Written By David Cusick
Last Updated February 2024
Although homeownership in Boulder has many benefits — such as the convenience of city life — there are also not so glamorous sides. One major issue many homeowners have to deal with inevitably is replacing or repairing their home systems and appliances. A home warranty policy can help protect homebuyers and current homeowners by cutting the costs of major repairs and replacements on your home’s most important appliances and systems.
Finding the best home warranty on the market can be difficult, since there are dozens of companies to decide between. That’s why the Today's Homeowner team did the research and made a list of the best home warranty companies in Boulder for you.
Very highly rated among customer service reviews
Covers repairs with a 60-day workmanship guarantee
Extensive list of 20+ add-on coverages
Easy claims process
Won’t cover known or unknown pre-existing conditions
In Boulder, Liberty Home Guard is the most trustworthy home warranty. Liberty has been in the home warranty business for around 6 years. Liberty offers 3 plans for you to choose from. Liberty has established itself as a company with a seamless complaint process and guaranteed service professionalism upon every repair visit. It also has a 60-day workmanship guarantee and some of the best customer service in the industry.
There are 3 home warranty plans from Liberty Home Guard: Appliance Guard, Systems Guard, and Total Home Guard. The coverage caps associated with Liberty’s plans are close to the $3,000 mark for many major systems and appliances, and service fees are an affordable $75.
For more information on this provider, read our Liberty Home Guard full review. To get a free quote from Liberty Home Guard, fill out this online form or give them a call at 866-451-2281.
Appliance Guard
Systems Guard
Total Home Guard
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
In Boulder, Choice Home Warranty is the best overall home warranty. Choice has been in the home warranty business for around 15 years. Choice offers 2 plans for you to choose from. Choice has established itself as a company with very high coverage caps and simple-to-understand service contracts. It 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 many major systems and appliances, and service fees are an affordable $85.
For more information on this provider, read our Choice Home Warranty full review. To get a free quote from Choice Home Warranty, fill out this online form or give them a call at 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
In Boulder, Select Home Warranty is the most cost-effective home warranty. Select has been in the home warranty business for around 11 years. Select offers 3 plans for you to choose from. Select has established itself as a company with a highly affordable service fee and free roof coverage upon purchase of a policy plan. It 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 many major systems and appliances, and service fees are a reasonable $60.
For more information on this provider, read our Select Home Warranty full review. To get a free quote from Select Home Warranty, fill out this online form or give them a call at 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
In Boulder, American Home Shield is the most customizable home warranty. AHS has been in the home warranty business for around 26 years. AHS offers 3 plans for you to choose from. AHS has established itself as a company with the ability to customize your plan with the coverages that work specifically for your home. It 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 many major systems and appliances, and service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $125.
For more information on this provider, read our American Home Shield full review. To get a free quote from American Home Shield, fill out this online form or give them a call at 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
In Boulder, First American Home Warranty is the best home warranty for appliance coverage. First American has been in the home warranty business for around 39 years. First American offers 2 plans for you to choose from. First American has established itself as a company with very affordable and comprehensive appliance coverage. It 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 many major systems and appliances, and service fees are a reasonable $85.
For more information on this provider, read our First American Home Warranty full review. To get a free quote from First American Home Warranty, fill out this online form or give them a call at 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
In Boulder, Cinch Home Services is the home warranty with the best workmanship guarantee. Cinch has been in the home warranty business for around 44 years. Cinch offers 3 plans for you to choose from. Cinch has established itself as a company with a 180-day workmanship guarantee that ensures your home systems and appliance repairs will be professionally done. It 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 many major systems and appliances, and service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $150.
For more information on this provider, read our Cinch Home Services full review. To get a free quote from Cinch Home Services, fill out this online form or give them a call at 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
In Boulder, The Home Service Club is the best home warranty with the quickest service. HSC has been in the home warranty business for around 15 years. HSC offers 2 plans for you to choose from. HSC has established itself as a company with quick coverage where the home warranty goes into effect just ten days after you pay for the plan, instead of the typical 30 days. It 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 many major systems and appliances, and service fees are customizable and range from $65 to $90.
For more information on this provider, read our The Home Service Club full review. To get a free quote from The Home Service Club, fill out this online form or give them a call at 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 | $6,885 |
Heating | $4,590 |
Electrical | $688 |
Toilets | $574 |
Washer/Dryer | $918 |
Plumbing | $688 |
Oven | $1,836 |
Fridge | $688 |
A home warranty is a protection policy that helps cut costs for Boulder homeowners needing appliance and system repairs. These plans provide financial coverage to fix or swap out appliances and systems that stop working due to normal wear and tear.
Homeowners submit a claim and pay a service fee when something breaks. The home warranty provider then arranges a contractor to make the fix 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 plan gives homeowners a sense of security and can help avoid expensive emergency repairs. They can be especially helpful for people purchasing older homes or homes with appliances near the end of their life span. However, newer homes with appliances and fixtures in good condition may not need a home warranty.
