7 Best Home Warranty Companies in Chillicothe, OH

How Does a Home Warranty Work?

A home warranty is a protection plan that assists Chillicothe homeowners in lowering the expenses of appliance and system repairs. The plans provide financial coverage to swap out or repair appliances and systems that stop working due to normal wear and tear.

When something stops working, you submit a claim and pay a service fee. The home warranty company then finds a contractor to handle the replacement or repair. Homeowners may have out-of-pocket costs only if the cost of the repair or replacement exceeds the item's coverage limit. A home warranty gives peace of mind to homeowners, as it helps prevent costly emergency repairs. Home warranties are especially useful for older construction homes with aging systems. New homes with modern appliances might not need a home warranty.

What Does a Home Warranty Cover?

Home warranties cover your home systems and appliances. Warranties usually cover appliances such as garbage disposals, refrigerators, microwaves, dishwashers, washers, dryers, and others. Covered systems include plumbing, electrical, heating, and air conditioning. Many home warranty companies also provide add-on coverage for roof leaks, septic systems, locksmiths, and central vacuums. Most home warranty plans require Chillicothe homeowners to refrain from making claims for 30 days before the plan will cover repairs. Moreover, policies usually only cover repairs and replacements due to normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't cover pre-existing conditions, cosmetic issues, natural disasters, or misusing a system or appliance. To help ensure your next repair or replacement is covered, keep up with preventative maintenance.

Key Home Warranty Terms to Know

Here are some key home warranty terms to know before signing a contract:

• 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.
• Coverage limits: How much money your warranty provider will pay for specific repairs or replacements. Check limits on repairs for things like appliances, air conditioning units, and roof leaks.
• Endorsements: Additional coverage for systems like well pumps, septic, and pools, which usually comes with a fee for each add-on.
• 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.
• Trade call fee: An added fee that you'll sometimes need to pay for appliance-related claims.

With these terms and key factors in mind, you'll be able to better understand pricing and choose the right home warranty to protect your most essential home systems. When getting a quote, review coverage details with potential companies to help avoid unexpected fees.

Key Factors in Choosing a Home Warranty Company

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

Coverage Options

Home warranty coverage can have major differences in what's included. Most plans provide coverage for electrical, heating, plumbing, AC, and appliances. More robust coverage options also offer coverage on other items such as roof leaks, spas, pools, and well pumps. Focus on companies with an expansive array of coverage choices including upgraded plans. This flexibility enables you to customize your plan to meet your home's needs.

Service Fees

Expect to pay a per-service fee of $60-100 for each home warranty claim. With these per-request costs adding up over time as you file claims, some homeowners prefer to choose a company with lower service fees to maximize savings. Some companies also do away with deductibles when customers have a claim-free period.

Reputation

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

Contractor Network

Home warranty providers keep networks of professionals to handle covered repairs. Bigger networks raise the probability of getting qualified technicians to swiftly service your home. Reach out to potential providers and ask how many contractors they have in Chillicothe to get a sense of how quickly your repairs could happen in an emergency.

Added Benefits

Home warranty providers often offer bonuses such as maintenance discounts, energy efficiency upgrades, and coverage for smart home devices. These extras add value beyond basic repair coverage. Additional perks maximize the usefulness of the home warranty.

Is a Home Warranty Worth it in Chillicothe?

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Benefits of a Home Warranty

Temperatures in Chillicothe 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 Chillicothe, 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 need 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 needing to vet service technicians by yourself, home warranty companies do the work for you and send a contractor from their network right to your door when you need them. Another benefit of having a home warranty is if you want to sell your home, some providers let you transfer your home warranty to the new owners. It can make your home more attractive to potential homebuyers and help your home sell faster.

Downsides of a Home Warranty

Home warranties also have some drawbacks. While it can be convenient that the home warranty sends out a service technician who carries out the repair for you, some homeowners may not like this, and they would prefer to select their own contractor. If that’s important to you, some home warranty plans let you choose a contractor.

Plus, if you don’t maintain your home systems or appliances properly, or if they were damaged due to a natural disaster or animal infestation — anything besides normal wear and tear — the home warranty may not cover it.