6 Best Home Warranty Companies in Romeoville, IL

How Does a Home Warranty Work?

A home warranty is a protection plan that helps reduce the high costs for Romeoville homeowners needing appliance and system repairs. These plans provide financial coverage to repair or swap out appliances and systems that stop working due to 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 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 peace of mind to homeowners, as it helps prevent expensive emergency repairs. Home warranties are the most useful for older houses or those with aging systems. New homes with up-to-date appliances may not require a home warranty.

What Does a Home Warranty Cover?

Home warranties protect your home systems and appliances. Common appliances covered include dryers, microwaves, refrigerators, dishwashers, washers, garbage disposals, and more. Included systems are normally electrical, air conditioning, plumbing, and heating. Many home warranty companies provide add-on coverage for septic systems, roof leaks, central vacuums, and locksmiths. It's important for Romeoville homeowners to understand most home warranty plans have a 30-day waiting period before repair claims will be approved. Most policies also only cover repairs and replacements resulting from normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't include cosmetic issues, natural disasters, pre-existing conditions, 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

There are several home warranty terms to know before signing an agreement, including:

• Trade call fee: An added fee that you'll sometimes need to pay for 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.
• 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 amount you pay our of pocket per claim for access to a contractor and repair coverage.
• 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, appliances, and air conditioning units.
• Claim approval: The process by which your provider determines whether a requested repair or replacement is covered under your warranty.
• Endorsements: Optional add-ons that expand coverage for additional systems like pools, well pumps, septic, and more. Endorsements typically cost an additional fee.

If you remember these terms and key factors, it’ll help you choose a home warranty that's tailored to protecting your most essential home systems. Make sure to talk to companies about coverage specifics when getting a quote, so you can avoid unexpected fees.

Key Factors in Choosing a Home Warranty Company

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

Coverage Options

Home warranty coverage varies widely in the items that are included. Most plans provide coverage for plumbing, heating, electrical, AC, and appliances. More inclusive options also include protection for other items such as pools, roof leaks, spas, and well pumps. Look for companies with a diverse range of coverage options, including upgraded plans. This allows you to tailor protection to your needs.

Service Fees

You'll pay a service fee, typically $60–100, for each claim filed with your home warranty provider. These fees to accumulate quickly with each claim, so you may look for providers advertising more affordable fees to optimize savings on each repair claim. Certain companies may waive deductibles when a homeowner submits no claims in a defined period.

Reputation

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

Contractor Network

Home warranty companies have networks of technicians 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 Romeoville to get a sense of how quickly your repairs could be handled in an emergency.

Added Benefits

Some home warranty companies include extras such as energy efficiency upgrades, smart home device protection, and maintenance discounts. These perks can add value beyond just repair coverage. Added bonuses maximize the usefulness of the home warranty.

Is a Home Warranty Worth it in Romeoville?

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Benefits of a Home Warranty

Romeoville’s cold winters can put a strain on a home’s HVAC system. Whether it’s summer or winter, a home warranty can help cover your home’s appliances and systems in the event they need to be repaired or replaced. For example, if your air conditioner stops working in the middle of July, a home warranty can cover the necessary repairs, preventing you from spending unexpected money out of pocket.

Not only can a home warranty save you money on repairs and replacements, it saves you time too. Instead of vetting contractors 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 benefit of having a home warranty is when you’re selling your home, some providers let you transfer your home warranty to the new owners. This can make your home more attractive to potential homebuyers and may help your home sell faster.

Downsides of a Home Warranty

Home warranties also have some drawbacks. Although it can be convenient that the home warranty sends out a repair technician who handles the repair for you, some homeowners may not like this, and they may want to choose their own contractor. If that’s important to you, some home warranty providers allow you to select a contractor.

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