No Appliance Coverage? You’ll Need to Decide…
When you have an appliance that isn’t working properly, you need to decide whether to have it repaired or replaced whether you have a home warranty with appliance coverage or not. Both options can hurt without coverage; having an old appliance repaired can often be just as expensive as buying something new, especially if you don’t have an affordable home warranty. On the other hand, there are times when it does pay to make repairs. You just need to know when that is so you don’t end up fixing something that will just completely break down a few months later.
If you’re having trouble deciding between appliance repair or replacement, here are a few factors to consider.
Make Sure It’s Actually Broken
It’s easy to panic and jump to conclusions when an appliance stops working, but sometimes the solution is simpler than you think. When you find an appliance isn’t working properly, look it over yourself to make sure that it’s still plugged in, that the circuit breakers haven’t tripped, or that you don’t have any clogged vents or drains that might prevent some appliances from working. There are even some appliances that won’t work if they are on an uneven floor. There is technically only so much that you can check yourself without hurting your appliance or yourself, but sometimes the solution really is that obvious.
Check to See if Your Appliance is Under Warranty
If your broken appliance is still under warranty, it’s almost always worth your time to have it repaired. Even if the manufacturer or sellers warranty has expired you can still get coverage for appliances before they break down. Having comprehensive, affordable home warranty coverage for appliances can save you a lot of money when things break down and simplify the process of getting them repaired or replaced.
Find Out How Much Repairs Will Cost
Whether you can find the problem yourself or you need to call a professional, you should be able to figure out what’s wrong with your appliance and find out how much it will cost to fix it. The general rule here is that if the repair bill would be at least half the cost of a new appliance, don’t bother having it repaired. The up-front cost for a new appliance might be higher, but at that point it will be less expensive in the long run to buy something new that has a warranty and is unlikely to break down again soon.
Consider the Age of Your Appliance
It might also be worth replacing an appliance that has hit a certain age. You can certainly fix an old appliance and get a few more years of life out of it, but if you’re going to have to buy new eventually, you might as well get it done now and save yourself some money down the road. Most major appliances such as refrigerators, stoves and washing machines should work reliably for 10 to 15 years. Beyond that, any repairs you make are just temporary solutions that can best be solved by buying something brand new.
Affordable Home Warranty Coverage in California and Arizona
HomeGuard HomeWarranty works to provide the best service and affordable pricing to homeowners and real estate professionals in need of home warranty coverage. Call 1-866-993-2301 or contact us online today to discuss customized home warranty plans for California and Arizona homes.
