Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Written By David Cusick
Last Updated April 2024
Being a homeowner in Sarasota is a great option for those who like up-and-coming areas. However, as great as Sarasota is, homeownership always comes with its fair share of headaches, such as trying to handle your home repairs yourself. A home warranty can help protect you by reducing the costs of major repairs and replacements on your home’s most important appliances and systems.
Finding the right protection for your home can be difficult, so our team at Today's Homeowner has compiled this guide to help you find the best home warranty companies in Sarasota. Keep reading for our recommendations.
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 Sarasota, Liberty Home Guard offers the most trustworthy home warranty. Liberty is a home warranty provider with 6 years of experience in the industry, and it has become one of the best providers in the business. If you’re looking for a seamless complaint process and guaranteed service professionalism upon every repair visit, this is the plan for you. Plus, it has a 60-day workmanship guarantee and some of the best customer service in the industry. Liberty offers 3 plans for homeowners to decide between.
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 about $3,000 for each covered appliance or system.
For a more detailed breakdown, read our comprehensive 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
In Sarasota, Choice Home Warranty offers the best overall home warranty. Choice is a home warranty provider with 15 years of experience in the industry, and it has become one of the best providers in the business. If you’re looking for very high coverage caps and simple-to-understand service contracts, this is the plan for you. Plus, it has great customer service, professional contractors, and lower out-of-pocket costs compared to other home warranties. Choice offers 2 plans for homeowners to decide between.
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 about $3,000 for each covered appliance or system.
For a more detailed breakdown, read our comprehensive 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
In Sarasota, Select Home Warranty offers the most cost-effective home warranty. Select is a home warranty provider with 11 years of experience in the industry, and it has become one of the best providers in the business. If you’re looking for a highly affordable service fee and free roof coverage upon purchase of a policy plan, this is the plan for you. Plus, it has an extensive network of highly trained professionals all over the country who are experts in home maintenance. Select offers 3 plans for homeowners to decide between.
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 about $2,000 for each covered appliance or system.
For a more detailed breakdown, read our comprehensive 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
In Sarasota, American Home Shield offers the most customizable home warranty. AHS is a home warranty provider with 26 years of experience in the industry, and it has become one of the best providers in the business. If you’re looking for the ability to customize your plan with the coverages that work specifically for your home, this is the plan for you. Plus, it has a remarkably low claim denial rate in comparison to other home warranty companies. AHS offers 3 plans for homeowners to decide between.
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 about $2,500 for each covered appliance or system.
For a more detailed breakdown, read our comprehensive 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
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 Sarasota, First American Home Warranty offers the best home warranty for appliance coverage. First American is a home warranty provider with 39 years of experience in the industry, and it has become one of the best providers in the business. If you’re looking for very affordable and comprehensive appliance coverage, this is the plan for you. 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. First American offers 2 plans for homeowners to decide between.
The plans that First American offers to homeowners are Basic Plan and Premier Plan. First American’s service fees are a reasonable $85, and the coverage caps come out to about $1,500 for each covered appliance or system.
For a more detailed breakdown, read our comprehensive review of First American Home Warranty. To receive a free quote from First American Home Warranty, you can fill out this online form or call 833-204-7164.
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 Sarasota, Cinch Home Services offers the home warranty with the best workmanship guarantee. Cinch is a home warranty provider with 44 years of experience in the industry, and it has become one of the best providers in the business. If you’re looking for a 180-day workmanship guarantee that ensures your home systems and appliance repairs will be professionally done, this is the plan for you. Plus, it has a broad range of coverage options that will give homeowners peace of mind. Cinch offers 3 plans for homeowners to decide between.
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 about $1,000-$2,000 for each covered appliance or system.
For a more detailed breakdown, read our comprehensive 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
In Sarasota, The Home Service Club offers the best home warranty with the quickest service. HSC is a home warranty provider with 15 years of experience in the industry, and it has become one of the best providers in the business. 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, this is the plan for you. Plus, it has customer service representatives available 24/7, as well as a 30-day labor guarantee and a 90-day parts guarantee. HSC offers 2 plans for homeowners to decide between.
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 about $2,000 for each covered appliance or system.
For a more detailed breakdown, read our comprehensive 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 | $6,598 |
| Heating | $4,398 |
| Electrical | $660 |
| Toilets | $550 |
| Washer/Dryer | $880 |
| Plumbing | $660 |
| Oven | $1,759 |
| Fridge | $660 |
A home warranty is a protection policy that assists Sarasota homeowners reduce the high costs of household repairs. These plans provide financial coverage to repair or replace appliances and systems that stop working 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 go over the item's coverage limit. A home warranty delivers security for homeowners by helping them avoid expensive emergency repairs. They're particularly useful for those who own older homes or ones with aging systems. More modern homes with working appliances probably don’t require a home warranty.
