Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Written By David Cusick
Last Updated February 2024
Buying a home is a big step for many people, but the cost of maintaining it can be expensive over time, especially if your home in Indianapolis is on the older side. A home warranty is a way to protect your budget 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 overwhelming, as there are lots of companies to choose from. That’s why our team at Today's Homeowner did the research and compiled a list of the top home warranty companies in Indianapolis for you.
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 Indianapolis. Liberty has 3 simple plans, making the selection process easy. When you purchase a policy 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 has 3 plans that provide a mix of system and appliance coverage. Service fees from Liberty are an affordable $75. The coverage caps are also about $3,000.
To receive a free quote from Liberty Home Guard, you can fill out this online form or call 866-451-2281. To read more, visit our comprehensive 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 in Indianapolis. Choice has 2 simple plans, making the selection process easy. When you purchase a policy 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 has 2 plans that provide a mix of system and appliance coverage. Service fees from Choice are an affordable $85. The coverage caps are also about $3,000.
To receive a free quote from Choice Home Warranty, you can fill out this online form or call 929-400-6164. To read more, visit our comprehensive 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 in Indianapolis. Select has 3 simple plans, making the selection process easy. When you purchase a policy 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 has 3 plans that provide a mix of system and appliance coverage. Service fees from Select are a reasonable $60. The coverage caps are also about $2,000.
To receive a free quote from Select Home Warranty, you can fill out this online form or call 888-370-3953. To read more, visit our comprehensive 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 in Indianapolis. AHS has 3 simple plans, making the selection process easy. When you purchase a policy 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 has 3 plans that provide a mix of system and appliance coverage. Service fees from AHS are customizable and range from $75 to $125. The coverage caps are also about $2,500.
To receive a free quote from American Home Shield, you can fill out this online form or call 888-365-2839. To read more, visit our comprehensive review of American Home Shield.
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 is the best home warranty for appliance coverage in Indianapolis. First American has 2 simple plans, making the selection process easy. When you purchase a policy from First American, you will get very affordable and comprehensive appliance coverage. First American Home Warranty also 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 has 2 plans that provide a mix of system and appliance coverage. Service fees from First American are a reasonable $85. The coverage caps are also about $1,500.
To receive a free quote from First American Home Warranty, you can fill out this online form or call 833-204-7164. To read more, visit our comprehensive review of First American Home Warranty.
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 is the home warranty with the best workmanship guarantee in Indianapolis. Cinch has 3 simple plans, making the selection process easy. When you purchase a policy 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 has 3 plans that provide a mix of system and appliance coverage. Service fees from Cinch are customizable and range from $75 to $150. The coverage caps are also about $1,000-$2,000.
To receive a free quote from Cinch Home Services, you can fill out this online form or call 877-589-0505. To read more, visit our comprehensive 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 in Indianapolis. HSC has 2 simple plans, making the selection process easy. When you purchase a policy 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 has 2 plans that provide a mix of system and appliance coverage. Service fees from HSC are customizable and range from $65 to $90. The coverage caps are also about $2,000.
To receive a free quote from The Home Service Club, you can fill out this online form or call 800-750-9443. To read more, visit our comprehensive 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 | $5,986 |
| Heating | $3,991 |
| Electrical | $599 |
| Toilets | $499 |
| Washer/Dryer | $798 |
| Plumbing | $599 |
| Oven | $1,596 |
| Fridge | $599 |
A home warranty is a protection plan that helps Indianapolis homeowners in lowering the costs of appliance and system repairs. The plans offer financial coverage to replace or repair appliances and systems that break down due to normal wear and tear.
When something stops working, you file a claim and pay a service fee. The home warranty company then arranges a contractor to handle the replacement or fix. Homeowners may have out-of-pocket costs only if the repair or replacement costs go over the item's coverage limit. A home warranty provides peace of mind for homeowners by helping them avoid expensive emergency fixes. They're particularly valuable for those who own older homes or ones with aging systems. More modern builds with functional appliances probably don’t require a home warranty.
