4 Best Home Warranty Companies in Tomah, WI

How Does a Home Warranty Work?

A home warranty is a protection plan that helps Tomah homeowners in lowering the costs of appliance and system repairs. The plans offer financial coverage to swap out 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 exceeds the item's coverage limit. A home warranty delivers security for homeowners by helping them prevent expensive emergency repairs. They're particularly useful for those who own older homes or ones with outdated systems. Newer homes with modern appliances probably don’t require a home warranty.

What Does a Home Warranty Cover?

Home warranties cover your household systems and appliances. Warranties usually cover appliances such as refrigerators, garbage disposals, dryers, microwaves, dishwashers, washers, and more. Covered systems include air conditioning, heating, plumbing, and electrical. Many home warranty companies also provide add-on coverage for septic systems, roof leaks, locksmiths, and central vacuums. Tomah should understand that most home warranty plans have a waiting period of 30 days before repairs are covered. The majority of policies also only cover repairs and replacements due to normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't include natural disasters, pre-existing conditions, cosmetic issues, or improperly using a system or appliance. Be diligent about completing preventative maintenance to 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 providers use to determine whether a requested repair or replacement is covered under a home warranty plan.
• Contract rate: The pre-negotiated rate a home warranty company has with its contractors. This rate is usually less than typical retail costs.
• Trade call fee: An added fee that you'll sometimes need to pay for appliance-related claims.
• 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.
• 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: Optional add-ons that expand coverage for additional systems like septic, well pumps, pools, and more. Endorsements typically cost an additional fee.

Keeping these terms and key factors in mind will help you understand costs and select a home warranty that's tailored to protect your most important home systems. Make sure you discuss specifics of coverage with potential providers during the quote process, so you can avoid unexpected fees.

Key Factors in Choosing a Home Warranty Company

There are several important factors to consider when selecting a home warranty provider:

Coverage Options

Home warranty coverage varies, although most plans provide coverage for plumbing, electrical, heating, AC, and appliances. More inclusive plans may also cover additional items such as spas, well pumps, roof leaks, and pools. Focus on providers with an expansive array of coverage choices including upgraded plans. Flexibility like this will help you customize your plan to meet your home's 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 per-claim charges can quickly add up, so you may look for companies advertising lower service fees to optimize savings on each repair claim. Certain providers may eliminate deductibles if homeowners don't submit any claims within a set period of time.

Reputation

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

Contractor Network

Home warranty companies have networks of local technicians to handle repairs in your area. Contact potential providers to find out how many repair professionals they have in Tomah and get an idea for how quickly your repairs could take place in an emergency situation. Wider networks raise the probability of getting qualified contractors to quickly service your home.

Added Benefits

Certain home warranty providers include extras such as protection for smart home devices, discounts on maintenance, and energy-efficient upgrades. These can offer extra value beyond repair coverage. Extra perks enhance your home and maximize your home warranty.

Is a Home Warranty Worth it in Tomah?

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Benefits of a Home Warranty

Temperatures in Tomah can drop to the negatives in the winter, which means your heating system is likely to get a good bit of use. As a homeowner in Tomah, one benefit 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.

A home warranty also saves you time and energy. Instead of spending hours researching and selecting a repair person to fix your appliance or system, home warranty providers do the hard work for you and send a trusted professional to your door whenever you need them. A home warranty can also provide value in other ways. For instance, some plans can be transferred to another owner during a home sale.

Downsides of a Home Warranty

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

Another thing to consider is that some companies don’t cover pre-existing conditions and may require an inspection before your coverage can start. Ask the home warranty company for clarification about it if you need more information or if this is a problem for you.