Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Written By David Cusick
Last Updated February 2024
Owning a home can have a lot of benefits, but it can also come with some downsides like maintenance. The older your house’s systems and appliances are, the more you may want to consider getting a home warranty. A home warranty can offer you the peace of mind you need and guard your savings account from unexpected expenses by covering your home’s major systems and appliances.
The home warranty market has a variety of providers — all with different coverage — so our team at Today's Homeowner has done the research to help you find the best home warranty companies in Waterford.
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 offers the best overall home warranty in Waterford. The 2 plans from Choice are comprehensive and offer both system and appliance coverage. When you purchase a policy from Choice, you will get very high coverage caps and simple-to-understand service contracts. Choice Home Warranty also has great customer service, professional contractors, and lower out-of-pocket costs compared to other home warranties.
There are 2 home warranty plans from Choice Home Warranty: Basic Plan and Total Plan. The coverage caps associated with Choice’s plans are close to the $3,000 mark for most major systems and appliances, and service fees are an affordable $85.
To receive a free quote from Choice Home Warranty, you can fill out this online form or call 929-400-6164. For more information on this provider, read our thorough review of Choice Home Warranty.
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 offers the most cost-effective home warranty in Waterford. The 3 plans from Select are comprehensive and offer both system and appliance coverage. When you purchase a policy from Select, you will get a highly affordable service fee and free roof coverage upon purchase of a policy plan. Select Home Warranty also has an extensive network of highly trained professionals all over the country who are experts in home maintenance.
There are 3 home warranty plans from Select Home Warranty: Bronze Care Plan, Gold Care Plan, and Platinum Care Plan. The coverage caps associated with Select’s plans are close to the $2,000 mark for most major systems and appliances, and service fees are a reasonable $60.
To receive a free quote from Select Home Warranty, you can fill out this online form or call 888-370-3953. For more information on this provider, read our thorough review of Select Home Warranty.
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 offers the most customizable home warranty in Waterford. The 3 plans from AHS are comprehensive and offer both system and appliance coverage. When you purchase a policy from AHS, you will get the ability to customize your plan with the coverages that work specifically for your home. American Home Shield also has a remarkably low claim denial rate in comparison to other home warranty companies.
There are 3 home warranty plans from American Home Shield: ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, and ShieldPlatinum. The coverage caps associated with AHS’s plans are close to the $2,500 mark for most major systems and appliances, and service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $125.
To receive a free quote from American Home Shield, you can fill out this online form or call 888-365-2839. For more information on this provider, read our thorough review of American Home Shield.
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 offers the best home warranty for appliance coverage in Waterford. The 2 plans from First American are comprehensive and offer both system and appliance coverage. When you purchase a policy from First American, you will get very affordable and comprehensive appliance coverage. First American Home Warranty also 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.
There are 2 home warranty plans from First American Home Warranty: Basic Plan and Premier Plan. The coverage caps associated with First American’s plans are close to the $1,500 mark for most major systems and appliances, and service fees are a reasonable $85.
To receive a free quote from First American Home Warranty, you can fill out this online form or call 833-204-7164. For more information on this provider, read our thorough review of First American Home Warranty.
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 offers the home warranty with the best workmanship guarantee in Waterford. The 3 plans from Cinch are comprehensive and offer both system and appliance coverage. When you purchase a policy from Cinch, you will get a 180-day workmanship guarantee that ensures your home systems and appliance repairs will be professionally done. Cinch Home Services also has a broad range of coverage options that will give homeowners peace of mind.
There are 3 home warranty plans from Cinch Home Services: Appliances Plan, Built-in Systems Plan, and Complete Home Plan. The coverage caps associated with Cinch’s plans are close to the $1,000-$2,000 mark for most major systems and appliances, and service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $150.
To receive a free quote from Cinch Home Services, you can fill out this online form or call 877-589-0505. For more information on this provider, read our thorough review of Cinch Home Services.
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 offers the best home warranty with the quickest service in Waterford. The 2 plans from HSC are comprehensive and offer both system and appliance coverage. When you purchase a policy from HSC, you will get quick coverage where the home warranty goes into effect just ten days after you pay for the plan, instead of the typical 30 days. The Home Service Club also has customer service representatives available 24/7, as well as a 30-day labor guarantee and a 90-day parts guarantee.
There are 2 home warranty plans from The Home Service Club: Standard Coverage Plan and Comprehensive Coverage Plan. The coverage caps associated with HSC’s plans are close to the $2,000 mark for most major systems and appliances, and service fees are customizable and range from $65 to $90.
To receive a free quote from The Home Service Club, you can fill out this online form or call 800-750-9443. For more information on this provider, read our thorough review of The Home Service Club.
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 | $6,474 |
| Heating | $4,316 |
| Electrical | $647 |
| Toilets | $540 |
| Washer/Dryer | $863 |
| Plumbing | $647 |
| Oven | $1,726 |
| Fridge | $647 |
A home warranty is a protection plan that helps Waterford homeowners cut the expenses of appliance and system repairs. The plans provide coverage to repair or replace appliances and systems that malfunction due to normal wear and tear.
