Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Written By David Cusick
Last Updated February 2024
With a variety of seasons in Cedar Falls, your home systems can go through quite a bit of wear and tear. There’s nothing worse than having your heater go out in the middle of winter. A home warranty policy can help protect homeowners by cutting the costs of major repairs and replacements on your home’s most important appliances and systems.
Finding the right protection for your home can be time-consuming, so our team at Today's Homeowner has compiled this guide to help you find the best home warranty companies in Cedar Falls. Read on for our home warranty 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 for Cedar Falls residents. Liberty has more than 6 years of industry experience and in that time has built a impressive network of service professionals in the country. 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 simple plans, making the selection process quick and easy.
Liberty Home Guard offers 3 plans for Cedar Falls homeowners. The Appliance Guard, Systems Guard, and Total Home Guard are the options they have, which contain a mix of system and appliance coverage. Liberty’s service fees are an affordable $75, and the coverage caps come out to around $3,000 per covered appliance or system.
To get a free quote from Liberty Home Guard, you can fill out this online form or call 866-451-2281. Read our thorough 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
Choice Home Warranty offers the best overall home warranty for Cedar Falls residents. Choice has more than 15 years of industry experience and in that time has built a impressive network of service professionals in the country. 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 simple plans, making the selection process quick and easy.
Choice Home Warranty offers 2 plans for Cedar Falls homeowners. The Basic Plan and Total Plan are the options they have, which contain a mix of system and appliance coverage. Choice’s service fees are an affordable $85, and the coverage caps come out to around $3,000 per covered appliance or system.
To get a free quote from Choice Home Warranty, you can fill out this online form or call 929-400-6164. Read our thorough 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
Select Home Warranty offers the most cost-effective home warranty for Cedar Falls residents. Select has more than 11 years of industry experience and in that time has built a impressive network of service professionals in the country. 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 simple plans, making the selection process quick and easy.
Select Home Warranty offers 3 plans for Cedar Falls 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. Select’s service fees are a reasonable $60, and the coverage caps come out to around $2,000 per covered appliance or system.
To get a free quote from Select Home Warranty, you can fill out this online form or call 888-370-3953. Read our thorough 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
American Home Shield offers the most customizable home warranty for Cedar Falls residents. AHS has more than 26 years of industry experience and in that time has built a impressive network of service professionals in the country. 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 simple plans, making the selection process quick and easy.
American Home Shield offers 3 plans for Cedar Falls homeowners. The ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, and ShieldPlatinum are the options they have, which contain 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 around $2,500 per covered appliance or system.
To get a free quote from American Home Shield, you can fill out this online form or call 888-365-2839. Read our thorough 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
First American Home Warranty offers the best home warranty for appliance coverage for Cedar Falls residents. First American has more than 39 years of industry experience and in that time has built a impressive network of service professionals in the country. 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 simple plans, making the selection process quick and easy.
First American Home Warranty offers 2 plans for Cedar Falls homeowners. The Basic Plan and Premier Plan are the options they have, which contain a mix of system and appliance coverage. First American’s service fees are a reasonable $85, and the coverage caps come out to around $1,500 per covered appliance or system.
To get a free quote from First American Home Warranty, you can fill out this online form or call 833-204-7164. Read our thorough 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
Cinch Home Services offers the home warranty with the best workmanship guarantee for Cedar Falls residents. Cinch has more than 44 years of industry experience and in that time has built a impressive network of service professionals in the country. 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 simple plans, making the selection process quick and easy.
Cinch Home Services offers 3 plans for Cedar Falls 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. Cinch’s service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $150, and the coverage caps come out to around $1,000-$2,000 per covered appliance or system.
To get a free quote from Cinch Home Services, you can fill out this online form or call 877-589-0505. Read our thorough 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
The Home Service Club offers the best home warranty with the quickest service for Cedar Falls residents. HSC has more than 15 years of industry experience and in that time has built a impressive network of service professionals in the country. 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 simple plans, making the selection process quick and easy.
The Home Service Club offers 2 plans for Cedar Falls homeowners. The Standard Coverage Plan and Comprehensive Coverage Plan are the options they have, which contain 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 around $2,000 per covered appliance or system.
To get a free quote from The Home Service Club, you can fill out this online form or call 800-750-9443. Read our thorough 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 | $5,978 |
| Heating | $3,985 |
| Electrical | $598 |
| Toilets | $498 |
| Washer/Dryer | $797 |
| Plumbing | $598 |
| Oven | $1,594 |
| Fridge | $598 |
A home warranty is a protection policy that assists Cedar Falls homeowners in reducing the expenses of appliance and system repairs. The plans provide coverage to replace or repair appliances and systems that stop working due to normal wear and tear.
