6 Best Home Warranty Companies in Charleston, IL

How Does a Home Warranty Work?

A home warranty is a protection policy that helps lower expenses for Charleston homeowners needing appliance and system repairs. These plans provide coverage to repair or swap out appliances and systems that break due to normal wear and tear.

Homeowners submit a claim and pay a service fee when something breaks. The home warranty provider then finds a contractor to make the repair 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 gives homeowners reassurance by helping avoid high-priced emergency repairs. The coverage is especially helpful for buyers of older houses or houses with systems near the end of their life span. However, homeowners with newer homes and working appliances may not require a home warranty.

What Does a Home Warranty Cover?

Home warranties safeguard both your home systems and appliances. Common covered appliances include dishwashers, dryers, refrigerators, garbage disposals, washers, microwaves, and others. Covered systems include electrical, plumbing, heating, and air conditioning. Many home warranty plans offer additional add-on coverage options for central vacuums, septic systems, locksmiths, and even roof leaks. Charleston should understand that most home warranty plans have a waiting period of 30 days before repairs are covered. Most policies also only cover repairs and replacements due to normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't include natural disasters, pre-existing conditions, cosmetic issues, or misusing a system or appliance. Stay current with preventative maintenance to ensure your next repair or replacement is covered.

Key Home Warranty Terms to Know

Before signing a home warranty contract, you should understand key terms like:

• Deductible: The amount you're responsible for before your warranty covers the remainder of the cost. Deductibles apply to covered repairs and may be on a per-claim or yearly basis.
• Trade call fee: An additional fee that some companies charge for appliance-related claims.
• Contract rate: A pre-negotiated rate that your home warranty provider has worked out with contractors. This rate is typically less than what you would pay retail.
• Coverage limits: Dollar limits that cap how much the warranty will pay for certain repairs or replacements. Check limits on air conditioning units, appliances, roof leaks, and similar repairs.
• Claim approval: The process a provider uses to validate that a requested repair or replacement is covered under your plan.
• Endorsements: Additional coverage for systems like septic, pools, and well pumps, which usually comes with a fee for each add-on.
• Service fee: The out-of-pocket cost per claim that you pay for contractor access and repair coverage.

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

Key Factors in Choosing a Home Warranty Company

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

Coverage Options

Home warranty policies can have major differences in covered items. Most plans cover AC, plumbing, heating, electrical, and appliances. More comprehensive options also extend protection to other items such as pools, spas, roof leaks, and well pumps. Look for a provider that offers comprehensive coverage choices, including upgraded plans. You want the flexibility to customize coverage to fit your home's specific systems and needs.

Service Fees

Expect to pay a per-service fee of $60-100 for each home warranty claim. As this charge applies to every separate claim, some homeowners prefer to choose a provider with lower service fees to maximize savings on every claim. Some providers also eliminate deductibles for homeowners who don't file claims in a certain period.

Reputation

A home warranty company's track record gives you insight into things such as claim approval rates, contractor quality, timeliness of repairs, and overall customer satisfaction. Use third-party review sites such as Google Reviews, TrustPilot, or the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to research providers. Favorable reviews and ratings indicate a provider known for stellar service.

Contractor Network

Home warranty providers keep networks of contractors to handle covered repairs. Bigger networks raise the likelihood of getting qualified technicians to swiftly service your home. Contact potential providers to find out how many contractors they have in Charleston to get a sense of how soon your repairs could be handled in an emergency.

Added Benefits

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

Is a Home Warranty Worth it in Charleston?

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Benefits of a Home Warranty

Since temperatures in Charleston can be quite hot in the summer, the weather can put a lot of strain on your air conditioning unit and HVAC system. Getting a home warranty plan can help homeowners save money if one of these systems or appliances stops working unexpectedly.

Not only can a home warranty save you some money on repairs and replacements, it saves you time too. Instead of having to vet technicians on your own, home warranty providers do the work for you and send pre-screened technicians right to your door when you need them. Another good thing about having a home warranty is when you’re selling your home, some providers let you transfer your home warranty plan to the new owners. It can make your house more attractive to potential homebuyers and may help your house sell faster.

Downsides of a Home Warranty

One drawback of purchasing a home warranty is that there are usually exclusions. For example, if you already have a manufacturer's warranty on one of your appliances, it may not be covered under the home warranty, so it’s important to read over the contracts you’re considering carefully to get a sense of what is included and what isn’t.

Another consideration is that home warranties usually only cover repairs needed due to normal wear and tear. They often won’t cover home systems or appliances that need repairs or replacements due to animal infestations, natural disasters, improper maintenance, etc.