7 Best Home Warranty Companies in Mount Pleasant, IA

How Does a Home Warranty Work?

A home warranty is a protection plan that helps Mount Pleasant homeowners in lowering the costs of appliance and system repairs. The plans offer coverage to swap out or fix appliances and systems that break down 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 replacement or repair. Homeowners may have out-of-pocket costs only if the repair or replacement costs exceed the item's coverage limit. A home warranty gives homeowners reassurance, as it helps avoid expensive emergency repairs. The coverage is particularly helpful for buyers of older houses or houses with systems near the end of their life span. However, homeowners with newer homes and working appliances might not require a home warranty.

What Does a Home Warranty Cover?

Home warranties cover your household systems and appliances. Warranties usually cover appliances such as garbage disposals, dishwashers, refrigerators, dryers, microwaves, washers, and more. Covered systems include plumbing, air conditioning, electrical, and heating. Many home warranty companies also provide additional coverage for central vacuums, locksmiths, septic systems, and roof leaks. It's important for Mount Pleasant 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 pre-existing conditions, natural disasters, cosmetic issues, or misuse of a system or appliance. Stay current with preventative maintenance to help guarantee your next repair or replacement is covered.

Key Home Warranty Terms to Know

Here are some key home warranty words to learn before signing a contract:

• Deductible: How much you pay for a covered repair before your warranty covers the rest. Deductibles can be per-claim or yearly.
• Coverage limits: Dollar limits that cap how much the warranty will pay for certain repairs or replacements. Check limits on roof leaks, air conditioning units, appliances, and similar repairs.
• Claim approval: The process by which your provider determines whether a requested repair or replacement is covered under your warranty.
• 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 pools, septic, well pumps and more. Endorsements typically come with an additional fee.
• Trade call fee: An additional fee that some companies charge for appliance-related claims.
• Service fee: The out-of-pocket cost per claim that you pay for contractor access and repair coverage.

With these important details in mind, you'll be able to better understand pricing and choose a home warranty customized to protecting your most essential home systems. During the quoting process, make sure you review coverage details with potential companies to help avoid unexpected fees.

Key Factors in Choosing a Home Warranty Company

When you're deciding on a home warranty provider, there are several key things to take into account:

Coverage Options

Home warranty coverage can have major differences in what's included. Most plans include protection for AC, electrical, heating, plumbing, and appliances. More inclusive options also offer coverage on other items such as well pumps, spas, roof leaks, and pools. 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 systems and needs.

Service Fees

Expect to pay a per-service fee of $60-100 for each home warranty claim. As this charge applies to every separate claim, you may want to choose a provider with lower service fees to maximize savings. Some companies also do away with deductibles if a customer goes a period of time without filing any claims.

Reputation

A home warranty provider's reputation can provide insight into things such as repair timeliness, contractor quality, approval rates, and customer service. Browse review platforms such as TrustPilot, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), or Google Reviews to research providers. Positive ratings and feedback indicate a provider known for exceptional service.

Contractor Network

Home warranty companies have networks of local technicians to handle repairs in your area. Reach out to potential providers to learn how many repair professionals they have in Mount Pleasant and get an idea for how quickly your repairs could take place in an emergency situation. Wider networks raise the probability of getting qualified contractors to promptly service your home.

Added Benefits

Home warranty companies might offer perks such as energy efficiency upgrades, maintenance discounts, and coverage for smart home devices. These add value beyond repair coverage. Added perks can maximize the usefulness of the home warranty.

Is a Home Warranty Worth it in Mount Pleasant?

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Benefits of a Home Warranty

Since temperatures in Mount Pleasant can be quite hot in the summer, the weather can put a lot of strain on your air conditioning unit and HVAC system. Purchasing a home warranty plan can help homeowners save money if one of these systems or appliances breaks down unexpectedly.

Not only can a home warranty save you money on repairs and replacements, it saves you time too. Instead of needing to vet service technicians yourself, 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 while selling your home, you can most likely transfer your home warranty to the new owners. This can make your home more attractive to potential homebuyers and may help your house sell faster.

Downsides of a Home Warranty

One drawback of getting a home warranty is that there are often exclusions. For instance, if one of your appliances already has a manufacturer's warranty, it may not be included in the home warranty, so it’s important to read through any contracts you’re considering thoroughly to get a sense of what is included and what isn’t.

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