4 Best Home Warranty Companies in Manitowoc, WI

How Does a Home Warranty Work?

A home warranty is a protection plan that assists Manitowoc homeowners in lowering the costs of appliance and system repairs. The plans provide financial coverage to replace or fix appliances and systems that break down due to normal wear and tear.

When something stops working, you submit a claim and pay a service fee. The home warranty company then arranges a contractor to handle the replacement or fix. Homeowners may have out-of-pocket costs only if the cost of the repair or replacement goes over the item's coverage limit. A home warranty gives homeowners peace of mind by helping avoid expensive emergency repairs. The coverage is especially helpful for those living in older houses or houses with fixtures near the end of their life span. However, homeowners with newer homes and functioning appliances might not require a home warranty.

What Does a Home Warranty Cover?

Home warranties cover your home systems and appliances. Covered appliances normally include dryers, washers, refrigerators, garbage disposals, dishwashers, microwaves, and more. Covered systems include electrical, plumbing, air conditioning, and heating. Many home warranty companies also offer add-on coverage for septic systems, central vacuums, roof leaks, and locksmiths. Manitowoc homeowners should know that most home warranty plans begin with a 30-day waiting period before repairs are covered. Additionally, most policies only help pay for repairs and replacements resulting from normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't include cosmetic issues, pre-existing conditions, natural disasters, or improperly using a system or appliance. Make sure to keep up with preventative maintenance to help ensure your next repair or replacement is covered.

Key Home Warranty Terms to Know

Before agreeing to a home warranty contract, you should understand key terms like:

• Claim approval: The process by which your provider determines whether a requested repair or replacement is covered under your warranty.
• 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.
• 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-ons that expand coverage for additional systems like well pumps, pools, septic, and more. Endorsements typically cost an additional fee.
• Service fee: The out-of-pocket cost per claim that you pay for contractor access and repair coverage.
• 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.
• Trade call fee: An additional fee that's sometimes required to appliance-related claims.

If you remember these important factors, it’ll help you choose a home warranty that's tailored to protecting your most vital home systems. Make sure to talk to providers about the specifics of coverage during the quote process, so you can avoid unexpected fees.

Key Factors in Choosing a Home Warranty Company

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

Coverage Options

Home warranties have significant variation in what they include. Basic plans typically include AC, plumbing, heating, electrical, and appliances, while more comprehensive plans may also cover roof leaks, well pumps, pools, and spas. Look for companies with flexible coverage choices, including upgraded plans. This helps you customize your plan to your needs.

Service Fees

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

Reputation

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

Contractor Network

Home warranty providers keep networks of technicians to handle covered repairs. Wider networks improve the likelihood of getting qualified technicians to quickly service your home. Contact potential providers to find out how many contractors they have in Manitowoc to get a sense of how quickly your repairs could be handled in an emergency.

Added Benefits

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

Is a Home Warranty Worth it in Manitowoc?

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Benefits of a Home Warranty

Since temperatures in Manitowoc can hit the negatives in the winter, the extreme weather can put a lot of strain on your heating system. Having a home warranty plan can help homeowners save money if one of these systems or appliances breaks down unexpectedly.

Plus, having a home warranty can save you some time by eliminating the need to research contractors — most companies will send a trusted professional right to your door to complete the repair or replacement. Another added benefit of having a home warranty plan 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 provider you purchased your home warranty through.

Downsides of a Home Warranty

One downside of buying a home warranty is that there are generally exclusions. For example, if you already have a manufacturer's warranty on one of your appliances, it may not be covered under the home warranty, so it’s important to read through the contracts you’re considering thoroughly to understand what is included and what isn’t.

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 carefully follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for maintenance of your home systems and appliances.