Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Written By David Cusick
Last Updated February 2024
Hays offers homeowners some great housing options. However, unplanned repair and replacement costs on your home’s systems and appliances can get quite costly. A home warranty is a way to protect your budget from unexpected expenses. With a home warranty in place, your repair costs can be significantly lower and give you some peace of mind.
The home warranty market is saturated with many providers — all with different coverage — so our team at Today's Homeowner has compiled this guide to help you find the best home warranty companies in Hays.
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 Hays, Liberty Home Guard offers the most trustworthy home warranty. Liberty has 3 simple plans, making the selection process quick and easy. When you buy a home warranty 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.
The 3 plans from Liberty Home Guard are Appliance Guard, Systems Guard, and Total Home Guard. The coverage caps associated with Liberty’s plans are close to the $3,000 mark for many major systems and appliances, and service fees are an affordable $75.
For more information on this provider, read our review of Liberty Home Guard. To receive a free quote from Liberty Home Guard, 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 Hays, Choice Home Warranty offers the best overall home warranty. Choice has 2 simple plans, making the selection process quick and easy. When you buy a home warranty 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.
The 2 plans from Choice Home Warranty are Basic Plan and Total Plan. The coverage caps associated with Choice’s plans are close to the $3,000 mark for many major systems and appliances, and service fees are an affordable $85.
For more information on this provider, read our review of Choice Home Warranty. To receive a free quote from Choice Home Warranty, 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 Hays, Select Home Warranty offers the most cost-effective home warranty. Select has 3 simple plans, making the selection process quick and easy. When you buy a home warranty 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.
The 3 plans from Select Home Warranty are Bronze Care Plan, Gold Care Plan, and Platinum Care Plan. The coverage caps associated with Select’s plans are close to the $2,000 mark for many major systems and appliances, and service fees are a reasonable $60.
For more information on this provider, read our review of Select Home Warranty. To receive a free quote from Select Home Warranty, 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 Hays, American Home Shield offers the most customizable home warranty. AHS has 3 simple plans, making the selection process quick and easy. When you buy a home warranty 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.
The 3 plans from American Home Shield are ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, and ShieldPlatinum. The coverage caps associated with AHS’s plans are close to the $2,500 mark for many major systems and appliances, and service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $125.
For more information on this provider, read our review of American Home Shield. To receive a free quote from American Home Shield, 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 Hays, First American Home Warranty offers the best home warranty for appliance coverage. First American has 2 simple plans, making the selection process quick and easy. When you buy a home warranty 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.
The 2 plans from First American Home Warranty are Basic Plan and Premier Plan. The coverage caps associated with First American’s plans are close to the $1,500 mark for many major systems and appliances, and service fees are a reasonable $85.
For more information on this provider, read our review of First American Home Warranty. To receive a free quote from First American Home Warranty, 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 Hays, Cinch Home Services offers the home warranty with the best workmanship guarantee. Cinch has 3 simple plans, making the selection process quick and easy. When you buy a home warranty 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.
The 3 plans from Cinch Home Services are Appliances Plan, Built-in Systems Plan, and Complete Home Plan. The coverage caps associated with Cinch’s plans are close to the $1,000-$2,000 mark for many major systems and appliances, and service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $150.
For more information on this provider, read our review of Cinch Home Services. To receive a free quote from Cinch Home Services, 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 Hays, The Home Service Club offers the best home warranty with the quickest service. HSC has 2 simple plans, making the selection process quick and easy. When you buy a home warranty 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 2 plans from The Home Service Club are Standard Coverage Plan and Comprehensive Coverage Plan. The coverage caps associated with HSC’s plans are close to the $2,000 mark for many major systems and appliances, and service fees are customizable and range from $65 to $90.
For more information on this provider, read our review of The Home Service Club. To receive a free quote from The Home Service Club, 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 | $5,812 |
| Heating | $3,875 |
| Electrical | $581 |
| Toilets | $484 |
| Washer/Dryer | $775 |
| Plumbing | $581 |
| Oven | $1,550 |
| Fridge | $581 |
A home warranty is a protection policy that helps Hays homeowners reduce the costs of appliance and system repairs. The plans provide coverage to fix or swap out 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 fix or replacement. Homeowners may have out-of-pocket costs only if the cost of repair or replacement exceeds the item's coverage limit. A home warranty gives homeowners reassurance, as it helps avoid high-priced emergency repairs. The coverage is particularly helpful for those living in older houses or houses with systems near the end of their life span. However, homeowners with newer homes and modern appliances might not need a home warranty.
