By Dan Simms
Updated Jan 10, 2023
By Dan Simms
Updated Jan 10, 2023
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Wisconsin has lots of outdoor activities, affordable housing, good schools, and some great cheese. There are some great benefits to living in Wisconsin that many people get to take advantage of; however, there are also downsides to being a Wisconsin homeowner. When you are a Wisconsin homeowner, you will still have systems and appliances that can stop working.
Most homeowners find that a home warranty provides them with peace of mind and financial savings when it comes to carrying out home repairs and maintenance. These protection plans can be especially useful in an area like Wisconsin, where frigid winters and high humidity can put added strain on heating systems, and excessive precipitation can increase the risk of roof leaks. We consider these local factors along with many others to ensure you get access to the best home warranty companies for your specific needs.
Why Trust House Method
House Method’s Experts collected and analyzed 2000+ critical data points to identify what makes a great home warranty company in the eye of the consumer. Our reviews team used this data to assess over 60 home warranty providers for coverage extent, annual cost, and national availability to provide unbiased reviews so homeowners can confidently navigate key decisions about their homes.
Choice Home Warranty is the best overall home warranty in the state of Wisconsin. When you look at the service contract that Choice Home Warranty offers, you will quickly see how they have earned their spot at the top of this list. The plan options, service contract, and customer service are all very well done and user-friendly. Choice Home Warranty has been on the market for 13 years. In addition, Choice Home Warranty will offer coverage for your home regardless of the age of the house and the age of the appliances and systems.
Pros
Cons
Choice Home Warranty only offers two plans to choose from. However, this should not be discouraging for a homeowner. Each of the plans covers both systems and appliances and allows greater peace of mind. The pricing of the Choice Home Warranty is also considered to be quite fair. For those that need coverage for things like a roof leak or central vacuum, Choice has options for add-on coverage. Choice Home Warranty has coverage caps that reach up to $2,500, and the service fee is $85 per service call.
Here’s a detailed look at Choice Home Warranty’s coverage:
In addition to the above plans, you can choose from the below add-on options for additional coverage:
To get a free quote from Choice Home Warranty, fill out this online form or call 929-400-6164.
For more information, read our Choice Home Warranty Review.
Select Home Warranty has been serving homeowners and providing home warranty coverage since 2012. In that time, it has grown to service most of the country with great coverage options, all while maintaining positive customer reviews and a decent BBB rating. Best of all, the coverage options from Select Home Warranty are highly affordable, and the Platinum Plan is one of the best values in the industry for the money. One thing worth noting is that all plans include free roof leak coverage, which is great news in areas like Wisconsin, where the precipitation levels are above the national average.
Pros
Cons
Select Home Warranty has three different home protection plans available: the Bronze Plan, the Gold Plan, and the Platinum Plan. All include free roof leak coverage and can be customized using the add-on coverage options for a small upcharge each month. The coverage caps are lower than many other competitors, as they average around $2,000 per covered item. The service fee is one of the lowest in the industry at just $60 per claim.
Here’s a detailed look at Select Home Warranty’s coverage:
Select Home Warranty lets you add optional coverage to any plan as well via the below add-on products:
You can get a free quote from Select Home Warranty by filling out this form or calling 888-370-3953.
Read our Select Home Warranty review to learn more about this company and its protection plans.
American Home Shield is the most customizable plan in the home warranty industry. The American Home Shield plan has been on the market for more than 50 years. Customers that want premium coverage will be pleasantly surprised with what American Home Shield has to offer. The American Home Shield plans are very straightforward, and the company is known for paying out a wide range of claims. In addition, the American Home Shield has very high coverage caps for its covered items.\
Pros
Cons
American Home Shield has three plans associated with its policy; however, they are all customizable. If you want to build a plan that specifically fits the needs of your Wisconsin home, this is the company to go with. In addition, if you have additional features like electronics or a septic pump that you want to be covered, AHS will offer you that option as well. Select’s coverage caps average around $2,000, which is great, and the service fee is very affordable at just $60 per service call.
