Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Written By David Cusick
Last Updated April 2024
Buying a home is a big step for many people, but the cost of maintaining it can get expensive over time, especially if your home in Palm Harbor is on the older side. A home warranty can give you the peace of mind you need and shield your savings account from unexpected expenses by covering your home’s major appliances and systems.
Finding the best home warranty on the market can be difficult, as there are lots of companies to choose from. That’s why our team at Today's Homeowner did the research and compiled a list of the top home warranty companies in Palm Harbor 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 Palm Harbor, Liberty Home Guard offers the most trustworthy home warranty. Liberty has 3 simple plans, making the selection process quick and easy. With a home warranty from Liberty, you can benefit from 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.
The plans that Liberty offers to homeowners are Appliance Guard, Systems Guard, and Total Home Guard. Service fees from Liberty are an affordable $75. The coverage caps are also generally about $3,000.
To get a free quote from Liberty Home Guard, fill out this online form or call 866-451-2281. For more information on this provider, read our detailed 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 Palm Harbor, Choice Home Warranty offers the best overall home warranty. Choice has 2 simple plans, making the selection process quick and easy. With a home warranty from Choice, you can benefit from 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.
The plans that Choice offers to homeowners are Basic Plan and Total Plan. Service fees from Choice are an affordable $85. The coverage caps are also generally about $3,000.
To get a free quote from Choice Home Warranty, fill out this online form or call 929-400-6164. For more information on this provider, read our detailed 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 Palm Harbor, Select Home Warranty offers the most cost-effective home warranty. Select has 3 simple plans, making the selection process quick and easy. With a home warranty from Select, you can benefit from 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.
The plans that Select offers to homeowners are Bronze Care Plan, Gold Care Plan, and Platinum Care Plan. Service fees from Select are a reasonable $60. The coverage caps are also generally about $2,000.
To get a free quote from Select Home Warranty, fill out this online form or call 888-370-3953. For more information on this provider, read our detailed 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 Palm Harbor, American Home Shield offers the most customizable home warranty. AHS has 3 simple plans, making the selection process quick and easy. With a home warranty from AHS, you can benefit from 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.
The plans that AHS offers to homeowners are ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, and ShieldPlatinum. Service fees from AHS are customizable and range from $75 to $125. The coverage caps are also generally about $2,500.
To get a free quote from American Home Shield, fill out this online form or call 888-365-2839. For more information on this provider, read our detailed 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 Palm Harbor, First American Home Warranty offers the best home warranty for appliance coverage. First American has 2 simple plans, making the selection process quick and easy. With a home warranty from First American, you can benefit from very affordable and comprehensive appliance coverage. Not to mention, 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.
The plans that First American offers to homeowners are Basic Plan and Premier Plan. Service fees from First American are a reasonable $85. The coverage caps are also generally about $1,500.
To get a free quote from First American Home Warranty, fill out this online form or call 833-204-7164. For more information on this provider, read our detailed 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 Palm Harbor, Cinch Home Services offers the home warranty with the best workmanship guarantee. Cinch has 3 simple plans, making the selection process quick and easy. With a home warranty from Cinch, you can benefit from 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.
The plans that Cinch offers to homeowners are Appliances Plan, Built-in Systems Plan, and Complete Home Plan. Service fees from Cinch are customizable and range from $75 to $150. The coverage caps are also generally about $1,000-$2,000.
To get a free quote from Cinch Home Services, fill out this online form or call 877-589-0505. For more information on this provider, read our detailed 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 Palm Harbor, The Home Service Club offers the best home warranty with the quickest service. HSC has 2 simple plans, making the selection process quick and easy. With a home warranty from HSC, you can benefit from 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.
The plans that HSC offers to homeowners are Standard Coverage Plan and Comprehensive Coverage Plan. Service fees from HSC are customizable and range from $65 to $90. The coverage caps are also generally about $2,000.
