Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Written By David Cusick
Last Updated April 2024
As much as you may love owning a home in West Des Moines, there's always that fear about whether your appliances and systems are going to make it through the next few years. A home warranty can offer you the peace of mind you need and protect your bank account from large expenses by covering your home’s major systems and appliances.
Finding the best warranty for your home can be challenging, so our team at Today's Homeowner has done the research to help you find the best home warranty companies in West Des Moines. Read on for our top provider 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
In West Des Moines, Liberty Home Guard is the most trustworthy home warranty. With a home warranty from Liberty, you can enjoy 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 home warranty plans that Liberty offers include options for appliance and system coverage.
Liberty Home Guard has 3 plans that offer 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 for each covered system or appliance.
Read our review of Liberty Home Guard to learn more. 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
In West Des Moines, Choice Home Warranty is the best overall home warranty. With a home warranty from Choice, you can enjoy 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 home warranty plans that Choice offers include options for appliance and system coverage.
Choice Home Warranty has 2 plans that offer 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 for each covered system or appliance.
Read our review of Choice Home Warranty to learn more. 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
In West Des Moines, Select Home Warranty is the most cost-effective home warranty. With a home warranty from Select, you can enjoy 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 home warranty plans that Select offers include options for appliance and system coverage.
Select Home Warranty has 3 plans that offer 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 for each covered system or appliance.
Read our review of Select Home Warranty to learn more. 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
In West Des Moines, American Home Shield is the most customizable home warranty. With a home warranty from AHS, you can enjoy 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 home warranty plans that AHS offers include options for appliance and system coverage.
American Home Shield has 3 plans that offer 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 for each covered system or appliance.
Read our review of American Home Shield to learn more. To receive 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
In West Des Moines, First American Home Warranty is the best home warranty for appliance coverage. With a home warranty from First American, you can enjoy 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. The 2 home warranty plans that First American offers include options for appliance and system coverage.
First American Home Warranty has 2 plans that offer 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 for each covered system or appliance.
Read our review of First American Home Warranty to learn more. To receive 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
In West Des Moines, Cinch Home Services is the home warranty with the best workmanship guarantee. With a home warranty from Cinch, you can enjoy 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 home warranty plans that Cinch offers include options for appliance and system coverage.
Cinch Home Services has 3 plans that offer 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 for each covered system or appliance.
Read our review of Cinch Home Services to learn more. 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
In West Des Moines, The Home Service Club is the best home warranty with the quickest service. With a home warranty from HSC, you can enjoy 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 home warranty plans that HSC offers include options for appliance and system coverage.
The Home Service Club has 2 plans that offer 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 for each covered system or appliance.
Read our review of The Home Service Club to learn more. 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 | $6,090 |
| Heating | $4,060 |
| Electrical | $609 |
| Toilets | $508 |
| Washer/Dryer | $812 |
| Plumbing | $609 |
| Oven | $1,624 |
| Fridge | $609 |
A home warranty is a protection plan that assists West Des Moines homeowners cut the costs of appliance and system repairs. The plans provide coverage to repair or swap out appliances and systems that break down due to normal wear and tear.
When something breaks down, you file a claim and pay a service fee. The home warranty company then arranges a contractor to handle the repair or replacement. Homeowners may have out-of-pocket costs only if the repair or replacement goes over the item's coverage limit. A home warranty provides peace of mind for homeowners by helping them prevent 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 protect your home systems and appliances. Common covered appliances are dishwashers, refrigerators, garbage disposals, microwaves, dryers, washers, and more. Included systems are normally heating, plumbing, air conditioning, and electrical. Many home warranty providers offer add-on coverage for septic systems, locksmiths, roof leaks, and central vacuums. West Des Moines homeowners should know that most home warranty plans begin with a 30-day waiting period before repairs are covered. What's more, most policies only cover the cost of repairs and replacements resulting from normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't include pre-existing conditions, natural disasters, cosmetic issues, or misuse of a system or appliance. Remember to keep up with preventative maintenance to help ensure your next repair or replacement is covered.
Before signing a home warranty contract, you should understand key terms like:
When you're deciding on a home warranty provider, there are several key things to take into account:
Home warranty plans vary widely in what they include. Most plans provide protection for electrical, heating, plumbing, AC, and appliances. More robust plans also include coverage for other items such as well pumps, spas, pools, and roof leaks. Focus on companies with an expansive array of coverage choices including upgraded plans. Flexibility like this will help you customize your plan to meet your home's 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 more affordable fees to maximize your savings on each claim. Some providers also offer disappearing deductibles for customers who don't file any claims over a certain timespan.
A home warranty company's reputation provides insights into factors such as claim approval rates, repair speed, contractor expertise, and customer satisfaction. Read through review sites like the Better Business Bureau (BBB), Google Reviews, or TrustPilot to learn more about providers. Good feedback and ratings suggest a company known for providing quality service.
Home warranty providers have networks of contractors to handle covered repairs. More extensive networks raise the probability of getting qualified technicians to promptly service your home. Contact potential providers to find out how many contractors they have in West Des Moines to get a sense of how soon your repairs could happen in an emergency.
Certain home warranty companies provide perks such as discounts on maintenance, energy-efficient upgrades, and protection for smart home devices. These provide extra value beyond repair coverage. Extra perks enhance your home and maximize your home warranty.
Temperatures in West Des Moines 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 West Des Moines, one of the benefits of having a home warranty is knowing 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 hassle of trying to find a qualified contractor to visit your home. Home warranties usually have a network of pre-vetted contractors who can handle any repair problems you may experience. In addition, though home warranty companies vary, some providers will allow you to transfer your warranty if you sell your home. This can make your house more attractive to potential homebuyers and maybe even help your home sell faster.
One downside of buying a home warranty is that there are generally exclusions. For instance, if one of your appliances already has a manufacturer's warranty, it may not be covered under the home warranty, so it’s important to read over the contracts you’re considering thoroughly to understand what is included and what isn’t.
Another pain point of home warranties is that they don’t cover items that haven’t been properly maintained. This can lead to your claims being denied, so it’s important to carefully follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for maintenance of your home systems and appliances.
A home warranty in West Des Moines can cost anywhere from $30 to $60 a month. Higher-priced plans typically have broader coverage, higher coverage limits, and a lower service fee. This cost is often lower if you pay annually instead of monthly. Some providers will also reduce your up-front costs when you agree to a higher service fee.
The difference between a home warranty and homeowner's insurance lies in what kinds of damage each covers. A home warranty plan protects against normal wear and tear to systems and appliances in a home. A homeowners insurance plan protects a home in case of a situation such as a fire or natural disaster. With homeowners insurance, you will not be able to file a claim if you need a new dryer or stove, unless the damage is a result of a natural disaster, which isn't that common in West Des Moines.
A home warranty policy can help homebuyers, real estate agents, homeowners, home sellers, and investors. It can offer peace of mind and savings to anyone involved in homeownership.
The different types of home warranties in West Des Moines include plans that cover either appliances or systems as well as combination plans. A combination plan covers many of your systems and appliances, including your refrigerator, washing machine, and plumbing. A plan that only covers appliances or systems will cover only the items mentioned in the contract.
Generally, a home warranty plan offers coverage for a year and can be renewed yearly. Some companies may offer month-to-month plans.
Usually, the homeowner is the one who pays the premium and service fees. However, when buying a new home, sometimes the seller will pay for the policy. This can then be given to the new homeowner, who will pay the service fees. In West Des Moines, where the median home value is $296,501, having the seller pay for the home warranty can be a good asset for your new home.