Here’s a detailed look at American Home Shield’s coverage:
American Home Shield also has a decent range of add-on products that let you customize your plans, including:
To get a free quote from American Home Shield, you can fill out this form or call 888-878-4576.
To read more, visit our American Home Shield review.
The Home Service Club began back in 2008, and it has over a decade of positive customer experiences and reviews. The company and its plans are best known for how quickly the coverage kicks in. After payment, you’ll be covered in just ten days, whereas many other companies have waiting periods between 30 and 90 days. The company also shines in its ability to get service providers to you rapidly, often within 24 hours. As such, this company is outstanding for emergency coverage.
Pros
Cons
The Home Service Club has two preset plans you can choose, which offer standard coverage and comprehensive coverage. Somewhat unique in the home warranty industry, both plans offer protection for appliances and services. This company’s coverage caps go up to $2,500 for some items. Along with a wide range of add-on products, you can further customize your plan by choosing a service fee that works for you between $65 and $125.
Here’s a detailed look at The Home Service Club’s coverage:
The Home Service Club offers some unique coverage options via its add-on services, plus common add-ons that appeal to many homeowners. You can choose from the below to supplement either of the plans above:
You can get a free quote for customized protection from The Home Service Club by filling out this contact form. You can also call the company directly at 800-842-9334.
For more information on The Home Service Club and its offerings, you can check out our complete The Home Service Club review.
Cinch Home Services Plan has the best workmanship guarantee for Wisconsin homeowners. With some home warranty companies, a failed repair will mean having to pay another service fee. Luckily with Cinch Home Services, you have a 180-day window to get free reservice for no extra cost. The Cinch Home Service company has been in the industry for more than 40 years. With an A- rating and a history like this, Cinch is trusted by Wisconsin residents. In addition, Cinch Home Services tends to be very particular about the workmanship and contractors that they choose to complete work.
Pros
Cons
There are three Cinch Home Services plans to choose from. The appliance plan, systems plan, and then a combo plan. Most Wisconsin homeowners enjoy the combination plan because it has both systems and appliance coverage. There is also plenty of add-on options to help make the Cinch Home Services plan more comprehensive.
Here’s a detailed look at Cinch Home Services’ coverage:
Cinch also offers some add-on products that let you customize your protection plan, including:
Cinch Home Services will give you a free quote after filling out this form or calling 833-743-1056.
Read more by visiting our Cinch Home Services review.
A home warranty in Wisconsin will range in price from $38 to $80 a month, or around $616 per year. The more money you pay for the home warranty, the more coverage you will have. In addition, the price of the plan can be impacted by the service fee costs and coverage caps. The average service fee is around $85, and coverage caps can range from $500 to unlimited.
Overall | $616.59 |
Single-Family | $542.97 |
Multi-Family | $895.63 |
Townhome | $482.52 |
Condo | $588.66 |
Duplex | $763.63 |
Home Over 5,000 sq ft | $1,232.50 |
Home Under 5,000 sq ft | $591.41 |
Home Warranty Company | Choice Home Warranty | Select Home Warranty | American Home Shield | The Home Service Club | Cinch Home Services |
Our Rating | 9.7 | 9.5 | 9.6 | 9.4 | 9.2 |
Best For | Best Overall | Most Cost-Effective Plans | Best Customization Options | Fastest Service | Best Workmanship Guarantee |
Average Cost | $50 per month | $60 per month | $45 per month | $56 per month | $33.65 per month |
Service Fee | $85 | $75 | $75-$125 | $75 | $75-$150 |
Annual Limit | $3,000 | $2,000 | $3,000 to unlimited | $350-$2,000 | $2,000 |
Average Response Time | Up to 48 hours | Up to 48 hours | Up to 48 hours | Within 24 hours | Up to 48 hours |
State Availability | 49 States | 46 States | 49 States | 50 States | 48 States |
Online Chat / Mobile App | No | No | No | No | No |
Quote | Get Quote | Get Quote | Get Quote | Get Quote | Get Quote |
At this point, we hope you feel much more confident about your ability to choose a home warranty in the state of Wisconsin. With all the positives that homeownership can bring, don’t let the stress of owning a home get to you. Choice Home Warranty offers some of the best coverage on the market for Wisconsin residents. With its history in the industry, impressive rates, and overall broad range of coverage, Choice Home Warranty is an easy top choice. Getting a few quotes from several home warranty companies is a smart option as it can ensure you get the best value. Don’t hesitate to get a home warranty policy started today.
