6 Best Home Warranty Companies in Kickapoo, IL

How Does a Home Warranty Work?

A home warranty is a protection plan that assists Kickapoo homeowners in lowering the costs of appliance and system repairs. The plans provide coverage to swap out or repair appliances and systems that break down due to normal wear and tear.

When something breaks down, you submit a claim and pay a service fee. The home warranty company then finds a contractor to handle the replacement or fix. Homeowners may have out-of-pocket costs only if the cost of the repair or replacement exceeds the item's coverage limit. A home warranty delivers peace of mind for homeowners by helping them prevent expensive emergency repairs. They're particularly useful for those who own older homes or ones with aging systems. Newer builds with functional appliances probably don’t require a home warranty.

What Does a Home Warranty Cover?

Home warranties help protect both your home systems and appliances. Common covered appliances include dishwashers, refrigerators, dryers, microwaves, garbage disposals, washers, and others. Covered systems include heating, plumbing, air conditioning, and electrical. Many home warranty plans offer additional add-on coverage options for septic systems, central vacuums, locksmiths, and even roof leaks. Most home warranty plans require Kickapoo homeowners to refrain from making claims for 30 days before the plan will cover repairs. Additionally, policies typically only cover repairs and replacements resulting from normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't cover cosmetic issues, pre-existing conditions, natural disasters, or misusing a system or appliance. To help ensure your next repair or replacement is covered, keep up with preventative maintenance.

Key Home Warranty Terms to Know

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

• Contract rate: The pre-negotiated rate a home warranty company has with its contractors. This rate is usually less than typical retail costs.
• 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.
• Service fee: The out-of-pocket cost per claim that you pay for contractor access and repair coverage.
• Claim approval: The process a provider uses to validate that a requested repair or replacement is covered under your plan.
• Trade call fee: An additional fee that some companies charge for appliance-related claims.
• Coverage limits: How much money your warranty provider will pay for specific repairs or replacements. Check limits on repairs for things like appliances, roof leaks, and air conditioning units.
• Endorsements: Additional coverage for systems like well pumps, septic, and pools, which usually comes with a fee for each add-on.

Keeping these terms and key factors in mind will help you understand costs and select a home warranty that's tailored to protect your most important home systems. Be sure to discuss specifics of coverage with potential providers during the quote process, so you can 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 warranties differ greatly in the items covered. Basic policies typically include heating, AC, plumbing, electrical, and appliances, while more comprehensive options may also cover pools, well pumps, roof leaks, and spas. Focus on providers with wide-ranging coverage selections including upgraded plans. This flexibility enables you to customize your plan to meet your needs.

Service Fees

Expect to pay a per-service fee of $60-100 for each home warranty claim. With these per-request costs adding up over time as you file claims, some homeowners prefer to choose a company with more affordable fees to maximize savings. Some providers also do away with deductibles if a customer goes a period of time without filing any claims.

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 TrustPilot, Google Reviews, or the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to research companies. Favorable reviews and ratings indicate a provider known for stellar service.

Contractor Network

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

Added Benefits

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

Is a Home Warranty Worth it in Kickapoo?

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Benefits of a Home Warranty

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

As well as saving you money on out-of-pocket expenses, a home warranty can offer you peace of mind and save you the hassle of trying to find a qualified technician to visit your home. Home warranties usually come with a network of pre-vetted technicians who can handle any repair issues you may come across. Plus, having a home warranty can help make your house more attractive to potential homebuyers should you ever decide to sell in the future. Many home warranty providers will allow you to transfer your policy to a new owner and give them the protection you’ve been benefiting from.

Downsides of a Home Warranty

Home warranties also have some downsides. Although it can give you less to worry about since the home warranty sends out a contractor who does the repair for you, some people may not like this, and they would rather select a contractor themselves. If that’s the case for you, some home warranty companies allow you to choose a contractor.

Another 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 rejected, so it’s important to carefully follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for maintenance of your home systems and appliances.