Home warranties protect many home systems and appliances. Typical covered appliances include dishwashers, microwaves, refrigerators, washers, garbage disposals, dryers, and more. Protected systems include plumbing, electrical, air conditioning, and heating. Many home warranty plans offer add-on coverage for central vacuums, roof leaks, septic systems, and even locksmiths. Sarasota homeowners should know that most home warranty policies have a 30-day period you must wait before they can be used to cover repairs. Additionally, most policies only cover repairs and replacements that result from normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't cover things like cosmetic issues, natural disasters, pre-existing conditions, or misuse of a system or appliance. It's important to keep up with preventative maintenance to ensure that your next repair or replacement will be covered by your policy.
Before agreeing to a home warranty contract, you should learn key terms like:
When you're deciding on a home warranty provider, there are several key things to take into account:
Home warranty coverage differs significantly when it comes to what's covered. Most plans cover electrical, heating, AC, plumbing, and appliances. More inclusive options also cover other items such as spas, pools, roof leaks, and well pumps. Look for providers with an assortment of coverage options, such as upgraded plans. Flexibility helps you tailor your protection for your home’s needs.
You'll pay a repair fee, normally ranging from $60–100 for each claim filed with your home warranty provider. These per-claim charges can quickly add up, so you may look for providers advertising lower service fees to optimize savings on each repair claim. Certain providers may eliminate deductibles after a customer goes a period of time with no claims filed.
A home warranty company's reputation provides insights into factors such as claim approval rates, repair speed, contractor expertise, and customer satisfaction. Check review sites like Google Reviews, TrustPilot, or the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to learn more about providers. Good feedback and ratings suggest a company known for quality service.
Home warranty companies have networks of technicians that they use to tackle covered repairs. Larger networks improve the likelihood of getting qualified contractors to your home quickly. Reach out to possible providers to find out how many contractors they have in Sarasota. This helps you understand how long repairs might take in an urgent situation.
Some home warranty companies may include perks such as energy efficiency upgrades, reduced maintenance fees, and smart home device coverage. These extras can offer extra value beyond just repair coverage. Extra bonuses help you enhance your home and get the most from your warranty policy.
Since temperatures in Sarasota can easily reach 100 degrees, the extreme weather can put a lot of strain on your air conditioner. Having a home warranty plan can help homeowners save money if one of these systems or appliances breaks down all of a sudden.
Not only can a home warranty give you 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. Another added benefit of having home warranty coverage is that it can raise 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 provider you purchased your home warranty through.
As for the negatives of home warranties, coverage varies by provider, so it’s important to review what each plan covers and excludes in the contract.
Another stipulation is that home warranties usually only cover malfunctions due to normal wear and tear. They often won’t cover systems or appliances that have stopped working due to improper maintenance, natural disasters, animal infestations, etc.
A home warranty policy costs, on average, about $300 to $600 a year in Sarasota. Our top-rated home warranty providers' most comprehensive coverage options vary from $546 to $840 per year. You can get a lower monthly payment with some companies by choosing a higher service fee. In addition, it's often cheaper to pay annually rather than monthly.
The difference between a home warranty and homeowner's insurance lies in what kinds of damage each covers. A home warranty plan helps protect against normal wear and tear to home systems and appliances. A homeowners insurance plan protects your home in a situation such as a natural disaster or fire. With homeowners insurance, you will not be able to file a claim should you need a new refrigerator or stove, unless the damage is a result of a natural disaster, which can be a threat in Sarasota.
A home warranty policy can help real estate agents, home sellers, investors, homeowners, and homebuyers. It can provide peace of mind and savings to anyone involved in homeownership.
A home warranty can cover your systems, appliances, or both. Combination plans are great if you need more coverage for your home, but a system- or appliance-only plan can be helpful if you want to save some money.
Generally, a home warranty plan offers coverage for a year and can be renewed yearly. Some providers may offer month-to-month options.
In general, the homeowner is responsible for paying the premium and service fees. However, if you have just bought a new home, sometimes the seller will pay for the policy. This can then be transferred to the new homeowner, who has to pay the service fees. In Sarasota, where the median home value is $462,158, having the seller pay for the home warranty can be a good asset for your new home.
