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Being prepared for unexpected expenses is part of homeownership. Whether you're a landlord looking to reduce operating costs, a homeowner trying to sell your property, or just a regular homeowner who wants to be protected against surprise repairs, having a good home warranty can be a lifesaver. A home warranty is a type of insurance, separate from your home insurance, that covers the cost of repairs or replacements for major systems and appliances in your home.
By choosing the right plan, you can avoid the financial burden of costly repairs so that your home remains safe and functional. Home warranty plans typically offer different levels for different home concerns and budgets. Basic coverage might include protection for appliances and systems like HVAC, plumbing, and electrical systems.
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American Residential Warranty is a well-established company that has been providing top-notch home warranty services to homeowners across the country for many years, with an impressive "A-" rating from the Better Business Bureau. With three plans to choose from, including options for kitchen appliances, systems, and even technology, you can customize your coverage to fit your home. Overall, American Residential Warranty stands out for its exceptional reputation and excellent value for the money, making it our top pick for complete peace of mind at home.
Elite Home Warranty stands out from the rest with its unique approach to home warranties, allowing you to customize your plan and choose only the coverage you need. With three main plans to choose from and the option to create a custom plan, your coverage fits your specific needs and budget. Elite has an impressive reputation, with an "A+" rating from the Better Business Bureau and excellent customer feedback, making it an excellent choice for those looking for a reliable and transparent home warranty provider.
First American Home Warranty is a well-established company with a strong reputation, offering reliable service and a wide range of coverage options to suit different needs and budgets. With three main plans to choose from, homeowners can select the level of coverage that's right for them, from basic systems and appliances to luxury upgrades. The company's customer service team has received praise from satisfied clients, making it a top contender for those seeking a hassle-free home warranty experience.
Sears Home Warranty has been a trusted name in the industry for over a century, with a unique approach to providing high-quality service through its own team of expert technicians. With five customizable plans to choose from, Sears Home Warranty offers flexibility for your home warranty. While its mixed reviews and lack of customer reviews on third-party sites are worth noting, Sears Home Warranty's competitive pricing, 180-day workmanship guarantee, and 24/7 claims filing make it an option worth considering for those looking for total coverage.
Cinch Home Services has been around for over 40 years, making it a well-established player in the home warranty industry. The company offers three plans that include appliances, built-in systems, and extras like sump pumps and garage door openers, all at an affordable price range of $30.99 to $44.99 per month. However, while Cinch has a solid reputation, some recent reviews have raised concerns about repair delays and customer satisfaction, which make it slightly less competitive than our top options.
American Home Shield has been a trusted provider of home warranties for over 50 years, serving over two million customers nationwide, and aims to protect your home and make repairs easy with its network of technicians. While American Home Shield has faced some criticism in the past, it has shown improvement in recent years, with a 4.1-star average rating on ConsumerAffairs and a 30-day workmanship guarantee, making it a solid middle-tier option for those seeking home warranty coverage.
Select Home Warranty is a reputable company that has been providing home warranty services since 2012, with a unique approach that includes celebrity endorsement from William Shatner. With three customizable plans to choose from, Select Home Warranty offers coverage including appliances, systems, and more. While the company has some areas for improvement, including transparency around service fees and repair response times, Select Home Warranty's competitive pricing and flexible add-on options may make it worth considering if you don't find what you need with a higher-ranked provider.
Home Warranty of America offers flexible coverage options for homeowners, with two plans to choose from and the ability to add extra protection for specific items. With no home age restrictions or inspections required, it's easy to get started with their warranty program. However, despite some positive reviews, the company's reputation has taken a hit due to frequent complaints about delayed services and denied claims, making it a less-than-recommended choice for home warranty coverage.
Liberty Home Guard is a relatively new company that offers home protection plans, covering everything from appliances to systems, with a network of vetted technicians. With three plan options and 35 add-on choices, they offer flexibility and customization, but their reputation has already been marred by a pattern of complaints about long wait times and slow claim resolution. Despite their promise of top-notch workmanship, Liberty Home Guard's reputation concerns may make it advisable to use other providers for home warranty coverage.
Choice Home Warranty has been in business for over 15 years, with a significant amount of experience under its belt, which is reassuring for homeowners seeking reliable coverage. The company offers two main plans, Basic and Total, which cover essential systems and appliances, as well as optional add-ons for additional coverage. However, concerns about the company's reputation, including a low Better Business Bureau rating and a pending fraud lawsuit, make it difficult to recommend Choice Home Warranty for home warranty coverage.
Premium plans, on the other hand, might cover more extensive components like electronics, septic systems, and pools and spas. Some providers offer add-on services for extra fees, such as coverage for sump pumps or water softeners.
When selecting a home warranty provider, you'll want to read the fine print and understand what's covered and what's not. Most policies have limits, exclusions, and caps on the amount they'll pay out over the contract's life. For example, some policies might only cover appliances up to a certain age or value. Others might exclude certain types of damage or wear and tear. Be sure to ask about these details before signing up. It's also important to note that most policies have a 30-day waiting period before coverage takes effect. So, if you need to make a claim soon after purchasing the policy, you'll have to wait a month before it kicks in.
During the waiting period, many providers offer a money-back guarantee. This allows you to cancel your policy if you're unsatisfied with the coverage or if you discover something you didn't expect. Another important consideration is the trade call service fee, which is similar to a copay on medical insurance or a deductible on car insurance. This fee can vary depending on the provider and may apply per service call or per repair. Be aware that you could be charged multiple fees for a single repair if different tradespeople are needed to fix the issue.
While it's great that there are a lot of companies to consider for your home warranty, sifting through them all can be stressful. To help you avoid getting overwhelmed by the numerous plans and companies, we've put together some helpful criteria to guide you through your vetting process:
To help keep your home safe from any eventuality, Top Consumer Reviews has reviewed and ranked the most popular home warranty providers out there today. We hope this information helps keep your home and appliances operating safely, and gives you a little extra financial peace of mind!
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