Written By David Cusick
Last Updated April 2024
There are lots of benefits of owning a home, but as your Gainesville home gets older, you may need to update your appliances and systems. A home warranty is a way to protect your budget from unexpected home repairs and expenses. With a home warranty in place, your repair costs can be considerably lower and allow you to live in your home with more peace of mind.
The home warranty market has many providers — all with different price points — so the Today's Homeowner team has compiled this guide to help you choose the best home warranty companies in Gainesville.
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 Gainesville, Liberty Home Guard offers the most trustworthy home warranty. Liberty has 3 plans for homeowners to choose from. If you’re looking for a seamless complaint process and guaranteed service professionalism upon every repair visit, you’ll want to have this plan on your side. Plus, 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 associated with Liberty’s plans are around the $3,000 mark for many major systems and appliances, and 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. Read our Liberty Home Guard Review to learn more.
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 Gainesville, Choice Home Warranty offers the best overall home warranty. Choice has 2 plans for homeowners to choose from. If you’re looking for very high coverage caps and simple-to-understand service contracts, you’ll want to have this plan on your side. Plus, 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 associated with Choice’s plans are around the $3,000 mark for many major systems and appliances, and 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. Read our Choice Home Warranty Review to learn more.
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 Gainesville, Select Home Warranty offers the most cost-effective home warranty. Select has 3 plans for homeowners to choose from. If you’re looking for a highly affordable service fee and free roof coverage upon purchase of a policy plan, you’ll want to have this plan on your side. Plus, 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 associated with Select’s plans are around the $2,000 mark for many major systems and appliances, and 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. Read our Select Home Warranty Review to learn more.
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 Gainesville, American Home Shield offers the most customizable home warranty. AHS has 3 plans for homeowners to choose from. If you’re looking for the ability to customize your plan with the coverages that work specifically for your home, you’ll want to have this plan on your side. Plus, 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 associated with AHS’s plans are around the $2,500 mark for many major systems and appliances, and 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. Read our American Home Shield Review to learn more.
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 Gainesville, First American Home Warranty offers the best home warranty for appliance coverage. First American has 2 plans for homeowners to choose from. If you’re looking for very affordable and comprehensive appliance coverage, you’ll want to have this plan on your side. Plus, it 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 around the $1,500 mark for many major systems and appliances, and service fees are a reasonable $85.
To receive a free quote from First American Home Warranty, fill out this online form or give them a call at 833-204-7164. Read our First American Home Warranty Review to learn more.
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 Gainesville, Cinch Home Services offers the home warranty with the best workmanship guarantee. Cinch has 3 plans for homeowners to choose from. If you’re looking for a 180-day workmanship guarantee that ensures your home systems and appliance repairs will be professionally done, you’ll want to have this plan on your side. Plus, 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 associated with Cinch’s plans are around the $1,000-$2,000 mark for many major systems and appliances, and 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. Read our Cinch Home Services Review to learn more.
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 Gainesville, The Home Service Club offers the best home warranty with the quickest service. HSC has 2 plans for homeowners to choose from. If you’re looking for quick coverage where the home warranty goes into effect just ten days after you pay for the plan, instead of the typical 30 days, you’ll want to have this plan on your side. Plus, 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 associated with HSC’s plans are around the $2,000 mark for many major systems and appliances, and 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. Read our The Home Service Club Review to learn more.
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 | $6,225 |
Heating | $4,150 |
Electrical | $623 |
Toilets | $519 |
Washer/Dryer | $830 |
Plumbing | $623 |
Oven | $1,660 |
Fridge | $623 |
A home warranty is a protection plan that assists Gainesville homeowners in reducing the expenses of appliance and system repairs. The plans offer coverage to swap out or repair appliances and systems that malfunction due to normal wear and tear.
When something stops working, you file a claim and pay a service fee. The home warranty company then arranges a contractor to handle the replacement or fix. Homeowners may have out-of-pocket costs only if the repair or replacement costs go over the item's coverage limit. A home warranty gives homeowners reassurance, as it helps avoid expensive emergency repairs. The coverage is particularly helpful for owners of older houses or houses with fixtures near the end of their life span. However, people with newer homes and modern appliances might not require a home warranty.
