Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Written By David Cusick
Last Updated April 2024
With a variety of seasons in Westminster, your home systems can experience quite a bit of wear and tear. There’s nothing worse than having your heater go out in the middle of winter. A home warranty can offer you the peace of mind you need and protect your bank account from unexpected expenses by covering your home’s major systems and appliances.
The home warranty market is filled with a variety of providers — all with different price points — so the Today's Homeowner team has done the research to help you choose the best home warranty companies in Westminster.
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
Liberty Home Guard is the most trustworthy home warranty for Westminster residents. Liberty has been in the home warranty business for over 6 years. Liberty offers a seamless complaint process and guaranteed service professionalism upon every repair visit. Plus, it also has a 60-day workmanship guarantee and some of the best customer service in the industry. The 3 plans that Liberty offers include differing levels of system and appliance coverage, as well as add-on options.
There are 3 home warranty plans from Liberty Home Guard: Appliance Guard, Systems Guard, and Total Home Guard. The coverage limits from Liberty are about $3,000. The service fees are an affordable $75, which is less than other providers in the Westminster area.
For more information on this provider, read our Liberty Home Guard full review. To receive a free quote from Liberty Home Guard, you can fill out this online form or call 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
Choice Home Warranty is the best overall home warranty for Westminster residents. Choice has been in the home warranty business for over 15 years. Choice offers very high coverage caps and simple-to-understand service contracts. Plus, it also has great customer service, professional contractors, and lower out-of-pocket costs compared to other home warranties. The 2 plans that Choice offers include differing levels of system and appliance coverage, as well as add-on options.
There are 2 home warranty plans from Choice Home Warranty: Basic Plan and Total Plan. The coverage limits from Choice are about $3,000. The service fees are an affordable $85, which is less than other providers in the Westminster area.
For more information on this provider, read our Choice Home Warranty full review. To receive a free quote from Choice Home Warranty, you can 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 for Westminster residents. Select has been in the home warranty business for over 11 years. Select offers a highly affordable service fee and free roof coverage upon purchase of a policy plan. Plus, it also has an extensive network of highly trained professionals all over the country who are experts in home maintenance. The 3 plans that Select offers include differing levels of system and appliance coverage, as well as add-on options.
There are 3 home warranty plans from Select Home Warranty: Bronze Care Plan, Gold Care Plan, and Platinum Care Plan. The coverage limits from Select are about $2,000. The service fees are a reasonable $60, which is less than other providers in the Westminster area.
For more information on this provider, read our Select Home Warranty full review. To receive a free quote from Select Home Warranty, you can 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 for Westminster residents. AHS has been in the home warranty business for over 26 years. AHS offers the ability to customize your plan with the coverages that work specifically for your home. Plus, it also has a remarkably low claim denial rate in comparison to other home warranty companies. The 3 plans that AHS offers include differing levels of system and appliance coverage, as well as add-on options.
There are 3 home warranty plans from American Home Shield: ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, and ShieldPlatinum. The coverage limits from AHS are about $2,500. The service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $125, which is less than other providers in the Westminster area.
For more information on this provider, read our American Home Shield full review. To receive a free quote from American Home Shield, you can 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 for Westminster residents. First American has been in the home warranty business for over 39 years. First American offers very affordable and comprehensive appliance coverage. Plus, 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. The 2 plans that First American offers include differing levels of system and appliance coverage, as well as add-on options.
There are 2 home warranty plans from First American Home Warranty: Basic Plan and Premier Plan. The coverage limits from First American are about $1,500. The service fees are a reasonable $85, which is less than other providers in the Westminster area.
For more information on this provider, read our First American Home Warranty full review. To receive a free quote from First American Home Warranty, you can 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 for Westminster residents. Cinch has been in the home warranty business for over 44 years. Cinch offers a 180-day workmanship guarantee that ensures your home systems and appliance repairs will be professionally done. Plus, it also has a broad range of coverage options that will give homeowners peace of mind. The 3 plans that Cinch offers include differing levels of system and appliance coverage, as well as add-on options.
There are 3 home warranty plans from Cinch Home Services: Appliances Plan, Built-in Systems Plan, and Complete Home Plan. The coverage limits from Cinch are about $1,000-$2,000. The service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $150, which is less than other providers in the Westminster area.
For more information on this provider, read our Cinch Home Services full review. To receive a free quote from Cinch Home Services, you can 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 for Westminster residents. HSC has been in the home warranty business for over 15 years. HSC offers quick coverage where the home warranty goes into effect just ten days after you pay for the plan, instead of the typical 30 days. Plus, it also has customer service representatives available 24/7, as well as a 30-day labor guarantee and a 90-day parts guarantee. The 2 plans that HSC offers include differing levels of system and appliance coverage, as well as add-on options.
There are 2 home warranty plans from The Home Service Club: Standard Coverage Plan and Comprehensive Coverage Plan. The coverage limits from HSC are about $2,000. The service fees are customizable and range from $65 to $90, which is less than other providers in the Westminster area.