Home warranties cover many household systems and appliances. Common covered appliances include dryers, garbage disposals, refrigerators, dishwashers, microwaves, washers, and others. Covered systems include air conditioning, heating, plumbing, and electrical. Various home warranty plans offer additional coverage for central vacuums, septic systems, roof leaks, and even locksmiths. Most home warranty plans require Hays homeowners to refrain from making claims for 30 days before the plan will cover repairs. Moreover, policies typically only cover repairs and replacements due to normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't cover pre-existing conditions, cosmetic issues, natural disasters, or misusing a system or appliance. To make sure your next repair or replacement is covered, keep up with preventative maintenance.
Home warranty contracts use several terms that you'll want to understand before signing, such as:
When you're deciding on a home warranty provider, there are several key things to take into account:
Home warranty coverage varies, although most plans provide coverage for AC, heating, plumbing, electrical, and appliances. More inclusive plans may also provide protection for other things such as well pumps, roof leaks, spas, and pools. Look for companies with flexible coverage choices, including upgraded plans. This helps you tailor protection to your home's 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 more affordable fees to optimize savings on each repair claim. Certain companies may waive deductibles when a homeowner submits no claims in a defined period.
A home warranty company's reputation provides insight into things such as timeliness of repairs, claim approval rates, contractor quality, and overall customer satisfaction. Look at third-party review sites such as Google Reviews, TrustPilot, or the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to research companies. Complimentary reviews and ratings indicate a provider known for stellar service.
Home warranty companies have networks of contractors that they use to tackle covered repairs. More extensive networks raise the likelihood of getting qualified contractors to your home quickly. Reach out to possible providers to find out how many contractors they have in Hays. This helps you understand how long repairs may take in an urgent situation.
Some home warranty companies offer bonuses such as energy efficiency upgrades, maintenance discounts, and smart home device protection. These add value beyond repair coverage. Added bonuses help maximize the usefulness of the home warranty.
Hays’s hot summers can put a strain on a home’s HVAC system. Whether it’s summer or winter, a home warranty will cover your home’s appliances and systems in the event they need to be repaired or replaced. For example, if your air conditioner breaks down in the middle of July, a home warranty can cover the necessary repairs, saving you from spending unexpected money out of pocket.
Not only does a home warranty offer some financial relief, but it also saves you time. If an appliance breaks down, the last thing you want to do is find a contractor and schedule a repair. A home warranty handles this process by sending trusted professionals to your door when you need them most. A home warranty can also yield value in other ways. For instance, some plans can be transferred to another owner when you sell your home.
There are also some drawbacks to buying a home warranty policy, like the coverage exclusions. For example, home warranties may not cover home systems or appliances that already have a manufacturer's warranty.
Another drawback is that home warranties may not include some repairs, such as those needed because of natural disasters. For example, if your house floods, the affected systems and appliances most likely won’t be covered by the home warranty.
A home warranty in Hays can cost anywhere from $30 to $60 a month. The higher-priced plans typically have a lower service fee, higher coverage limits, and broader coverage. This cost is often lower if you pay annually instead of monthly. Some companies will also lower your up-front costs when you opt for a higher service fee.
The difference between a home warranty and homeowner's insurance lies in what types of damage each covers. A home warranty covers normal wear and tear to home systems and appliances. Homeowners insurance protects the entire home in case of something such as a natural disaster or fire. With homeowners insurance, you won't be able to file a claim if you need a new washing machine or stove, unless the damage is due to a natural disaster, which isn't that common in Hays.
First-time homebuyers, real estate agents, landlords, homeowners, and home sellers can all get 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 Hays include plans that cover either appliances or systems as well as combination plans. A combination plan will cover many of your systems and appliances, including your refrigerator, washing machine, and plumbing. An appliance or system plan will cover only the items listed in the policy.
Generally, a home warranty offers coverage for a year and can be renewed annually. Some providers may offer month-to-month options.
Usually, the homeowner is responsible for paying the premium and service fees. However, when buying a new home, sometimes the seller will pay for the policy. This can then be transferred to the new homeowner, who will pay the service fees. In Hays, where the median value of a home is $235,111, having the seller pay for the home warranty can save you some money on your new home.
