6 Best Home Warranty Companies in Wheeling, IL

How Does a Home Warranty Work?

A home warranty is a protection policy that helps Wheeling homeowners cut the costs of appliance and system repairs. The plans provide coverage to fix or swap out appliances and systems that break down due to normal wear and tear.

When something breaks down, you submit a claim and pay a service fee. The home warranty provider then arranges 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 homeowners reassurance, as it helps avoid high-priced emergency repairs. The coverage is particularly helpful for owners of older houses or houses with systems near the end of their life span. However, people with newer homes and modern appliances might not need a home warranty.

What Does a Home Warranty Cover?

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

Key Home Warranty Terms to Know

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

• Claim approval: The process by which your provider determines whether a requested repair or replacement is covered under your warranty.
• Service fee: The out-of-pocket cost per claim that you pay for contractor access and repair coverage.
• Endorsements: Additional coverage for systems like septic, pools, and well pumps, which usually comes with a fee for each add-on.
• Trade call fee: An additional fee that some companies charge for appliance-related claims.
• Deductible: The amount you pay toward a covered repair before the warranty covers the rest. Some plans have per-claim or yearly deductibles.
• Coverage limits: Dollar limits that cap how much the warranty will pay for certain repairs or replacements. Check limits on appliances, air conditioning units, roof leaks, and similar repairs.
• Contract rate: The pre-negotiated rate a home warranty company has with its contractors. This rate is usually less than typical retail costs.

With these important considerations in mind, you'll be able to understand pricing and choose a home warranty customized to protecting your most essential home systems. During the quoting process, make sure you review coverage details with potential providers to help avoid unexpected fees.

Key Factors in Choosing a Home Warranty Company

When you're deciding on a home warranty provider, there are several important things to take into account:

Coverage Options

Home warranty coverage can have major differences in what's included. Most plans cover heating, plumbing, AC, electrical, and appliances. More inclusive options also cover other items such as pools, well pumps, spas, and roof leaks. Focus on providers with wide-ranging coverage selections including upgraded plans. This flexibility enables you to customize your plan to meet your needs.

Service Fees

With any home warranty claim, you'll pay a service fee that can range from $60 to $100, which gets paid per service call made. These per-claim charges can add up. You may decide to look for companies with lower service fees to maximize your savings on each claim. Some providers also offer disappearing deductibles when customers go a period with no claims filed.

Reputation

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

Contractor Network

Home warranty providers have networks of technicians to handle covered repairs. Bigger networks improve the likelihood of getting qualified technicians to service your home ASAP. Reach out to potential providers and ask how many contractors they have in Wheeling to get a sense of how quickly your repairs could be handled in an emergency.

Added Benefits

Home warranty providers sometimes offer extras such as maintenance discounts, energy efficiency upgrades, and coverage for smart home devices. These extras can add value beyond basic repair coverage. Additional perks maximize the usefulness of the home warranty.

Is a Home Warranty Worth it in Wheeling?

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Benefits of a Home Warranty

Home warranty plans are a great way to protect your home systems and appliances from normal wear and tear. With temperatures in Wheeling hitting an average high of 57℃F, you may find that certain appliances, like your air conditioning unit, get a lot of use. A home warranty can considerably lower out-of-pocket expenses should your HVAC system stop working.

Not only can a home warranty save you some money on repairs and replacements, it saves you time too. Instead of vetting technicians yourself, home warranty companies do the work for you and send pre-screened technicians right to your door when you need them. Additionally, though home warranty companies vary, some providers will let you transfer your warranty in the event that you sell your home. This can make your home more attractive to potential homebuyers and maybe even help your home sell faster.

Downsides of a Home Warranty

One disadvantage of a home warranty is that there are often exclusions. For instance, if one of your appliances already has a manufacturer's warranty, it may not be included in the home warranty, so it’s important to read over any contracts you’re considering carefully to understand what is included and what isn’t.

Another thing to take into consideration is that some companies don’t cover pre-existing problems and may require an inspection before coverage begins. Ask the home warranty provider for clarification about this if you aren’t sure or if this is a problem for you.