Louisiana is a place that has so much culture, great weather, access to all the outdoor activities you could ever want, and some great homes. Homeownership in Louisiana has so many positives associated with it. However, some negatives come along with this as well. Ensuring that your home’s systems and appliances stay in working condition can make Louisiana homeownership quite tricky.
Home warranties can be helpful no matter where you live, but they’re especially likely to save you money. Louisiana experiences extreme weather, including high year-round humidity that can put added strain on AC systems and appliances, high summer temperatures that can cause your air conditioners and refrigerators to overwork and experience breakdowns, and extreme weather like hurricanes and tornadoes that can promote roof leaking. Some of the best home warranties in Louisiana cover these appliances, home systems, and issues to provide peace of mind.
Louisiana’s Best Home Warranty Companies in 2023
- Choice Home Warranty: Best overall
- Liberty Home Guard: Most Trustworthy
- Select Home Warranty: Most Cost-Effective
- American Home Shield: Best Customizable Plans
- The Home Service Club: Fastest Service
Quick Comparison of Home Warranty Providers
What to Look for in a Louisiana Home Warranty
As you can see from the policies we have reviewed, there are quite a few similarities from one provider to another. It may come down to the smallest differences that lead you from one company to another. Three things to consider when choosing your Louisiana home warranty are overall pricing, coverage caps or limits, and plan exclusions.
- Overall Pricing: The overall price that you will pay for a home warranty can range from around $40 a month to over $80 per month. When considering the pricing of a plan, ensure that you are simultaneously looking at coverage. When you pay $50 for coverage for five items instead of 15 items, there is a major difference between the two policies.
- Coverage Caps or Limits: There are coverage caps and limits with all the home warranty policies on the market. Some plans will stop the repair costs for the year around $500 per appliance or system; others will go as high as $3000. This is something to consider before you purchase your plan.
- Plan Exclusions: There are always going to be things excluded from your home warranty policy. However, knowing these exclusions and what your maintenance requirements are before purchasing the plan will ensure that you get the coverage you need when the time comes.
Choice Home Warranty
- Our Take: Best Overall
- Average Annual Cost: $504-$639.96
- Response Time: Up to 48 hours
Choice Home Warranty is the best overall home warranty in the state of Louisiana. With the Choice Home Warranty, you will get 13 years of experience on the market. The customer service representatives and service technicians are well trained and capable of taking on any project that may come their way. Choice Home Warranty is known for its comprehensive coverage options and overall affordability of the plan. It does not matter if your home is a few years old or dozens of years old; Choice Home Warranty will still accept your application for a home warranty quote.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Record of outstanding customer service
- All plans cover systems and home appliances
- Plans and limitations are easy to understand
- Wide range of coverage for peace of mind
Cons
- Minimal customization options available
Plans and Pricing
There are two Choice Home Warranty plans that Louisiana homeowners can choose from. Each of these plans is considered a combo plan, and they will have a mix of systems and appliances covered under the plan. Most companies offer combo plans as a premium option, but with Choice, the combo plan is extremely affordable and part of the basic plan. The coverage caps reach up to $2,000, and the service fee is $85 per service call.
Here’s a detailed look at Choice Home Warranty’s coverage:
- Basic Plan ($42/month): The Basic Plan from Choice Home Warranty is one of the few entry-level plans that include both appliances and home systems. This coverage plan protects your microwave, dishwasher, oven, cooktop, cooktop exhaust fan, garbage disposal, ceiling fans, and garage door openers. As far as home systems go, this plan includes coverage for plumbing, heating, and electrical systems, plus HVAC ductwork, water heaters, and toilets.
- Total Plan ($53.33/month): The Total Plan is the more intensive coverage option from Choice Home Warranty. For just $11 more per month, you get protection for everything included in the Basic Plan, plus your refrigerator, washer, and dryer. The added fridge coverage makes this the more popular plan in Louisiana, where humidity and high summer heat put a lot of strain on your fridge.
Coverage
In addition to the two pre-set plans, Choice Home Warranty offers a bit of plan customization with the below add-on coverages:
- Central vacuum
- Limited roof leak
- Septic system
- Septic tank pumping
- Sump pump
- Well pump
- Pool/Spa
- Second refrigerator
- Standalone freezer
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.