When something breaks down, you file a claim and pay a service fee. The home warranty provider then finds a contractor to handle the replacement or fix. Homeowners may have out-of-pocket costs only if the repair or replacement costs exceed the item's coverage limit. A home warranty gives peace of mind for homeowners by helping them prevent expensive emergency repairs. They're particularly valuable for those who live in older homes or ones with aging systems. Newer builds with modern fixtures probably don’t require a home warranty.
Home warranties protect your home's systems and appliances. Typical covered appliances include microwaves, refrigerators, dishwashers, washers, garbage disposals, dryers, and others. Covered systems include heating, electrical, plumbing, and air conditioning. Many home warranty plans offer add-on coverage for central vacuums, septic systems, roof leaks, and even locksmiths. Cedar Falls 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 needed due to normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't cover things like cosmetic issues, pre-existing conditions, natural disasters, or improper use of a system or appliance. It's important to keep up with preventative maintenance to ensure that your next repair or replacement will be covered by your policy.
Before signing a home warranty contract, you should understand key terms like:
There are several key considerations when choosing a home warranty provider:
Home warranty policies can have major differences in covered items. Most plans provide protection for plumbing, heating, AC, electrical, and appliances. More comprehensive options also include coverage for other items such as well pumps, spas, roof leaks, and pools. Focus on companies with wide-ranging coverage selections including upgraded plans. Flexibility like this will help you customize protection for your home's needs.
Homeowners should anticipate paying a $60–100 service fee when filing home warranty claims. These per-claim costs can add up, so some homeowners prefer using companies with lower service fees to maximize savings. Some companies also offer disappearing deductibles when a homeowner goes a defined period without any repair requests.
A home warranty company's reputation provides insights into factors such as contractor expertise, repair speed, claim approval rates, and customer satisfaction. Read through review sites like TrustPilot, Google Reviews, or the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to learn more about providers. Good feedback and ratings suggest a company known for quality service.
Home warranty companies maintain networks of local contractors to handle repairs in your area. Contact potential providers to find out how many repair technicians they have in Cedar Falls and get an idea for how quickly your repairs might happen in an emergency situation. Bigger networks improve the probability of getting qualified contractors to promptly service your home.
Some home warranty providers include bonuses such as energy efficiency upgrades, smart home device protection, and maintenance discounts. These perks can add value beyond repair coverage. Added bonuses maximize the usefulness of your home warranty.
Since temperatures in Cedar Falls can be quite cold in the winter, the weather can put a lot of strain on your HVAC system. Purchasing a home warranty policy can help homeowners save money if one of these systems or appliances breaks unexpectedly.
Not only can a home warranty save you some money on repairs and replacements, it saves you time too. Instead of vetting contractors on your own, home warranty companies do the work for you and send a contractor from their network right to your door when you need them. Additionally, though home warranty companies vary, some providers will let you transfer your warranty if you sell your home. This can make your property more attractive to potential homebuyers and help your home sell faster.
One disadvantage of a home warranty is that there are usually exclusions. For instance, if you already have a manufacturer's warranty on one of your appliances, it may not be included in the home warranty, so it’s important to read through any contracts you’re considering carefully to understand what is included and what isn’t.
Another thing to consider is that some providers don’t cover pre-existing damage and may require an inspection before coverage begins. Ask the home warranty provider for clarification about it if you need more information or if this is an issue for you.
A home warranty in Cedar Falls can cost between $30 and $60 a month. Higher-priced plans typically have higher coverage limits, a lower service fee, and broader coverage. This cost is often lower if you pay annually instead of monthly. Some providers will also reduce your up-front costs when you opt for a higher service fee.
Home warranties and home insurance differ in what sorts of damage they cover. Home warranties cover problems with home systems and appliances that need repairs or replacements due to normal wear and tear. A home insurance policy is a different plan that protects an entire home from natural disasters, which might not be too much of a concern in Cedar Falls. It doesn't cover a typical appliance or system breakage.
A home warranty can help homebuyers, homeowners, investors, home sellers, and real estate agents. It can offer peace of mind and savings to anyone involved in homeownership.
The different types of home warranties in Cedar Falls include plans that cover either appliances or systems as well as combination plans. A combination plan will cover almost all your systems and appliances, including your refrigerator, washing machine, and heating and cooling systems. A plan that only covers appliances or systems will cover only the specific items mentioned in the plan.
Generally, a home warranty offers coverage for a year and can be renewed annually. Some providers may offer month-to-month plans.
Usually the one who owns the home pays for the home warranty. In some cases, though, the home seller may buy a home warranty policy and transfer the policy to the buyer. The new homeowner will then have to pay the service fees when using the policy. Considering that the average home value in Cedar Falls is $234,647, a home warranty can save you some money when buying a home.
