 TITLE: Are Home Warranties Worth the Cost? CONTENT: How Do Home Warranties Work?\n----------------------------\nA home warranty covers home appliances and systems that break down or malfunction with normal use and age. You pay a premium, then notify the warranty company if something goes wrong. If it's covered by your contract, they'll typically dispatch a service technician to your home to assess the situation and report their findings. From there, they'll either repair or replace the unit with no further cost to you—aside from a service fee.\nTo be clear, a home warranty isn't the same as homeowners insurance, which generally protects against property damage, theft and liability. A home warranty is different in that it's focused on appliances and home systems. Warranties often cover things like:\n*   Washers and dryers\n*   Dishwashers\n*   Refrigerators\n*   Water heaters\n*   Heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems\n*   Plumbing systems END