Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Written By David Cusick
Last Updated April 2024
Homeownership in Salem comes with lots of positives, but it also comes with its difficulties. Your home’s appliances and systems will inevitably need repairs, and this could mean a large expense. A home warranty is a way to protect your bank account from unexpected expenses. With a home warranty in place, your repair costs can be considerably lower and give you some peace of mind.
The home warranty market has a lot of providers — all with different plans — so our team at Today's Homeowner has done the research to help you find the best home warranty companies in Salem.
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 Salem residents. 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 3 policies that Liberty offers include options for appliance and system coverage.
Liberty Home Guard offers 3 plans for Salem homeowners. The Appliance Guard, Systems Guard, and Total Home Guard are the options they have, which contain a mix of system and appliance coverage. The coverage caps associated with Liberty’s plans are around the $3,000 mark for most major systems and appliances, and service fees are an affordable $75.
To read more, visit our full 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
Choice Home Warranty is the best overall home warranty for Salem residents. 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 2 policies that Choice offers include options for appliance and system coverage.
Choice Home Warranty offers 2 plans for Salem homeowners. The Basic Plan and Total Plan are the options they have, which contain a mix of system and appliance coverage. The coverage caps associated with Choice’s plans are around the $3,000 mark for most major systems and appliances, and service fees are an affordable $85.
To read more, visit our full 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
Select Home Warranty is the most cost-effective home warranty for Salem residents. 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 3 policies that Select offers include options for appliance and system coverage.
Select Home Warranty offers 3 plans for Salem 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. The coverage caps associated with Select’s plans are around the $2,000 mark for most major systems and appliances, and service fees are a reasonable $60.
To read more, visit our full 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
American Home Shield is the most customizable home warranty for Salem residents. 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 3 policies that AHS offers include options for appliance and system coverage.
American Home Shield offers 3 plans for Salem homeowners. The ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, and ShieldPlatinum are the options they have, which contain a mix of system and appliance coverage. The coverage caps associated with AHS’s plans are around the $2,500 mark for most major systems and appliances, and service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $125.
To read more, visit our full 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
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 Salem residents. 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 3 policies that Cinch offers include options for appliance and system coverage.
Cinch Home Services offers 3 plans for Salem 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. The coverage caps associated with Cinch’s plans are around the $1,000-$2,000 mark for most major systems and appliances, and service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $150.
To read more, visit our full 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
The Home Service Club is the best home warranty with the quickest service for Salem residents. 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 2 policies that HSC offers include options for appliance and system coverage.
The Home Service Club offers 2 plans for Salem homeowners. The Standard Coverage Plan and Comprehensive Coverage Plan are the options they have, which contain a mix of system and appliance coverage. The coverage caps associated with HSC’s plans are around the $2,000 mark for most major systems and appliances, and service fees are customizable and range from $65 to $90.
To read more, visit our full 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 | $5,598 |
| Heating | $3,732 |
| Electrical | $560 |
| Toilets | $466 |
| Washer/Dryer | $746 |
| Plumbing | $560 |
| Oven | $1,493 |
| Fridge | $560 |
A home warranty is a protection policy that assists Salem homeowners lower the high costs of household repairs. These plans offer financial coverage to fix or replace 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 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 policy gives homeowners a sense of security since it can help avoid expensive emergency repairs. They can be especially helpful for people purchasing older homes or homes with systems near the end of their life span. However, newer homes with modern appliances and fixtures may not need a home warranty.
Home warranties help protect your home systems and appliances. Common covered appliances include dishwashers, dryers, microwaves, garbage disposals, washers, refrigerators, and others. Covered systems include air conditioning, electrical, plumbing, and heating. Many home warranties offer additional add-on coverage options for locksmiths, septic systems, central vacuums, and even roof leaks. Salem homeowners should know that most home warranty policies have a 30-day period you must wait before they will cover the cost of any repairs. Additionally, policies typically only cover repairs and replacements due to normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't cover problems such as pre-existing conditions, cosmetic issues, natural disasters, or improper use of a system or appliance. Make sure to keep up with preventative maintenance to help ensure that your next repair or replacement will be covered by the policy.