Liberty Home Guard
- Our Take: Most Trustworthy
- Average Annual Cost: $779.88-$899.88
- Response Time: Within 24 hours
Liberty Home Guard is the most trustworthy home warranty in the state of Louisiana. Home warranty companies like to have peace of mind that their provider will show up, complete a timely repair and do so within the limits of the policy. Liberty Home Guard has managed to earn an A rating with the BBB in just two years on the market. The customer reviews and the early indications from the Liberty Home Guard team show that they will be strong supporters of workmanship and customer service. One thing that already makes Liberty Home Guard stand out is the speed they are offering assistance. With modern systems in place, excellent communication, and a vast list of coverage options, this is a home warranty that will be around for years to come.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Simple claim-filing process
- A rating with the BBB
- Wonderful customer service
- 60-day workmanship guarantee included
Cons
- Expensive
Plans and Pricing
There are three plans to choose from with the Liberty Home Guard plan. The appliance, system, and comprehensive option all offer extensive coverage. The plans from Liberty Home Guard are sometimes priced just a bit higher, but it won’t take long to see the value associated with the plan choices. In addition, the Liberty Home Guard add-on options or choices are some of the most extensive in the market. If you want to pick and choose specific coverages for your Louisiana home, this is an excellent plan choice.
Here’s a detailed look at Liberty Home Guard’s coverage:
- Appliance Guard ($64.99/month): The Appliance Guard plan is aptly named, as it covers home appliances only. You’ll get protection for your refrigerator, oven, cooktop exhaust fan, dishwasher, microwave, ice maker, garage door opener, ceiling fans, and garbage disposals. This is a great option if you don’t need home system coverage, although it is a bit on the expensive side.
- Systems Guard ($69.99/month): The Systems Guard plan from Liberty Home Guard covers home systems instead of appliances. It protects your heating, electrical, plumbing, and air conditioning systems. Also included in the coverage are toilets, bathroom exhaust fans, water heaters, and HVAC ductwork.
- Total Home Guard ($74.99/month): The Total Home Guard plan is Liberty Home Guard’s most comprehensive coverage option. It includes everything in the appliance and system plans above for just $5 to $10 more per month. The other two plans are a bit costly on their own, but this one provides outstanding value for the money.
Coverage
If you’re looking for coverage customization, Liberty Home Guard is probably your best option. This company has an enormous array of add-on coverage options, including:
- Pool and spa
- Additional spa
- Saltwater pool
- Gutter cleaning
- Floor/carpet cleaning
- Sump pump
- Fixtures
- Water softener
- Trash compactor
- Lawn sprinkler system
- Electronics protection
- Swamp cooler
- Ejector pump
- Septic system pumping
- Limited roof leak
- Pest control
- Locksmith
- Free-standing ice maker
- Central vacuum
- Stand-alone freezer
- Re-key
- Second refrigerator
- Wine refrigerator
- Well pump
- TV and PC
- Generator
- Water dispenser
To get a free quote from Liberty Home Guard, fill out this online form or call 866-451-2281.
To learn more information, visit our Liberty Home Guard review.
Select Home Warranty
- Our Take: Most Cost-Effective
- Average Annual Cost: $624-$684
- Response Time: Up to 48 hours
Select Home Warranty is the most cost-effective home warranty plan for Louisiana homeowners. The decision to purchase a home warranty sometimes comes down to cost. If the costs don’t make sense, the warranty won’t be worth the price that you pay. The Select Home Warranty offers a tremendous value for the coverage that they give customers. With almost ten years in the industry and a BBB rating of a B, Select is a reputable and well-known home warranty company. With each plan that Select Home Warranty offers, they will also give free roof leak coverage. You will quickly learn that in the home warranty industry, not much is given away for free.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Excellent customer service
- Best value for the money
- Long history of success
- All plans include free roof leak coverage
Cons
- Coverage caps are lower than some competitors
Plans and Pricing
The three plans from Select Home Warranty give a Louisiana homeowner a great mix of options to choose from. There is an appliance plan, a systems plan, and then a combo plan. The Platinum Plan is the option that includes both system and appliance coverage. This is typically considered the best choice for homeowners simply because it is only a few dollars more but double the coverage of the other plans. In addition to the free roof leak coverage, there are paid add-on options that you can also add to your Select Home Warranty policy. Some of the coverage caps are a bit lower than competitors, but the service fee is just $60.
