6 Best Home Warranty Companies in Mattoon, IL

How Does a Home Warranty Work?

A home warranty is a protection policy that assists Mattoon homeowners reduce the high costs of household repairs. These plans offer financial protection to fix or replace 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 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 go over the item's coverage limit. A home warranty gives homeowners reassurance by helping avoid expensive emergency repairs. The coverage is particularly helpful for those living in older houses or houses with fixtures near the end of their life span. However, homeowners with newer homes and modern appliances might not require a home warranty.

What Does a Home Warranty Cover?

Home warranties cover your household systems and appliances. Covered appliances normally include microwaves, dryers, garbage disposals, dishwashers, washers, refrigerators, and more. Covered systems include heating, plumbing, air conditioning, and electrical. Many home warranty companies also provide additional coverage for roof leaks, locksmiths, central vacuums, and septic systems. Mattoon homeowners should know that most home warranty plans begin with a 30-day waiting period before repairs are covered. What's more, most policies only cover repairs and replacements resulting from normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't include pre-existing conditions, natural disasters, cosmetic issues, or misuse of a system or appliance. Remember to keep up with preventative maintenance to help make sure your next repair or replacement is covered.

Key Home Warranty Terms to Know

Here are some essential home warranty terms to understand before signing a contract:

• 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, air conditioning units, and appliances.
• Service fee: The out-of-pocket cost per claim that you pay for contractor access and repair coverage.
• Deductible: The amount you pay toward a covered repair before the warranty covers the rest. Some plans have per-claim or yearly deductibles.
• 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.
• Endorsements: Optional add-on coverage for systems such as well pumps, septic, pools 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.
• Trade call fee: An additional fee that some companies charge for appliance-related claims.

With these important considerations in mind, you'll be able to better understand pricing and choose a home warranty customized to protecting your most essential home systems. When getting a quote, take care to review coverage details with potential companies, so you don't encounter any unexpected fees.

Key Factors in Choosing a Home Warranty Company

When choosing a home warranty provider, there are several key factors to consider:

Coverage Options

Home warranty coverage differs significantly when it comes to what's covered. Most plans include protection for plumbing, AC, heating, electrical, and appliances. More comprehensive plans also include protection for other items such as roof leaks, well pumps, pools, and spas. Look for a company that offers comprehensive coverage choices, including upgraded plans. Flexibility is important when trying to fit a home warranty to your home's specific 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, you may want to choose a company with lower service fees to maximize savings on every claim. Some companies also do away with deductibles when customers have a claim-free period.

Reputation

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

Contractor Network

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

Added Benefits

Some home warranty companies include perks such as energy efficiency upgrades, smart home device coverage, and reduced maintenance fees. These can offer extra value beyond just repair coverage. Added bonuses let you enhance your home and get the most from your warranty policy.

Is a Home Warranty Worth it in Mattoon?

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Benefits of a Home Warranty

Mattoon’s relatively mild winters and hot summers can put a strain on a home’s HVAC system. Whether it’s summer or winter, a home warranty is designed to 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, saving you from spending unexpected money out of pocket.

Not only does a home warranty offer some financial relief, but it also saves you time. If an appliance breaks, the last thing you want to do is find a repair person and schedule a repair. A home warranty takes care of this process by sending trusted professionals to your door when you need them most. A home warranty can also give value in other ways. For instance, some plans can be transferred between owners when you sell your home.

Downsides of a Home Warranty

Home warranties also have some downsides. Although it can save you time when the home warranty sends out a repair technician who does the repair for you, some may not like this, and they may want to select a contractor themselves. If that’s important to you, some home warranty providers let you choose a contractor.

Another thing to consider is that some companies don’t cover pre-existing damage and may require an inspection before coverage begins. Ask the home warranty provider for clarification about this if you aren’t sure or if this is a problem for you.