-height:24px}#ap45964-w-map #ap45964-w-disclosure{margin-top:10px;font-size:12px;color:#9b9b9b}#ap45964-w-map #ap45964-w-map-map{max-width:98%;width:100%;height:0;padding-bottom:65%;margin-bottom:20px;position:relative}#ap45964-w-map #ap45964-w-map-map svg{position:absolute;left:0;top:0}#ap45964-w-map #ap45964-w-map-map svg path{fill:#e3efff;stroke:#9b9b9b;pointer-events:all;transition:fill 0.6s ease-in, stroke 0.6s ease-in, stroke-width 0.6s ease-in}#ap45964-w-map #ap45964-w-map-map svg path:hover{stroke:#1261C9;stroke-width:2px;stroke-linejoin:round;fill:#1261C9;cursor:pointer}#ap45964-w-map #ap45964-w-map-map svg g rect{fill:#e3efff;stroke:#9b9b9b;pointer-events:all;transition:fill 0.6s ease-in, stroke 0.6s ease-in, stroke-width 0.6s ease-in}#ap45964-w-map #ap45964-w-map-map svg g text{fill:#000;text-anchor:middle;font:10px Arial;transition:fill 0.6s ease-in}#ap45964-w-map #ap45964-w-map-map svg g .ap00646-w-map-state{display:none}#ap45964-w-map #ap45964-w-map-map svg g .ap00646-w-map-state rect{stroke:#1261C9;stroke-width:2px;stroke-linejoin:round;fill:#1261C9}#ap45964-w-map #ap45964-w-map-map svg g .ap00646-w-map-state text{fill:#fff;font:19px Arial;font-weight:bold}#ap45964-w-map #ap45964-w-map-map svg g:hover{cursor:pointer}#ap45964-w-map #ap45964-w-map-map svg g:hover rect{stroke:#1261C9;stroke-width:2px;stroke-linejoin:round;fill:#1261C9}#ap45964-w-map #ap45964-w-map-map svg g:hover text{fill:#fff}#ap45964-w-map #ap45964-w-map-map svg g:hover .ap00646-w-map-state{display:initial}#ap45964-w-map #ap45964-w-map-btn{padding:9px 41px;display:inline-block;color:#fff;font-size:16px;line-height:1.25;text-decoration:none;background-color:#1261c9;border-radius:2px}#ap45964-w-map #ap45964-w-map-btn:hover{color:#fff;background-color:#508fc9} Find the #1 Home Warranty in Your State. From your refrigerator to your AC System, home warranties can help you keep everything covered. Click your state to start protecting your home and appliances today! HawaiiAlaskaFloridaSouth CarolinaGeorgiaAlabamaNorth CarolinaTennesseeRIRhode IslandCTConnecticutMAMassachusettsMaineNHNew HampshireVTVermontNew YorkNJNew JerseyDEDelawareMDMarylandWest VirginiaOhioMichiganArizonaNevadaUtahColoradoNew MexicoSouth DakotaIowaIndianaIllinoisMinnesotaWisconsinMissouriLouisianaVirginiaDCWashington DCIdahoCaliforniaNorth DakotaWashingtonOregonMontanaWyomingNebraskaKansasOklahomaPennsylvaniaKentuckyMississippiArkansasTexas Get Started Today! What is a Home Warranty? A home warranty may not be required when you’re a homeowner, but having one can give you a ton of peace of mind. But, how does a home warranty work exactly? According to home warranty provider American Home Shield, a home warranty is a “year-long, renewable home service plan that keeps you protected should a covered breakdown occur.” While the components of your home covered by a home warranty can vary depending on the plan you choose, your warranty can kick in to cover repairs or replacement of major systems and appliances in your home. In that sense, a home warranty works in conjunction with your homeowners insurance since it protects items your home insurance doesn’t. If you’re considering a home warranty, you’ll want to make sure you compare a few different providers. In addition to American Home Shield, other popular companies to check out include America’s 1st Choice Home Club, Complete Care Home Warranty, Cinch Home Services and Select Home Warranty. How much do home warranties actually cost? The cost of a home warranty varies depending on the breadth of coverage, the company you choose, the specifics of your home or property and more. However, the average home warranty plan runs homeowners anywhere from $200 to $800. What Does a Home Warranty Cover? Note that you can tailor your home warranty to your needs by opting to have a larger range of home systems and appliances covered in your plan. With Complete Care Home