At this point, you have some great options for home warranties in the state of Wisconsin. You will now have to compare these coverages to find out which one will be the best fit for your game. Three things to look at when comparing coverages are coverage choices, service fees, and customer reviews.
The above criteria really apply to finding the best home warranty company in any area, but there are some more specific things you should consider when searching for the best home warranty provider in Wisconsin.
First, Wisconsin is located far north and experiences long, frigid winters, where temperatures can remain below freezing from November to March. During these months and the surrounding months, your heating system will be under constant stress to keep your home warm. Heating equipment in areas like this is more likely to break down, meaning you would benefit from choosing a warranty that covers heating systems.
The snowfall in Wisconsin is also above average, with residents contending 48 inches of snow per year on average, which is about 1.5 times the national average. In combination with the 34 inches of rain per year, the snow puts added strain on your roof and makes leaking more of a probability. As such, home warranties that include coverage for roof leaks can end up saving you more in the long run.
A home warranty is a home protection plan for your appliances and home systems. It works somewhat similarly to a home insurance policy in that it provides coverage for damages in your home when you don’t expect them.
You pay for home warranties monthly or annually, and they also require that you pay a service call fee each time you file a claim. The service fee averages around $85 per call. Home warranties also have coverage caps per covered item and total service caps, which put a maximum payout amount on each covered item and total coverage for the year.
It’s convenient to compare home warranties and homeowners insurance because they offer financial coverage for unexpected damage in your home, but there are some crucial differences.
The first major difference is in what they cover. A home warranty covers individual systems and appliances, which means you can file a claim for minor damage to a single item in your house. A homeowners insurance policy is a more general coverage that protects your entire home. You wouldn’t typically file a homeowners insurance claim for a refrigerator or a plumbing leak.
The differences in coverage also dictate when the two protection plans kick in after damage or another issue is identified. A home warranty will be used far more often and for comparatively minor problems, like a fridge failing to cool or an electrical outlet failing to work properly. A home insurance policy is generally reserved for emergencies and only kicks in when there is a catastrophe, like a tornado, flood, or another natural disaster.
Finally, home warranties and homeowners insurance policies differ in their deductibles and coverage amounts. A home warranty just makes you pay a service fee for each claim, which averages around $85, and then it provides coverage per item, often up between $1,500 and $3,000. A homeowners insurance policy requires a much larger deductible in the thousands of dollars, but the coverage limit is often in the hundreds of thousands or even unlimited.
Securing a home warranty in Wisconsin is a straightforward process that just requires a little research upfront. You just need to find a home warranty provider that works for you, choose a plan, pay the annual fee, and wait for coverage to engage. Coverage typically starts 10 to 90 days after you pay for your plan.
Once your coverage is in place, you can follow the below steps to file a claim and get coverage for your issue:
A home warranty will cover repair and replacement costs associated with normal wear. Unlike home insurance policies, it provides protection for individual items in your home. Most plans cover appliances, home systems, or both.
Common appliances covered by home warranties include refrigerators, ovens, ranges, microwaves, dishwashers, clothes washers, clothes dryers, and more. Home system coverage often includes plumbing, electrical, and heating systems, plus air conditioners and smaller systems, like garage door openers and garbage disposals.
It’s important to note that all home warranties have coverage limitations and exclusions. Even if a system or appliance is covered, there can still be repairs related to that item that aren’t covered. For example, an AC system could be covered, but your service contract might state that issues with refrigerant leaks are excluded. Be sure to read your home warranty service contract thoroughly before committing.
