{"version":"1.0","provider_name":"Citizens Utility Board","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.citizensutilityboard.org","title":"Maintenance Plans | Citizens Utility Board","type":"rich","width":600,"height":338,"html":"<blockquote class=\"wp-embedded-content\" data-secret=\"xeTTy3WB7x\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.citizensutilityboard.org\/maintenance-plans\/\">Maintenance Plans<\/a><\/blockquote><iframe sandbox=\"allow-scripts\" security=\"restricted\" src=\"https:\/\/www.citizensutilityboard.org\/maintenance-plans\/embed\/#?secret=xeTTy3WB7x\" width=\"600\" height=\"338\" title=\"&#8220;Maintenance Plans&#8221; &#8212; Citizens Utility Board\" data-secret=\"xeTTy3WB7x\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" class=\"wp-embedded-content\"><\/iframe><script type=\"text\/javascript\">\n\/* <![CDATA[ *\/\n\/*! This file is auto-generated *\/\n!function(d,l){\"use strict\";l.querySelector&&d.addEventListener&&\"undefined\"!=typeof URL&&(d.wp=d.wp||{},d.wp.receiveEmbedMessage||(d.wp.receiveEmbedMessage=function(e){var t=e.data;if((t||t.secret||t.message||t.value)&&!\/[^a-zA-Z0-9]\/.test(t.secret)){for(var s,r,n,a=l.querySelectorAll('iframe[data-secret=\"'+t.secret+'\"]'),o=l.querySelectorAll('blockquote[data-secret=\"'+t.secret+'\"]'),c=new RegExp(\"^https?:$\",\"i\"),i=0;i<o.length;i++)o[i].style.display=\"none\";for(i=0;i<a.length;i++)s=a[i],e.source===s.contentWindow&&(s.removeAttribute(\"style\"),\"height\"===t.message?(1e3<(r=parseInt(t.value,10))?r=1e3:~~r<200&&(r=200),s.height=r):\"link\"===t.message&&(r=new URL(s.getAttribute(\"src\")),n=new URL(t.value),c.test(n.protocol))&&n.host===r.host&&l.activeElement===s&&(d.top.location.href=t.value))}},d.addEventListener(\"message\",d.wp.receiveEmbedMessage,!1),l.addEventListener(\"DOMContentLoaded\",function(){for(var e,t,s=l.querySelectorAll(\"iframe.wp-embedded-content\"),r=0;r<s.length;r++)(t=(e=s[r]).getAttribute(\"data-secret\"))||(t=Math.random().toString(36).substring(2,12),e.src+=\"#?secret=\"+t,e.setAttribute(\"data-secret\",t)),e.contentWindow.postMessage({message:\"ready\",secret:t},\"*\")},!1)))}(window,document);\n\/* ]]> *\/\n<\/script>\n","description":"[vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=&#8221;Maintenance Plans&#8221; font_container=&#8221;tag:h2|font_size:24|text_align:left&#8221; use_theme_fonts=&#8221;yes&#8221;][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=&#8221;5\/6&#8243;][vc_column_text] [\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/6&#8243;][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=&#8221;5\/6&#8243;][vc_column_text] Home maintenance and service plans cover the upkeep and repair of a home\u2019s utility lines, heating and cooling equipment, and appliances for a monthly fee. Pivotal Home Solutions (formerly Nicor Home Solutions) and American Water Resources are two companies currently selling such plans to homeowners in Illinois. These companies often portray their services as convenient, cost-savers. However, the fine print often reveals how costly and inconvenient these plans can be. In fact, most services would be much cheaper out of pocket than paying a monthly fee. If the thought of a large repair or replacement bill is troubling, consider a payment plan with a contractor of your choice, or a financing plan to pay for new appliances or equipment. That way, you\u2019ll always get what you paid for, rather than paying another company for services you may never need. Some things to consider with maintenance plans: [\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_separator color=&#8221;custom&#8221; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1475699797969{background-color: #0f4b91 !important;}&#8221;][vc_custom_heading text=&#8221;Maintenance plans are NOT mandatory&#8221; font_container=&#8221;tag:h2|font_size:24|text_align:left&#8221; use_theme_fonts=&#8221;yes&#8221;][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] The money saved by foregoing maintenance plans would likely cover the rare time you would need repairs. You may find better deals through local heating\/cooling professionals. Ask yourself how often your appliances break down, and double-check your appliance warranties. [\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_separator color=&#8221;custom&#8221; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1475699797969{background-color: #0f4b91 !important;}&#8221;][vc_custom_heading text=&#8221;Pre-existing conditions are NOT covered under maintenance plans.&#8221; font_container=&#8221;tag:h2|font_size:24|text_align:left&#8221; use_theme_fonts=&#8221;yes&#8221;][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Pivotal Home Solutions and American Water Resources charge customers for the comfort of knowing that if something does go wrong, they will have coverage. But if you already have a problem, signing up for a maintenance plan won\u2019t help. [\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_separator color=&#8221;custom&#8221; align=&#8221;align_left&#8221; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1475699807900{background-color: #0f4b91 !important;}&#8221;][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=&#8221;If repairs aren\u2019t required, you will NOT get your money back&#8221; font_container=&#8221;tag:h2|font_size:24|text_align:left&#8221; use_theme_fonts=&#8221;yes&#8221;][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=&#8221;5\/6&#8243;][vc_column_text] Once you sign up for a home maintenance plan with Pivotal Home Solutions or American Water Resources, you pay into that plan, even if you don\u2019t have any maintenance or repair problems over the course of the agreement, which can be month-to-month or annual. [\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/6&#8243;][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_separator color=&#8221;custom&#8221; align=&#8221;align_left&#8221; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1475699807900{background-color: #0f4b91 !important;}&#8221;][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=&#8221;Maintenance plans are NOT required for gas line safety.&#8221; font_container=&#8221;tag:h2|font_size:24|text_align:left&#8221; use_theme_fonts=&#8221;yes&#8221;][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=&#8221;5\/6&#8243;][vc_column_text] You do not need a home maintenance plan from these providers to keep your family and home safe. Your gas utility is required to shut your gas off for free if you suspect a leak. If you smell gas, leave your home immediately and call the gas company or the fire department a safe distance outside your home. [\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/6&#8243;][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_separator color=&#8221;custom&#8221; align=&#8221;align_left&#8221; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1475699807900{background-color: #0f4b91 !important;}&#8221;][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=&#8221;New law prevents customer confusion&#8221; font_container=&#8221;tag:h2|font_size:24|text_align:left&#8221; use_theme_fonts=&#8221;yes&#8221;][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=&#8221;5\/6&#8243;][vc_column_text] For years, CUB has tried to stop companies from confusing customers by using the name and logo of a regulated utility to market their products. A 2016 legal settlement with the state of Illinois and CUB required two other companies to change their names: Nicor Advanced Energy became Illinois Energy, and Nicor Solutions became Illinois Energy Solutions. In 2022, HB 4281 was signed into law to prevent \u201cnon-utility entities from using the name or logo of the utility to sell, solicit, market, or bill for home insurance, maintenance, or warranty products.\u201d CUB hopes this legislation will help consumers avoid being tricked into unnecessary expenses [&hellip;]","thumbnail_url":"https:\/\/www.citizensutilityboard.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/CUB_IL_LogoBadgeRGBAdminLogo.png","thumbnail_width":254,"thumbnail_height":254}