When something breaks down, you submit a claim and pay a service fee. The home warranty company then arranges a contractor to handle the fix or replacement. Homeowners may have out-of-pocket costs only if the cost of repair or replacement exceeds the item's coverage limit. A home warranty gives reassurance to homeowners, as it helps prevent costly emergency repairs. Home warranties are especially useful for older construction homes with aging systems. New homes with modern appliances might not require a home warranty.
Home warranties cover your household systems and appliances. Typical covered appliances are garbage disposals, dryers, dishwashers, washers, refrigerators, microwaves, and others. Covered systems include heating, electrical, air conditioning, and plumbing. Various home warranty plans offer extra coverage for roof leaks, septic systems, central vacuums, and even locksmiths. Waterford homeowners should know that most home warranty plans begin with a 30-day waiting period before repairs are covered. Additionally, most policies only cover the cost of repairs and replacements resulting from normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't include cosmetic issues, pre-existing conditions, natural disasters, or misuse of a system or appliance. Make sure to keep up with preventative maintenance to help ensure your next repair or replacement is covered.
Home warranty contracts use several terms that you'll want to understand before signing, such as:
When selecting a home warranty provider, there are several important factors to consider:
Home warranty coverage varies, although most plans include protection for AC, plumbing, heating, electrical, and appliances. More comprehensive options may also cover other things such as pools, roof leaks, spas, and well pumps. Look for companies with an array of coverage options, such as upgraded plans. Flexibility helps you tailor your protection for your home’s needs.
With any home warranty claim, you'll pay a repair fee that typically ranges between $60 and $100, which is paid per service call made. The costs from multiple fees can add up. You may decide to look for providers with lower service fees to maximize your savings on each claim. Some providers also offer disappearing deductibles when customers go a period with no claims filed.
A home warranty provider's reputation can give you insight into things such as contractor quality, repair timeliness, approval rates, and customer satisfaction. Check review platforms such as TrustPilot, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), or Google Reviews to research providers. Positive ratings and feedback indicate a company known for great service.
Home warranty providers have networks of technicians to handle covered repairs. Larger networks increase the likelihood of getting qualified technicians to service your home ASAP. Contact potential providers to find out how many contractors they have in Waterford to get a sense of how soon your repairs could be handled in an emergency.
Some home warranty plans offer bonuses such as smart home device protection, energy efficiency upgrades, and maintenance discounts. These add value beyond just repair coverage. Added bonuses maximize the usefulness of your home warranty.
Since temperatures in Waterford can easily reach 100 degrees, the extreme weather can put a lot of strain on your air conditioner. Getting a home warranty plan can help homeowners save money if one of these systems or appliances breaks unexpectedly.
Along with saving you money on out-of-pocket expenses, a home warranty can offer you peace of mind and save you the pain of trying to find a qualified technician to visit your home. Home warranties usually come with a network of pre-vetted technicians who can handle any repair issues you may have. Plus, though home warranty companies vary, some providers will let you transfer your warranty in the event that you sell your home. This can make your home more attractive to potential homebuyers and maybe even help your home sell faster.
There are also some drawbacks to buying a home warranty policy, like the coverage exclusions. For instance, home warranties may not cover home systems or appliances that already have a manufacturer's warranty.
In addition, if you don’t maintain your home systems or appliances properly, or if they need repairs or replacements due to a natural disaster or animal infestation — anything besides normal wear and tear — the home warranty may not cover it.
A home warranty in Waterford can cost between $30 and $60 a month. Higher-priced plans tend to have broader coverage, higher coverage limits, and a lower service fee. You can often lower this cost by paying annually instead of monthly. Some companies will also reduce your up-front costs when you opt for a higher service fee.
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. A homeowners insurance plan protects your home in a situation such as a natural disaster or fire. With a homeowners insurance plan, you will not be able to file a claim should you need a new refrigerator or oven, unless the damage is a result of a natural disaster, which is somewhat common in Waterford.
A home warranty plan can help homebuyers, homeowners, investors, home sellers, and real estate agents. It can offer peace of mind and savings to anyone involved in homeownership.
The different home warranties in Waterford include plans that cover either appliances or systems as well as combination plans. A combination plan will cover many of your home systems and appliances, such as your washing machine, drier, and plumbing. An appliance or system plan will cover only the items listed in the plan.
Home warranty plans usually provide coverage for a year. Many companies let you renew your plan yearly, and some offer month-to-month options as well.
Typically, the homeowner is the one who is responsible for paying the premium and service fees. However, when buying a new home, sometimes the seller will pay for the policy. This can then be given to the new homeowner, who has to pay the service fees. In Waterford, where the median value of a home is $408,505, having the seller pay for the home warranty can save you some money on your new home.
