Written By David Cusick
Last Updated February 2024
Homeownership in Kansas City can be gratifying for many people, but it also comes with its fair share of challenges. Updating your home’s systems and appliances can be an unexpected financial burden for many homeowners. A home warranty in Kansas City can help bring down your out-of-pocket costs by covering repairs or replacements to major home appliances and systems that break down due to normal wear and tear.
The home warranty market has many providers — all with different plans — so the Today's Homeowner team has compiled this guide to help you choose the best home warranty companies in Kansas City.
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 Kansas City residents. Liberty is a home warranty provider with 6 years of experience in the industry, and it has established itself as one of the best providers in the business. Liberty offers 3 plans for homeowners to decide between. If you’re looking for a seamless complaint process and guaranteed service professionalism upon every repair visit, Liberty is the perfect provider for you. Plus, it has a 60-day workmanship guarantee and some of the best customer service in the industry.
The plans that Liberty offers to homeowners are Appliance Guard, Systems Guard, and Total Home Guard. Liberty’s service fees are an affordable $75, and the coverage caps come out to about $3,000 per covered appliance or system.
To get a free quote from Liberty Home Guard, fill out this online form or call 866-451-2281. To read more, visit our detailed review of Liberty Home Guard.
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 Kansas City residents. Choice is a home warranty provider with 15 years of experience in the industry, and it has established itself as one of the best providers in the business. Choice offers 2 plans for homeowners to decide between. If you’re looking for very high coverage caps and simple-to-understand service contracts, Choice is the perfect provider for you. Plus, it has great customer service, professional contractors, and lower out-of-pocket costs compared to other home warranties.
The plans that Choice offers to homeowners are Basic Plan and Total Plan. Choice’s service fees are an affordable $85, and the coverage caps come out to about $3,000 per covered appliance or system.
To get a free quote from Choice Home Warranty, fill out this online form or call 929-400-6164. To read more, visit our detailed review of Choice Home Warranty.
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 Kansas City residents. Select is a home warranty provider with 11 years of experience in the industry, and it has established itself as one of the best providers in the business. Select offers 3 plans for homeowners to decide between. If you’re looking for a highly affordable service fee and free roof coverage upon purchase of a policy plan, Select is the perfect provider for you. Plus, it has an extensive network of highly trained professionals all over the country who are experts in home maintenance.
The plans that Select offers to homeowners are Bronze Care Plan, Gold Care Plan, and Platinum Care Plan. Select’s service fees are a reasonable $60, and the coverage caps come out to about $2,000 per covered appliance or system.
To get a free quote from Select Home Warranty, fill out this online form or call 888-370-3953. To read more, visit our detailed review of Select Home Warranty.
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 Kansas City residents. AHS is a home warranty provider with 26 years of experience in the industry, and it has established itself as one of the best providers in the business. AHS offers 3 plans for homeowners to decide between. If you’re looking for the ability to customize your plan with the coverages that work specifically for your home, AHS is the perfect provider for you. Plus, it has a remarkably low claim denial rate in comparison to other home warranty companies.
The plans that AHS offers to homeowners are ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, and ShieldPlatinum. AHS’s service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $125, and the coverage caps come out to about $2,500 per covered appliance or system.
To get a free quote from American Home Shield, fill out this online form or call 888-365-2839. To read more, visit our detailed review of American Home Shield.
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 Kansas City residents. First American is a home warranty provider with 39 years of experience in the industry, and it has established itself as one of the best providers in the business. First American offers 2 plans for homeowners to decide between. If you’re looking for very affordable and comprehensive appliance coverage, First American is the perfect 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.
The plans that First American offers to homeowners are Basic Plan and Premier Plan. First American’s service fees are a reasonable $85, and the coverage caps come out to about $1,500 per covered appliance or system.
To get a free quote from First American Home Warranty, fill out this online form or call 833-204-7164. To read more, visit our detailed review of First American Home Warranty.
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 Kansas City residents. Cinch is a home warranty provider with 44 years of experience in the industry, and it has established itself as one of the best providers in the business. Cinch offers 3 plans for homeowners to decide between. If you’re looking for a 180-day workmanship guarantee that ensures your home systems and appliance repairs will be professionally done, Cinch is the perfect provider for you. Plus, it has a broad range of coverage options that will give homeowners peace of mind.
The plans that Cinch offers to homeowners are Appliances Plan, Built-in Systems Plan, and Complete Home Plan. Cinch’s service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $150, and the coverage caps come out to about $1,000-$2,000 per covered appliance or system.
To get a free quote from Cinch Home Services, fill out this online form or call 877-589-0505. To read more, visit our detailed review of Cinch Home Services.
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 Kansas City residents. HSC is a home warranty provider with 15 years of experience in the industry, and it has established itself as one of the best providers in the business. HSC offers 2 plans for homeowners to decide between. 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, HSC is the perfect 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.
The plans that HSC offers to homeowners are Standard Coverage Plan and Comprehensive Coverage Plan. HSC’s service fees are customizable and range from $65 to $90, and the coverage caps come out to about $2,000 per covered appliance or system.
