Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Written By David Cusick
Last Updated April 2024
Kensington offers homeowners some beautiful living options. However, unplanned repair and replacement costs on your home’s appliances and systems can get quite costly. A home warranty policy can help protect you by covering major repairs and replacements on your home’s most important appliances and systems.
Finding the best home warranty on the market can be time-consuming, as there are lots of companies to decide between. That’s why our team at Today's Homeowner did the research and put together a list of the best home warranty companies in Kensington 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
Liberty Home Guard is the most trustworthy home warranty in Kensington. 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 home warranty provider offers 3 plans to policyholders, which have various options for appliance and system coverage.
Liberty Home Guard has 3 plans that provide a mix of appliance and system coverage. Liberty has coverage caps of around $3,000 for most appliances and systems, but with some plans, the coverage caps can be higher, so be sure to check with the company. Service fees are an affordable $75.
To receive a free quote from Liberty Home Guard, fill out this online form or give them a call at 866-451-2281. For a more detailed breakdown, read our review of Liberty Home Guard.
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 in Kensington. 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 home warranty provider offers 2 plans to policyholders, which have various options for appliance and system coverage.
Choice Home Warranty has 2 plans that provide a mix of appliance and system coverage. Choice has coverage caps of around $3,000 for most appliances and systems, but with some plans, the coverage caps can be higher, so be sure to check with the company. Service fees are an affordable $85.
To receive a free quote from Choice Home Warranty, fill out this online form or give them a call at 929-400-6164. For a more detailed breakdown, read our 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 is the most cost-effective home warranty in Kensington. 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 home warranty provider offers 3 plans to policyholders, which have various options for appliance and system coverage.
Select Home Warranty has 3 plans that provide a mix of appliance and system coverage. Select has coverage caps of around $2,000 for most appliances and systems, but with some plans, the coverage caps can be higher, so be sure to check with the company. Service fees are a reasonable $60.
To receive a free quote from Select Home Warranty, fill out this online form or give them a call at 888-370-3953. For a more detailed breakdown, read our 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 is the most customizable home warranty in Kensington. 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 home warranty provider offers 3 plans to policyholders, which have various options for appliance and system coverage.
American Home Shield has 3 plans that provide a mix of appliance and system coverage. AHS has coverage caps of around $2,500 for most appliances and systems, but with some plans, the coverage caps can be higher, so be sure to check with the company. Service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $125.
To receive a free quote from American Home Shield, fill out this online form or give them a call at 888-365-2839. For a more detailed breakdown, read our review of American Home Shield.
ShieldSilver
ShieldGold
ShieldPlatinum
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 Kensington. 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 home warranty provider offers 3 plans to policyholders, which have various options for appliance and system coverage.
Cinch Home Services has 3 plans that provide a mix of appliance and system coverage. Cinch has coverage caps of around $1,000-$2,000 for most appliances and systems, but with some plans, the coverage caps can be higher, so be sure to check with the company. Service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $150.
To receive a free quote from Cinch Home Services, fill out this online form or give them a call at 877-589-0505. For a more detailed breakdown, read our 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 is the best home warranty with the quickest service in Kensington. 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 home warranty provider offers 2 plans to policyholders, which have various options for appliance and system coverage.
The Home Service Club has 2 plans that provide a mix of appliance and system coverage. HSC has coverage caps of around $2,000 for most appliances and systems, but with some plans, the coverage caps can be higher, so be sure to check with the company. Service fees are customizable and range from $65 to $90.
To receive a free quote from The Home Service Club, fill out this online form or give them a call at 800-750-9443. For a more detailed breakdown, read our 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 | $6,590 |
| Heating | $4,393 |
| Electrical | $659 |
| Toilets | $549 |
| Washer/Dryer | $879 |
| Plumbing | $659 |
| Oven | $1,757 |
| Fridge | $659 |
A home warranty is a protection policy that helps Kensington 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 submit a claim and pay a service fee. The home warranty company then finds 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 peace of mind to homeowners because it helps prevent expensive emergency repairs. Home warranties are particularly useful for older houses or those with aging systems. New homes with up-to-date appliances may not need a home warranty.
