Written By David Cusick
Last Updated February 2024
Buying a home is a big step for many, but the cost of maintaining it can get expensive over time, especially if your home in Pontiac is on the older side. A home warranty is a way to protect your savings account from unexpected home repairs and expenses. With a home warranty in place, your repair costs can be considerably lower and allow you to live in your home with more peace of mind.
Finding the right protection for your home can be challenging, so our team at Today's Homeowner has compiled this guide to help you find the best home warranty companies in Pontiac. Read on for our top provider 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
Liberty Home Guard is the most trustworthy home warranty in Pontiac. Liberty has more than 6 years of industry experience and in that time has built a impressive network of service professionals nationwide. Liberty has 3 simple plans, making the selection process quick and easy. 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.
The plans that Liberty offers to homeowners are Appliance Guard, Systems Guard, and Total Home Guard. The coverage limits from Liberty are around $3,000. The service fees are an affordable $75, which is lower than other providers in the Pontiac area.
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 Liberty Home Guard full review.
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 in Pontiac. Choice has more than 15 years of industry experience and in that time has built a impressive network of service professionals nationwide. Choice has 2 simple plans, making the selection process quick and easy. 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.
The plans that Choice offers to homeowners are Basic Plan and Total Plan. The coverage limits from Choice are around $3,000. The service fees are an affordable $85, which is lower than other providers in the Pontiac area.
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 Choice Home Warranty full review.
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 in Pontiac. Select has more than 11 years of industry experience and in that time has built a impressive network of service professionals nationwide. Select has 3 simple plans, making the selection process quick and easy. 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.
The plans that Select offers to homeowners are Bronze Care Plan, Gold Care Plan, and Platinum Care Plan. The coverage limits from Select are around $2,000. The service fees are a reasonable $60, which is lower than other providers in the Pontiac area.
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 Select Home Warranty full review.
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 in Pontiac. AHS has more than 26 years of industry experience and in that time has built a impressive network of service professionals nationwide. AHS has 3 simple plans, making the selection process quick and easy. 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.
The plans that AHS offers to homeowners are ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, and ShieldPlatinum. The coverage limits from AHS are around $2,500. The service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $125, which is lower than other providers in the Pontiac area.
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 American Home Shield full review.
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 in Pontiac. Cinch has more than 44 years of industry experience and in that time has built a impressive network of service professionals nationwide. Cinch has 3 simple plans, making the selection process quick and easy. 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.
The plans that Cinch offers to homeowners are Appliances Plan, Built-in Systems Plan, and Complete Home Plan. The coverage limits from Cinch are around $1,000-$2,000. The service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $150, which is lower than other providers in the Pontiac area.
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 Cinch Home Services full review.
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 in Pontiac. HSC has more than 15 years of industry experience and in that time has built a impressive network of service professionals nationwide. HSC has 2 simple plans, making the selection process quick and easy. 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.
The plans that HSC offers to homeowners are Standard Coverage Plan and Comprehensive Coverage Plan. The coverage limits from HSC are around $2,000. The service fees are customizable and range from $65 to $90, which is lower than other providers in the Pontiac area.
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 The Home Service Club full review.
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 | $5,696 |
Heating | $3,798 |
Electrical | $570 |
Toilets | $475 |
Washer/Dryer | $760 |
Plumbing | $570 |
Oven | $1,519 |
Fridge | $570 |
A home warranty is a protection policy that helps reduce the high costs for Pontiac homeowners needing appliance and system repairs. These plans provide financial coverage to repair or replace appliances and systems that stop working 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 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 delivers security for homeowners by helping them prevent expensive emergency fixes. They're particularly valuable for those who live in older homes or ones with outdated systems. Newer builds with modern fixtures probably don’t need a home warranty.
Home warranties protect your home systems and appliances. Common appliances covered include microwaves, dishwashers, dryers, garbage disposals, refrigerators, washers, and more. Included systems are usually electrical, air conditioning, plumbing, and heating. Many home warranty providers offer add-on coverage for septic systems, locksmiths, roof leaks, and central vacuums. It's important for Pontiac homeowners to understand most home warranty plans have a waiting period of 30 days before repair claims will be approved. The majority of policies also only cover repairs and replacements due to normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't include cosmetic issues, pre-existing conditions, natural disasters, or misuse of a system or appliance. Stay current with preventative maintenance to ensure your next repair or replacement is covered.
Before signing a home warranty contract, you should understand key terms like:
When choosing a home warranty provider, there are several important factors to consider:
Home warranties have significant variation in what they include. Basic plans typically provide protection for plumbing, heating, electrical, AC, and appliances, while more comprehensive plans may also cover spas, roof leaks, pools, and well pumps. Look for a provider that offers robust coverage options, including upgraded plans. Flexibility is important when trying to fit a home warranty to your home's specific needs.
Expect to pay a per-service fee of $60-100 for each home warranty claim. With these per-request costs adding up over time as you file claims, some homeowners prefer to choose a provider with lower service fees to maximize savings. Some companies also do away with deductibles for homeowners who don't file claims in a certain period.
A home warranty company's reputation provides insight into things such as approval rates, repair timeliness, contractor quality, and customer satisfaction. Check review platforms such as Google Reviews, TrustPilot, or the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to research companies. Positive ratings and feedback indicate a company known for exceptional service.
Home warranty providers use networks of local repair technicians to manage repairs in a given area. Reach out to potential businesses to learn the number of repair specialists they have in Pontiac and get an idea of how fast your repairs could be handled in an emergency. Bigger networks raise the likelihood of getting qualified contractors to quickly service your home.
Certain home warranty providers offer perks such as discounts on maintenance, protection for smart home devices, and energy-efficient upgrades. These provide extra value beyond repair coverage. Extra perks enhance your home and maximize your home warranty.
Pontiac’s cold winters can put a strain on a home’s HVAC system. Whether it’s summer or winter, a home warranty can help 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 needed repairs, saving you from spending unexpected money out of pocket.
Not only does a home warranty provide some financial relief, but it also saves you time. If an appliance breaks down, the last thing you want to do is find a contractor and schedule a repair. A home warranty takes care of the research by sending trusted professionals to your door when you need them most. A home warranty can also offer value in other ways. For instance, some plans can be transferred between owners when you sell your home.
There are also some drawbacks to buying a home warranty plan, such as the coverage exclusions. For example, home warranties may not cover systems or appliances that already have a manufacturer's warranty.
Another thing to bear in mind is that some companies don’t cover pre-existing damage and may require an inspection before your coverage can start. Ask the home warranty company for clarification about these things if you need more information or if this is an issue for you.
A home warranty costs, on average, about $300 to $600 a year in Pontiac. 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. Additionally, it's usually less expensive 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 protects against normal wear and tear to home systems and appliances. A homeowners insurance plan protects the entire home in a situation such as a natural disaster or fire. With homeowners insurance, you will not be able to file a claim if you need a new refrigerator or dishwasher, unless the damage is due to a natural disaster, which isn't that common in Pontiac.
A home warranty can help homeowners, homebuyers, home sellers, investors, and real estate agents. It can offer peace of mind and savings to anyone involved with homeownership.
A home warranty can cover your appliances, systems, or both. Combination plans are beneficial if you need 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 policy offers coverage for a year and can be renewed annually. Some companies may offer month-to-month plans.
Usually the one who owns the home is responsible for paying for the home warranty. In some cases, though, the one selling the home 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. Since the average home value in Pontiac is $129,781, a home warranty can be an added asset when buying a home.