To get a free quote from The Home Service Club, fill out this online form or call 800-750-9443. For more information on this provider, read our detailed 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 | $6,409 |
| Heating | $4,273 |
| Electrical | $641 |
| Toilets | $534 |
| Washer/Dryer | $855 |
| Plumbing | $641 |
| Oven | $1,709 |
| Fridge | $641 |
A home warranty is a protection policy that helps Palm Harbor homeowners lower the high costs of household repairs. These plans provide financial coverage to fix or swap out appliances and systems that break down from normal wear and tear.
Homeowners file 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 repair or replacement costs exceed the item's coverage limit. A home warranty gives peace of mind for homeowners by helping them avoid expensive emergency repairs. They're particularly valuable for those who live in older homes or ones with outdated systems. More modern homes with modern fixtures probably don’t need a home warranty.
Home warranties cover your home systems and appliances. Common covered appliances are dishwashers, refrigerators, microwaves, dryers, washers, garbage disposals, and more. Included systems are normally heating, electrical, plumbing, and air conditioning. Many home warranty providers offer add-on coverage for septic systems, central vacuums, roof leaks, and locksmiths. Most home warranty plans require Palm Harbor homeowners to wait 30 days before they can use the policy to pay for 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 misusing a system or appliance. To help ensure your next repair or replacement is covered, keep up with preventative maintenance.
Before agreeing to a home warranty contract, you should understand key terms like:
There are several important considerations when choosing a home warranty provider:
Home warranty coverage can have major differences in what's included. Most plans provide coverage for heating, electrical, AC, plumbing, and appliances. More comprehensive plans also cover other items such as well pumps, roof leaks, pools, and spas. Look for providers with an assortment of coverage options, such as upgraded plans. Flexibility helps you tailor your protection for your 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 company's track record gives you insight into things such as contractor quality, claim approval rates, timeliness of repairs, and overall customer satisfaction. Look at 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 companies keep networks of technicians to handle covered repairs. Bigger networks improve the probability of getting qualified technicians to swiftly service your home. Reach out to potential providers and ask how many contractors they have in Palm Harbor to get a sense of how quickly your repairs could be handled in an emergency.
Certain home warranty providers include extras such as energy-efficient upgrades, protection for smart home devices, and discounts on maintenance. These can offer extra value beyond repair coverage. Extra perks enhance your home and help maximize your home warranty.
Temperatures in Palm Harbor can get quite high in the summer, which means your air conditioner is most likely going to get a good bit of use. As a homeowner in Palm Harbor, one of the benefits of having a home warranty is knowing that these home systems and major appliances can be covered in the event they have to be repaired or replaced.
A home warranty also can also save you time and energy. Instead of spending hours researching and selecting a repair person to fix your appliance or system, home warranty companies do the hard work for you and send a trusted professional to your door whenever you need them. Additionally, though home warranty companies vary, some providers will let you transfer your warranty in the event that 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 buying a home warranty plan, such as the coverage exclusions. For instance, home warranties may not cover systems or appliances that already have a manufacturer's warranty.
Another possible pain point of home warranties is that they don’t cover systems or appliances that have been improperly maintained. This can lead to your claims being denied, so it’s important to carefully follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for maintenance of your home systems and appliances.
A home warranty in Palm Harbor can cost anywhere from $30 to $60 a month. Higher-priced plans usually 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 lower your up-front costs when you agree to a higher service fee.
Home warranties and home insurance differ in what kinds of damage they cover. Home warranty policies cover issues related to systems and appliances that need repairs or replacements due to normal wear and tear. A home insurance policy is a different kind of insurance that protects your entire home from natural disasters, which can be a concern in Palm Harbor. It doesn't cover a typical appliance or system damage.
A home warranty plan can help home sellers, homeowners, real estate agents, investors, and homebuyers. It can offer peace of mind to anyone involved with homeownership.
A home warranty policy can cover your 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 helpful if you're concerned about one more than the other.
Generally, a home warranty lasts for a year and can be renewed annually. Some companies may offer month-to-month options.
Typically, the homeowner is the one who pays the premium and service fees. However, when buying a new home, sometimes the seller is the one who paid for the policy. This can then be given to the new homeowner, who has to pay the service fees when using the policy. In Palm Harbor, where the median value of a home is $436,770, having the seller pay for the home warranty can save you some money on your new home.
