Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Written By David Cusick
Last Updated February 2024
As much as you may love homeownership in Carmel, there's always that worry about whether your systems and appliances are going to hold up during the next few years. A home warranty can bring you the peace of mind you need and protect your bank account from large expenses by covering your home’s major 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 Carmel. Read on 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
Liberty Home Guard offers the most trustworthy home warranty in Carmel. Liberty has been in the home warranty business for over 6 years. The 3 plans from Liberty are easy to understand and offer a mix of both system and appliance coverage. 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.
Liberty Home Guard offers 3 plans for Carmel homeowners. The Appliance Guard, Systems Guard, and Total Home Guard are the options they have, which have 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 read more, visit our review of Liberty Home Guard. To get 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 offers the best overall home warranty in Carmel. Choice has been in the home warranty business for over 15 years. The 2 plans from Choice are easy to understand and offer a mix of both system and appliance coverage. 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.
Choice Home Warranty offers 2 plans for Carmel homeowners. The Basic Plan and Total Plan are the options they have, which have 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 read more, visit our review of Choice Home Warranty. To get 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 offers the most cost-effective home warranty in Carmel. Select has been in the home warranty business for over 11 years. The 3 plans from Select are easy to understand and offer a mix of both system and appliance coverage. 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.
Select Home Warranty offers 3 plans for Carmel homeowners. The Bronze Care Plan, Gold Care Plan, and Platinum Care Plan are the options they have, which have 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 read more, visit our review of Select Home Warranty. To get 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 offers the most customizable home warranty in Carmel. AHS has been in the home warranty business for over 26 years. The 3 plans from AHS are easy to understand and offer a mix of both system and appliance coverage. 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.
American Home Shield offers 3 plans for Carmel homeowners. The ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, and ShieldPlatinum are the options they have, which have 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 read more, visit our review of American Home Shield. To get 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
First American Home Warranty offers the best home warranty for appliance coverage in Carmel. First American has been in the home warranty business for over 39 years. The 2 plans from First American are easy to understand and offer a mix of both system and appliance coverage. With a home warranty from First American, you can benefit from very affordable and comprehensive appliance coverage. Not to mention, 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 Home Warranty offers 2 plans for Carmel homeowners. The Basic Plan and Premier Plan are the options they have, which have a mix of system and appliance coverage. First American’s service fees are a reasonable $85, and the coverage caps come out to about $1,500 for each covered system or appliance.
To read more, visit our review of First American Home Warranty. To get 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
Cinch Home Services offers the home warranty with the best workmanship guarantee in Carmel. Cinch has been in the home warranty business for over 44 years. The 3 plans from Cinch are easy to understand and offer a mix of both system and appliance coverage. 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.
Cinch Home Services offers 3 plans for Carmel homeowners. The Appliances Plan, Built-in Systems Plan, and Complete Home Plan are the options they have, which have 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 read more, visit our review of Cinch Home Services. To get 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 offers the best home warranty with the quickest service in Carmel. HSC has been in the home warranty business for over 15 years. The 2 plans from HSC are easy to understand and offer a mix of both system and appliance coverage. 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 Home Service Club offers 2 plans for Carmel homeowners. The Standard Coverage Plan and Comprehensive Coverage Plan are the options they have, which have 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 read more, visit our review of The Home Service Club. To get 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 | $6,286 |
| Heating | $4,191 |
| Electrical | $629 |
| Toilets | $524 |
| Washer/Dryer | $838 |
| Plumbing | $629 |
| Oven | $1,676 |
| Fridge | $629 |
A home warranty is a protection plan that assists Carmel homeowners lower the high costs of household repairs. These plans provide financial coverage to repair or swap out 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 arranges 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 gives homeowners peace of mind, as it helps avoid expensive emergency repairs. The coverage is particularly helpful for those living in older houses or houses with fixtures near the end of their life span. However, people with newer homes and working appliances might not need a home warranty.
