Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Written By David Cusick
Last Updated April 2024
There are a lot of perks of owning a home, but as your West Bend home gets older, you may need to factor in the cost of updating your systems and appliances. A home warranty can give you the peace of mind you need and protect your savings account from unexpected expenses by covering your home’s major appliances and systems.
Finding the best home warranty on the market can be time-consuming, since there are so many companies to decide between. That’s why our team at Today's Homeowner did the research and compiled a list of the top home warranty companies in West Bend 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 West Bend, Choice Home Warranty offers the best overall home warranty. Choice has been in the home warranty industry for around 15 years. Choice has established itself as a company with very high coverage caps and simple-to-understand service contracts. It also has great customer service, professional contractors, and lower out-of-pocket costs compared to other home warranties. The 2 plans from Choice are easily comprehensible and offer both system and appliance coverage.
There are 2 home warranty plans from Choice Home Warranty: Basic Plan and Total Plan. Choice’s service fees are an affordable $85, and the coverage limits come out to about $3,000 for each covered appliance or system.
To receive a free quote from Choice Home Warranty, you can fill out this online form or call 929-400-6164. For a more detailed breakdown, read our review of Choice Home Warranty.
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 West Bend, American Home Shield offers the most customizable home warranty. AHS has been in the home warranty industry for around 26 years. AHS has established itself as a company with the ability to customize your plan with the coverages that work specifically for your home. It also has a remarkably low claim denial rate in comparison to other home warranty companies. The 3 plans from AHS are easily comprehensible and offer both system and appliance coverage.
There are 3 home warranty plans from American Home Shield: ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, and ShieldPlatinum. AHS’s service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $125, and the coverage limits come out to about $2,500 for each covered appliance or system.
To receive a free quote from American Home Shield, you can fill out this online form or call 888-365-2839. For a more detailed breakdown, read our review of American Home Shield.
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 West Bend, Cinch Home Services offers the home warranty with the best workmanship guarantee. Cinch has been in the home warranty industry for around 44 years. Cinch has established itself as a company with a 180-day workmanship guarantee that ensures your home systems and appliance repairs will be professionally done. It also has a broad range of coverage options that will give homeowners peace of mind. The 3 plans from Cinch are easily comprehensible and offer both system and appliance coverage.
There are 3 home warranty plans from Cinch Home Services: Appliances Plan, Built-in Systems Plan, and Complete Home Plan. Cinch’s service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $150, and the coverage limits come out to about $1,000-$2,000 for each covered appliance or system.
To receive a free quote from Cinch Home Services, you can fill out this online form or call 877-589-0505. For a more detailed breakdown, read our review of Cinch Home Services.
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 West Bend, The Home Service Club offers the best home warranty with the quickest service. HSC has been in the home warranty industry for around 15 years. HSC has established itself as a company with quick coverage where the home warranty goes into effect just ten days after you pay for the plan, instead of the typical 30 days. It also has customer service representatives available 24/7, as well as a 30-day labor guarantee and a 90-day parts guarantee. The 2 plans from HSC are easily comprehensible and offer both system and appliance coverage.
There are 2 home warranty plans from The Home Service Club: Standard Coverage Plan and Comprehensive Coverage Plan. HSC’s service fees are customizable and range from $65 to $90, and the coverage limits come out to about $2,000 for each covered appliance or system.
To receive a free quote from The Home Service Club, you can fill out this online form or call 800-750-9443. For a more detailed breakdown, read our review of The Home Service Club.
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 | $6,003 |
| Heating | $4,002 |
| Electrical | $600 |
| Toilets | $500 |
| Washer/Dryer | $800 |
| Plumbing | $600 |
| Oven | $1,601 |
| Fridge | $600 |
A home warranty is a protection plan that helps West Bend homeowners reduce the high costs of household repairs. These plans offer financial protection to repair or swap out appliances and systems that stop working from normal wear and tear.
Homeowners file a claim and pay a service fee when something breaks. The home warranty provider then finds a contractor to make the repair 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 reassurance to homeowners, as it helps prevent expensive emergency repairs. Home warranties are the most useful for owners of older homes or homes with aging systems. New homes with modern appliances may not require a home warranty.
