Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Written By David Cusick
Last Updated February 2024
Homeownership in Independence can be exciting for many, but it also comes with its fair share of difficulties. Updating your home’s systems and appliances can be an unexpected financial burden for many homeowners. A home warranty can help protect homebuyers and current homeowners by covering major repairs and replacements on your home’s most important systems and appliances.
Finding the best home warranty on the market can be time-consuming, since there are dozens of companies to choose from. That’s why our team at Today's Homeowner did the research and put together a list of the best home warranty companies in Independence 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 for Independence residents. Liberty is a home warranty company with 6 years of experience in the industry, and it has established itself as one of the best providers in the business. If you’re looking for a seamless complaint process and guaranteed service professionalism upon every repair visit, this is the provider for you. Plus, it has a 60-day workmanship guarantee and some of the best customer service in the industry. Liberty has 3 plans for you to decide between.
The 3 plans from Liberty Home Guard are Appliance Guard, Systems Guard, and Total Home Guard. The coverage caps from Liberty are around $3,000. The service fees are an affordable $75, which is less than other providers in the Independence area.
To get a free quote from Liberty Home Guard, you can fill out this online form or call 866-451-2281. For more information on this provider, read our Liberty Home Guard full review.
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 for Independence residents. Choice is a home warranty company with 15 years of experience in the industry, and it has established itself as one of the best providers in the business. If you’re looking for very high coverage caps and simple-to-understand service contracts, this is the provider for you. Plus, it has great customer service, professional contractors, and lower out-of-pocket costs compared to other home warranties. Choice has 2 plans for you to decide between.
The 2 plans from Choice Home Warranty are Basic Plan and Total Plan. The coverage caps from Choice are around $3,000. The service fees are an affordable $85, which is less than other providers in the Independence area.
To get a free quote from Choice Home Warranty, you can fill out this online form or call 929-400-6164. For more information on this provider, read our Choice Home Warranty full review.
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 for Independence residents. Select is a home warranty company with 11 years of experience in the industry, and it has established itself as one of the best providers in the business. If you’re looking for a highly affordable service fee and free roof coverage upon purchase of a policy plan, this is the provider for you. Plus, it has an extensive network of highly trained professionals all over the country who are experts in home maintenance. Select has 3 plans for you to decide between.
The 3 plans from Select Home Warranty are Bronze Care Plan, Gold Care Plan, and Platinum Care Plan. The coverage caps from Select are around $2,000. The service fees are a reasonable $60, which is less than other providers in the Independence area.
To get a free quote from Select Home Warranty, you can fill out this online form or call 888-370-3953. For more information on this provider, read our Select Home Warranty full review.
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 for Independence residents. AHS is a home warranty company with 26 years of experience in the industry, and it has established itself as one of the best providers in the business. If you’re looking for the ability to customize your plan with the coverages that work specifically for your home, this is the provider for you. Plus, it has a remarkably low claim denial rate in comparison to other home warranty companies. AHS has 3 plans for you to decide between.
The 3 plans from American Home Shield are ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, and ShieldPlatinum. The coverage caps from AHS are around $2,500. The service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $125, which is less than other providers in the Independence area.
To get a free quote from American Home Shield, you can fill out this online form or call 888-365-2839. For more information on this provider, read our American Home Shield full review.
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 for Independence residents. First American is a home warranty company with 39 years of experience in the industry, and it has established itself as one of the best providers in the business. If you’re looking for very affordable and comprehensive appliance coverage, this is the provider for you. Plus, 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. First American has 2 plans for you to decide between.
The 2 plans from First American Home Warranty are Basic Plan and Premier Plan. The coverage caps from First American are around $1,500. The service fees are a reasonable $85, which is less than other providers in the Independence area.
To get a free quote from First American Home Warranty, you can fill out this online form or call 833-204-7164. For more information on this provider, read our First American Home Warranty full review.
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 for Independence residents. Cinch is a home warranty company with 44 years of experience in the industry, and it has established itself as one of the best providers in the business. If you’re looking for a 180-day workmanship guarantee that ensures your home systems and appliance repairs will be professionally done, this is the provider for you. Plus, it has a broad range of coverage options that will give homeowners peace of mind. Cinch has 3 plans for you to decide between.
The 3 plans from Cinch Home Services are Appliances Plan, Built-in Systems Plan, and Complete Home Plan. The coverage caps from Cinch are around $1,000-$2,000. The service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $150, which is less than other providers in the Independence area.
To get a free quote from Cinch Home Services, you can fill out this online form or call 877-589-0505. For more information on this provider, read our Cinch Home Services full review.
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 for Independence residents. HSC is a home warranty company with 15 years of experience in the industry, and it has established itself as one of the best providers in the business. If you’re looking for quick coverage where the home warranty goes into effect just ten days after you pay for the plan, instead of the typical 30 days, this is the provider for you. Plus, it 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 you to decide between.
