Written By David Cusick
Last Updated June 2024
Homeownership in Madison can be satisfying for many people, but it also comes with its fair share of challenges. Updating your home’s appliances and systems can be an unexpected financial burden for many homeowners. A home warranty can bring you the peace of mind you need and shield your bank account from large expenses by covering your home’s major systems and appliances.
Choosing the best home warranty on the market can be challenging because of the numerous options available. If you're tired of trying to compare them all, keep reading for our guide to the top home warranty companies in Madison.
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 offers the most trustworthy home warranty for Madison residents. Liberty has been on the market for around 6 years, making it a well-regarded company in the industry. The home warranty provider offers 3 plans to policyholders, which have various system and appliance coverage options. 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 plans that Liberty offers to homeowners are Appliance Guard, Systems Guard, and Total Home Guard. Liberty’s service fees are an affordable $75, and the coverage caps come out to around $3,000 per covered appliance or system.
Read more by visiting our full review of Liberty Home Guard. To get 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 offers the best overall home warranty for Madison residents. Choice has been on the market for around 15 years, making it a well-regarded company in the industry. The home warranty provider offers 2 plans to policyholders, which have various system and appliance coverage options. 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 plans that Choice offers to homeowners are Basic Plan and Total Plan. Choice’s service fees are an affordable $85, and the coverage caps come out to around $3,000 per covered appliance or system.
Read more by visiting our full review of Choice Home Warranty. To get 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 offers the most cost-effective home warranty for Madison residents. Select has been on the market for around 11 years, making it a well-regarded company in the industry. The home warranty provider offers 3 plans to policyholders, which have various system and appliance coverage options. 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 plans that Select offers to homeowners 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 around $2,000 per covered appliance or system.
Read more by visiting our full review of Select Home Warranty. To get 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 offers the most customizable home warranty for Madison residents. AHS has been on the market for around 26 years, making it a well-regarded company in the industry. The home warranty provider offers 3 plans to policyholders, which have various system and appliance coverage options. 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 plans that AHS offers to homeowners are ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, and ShieldPlatinum. AHS’s service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $125, and the coverage caps come out to around $2,500 per covered appliance or system.
Read more by visiting our full review of American Home Shield. To get a free quote from American Home Shield, you can fill out this online form or call 888-365-2839.
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 offers the home warranty with the best workmanship guarantee for Madison residents. Cinch has been on the market for around 44 years, making it a well-regarded company in the industry. The home warranty provider offers 3 plans to policyholders, which have various system and appliance coverage options. 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 plans that Cinch offers to homeowners 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 around $1,000-$2,000 per covered appliance or system.
Read more by visiting our full review of Cinch Home Services. To get 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 offers the best home warranty with the quickest service for Madison residents. HSC has been on the market for around 15 years, making it a well-regarded company in the industry. The home warranty provider offers 2 plans to policyholders, which have various system and appliance coverage options. 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 plans that HSC offers to homeowners 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 around $2,000 per covered appliance or system.
Read more by visiting our full review of The Home Service Club. To get 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 | $7,003 |
Heating | $4,669 |
Electrical | $700 |
Toilets | $584 |
Washer/Dryer | $934 |
Plumbing | $700 |
Oven | $1,868 |
Fridge | $700 |
A home warranty is a protection plan that helps reduce the high costs for Madison homeowners needing appliance and system repairs. These plans provide financial coverage to fix or swap out appliances and systems that break 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 cost of the repair or replacement goes over the item's coverage limit. A home warranty gives homeowners reassurance by helping avoid expensive emergency repairs. The coverage is especially helpful for buyers of older houses or houses with fixtures near the end of their life span. However, people with newer homes and modern appliances might not need a home warranty.
