Home warranty in Kentucky 

A home warranty is a service agreement between a homeowner and a company that states the terms under which the company will help cover the repair costs of home systems and appliances for a given period. It's important to understand the difference between homeowners insurance vs. home warranty, as they serve different purposes in protecting your home.

The typical length of a home warranty agreement in Kentucky is one year, with automatic renewal options available. Some plans may offer month-to-month options, but annual contracts typically provide better value and more comprehensive protection.

This depends on your specific plan with the home warranty company you select. At Cinch Home Services, our Repair + Replace Premier Plan provides the most comprehensive coverage for household appliances and systems, including exterior lines and additional coverage for expenses like permits and equipment disposal.

Yes, here's an easy way to explain the difference between homeowners insurance and a home warranty. Homeowners insurance covers catastrophic, unforeseen events such as accidents, fires and natural disasters — like the tornadoes that occasionally affect Kentucky. Home warranty protection, on the other hand, covers the appliances and systems in your home that fail due to normal wear and tear. When things such as your HVAC or refrigerator stop working due to everyday use, a home warranty plan is probably worth it and may make it easier (and cheaper) to repair or replace them.

No, home warranties are not required in Kentucky. Unlike homeowners insurance, which is typically required by mortgage lenders, home warranties are optional protection that homeowners can choose to purchase for added peace of mind.

In real estate transactions, a home warranty can be paid for by the buyer or the seller at closing. For the seller, paying for a home warranty can make the property seem more appealing to potential buyers and help reduce the cost of repairs while the home is on the market. From the buyer's perspective, having a home warranty can provide peace of mind when moving in—especially when purchasing one of Kentucky's many older homes that may have hidden issues.

Kentucky real estate sellers can acquire a home warranty plan for coverage of repairs or replacements of major appliances and home systems when they experience mechanical failure due to normal wear and tear during the listing period. Essentially, the home warranty helps protect the seller from unexpected repair costs if a covered item breaks down while the house is on the market, which is particularly valuable in Kentucky's competitive real estate market where buyers often expect well-maintained systems.

 A home warranty lapse happens if you cancel your agreement or if your agreement isn't set to auto-renew and you forget to renew it. If this happens, you'll typically have to wait 30 days before your appliances and systems are covered again under a new plan. 

With most home warranty companies in Kentucky, you'll be notified in advance whether you need to renew, or if you're already on an automatically renewing plan, you'll also be notified of any rate and/or coverage changes no less than 30 days before your current agreement expires. This advance notice allows you to review your coverage and make any necessary adjustments before your renewal date.