Here’s a detailed look at Select Home Warranty’s coverage:
- Bronze Plan ($52/month): The Bronze Plan is the appliance-only plan from Select, so it doesn’t cover any home systems. You’ll get protection for your refrigerator, microwave, stove, range, clothes washer, clothes dryer, garbage disposal, and more. This plan also includes free roof leak coverage, making it a popular option in Louisiana, where annual rainfall is well above the national average.
- Gold Plan ($52/month): The Gold Plan provides coverage for most home systems, but there are no appliances included in the plan. You’ll get protection for your plumbing, electrical, and heating system, plus your air conditioning system, which is great to have coverage for in Louisiana. It also covers water heaters and HVAC ductwork and, like all other plans from Select Home Warranty, roof leaks.
- Platinum Plan ($57/month): The Platinum Plan provides the widest range of coverage for your home, as it includes appliances and home systems in one package. It covers everything in the lower-tier plans, plus ceiling fans, garage door openers, and plumbing blockages. Totaling just $5 more per month than the other plans, this is the best value from Select Home Warranty.
Coverage
Select Home Warranty offers a decent number of add-on products as well, which let you customize the coverage you get. The add-on products available include:
- Pool
- Spa
- Septic system
- Well pump
- Sump pump
- Lawn sprinkler system
- Roof leaks
- Central vacuum
- Stand-alone freezer
Select Home Warranty will give you a free quote after filling out this form or calling 888-370-3953.
Read our Select Home Warranty review to learn more.
American Home Shield
- Our Take: Best Customizable Plans
- Average Annual Cost: $419.88-$779.88
- Response Time: Up to 48 hours
American Home Shield is the most customizable plan in the home warranty industry. For Louisiana homeowners that are concerned with putting together a plan that meets the specific needs of their home, American Home Shield will be the best choice. For over 50 years, American Home Shield has offered some of the best coverage on the market to Louisiana homeowners. In addition to allowing homeowners to customize their plans, they can also customize the payment option that works best for them. If you want the best coverage for your home and don’t mind paying a few dollars more, this is a plan to consider.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- High payout rate
- Lots of plan customization available
- Long history of success and customer satisfaction
- Unique coverage options available
Cons
- More expensive than some competitors
Plans and Pricing
The American Home Shield plan offers users three plans to choose from. The ShieldGold Combo Plan tends to be the most popular plan. The pricing is still fair, and it allows for a mix of appliance and system coverage for the home. American Home Shield also offers a wide range of add-on coverage choices to help you further customize your plan. If you are worried about your electronics and TVs, you can even add them to an American Home Shield plan. This company has low service call fees at just $60 per call, and the coverage caps reach up to $2,000 per covered item.
Here’s a detailed look at American Home Shield’s coverage:
- ShieldSilver ($39.99/month): The ShieldSilver Plan provides coverage for home systems but not for any appliances. You’ll get protection for your heating, electrical, and plumbing systems, plus your HVAC ductwork and water heaters. This plan includes some unique and more minor systems, like smoke alarms, air conditioners, and garage door openers.
- ShieldGold ($49.99/month): Rather than offering an appliances-only plan to complement the ShieldSilver Plan, the ShieldGold Plan adds to the previous option. It covers all home systems in the Silver Plan, plus refrigerators, ranges, stoves, dishwashers, microwaves, garbage disposals, washing machines, dryers, and water dispensers.
- ShieldPlatinum ($64.99/month): The ShieldPlatinum Plan is the most comprehensive of the three plans from AHS. It covers all items protected in the Silver and Gold plans, plus free refrigerant fills for your air conditioner and an annual AC tune-up. This plan also saves you more money by providing lower service fees and higher coverage caps.
Coverage
American Home Shield has fairly comprehensive plans, but it still provides several add-on products that you can use to customize your coverage. These include:
- Electronic extended warranty
- Pool and spas
- Well pump
- Septic pump
- Guest unit
- PC and TV
To get a free quote from American Home Shield, you can fill out this form or call 888-365-2839.
To read more, visit our American Home Shield review.
