What’s the Difference Between a Home Warranty and Home Insurance?

San Francisco Real Estate Podcast with Durwin Cheung

What is the difference between a home warranty and home insurance? I’ll explain today.

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Home insurance is very different from a home warranty.
The difference is similar to the difference between car insurance and a car warranty. If you get in an accident driving your car, insurance will cover it. If something is broken in the car, then your warranty will cover it.
The same can be said for home insurance and home warranties.
For example, if there is a fire and your house burns down, or if there is a water leak in your property, home insurance will cover the repairs.

A home warranty will give you peace of mind for the first year of homeownership.

A home warranty covers things like appliances or plumbing in your unit. If those items were to fail, you wouldn’t have to pay out of pocket for repairs.
One of my clients bought a house and a month later the waste line under the garage burst. He called the home warranty company and they came out and got that fixed for him. Without the warranty, he would have had to pay $3,000 out of pocket.
A home warranty is very important for that first year after you purchase your home. They only cost around $500 to $550 tops and they give you peace of mind.
If you have any other questions about home warranties or home insurance, just give me a call or send me an email. I would be happy to help you!