Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Written By David Cusick
Last Updated April 2024
Being a homeowner in Portage is a great option for those who like up-and-coming areas. However, as great as Portage is, homeownership always comes with its fair share of difficulties, such as trying to finance your appliance and system repairs yourself. A home warranty can help protect homebuyers and current homeowners by cutting the costs of major repairs and replacements on your home’s most important systems and appliances.
Finding the best home warranty on the market can be a challenge because of the many options out there. If you're tired of trying to compare them all, keep reading for our guide to the best home warranty providers in Portage.
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
In Portage, Liberty Home Guard offers the most trustworthy home warranty. Liberty has over 6 years of experience in the home warranty sector, and has provided excellent customer service at an affordable cost to its customers. 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. Liberty has 3 plans for homeowners to decide between.
The plans that Liberty offers to homeowners are Appliance Guard, Systems Guard, and Total Home Guard. Liberty has coverage caps of around $3,000 for most appliances and systems, but some plans may have different coverage caps, so be sure to check with the company. Service fees are an affordable $75.
To get a free quote from Liberty Home Guard, fill out this online form or call 866-451-2281. Read our review of Liberty Home Guard to learn more.
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
In Portage, Choice Home Warranty offers the best overall home warranty. Choice has over 15 years of experience in the home warranty sector, and has provided excellent customer service at an affordable cost to its customers. 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. Choice has 2 plans for homeowners to decide between.
The plans that Choice offers to homeowners are Basic Plan and Total Plan. Choice has coverage caps of around $3,000 for most appliances and systems, but some plans may have different coverage caps, so be sure to check with the company. Service fees are an affordable $85.
To get a free quote from Choice Home Warranty, fill out this online form or call 929-400-6164. Read our review of Choice Home Warranty to learn more.
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
In Portage, Select Home Warranty offers the most cost-effective home warranty. Select has over 11 years of experience in the home warranty sector, and has provided excellent customer service at an affordable cost to its customers. 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. Select has 3 plans for homeowners to decide between.
The plans that Select offers to homeowners are Bronze Care Plan, Gold Care Plan, and Platinum Care Plan. Select has coverage caps of around $2,000 for most appliances and systems, but some plans may have different coverage caps, so be sure to check with the company. Service fees are a reasonable $60.
To get a free quote from Select Home Warranty, fill out this online form or call 888-370-3953. Read our review of Select Home Warranty to learn more.
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
In Portage, American Home Shield offers the most customizable home warranty. AHS has over 26 years of experience in the home warranty sector, and has provided excellent customer service at an affordable cost to its customers. 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. AHS has 3 plans for homeowners to decide between.
The plans that AHS offers to homeowners are ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, and ShieldPlatinum. AHS has coverage caps of around $2,500 for most appliances and systems, but some plans may have different coverage caps, so be sure to check with the company. Service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $125.
To get a free quote from American Home Shield, fill out this online form or call 888-365-2839. Read our review of American Home Shield to learn more.
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
In Portage, First American Home Warranty offers the best home warranty for appliance coverage. First American has over 39 years of experience in the home warranty sector, and has provided excellent customer service at an affordable cost to its customers. First American offers very affordable and comprehensive appliance coverage. Plus, it 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 has 2 plans for homeowners to decide between.
The plans that First American offers to homeowners are Basic Plan and Premier Plan. First American has coverage caps of around $1,500 for most appliances and systems, but some plans may have different coverage caps, so be sure to check with the company. Service fees are a reasonable $85.
To get a free quote from First American Home Warranty, fill out this online form or call 833-204-7164. Read our review of First American Home Warranty to learn more.
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
In Portage, Cinch Home Services offers the home warranty with the best workmanship guarantee. Cinch has over 44 years of experience in the home warranty sector, and has provided excellent customer service at an affordable cost to its customers. 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. Cinch has 3 plans for homeowners to decide between.
The plans that Cinch offers to homeowners are Appliances Plan, Built-in Systems Plan, and Complete Home Plan. Cinch has coverage caps of around $1,000-$2,000 for most appliances and systems, but some plans may have different coverage caps, so be sure to check with the company. Service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $150.
To get a free quote from Cinch Home Services, fill out this online form or call 877-589-0505. Read our review of Cinch Home Services to learn more.
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
In Portage, The Home Service Club offers the best home warranty with the quickest service. HSC has over 15 years of experience in the home warranty sector, and has provided excellent customer service at an affordable cost to its customers. 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. HSC has 2 plans for homeowners to decide between.
The plans that HSC offers to homeowners are Standard Coverage Plan and Comprehensive Coverage Plan. HSC has coverage caps of around $2,000 for most appliances and systems, but some plans may have different coverage caps, so be sure to check with the company. Service fees are customizable and range from $65 to $90.