The Home Service Club
- Our Take: Fastest Service
- Average Annual Cost: $600-$756
- Response Time: Within 24 hours
The Home Service Club has been providing home warranty coverage to homeowners in Louisiana since 2008. It hasn’t been accredited by the Better Business Bureau yet, but it maintains mostly positive customer reviews online. The Home Service Club is one of the best options if you’re looking for coverage to kick in quickly, as there’s only a 10-day waiting period after signing up. Most service calls are responded to within 24 hours as well, making this company one of the fastest in the industry.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Rapid service following service calls
- Huge range of coverage and add-on services
- Only a 10-day wait for coverage to kick in
- Many years of experience
Cons
- More expensive than many competitors
Plans and Pricing
The Home Service Club has two plans: the Standard Coverage Plan and the Comprehensive Coverage Plan. Both include appliances and home systems, but the comprehensive plan includes more coverage options. There are also many different add-on coverage options available that you can use to customize your coverage plan. The coverage caps range from $500 up to $2,500 based on the covered item, and the service fee can be customized between $65 and $125.
Here’s a detailed look at The Home Service Club’s coverage:
- Standard Coverage Plan ($50/month): The Standard Coverage Plan from HSC covers home appliances and home systems, making it a somewhat unique entry-level option in the industry. It provides protection for your refrigerator, oven, range, dishwasher, microwave, garbage disposal, trash compactor, clothes washer, and dryer. The systems covered include air conditioning, heating, plumbing, and electrical systems, which include water heaters and plumbing leaks.
- Comprehensive Coverage Plan ($63/month): The Comprehensive Coverage Plan from HSC is, unsurprisingly, more comprehensive than the Standard Coverage Plan. This option covers all items in the Standard plan, but it adds protection for sump pumps, garbage disposals, pest control, plumbing stoppages, and more.
Coverage
The Home Service Club also has an impressive lineup of add-on coverage options to let you get customized coverage based on your specific needs. The add-on products include:
- Utility line coverage package (this includes sewer line coverage, sprinkler systems, and all outdoor utility lines)
- Pools and spas (equipment is separate)
- Pool and spa equipment (spa heater is separate)
- Spa heater
- Sewer ejector pump
- Well pump
- Sprinkler systems
- Built-in refrigerators
- Stand-alone freezers
- Water softeners
- Jetted bathtub
- Roof damage
- And more
If you think The Home Service Club is the company for you, you can fill out this contact form to get a free quote or call HSC directly at 800-842-9334.
You can also read our complete The Home Service Club review for more company, plan, and add-on coverage option information.
Home Warranties in Louisiana Cities
How Much Does a Home Warranty in Louisiana Cost?
A home warranty in Louisiana will cost anywhere from $35 to $80 per month. Most plans average out around $50 per month. If you add additional coverage to the home warranty plan, you will end up with a higher monthly payment. Most Louisiana homeowners feel as though they can put together a plan that fits within their budget. Service fees average around $85, and add-ons can range in price, depending on the coverage needed.
| Overall | $756.74 |
| Single Family | $656.62 |
| Multi Family | $1,146.08 |
| Townhome | $544.45 |
| Condo | $649.16 |
| Duplex | $962.53 |
| Home Over 5,000 sq ft | $1,232.50 |
| Home Under 5,000 sq ft | $740.90 |
Compare the Best Home Warranty Companies in Louisiana
| Home Warranty Company | Choice Home Warranty | Liberty Home Guard | Select Home Warranty | American Home Shield | The Home Service Club |
| Our Rating | 9.7 | 9.3 | 9.5 | 9.6 | 9.4 |
| Best For | Best Overall | Most Trustworthy | Most Cost-Effective Plans | Best Customization Options | Fastest Service |
| Average Cost | $50 per month | $70 per month | $60 per month | $45 per month | $56 per month |
| Service Fee | $85 | $60 | $75 | $75-$125 | $75 |
| Annual Limit | $3,000 | $2,000-$2,500 | $2,000 | $3,000 to unlimited | $350-$2,000 |
| Average Response Time | Up to 48 hours | Within 24 hours | Up to 48 hours | Up to 48 hours | Within 24 hours |
| State Availability | 49 States | 48 States | 46 States | 49 States | 50 States |
| Online Chat / Mobile App | No | Online Chat | No | No | No |
| Quote | Get Quote | Get Quote | Get Quote | Get Quote | Get Quote |
Final Thoughts
At this point, we hope that you have a plan in mind and some questions to ask to ensure that you are getting the policy you need for your Louisiana home. Making a home warranty purchase can be overwhelming; however, the peace of mind you will feel when the plan is in place will certainly help you understand and see the impact and benefits of a home warranty.
