Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Written By David Cusick
Last Updated April 2024
Homeownership in Fort Madison can be satisfying for many people, but it also comes with its fair share of difficulties. Home repairs can be an unanticipated financial burden for many homeowners. A home warranty can bring you the peace of mind you need and shield your bank account from large expenses by covering your home’s major appliances and systems.
Finding the best home warranty on the market can be challenging, since there are dozens of companies to choose from. That’s why the Today's Homeowner team did the research and put together a list of the top home warranty companies in Fort Madison for you.
Very highly rated among customer service reviews
Covers repairs with a 60-day workmanship guarantee
Extensive list of 20+ add-on coverages
Easy claims process
Won’t cover known or unknown pre-existing conditions
Liberty Home Guard offers the most trustworthy home warranty for Fort Madison residents. When you purchase a home warranty from Liberty, you will get a seamless complaint process and guaranteed service professionalism upon every repair visit. Liberty Home Guard also has a 60-day workmanship guarantee and some of the best customer service in the industry. The home warranty company offers 3 plans to policyholders that have various system and appliance coverage options.
There are 3 home warranty plans from Liberty Home Guard: Appliance Guard, Systems Guard, and Total Home Guard. The coverage caps from Liberty are around $3,000. The service fees are an affordable $75, which is lower than other providers in the Fort Madison area.
To receive a free quote from Liberty Home Guard, fill out this online form or give them a call at 866-451-2281. Read more by visiting our Liberty Home Guard Review.
Appliance Guard
Systems Guard
Total Home Guard
Over 10 years of experience
24/7 customer service team
Home inspections aren’t required
90-day repair guarantee
Plans aren’t customizable
Customers can’t choose their own contractor
Not available in washington
Choice Home Warranty offers the best overall home warranty for Fort Madison residents. When you purchase a home warranty from Choice, you will get very high coverage caps and simple-to-understand service contracts. Choice Home Warranty also has great customer service, professional contractors, and lower out-of-pocket costs compared to other home warranties. The home warranty company offers 2 plans to policyholders that have various system and appliance coverage options.
There are 2 home warranty plans from Choice Home Warranty: Basic Plan and Total Plan. The coverage caps from Choice are around $3,000. The service fees are an affordable $85, which is lower than other providers in the Fort Madison area.
To receive a free quote from Choice Home Warranty, fill out this online form or give them a call at 929-400-6164. Read more by visiting our Choice Home Warranty Review.
Basic Plan
Total Plan
Low service fees compared to other home warranty providers
Two months of free coverage
Has an appliance-only, systems-only, and combo plan option
90-day repair guarantee
Has a $75 cancellation fee
Low coverage caps
Select Home Warranty offers the most cost-effective home warranty for Fort Madison residents. When you purchase a home warranty from Select, you will get a highly affordable service fee and free roof coverage upon purchase of a policy plan. Select Home Warranty also has an extensive network of highly trained professionals all over the country who are experts in home maintenance. The home warranty company offers 3 plans to policyholders that have various system and appliance coverage options.
There are 3 home warranty plans from Select Home Warranty: Bronze Care Plan, Gold Care Plan, and Platinum Care Plan. The coverage caps from Select are around $2,000. The service fees are a reasonable $60, which is lower than other providers in the Fort Madison area.
To receive a free quote from Select Home Warranty, fill out this online form or give them a call at 888-370-3953. Read more by visiting our Select Home Warranty Review.
Bronze Care Plan
Gold Care Plan
Platinum Care Plan
The oldest and most trusted company in the industry
Allows customers to build their own plans
Ability to choose the service fee you want to pay
Broad coverage on up to 33 appliances and systems
Doesn’t let customers choose their own technician
Doesn’t provide coverage in alaska
American Home Shield offers the most customizable home warranty for Fort Madison residents. When you purchase a home warranty from AHS, you will get the ability to customize your plan with the coverages that work specifically for your home. American Home Shield also has a remarkably low claim denial rate in comparison to other home warranty companies. The home warranty company offers 3 plans to policyholders that have various system and appliance coverage options.
There are 3 home warranty plans from American Home Shield: ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, and ShieldPlatinum. The coverage caps from AHS are around $2,500. The service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $125, which is lower than other providers in the Fort Madison area.
To receive a free quote from American Home Shield, fill out this online form or give them a call at 888-365-2839. Read more by visiting our American Home Shield Review.
