6 Best Home Warranty Companies in Decatur, IL

How Does a Home Warranty Work?

A home warranty is a protection plan that helps Decatur homeowners cut the high costs of household repairs. These plans offer financial protection to fix or swap out appliances and systems that break down from normal wear and tear.

Homeowners submit a claim and pay a service fee when something breaks. The home warranty company then arranges 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, as it helps avoid expensive emergency repairs. The coverage is especially helpful for owners of older houses or houses with fixtures near the end of their life span. However, people with newer homes and functioning appliances may not need a home warranty.

What Does a Home Warranty Cover?

Home warranties cover many home systems and appliances. Covered appliances normally include dryers, refrigerators, washers, garbage disposals, microwaves, dishwashers, and more. Covered systems include air conditioning, plumbing, heating, and electrical. Many home warranty companies also provide additional coverage for locksmiths, septic systems, central vacuums, and roof leaks. It's important for Decatur homeowners to know that most home warranty policies have a 30-day waiting period before they can be used to cover repairs. Additionally, most policies only cover repairs and replacements due to normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't cover problems such as natural disasters, pre-existing conditions, cosmetic issues, or damage caused by improperly using a system or appliance. It's important to keep up with preventative maintenance to help ensure that your next repair or replacement is covered by your policy.

Key Home Warranty Terms to Know

Here are some key home warranty terms to know before signing a contract:

• Endorsements: Optional add-ons that expand coverage for additional systems like pools, septic, well pumps, and more. Endorsements typically cost an additional fee.
• Trade call fee: An additional fee that's sometimes required to appliance-related claims.
• Contract rate: The pre-negotiated rate a home warranty company has with its contractors. This rate is usually less than typical retail costs.
• Coverage limits: How much money your warranty provider will pay for specific repairs or replacements. Check limits on repairs for things like roof leaks, air conditioning units, and appliances.
• Service fee: The out-of-pocket cost per claim that you pay for contractor access and repair coverage.
• Claim approval: The process by which your provider determines whether a requested repair or replacement is covered under your warranty.
• Deductible: The amount you pay toward a covered repair before the warranty covers the rest. Some plans have per-claim or yearly deductibles.

With these important details in mind, you'll be able to better understand pricing and choose the right home warranty to protect your most essential home systems. When getting a quote, review coverage details with potential providers to help avoid unexpected fees.

Key Factors in Choosing a Home Warranty Company

There are several important factors to consider when choosing a home warranty provider:

Coverage Options

Home warranty coverage varies, although most plans include protection for plumbing, AC, heating, electrical, and appliances. More inclusive plans may also provide protection for extra things such as well pumps, spas, pools, and roof leaks. Look for providers with flexible coverage choices, including upgraded plans. This helps you customize your plan to your needs.

Service Fees

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

Reputation

A home warranty provider's reputation provides insights into factors such as contractor expertise, claim approval rates, repair speed, and customer satisfaction. Look at review sites like the Better Business Bureau (BBB), Google Reviews, or TrustPilot to learn more about providers. Good reviews and ratings suggest a company known for quality service.

Contractor Network

Home warranty companies have networks of technicians to handle covered repairs. Larger networks raise the probability of getting qualified technicians to quickly service your home. Contact potential providers to find out how many contractors they have in Decatur to get a sense of how soon your repairs could happen in an emergency.

Added Benefits

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

Is a Home Warranty Worth it in Decatur?

---

Benefits of a Home Warranty

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

A home warranty also can also save you time and energy. Instead of spending hours finding and choosing a contractor to fix your appliance or system, home warranty providers do the hard work for you and send a trusted professional to your door whenever you need them. Additionally, though home warranty companies vary, some providers will let you transfer your warranty if you sell your home. This can make your home 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 save you time when the home warranty sends out a service technician who handles the repair for you, some homeowners may not like this, and they would rather choose their own contractor. If that’s important to you, some home warranty plans let you select a contractor.

Another possible pain point of home warranties is that they don’t cover systems or appliances that haven’t been properly 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.