Home warranties cover your home systems and appliances. Covered appliances typically include dryers, refrigerators, dishwashers, microwaves, washers, garbage disposals, and others. Covered systems include electrical, heating, plumbing, and air conditioning. Many home warranty companies also provide add-on coverage for roof leaks, central vacuums, septic systems, and locksmiths. Carmel should understand that most home warranty plans have a 30-day waiting period before repairs are covered. 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 improperly using a system or appliance. Stay current with preventative maintenance to help guarantee your next repair or replacement is covered.
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 important things to take into account:
Home warranty policies vary widely in what they include. Most plans provide protection for plumbing, AC, electrical, heating, and appliances. More inclusive options also extend protection to other items such as pools, well pumps, spas, and roof leaks. 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.
You'll pay a repair fee, normally ranging from $60–100 for each claim filed with your home warranty provider. This fee is charged per request and can quickly add up, so you may seek out providers advertising lower service fees to optimize savings on each repair claim. Certain companies may eliminate deductibles after a customer goes a period of time with no claims filed.
A home warranty provider's reputation can offer insight into things such as speed of repairs, approval rates for claims, contractor quality, and customer satisfaction. Look at third-party review sites such as TrustPilot, Google Reviews, or the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to research companies. Good ratings and reviews indicate that a provider is known for top-tier service.
Home warranty providers have networks of technicians that they use to tackle covered repairs. More extensive networks improve the likelihood of getting skilled contractors to your home swiftly. Contact possible providers to find out how many repair professionals they have in Carmel to understand how long repairs may take in an urgent situation.
Some home warranty companies offer extras such as maintenance discounts, energy efficiency upgrades, and smart home device protection. These perks can add value beyond repair coverage. Added bonuses help maximize the usefulness of the home warranty.
Home warranties are an inexpensive way to protect your home systems and appliances from normal wear and tear. With temperatures in Carmel reaching an average high of 60℃F, you may find that certain appliances, like your A.C., get a lot of use. A home warranty can remarkably lower out-of-pocket costs should your HVAC system break down.
In addition, having a home warranty can save you time by removing the need to research contractors — most providers will send a trusted professional right to your door to carry out the repair or replacement. Additionally, having a home warranty can make your house more appealing to potential homebuyers should you ever decide to sell in the future. Many home warranty companies will allow you to transfer your plan to a new owner and give them the same protection you’ve been getting.
One disadvantage of a home warranty is that there are often exclusions. For instance, if you already have a manufacturer's warranty on one of your appliances, it may not be covered under the home warranty, so it’s important to read over the contracts you’re considering carefully to understand what is included and what isn’t.
Another possible pain point of home warranties is that they don’t cover items that have been improperly maintained. This can lead to your claims being denied, so it’s important to be sure you follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for maintenance of your home systems and appliances.
A home warranty in Carmel can cost anywhere from $30 to $60 a month. Higher-priced plans tend to have higher coverage limits, a lower service fee, and broader coverage. Home warranties are often cheaper when 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 with systems and appliances that need to be repaired or replaced due to normal wear and tear. A home insurance policy is a larger insurance that protects the entire home from natural disasters, which might not be too much of a concern in Carmel. It doesn't cover a normal appliance or system breakage.
Homebuyers, homeowners, landlords, real estate agents, and home sellers are all eligible for home warranty plans. A home warranty can help make your property more attractive to prospective buyers and save you money in the long run.
The different home warranties in Carmel include plans that cover either appliances or systems as well as combination plans. A combination plan covers your home systems and appliances, including your dishwasher, washing machine, and HVAC. A plan that only covers appliances or systems will cover only the specific items listed in the contract.
Home warranty plans generally offer coverage for a year. Many providers let you renew your plan annually, and some offer month-to-month plans as well.
Generally, the homeowner is the one who is responsible for paying the premium and service fees. However, if you have just bought a new home, sometimes the seller is the one who paid for the policy. This can then be given to the new homeowner, who has to pay the service fees. In Carmel, where the median value of a home is $524,733, having the seller pay for the home warranty can be a good asset for your new home.
