Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Written By David Cusick
Last Updated February 2024
Buying a home is a big step for many people, but the cost of maintaining it can get expensive over time, especially if your home in South Milwaukee is on the older side. A home warranty policy can help protect you by covering major repairs and replacements on your home’s most important systems and appliances.
Finding the best home warranty on the market can be challenging, as there are lots of companies to decide between. That’s why the Today's Homeowner team did the research and compiled a list of the top home warranty companies in South Milwaukee for you.
Over 10 years of experience
24/7 customer service team
Home inspections aren’t required
90-day repair guarantee
Plans aren’t customizable
Customers can’t choose their own contractor
Not available in washington
In South Milwaukee, Choice Home Warranty offers the best overall home warranty. Choice has about 15 years of experience in the home warranty market and in that time has built a a skilled network of service technicians nationwide. The home warranty provider offers 2 plans to policyholders with various options for appliance and system coverage. With a home warranty from Choice, you can enjoy very high coverage caps and simple-to-understand service contracts. Not to mention, it has great customer service, professional contractors, and lower out-of-pocket costs compared to other home warranties.
The plans that Choice offers to homeowners are Basic Plan and Total Plan. Service fees from Choice are an affordable $85. The coverage caps are also typically about $3,000.
Read more by visiting our Choice Home Warranty Review. To receive a free quote from Choice Home Warranty, fill out this online form or call 929-400-6164.
Basic Plan
Total Plan
The oldest and most trusted company in the industry
Allows customers to build their own plans
Ability to choose the service fee you want to pay
Broad coverage on up to 33 appliances and systems
Doesn’t let customers choose their own technician
Doesn’t provide coverage in alaska
In South Milwaukee, American Home Shield offers the most customizable home warranty. AHS has about 26 years of experience in the home warranty market and in that time has built a a skilled network of service technicians nationwide. The home warranty provider offers 3 plans to policyholders with various options for appliance and system coverage. With a home warranty from AHS, you can enjoy the ability to customize your plan with the coverages that work specifically for your home. Not to mention, it has a remarkably low claim denial rate in comparison to other home warranty companies.
The plans that AHS offers to homeowners are ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, and ShieldPlatinum. Service fees from AHS are customizable and range from $75 to $125. The coverage caps are also typically about $2,500.
Read more by visiting our American Home Shield Review. To receive a free quote from American Home Shield, fill out this online form or call 888-365-2839.
ShieldSilver
ShieldGold
ShieldPlatinum
Offers home insurance deductible of $500
Extra long 180-day workmanship guarantee
Offers free cancellation in the first 30 days
Charges high service fees of $75-$150
Doesn’t allow customers to choose their own technician
Isn’t available in hawaii or alaska
In South Milwaukee, Cinch Home Services offers the home warranty with the best workmanship guarantee. Cinch has about 44 years of experience in the home warranty market and in that time has built a a skilled network of service technicians nationwide. The home warranty provider offers 3 plans to policyholders with various options for appliance and system coverage. With a home warranty from Cinch, you can enjoy a 180-day workmanship guarantee that ensures your home systems and appliance repairs will be professionally done. Not to mention, it has a broad range of coverage options that will give homeowners peace of mind.
The plans that Cinch offers to homeowners are Appliances Plan, Built-in Systems Plan, and Complete Home Plan. Service fees from Cinch are customizable and range from $75 to $150. The coverage caps are also typically about $1,000-$2,000.
Read more by visiting our Cinch Home Services Review. To receive a free quote from Cinch Home Services, fill out this online form or call 877-589-0505.
Appliances Plan
Built-in Systems Plan
Complete Home Plan
Policy starts in ten days
24/7 customer service support
Generous coverage caps on important systems and appliances
30-labor guarantee and 90-day parts guarantee
Offers utility and home service outside line coverage
Higher service fee of $95
Not accredited by the better business bureau (bbb)
Only 2 plan options
In South Milwaukee, The Home Service Club offers the best home warranty with the quickest service. HSC has about 15 years of experience in the home warranty market and in that time has built a a skilled network of service technicians nationwide. The home warranty provider offers 2 plans to policyholders with various options for appliance and system coverage. With a home warranty from HSC, you can enjoy quick coverage where the home warranty goes into effect just ten days after you pay for the plan, instead of the typical 30 days. Not to mention, it has customer service representatives available 24/7, as well as a 30-day labor guarantee and a 90-day parts guarantee.
The plans that HSC offers to homeowners are Standard Coverage Plan and Comprehensive Coverage Plan. Service fees from HSC are customizable and range from $65 to $90. The coverage caps are also typically about $2,000.
Read more by visiting our The Home Service Club Review. To receive a free quote from The Home Service Club, fill out this online form or call 800-750-9443.
Standard Coverage Plan
Comprehensive Coverage Plan
Today's Homeowner looks at dozens of datapoints on home warranty companies to come up with our data-driven rankings. It's not possible for a company to pay for preferential treatment in our rankings. We look at the following key factors in determining who should top our list:
| Home Appliance | Repair Cost |
|---|---|
| Air Conditioner | $6,065 |
| Heating | $4,043 |
| Electrical | $607 |
| Toilets | $505 |
| Washer/Dryer | $809 |
| Plumbing | $607 |
| Oven | $1,617 |
| Fridge | $607 |
A home warranty is a protection policy that helps South Milwaukee homeowners lower the costs of appliance and system repairs. The plans offer financial coverage to repair or swap out appliances and systems that malfunction due to normal wear and tear.