ShieldSilver
ShieldGold
ShieldPlatinum
Established company with a bbb accreditation
Doesn’t have a coverage cap on heating, cooling, or ductwork
24/7 service calls available
Offers replacement of some covered items that are too damaged to repair
Doesn’t let customers choose their own contractor
According to some customer reviews, the technical jargon in contracts is confusing
First American Home Warranty offers the best home warranty for appliance coverage for Fort Madison residents. When you purchase a home warranty from First American, you will get very affordable and comprehensive appliance coverage. First American Home Warranty also has a unique add-on alongside common ones called the First Class Upgrade, which covers fees associated with the use of lifting equipment, up to $250 per local building permits, haul away services, and appliances and systems that have been insufficiently installed or modified. The home warranty company offers 2 plans to policyholders that have various system and appliance coverage options.
There are 2 home warranty plans from First American Home Warranty: Basic Plan and Premier Plan. The coverage caps from First American are around $1,500. The service fees are a reasonable $85, which is lower than other providers in the Fort Madison area.
To receive a free quote from First American Home Warranty, fill out this online form or give them a call at 833-204-7164. Read more by visiting our First American Home Warranty Review.
Basic Plan
Premier Plan
Offers home insurance deductible of $500
Extra long 180-day workmanship guarantee
Offers free cancellation in the first 30 days
Charges high service fees of $75-$150
Doesn’t allow customers to choose their own technician
Isn’t available in hawaii or alaska
Cinch Home Services offers the home warranty with the best workmanship guarantee for Fort Madison residents. When you purchase a home warranty from Cinch, you will get a 180-day workmanship guarantee that ensures your home systems and appliance repairs will be professionally done. Cinch Home Services also has a broad range of coverage options that will give homeowners peace of mind. The home warranty company offers 3 plans to policyholders that have various system and appliance coverage options.
There are 3 home warranty plans from Cinch Home Services: Appliances Plan, Built-in Systems Plan, and Complete Home Plan. The coverage caps from Cinch are around $1,000-$2,000. The service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $150, which is lower than other providers in the Fort Madison area.
To receive a free quote from Cinch Home Services, fill out this online form or give them a call at 877-589-0505. Read more by visiting our Cinch Home Services Review.
Appliances Plan
Built-in Systems Plan
Complete Home Plan
Policy starts in ten days
24/7 customer service support
Generous coverage caps on important systems and appliances
30-labor guarantee and 90-day parts guarantee
Offers utility and home service outside line coverage
Higher service fee of $95
Not accredited by the better business bureau (bbb)
Only 2 plan options
The Home Service Club offers the best home warranty with the quickest service for Fort Madison residents. When you purchase a home warranty from HSC, you will get quick coverage where the home warranty goes into effect just ten days after you pay for the plan, instead of the typical 30 days. The Home Service Club also has customer service representatives available 24/7, as well as a 30-day labor guarantee and a 90-day parts guarantee. The home warranty company offers 2 plans to policyholders that have various system and appliance coverage options.
There are 2 home warranty plans from The Home Service Club: Standard Coverage Plan and Comprehensive Coverage Plan. The coverage caps from HSC are around $2,000. The service fees are customizable and range from $65 to $90, which is lower than other providers in the Fort Madison area.
To receive a free quote from The Home Service Club, fill out this online form or give them a call at 800-750-9443. Read more by visiting our The Home Service Club Review.
Standard Coverage Plan
Comprehensive Coverage Plan
Today's Homeowner looks at dozens of datapoints on home warranty companies to come up with our data-driven rankings. It's not possible for a company to pay for preferential treatment in our rankings. We look at the following key factors in determining who should top our list:
| Home Appliance | Repair Cost |
|---|---|
| Air Conditioner | $5,694 |
| Heating | $3,796 |
| Electrical | $569 |
| Toilets | $474 |
| Washer/Dryer | $759 |
| Plumbing | $569 |
| Oven | $1,518 |
| Fridge | $569 |
A home warranty is a protection plan that assists Fort Madison homeowners cut the costs of appliance and system repairs. The plans provide coverage to repair or replace appliances and systems that stop working due to normal wear and tear.
When something breaks down, you file a claim and pay a service fee. The home warranty provider then arranges a contractor to handle the fix or replacement. Homeowners may have out-of-pocket costs only if the cost of repair or replacement goes over the item's coverage limit. A home warranty plan gives homeowners a sense of security because it can help avoid expensive emergency repairs. They can be especially helpful for people purchasing older homes or homes with appliances near the end of their life span. However, newer homes with appliances and fixtures in good condition may not need a home warranty.
