Written By David Cusick
Last Updated April 2024
Although homeownership in Melbourne has many benefits — such as the convenience of city life — there are also not so glamorous sides. One major hassle many homeowners have to deal with eventually is replacing or repairing their home systems and appliances. A home warranty is a way to protect your savings account from unexpected expenses. With a home warranty in place, your repair costs can be significantly lower and give you some peace of mind.
Finding the best home warranty on the market can be overwhelming, since there are so many companies to decide between. That’s why our team at Today's Homeowner did the research and compiled a list of the top home warranty companies in Melbourne 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
In Melbourne, Liberty Home Guard offers the most trustworthy home warranty. Liberty has been in the home warranty industry for about 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. Liberty has 3 plans for you to decide between.
Liberty Home Guard has 3 plans that provide a combination of system and appliance coverage. Service fees from Liberty are an affordable $75. The coverage caps are also about $3,000 at the maximum.
To get a free quote from Liberty Home Guard, fill out this online form or call 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
In Melbourne, Choice Home Warranty offers the best overall home warranty. Choice has been in the home warranty industry for about 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. Choice has 2 plans for you to decide between.
Choice Home Warranty has 2 plans that provide a combination of system and appliance coverage. Service fees from Choice are an affordable $85. The coverage caps are also about $3,000 at the maximum.
To get a free quote from Choice Home Warranty, fill out this online form or call 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
In Melbourne, Select Home Warranty offers the most cost-effective home warranty. Select has been in the home warranty industry for about 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. Select has 3 plans for you to decide between.
Select Home Warranty has 3 plans that provide a combination of system and appliance coverage. Service fees from Select are a reasonable $60. The coverage caps are also about $2,000 at the maximum.
To get a free quote from Select Home Warranty, fill out this online form or call 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
In Melbourne, American Home Shield offers the most customizable home warranty. AHS has been in the home warranty industry for about 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. AHS has 3 plans for you to decide between.
American Home Shield has 3 plans that provide a combination of system and appliance coverage. Service fees from AHS are customizable and range from $75 to $125. The coverage caps are also about $2,500 at the maximum.
To get a free quote from American Home Shield, fill out this online form or call 888-365-2839. For a more detailed breakdown, read our review of American Home Shield.
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 Melbourne, First American Home Warranty offers the best home warranty for appliance coverage. First American has been in the home warranty industry for about 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. First American has 2 plans for you to decide between.
First American Home Warranty has 2 plans that provide a combination of system and appliance coverage. Service fees from First American are a reasonable $85. The coverage caps are also about $1,500 at the maximum.
To get a free quote from First American Home Warranty, fill out this online form or call 833-204-7164. For a more detailed breakdown, read our review of First American Home Warranty.
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 Melbourne, Cinch Home Services offers the home warranty with the best workmanship guarantee. Cinch has been in the home warranty industry for about 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. Cinch has 3 plans for you to decide between.
Cinch Home Services has 3 plans that provide a combination of system and appliance coverage. Service fees from Cinch are customizable and range from $75 to $150. The coverage caps are also about $1,000-$2,000 at the maximum.
To get a free quote from Cinch Home Services, fill out this online form or call 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
In Melbourne, The Home Service Club offers the best home warranty with the quickest service. HSC has been in the home warranty industry for about 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. HSC has 2 plans for you to decide between.
The Home Service Club has 2 plans that provide a combination of system and appliance coverage. Service fees from HSC are customizable and range from $65 to $90. The coverage caps are also about $2,000 at the maximum.
To get a free quote from The Home Service Club, fill out this online form or call 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 | $6,384 |
Heating | $4,256 |
Electrical | $638 |
Toilets | $532 |
Washer/Dryer | $851 |
Plumbing | $638 |
Oven | $1,703 |
Fridge | $638 |
A home warranty is a protection policy that helps lower expenses for Melbourne homeowners needing appliance and system repairs. These plans provide financial coverage to fix or swap out appliances and systems that stop working due to normal wear and tear.
Homeowners submit a claim and pay a service fee when something breaks. The home warranty provider then finds a contractor to make the repair or replacement. The only time you may pay out-of-pocket is if the cost of the repair or replacement exceeds the item's coverage limit. A home warranty gives homeowners peace of mind, as it helps avoid high-priced 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 working appliances may not need a home warranty.
