Written By David Cusick
Last Updated February 2024
There are a lot of advantages of owning a home, but as your Columbia home gets older, you may need to update your systems and appliances. A home warranty can offer you the peace of mind you need and protect 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 because of the numerous options available. If you're tired of trying to compare them all, keep reading for our guide on the best home warranty providers in Columbia.
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 is the most trustworthy home warranty for Columbia residents. Liberty has around 6 years of experience in the industry and in that time has built a an expansive network of service technicians in the country. The 3 plans that Liberty offers include options for appliance and system coverage. When you buy a home warranty from Liberty, you will get a seamless complaint process and guaranteed service professionalism upon every repair visit. Liberty Home Guard also has a 60-day workmanship guarantee and some of the best customer service in the industry.
Liberty Home Guard offers 3 plans for Columbia homeowners. The Appliance Guard, Systems Guard, and Total Home Guard are the options they have, which contain a mix of system and appliance coverage. Liberty’s service fees are an affordable $75, and the coverage caps come out to about $3,000 for each covered system or appliance.
To receive a free quote from Liberty Home Guard, fill out this online form or call 866-451-2281. Read our Liberty Home Guard full 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
Choice Home Warranty is the best overall home warranty for Columbia residents. Choice has around 15 years of experience in the industry and in that time has built a an expansive network of service technicians in the country. The 2 plans that Choice offers include options for appliance and system coverage. When you buy a home warranty from Choice, you will get very high coverage caps and simple-to-understand service contracts. Choice Home Warranty also has great customer service, professional contractors, and lower out-of-pocket costs compared to other home warranties.
Choice Home Warranty offers 2 plans for Columbia homeowners. The Basic Plan and Total Plan are the options they have, which contain a mix of system and appliance coverage. Choice’s service fees are an affordable $85, and the coverage caps come out to about $3,000 for each covered system or appliance.
To receive a free quote from Choice Home Warranty, fill out this online form or call 929-400-6164. Read our Choice Home Warranty full 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
Select Home Warranty is the most cost-effective home warranty for Columbia residents. Select has around 11 years of experience in the industry and in that time has built a an expansive network of service technicians in the country. The 3 plans that Select offers include options for appliance and system coverage. When you buy a home warranty from Select, you will get a highly affordable service fee and free roof coverage upon purchase of a policy plan. Select Home Warranty also has an extensive network of highly trained professionals all over the country who are experts in home maintenance.
Select Home Warranty offers 3 plans for Columbia homeowners. The Bronze Care Plan, Gold Care Plan, and Platinum Care Plan are the options they have, which contain a mix of system and appliance coverage. Select’s service fees are a reasonable $60, and the coverage caps come out to about $2,000 for each covered system or appliance.
To receive a free quote from Select Home Warranty, fill out this online form or call 888-370-3953. Read our Select Home Warranty full 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
American Home Shield is the most customizable home warranty for Columbia residents. AHS has around 26 years of experience in the industry and in that time has built a an expansive network of service technicians in the country. The 3 plans that AHS offers include options for appliance and system coverage. When you buy a home warranty from AHS, you will get the ability to customize your plan with the coverages that work specifically for your home. American Home Shield also has a remarkably low claim denial rate in comparison to other home warranty companies.
American Home Shield offers 3 plans for Columbia homeowners. The ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, and ShieldPlatinum are the options they have, which contain a mix of system and appliance coverage. 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 system or appliance.
To receive a free quote from American Home Shield, fill out this online form or call 888-365-2839. Read our American Home Shield full review to learn more.
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 is the home warranty with the best workmanship guarantee for Columbia residents. Cinch has around 44 years of experience in the industry and in that time has built a an expansive network of service technicians in the country. The 3 plans that Cinch offers include options for appliance and system coverage. When you buy a home warranty from Cinch, you will get a 180-day workmanship guarantee that ensures your home systems and appliance repairs will be professionally done. Cinch Home Services also has a broad range of coverage options that will give homeowners peace of mind.
Cinch Home Services offers 3 plans for Columbia homeowners. The Appliances Plan, Built-in Systems Plan, and Complete Home Plan are the options they have, which contain a mix of system and appliance coverage. 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 system or appliance.
To receive a free quote from Cinch Home Services, fill out this online form or call 877-589-0505. Read our Cinch Home Services full 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
The Home Service Club is the best home warranty with the quickest service for Columbia residents. HSC has around 15 years of experience in the industry and in that time has built a an expansive network of service technicians in the country. The 2 plans that HSC offers include options for appliance and system coverage. When you buy a home warranty from HSC, you will get quick coverage where the home warranty goes into effect just ten days after you pay for the plan, instead of the typical 30 days. The Home Service Club also has customer service representatives available 24/7, as well as a 30-day labor guarantee and a 90-day parts guarantee.
