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Last Updated: February 25, 2025
There are a lot of advantages of owning a home, but as your Columbia home gets older, you may need to update your appliances and systems. A home warranty is a way to protect your savings from unexpected home repairs and expenses. With a home warranty in place, your repair costs can be considerably lower and give you some peace of mind.
Finding the best home warranty on the market can be challenging because of the numerous options available. If you're overwhelmed by trying to compare them all, keep reading for our guide to the top home warranty companies 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 been in the home warranty industry for about 6 years. The home warranty company offers 3 plans to policyholders that have various options for appliance and system coverage. Liberty has established itself as a company with a seamless complaint process and guaranteed service professionalism upon every repair visit. It also has a 60-day workmanship guarantee and some of the best customer service in the industry.
Liberty Home Guard has 3 plans that provide a mix of appliance and system coverage. Liberty’s service fees are an affordable $75, and the coverage caps come out to about $3,000 for each covered appliance or system.
To receive a free quote from Liberty Home Guard, fill out this online form or call 866-451-2281. To read more, visit our full 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
Choice Home Warranty is the best overall home warranty for Columbia residents. Choice has been in the home warranty industry for about 15 years. The home warranty company offers 2 plans to policyholders that have various options for appliance and system coverage. Choice has established itself as a company with very high coverage caps and simple-to-understand service contracts. It also has great customer service, professional contractors, and lower out-of-pocket costs compared to other home warranties.
Choice Home Warranty has 2 plans that provide a mix of appliance and system coverage. Choice’s service fees are an affordable $85, and the coverage caps come out to about $3,000 for each covered appliance or system.
To receive a free quote from Choice Home Warranty, fill out this online form or call 929-400-6164. To read more, visit our full 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
Select Home Warranty is the most cost-effective home warranty for Columbia residents. Select has been in the home warranty industry for about 11 years. The home warranty company offers 3 plans to policyholders that have various options for appliance and system coverage. Select has established itself as a company with a highly affordable service fee and free roof coverage upon purchase of a policy plan. It also has an extensive network of highly trained professionals all over the country who are experts in home maintenance.
Select Home Warranty has 3 plans that provide a mix of appliance and system coverage. Select’s service fees are a reasonable $60, and the coverage caps come out to about $2,000 for each covered appliance or system.
To receive a free quote from Select Home Warranty, fill out this online form or call 888-370-3953. To read more, visit our full 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
American Home Shield is the most customizable home warranty for Columbia residents. AHS has been in the home warranty industry for about 26 years. The home warranty company offers 3 plans to policyholders that have various options for appliance and system coverage. AHS has established itself as a company with the ability to customize your plan with the coverages that work specifically for your home. It also has a remarkably low claim denial rate in comparison to other home warranty companies.
American Home Shield has 3 plans that provide a mix of appliance and system 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 appliance or system.
To receive a free quote from American Home Shield, fill out this online form or call 888-365-2839. To read more, visit our full review of American Home Shield.
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 been in the home warranty industry for about 44 years. The home warranty company offers 3 plans to policyholders that have various options for appliance and system coverage. Cinch has established itself as a company with a 180-day workmanship guarantee that ensures your home systems and appliance repairs will be professionally done. It also has a broad range of coverage options that will give homeowners peace of mind.
Cinch Home Services has 3 plans that provide a mix of appliance and system 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 appliance or system.
To receive a free quote from Cinch Home Services, fill out this online form or call 877-589-0505. To read more, visit our full 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
The Home Service Club is the best home warranty with the quickest service for Columbia residents. HSC has been in the home warranty industry for about 15 years. The home warranty company offers 2 plans to policyholders that have various options for appliance and system coverage. HSC has established itself as a company with quick coverage where the home warranty goes into effect just ten days after you pay for the plan, instead of the typical 30 days. It 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 has 2 plans that provide a mix of appliance and system 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 appliance or system.
