6 Best Home Warranty Companies in Morton, IL

How Does a Home Warranty Work?

A home warranty is a protection policy that helps Morton homeowners reduce the high costs of household repairs. These plans provide financial coverage to repair or replace appliances and systems that stop working from normal wear and tear.

Homeowners file a claim and pay a service fee when something breaks. The home warranty company then arranges a contractor to make the fix or replacement. The only time you may pay out-of-pocket is if the cost of the repair or replacement exceeds the item's coverage limit. A home warranty gives security for homeowners by helping them avoid expensive emergency fixes. They're particularly useful for those who live in older homes or ones with outdated systems. More modern homes with modern fixtures probably don’t need a home warranty.

What Does a Home Warranty Cover?

Home warranties protect your home systems and appliances. Common covered appliances are garbage disposals, washers, microwaves, dishwashers, refrigerators, dryers, and more. Included systems are usually plumbing, air conditioning, electrical, and heating. Many home warranty companies provide add-on coverage for septic systems, central vacuums, roof leaks, and locksmiths. Morton homeowners should know that most home warranty plans begin with a 30-day waiting period before repairs are covered. Additionally, most policies only cover repairs and replacements resulting from normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't include natural disasters, cosmetic issues, pre-existing conditions, or misusing 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

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

• Deductible: The amount you pay toward a covered repair before the warranty covers the rest. Some plans have per-claim or yearly deductibles.
• Endorsements: Additional coverage for systems like well pumps, pools, and septic, 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.
• Coverage limits: Dollar limits that cap how much the warranty will pay for certain repairs or replacements. Check limits on appliances, roof leaks, air conditioning units, and similar repairs.
• 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's sometimes required to appliance-related claims.
• 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.

If you remember these important factors, it’ll help you understand costs and select a home warranty tailored to protecting your most vital home systems. Make sure to talk to companies about the specifics of coverage during the quote process, so you can avoid unexpected fees.

Key Factors in Choosing a Home Warranty Company

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

Coverage Options

Home warranty plans vary widely in what they include. Most plans provide protection for heating, AC, plumbing, electrical, and appliances. More robust plans also extend protection to other items such as well pumps, spas, roof leaks, and pools. Look for providers with an assortment of coverage options, such as upgraded plans. Flexibility helps you tailor your protection for your needs.

Service Fees

With any home warranty claim, you'll pay a service fee, usually falling in the $60 to $100 range, which gets paid per claim you submit. These per-claim charges can add up. You may decide to look for providers with more affordable 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 company's reputation gives insight into things such as timeliness of repairs, contractor quality, claim approval rates, and overall customer satisfaction. Look at third-party review sites such as TrustPilot, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), or Google Reviews to research providers. Positive ratings and reviews indicate a company known for stellar service.

Contractor Network

Home warranty companies have networks of technicians to handle covered repairs. Bigger networks increase the probability of getting qualified technicians to swiftly service your home. Ask potential providers how many contractors they have in Morton to get a sense of how soon your repairs could be handled in an emergency.

Added Benefits

Some home warranty companies may include perks such as reduced maintenance fees, energy efficiency upgrades, and smart home device coverage. These can provide extra value beyond repair coverage. Extra bonuses allow you to enhance your home and get the most from your home warranty.

Is a Home Warranty Worth it in Morton?

---

Benefits of a Home Warranty

Temperatures in Morton can vary greatly throughout the year, which means your air conditioner and heating systems are most likely going to get a good bit of use. As a homeowner in Morton, one of the benefits of having a home warranty is knowing that these home systems and major appliances can be covered in the event they have to be repaired or replaced.

Not only can a home warranty save you some money on repairs and replacements, it saves you time as well. Instead of vetting service technicians yourself, home warranty providers do the work for you and send a contractor from their network right to your door when 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 property 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 repair person who carries out the repair for you, some may not like this, and they would rather choose their own contractor. If that’s important to you, some home warranty providers allow you to select a contractor.

Another possible 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.