Written By David Cusick
Last Updated April 2024
Homeownership in North Star can be satisfying for many people, but it also comes with its fair share of headaches. Updating your home’s systems and appliances can be an unforeseen financial burden for many homeowners. A home warranty policy can help protect homeowners by reducing the costs of major repairs and replacements on your home’s most important appliances and systems.
The home warranty market is saturated with a lot of providers — all with different coverage — so our team at Today's Homeowner has compiled this guide to help you find the best home warranty companies in North Star.
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 North Star residents. Liberty has 3 plans for you to choose from. With a home warranty from Liberty, you can enjoy a seamless complaint process and guaranteed service professionalism upon every repair visit. Not to mention, it 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 from Liberty are around $3,000. The service fees are an affordable $75, which is cheaper than other providers in the North Star area.
For a more detailed breakdown, read our review of Liberty Home Guard. 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 offers the best overall home warranty for North Star residents. Choice has 2 plans for you to choose from. With a home warranty from Choice, you can enjoy very high coverage caps and simple-to-understand service contracts. Not to mention, it 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 from Choice are around $3,000. The service fees are an affordable $85, which is cheaper than other providers in the North Star area.
For a more detailed breakdown, read our review of Choice Home Warranty. 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 offers the most cost-effective home warranty for North Star residents. Select has 3 plans for you to choose from. With a home warranty from Select, you can enjoy a highly affordable service fee and free roof coverage upon purchase of a policy plan. Not to mention, it 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 from Select are around $2,000. The service fees are a reasonable $60, which is cheaper than other providers in the North Star area.
For a more detailed breakdown, read our review of Select Home Warranty. 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 offers the most customizable home warranty for North Star residents. AHS has 3 plans for you to choose from. With a home warranty from AHS, you can enjoy the ability to customize your plan with the coverages that work specifically for your home. Not to mention, it 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 from AHS are around $2,500. The service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $125, which is cheaper than other providers in the North Star area.
For a more detailed breakdown, read our review of American Home Shield. To receive 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 North Star residents. Cinch has 3 plans for you to choose from. With a home warranty from Cinch, you can enjoy a 180-day workmanship guarantee that ensures your home systems and appliance repairs will be professionally done. Not to mention, it 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 from Cinch are around $1,000-$2,000. The service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $150, which is cheaper than other providers in the North Star area.
For a more detailed breakdown, read our review of Cinch Home Services. 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 offers the best home warranty with the quickest service for North Star residents. HSC has 2 plans for you to choose from. With a home warranty from HSC, you can enjoy quick coverage where the home warranty goes into effect just ten days after you pay for the plan, instead of the typical 30 days. Not to mention, it 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 from HSC are around $2,000. The service fees are customizable and range from $65 to $90, which is cheaper than other providers in the North Star area.
For a more detailed breakdown, read our review of The Home Service Club. 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 | $6,603 |
Heating | $4,402 |
Electrical | $660 |
Toilets | $550 |
Washer/Dryer | $880 |
Plumbing | $660 |
Oven | $1,761 |
Fridge | $660 |
A home warranty is a protection policy that assists North Star homeowners cut the high costs of household repairs. These plans offer financial coverage to fix or swap out appliances and systems that break down from 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 policy gives homeowners peace of mind and can help avoid costly 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 modern appliances and fixtures may not need a home warranty.
Home warranties cover your home systems and appliances. Covered appliances typically include refrigerators, microwaves, garbage disposals, dishwashers, washers, dryers, and more. Covered systems include electrical, heating, air conditioning, and plumbing. Many home warranty companies also offer additional coverage for septic systems, locksmiths, roof leaks, and central vacuums. North Star homeowners should know that most home warranty plans impose a 30-day waiting period before repairs are covered. What's more, most policies only cover repairs and replacements due to normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't include cosmetic issues, natural disasters, pre-existing conditions, 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.
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 coverage differs significantly when it comes to what's covered. Most plans cover heating, plumbing, electrical, AC, and appliances. More robust coverage options also cover other items such as well pumps, spas, pools, 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 if a customer doesn't submit any claims in a set timeframe.
A home warranty provider's reputation can offer insight into things such as approval rates for claims, contractor quality, speed of repairs, and customer satisfaction. Use third-party review sites such as Google Reviews, TrustPilot, or the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to research providers. Positive ratings and reviews indicate that a provider is known for top-tier service.
Home warranty companies have networks of local contractors to handle repairs in your area. Reach out to potential providers to find out how many repair technicians they have in North Star and get an idea for how quickly your repairs might happen in an emergency situation. Larger networks raise the likelihood of getting qualified contractors to quickly service your home.
Home warranty companies sometimes include bonuses such as coverage for smart home devices, energy efficiency upgrades, and maintenance discounts. These extras add value beyond repair coverage. Additional perks can maximize the usefulness of your home warranty.
North Star’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 in the event they need to be repaired or replaced. For example, if your air conditioner breaks down in the middle of July, a home warranty can cover the repairs, preventing you from spending unexpected money out of pocket.
Plus, having a home warranty can save you some time by removing the need to research repair people — most companies will send a trusted professional right to your door to carry out the necessary repair or replacement. Plus, though home warranty companies vary, some providers will allow you to transfer your warranty if you sell your home. This can make your property more attractive to potential homebuyers and help your home sell faster.
There are also some downsides to getting 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.
Another stipulation is that home warranties typically only cover malfunctions due to normal wear and tear. They commonly won’t cover home systems or appliances that have been damaged due to animal infestations, natural disasters, improper maintenance, etc.
A home warranty in North Star can cost anywhere from $30 to $60 a month. Higher-priced plans usually have higher coverage limits, broader coverage, and a lower service fee. This cost is often lower if you pay annually instead of monthly. Some providers will also decrease your up-front costs when you opt for a higher service fee.
Home warranties and home insurance differ in what kinds of damage they cover. Home warranties cover issues with home systems and appliances that need repairs or replacements due to normal wear and tear. A home insurance policy is a different kind of plan that protects your entire home from natural disasters, which can sometimes be a concern in North Star. It doesn't cover a typical appliance or system breakage.
First-time homebuyers, real estate agents, home sellers, homeowners, and landlords can all get home warranty plans. A home warranty can help make your home more attractive to prospective buyers and save you money in the long run.
A home warranty will cover your home’s systems, appliances, or both. Combination plans are beneficial if you need more coverage for your home, but a system- or appliance-only plan can be a good idea if you want to save some money.
Generally, a home warranty offers coverage for a year and can be renewed yearly. Some companies may offer month-to-month options.
Usually the person who owns the home pays for the home warranty. In some cases, though, the home seller may buy a home warranty plan and transfer the policy to the buyer. The new homeowner will then need to pay the service fees when using the policy. Since the average home value in North Star is $488,231, a home warranty can be an added asset when buying a home.