Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Written By David Cusick
Last Updated February 2024
With hot summers, working home appliances and systems, especially HVAC, are extremely important for homeowners in August. A home warranty can give you the peace of mind you need and protect your savings account from large expenses by covering your home’s major appliances and systems.
Finding the best home warranty on the market can be overwhelming, as there are so many companies to decide between. That’s why the Today's Homeowner team did the research and compiled a list of the top home warranty companies in August for you.
Over 10 years of experience
24/7 customer service team
Home inspections aren’t required
90-day repair guarantee
Plans aren’t customizable
Customers can’t choose their own contractor
Not available in washington
Choice Home Warranty is the best overall home warranty in August. If you’re looking for very high coverage caps and simple-to-understand service contracts, you’ll want to have this plan on your side. Plus, it has great customer service, professional contractors, and lower out-of-pocket costs compared to other home warranties. The 2 plans from Choice are comprehensive and have a mix of both system and appliance coverage.
The 2 plans from Choice Home Warranty are Basic Plan and Total Plan. Choice’s service fees are an affordable $85, and the coverage caps come out to about $3,000 per covered system or appliance.
For a more detailed breakdown, read our full review of Choice Home Warranty. To get a free quote from Choice Home Warranty, fill out this online form or call 929-400-6164.
Basic Plan
Total Plan
Low service fees compared to other home warranty providers
Two months of free coverage
Has an appliance-only, systems-only, and combo plan option
90-day repair guarantee
Has a $75 cancellation fee
Low coverage caps
Select Home Warranty is the most cost-effective home warranty in August. If you’re looking for a highly affordable service fee and free roof coverage upon purchase of a policy plan, you’ll want to have this plan on your side. Plus, it has an extensive network of highly trained professionals all over the country who are experts in home maintenance. The 3 plans from Select are comprehensive and have a mix of both system and appliance coverage.
The 3 plans from Select Home Warranty are Bronze Care Plan, Gold Care Plan, and Platinum Care Plan. Select’s service fees are a reasonable $60, and the coverage caps come out to about $2,000 per covered system or appliance.
For a more detailed breakdown, read our full review of Select Home Warranty. To get a free quote from Select Home Warranty, fill out this online form or call 888-370-3953.
Bronze Care Plan
Gold Care Plan
Platinum Care Plan
The oldest and most trusted company in the industry
Allows customers to build their own plans
Ability to choose the service fee you want to pay
Broad coverage on up to 33 appliances and systems
Doesn’t let customers choose their own technician
Doesn’t provide coverage in alaska
American Home Shield is the most customizable home warranty in August. If you’re looking for the ability to customize your plan with the coverages that work specifically for your home, you’ll want to have this plan on your side. Plus, it has a remarkably low claim denial rate in comparison to other home warranty companies. The 3 plans from AHS are comprehensive and have a mix of both system and appliance coverage.
The 3 plans from American Home Shield are ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, and ShieldPlatinum. AHS’s service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $125, and the coverage caps come out to about $2,500 per covered system or appliance.
For a more detailed breakdown, read our full review of American Home Shield. To get a free quote from American Home Shield, fill out this online form or call 888-365-2839.
ShieldSilver
ShieldGold
ShieldPlatinum
Established company with a bbb accreditation
Doesn’t have a coverage cap on heating, cooling, or ductwork
24/7 service calls available
Offers replacement of some covered items that are too damaged to repair
Doesn’t let customers choose their own contractor
According to some customer reviews, the technical jargon in contracts is confusing
First American Home Warranty is the best home warranty for appliance coverage in August. If you’re looking for very affordable and comprehensive appliance coverage, you’ll want to have this plan on your side. Plus, it has a unique add-on alongside common ones called the First Class Upgrade, which covers fees associated with the use of lifting equipment, up to $250 per local building permits, haul away services, and appliances and systems that have been insufficiently installed or modified. The 2 plans from First American are comprehensive and have a mix of both system and appliance coverage.
The 2 plans from First American Home Warranty are Basic Plan and Premier Plan. First American’s service fees are a reasonable $85, and the coverage caps come out to about $1,500 per covered system or appliance.