Home warranties help protect both your home systems and appliances. Common appliances covered under a home warranty include garbage disposals, microwaves, washers, dryers, refrigerators, dishwashers, and more. Covered systems include plumbing, electrical, heating, and air conditioning. Many home warranties also offer add-on coverage options for septic systems, central vacuums, locksmiths, and even roof leaks. It's important for Boulder homeowners to know that most home warranty policies have a 30-day waiting period before they will cover the cost of any repairs. Additionally, policies typically only cover repairs and replacements due to normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't cover things like pre-existing conditions, natural disasters, cosmetic issues, or improper use of a system or appliance. You need to keep up with preventative maintenance to ensure that your next repair or replacement will be covered by your policy.
Before agreeing to a home warranty contract, you should learn key terms like:
There are several key considerations when selecting a home warranty provider:
Home warranty plans vary widely in what they include. Most plans cover AC, electrical, plumbing, heating, and appliances. More comprehensive options also offer protection for other items such as pools, well pumps, spas, and roof leaks. Focus on providers with an expansive array of coverage choices including upgraded plans. This flexibility enables you to customize your plan to meet your home's needs.
With any home warranty claim, you'll pay a repair fee that typically ranges between $60 and $100, which gets paid per repair request filed. The costs from multiple fees can add up. You may decide to look for providers with more affordable fees to maximize your savings on each claim. Some providers also offer disappearing deductibles for customers who don't file any claims over a certain timespan.
A home warranty company's track record gives insight into things such as claim approval rates, timeliness of repairs, contractor quality, and overall customer satisfaction. Look at third-party review sites such as TrustPilot, Google Reviews, or the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to research companies. Positive reviews and ratings indicate a provider known for stellar service.
Home warranty companies have networks of professionals that they use to tackle covered repairs. Larger networks raise the chance of getting skilled contractors to your home quickly. Contact possible providers to learn how many contractors they have in Boulder. This helps you understand how long repairs may take in an urgent situation.
Some home warranty companies may include perks such as reduced maintenance fees, energy efficiency upgrades, and smart home device coverage. These extras can provide extra value beyond repair coverage. Added bonuses let you enhance your home and get the most from your home warranty.
Boulder’s cold winters can put a strain on a home’s HVAC system. Whether it’s summer or winter, a home warranty can help cover your home’s appliances and systems in the event they need to be repaired or replaced. For example, if your air conditioner fails in the middle of July, a home warranty can cover the necessary repairs, preventing you from spending a lot of money out of pocket.
In addition, having a home warranty can save you time by getting rid of the need to research technicians — most providers will send a trusted professional right to your door to complete the repair or replacement. Another benefit of having a home warranty is while selling your home, you can most likely transfer your home warranty policy to the new owners. It can make your house more attractive to potential homebuyers and help your home sell faster.
Home warranties also have some downsides. Although it can save you time when the home warranty sends out a repair person who handles the repair for you, some homeowners may not like this, and they would prefer to choose their own contractor. If that’s important to you, some home warranty providers let you choose a contractor.
Another downside is that home warranties may exclude some repairs, like those needed because of natural disasters. For example, if a tree falls onto your house and damages the roof, the impacted systems and appliances most likely won’t be covered by the home warranty.
A home warranty costs, on average, around $300 to $600 a year in Boulder. Our top-rated home warranty providers' most comprehensive coverage options vary from $546 to $840 per year. You can get a lower monthly payment with some companies by opting for a higher service fee. Additionally, it's usually less expensive to pay annually rather than monthly.
The difference between a home warranty and homeowner's insurance lies in what types of damage each covers. A home warranty covers normal wear and tear to home systems and appliances. A homeowners insurance plan protects your entire home in case of a situation such as a natural disaster or fire. With a homeowners insurance plan, you will not be able to file a claim if you need a new washing machine or air conditioner, unless the damage is due to a natural disaster, which isn't that common in Boulder.
Homebuyers, homeowners, landlords, real estate agents, and home sellers can all get home warranty plans. A home warranty can help make your property more appealing to prospective buyers and save you money in the long run.
The different home warranties in Boulder include plans that cover either appliances or systems as well as combination plans. A combination plan will cover many of your systems and appliances, including your refrigerator, washing machine, and heating and cooling systems. An appliance or system plan will cover only the specific items listed in the contract.
Home warranty plans typically offer coverage for a year. Many companies let you renew your plan each year, and some offer month-to-month options as well.
In general, the homeowner is the one who pays the premium and service fees. However, when buying a new home, sometimes the seller will pay for the policy. This can then be transferred to the new homeowner, who has to pay the service fees when using the policy. In Boulder, where the median value of a home is $988,341, having the seller pay for the home warranty can save you some money on your new home.