JORDAN BOLTON
You just purchased your dream house or moved into the perfect rental along with the elegant décor that turns your house into your home. It has been a few months and everything is unpacked and placed in its designated spot. However, within a few months of moving in, you get hit with a costly and unexpected expense when your heater blows out during the winter.With a new mortgage payment and a limited amount in savings, you’re looking at numerous financial options on how to pay for this unexpected expense. Had you purchased a home warranty plan, this expense—as well as any major systems and appliances that may need repair or replacement in your home—would have been covered.Indeed, buying a home warranty plan is a safeguard against unexpected costs as well as stress. But choosing the right plan is no easy task—there are many factors to consider, including budget, type of home, and lifestyle. Here’s a look at the top 10 home warranty plans and which might be right for your new home.
Choice Home Warranty
Choice Home Warranty Review
- Best forFull-spectrum coverage
- Average annual premium$485
- Service requests24/7 online and phone
Choice Home Warranty provides protection for all of your home’s systems and appliances in case of damage or break down. Customers can choose from 2 home warranty plans, the Basic or the Total plan, and both are reasonably priced.
Choice Home Warranty plans include all of the most common household appliances and systems including HVAC, electrical, plumbing, water heaters, refrigerators, microwaves, dishwashers, ovens, and clothing washers and dryers. There are also some usual add-ons like pools, spas, well pumps, and stand-alone freezers, not to mention the less frequently covered roof leaks.
You don’t have to worry about your home or appliances being in tip-top shape in order to receive coverage. In fact, Choice Home Warranty doesn’t require a home inspection at all. You can get coverage 30 days after the contract is signed, but you can have this grace period waived if you were just recently covered by another reputable home warranty service. What we really like about Choice Home Warranty is that you can call in a claim at any hour of the day or even night. Service requests are taken 24/7.
Select Home Warranty
Select Home Warranty Review
- Best forAccessibility and ease of purchase
- Average annual premium$379
- Service requests24/7 online and phone
Select Home Warranty offers 3 home warranty packages, the Bronze, Gold, and Platinum Care Plans, and there are several add-ons you can include as well. The Bronze package is basically an appliances plan, covering your basic home appliances. The Gold is the systems plan, and the Platinum is the combo package, which covers everything from appliances and air conditioning systems to your garage door. So, you pick can the option that works best for you.
Select Home Warranty makes it easy to get coverage, not requiring any home inspection before purchasing a plan. But what is really impressive about this company is the huge network of contractors it has on staff. The more contractors available to you in your area, the faster you can expect a technician to arrive and have your item fixed. All technicians employed by Select Home Warranty are qualified and experienced professionals, so you can trust that you are getting quality work done.
Liberty Home Guard
Liberty Home Guard Review
- Best forOnline accounts and support
- Average annual premium$399
- Service requests24/7 online and mobile app
Liberty Home Guard offers solid warranty plans with personal online accounts that make them manageable for busy professionals. The coverage is pretty traditional, with one appliance plan, one systems plan, and the total home guard package that combines the 2. What stands out about Liberty is its consistency and accessibility. The company lays all of its information on the table and offers numerous avenues for interacting with customer service. When you sign up for a warranty plan, you can create an online account, which is where you can manage your plan and request service calls. Liberty uses a nationwide network of contractors though it allows out-of-network contractors upon request.
Home Service Club
Home Service Club Review
- Best forCustomizing a plan that works for you
- Average annual premiumMust request quote
- Service requests24/7 online or by phone
Since 2008, Home Service Club has been helping homeowners protect their homes with fully stacked home warranty packages and add-ons that allow for flexibility, customization, and plans that can bend to the needs of each house.
Home Service Club offers 2 main warranty packages, both of which cover a generous number of both services and appliances. The 18-point standard plan offers coverage on essentials such as electrical and plumbing systems, refrigerators, washers and dryers, as well as HVAC systems. The comprehensive plan tacks on pest control, smoke detectors, and even whirlpools. The company offers flexible add-ons as well as a separate utility and line package for components running outside of the home including electric, gas, and water lines.