To receive a free quote from The Home Service Club, fill out this online form or call 800-750-9443. To read more, visit our full 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 | $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 policy that helps cut costs for Columbia homeowners needing appliance and system repairs. These plans provide financial coverage to fix or replace appliances and systems that break due to normal wear and tear. Homeowners file a claim and pay a service fee when something breaks. The home warranty company then finds a contractor to make the fix or replacement. The only time you may pay out-of-pocket is if the cost of the repair or replacement goes over the item's coverage limit. A home warranty plan gives homeowners a sense of security and can help avoid expensive emergency repairs. They can be especially helpful for people purchasing older homes or homes with appliances near the end of their life span. However, newer homes with appliances and fixtures in good condition may not need a home warranty.
Home warranties protect your household systems and appliances. Typical covered appliances include refrigerators, washers, dryers, microwaves, dishwashers, garbage disposals, and more. Protected systems include plumbing, electrical, air conditioning, and heating. Various home warranty plans offer add-on coverage for central vacuums, septic systems, roof leaks, and even locksmiths. Columbia should understand that most home warranty plans have a 30-day waiting period before repair claims will be approved. The majority of policies also only cover repairs and replacements resulting from normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't include cosmetic issues, pre-existing conditions, natural disasters, or improperly using a system or appliance. Stay current with preventative maintenance to help guarantee your next repair or replacement is covered.
There are several home warranty terms to know before signing an agreement, including:
There are several key considerations when selecting a home warranty provider:
Home warranty coverage varies widely in the items that are included. Most plans include protection for heating, plumbing, electrical, AC, and appliances. More robust coverage options also cover other items such as roof leaks, spas, well pumps, and pools. Look for companies with flexible coverage choices, including upgraded plans. This allows you to customize your plan to 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 more affordable per-claim fees to maximize savings. Some providers also offer disappearing deductibles if a customer doesn't submit any claims in a set timeframe.
A home warranty provider's reputation can provide insight into things such as approval rates, contractor quality, repair timeliness, and customer service. Use review platforms such as TrustPilot, Google Reviews, or the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to research providers. Positive ratings and feedback indicate a provider known for exceptional service.
Home warranty providers have networks of technicians that they use to tackle covered repairs. Wider networks improve the probability of getting qualified contractors to your home swiftly. Reach out to possible providers to find out how many technicians they have in Columbia to understand how long repairs may take in an urgent situation.
Some home warranty plans offer extras such as energy efficiency upgrades, smart home device protection, and maintenance discounts. These can add value beyond just repair coverage. Added bonuses maximize the usefulness of your home warranty.
Temperatures in Columbia can vary greatly throughout the year, which means your air conditioner and heating systems are likely to get a good bit of use. As a homeowner in Columbia, one of the benefits of having a home warranty is that these home systems and major appliances can be covered in the event they need to be repaired or replaced.
Plus, having a home warranty can save you some time by eliminating the need to research service technicians — most companies will send a trusted professional right to your door to complete the repair or replacement. A home warranty can also yield value in other ways. For instance, some plans can be transferred to another owner when you sell your home.
As for the negatives of home warranties, coverage varies by company, so it’s important to review what each plan covers and doesn’t include in the contract.
Another drawback is that home warranties may not include some repairs, such as 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 Columbia can cost between $30 and $60 a month. The higher-priced plans typically have higher coverage limits, a lower service fee, and broader coverage. This cost is often lower if you pay annually instead of monthly. Some companies will also decrease 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 warranties cover problems related to home 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 Columbia. It doesn't cover a typical appliance or system damage.
A home warranty can help homeowners, homebuyers, investors, real estate agents, and home sellers. It can offer peace of mind and savings to anyone involved with homeownership.
The different home warranties in Columbia include plans that cover either appliances or systems as well as comprehensive plans. A comprehensive plan will cover many of your home systems and appliances, such as your refrigerator, washing machine, and heating and cooling systems. An appliance or system plan will cover only the specific items mentioned in the plan.
Home warranty plans typically offer coverage for a year. Many companies let you renew your plan annually, and some offer month-to-month plans as well.
Typically, the homeowner pays for the home warranty. In some cases, however, the home seller may buy a home warranty and transfer the policy to the buyer. The new homeowner will then have to pay the service fees when using the policy. Considering that the average home value in Columbia is $296,136, a home warranty can be an added asset when buying a home.