For a more detailed breakdown, read our full review of First American Home Warranty. To get a free quote from First American Home Warranty, fill out this online form or call 833-204-7164.
Basic Plan
Premier Plan
Offers home insurance deductible of $500
Extra long 180-day workmanship guarantee
Offers free cancellation in the first 30 days
Charges high service fees of $75-$150
Doesn’t allow customers to choose their own technician
Isn’t available in hawaii or alaska
Cinch Home Services is the home warranty with the best workmanship guarantee in August. If you’re looking for a 180-day workmanship guarantee that ensures your home systems and appliance repairs will be professionally done, you’ll want to have this plan on your side. Plus, it has a broad range of coverage options that will give homeowners peace of mind. The 3 plans from Cinch are comprehensive and have a mix of both system and appliance coverage.
The 3 plans from Cinch Home Services are Appliances Plan, Built-in Systems Plan, and Complete Home Plan. Cinch’s service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $150, and the coverage caps come out to about $1,000-$2,000 per covered system or appliance.
For a more detailed breakdown, read our full review of Cinch Home Services. To get a free quote from Cinch Home Services, fill out this online form or call 877-589-0505.
Appliances Plan
Built-in Systems Plan
Complete Home Plan
Policy starts in ten days
24/7 customer service support
Generous coverage caps on important systems and appliances
30-labor guarantee and 90-day parts guarantee
Offers utility and home service outside line coverage
Higher service fee of $95
Not accredited by the better business bureau (bbb)
Only 2 plan options
The Home Service Club is the best home warranty with the quickest service in August. If you’re looking for quick coverage where the home warranty goes into effect just ten days after you pay for the plan, instead of the typical 30 days, you’ll want to have this plan on your side. Plus, it has customer service representatives available 24/7, as well as a 30-day labor guarantee and a 90-day parts guarantee. The 2 plans from HSC are comprehensive and have a mix of both system and appliance coverage.
The 2 plans from The Home Service Club are Standard Coverage Plan and Comprehensive Coverage Plan. HSC’s service fees are customizable and range from $65 to $90, and the coverage caps come out to about $2,000 per covered system or appliance.
For a more detailed breakdown, read our full review of The Home Service Club. To get a free quote from The Home Service Club, fill out this online form or call 800-750-9443.
Standard Coverage Plan
Comprehensive Coverage Plan
Today's Homeowner looks at dozens of datapoints on home warranty companies to come up with our data-driven rankings. It's not possible for a company to pay for preferential treatment in our rankings. We look at the following key factors in determining who should top our list:
| Home Appliance | Repair Cost |
|---|---|
| Air Conditioner | $6,380 |
| Heating | $4,253 |
| Electrical | $638 |
| Toilets | $532 |
| Washer/Dryer | $851 |
| Plumbing | $638 |
| Oven | $1,701 |
| Fridge | $638 |
A home warranty is a protection plan that helps lower expenses for August homeowners needing appliance and system repairs. These plans provide financial coverage to fix or replace appliances and systems that stop working due to normal wear and tear.
Homeowners file a claim and pay a service fee when something breaks. The home warranty provider then arranges a contractor to make the repair or replacement. The only time you may pay out-of-pocket is if the repair or replacement costs exceed the item's coverage limit. A home warranty provides security for homeowners by helping them prevent expensive emergency fixes. They're particularly useful for those who own older homes or ones with outdated systems. More modern homes with functional fixtures probably don’t need a home warranty.
Home warranties safeguard your home systems and appliances. Common appliances covered under a home warranty include dishwashers, washers, garbage disposals, dryers, microwaves, refrigerators, and more. Covered systems include heating, air conditioning, plumbing, and electrical. Many home warranties also offer add-on coverage options for central vacuums, locksmiths, septic systems, and even roof leaks. It's important for August homeowners to understand most home warranty plans have a 30-day waiting period before repairs are covered. The majority of policies also only cover repairs and replacements resulting from normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't include pre-existing conditions, natural disasters, cosmetic issues, or misuse of a system or appliance. Stay current with preventative maintenance to ensure your next repair or replacement is covered.