Customers can file claims with HSC 24/7 and have access to a network of more than 15,000 licensed technicians. Claims files range from $65-$125 per visit and each repair comes with a 90-day guarantee. Though the company is not transparent with its pricing and requires customers to request a quote online, its generous warranty packages and customization options earn it high marks and make it worth getting in touch for more information.
Total Home Protection
Total Home Protection Review
- Best forTransparency and accessibility
- Average annual premium$419
- Service requests24/7 online and phone
Total Home Protection offers straightforward home warranty plans for homeowners and real estate professionals. The plans are easy to parse out and the company offers everything you’d want in regards to contractors and claims filing. The lack of pricing on the website is unfortunate, but the overall transparency and abundance of contact information is reassuring.
THP offers 2 major plans, a Gold and Platinum plan. Both are relatively standard, with the Gold plan offering 15 components including the plumbing system, electrical system, and most common appliances, while the Platinum adds AC and heating systems to the list as well as additional appliances. Homeowners can opt for additional add-ons such as pool/spa and extra appliances.
As far as service details go, Total Home Protection falls near the top of the list. It features a wide network of contractors who are thoroughly vetted, licensed, and insured. You can file claims 24/7 online and via hotline, which makes it a contender for sheer convenience alone.
Complete Care Home Warranty
Complete Care Home Warranty Review
- Best forOlder appliances, several add-ons
- Average annual premium$420
- Service requests24/7
Complete Care is a home warranty policy provider that offers coverage for a variety of home appliances and systems. You can make unlimited claims with your policy, and Complete Care doesn’t require that you have a home inspection before your coverage can start. Homeowners can make claims any time of day or night by calling the customer service line that’s available 24/7, 365 days a year.
Complete Care home warranty is available for any of the covered systems or appliances, regardless of the age. And what’s more, Complete Care offers a protection guarantee. This means that if the technician can’t repair your appliance or system, Complete Care will replace the item.
AFC Home Club
AFC Home Club Review
- Best forHomeowners on a budget
- Average annual premium$350
- Service requests24/7 online and phone
Another home warranty that emphasizes choice, America’s 1st Choice Home Club offers more plans than the average provider as well as the ability to choose your own technicians.
AFC’s 3 plans offer plenty of freedom in choosing a path that’s right for each home and lifestyle. As far as coverage, the plans are consistent with industry standards: there are 3 levels of home warranty, ranging from Bronze to Platinum, that include all the essential appliances and systems as well as optional add-ons such as pools and septic systems.
Whereas most home warranties provide 30-60-day guarantees on work and labor, AFC extends the period for as long as your membership lasts, an impressive bonus that far exceeds most other companies. The company also lets you choose your own contractors when service is needed (though they can provide a contractor as well), and offers easy service requests through its website.
First American Home Warranty
First American Home Warranty
- Best forAbundant and flexible plan types
- Average annual premiumN/A
- Service requests24/7 online and phone
First American Home Warranty has the impressive claim to service close to half a million customers across the US, and with simple, straightforward contracts, low pricing, and professional technicians, this is no surprise.
Whether you opt for the Basic or the Premier coverage plan, First American Home Warranty plans are some of the lowest priced home warranty coverages in the industry. What’s even more exciting about First American Home Warranty, is that it allows you to pick and choose some of the coverage options, with up to 35 add-ons to choose from. This means you will only pay for the items you want in your plan.
All First American Home Warranty technicians are pre-screened, which means they are carefully vetted to ensure that they’re qualified to do their job and will do so in a professional manner. Another useful feature of First American Home Warranty is that technicians are available 24/7, 365 days a year. You can even get a technician to come down on Thanksgiving, July Fourth, or Easter. Isn’t it time you lived more securely?
Advanced Home Warranty
Advanced Home Warranty Review
- Best forLow service-fee costs
- Average annual premium$370
- Service requests24/7 hotline
Advanced Home Warranty’s strengths are not reflected in its website, which is sparse and somewhat lacking in essential information. This is a shame, since its home warranties are worth advertising. AHW offers 2 plans, a Basic and Total plan, whose coverage runs the gamut of essential appliances and systems.
Though the website is threadbare, the policies themselves are fleshed out and supplemented with solid service. The company offers a 24/7 claims hotline and responds to requests within 2 business days. Service call fees are fixed at $60 and include a 90-day guarantee on parts and 30 days on labor.