Home warranties protect your home systems and appliances. Common covered appliances are microwaves, dryers, dishwashers, washers, refrigerators, garbage disposals, and more. Included systems are usually air conditioning, heating, plumbing, and electrical. Many home warranty companies offer add-on coverage for septic systems, central vacuums, locksmiths, and roof leaks. Most home warranty plans require Fort Madison homeowners to refrain from making claims for 30 days before they can use the policy to pay for repairs. Additionally, policies normally only cover repairs and replacements resulting from normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't cover pre-existing conditions, cosmetic issues, natural disasters, or misuse of a system or appliance. To make sure your next repair or replacement is covered, keep up with preventative maintenance.
Here are some key home warranty terms to know before signing a contract:
When you're deciding on a home warranty provider, there are several key things to take into account:
Home warranty plans vary widely in what they include. Most plans cover electrical, heating, AC, plumbing, and appliances. More robust plans also offer protection for other items such as roof leaks, well pumps, pools, and spas. Look for a provider that offers comprehensive coverage choices, including upgraded plans. Flexibility is important when trying to fit a home warranty to your home's specific systems and needs.
With any home warranty claim, you'll pay a service fee that can range from $60 to $100, which is paid per service call made. These per-claim charges 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.
A home warranty company's reputation provides insights into factors such as claim approval rates, repair speed, contractor expertise, and customer satisfaction. Read through review sites like TrustPilot, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), or Google Reviews to learn more about companies. Positive ratings and feedback suggest a company known for providing quality service.
Home warranty companies have networks of professionals that they use to tackle covered repairs. Wider networks improve the probability of getting qualified contractors to your home promptly. Contact possible providers to ask how many repair professionals they have in Fort Madison. This helps you understand how long repairs may take in an urgent situation.
Home warranty providers might include bonuses such as coverage for smart home devices, energy efficiency upgrades, and maintenance discounts. These extras add value beyond repair coverage. Additional perks maximize the usefulness of the home warranty.
Since temperatures in Fort Madison can be quite hot in the summer, the weather can put a lot of strain on your air conditioning unit and HVAC system. Getting a home warranty plan can help homeowners save money if one of these systems or appliances breaks unexpectedly.
Not to mention, having a home warranty can save you some time by removing the need to research repair people — most providers will send a trusted professional right to your door to do the repair or replacement. Another added benefit of having home warranty coverage is that it can increase your home’s real estate value. If you ever decide to sell your home, you may be able to transfer your home warranty plan to the new homebuyer depending on the company you have your home warranty with.
Home warranties also have some drawbacks. While it can save you time when the home warranty sends out a contractor who handles the repair for you, some may not like this, and they would prefer to select a contractor themselves. If that’s the case for you, some home warranty plans allow you to choose a contractor.
Another potential 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 repair requests being denied, so it’s important to be sure you follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for maintenance of your home systems and appliances.
A home warranty in Fort Madison can cost between $30 and $60 a month. The higher-priced plans typically have higher coverage limits, broader coverage, and a lower service fee. This cost is often lower if you pay annually instead of monthly. Some providers will also lower your up-front costs when you agree to a higher service fee.
The difference between a home warranty and homeowner's insurance lies in what kinds of damage each covers. A home warranty plan protects against normal wear and tear to systems and appliances in a home. Homeowners insurance protects your home in case of a situation such as a natural disaster or fire. With homeowners insurance, you will not be able to file a claim if you need a new washing machine or air conditioner, unless the damage is due to a natural disaster, which is somewhat common in Fort Madison.
A home warranty plan can help real estate agents, homeowners, home sellers, homebuyers, and investors. It can offer peace of mind to anyone involved in homeownership.
The different types of home warranties in Fort Madison include plans with coverage for either appliances or systems as well as combination plans. A combination plan covers many of your systems and appliances, including your dishwasher, washing machine, and HVAC. A plan that only covers appliances or systems will cover only the items mentioned in the plan.
Generally, a home warranty plan lasts for a year and can be renewed yearly. Some companies may offer month-to-month options.
Generally, the homeowner is the one who is responsible for paying the premium and service fees. However, when buying a new home, sometimes the seller will pay for the policy. This can then be given to the new homeowner, who has to pay the service fees when using the policy. In Fort Madison, where the median home value is $101,139, having the seller pay for the home warranty can be a good asset for your new home.