Home warranties safeguard your home systems and appliances. Common appliances covered under a home warranty include refrigerators, garbage disposals, dishwashers, washers, dryers, microwaves, and others. Covered systems include plumbing, electrical, heating, and air conditioning. Many home warranty plans also offer add-on coverage options for locksmiths, septic systems, central vacuums, and even roof leaks. Indianapolis should understand that 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 improperly using a system or appliance. Stay current with preventative maintenance to help guarantee your next repair or replacement is covered.
Home warranty contracts use several terms that you'll want to learn before signing, such as:
When you're deciding on a home warranty provider, there are several important things to take into account:
Home warranty coverage varies, although most plans include protection for electrical, plumbing, AC, heating, and appliances. More comprehensive options may also cover extra things such as pools, spas, roof leaks, and well pumps. Look for a provider that offers comprehensive coverage choices, including upgraded plans. You want the flexibility to customize coverage to fit your home's specific needs.
With any home warranty claim, you'll pay a service fee, usually falling in the $60 to $100 range, which is paid per service call made. The per-request costs can add up. You may decide to look for providers with lower service fees to maximize your savings on each claim. Some firms also offer disappearing deductibles when customers go a period with no claims filed.
A home warranty provider's reputation can offer insight into things such as approval rates for claims, speed of repairs, contractor quality, and customer satisfaction. Look at third-party review sites such as Google Reviews, TrustPilot, or the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to research companies. Good ratings and reviews indicate that a provider is known for quality service.
Home warranty businesses maintain networks of local professionals to handle repairs in your area. Contact potential providers to find out how many repair professionals they have in Indianapolis and get an idea for how quickly your repairs might happen in an emergency situation. Larger networks improve the chances of getting qualified contractors to swiftly service your home.
Some home warranty providers provide extras such as smart home device protection, energy efficiency upgrades, and maintenance discounts. These add value beyond repair coverage. Extra bonuses maximize the usefulness of the home warranty.
Since temperatures in Indianapolis can be quite hot in the summer, the weather can put a lot of strain on your air conditioning unit and HVAC system. Purchasing a home warranty policy can help homeowners save money if one of these systems or appliances stops working all of a sudden.
A home warranty also saves you time and energy. Instead of spending hours finding and selecting a contractor to fix your appliance or system, home warranty companies do the hard work for you and send a trusted professional to your door whenever you need them. A home warranty can also give value in other ways. For example, some policies can be transferred to another owner when you sell your home.
Home warranties also have some drawbacks. While it can save you time when the home warranty sends out a repair person who handles the repair for you, some may not like this, and they may want to choose their own contractor. If that’s important to you, some home warranty providers allow you to choose a contractor.
Another potential pain point of home warranties is that they don’t cover systems or appliances that haven’t been properly 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 costs, on average, around $300 to $600 a year in Indianapolis. Our high-rated home warranty companies' most comprehensive coverage options vary from $546 to $840 per year. You can get a lower monthly payment with some companies by opting for a higher service fee. In addition, it's usually cheaper 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 covers normal wear and tear to home systems and appliances. Homeowners insurance protects your home in case of something such as a fire or natural disaster. Under a homeowners insurance plan, you will not be able to file a claim if you need a new dryer or air conditioner, unless the damage is due to a natural disaster, which is somewhat common in Indianapolis.
A home warranty policy can help investors, homeowners, homebuyers, home sellers, and real estate agents. It can provide peace of mind and savings to anyone involved in homeownership.
A home warranty plan will cover your home’s systems, appliances, or both. Combination plans are great if you need more coverage for your home, but a system- or appliance-only plan can be useful if you want to save some money.
Generally, a home warranty plan offers coverage for a year and can be renewed annually. Some providers may offer month-to-month options.
Usually, the homeowner is the one who pays the premium and service fees. However, when buying a new home, sometimes the seller is the one who paid for the policy. This can then be transferred to the new homeowner, who will pay the service fees. In Indianapolis, where the median value of a home is $223,697, having the seller pay for the home warranty can save you some money on your new home.