Choice Home Warranty stands out as the best overall choice for a Louisiana homeowner. The plan choices, fair pricing, and general ease of working with Choice have made them stand out as one of the best providers on the market. Don’t hesitate to get more than one quote from home warranty providers so that you can choose the best possible option for your home.
What You Should Know Before Purchasing a Home Warranty in Louisiana?
In addition to the above universal factors you should consider, there are some more specific things to think about if you’re looking for a home warranty plan in Louisiana.
First, it’s important to remember that Louisiana experiences intense heat in the summers, with temperatures reaching well into the 90s and remaining above 80 degrees for up to six months of the year. Most homeowners will call on their air conditioning equipment to keep their homes cool for months at a time, which can put immense stress on them. As such, it’s wise to consider a home warranty that covers air conditioners, as you’ll likely run into issues with yours.
Second, Louisiana is well known for its high year-round humidity, averaging around 74%. High humidity makes your refrigerators, freezers, and air conditioners work even harder to keep things cool. Most Louisianians get the most out of home warranties that cover air conditioners and refrigerators for this reason.
Finally, Louisiana receives between 50 and 70 inches of rainfall each year, which is nearly double the national average. High amounts of rainfall can promote roof leaks, so home warranties that cover roof leaking are typically better options in the area.
What is a Home Warranty?
A home warranty is a protection plan for your appliances and/or home systems. It’s often compared to a homeowners insurance policy because you pay a monthly premium to maintain coverage, and the warranty kicks in and provides financial aid when you run into a problem with a covered item.
Home warranties require that you pay a service fee for each service call you make, which averages around $85. They also have coverage limits for each covered item and for total annual payouts.
Home Warranty vs. Homeowners Insurance
It’s helpful to think of a home warranty as a homeowners insurance policy in some cases, but they differ in some important ways.
First, a home warranty covers specific appliances and home systems, which means you can file a claim for a single item in your home. Homeowners insurance covers your entire home, which may or may not pay out for individual items in one lump sum. This seems like a minor difference, but it means payouts are made based on different criteria.
A homeowners insurance policy usually only pays out when there is some catastrophe, like a house fire, hurricane damage, tornado damage, or another natural disaster. A home warranty pays out for much less severe damage, like a fridge failing when it’s overworked or an air conditioning system going down. The coverage limit on a homeowners insurance policy is much higher for this reason.
The last major difference between home insurance and a home warranty is the amount you’re expected to pay out of pocket. With a homeowners insurance policy, you usually have a several-thousand-dollar deductible to pay before coverage kicks in. With a home warranty, your coverage typically only requires a service fee, which averages around $85.
How Does a Home Warranty in Louisiana Work?
Before you can take advantage of a home warranty in LA, you need to secure coverage. This process is fairly straightforward. You can begin by choosing a provider and selecting a plan. Once you pay for your home warranty, the coverage will typically kick in within 90 days, sometimes as little as 10 days. After your coverage plan takes effect, you can follow the below steps when you find an issue with a covered item:
- Identify the problem and confirm that it’s covered by your home warranty
- Report the issue to your home warranty provider and request service. This step can be done by calling your provider or filing a claim online or on the company’s mobile app, if applicable
- Wait for your service provider to hire a service technician
- Your tech will arrive at your home and either repair the damaged item or replace it
- You pay the service fee — an average of $85 — and any amount over the coverage cap, if applicable
What does a Home Warranty Cover?
All home warranties cover different items, so it’s hard to say exactly what kind of protection you’ll have for your home. However, most home warranties cover either appliances or major systems, and the comprehensive options from most providers cover both.
Common appliances included in coverage are refrigerators, ovens, cooktops, microwaves, dishwashers, garbage disposals, washers, and dryers. Most home systems plans include protection for plumbing, heating, and electrical systems, some include air conditioning systems, and the more comprehensive options cover other smaller systems, like garage door openers, doorbells, and smoke alarms.
Home warranties also often have add-on options for coverage, which you can use to customize your home protection plan. Common add-on products include sump pumps, sprinkler systems, roof leak coverage, pools and spas, outdoor utility lines, and more.
What is Not Covered by a Home Warranty?
Again, every home warranty is different, so you need to check your service contract to ensure you understand what isn’t covered by your home warranty. However, most home warranties have certain exclusions. Things like intentional damage, damage caused by poor maintenance, cosmetic repairs, and pre-existing home conditions typically are not covered by home warranties.
