Is your fireplace covered by your home warranty?
Key takeaways:
When the temperature starts to drop outside, you naturally start thinking about the systems that keep your home warm and inviting. Your furnace, water heater and fireplace. When any of these systems break down, not only is your home cold and uncomfortable, but you also may end up facing hefty service fees for a repair or replacement.
If you have a home warranty contract, you may be thinking your repairs will be covered by your warranty plan. However, if you haven’t read the fine print on your home warranty, you may have missed the part that outlines exactly what is covered and what is not.
Your home warranty is a great way to save repair costs on the items in your home or living spaces, such as appliances and built-in systems, but there are a few things that are not covered by most home warranty plans. In this guide, we’ll let you know if all of your heating and cooling systems and elements are covered by a home warranty, and for those that aren’t, we’ll advise how to take care of your home appliances to avoid costly repairs.
What is a home warranty?
A home warranty is a service contract between you and a home warranty company that is renewed annually. The home warranty works outside of manufacturers’ warranties and covers normal wear and tear on appliances and systems in your home, such as the water heater, plumbing or air conditioner.
In the case of any breakdowns due to normal wear and tear, your home warranty will cover the repair or replacement cost of the appliance or system and some of the components, such as knobs and drawers. Your home warranty company may have a plan with a specific set of appliances and systems that are covered with other add-ons available at a premium. Your specific set of terms and conditions will tell you exactly what is covered so that you are well informed.
What is the difference between a home warranty and home insurance?
Home insurance covers damage to your personal items or to the structure of your home from accidents or natural disasters, such as fires or floods. Home warranties focus their coverage on the damage to appliances and systems in your living space due to breakdowns from regular use, while homeowners insurance covers your possessions.
Ensure that you are fully aware of what is covered by your homeowners insurance policy before you need to file an insurance claim.
Homeowners insurance and a home warranty work well in conjunction, and the comprehensive coverage helps offset repair costs for your home.
Is your fireplace covered by your home warranty?
The majority of home warranty companies do not cover fireplace repair or replacement. So, any fireplace repair costs are outside of home warranties and will fall on your shoulders.
The one thing that may be covered by your home warranty is your gas line. If you have a gas leak that is affecting your fireplace, the leak may be covered by your warranty plan.
Sometimes, home warranties do cover individual components associated with a part of your house that is not covered. For example, most home warranties don’t cover garage doors, but they do cover garage door openers. Unfortunately, this is not the case with fireplace coverage.
This isn’t the end of the world, though, because, with proper maintenance, your fireplace can be ready to keep you and your family warm come fall. Additionally, if a fireplace damages your home or is damaged due to structural shifting, then your homeowners insurance may be able to cover you.
The majority of home warranty companies do not cover fireplace repair or replacement. So, any fireplace repair costs are outside of home warranties and will fall on your shoulders.
The one thing that may be covered by your home warranty is your gas line. If you have a gas leak that is affecting your fireplace, the leak may be covered by your warranty plan.
Sometimes, home warranties do cover individual components associated with a part of your house that is not covered. For example, most home warranties don’t cover garage doors, but they do cover garage door openers. Unfortunately, this is not the case with fireplace coverage.
This isn’t the end of the world, though, because, with proper maintenance, your fireplace can be ready to keep you and your family warm come fall. Additionally, if a fireplace damages your home or is damaged due to structural shifting, then your homeowners insurance may be able to cover you.
Your home warranty coverage will vary depending on what your contract outlines. However, most home warranty coverage consists of the following:
HVAC
If your heating or air conditioning system breaks down, the repairs can be extremely costly. Having a home warranty can save you money on your HVAC systems and components, including:
- Air conditioning and the associated ductwork
- Heating systems, such as a furnace, heater or hot water heater
- Electrical systems
- Central vacuum
- Ceiling fans
Plumbing
Plumbing issues can wreak havoc on your home and affect many different aspects of your home systems. Having these systems covered by your home warranty can not only save you money but also ensure that your plumbing system is repaired quickly. The following are some plumbing elements that may be covered by your home warranty:
- Sump pump
- Septic tank
- Well
- Showerhead
- Toilet
- Water leaks or breaks
- Whirlpool
Laundry appliances
Your washing machine and dryer are prone to break down due to frequent wear and tear, which can cause a major inconvenience and disrupt your daily routine. Check that your home warranty covers both appliances:
- Washer
- Dryer
Kitchen appliances
Your kitchen appliances are imperative to your comfort in your home. The breakdown of just your refrigerator can cause hundreds of dollars in losses of food alone, and the failure of other appliances can leave you without a way to cook your meals. The kitchen appliances covered by your home warranty may include the following:
- Refrigerator
- Stovetop
- Oven
- Microwave
- Dishwasher
- Garbage disposal
- Icemaker
Outdoor appliances
The mechanical parts of your outdoor or lawn systems can be expensive, so when you have a home warranty that includes these items, you may be looking at less money for repairing or replacing these systems. The following may be included in your home warranty or available as optional, add-on coverage:
- Lawn sprinkler system
- Garage door opener
- Pool or spa
How does a home warranty work?
You have selected your home warranty company, and now you are wondering about how the process works. It is quite simple to have your eligible appliance or system repaired.
- Call or contact your home warranty company.
- The home warranty company will contact a service technician that will follow up with you to arrange a time to come to your home to repair or replace your appliance or system.
- Pay a small service fee, and your repair will be completed.
How can you prevent damage and breakdowns of your fireplace?
A fireplace is a great addition to any home and can keep your heating costs lower when used regularly. Considering your fireplace as another item in your home that needs to be maintained regularly will save you from premature costly repairs. Neglecting fireplace maintenance is common over the summer months. Unfortunately, this can cause headaches in the long run.
Completing the following proper chimney and fireplace maintenance is essential to keeping your fireplace in good working order.
- Check your chimney regularly to ensure there is nothing blocking the flues, dampers or vents. Having your chimney professionally cleaned prior to use is also a great way to maintain its health and avoid chimney repair.
- Check your wood-burning fireplace for creosote buildup, trees blocking the chimney, loose bricks or a damaged chimney cap, and clear the fireplace of any debris or ashes from prior fires.
- Check your gas fireplace for any leaks that may compromise the fireplace, like erosion around the mortar, white stains on the chimney or dampness in the house that may be an indication of a gas leak.
Call Cinch Home Services
Cinch Home Services is here to protect your home’s appliances and your pocketbook from costly repairs or replacements. Our terms and services are easy to understand so you can move forward with a home warranty plan and get on with living your life. Choose one of Cinch’s great warranty plans to give yourself the peace of mind a home warranty offers.
* Subject to plan terms and conditions.
*The information in this blog library is intended to provide general guidance on home warranties, and on the proper maintenance and care of systems and appliances in the home. Not all of the topics mentioned are covered by our home warranty or maintenance plans. Please review your home warranty contract carefully to understand your coverage.
*Our blog library may link to third-party sites that offer products, services, coaches, consultants, and/or experts. Any such link is provided for reference only and not intended as an endorsement or statement that the information provided by the other party is accurate. We are not compensated for any products or services purchased from these third-party links.