Home warranties cover many household systems and appliances. Typical covered appliances include dryers, refrigerators, microwaves, washers, garbage disposals, dishwashers, and more. Protected systems include electrical, air conditioning, plumbing, and heating. Various home warranty plans offer additional coverage for central vacuums, roof leaks, septic systems, and even locksmiths. West Bend 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 due to normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't include cosmetic issues, pre-existing conditions, natural disasters, or misuse of a system or appliance. Remember to keep up with preventative maintenance to help make sure your next repair or replacement is covered.
Here are some key home warranty words to understand before signing a contract:
When you're deciding on a home warranty provider, there are several key things to take into account:
Home warranty coverage varies widely in the items that are included. Most plans provide coverage for AC, heating, plumbing, electrical, and appliances. More robust coverage options also include protection for other items such as roof leaks, well pumps, spas, and pools. Look for providers with an assortment of coverage options, such as upgraded plans. You'll want to tailor your protection for your home’s needs.
You'll pay a repair fee, normally ranging from $60–100 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 companies may waive deductibles after a customer goes a period of time with no claims filed.
A home warranty provider's reputation can offer insight into things such as speed of repairs, approval rates for claims, contractor quality, and customer satisfaction. Look at third-party review sites such as the Better Business Bureau (BBB), TrustPilot, or Google Reviews to research companies. Good ratings and reviews indicate that a provider is known for top-tier service.
Home warranty companies keep networks of professionals to handle covered repairs. Bigger networks improve the probability of getting qualified technicians to service your home ASAP. Reach out to potential providers and ask how many contractors they have in West Bend to get a sense of how soon your repairs could happen in an emergency.
Some home warranty companies include perks such as reduced maintenance fees, smart home device coverage, and energy efficiency upgrades. These can offer extra value beyond repair coverage. Added bonuses help you enhance your home and get the most from your home warranty.
Home warranty plans are an affordable way to protect your home systems and appliances from normal wear and tear. With temperatures in West Bend reaching an average high of 53℃F, you may find that certain appliances, like your air conditioning system, get a lot of use. A home warranty can significantly lower out-of-pocket expenses should your HVAC system break down.
In addition, having a home warranty can save you some time by removing the need to research technicians — most providers will send a trusted professional right to your door to carry out the repair or replacement. Plus, having a home warranty can help make your house more attractive to potential homebuyers if you ever decide to sell later. Many home warranty companies will allow you to transfer your plan to a new owner and give them the same protection you’ve been getting.
One disadvantage of buying a home warranty is that there are generally exclusions. For example, if one of your appliances already has a manufacturer's warranty, it may not be covered under the home warranty, so it’s important to read through the contracts you’re considering carefully to get a sense of what is included and what isn’t.
Another thing to keep in mind is that some providers don’t cover pre-existing conditions and may require an inspection before coverage begins. Ask the home warranty company for clarification about it if you aren’t sure or if this is an issue for you.
A home warranty plan costs, on average, about $300 to $600 a year in West Bend. Our top-rated home warranty providers' most comprehensive coverage options vary from $546 to $840 per year. You can get a lower monthly payment with some companies by opting for a higher service fee. In addition, it's typically cheaper to pay annually rather than monthly.
The difference between a home warranty and homeowner's insurance lies in what kinds of damage each covers. A home warranty plan covers normal wear and tear to systems and appliances in a home. Homeowners insurance protects your entire home in case of something such as a natural disaster or fire. With homeowners insurance, you won't be able to file a claim should you need a new washing machine or dishwasher, unless the damage is due to a natural disaster, which isn't that common in West Bend.
First-time homebuyers, real estate agents, homeowners, home sellers, and landlords can all get home warranty plans. A home warranty can help make your house more attractive to prospective buyers and save you money in the long run.
The different kinds of home warranties in West Bend include plans with coverage for either appliances or systems as well as comprehensive plans. A comprehensive plan covers many of your systems and appliances, including your refrigerator, washing machine, and plumbing. A plan that only covers appliances or systems will cover only the specific items listed in the policy.
Generally, a home warranty policy lasts for a year and can be renewed yearly. Some providers may offer month-to-month plans.
Usually the one who owns the home pays for the home warranty. In some cases, however, the person who is selling the home may buy a home warranty plan and transfer the policy to the buyer. The new homeowner will then be responsible for the service fees when using the policy. Since the average home value in West Bend is $303,317, a home warranty can save you some money when buying a home.