Biggest Complaints about Home Warranty Companies in Louisiana
Home warranties typically save homeowners quite a lot of money, and the best home warranty companies generally have positive customer reviews. Still, there are some complaints we see commonly about home warranties from property owners in Louisiana.
One of the most common issues we see in customer reviews of home warranty companies is denial of coverage on covered items. In most cases, this is due to exclusions in the service contract that were misunderstood. For example, if your air conditioning system goes down and your AC system is covered, coverage might be denied if the service tech determines that the issue was a result of improper maintenance. Damage caused by a lack of maintenance is usually not covered by home warranties.
Another complaint we see often is that out-of-pocket costs are higher than expected. In most cases, you’ll just be on the hook for a service fee, which averages around $85. However, home warranties have coverage caps that limit the payouts on certain items and annually. If you need a repair or a replacement — like a fridge replacement or major HVAC repair — there is a possibility that the coverage cap will be met, at which point you will have to pay the remainder of the charges. This often only happens with replacement costs and not repair costs.
Are home warranties worth it?
Home warranties are usually a worthwhile investment, especially in an area like Louisiana. All it takes is one or two issues with your appliances or home systems per year for the home warranty to pay for itself.
For example, a typical service call to a plumber or electrician totals around $300. An appliance repair tends to be closer to $400, and if you need an appliance replacement, you could be looking at costs over $3,000. The average annual cost of a home warranty pales in comparison to what you’d pay out of pocket for two or more repairs per year. As such, most homeowners end up saving money with a home warranty.
For many people, a home warranty cost is justifiable just for the peace of mind it provides. Having a home warranty in place means you won’t have to worry too much about unexpected home repair costs. Home warranties protect you from these expenses and help you budget and save more effectively.
FAQs about Home Warranties in Louisiana
Who needs a home warranty?
Any homeowner can benefit from a home warranty, but they are particularly useful in certain situations. First, they can be a great option for providing peace of mind for first-time homebuyers who want to avoid high repair costs shortly after closing on a new home. They’re also a great option for real estate sellers, as they can cover repairs that are requested by the buyer or required prior to the sale.
Finally, home warranties are great options for homeowners who live in aging homes, like those in New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Shreveport, and many other major cities. Older home systems and appliances are far more likely to have problems.
What is a service fee?
A service fee is a price you pay for any repair to a system or appliance in your home. The service fee covers the cost of the technician coming to your home and handling the issue that comes up. Service fees range in price from $60 to $125.
What home warranty companies offer roof coverage?
Most home warranties offer roof coverage, either as a part of a pre-set plan or as an add-on option. Select Home Warranty includes roof coverage in all of its plans, although this is not the norm in the industry. You can always check your service contract before signing to see if roof coverage is included.
What is the best home warranty company in Louisiana?
The best home warranty company in Louisiana is the Choice Home Warranty. With a Choice Home Warranty plan, you will get fairly price coverage, excellent customer service, and acceptance if your home is old or new. Choice Home Warranty is consistently one of the easiest home warranty companies to work with and serves a large portion of the Louisiana homeownership population.
Today's Homeowner Home Warranty Ranking Methodology
At Today's Homeowner, 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:
- Coverage (0.4): This category evaluates the scope of protection offered by a home warranty provider. We clearly distinguished between limited or broad coverage to help homeowners identify their own home protection needs. We also factor in claim turnaround times, average waiting period lengths, plan types, annual coverage limits, policy exclusions, etc.
- Cost (0.3): This category considers what home warranty companies charge homeowners monthly, annual, and out-of-pocket. We urge homeowners also to consider the cost-to-value ratio of a home warranty plan.
- Transparency and Trustworthiness (0.15): This category evaluates home warranty providers based on pending or past legal action, hidden fees, lack of information readily available on the website, exclusions, and more. We consider how upfront a company is to its potential policyholders, which says a lot about its products and services.
- Customer Support and Satisfaction (.09): This category evaluates the efficacy of a home warranty company’s effort to provide supportive guidance to inquiring customers and how policyholders are satisfied with the assistance they receive.
- Customization (.06): This category evaluates the ability of homeowners to adjust and choose their policy details, such as pricing variation, optional add-ons, and the number of plans available.