To get a free quote from The Home Service Club, fill out this online form or call 800-750-9443. Read our review of The Home Service Club to learn more.
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 | $6,089 |
| Heating | $4,059 |
| Electrical | $609 |
| Toilets | $507 |
| Washer/Dryer | $812 |
| Plumbing | $609 |
| Oven | $1,624 |
| Fridge | $609 |
A home warranty is a protection plan that helps lower expenses for Portage homeowners needing appliance and system repairs. These plans provide financial coverage to repair or swap out appliances and systems that stop working due to normal wear and tear.
Homeowners submit 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 plan gives homeowners a sense of security because it can help avoid costly emergency repairs. They can be especially helpful for buyers of older homes or homes with systems 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 many home systems and appliances. Typical covered appliances include washers, microwaves, garbage disposals, refrigerators, dishwashers, dryers, and more. Protected systems include electrical, plumbing, heating, and air conditioning. Various home warranty plans offer add-on coverage for roof leaks, central vacuums, septic systems, and even locksmiths. Most home warranty plans require Portage homeowners to refrain from making claims for 30 days before the plan will cover repairs. Additionally, policies typically only cover repairs and replacements due to normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't cover cosmetic issues, pre-existing conditions, natural disasters, or misuse of a system or appliance. To make sure your next repair or replacement is covered, keep up with preventative maintenance.
Home warranties use several terms that you'll want to understand before signing a contract, such as:
When selecting a home warranty provider, there are several important factors to consider:
Home warranty coverage can have major differences in what's included. Most plans provide coverage for AC, plumbing, heating, electrical, and appliances. More inclusive options also include protection for other items such as pools, well pumps, spas, and roof leaks. Look for a provider that offers robust coverage options, including upgraded plans. You want the flexibility to customize coverage to fit your home's specific needs.
You'll pay a service fee, typically $60–100, for each claim filed with your home warranty provider. These fees to accumulate quickly with each claim, so you may look for providers advertising lower service fees to optimize savings on each repair claim. Certain providers may eliminate deductibles after a customer goes a period of time with no claims filed.
A home warranty company's reputation provides insights into factors such as claim approval rates, contractor expertise, repair speed, and customer satisfaction. Look at review sites like TrustPilot, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), or Google Reviews to learn more about providers. Positive reviews and ratings suggest a company known for providing quality service.
Home warranty providers have networks of professionals to handle covered repairs. Larger networks improve the likelihood of getting qualified technicians to service your home ASAP. Reach out to potential providers and ask how many contractors they have in Portage to get a sense of how soon your repairs could be handled in an emergency.
Home warranty companies may include bonuses such as energy efficiency upgrades, maintenance discounts, and coverage for smart home devices. These extras add value beyond repair coverage. Added perks can maximize the usefulness of your home warranty.
Temperatures in Portage 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 Portage, one of the benefits of having a home warranty is knowing that these home systems and major appliances can be covered if they need to be repaired or replaced.
Not only does a home warranty offer some savings, but it also saves you time. If an appliance breaks, the last thing you want to do is find a technician and schedule a repair. A home warranty handles this process by sending trusted professionals to your door when you need them most. Another good thing about having a home warranty is when you’re selling your home, you can most likely transfer your home warranty plan to the new owners. This can make your house more attractive to potential homebuyers and help your home sell faster.
As for the disadvantages of home warranties, home system and appliance coverage varies by provider, so it’s important to understand what each policy covers and doesn’t include in the contract.
Another possible pain point of home warranties is that they don’t cover items that haven’t been properly maintained. This can lead to your repair requests being rejected, so it’s important to make sure you follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for maintenance of your home systems and appliances.
A home warranty policy costs, on average, around $300 to $600 a year in Portage. Our high-rated home warranty providers' most comprehensive coverage options vary from $546 to $840 per year. You can lower your monthly bill with some companies by opting for a higher service fee. In addition, it's often cheaper to pay annually rather than monthly.
Home warranties and home insurance differ in what kinds of damage they cover. Home warranties cover issues with home systems and appliances that need to be repaired or replaced due to normal wear and tear. A home insurance policy is a different insurance that protects the entire home from natural disasters, which might not be too much of a concern in Portage. It doesn't cover a typical appliance or system repairs.
First-time homebuyers, homeowners, home sellers, real estate agents, and landlords are all eligible for home warranty plans. A home warranty can help make your house more attractive to prospective buyers and save you money in the long run.
A home warranty policy can cover your home’s 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 want to save some money.
Generally, a home warranty policy lasts for a year and can be renewed annually. Some companies may offer month-to-month options.
Usually the one who owns the home pays for the home warranty. In some cases, though, the person who is selling the home may purchase a home warranty plan and transfer the policy to the buyer. The new homeowner will then need to pay the service fees when using the policy. Since the average home value in Portage is $255,584, a home warranty can be an added asset when buying a home.
