Yes, you can use home insurance and home warranty at the same time, as both offer protection for different types of issues. Home insurance covers sudden events like fire or storm damage, while a home warranty handles routine breakdowns in systems and appliances. Using them together helps ensure full coverage for both emergencies and everyday wear.

What Is Home Insurance?

Home insurance protects your property from sudden disasters and accidents. Your policy covers damage from fires, storms, theft, and other unexpected events. The coverage includes your house structure, personal belongings, and liability costs.

Standard home insurance covers:

• Dwelling protection - repairs to your home's structure
• Personal property coverage - replacement of stolen or damaged belongings

According to the Insurance Information Institute, 88% of homeowners have active home insurance policies. Most mortgage lenders require this coverage before approving loans.

What Is Home Warranty?

Home warranty covers repairs and replacements of appliances and systems from normal wear. This service contract pays for fixing broken air conditioners, water heaters, and kitchen appliances when they stop working from regular use.

Home warranty typically covers:

• HVAC systems - heating and cooling equipment
• Major appliances - refrigerators, dishwashers, ovens, washers

The average home warranty costs $450 to $600 annually, plus service fees of $75 to $150 per repair visit. Learn more about home insurance options and compare coverage types.

Can You File Claims With Both Companies?

You can file claims with both home insurance and home warranty, but not for the same problem. Each coverage type handles different causes of damage or breakdown.

Example scenario: Your refrigerator stops working from old age. Home warranty covers this repair. If that same refrigerator gets damaged in a house fire, home insurance covers the replacement.

The damage cause determines which policy applies. Normal wear triggers warranty coverage. Sudden disasters trigger insurance coverage.

How Often Do People Use Each Coverage Type?

Homeowners use warranty coverage 25 times more often than insurance coverage. This happens because appliances break down regularly while major disasters occur less frequently.

Key usage statistics:

• 5.5% of homeowners file insurance claims annually
• 46% of homeowners experience unexpected home problems yearly

The most common warranty claims involve HVAC systems (24%), plumbing fixtures (21%), and water heaters (18%).

What Does Each Coverage Cost?

Home insurance costs average $2,304 yearly while home warranty costs $450 to $600 annually. Insurance costs vary by location, home age, and coverage amounts. Warranty costs remain more predictable.

Home insurance expense factors:

• Geographic location - weather risks and crime rates
• Home characteristics - age, size, and construction materials

Home warranty expense factors:

• Plan type - appliance-only, systems-only, or combination coverage
• Service fees - per-visit charges for technician calls

For comprehensive coverage options including auto insurance and umbrella insurance, speak with licensed agents.

Who Benefits Most From Having Both?

Homeowners with older appliances and limited emergency savings benefit most from dual coverage. First-time buyers especially need both types since they lack experience with home maintenance costs.

Ideal candidates include:

• Owners of homes over 10 years old with original appliances
• Buyers without $5,000+ emergency funds for major repairs

In 2023, homeowners spent an average of $13,667 on maintenance and emergency repairs according to Angi's State of Home Spending Report. Both coverages help control these expenses. Read our guide on choosing the best home insurance company for additional tips.

How Much Money Can You Save?

Home warranty saves hundreds to thousands on individual repairs while insurance prevents total financial loss. Major system replacements cost $3,000-$7,000 without warranty coverage.

Common repair costs without warranty:

• HVAC replacement - $3,000 to $7,000
• Water heater replacement - $800 to $1,500

With warranty, you pay only the service fee ($75-$150) per repair. Insurance prevents catastrophic financial loss from disasters.

What Should You Watch Out For?

Both coverage types have exclusions and limitations that you must understand before purchasing. Read policy documents carefully to avoid claim denials.

Key considerations:

• Coverage exclusions - items and situations not covered
• Claim limits - maximum payouts per incident or year

Avoid duplicate coverage by comparing what each policy covers. Some items may overlap between manufacturer warranties and home warranty plans. Consider additional protection with umbrella insurance for extra liability coverage.

How Do You Choose the Right Coverage?

Work with licensed agents to compare multiple insurance quotes and warranty plans. Compare coverage details, costs, and company ratings before deciding.

For home insurance selection:

• Compare quotes from multiple carriers
• Review coverage limits and deductible amounts

For home warranty selection:

• Check covered items in each plan
• Verify service provider networks in your area

At UR Choice Insurance, agents compare quotes from over 20 carriers to find optimal home insurance coverage. Learn more about personal liability coverage benefits in your area.

When Does Each Coverage Apply?

Home insurance claims require immediate reporting while warranty claims need scheduled service appointments. Insurance handles emergency situations. Warranty handles planned repairs.

Insurance claim process:

• Report immediately after damage occurs
• Document damage with photos and lists

Warranty claim process:

• Call service hotline during business hours
• Schedule appointment with approved technician

Insurance claims take 30-90 days to resolve. Warranty service typically happens within 24-48 hours.

What Are Common Coverage Mistakes?

Many homeowners incorrectly assume insurance covers appliance breakdowns from normal use. Insurance only covers sudden, accidental damage from covered perils.

Frequent misconceptions:

• Insurance covers everything - excludes normal wear and maintenance
• Warranty is unnecessary - appliances will break eventually

Understanding the difference prevents claim denials and financial surprises.

How Long Do Home Systems Last?

Most home systems and appliances last 8-20 years with proper maintenance. Knowing these lifespans helps plan replacement timing and warranty value.

According to the National Association of Certified Home Inspectors:

• HVAC systems last 15-20 years
• Water heaters last 8-12 years

Planning replacements before systems fail reduces emergency repair costs.

Final Thoughts

Having both home insurance and home warranty provides complete protection for your property investment. Insurance handles disasters while warranty manages normal breakdowns. Together, they control repair costs and protect your financial security.

Home insurance remains mandatory for most homeowners with mortgages. Home warranty adds optional protection against predictable appliance failures.

Ready to protect your home properly? Contact UR Choice Insurance today. Complete our 5-minute application to compare quotes from top-rated carriers and find the best coverage at competitive rates. Check out our testimonials to see how we've helped other homeowners save money.