Home warranty in Florida

A home warranty can be purchased at any time in Florida, regardless of the age of the home or how long you've lived there. However, the longer a homeowner goes without a home warranty, the more exposure they have to out-of-pocket costly repairs and replacements.

A home warranty is a contract between a homeowner and a home warranty company that outlines coverage for specific appliances, systems, and other home components.

In Florida, the length of a home warranty can vary depending on the type of warranty and the components covered. Typically, a home warranty provides protection for one year but can be renewed to prevent a lapse in coverage.

There are different types of home warranty plans, including system plans, appliance plans, and combination plans. A combination plan offers the widest range of coverage, protecting both home systems and heavily relied-on appliances. 

Very often, home warranty plans and homeowners insurance policies are mistaken for one another. The difference between the two is what they cover. Home insurance protects your home and belongings from damage caused by specific events, like fire, theft, or vandalism. A home warranty covers repairs to major home systems and appliances that fail due to normal wear and tear.

No, homeowners are not required by law to have a home warranty in Florida. However, it can be a good option for those who want to cover the cost of repairing or replacing major appliances and systems in their homes when they fail due to normal wear and tear.

The responsibility of purchasing a home warranty at closing depends on the situation and can be negotiated between the buyer and seller. The seller may include a home warranty in the closing costs or transfer an existing warranty to the buyer. The buyer may purchase a home warranty on their own to protect themselves from appliance or system breakdowns, regardless of the age of the home.

Real estate sellers in Florida can acquire a home warranty for a listed property to secure coverage for major appliances and systems within the home. The listing agents can transfer the coverage to the buyer at closing if a sale occurs, making the plan an added selling point to attract potential buyers.

If a home warranty lapses, the homeowner is solely responsible for any repairs or replacements for covered items that break down and must pay for services out of pocket.

Renewing your home warranty in Florida is a simple process. Many home warranty companies will send a renewal notice before the home warranty expires. Homeowners can renew their coverage easily online or by phone and many companies offer plans that renew automatically to prevent a lapse in coverage.  

This optional protection provides coverage in accordance with Florida Statute 634.346 which helps maintain the compatibility and operating efficiency requirements of the A/C manufacturer.