6 Best Home Warranty Companies in Bensenville, IL

How Does a Home Warranty Work?

A home warranty is a protection plan that helps cut costs for Bensenville homeowners needing appliance and system repairs. These plans provide coverage to fix or swap out appliances and systems that break due to normal wear and tear. Homeowners file a claim and pay a service fee when something breaks. The home warranty provider then arranges a contractor to make the fix or replacement. The only time you may pay out-of-pocket is if the repair or replacement costs exceed the item's coverage limit. A home warranty plan gives homeowners a sense of security because it can help avoid costly emergency repairs. They can be especially helpful for people purchasing older homes or homes with appliances near the end of their life span. However, newer homes with modern appliances and fixtures may not need a home warranty.

What Does a Home Warranty Cover?

Home warranties protect your home systems and appliances. Common appliances covered include washers, refrigerators, microwaves, dryers, garbage disposals, dishwashers, and more. Covered systems are usually plumbing, air conditioning, electrical, and heating. Many home warranty companies provide add-on coverage for septic systems, roof leaks, central vacuums, and locksmiths. Bensenville homeowners should know that most home warranty plans begin with a 30-day waiting period before repairs are covered. Additionally, most policies only cover the cost of repairs and replacements due to normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't include cosmetic issues, natural disasters, pre-existing conditions, or improperly using a system or appliance. Make sure to keep up with preventative maintenance to help make sure your next repair or replacement is covered.

Key Home Warranty Terms to Know

There are multiple home warranty terms to know before signing an agreement, including:

• Coverage limits: The maximum dollar amount that your warranty provider will pay for certain repairs or replacements. Check your contract's limits on repairs for things like roof leaks, appliances, and air conditioning units.
• Service fee: The out-of-pocket cost you pay per claim for access to a contractor and repair coverage.
• Contract rate: The rate that your home warranty provider has pre-negotiated with its contractors. Normally, this rate is lower than what you'd pay retail.
• Trade call fee: An additional fee that some companies charge for appliance-related claims.
• Endorsements: Optional add-on coverage for systems such as septic, pools, well pumps and more. Endorsements typically come with an additional fee.
• Claim approval: The process by which your provider determines whether a requested repair or replacement is covered under your warranty.
• Deductible: How much you pay for a covered repair before your warranty covers the rest. Deductibles can be per-claim or yearly.

Keeping these important details in mind will help you understand a home warranty contract and select a plan that's tailored to protect your home. Be sure to discuss specifics of coverage with potential providers during the quote process to avoid unexpected fees.

Key Factors in Choosing a Home Warranty Company

There are several key considerations when selecting a home warranty provider:

Coverage Options

Home warranty coverage varies, although most plans include protection for heating, AC, plumbing, electrical, and appliances. More extensive plans may also cover other things such as pools, roof leaks, well pumps, and spas. Look for companies with an assortment of coverage options, such as upgraded plans. You'll want to tailor your protection for your home’s needs.

Service Fees

With any home warranty claim, you'll pay a service fee that can range from $60 to $100, which is paid per service call made. The costs from multiple fees can add up. You may decide to look for companies with lower service fees to maximize your savings on each claim. Some companies also offer disappearing deductibles for customers who don't file any claims over a certain timespan.

Reputation

A home warranty company's reputation gives insight into things such as approval rates, contractor quality, repair timeliness, and customer satisfaction. Check review platforms such as TrustPilot, Google Reviews, or the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to research companies. Good ratings and feedback indicate a company known for exceptional service.

Contractor Network

Home warranty companies maintain networks of local technicians to handle repairs in your area. Contact potential providers to ask how many repair professionals they have in Bensenville and get an idea for how fast your repairs could take place in an emergency situation. Wider networks raise the chances of getting qualified contractors to promptly service your home.

Added Benefits

Home warranty providers sometimes offer extras such as maintenance discounts, energy efficiency upgrades, and coverage for smart home devices. These can add value beyond repair coverage. Additional perks maximize the usefulness of the home warranty.

Is a Home Warranty Worth it in Bensenville?

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Benefits of a Home Warranty

Bensenville’s cold winters can put a strain on a home’s HVAC system. Whether it’s summer or winter, a home warranty can cover your home’s appliances and systems if they need to be repaired or replaced. For example, if your air conditioner fails in the middle of July, a home warranty can cover the repairs, preventing you from spending a lot of money out of pocket.

Not only can a home warranty save you money on repairs and replacements, it saves you time as well. Instead of vetting contractors yourself, home warranty companies do the work for you and send pre-screened technicians right to your door when you need them. In addition, though it varies by company, some providers will let you transfer your warranty if you sell your home. This can make your house more attractive to potential homebuyers and maybe even help your home sell faster.

Downsides of a Home Warranty

Home warranties also have some cons. Although it can be convenient that the home warranty sends out a contractor who does the repair for you, some homeowners may not like this, and they would rather select a contractor themselves. If that’s important to you, some home warranty providers let you select a contractor.

Another potential pain point of home warranties is that they don’t cover systems or appliances that have been improperly maintained. This can lead to your claims being denied, so it’s important to carefully follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for maintenance of your home systems and appliances.