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Do seniors need home warranties?
For many American seniors and older adults, every financial decision needs to be carefully weighed against cost and benefit. With millions heavily dependent on Social Security and limited retirement savings, a wrong purchase or bad investment could be detrimental for their financial health. That’s why it’s critical to carefully weigh the pros and cons of any new service or product before buying in.
Home warranties, for example, which help cover the cost of repairs (and possible replacements) of a wide variety of home appliances, are worth exploring right now. With the price of a home warranty often less than $100 per month, the service can pay for itself in just a few visits from an experienced technician. But are they worth buying for seniors? Or is it more cost-effective to wait for an emergency to arise? That’s what we will break down below.
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Do seniors need home warranties?
Here are four reasons why seniors may want to consider a home warranty plan now:
Your budget may be limited
Unless you were able to save a substantial amount of money during your working years or have no bills to pay each month, your budget is likely limited with little room left for experimentation. And with a looming cut to Social Security and retirement savings that will only last so long, it makes sense to lock in the protection a home warranty can provide.
Simply ask yourself if you could afford to pay hundreds or possibly thousands of dollars to fix or replace an aging or broken appliance right now. If the only way you could do so is by swiping your credit card (which comes with double-digit interest rates right now), then you’re likely better served by buying a home warranty.
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Your ability to complete repairs is limited
As you age, your ability to make repairs and replace broken items and appliances will wane. And with appliance technology constantly evolving, it can be hard to keep informed on what’s needed and what isn’t. But if you lock in a home warranty plan now you won’t have to worry about fixing a broken dishwasher or hauling out an old, broken-down refrigerator. A licensed technician can make these repairs and replacements for you, allowing you to focus on more important items in your golden years.
Costs are already high
You don’t have to pay close attention to the news to know that costs for many common items are already high. Inflation hit its highest point in decades in June 2022 and although it’s dropped significantly since, it’s been rising again in the opening months of 2024. Combined with higher interest rates that have made the cost of borrowing surge, you may simply not have enough leftover to cover major repairs and appliance replacements in today’s economy.
Peace of mind is priceless
As trite as it may sound, you truly can’t put a price tag on peace of mind. And that is arguably the best value a home warranty plan can provide. By knowing you have the protection for your appliances and home in place, you can rest easy knowing that any future repairs won’t debilitate your finances.
You won’t have to worry about the quality of the service, either, as home warranty providers will serve you with experienced and knowledgeable technicians who can quickly diagnose issues and fix them, often on the same day. This peace of mind, while desirable at a younger age, is vital for seniors. So don’t let the opportunity to secure it pass by.
Learn more about your home warranty options online today.
The bottom line
Although seniors should be judicious with how they spend their money and what they spend it on, there’s a compelling argument for buying a home warranty plan now. With limitations in budget and the ability to make repairs on your own, a home warranty could help bridge both gaps. And with everyday costs already high thanks to inflation and elevated interest rates, the peace of mind a home warranty can provide is particularly attractive right now. Just be sure to shop around to find the best combination of protection and cost for your unique circumstances.
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