For more information on this provider, read our The Home Service Club full review. To receive a free quote from The Home Service Club, you can 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 | $6,645 |
| Heating | $4,430 |
| Electrical | $665 |
| Toilets | $554 |
| Washer/Dryer | $886 |
| Plumbing | $665 |
| Oven | $1,772 |
| Fridge | $665 |
A home warranty is a protection plan that helps Westminster homeowners reduce the costs of appliance and system repairs. The plans provide financial coverage to fix or swap out appliances and systems that stop working due to normal wear and tear.
When something breaks down, you file a claim and pay a service fee. The home warranty company then finds a contractor to handle the repair or replacement. Homeowners may have out-of-pocket costs only if the repair or replacement goes over the item's coverage limit. A home warranty gives peace of mind for homeowners by helping them avoid expensive emergency fixes. They're particularly useful for those who live in older homes or ones with aging systems. More modern builds with functional appliances probably don’t need a home warranty.
Home warranties cover many household systems and appliances. Typical covered appliances include garbage disposals, dryers, microwaves, dishwashers, refrigerators, washers, and others. Protected systems include air conditioning, plumbing, electrical, and heating. Various home warranty plans offer additional coverage for central vacuums, septic systems, roof leaks, and even locksmiths. Westminster homeowners should know that most home warranty plans impose a 30-day waiting period before repairs are covered. What's more, most policies only help pay for repairs and replacements due to normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't include pre-existing conditions, cosmetic issues, natural disasters, or misuse of a system or appliance. Remember to keep up with preventative maintenance to help ensure your next repair or replacement is covered.
There are multiple home warranty terms to understand before signing an agreement, including:
There are several key considerations when choosing a home warranty provider:
Home warranty coverage varies, although most plans provide coverage for plumbing, heating, AC, electrical, and appliances. More comprehensive options may also cover other things such as roof leaks, spas, pools, and well pumps. Look for providers with a range of coverage choices, such as upgraded plans. Flexibility helps you tailor your protection for your needs.
You'll pay a repair fee, normally ranging from $60–100 for each claim filed with your home warranty provider. This fee is charged per request and can quickly add up, so you may look for providers advertising lower service fees to optimize savings on each repair claim. Certain providers may waive deductibles after a customer goes a period of time with no claims filed.
A home warranty provider's rating provides insight into things such as claim approval rates, contractor quality, timeliness of repairs, and overall customer satisfaction. Use third-party review sites such as TrustPilot, Google Reviews, or the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to research companies. Positive ratings and reviews indicate a provider known for stellar service.
Home warranty providers maintain networks of local professionals to handle repairs in your area. Contact potential providers to find out how many repair contractors they have in Westminster and get an idea for how quickly your repairs might happen in an emergency situation. Bigger networks improve the chances of getting qualified contractors to quickly service your home.
Some home warranty plans include extras such as maintenance discounts, energy efficiency upgrades, and smart home device protection. These can add value beyond just repair coverage. Added bonuses maximize the usefulness of your home warranty.
Westminster’s relatively mild winters and hot summers can put a strain on a home’s HVAC system. Whether it’s summer or winter, a home warranty will cover your home’s appliances and systems if 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 repairs, preventing you from spending unexpected money out of pocket.
A home warranty also can also save you time and energy. Instead of spending hours researching and selecting a repair person to fix your appliance or system, home warranty providers do the hard work for you and send a trusted professional to your door whenever you need them. Additionally, 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 house more attractive to potential homebuyers and maybe even help your home sell faster.
As for the drawbacks of home warranties, coverage varies by company, so it’s important to read what each plan covers and doesn’t include in the contract.
Another pain point of home warranties is that they don’t cover items that haven’t been properly maintained. This can lead to your claims being rejected, so it’s important to be sure you follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for maintenance of your home systems and appliances.
A home warranty plan costs, on average, around $300 to $600 a year in Westminster. Our high-rated home warranty providers' most comprehensive coverage options vary from $546 to $840 per year. You can reduce your monthly bill with some companies by opting for a higher service fee. Additionally, it's often less expensive to pay annually rather than monthly.
Home warranties and home insurance differ in what types of damage they cover. Home warranty plans cover issues with systems and appliances that need to be repaired or replaced due to normal wear and tear. A home insurance policy is a different kind of plan that protects the entire home from natural disasters, which can sometimes be a concern in Westminster. It doesn't cover a normal appliance or system damage.
A home warranty can help homeowners, real estate agents, homebuyers, investors, and home sellers. It can provide peace of mind and savings to anyone involved with homeownership.
A home warranty will cover your home’s systems, appliances, or both. Combination plans are great if you need more coverage for your home, but a system- or appliance-only plan can be helpful if you're concerned about one more than the other.
Generally, a home warranty plan offers coverage for a year and can be renewed annually. Some providers may offer month-to-month plans.
Generally, the homeowner is the one who pays the premium and service fees. However, if you have just bought a new home, sometimes the seller is the one who paid for the policy. This can then be given to the new homeowner, who will pay the service fees. In Westminster, where the median home value is $530,006, having the seller pay for the home warranty can be a good asset for your new home.
