7 Best Home Warranty Companies in Lansing, KS

How Does a Home Warranty Work?

A home warranty is a protection plan that assists Lansing homeowners reduce the high costs of household repairs. These plans provide financial protection to repair or replace appliances and systems that break down from normal wear and tear. Homeowners file a claim and pay a service fee when something breaks. The home warranty provider 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 goes over the item's coverage limit. A home warranty plan gives homeowners peace of mind since 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 modern appliances and fixtures may not require a home warranty.

What Does a Home Warranty Cover?

Home warranties protect your home systems and appliances. Common appliances covered include washers, microwaves, dishwashers, refrigerators, dryers, garbage disposals, and more. Included systems are usually air conditioning, heating, plumbing, and electrical. Many home warranty companies provide add-on coverage for septic systems, locksmiths, central vacuums, and roof leaks. Lansing homeowners should know that most home warranty plans begin with a 30-day waiting period before repairs are covered. Additionally, most policies only cover the cost of repairs and replacements due to normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't include natural disasters, cosmetic issues, pre-existing conditions, or improperly using a system or appliance. You must 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 understand key terms like:

• 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.
• Deductible: The amount you pay toward a covered repair before the warranty covers the rest. Some plans have per-claim or yearly deductibles.
• Trade call fee: An additional fee that's sometimes required to appliance-related claims.
• Claim approval: The process a provider uses to validate that a requested repair or replacement is covered under your plan.
• Service fee: The amount you pay our of pocket per claim for access to a contractor and repair coverage.
• Coverage limits: How much money your warranty provider will pay for specific repairs or replacements. Check limits on repairs for things like appliances, roof leaks, and air conditioning units.
• Endorsements: Optional add-ons that expand coverage for additional systems like well pumps, septic, pools, and more. Endorsements typically cost an additional fee.

With these important considerations in mind, you'll be able to understand pricing and choose the right home warranty to protect your most essential home systems. During the quoting process, make sure you review coverage details with potential companies, so you don't encounter any unexpected fees.

Key Factors in Choosing a Home Warranty Company

There are several important considerations when choosing a home warranty provider:

Coverage Options

Home warranty coverage varies, although most plans provide coverage for heating, electrical, AC, plumbing, and appliances. More comprehensive options may also provide protection for other things such as roof leaks, pools, well pumps, and spas. Look for providers with an array of coverage options, such as upgraded plans. You'll want to tailor your protection for your needs.

Service Fees

You'll pay a service fee, typically $60–100, for each claim filed with your home warranty provider. This fee is charged per request and can quickly add up, so you may seek out providers advertising more affordable fees to optimize savings on each repair claim. Certain providers may eliminate deductibles when a homeowner submits no claims in a defined period.

Reputation

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

Contractor Network

Home warranty providers maintain networks of contractors to handle covered repairs. More extensive networks increase the probability of getting qualified technicians to service your home ASAP. Ask potential providers how many contractors they have in Lansing to get a sense of how quickly your repairs could be handled in an emergency.

Added Benefits

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

Is a Home Warranty Worth it in Lansing?

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Benefits of a Home Warranty

Since temperatures in Lansing can be quite hot in the summer, the weather can put a lot of strain on your air conditioning unit and HVAC system. Buying a home warranty policy can help homeowners save money if one of these systems or appliances stops working all of a sudden.

Not only can a home warranty offer some savings, but it also saves you time. If an appliance breaks down, the last thing you want to do is find a contractor and schedule a repair. A home warranty takes care of the research by sending trusted professionals to your door when you need them most. Another benefit of having a home warranty is if you want to sell 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

There are also some drawbacks to getting a home warranty plan, like the coverage exclusions. For example, home warranties may not cover systems or appliances that are already covered under a manufacturer's warranty.

Additionally, if you don’t maintain your home systems or appliances properly, or if they need repairs or replacements due to a natural disaster or animal infestation — anything other than normal wear and tear — the home warranty may not cover it.