When something breaks down, you file a claim and pay a service fee. The home warranty company then finds a contractor to handle the repair or replacement. Homeowners may have out-of-pocket costs only if the repair or replacement exceeds the item's coverage limit. A home warranty gives reassurance to homeowners, as it helps prevent expensive emergency repairs. Home warranties are the most useful for older houses or those with aging systems. New homes with modern appliances may not require a home warranty.
Home warranties protect many household systems and appliances. Common covered appliances include microwaves, washers, garbage disposals, dishwashers, dryers, refrigerators, and others. Covered systems include heating, plumbing, air conditioning, and electrical. Many home warranty plans offer additional coverage for roof leaks, septic systems, central vacuums, and even locksmiths. It's important for South Milwaukee 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 due to normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't cover things like pre-existing conditions, cosmetic issues, natural disasters, or damage caused by improperly using a system or appliance. It's important to keep up with preventative maintenance to help ensure that your next repair or replacement will be covered by your policy.
Here are some key home warranty terms to know before signing a contract:
When you're deciding on a home warranty provider, there are several important things to take into account:
Home warranties have significant variation in what they include. Basic policies typically include electrical, plumbing, AC, heating, and appliances, while more comprehensive options may also cover pools, spas, roof leaks, and well pumps. Look for a provider that offers robust coverage options, including upgraded plans. Flexibility is important when trying to fit a home warranty to your home's specific systems and needs.
Homeowners should anticipate paying a $60–100 service fee when filing home warranty claims. These per-claim costs can add up, so some homeowners prefer using companies with lower service fees to maximize savings. Some companies also offer disappearing deductibles after periods where a customer files no claims.
A home warranty company's reputation can offer insight into things such as contractor quality, speed of repairs, approval rates for claims, and customer satisfaction. Look at third-party review sites such as Google Reviews, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), or TrustPilot to research companies. Positive ratings and reviews indicate that a provider is known for top-tier service.
Home warranty providers have networks of professionals that they use to tackle covered repairs. Bigger networks increase the probability of getting qualified contractors to your home quickly. Reach out to possible providers to ask how many contractors they have in South Milwaukee to understand how long repairs could take in an urgent situation.
Some home warranty providers include bonuses such as maintenance discounts, smart home device protection, and energy efficiency upgrades. These can add value beyond repair coverage. Added bonuses can maximize the usefulness of your home warranty.
South Milwaukee’s frigid winters can put a strain on a home’s HVAC system. Whether it’s summer or winter, a home warranty will cover your home’s appliances and systems if they need to be repaired or replaced. For example, if your air conditioner stops working in the middle of July, a home warranty can cover the necessary repairs, preventing you from spending unexpected money out of pocket.
On top of saving you money on out-of-pocket expenses, a home warranty can offer you peace of mind and save you the headache of trying to find a qualified repair person to visit your home. Home warranties usually come with a network of pre-vetted technicians who can handle any repair issues you may have. 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 house more attractive to potential homebuyers and help your home sell faster.
Home warranties also have some drawbacks. While it can give you less to worry about since the home warranty sends out a contractor who takes care of the repair for you, some people may not like this, and they would prefer to choose a contractor themselves. If that’s important to you, some home warranty companies let you select a contractor.
Also, if you don’t maintain your home systems or appliances properly, or if they need repairs due to a natural disaster or animal infestation — anything other than normal wear and tear — the home warranty may not cover it.
A home warranty policy costs, on average, about $300 to $600 a year in South Milwaukee. Our top-rated home warranty companies' most comprehensive coverage options vary from $546 to $840 per year. You can get a lower monthly payment with some companies by choosing a higher service fee. In addition, it's often less expensive to pay annually rather than monthly.
Home warranties and home insurance differ in what sorts of damage they cover. Home warranties cover problems related to home systems and appliances that need to be repaired or replaced due to normal wear and tear. A home insurance policy is a different insurance that protects your entire home from natural disasters, which can sometimes be a concern in South Milwaukee. It doesn't cover a normal appliance or system breakage.
First-time homebuyers, landlords, home sellers, homeowners, and real estate agents are all eligible for home warranty plans. A home warranty can help make your home more appealing to prospective buyers and save you money in the long run.
A home warranty policy can cover your appliances, systems, or both. Combination plans are beneficial if you'd like more coverage for your home, but a system- or appliance-only plan can be useful if you're concerned about one more than the other.
Home warranty plans usually offer coverage for a year. Many companies let you renew your plan each year, and some offer month-to-month options as well.
Typically, the homeowner is responsible for paying for the home warranty. In some cases, however, the home seller may purchase a home warranty policy and transfer the policy to the buyer. The new homeowner will then need to pay the service fees when using the policy. Considering that the average home value in South Milwaukee is $263,332, a home warranty can save you some money when buying a home.