To get a free quote from The Home Service Club, fill out this online form or call 800-750-9443. To read more, visit our detailed review of The Home Service Club.
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 | $6,019 |
Heating | $4,013 |
Electrical | $602 |
Toilets | $502 |
Washer/Dryer | $803 |
Plumbing | $602 |
Oven | $1,605 |
Fridge | $602 |
A home warranty is a protection policy that helps cut costs for Kansas City homeowners needing appliance and system repairs. These plans provide coverage to fix or swap out appliances and systems that break due to normal wear and tear.
Homeowners file a claim and pay a service fee when something breaks. The home warranty company then finds a contractor to make the repair or replacement. The only time you may pay out-of-pocket is if the cost of the repair or replacement exceeds the item's coverage limit. A home warranty gives peace of mind to homeowners, as it helps prevent expensive emergency repairs. Home warranties are the most useful for older construction homes with aging systems. New homes with up-to-date appliances may not require a home warranty.
Home warranties cover your household systems and appliances. Warranties usually cover appliances such as garbage disposals, dryers, microwaves, refrigerators, dishwashers, washers, and more. Covered systems include plumbing, heating, electrical, and air conditioning. Many home warranty companies also offer add-on coverage for septic systems, locksmiths, central vacuums, and roof leaks. Most home warranty plans require Kansas City homeowners to refrain from making claims for 30 days before the plan will cover repairs. Additionally, policies normally only cover repairs and replacements due to normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't cover cosmetic issues, pre-existing conditions, natural disasters, or misusing a system or appliance. To help ensure your next repair or replacement is covered, keep up with preventative maintenance.
Home warranties use several terms that you'll want to learn before signing a contract, such as:
There are several important considerations when selecting a home warranty provider:
Home warranty policies vary widely in what they include. Most plans provide protection for AC, heating, electrical, plumbing, and appliances. More comprehensive options also extend protection to other items such as spas, well pumps, pools, and roof leaks. Look for providers with a diverse range of coverage options, including upgraded plans. This helps you tailor protection to your needs.
Expect to pay a per-service fee of $60-100 for each home warranty claim. As this charge applies to every separate claim, some homeowners prefer to choose a provider with lower service fees to maximize savings on every claim. Some companies also do away with deductibles if a customer goes a period of time without filing any claims.
A home warranty company's track record gives insight into things such as claim approval rates, timeliness of repairs, contractor quality, and overall customer satisfaction. Look at third-party review sites such as Google Reviews, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), or TrustPilot to research providers. Complimentary ratings and reviews indicate a company known for stellar service.
Home warranty companies use networks of local repair technicians to manage repairs in a given area. Contact potential companies to ask how many repair professionals they have in Kansas City and get an idea of how fast your repairs could be handled in an emergency. Bigger networks raise the chance of getting qualified contractors to quickly service your home.
Some home warranty companies may include perks such as energy efficiency upgrades, smart home device coverage, and reduced maintenance fees. These extras can offer extra value beyond just repair coverage. Added bonuses let you enhance your home and get the most from your home warranty.
Home warranty policies are an inexpensive way to protect your home systems and appliances from normal wear and tear. With temperatures in Kansas City reaching an average high of 65℃F, you may find that some appliances, like your A.C., get a lot of use. A home warranty can considerably bring down out-of-pocket expenses should your HVAC system break down.
Along with saving you money on out-of-pocket expenses, a home warranty can provide you peace of mind and save you the pain of trying to find a qualified contractor to visit your home. Home warranties usually have a network of pre-vetted technicians who can handle any repair problems you may experience. Plus, though home warranty companies vary, some providers will let you transfer your warranty in the event that you sell your home. This can make your home more attractive to potential homebuyers and help your home sell faster.
There are also some negatives to buying a home warranty policy, such as the coverage exclusions. For example, home warranties may not cover systems or appliances that already have a manufacturer's warranty.
Another possible pain point of home warranties is that they don’t cover items that have been improperly maintained. This can lead to your repair requests being rejected, so it’s important to be sure you follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for maintenance of your home systems and appliances.
A home warranty plan costs, on average, around $300 to $600 a year in Kansas City. Our high-rated home warranty providers' 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. In addition, it's usually less expensive 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 covers normal wear and tear to systems and appliances in a home. Homeowners insurance protects your entire home in case of something such as a fire or natural disaster. Under homeowners insurance, you will not be able to file a claim if you need a new washing machine or air conditioner, unless the damage is due to a natural disaster, which can be a threat in Kansas City.
Homebuyers, real estate agents, landlords, homeowners, and home sellers 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 will cover your home’s systems, appliances, or both. Combination plans are great if you need more coverage for your home, but a system- or appliance-only plan can be a good idea if you're concerned about one more than the other.
Home warranty plans generally provide coverage for a year. Many providers let you renew your plan annually, and some offer month-to-month plans as well.
Generally, 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 when using the policy. In Kansas City, where the median value of a home is $361,422, having the seller pay for the home warranty can save you some money on your new home.