The Home Service Club offers 2 plans for Columbia homeowners. The Standard Coverage Plan and Comprehensive Coverage Plan are the options they have, which contain a mix of system and appliance coverage. 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 system or appliance.
To receive a free quote from The Home Service Club, fill out this online form or call 800-750-9443. Read our The Home Service Club full 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 | $5,979 |
Heating | $3,986 |
Electrical | $598 |
Toilets | $498 |
Washer/Dryer | $797 |
Plumbing | $598 |
Oven | $1,594 |
Fridge | $598 |
A home warranty is a protection plan that assists Columbia homeowners cut the high costs of household repairs. These plans offer financial protection 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 company then arranges 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 reassurance to homeowners, as it helps prevent costly emergency repairs. Home warranties are particularly useful for older construction homes with aging systems. New homes with modern appliances may not need a home warranty.
Home warranties cover many household systems and appliances. Warranties usually cover appliances such as microwaves, washers, refrigerators, dryers, garbage disposals, dishwashers, and more. Covered systems include heating, plumbing, electrical, and air conditioning. Many home warranty companies also provide additional coverage for septic systems, roof leaks, locksmiths, and central vacuums. Columbia 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 due to normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't cover things like cosmetic issues, natural disasters, pre-existing conditions, or damage caused by improperly using a system or appliance. You need to keep up with preventative maintenance to help ensure that your next repair or replacement is covered by the policy.
Home warranties use several terms that you'll want to know before signing a contract, such as:
There are several important considerations when selecting a home warranty provider:
Home warranty coverage varies widely in the items that are included. Most plans include protection for plumbing, electrical, AC, heating, and appliances. More robust coverage options also offer coverage on other items such as pools, roof leaks, spas, and well pumps. Look for companies with flexible coverage choices, including upgraded plans. This allows you to tailor protection to 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 fees to accumulate quickly with each claim, so you may look for companies advertising more affordable fees to optimize savings on each repair claim. Certain providers may waive deductibles when a homeowner submits no claims in a defined period.
A home warranty company's reputation provides insight into things such as contractor quality, repair timeliness, approval rates, and customer service. Browse review platforms such as TrustPilot, Google Reviews, or the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to research providers. Good ratings and feedback indicate a provider known for great service.
Home warranty providers have networks of professionals that they use to tackle covered repairs. Larger networks raise the probability of getting skilled contractors to your home swiftly. Contact possible providers to learn how many repair professionals they have in Columbia to understand how long repairs might take in an urgent situation.
Certain home warranty companies offer extras such as energy-efficient upgrades, protection for smart home devices, and discounts on maintenance. These provide extra value beyond repair coverage. Added perks can enhance your home and maximize your home warranty.
Columbia’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 is designed to cover your home’s appliances and systems if they need to be repaired or replaced. For example, if your air conditioner stops working in the middle of July, a home warranty can cover the repairs, saving you from spending a lot of money out of pocket.
Not only can a home warranty save you some money on repairs and replacements, it saves you time as well. Instead of having to vet service technicians yourself, home warranty providers do the work for you and send a contractor from their network right to your door when you need them. Another benefit of having a home warranty is if you want to sell your home, you can most likely transfer your home warranty plan to the new owners. This can make your house more attractive to potential homebuyers and help your house sell faster.
There are also some downsides to buying a home warranty plan, such as the coverage exclusions. For example, home warranties may not cover home systems or appliances that are already covered by a manufacturer's warranty.
Another thing to bear in mind is that some providers don’t cover pre-existing conditions and may require an inspection before coverage begins. Ask the home warranty company for clarification about it if you need more information or if this is an issue for you.
A home warranty costs, on average, around $300 to $600 a year in Columbia. Our high-rated home warranty companies' most comprehensive coverage options vary from $546 to $840 per year. You can reduce your monthly bill with some companies by choosing a higher service fee. Additionally, it's often cheaper to pay annually rather than monthly.
The difference between a home warranty and homeowner's insurance lies in what types of damage each covers. A home warranty helps protect against normal wear and tear to systems and appliances in a home. A homeowners insurance plan protects the entire home in case of something such as a fire or natural disaster. Under homeowners insurance, you won't be able to file a claim should you need a new dryer or air conditioner, unless the damage is a result of a natural disaster, which is somewhat common in Columbia.
A home warranty policy can help homeowners, homebuyers, real estate agents, investors, and home sellers. It can provide peace of mind to anyone involved in homeownership.
The different kinds of home warranties in Columbia include plans with coverage for either appliances or systems as well as combination plans. A combination plan covers your systems and appliances, such as your refrigerator, washing machine, and HVAC. An appliance or system plan will cover only the items listed in the contract.
Generally, a home warranty plan offers coverage for a year and can be renewed annually. Some providers may offer month-to-month plans.
Generally, the homeowner is the one who pays 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 Columbia, where the median value of a home is $296,136, having the seller pay for the home warranty can be a good asset for your new home.