Home warranties cover many home systems and appliances. Covered appliances normally include garbage disposals, dryers, washers, dishwashers, microwaves, refrigerators, and others. Covered systems include plumbing, electrical, heating, and air conditioning. Many home warranty providers also offer additional coverage for septic systems, locksmiths, central vacuums, and roof leaks. Gainesville homeowners should know that most home warranty plans begin with a 30-day waiting period before repairs are covered. What's more, most policies only cover the cost of repairs and replacements due to normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't include natural disasters, pre-existing conditions, cosmetic issues, or misusing a system or appliance. Remember to keep up with preventative maintenance to help ensure your next repair or replacement is covered.
Here are some key home warranty words to understand before signing a contract:
When you're deciding on a home warranty provider, there are several key things to take into account:
Home warranty coverage varies widely in the items that are included. Most plans cover plumbing, AC, heating, electrical, and appliances. More inclusive options also offer coverage on other items such as spas, well pumps, pools, and roof leaks. Look for companies with an array of coverage options, such as upgraded plans. Flexibility helps you tailor your protection for your home’s needs.
Homeowners should anticipate paying a $60–100 service fee when filing home warranty claims. These per-repair charges can potentially accumulate over time, so some homeowners prefer using companies with lower service fees to maximize savings. Some companies also offer disappearing deductibles if a customer doesn't submit any claims in a set timeframe.
A home warranty provider's reputation provides insights into factors such as contractor expertise, claim approval rates, repair speed, and customer satisfaction. Look at review sites like the Better Business Bureau (BBB), Google Reviews, or TrustPilot to learn more about companies. Positive ratings and feedback suggest a company known for delivering quality service.
Home warranty companies have networks of professionals to handle covered repairs. More extensive networks increase the likelihood of getting qualified technicians to quickly service your home. Reach out to potential providers and ask how many contractors they have in Gainesville to get a sense of how soon your repairs could be handled in an emergency.
Some home warranty companies may include perks such as smart home device coverage, energy efficiency upgrades, and reduced maintenance fees. These can offer extra value beyond just repair coverage. Extra bonuses allow you to enhance your home and get the most from your home warranty.
Temperatures in Gainesville can get quite high in the summer, which means your air conditioner is likely to get a good bit of use. As a homeowner in Gainesville, one of the benefits of having a home warranty is that these home systems and major appliances can be covered if they have to be repaired or replaced.
Not only can a home warranty offer some savings, but it also saves you time. If an appliance breaks, the last thing you want to do is find a contractor and schedule a repair. A home warranty deals with the research by sending trusted professionals to your door when you need them most. 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 research the different plans and opt for one that covers all the appliances, systems, and add-ons you need.
In addition, if you don’t maintain your home systems or appliances properly, or if they need repairs due to a natural disaster or animal infestation — anything other than normal wear and tear — the home warranty may not cover it.
A home warranty in Gainesville can cost anywhere from $30 to $60 a month. Higher-priced plans usually have a lower service fee, broader coverage, and higher coverage limits. You can often lower this cost by paying 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 types of damage they cover. Home warranties 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 your entire home from natural disasters, which can sometimes be a concern in Gainesville. It doesn't cover a normal appliance or system repairs.
A home warranty plan can help homeowners, real estate agents, homebuyers, home sellers, and investors. It can provide peace of mind to anyone involved in homeownership.
A home warranty plan will cover your home’s systems, appliances, or both. Combination plans are beneficial if you'd like more coverage for your home, but a system- or appliance-only plan can be useful if you want to save some money.
Generally, a home warranty plan offers coverage for a year and can be renewed yearly. Some companies may offer month-to-month options.
Usually, 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 will pay the service fees. In Gainesville, where the median home value is $292,932, having the seller pay for the home warranty can save you some money on your new home.