Home warranties cover many household systems and appliances. Common covered appliances are refrigerators, washers, garbage disposals, microwaves, dryers, dishwashers, and more. Covered systems include electrical, air conditioning, heating, and plumbing. Various home warranty plans offer add-on coverage for central vacuums, septic systems, roof leaks, and even locksmiths. Most home warranty plans require Madison homeowners to wait 30 days before the plan will cover repairs. Additionally, policies normally only cover repairs and replacements resulting from normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't cover cosmetic issues, natural disasters, pre-existing conditions, or misuse of a system or appliance. To make sure your next repair or replacement is covered, keep up with preventative maintenance.
Before signing a home warranty contract, you should know key terms like:
When selecting a home warranty provider, there are several key factors to consider:
Home warranty plans differ significantly in terms of coverage. Most plans provide protection for electrical, plumbing, heating, AC, and appliances. More robust plans also extend protection to other items such as pools, spas, well pumps, and roof leaks. Look for a provider that offers an extensive selection of coverage options, including upgraded plans. You want the flexibility to customize coverage to fit your home's specific needs.
Homeowners should anticipate paying a $60–100 service fee when filing home warranty claims. These per-claim costs can add up, so some homeowners prefer using providers with lower service fees to maximize savings. Some providers also offer disappearing deductibles when a homeowner goes a defined period without any repair requests.
A home warranty company's reputation gives insight into things such as contractor quality, repair timeliness, approval rates, and customer satisfaction. Use review platforms such as the Better Business Bureau (BBB), Google Reviews, or TrustPilot to research companies. Positive ratings and feedback indicate a provider known for great service.
Home warranty providers keep networks of local contractors to handle repairs in your area. Reach out to potential providers to find out how many repair contractors they have in Madison and get an idea for how fast your repairs might happen in an emergency situation. Wider networks raise the chances of getting qualified contractors to quickly service your home.
Home warranty companies may include perks such as energy efficiency upgrades, coverage for smart home devices, and maintenance discounts. These extras can add value beyond just repair coverage. Additional perks maximize the usefulness of your home warranty.
Home warranties are an affordable way to protect your home systems and appliances from normal wear and tear. With temperatures in Madison reaching an average high of 57℃F, you may find that certain appliances, like your A.C., get a lot of use. A home warranty can remarkably decrease out-of-pocket expenses should your HVAC system break down.
Not only can a home warranty save you money on repairs and replacements, it saves you time as well. Instead of having to vet service technicians on your own, home warranty companies do the work for you and send pre-screened technicians right to your door when you need them. A home warranty can also yield value in other ways. For example, some plans can be transferred to another owner during a home sale.
One of the major drawbacks of a home warranty is not every home system and appliance you care about may be covered. It’s important to weigh the different policies and opt for one that covers all the appliances, systems, and add-ons you need.
Another thing to take into consideration is that some providers don’t cover pre-existing conditions and may require an inspection before your coverage can start. Ask the home warranty company for clarification about these things if you aren’t sure or if this is a problem for you.
A home warranty in Madison can cost anywhere from $30 to $60 a month. Higher-priced plans typically have broader coverage, higher coverage limits, and a lower service fee. Home warranties are often cheaper when you pay annually instead of monthly. Some companies will also reduce your up-front costs when you opt for a higher service fee.
Home warranties and home insurance differ in what sorts of damage they cover. Home warranty policies 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 insurance that protects an entire home from natural disasters, which can sometimes be a concern in Madison. It doesn't cover a normal appliance or system repairs.
First-time homebuyers, home sellers, homeowners, real estate agents, and landlords are all eligible for home warranty plans. A home warranty can help make your home more appealing to prospective buyers and save you money in the long run.
A home warranty policy can 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 helpful if you're concerned about one more than the other.
Home warranty plans usually offer coverage for a year. Many providers let you renew your plan annually, and some offer month-to-month options as well.
Typically, the one who owns the home is responsible for paying for the home warranty. In some cases, though, the one selling the home may purchase a home warranty policy and transfer the policy to the buyer. The new homeowner will then be responsible for the service fees when using the policy. Since the average home value in Madison is $610,436, a home warranty can save you some money when buying a home.