What’s even more discerning is that those home warranty services do not cover everything as their commercials imply. Typically, the coverage is excellent for home appliance breakdowns, but most homeowners need coverage for their roof, window replacements, siding and other expensive parts of the home that need repair. Plus, there is a deductible. Of course, like any “insurance,” the more you pay, the more coverage you will get. You can buy add-ons to cover swimming pools, saunas, some roofing leaks, parts of the HVAC system and others. Just as Bob Vila points out in a This Old House article, 5 Red Flags to Look Out for When Choosing a Residential Service Contract, you should always compare your home warranty contract to ensure there are no:

• Questionable claims
• Pressure to sign — quality companies offer a 30-day risk-free trial.
• Excessive fees
• Does the warranty service you’re evaluating have a reputable contractor on-call?
• Unreasonable demands

Many unethical home warranty services want you to submit to a home inspection by their inspectors. Be leery of this practice. There will likely be a few things that need correcting before they will cover you. You should report these services to the Minneapolis Better Business Bureau.