Home warranties cover many home systems and appliances. Warranties usually cover appliances such as microwaves, garbage disposals, dishwashers, washers, refrigerators, dryers, and more. Covered systems include electrical, heating, plumbing, and air conditioning. Many home warranty companies also offer additional coverage for central vacuums, septic systems, locksmiths, and roof leaks. Most home warranty plans require Melbourne 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 natural disasters, cosmetic issues, 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.
Here are some essential home warranty words to understand before signing a contract:
When selecting a home warranty provider, there are several important factors to consider:
Home warranty coverage varies, although most plans cover heating, electrical, plumbing, AC, and appliances. More comprehensive options may also provide protection for extra things such as spas, well pumps, pools, and roof leaks. Look for a company that offers comprehensive coverage choices, including upgraded plans. You want the flexibility to customize coverage to fit your home's specific needs.
With any home warranty claim, you'll pay a service fee, usually falling in the $60 to $100 range, which is paid per repair request filed. These per-claim charges can add up. You may decide to look for providers with lower service fees to maximize your savings on each claim. Some companies also offer disappearing deductibles if a homeowner doesn't submit claims for repairs for a specified period of time.
A home warranty provider's reputation provides insights into factors such as repair speed, contractor expertise, claim approval rates, and customer satisfaction. Look at review sites like Google Reviews, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), or TrustPilot to learn more about providers. Good reviews and ratings suggest a company known for delivering quality service.
Home warranty providers use networks of local repair technicians to manage repairs in a given area. Contact potential businesses to learn the number of repair technicians they have in Melbourne and get an idea of how quickly your repairs could be handled in an emergency. More extensive networks improve the likelihood of getting qualified contractors to quickly service your home.
Certain home warranty providers include extras such as discounts on maintenance, energy-efficient upgrades, and protection for smart home devices. These can provide extra value beyond repair coverage. Extra perks enhance your home and maximize your home warranty.
Home warranty policies are a great way to guard your home systems and appliances from normal wear and tear. With temperatures in Melbourne hitting an average high of 81℃F, you may find that some appliances, such as your air conditioning unit, get a lot of use. A home warranty can considerably decrease out-of-pocket costs should your HVAC system stop working.
On top of saving you money on out-of-pocket expenses, a home warranty can provide you peace of mind and save you the pain of trying to find a qualified repair person to visit your home. Home warranties usually have a network of pre-vetted technicians who can handle any repair problems you may come across. Another added benefit of having home warranty coverage is that it can increase your home’s property value. If you ever decide to sell your home, you may be able to transfer your home warranty plan to the new homebuyer depending on the company you have your home warranty with.
As for the downsides of home warranties, home system and appliance coverage varies by company, so it’s important to understand what each plan covers and excludes in the contract.
Another drawback is that home warranties may not include some repairs, like those due to natural disasters. For example, if a tree falls onto your house and damages the roof, the affected systems and appliances probably won’t be covered by the home warranty.
A home warranty in Melbourne can cost between $30 and $60 a month. The higher-priced plans typically have broader coverage, a lower service fee, and higher coverage limits. You can often lower this cost by paying annually instead of monthly. Some companies will also decrease 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 plans cover issues related to systems and appliances that need to be repaired or replaced due to normal wear and tear. A home insurance policy is a different plan that protects an entire home from natural disasters, which can sometimes be a concern in Melbourne. It doesn't cover a typical appliance or system breakage.
A home warranty can help real estate agents, investors, homeowners, home sellers, and homebuyers. It can provide peace of mind and savings to anyone involved in homeownership.
The different kinds of home warranties in Melbourne include plans that cover either appliances or systems as well as comprehensive plans. A comprehensive plan covers many of your systems and appliances, such as your washing machine, drier, and HVAC. An appliance or system plan will cover only the specific items mentioned in the plan.
Home warranty plans usually provide coverage for a year. Many providers let you renew your plan yearly, 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, however, the home seller may buy 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 Melbourne is $375,504, a home warranty can be an added asset when buying a home.