Warranty, for example, you can buy a home warranty plan that covers appliances only, systems in your home only or both. You should also know upfront that the systems and appliances covered in your home warranty will vary from company to company. With that being said, home warranties usually cover household appliances and systems such as: Electrical Systems: Wiring, fuse boxes and outlets Plumbing: Water heater, pipes, well and septic pump Heating and Cooling: A/C units, heat pumps and heating systems Appliances: Washer and dryer, refrigerator, oven, range and microwave Many home warranty companies also let you elect additional coverage for additional home systems you want to protect. Add-on coverage options can include: Coverage for pools and hot tubs Warranty protection for well pumps and septic pumps Roof leak coverage Protection for electronics and gaming equipment #ap69944-ww{padding-top:20px;position:relative;text-align:center;font-size:12px;font-family:Lato,Arial,sans-serif}#ap69944-ww #ap69944-ww-indicator{text-align:right}#ap69944-ww #ap69944-ww-indicator-wrapper{display:inline-flex;align-items:center;justify-content:flex-end}#ap69944-ww #ap69944-ww-indicator-wrapper:hover #ap69944-ww-text{display:block}#ap69944-ww #ap69944-ww-indicator-wrapper:hover #ap69944-ww-label{display:none}#ap69944-ww #ap69944-ww-text{margin:auto 3px auto auto}#ap69944-ww #ap69944-ww-label{margin-left:4px;margin-right:3px}#ap69944-ww #ap69944-ww-icon{margin:auto;padding:1px;display:inline-block;width:15px;cursor:pointer}#ap69944-ww #ap69944-ww-icon img{vertical-align:middle;width:15px}#ap69944-ww #ap69944-ww-text-bottom{margin:5px}#ap69944-ww #ap69944-ww-text{display:none}#ap69944-ww #ap69944-ww-icon img{text-indent:-9999px;color:transparent} Ads by Money. We may be compensated if you click this ad.Ad #ap69944-w-text{margin:20px auto;text-align:center;font-family:”Lato”, Arial, Roboto, sans-serif}#ap69944-w-text #ap69944-w-text-title{color:#212529;font-size:20px;font-weight:700;line-height:30px}#ap69944-w-text #ap69944-w-text-subtitle{color:#9b9b9b;font-size:16px;font-style:italic;line-height:24px}#ap69944-w-text #ap69944-w-disclosure{color:#9b9b9b;margin-top:10px;font-size:12px}#ap69944-w-text #ap69944-w-text-btn{margin-top:25px;padding:9px 13px;display:inline-block;color:#fff;font-size:16px;line-height:20px;text-decoration:none;background-color:#1261c9;border-radius:2px}#ap69944-w-text #ap69944-w-text-btn:hover{color:#fff;background-color:#508fc9} Keep your home safe and your peace of mind intact. Home warranties protect your home and appliances while safeguarding your budget against unexpected expenses. Click below today to find out more. Get Started Pros and Cons of a Home Warranty A home warranty may feel like a waste of money if you don’t use it, but it can also feel like an excellent deal if a major system of your home breaks down. Either way, here are some of the advantages and disadvantages that come with home warranty coverage: Pros: Helps families avoid surprise repair bills Protects home appliances and household systems that are not covered by home insurance Predictable premium and deductible if you use your plan Can purchase home warranty coverage regardless of the age of your home Cons: Some home warranty companies make you use specific contractors Extra hoops to jump through when an appliance or home system breaks down Won’t cover damage to the structure of your home Not all appliances or systems are covered in every home warranty plan Costs more money on top of home insurance premiums Does not include coverage for theft or liability A deductible (normally $75 to $125) usually applies if you want to use your coverage Waiting periods can apply What is Home Insurance? Home insurance is different from a home warranty in the fact that this type of coverage is not optional for most people. If you have a mortgage on your home, your mortgage company will require you to