The 2 plans from The Home Service Club are Standard Coverage Plan and Comprehensive Coverage Plan. The coverage caps from HSC are around $2,000. The service fees are customizable and range from $65 to $90, which is less than other providers in the Independence area.
To get a free quote from The Home Service Club, you can fill out this online form or call 800-750-9443. For more information on this provider, read our The Home Service Club full review.
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 | $5,756 |
| Heating | $3,837 |
| Electrical | $576 |
| Toilets | $480 |
| Washer/Dryer | $767 |
| Plumbing | $576 |
| Oven | $1,535 |
| Fridge | $576 |
A home warranty is a protection policy that helps Independence homeowners in lowering the costs of appliance and system repairs. The plans provide financial coverage to replace or repair appliances and systems that break down due to normal wear and tear.
When something stops working, you submit a claim and pay a service fee. The home warranty company then finds a contractor to handle the replacement or repair. Homeowners may have out-of-pocket costs only if the repair or replacement costs go over the item's coverage limit. A home warranty policy gives homeowners a sense of security because it can help avoid expensive emergency repairs. They can be especially helpful for buyers of older homes or homes with appliances near the end of their life span. However, newer homes with modern appliances and fixtures may not need a home warranty.
Home warranties protect your home systems and appliances. Common appliances covered include microwaves, dryers, refrigerators, dishwashers, garbage disposals, washers, and more. Covered systems are usually plumbing, air conditioning, electrical, and heating. Many home warranty providers offer add-on coverage for septic systems, locksmiths, roof leaks, and central vacuums. Most home warranty plans require Independence homeowners to refrain from making claims for 30 days before they can use the policy to pay for repairs. Moreover, policies usually 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 help ensure your next repair or replacement is covered, keep up with preventative maintenance.
Here are some key home warranty words to learn before signing a contract:
When you're deciding on a home warranty provider, there are several important things to take into account:
Home warranties differ greatly in the items covered. Basic policies typically include heating, AC, electrical, plumbing, and appliances, while more comprehensive plans may also cover spas, well pumps, roof leaks, and pools. Look for companies with a diverse range of coverage options, including upgraded plans. This helps you tailor protection to your 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 costs from multiple fees can add up. You may decide to look for providers with lower service fees to maximize your savings on each claim. Some companies also offer disappearing deductibles if a homeowner doesn't submit claims for repairs for a specified period of time.
A home warranty company's reputation can give you insight into things such as approval rates, repair timeliness, contractor quality, and customer satisfaction. Use review platforms such as TrustPilot, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), or Google Reviews to research companies. Good ratings and feedback indicate a provider known for exceptional service.
Home warranty companies have networks of professionals that they use to tackle covered repairs. Larger networks improve the likelihood of getting qualified contractors to your home swiftly. Contact possible providers to ask how many repair professionals they have in Independence to understand how long repairs may take in an urgent situation.
Some home warranty companies provide extras such as maintenance discounts, smart home device protection, and energy efficiency upgrades. These can add value beyond just repair coverage. Added bonuses maximize the usefulness of the home warranty.
Since temperatures in Independence can easily reach 100 degrees, the extreme weather can put a lot of strain on your air conditioner. Purchasing a home warranty plan 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 researching and selecting a repair person 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 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 systems or appliances that are already covered by a manufacturer's warranty.
Another drawback is that home warranties may not include some repairs, like those due to 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 plan costs, on average, around $300 to $600 a year in Independence. Our high-rated home warranty companies' most comprehensive coverage options vary from $546 to $840 per year. You can reduce your monthly bill with some companies by opting for a higher service fee. Additionally, 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 plan protects against normal wear and tear to systems and appliances in a home. A homeowners insurance plan protects your entire home in a situation such as a natural disaster or fire. Under homeowners insurance, you will not be able to file a claim should you need a new washing machine or dishwasher, unless the damage is due to a natural disaster, which is somewhat common in Independence.
Homebuyers, real estate agents, home sellers, homeowners, and landlords are all eligible for home warranty plans. A home warranty can help make your home more appealing to prospective buyers and save you money in the long run.
The different kinds of home warranties in Independence include plans with coverage for either appliances or systems as well as combination plans. A combination plan will cover many of your home systems and appliances, including your washing machine, drier, and plumbing. A plan that only covers appliances or systems will cover only the items mentioned in the contract.
Home warranty plans typically last a year. Many companies let you renew your plan yearly, and some offer month-to-month plans as well.
Typically, the one who owns the home pays for the home warranty. In some cases, though, the one selling the home may buy a home warranty 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 Independence is $96,443, a home warranty can be an added asset when buying a home.