Home warranties use several terms that you'll want to learn before signing a contract, such as:
There are several important factors to consider when choosing a home warranty provider:
Home warranty plans vary widely in what they include. Most plans provide protection for plumbing, AC, electrical, heating, and appliances. More comprehensive options also offer protection for other items such as roof leaks, spas, pools, and well pumps. Look for a provider that offers robust coverage options, including upgraded plans. You want the flexibility to customize coverage to fit your home's specific needs.
Expect to pay a per-service fee of $60-100 for each home warranty claim. As this charge applies to every separate claim, you may want to choose a provider with lower service fees to maximize savings on every claim. Some companies also do away with deductibles when customers have a claim-free period.
A home warranty provider's reputation can offer insight into things such as speed of repairs, contractor quality, approval rates for claims, and customer satisfaction. Use third-party review sites such as the Better Business Bureau (BBB), Google Reviews, or TrustPilot to research companies. Good ratings and reviews indicate that a company is known for top-tier service.
Home warranty companies use networks of local repair contractors to manage repairs in a given area. Contact potential providers to learn the number of repair specialists they have in August and get an idea of how fast your repairs could be handled in an emergency. More extensive networks improve the likelihood of getting qualified contractors to swiftly service your home.
Home warranty providers sometimes include bonuses such as coverage for smart home devices, energy efficiency upgrades, and maintenance discounts. These can add value beyond just repair coverage. Additional perks maximize the usefulness of your home warranty.
Home warranty policies are an affordable way to guard your home systems and appliances from normal wear and tear. With temperatures in August reaching an average high of 76℃F, you may find that certain appliances, like your air conditioning system, get a lot of use. A home warranty can remarkably bring down out-of-pocket expenses should your HVAC system break down.
Along with saving you money on out-of-pocket expenses, a home warranty can provide you peace of mind and save you the headache of trying to find a qualified contractor to visit your home. Home warranties usually come with a network of pre-vetted technicians who can handle any repair issues you may come across. Plus, having a home warranty can help make your house more appealing to potential homebuyers should you ever decide to sell later. Many home warranty companies will allow you to transfer your policy to a new owner and give them the same protection you’ve been receiving.
There are also some negatives to buying a home warranty policy, such as the coverage exclusions. For example, home warranties may not cover systems or appliances that already have a manufacturer's warranty.
Another stipulation is that home warranties usually only cover damage from normal wear and tear. They often won’t cover systems or appliances that have been damaged due to animal infestations, natural disasters, improper maintenance, etc.
A home warranty plan costs, on average, about $300 to $600 a year in August. Our high-rated home warranty companies' most comprehensive coverage options vary from $546 to $840 per year. You can lower your monthly bill with some companies by choosing a higher service fee. In addition, it's usually cheaper to pay annually rather than monthly.
The difference between a home warranty and homeowner's insurance lies in what kinds of damage each covers. A home warranty covers normal wear and tear to systems and appliances in a home. Homeowners insurance protects your home in a situation such as a natural disaster or fire. With homeowners insurance, you won't be able to file a claim if you need a new refrigerator or oven, unless the damage is due to a natural disaster, which isn't that common in August.
First-time homebuyers, homeowners, home sellers, landlords, and real estate agents can all get home warranty plans. A home warranty can help make your house more appealing to prospective buyers and save you money in the long run.
A home warranty will cover your home’s appliances, systems, or both. Combination plans are beneficial if you'd like more coverage for your home, but a system- or appliance-only plan can be useful if you want to save some money.
Home warranty plans usually last a year. Many companies let you renew your plan yearly, and some offer month-to-month plans as well.
Typically, the one who owns the home is responsible for paying for the home warranty. In some cases, however, the home seller may purchase a home warranty plan and transfer the policy to the buyer. The new homeowner will then have to pay the service fees when using the policy. Considering that the average home value in August is $306,675, a home warranty can save you some money when buying a home.