Home warranty contracts use several terms that you'll want to understand before signing, such as:
There are several important considerations when selecting a home warranty provider:
Home warranty coverage varies, although most plans include protection for electrical, AC, heating, plumbing, and appliances. More inclusive plans may also cover other things such as pools, spas, roof leaks, and well pumps. Look for companies with an array of coverage options, such as upgraded plans. You'll want to tailor your protection for your needs.
With any home warranty claim, you'll pay a service fee that can range from $60 to $100, which is paid per service call made. The costs from multiple fees can add up. You may decide to look for companies with more affordable fees to maximize your savings on each claim. Some providers also offer disappearing deductibles if a homeowner doesn't submit claims for repairs for a specified period of time.
A home warranty provider's reputation can offer insight into things such as contractor quality, speed of repairs, approval rates for claims, and customer satisfaction. Use third-party review sites such as the Better Business Bureau (BBB), TrustPilot, or Google Reviews to research providers. Positive ratings and reviews indicate that a company is known for quality service.
Home warranty companies have networks of technicians that they use to tackle covered repairs. Wider networks improve the chance of getting skilled contractors to your home swiftly. Contact possible providers to find out how many contractors they have in Salem. This helps you understand how long repairs could take in an urgent situation.
Some home warranty companies may include perks such as smart home device coverage, energy efficiency upgrades, and reduced maintenance fees. These can provide extra value beyond repair coverage. Extra bonuses allow you to enhance your home and get the most from your home warranty.
Temperatures in Salem can vary greatly throughout the year, which means your air conditioner and heating systems are most likely going to get a lot of use. As a homeowner in Salem, one benefit of having a home warranty is that these home systems and major appliances can be covered in the event they have to be repaired or replaced.
As well as saving you money on out-of-pocket expenses, a home warranty can give you peace of mind and save you the pain of trying to find a qualified repair person to visit your home. Home warranties usually come with a network of pre-vetted technicians who can handle any repair problems you may come across. Plus, having a home warranty can make your house more attractive to potential homebuyers if you ever decide to sell later. Many home warranty providers will allow you to transfer your policy to a new owner and give them the same protection you’ve been benefiting from.
As for the disadvantages of home warranties, home system and appliance coverage varies by company, so it’s important to understand what each plan covers and excludes in the contract.
Another stipulation is that home warranties typically only cover malfunctions due to normal wear and tear. They commonly won’t cover home systems or appliances that need repairs or replacements due to improper maintenance, natural disasters, animal infestations, etc.
A home warranty in Salem can cost anywhere from $30 to $60 a month. The higher-priced plans usually have a lower service fee, higher coverage limits, and broader coverage. This cost is often lower if you pay annually instead of monthly. Some providers will also lower your up-front costs when you agree to a higher service fee.
Home warranties and home insurance differ in what types of damage they cover. Home warranty policies cover issues related to 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 Salem. It doesn't cover a typical appliance or system repairs.
A home warranty can help homebuyers, real estate agents, home sellers, homeowners, and investors. It can provide peace of mind and savings to anyone involved in homeownership.
The different kinds of home warranties in Salem include plans with coverage for either appliances or systems as well as combination plans. A combination plan will cover your systems and appliances, including your refrigerator, washing machine, and plumbing. A plan that only covers appliances or systems will cover only the specific items mentioned in the plan.
Home warranty plans typically last a year. Many providers let you renew your plan annually, and some offer month-to-month plans as well.
Typically, the homeowner is the one who is responsible for paying the premium and service fees. However, when buying 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 Salem, where the median value of a home is $115,917, having the seller pay for the home warranty can be a good asset for your new home.