Every home warranty is different, so you’ll need to check your service contract for specific coverages and exclusions. Appliance-only plans will exclude home systems, and systems-only plans will exclude all appliances.
However, there are some exclusions that are nearly universal in the home warranty industry. For example, most plans don’t cover pre-existing conditions with your home, nor will they cover intentional damage or issues arising from a lack of proper maintenance. Another common exclusion is cosmetic repairs, like if your fridge gets dented.
Countless homeowners in Wisconsin benefit from home warranties and have a positive experience dealing with their providers. However, there are some negative comments about some home warranty companies in the area.
One of the most common issues we see reported in negative company reviews is denied coverage without a reasonable explanation. Unfortunately, some less reputable companies will deny coverage to try to save money, as each claim leads to a greater outlay of funds. You should only ever work with reputable home warranty providers, like the ones we’ve reviewed above. In other cases, the denial might be righteous, and it could be an exclusion included in your service contract. Make sure to read yours thoroughly before signing to avoid any surprise coverage denials.
Another common complaint we get is that the service technician hired for an emergency issue — like no heat in the dead of winter — doesn’t arrive on time, which forces the homeowner to pay out of pocket for their own repair. It’s wise to choose a company with a fast turnaround time to be sure you don’t run into this problem and end up needlessly spending out-of-pocket money.
All it takes is one or two repairs or replacements of a covered system or appliance to be able to justify the costs that you pay for your home warranty plan. As a homeowner, you will very likely get more use out of a home warranty plan than a homeowners insurance plan.
Of course, it’s impossible to say with certainty if your home warranty will end up saving you money in the long run, but the potential value is easy to see if you look at average repair and replacement costs. For example, a single call to a plumber, electrician, or HVAC tech will average around $300. Make two to three calls per year, and your home warranty has paid for itself and saved you money on top.
Similarly, a fridge repair call averages around $400, and a replacement can reach up to around $3,500. Appliances are expensive to repair and replace, but a home warranty plan can leave you with just an $85 service fee, making them well worth the investment after just one issue with an appliance.
Most homeowners find that, in addition to helping to protect the budget and savings account, the peace of mind that a home warranty brings is well worth the price you pay. This is often true regardless of whether you file claims or not.
The top home warranty company in Wisconsin is the Choice Home Warranty. Choice has some of the best coverage options offered at very fair prices. Choice Home Warranty is a great option to consider for all Wisconsin homeowners; regardless of the age of your home, Choice Home Warranty will help to ensure that you are properly covered.
A service fee is a one-time payment you’ll have to make when you file a claim with your home warranty provider. This fee averages around $85, and in many cases, it’s the only out-of-pocket cost you’ll have when filing a claim. You can think of the service fee as a deductible, albeit a small one.
Any homeowner can benefit from a home warranty, as these coverage plans protect you from having to pay unexpected out-of-pocket costs for repairs in your home. They often save the most money and provide the best peace of mind for first-time homebuyers and sellers in the real estate market. They can also greatly benefit those who live in aging homes — like those in Madison, Milwaukee, and other major cities — that are likely to experience issues with older appliances and home systems.
Many home warranty companies offer coverage for roof damage and roof leaks, although it’s not always included in the standard home warranty cost or plan coverage. You can check the service contract for specific coverages, or you can look through the company’s add-on coverage and select roof protection if available.
At House Method, transparency and trust are our most important values for the reader.
To create this rating system, our team spent hours researching over 60 companies, analyzing 2500+ key data points, getting the thoughts and opinions of 1000+ homeowners, and speaking to home warranty company representatives directly. We also dug into the fine print on each company’s service agreement to ensure no detail was left out.
We developed an objective home warranty review and rating methodology to score each home warranty company based on several criteria. We used a five-point scale with a point index ranging from 0.00 to 1.00. The minimum awardable value is 0.0, whereas 1.00 is the maximum. These numeric points are translated into star ratings, using whole star increments between one and five.
Here is a quick breakdown of our five core scoring categories:
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