Home warranties cover your home systems and appliances. Warranties usually cover appliances such as dryers, dishwashers, garbage disposals, microwaves, washers, refrigerators, and more. Covered systems include plumbing, heating, electrical, and air conditioning. Many home warranty companies also provide additional coverage for central vacuums, septic systems, locksmiths, and roof leaks. It's important for Kensington homeowners to know that most home warranty policies have a 30-day waiting period before they can be used to cover 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, cosmetic issues, natural disasters, or misuse of a system or appliance. Make sure to keep up with preventative maintenance to ensure that your next repair or replacement is covered by your policy.
Home warranties use several terms that you'll want to learn before signing a contract, such as:
There are several important considerations when selecting a home warranty provider:
Home warranty policies vary widely in what they include. Most plans cover plumbing, electrical, AC, heating, and appliances. More comprehensive options also extend protection to other items such as well pumps, spas, roof leaks, and pools. Look for a company that offers robust coverage options, including upgraded plans. Flexibility is important when trying to fit a home warranty to your home's specific systems and needs.
Expect to pay a per-service fee of $60-100 for each home warranty claim. As this charge applies to every separate claim, some homeowners prefer to choose a provider with lower service fees to maximize savings on every claim. Some providers also remove deductibles when customers have a claim-free period.
A home warranty company's track record provides insight into things such as timeliness of repairs, claim approval rates, contractor quality, and overall customer satisfaction. Use third-party review sites such as Google Reviews, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), or TrustPilot to research providers. Complimentary reviews and ratings indicate a company known for stellar service.
Home warranty providers maintain networks of contractors to handle covered repairs. More extensive networks raise the probability of getting qualified technicians to quickly service your home. Reach out to potential providers and ask how many contractors they have in Kensington to get a sense of how quickly your repairs could happen in an emergency.
Certain home warranty companies offer perks such as protection for smart home devices, discounts on maintenance, and energy-efficient upgrades. These provide extra value beyond repair coverage. Extra perks help improve your home and help maximize your home warranty.
Since temperatures in Kensington can be quite cold in the winter, the weather can put a lot of strain on your HVAC system. Purchasing a home warranty plan can help homeowners save money if one of these systems or appliances stops working unexpectedly.
Not only does a home warranty provide some financial relief, but it also saves you time. If an appliance breaks, the last thing you want to do is find a technician and schedule a repair. A home warranty takes care of the research by sending trusted professionals to your door when you need them most. Another added benefit of having a home warranty policy is that it can increase your home’s property value. If you ever decide to sell your house, you may be able to transfer your home warranty plan to the new homebuyer depending on the provider you have your home warranty with.
As for the disadvantages of home warranties, coverage varies by company, so it’s important to review what each plan covers and excludes in the contract.
Another downside is that home warranties may exclude some repairs, such as those due to natural disasters. For example, if a tree falls onto your house and damages the roof, the impacted systems and appliances probably won’t be covered by the home warranty.
A home warranty plan costs, on average, around $300 to $600 a year in Kensington. Our high-rated home warranty providers' most comprehensive coverage options vary from $546 to $840 per year. You can decrease your monthly bill with some companies by opting for a higher service fee. Additionally, it's often cheaper 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. Homeowners insurance protects your home in case of something such as a natural disaster or fire. Under homeowners insurance, you will not be able to file a claim should you need a new washing machine or oven, unless the damage is a result of a natural disaster, which is somewhat common in Kensington.
A home warranty policy can help homeowners, real estate agents, home sellers, homebuyers, and investors. It can offer peace of mind to anyone involved with homeownership.
A home warranty will cover your home’s systems, appliances, or both. Combination plans are great if you'd like more coverage for your home, but a system- or appliance-only plan can be a good idea if you're concerned about one more than the other.
Home warranty plans generally last a year. Many companies let you renew your plan annually, and some offer month-to-month options as well.
Generally, the homeowner is the one who is responsible for paying the premium and service fees. However, if you have just bought 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 Kensington, where the median home value is $309,045, having the seller pay for the home warranty can be a good asset for your new home.
