6 Best Home Warranty Companies in Crestwood, IL

How Does a Home Warranty Work?

A home warranty is a protection policy that assists Crestwood homeowners cut the expenses of appliance and system repairs. The plans offer coverage to fix or swap out appliances and systems that malfunction due to normal wear and tear.

When something breaks down, you submit a claim and pay a service fee. The home warranty company then finds a contractor to handle the fix or replacement. Homeowners may have out-of-pocket costs only if the repair or replacement goes over the item's coverage limit. A home warranty plan gives homeowners a sense of security and can help avoid expensive emergency repairs. They can be especially helpful for people purchasing older homes or homes with appliances near the end of their life span. However, newer homes with modern appliances and fixtures may not require a home warranty.

What Does a Home Warranty Cover?

Home warranties help protect both your home systems and appliances. Common covered appliances include washers, dryers, refrigerators, dishwashers, garbage disposals, microwaves, and others. Covered systems include heating, air conditioning, electrical, and plumbing. Many home warranties offer additional add-on coverage options for central vacuums, septic systems, locksmiths, and even roof leaks. Crestwood homeowners should know that most home warranty policies have a 30-day waiting period before they will cover the cost of any repairs. Additionally, most policies only cover repairs and replacements that result from normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't cover problems such as cosmetic issues, pre-existing conditions, natural disasters, or damage caused by improperly using a system or appliance. It's important to keep up with preventative maintenance to ensure that your next repair or replacement is covered by your policy.

Key Home Warranty Terms to Know

There are multiple home warranty terms to know before signing an agreement, including:

• Endorsements: Optional add-on coverage for systems such as pools, septic, well pumps and more. Endorsements typically come with an additional fee.
• Deductible: The amount you pay toward a covered repair before the warranty covers the rest. Some plans have per-claim or yearly deductibles.
• 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.
• Trade call fee: An added fee that you'll sometimes need to pay for appliance-related claims.
• Claim approval: The process providers use to determine whether a requested repair or replacement is covered under a home warranty plan.
• Service fee: The amount you pay our of pocket per claim for access to a contractor and repair coverage.
• Coverage limits: The maximum dollar amount that your warranty provider will pay for certain repairs or replacements. Check your contract's limits on repairs for things like air conditioning units, roof leaks, and appliances.

Keeping these key details in mind will help you understand home warranty contracts and pricing, so you can pick the right plan and protect your most important home systems. Make sure to discuss coverage details with potential providers when getting a quote, so you can avoid surprise fees.

Key Factors in Choosing a Home Warranty Company

When choosing a home warranty provider, there are several key factors to consider:

Coverage Options

Home warranty coverage differs significantly when it comes to what's covered. Most plans cover electrical, AC, heating, plumbing, and appliances. More robust coverage options also cover other items such as pools, spas, well pumps, and roof leaks. Focus on providers with an expansive array of coverage choices including upgraded plans. This flexibility enables you to customize protection for your home's needs.

Service Fees

Expect to pay a per-service fee of $60-100 for each home warranty claim. With these per-request costs adding up over time as you file claims, some homeowners prefer to choose a company with more affordable fees to maximize savings on every claim. Some companies also do away with deductibles when customers have a claim-free period.

Reputation

A home warranty provider's reputation provides insights into factors such as contractor expertise, repair speed, claim approval rates, and customer satisfaction. Read through review sites like Google Reviews, TrustPilot, or the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to learn more about companies. Good ratings and feedback suggest a company known for delivering quality service.

Contractor Network

Home warranty companies maintain networks of contractors to handle covered repairs. Wider 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 Crestwood to get a sense of how soon your repairs could be handled in an emergency.

Added Benefits

Home warranty providers may include perks such as energy efficiency upgrades, maintenance discounts, and coverage for smart home devices. These add value beyond basic repair coverage. Added perks maximize the usefulness of your home warranty.

Is a Home Warranty Worth it in Crestwood?

---

Benefits of a Home Warranty

Since temperatures in Crestwood can be quite cold in the winter, the weather can put a lot of strain on your HVAC system. Getting a home warranty plan can help homeowners save money if one of these systems or appliances breaks down unexpectedly.

A home warranty also can also save you time and energy. Instead of spending hours finding and selecting a technician to fix your appliance or system, home warranty companies 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 policies can be transferred to another owner when you sell your home.

Downsides of a Home Warranty

Home warranties also have some drawbacks. Though it can be convenient that the home warranty sends out a contractor who does the repair for you, some homeowners may not like this, and they would rather choose their own contractor. If that’s important to you, some home warranty providers let you select a contractor.

Another stipulation is that home warranties usually only cover repairs needed due to normal wear and tear. They often won’t cover systems or appliances that have stopped working due to animal infestations, improper maintenance, natural disasters, etc.