The Difference Between Home Insurance and a Home Protection Plan (2024)

If you’re new to owning a home, or are thinking about buying, you may be wondering the difference between a home insurance plan and a home warranty (or protection plan). Both homeowners’ insurance and home protection plans provide protection, but they both cover different things. They also operate in different ways.

If you are looking to find the difference between home insurance and a home protection plan, look no further.

What is Homeowners Insurance?

Homeowners insurance is a form of protection for your home and occasionally some of the things in it. They generally protect the structure of your home from damage, but they can also include some protection of your personal property (this is different for each policy). You pay a set amount every month (or annually), and generally have a deductible should anything become damaged and you choose to use the insurance. Most homeowners insurance policies do not protect things like appliances, consumer electronics, and other personal property. However, they can include some personal items coverage.

Many people pay for a homeowners insurance policy through their mortage payments, but you can also pay via monthly, biannual, or annual payments, depending on the plan you have set up with your provider.

What is a Home Protection Plan?

A home protection plan, like homeowners insurance, provides some protection for your home. The major difference between the two types of coverage is what they protect. While homeowners insurance plans generally cover the structure of your home, home protection plans do not. Instead, home protection plans cover major systems within your home (e.g. HVAC systems, furnaces, plumbing, electrical, etc.) from breakdowns. They can also provide protection for major home appliances like ovens, refrigerators, etc.

Home protection plans also charge a monthly or annual rate, but you cannot pay for them through your mortgage payments like a homeowners insurance plan. There may also be a service charge when you call for a repair or replacement of an appliance or home system.

Which is Better?

Both are great things to have. Since they both provide protection for different things, it’s a good idea to have both homeowners insurance and a home protection plan. While your homeowners insurance will cover the structure of your home, the protection plan will cover the things you use within it.

Not All Protection Plans Are Created Equal

There are many industry protection plans to choose from, but not all of them are good options. Some only provide protection for certain items; others lock you into long-term contracts that keep you paying even when you don’t want the protection anymore.

At Everything Breaks, we offer a Total Home Protection Plan that protects most of what you own for one low rate. Our total protection plan covers unlimited consumer electronics, four major home systems of your choice, and 17 smaller home systems and appliances. It’s total protection for your home and the things you own.

On top of what we cover, we also offer contract-free agreements. You pay month to month for as long as you need the coverage. No long-term contracts or commitments. We cover appliances of any age and have a quick and easy claims process with same-day scheduling.

If you are looking to own a home or have recently purchased one, a Total Home Protection Plan from Everything Breaks is the best way to supplement your homeowners insurance and give you the protection you need, when you need it.

The Difference Between Home Insurance and a Home Protection Plan (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between a protection plan and insurance? ›

Since they both provide protection for different things, it's a good idea to have both homeowners insurance and a home protection plan. While your homeowners insurance will cover the structure of your home, the protection plan will cover the things you use within it.

What is the difference between home insurance and house insurance? ›

The term 'house insurance' is usually meant to mean homeowners insurance- but it implies that the policy only protects your house. This is why professionals in the home insurance industry refer to it as homeowners insurance, or home insurance for short.

What's the difference between home insurance and home warranty? ›

A home warranty covers you primarily for normal wear and tear of certain major appliances and systems. On the other hand, homeowners insurance covers damage to the house and contents due to covered perils.

What's the difference between a warranty and insurance? ›

Both car warranties and car insurance can provide peace of mind through protection against unexpected repair costs. However, car warranties are meant to cover needs associated with a mechanical breakdown while car insurance covers medical bills and repair costs after a car wreck.

What does a protection plan cover? ›

Also known as service plans or extended warranties, product protection plans can cover defects, accidents, or damage to products and even allow consumers to get them replaced or repaired at no additional cost.

What's included in a protection plan? ›

The protection plan must set out what needs to be done, why, when and by whom. Protection plan must be proportionate to the risk and will be unique to the different types of abuse or neglect.

What are the 2 types of home insurance? ›

What are the different types of homeowners insurance?
  • Dwelling coverage is the basis for all homeowners insurance policies. ...
  • Contents coverage protects items including furniture and clothing in your home.

What is the best homeowners insurance? ›

The best home insurance companies in April 2024
Insurance CompanyBest forBankrate Score
USAABest overall4.7 Rating: 4.7 stars out of 5
AllstateBest overall4.2 Rating: 4.2 stars out of 5
LemonadeBest for digital experience3.8 Rating: 3.8 stars out of 5
ChubbBest for high-value home coverage4.3 Rating: 4.3 stars out of 5
6 more rows

What kind of insurance pays off a mortgage upon death? ›

Mortgage life insurance, also called mortgage protection insurance (MPI) or mortgage protection life insurance, is a type of credit life insurance that covers your mortgage if you die before paying off your home loan.

Can you use home insurance and home warranty at the same time? ›

If you have an issue with an item covered by your home warranty and your home insurance, you can file both claims at the same time using your home warranty and insurance. Remember, it's not about the timing but the coverage details allowing you to use both products simultaneously.

Does home insurance cover a broken dishwasher? ›

Homeowners, condo, and renters insurance may cover appliances when a covered peril, such as a fire or theft, caused the damage. Insurance generally doesn't cover wear and tear damage or manufacturer defects. Optional coverage for electrical and mechanical breakdowns may be available through your home insurance policy.

What are the cons of a home warranty? ›

What are the cons of a home warranty? The biggest con of a home warranty is the limited range of coverage. Home warranties only cover damage from regular use, and policies usually exclude damage from pre-existing conditions and improper maintenance.

Is a warranty a protection plan? ›

Warranties are essentially a promise from the dealership that they stand behind their product and that if something goes wrong, they will be sure to fix it for you. But vehicle protection plans are a separate thing entirely.

What does warranty not cover? ›

Manufacturer's warranties

They generally do not cover the cost of routine maintenance or parts that wear due to normal wear and tear, or abuse.

What is the relationship between warranty and insurance? ›

Warranty is an essential aspect of insurance policies. It is a legally binding promise made by the policyholder to the insurer, stating that certain conditions will be met during the policy period. In return, the insurer provides coverage for the policyholder against specific risks.

Why do people buy protection plans? ›

Maybe it's a piece of exercise equipment, a nice bike or a TV. The plans are supposed to offer added coverage for repairs in case something goes wrong. The protection plans used to be called extended warranties and that industry, including auto plans, is booming.

Is insurance a mean of protection? ›

Insurance is a means of protection from financial loss in which, in exchange for a fee, a party agrees to compensate another party in the event of a certain loss, damage, or injury. It is a form of risk management, primarily used to protect against the risk of a contingent or uncertain loss.

What is a protection plan on a vehicle? ›

A vehicle protection plan (AKA a “vehicle service contract”) is add-on coverage that you can purchase for extra peace of mind that covers repair and maintenance services after your warranty has expired. Though this type of plan is often referred to as an “extended warranty,” that term is actually a misnomer.

Should you buy protection plans for cars? ›

Long-term peace of mind: Buying a warranty can provide valuable protection and decrease the stress and worry that come with car ownership — especially if you don't have the money to cover large unexpected repairs.

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