4 Best Home Warranty Companies in Manitowoc, WI

How Does a Home Warranty Work?

A home warranty is a protection policy that helps lower expenses for Manitowoc homeowners needing appliance and system repairs. These plans provide financial coverage to fix or replace appliances and systems that break due to normal wear and tear. Homeowners submit a claim and pay a service fee when something breaks. The home warranty company then finds 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 exceeds the item's coverage limit. A home warranty gives homeowners peace of mind, as it helps avoid high-priced emergency repairs. The coverage is especially helpful for owners of older houses or houses with systems near the end of their life span. However, people with newer homes and working appliances may not require a home warranty.

What Does a Home Warranty Cover?

Home warranties cover your home systems and appliances. Common covered appliances are dishwashers, dryers, refrigerators, microwaves, washers, garbage disposals, and more. Included systems are usually electrical, heating, plumbing, and air conditioning. Many home warranty companies offer add-on coverage for septic systems, central vacuums, locksmiths, and roof leaks. It's important for Manitowoc homeowners to know that most home warranty policies have a 30-day waiting period before they will cover the cost of any repairs. Additionally, policies typically only cover repairs and replacements needed due to normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't cover things like pre-existing conditions, natural disasters, cosmetic issues, or improper use of a system or appliance. It's important to keep up with preventative maintenance to help ensure that your next repair or replacement is covered by the policy.

Key Home Warranty Terms to Know

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

• Claim approval: The process providers use to determine whether a requested repair or replacement is covered under a home warranty plan.
• 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: The pre-negotiated rate a home warranty company has with its contractors. This rate is usually less than typical retail costs.
• Endorsements: Optional add-ons that expand coverage for additional systems like pools, septic, well pumps, and more. Endorsements typically cost an additional fee.
• Service fee: The amount you pay our of pocket per claim for access to a contractor 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.

With these terms and key factors in mind, you'll be able to better understand pricing and choose a home warranty customized to protecting your most essential home systems. When getting a quote, make sure you review coverage details with potential providers, so you don't encounter any unexpected fees.

Key Factors in Choosing a Home Warranty Company

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

Coverage Options

Home warranty coverage varies, although most plans provide coverage for heating, AC, plumbing, electrical, and appliances. More inclusive plans may also include other things such as pools, spas, well pumps, and roof leaks. Look for providers with varied coverage options, including upgraded plans. This allows you to tailor protection to your home's needs.

Service Fees

With any home warranty claim, you'll pay a service fee, usually falling in the $60 to $100 range, which is paid per repair request filed. The costs from multiple fees can add up. You may decide to look for providers with lower service fees to maximize your savings on each claim. Some companies also offer disappearing deductibles if a homeowner doesn't submit claims for repairs for a specified period of time.

Reputation

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

Contractor Network

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

Added Benefits

Some home warranty providers may include perks such as reduced maintenance fees, smart home device coverage, and energy efficiency upgrades. These can offer extra value beyond repair coverage. Extra bonuses allow you to enhance your home and get the most from your warranty policy.

Is a Home Warranty Worth it in Manitowoc?

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Benefits of a Home Warranty

Manitowoc’s frigid winters can put a strain on a home’s HVAC system. Whether it’s summer or winter, a home warranty can cover your home’s appliances and systems in the event they need to be repaired or replaced. For example, if your air conditioner fails in the middle of July, a home warranty can cover the needed repairs, saving you from spending unexpected money out of pocket.

Not only can a home warranty save you money on repairs and replacements, it saves you time too. Instead of vetting contractors on your own, home warranty providers do the work for you and send a contractor from their network right to your door when you need them. A home warranty can also provide value in other ways. For example, some policies can be transferred to another owner during a home sale.

Downsides of a Home Warranty

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

Another thing to take into consideration is that some providers don’t cover pre-existing damage and may require an inspection before coverage begins. Ask the home warranty company for clarification about this if you need more information or if this is an issue for you.