You see advertisements for home warranty companies everywhere—they show up on your TV and come to your mailbox. But how do you know which company will give you the coverage and service you need? A colorful advertisement is nice, but it’s not enough to help you make an important decision like this one. Here are some things that will help you make an educated decision.

Reputation

You definitely want to choose a company with a good reputation. If you can find a company that’s been in business for a while and has positive customer reviews, that’s what you want. You may want to ask your friends and family members if they’ve had a good experience with their providers. They may also give you advice on companies to stay away from if they’ve bad experiences with a certain company. Find a few reputable companies, and do a little research about them so you can compare. Don’t just pick the first company you hear about.

Extent of Coverage

The amount of coverage a person wants on their appliances varies greatly, so it’s important to find a home warranty company with a plan that fits your needs. Some companies have comprehensive plans covering all or nearly all appliances while others have customizable plans where you can pick which items you want covered. You need to make sure the company has their policies clearly outlined so that they are easily understandable. It’s necessary to know exactly what their policies are. For instance, when something breaks, do they replace the item with the same thing or something better? What’s their policy on fixing vs. replacing? And is there a time or age limit on coverage for certain appliances? You’ll need to know all of these little details before making a choice.

Accessibility and Quality

Another thing to consider is how accessible customer support is. Some things need to be fixed immediately. If you can’t reach the company on the weekend, and something breaks on Friday, it could be a long, frustrating weekend. You want to pick a home warranty company that is accessible 24 hours a day. You also want their customer service representatives to be helpful and courteous. Something else to think about is who the warranty company hires to do their repair work. Is it someone you can trust and someone who does quality work? Do they have repair people who specialize in what they do? And is it someone who is nearby and willing to come quickly? These questions will really matter when an appliance breaks down.

A home warranty can be a huge relief at a stressful time, but only if you choose a home warranty company who is going to cover your needs in a courteous and timely manner, so be sure to shop around and find the company with the plan that works best for you.