Is buying a home warranty worth it?

Consumer Reports takes a hard look at home warranties and lands somewhere skeptical: in its survey, 44% of holders had a claim denied or only partially paid, and the magazine often suggests putting the premium into a dedicated repair savings account instead. A home warranty can still make sense for an older home with aging systems and no emergency fund — but only with a reputable provider and a clear read of the exclusions.

The trap is paying for coverage you can’t use or already have. OwnWise helps on both sides of that. It keeps track of the warranties, protection plans, and manufacturer coverage you actually hold, so you don’t double-buy — and when something breaks, it tells you what likely failed and what the repair should cost, which is exactly the information you need to push back when a warranty company lowballs or denies a claim.

Read the cost-benefit case before you sign; use OwnWise to make sure whatever you’re paying for actually pays out.