Written By David Cusick
Last Updated February 2024
As much as you may enjoy owning a home in Ottawa, there's always that fear about whether your appliances and systems are going to need repairs over the next few years. A home warranty is a way to protect your savings account from unexpected expenses. With a home warranty in place, your repair costs can be considerably lower and allow you to live in your home with more peace of mind.
Finding the right protection 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 Ottawa. 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
Liberty Home Guard is the most trustworthy home warranty in Ottawa. The 3 plans that Liberty offers include options for appliance and system coverage. 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.
Liberty Home Guard has 3 plans that provide a combination of system and appliance coverage. 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.
Read our full review of Liberty Home Guard to learn more. To get 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
Choice Home Warranty is the best overall home warranty in Ottawa. The 2 plans that Choice offers include options for appliance and system coverage. 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.
Choice Home Warranty has 2 plans that provide a combination of system and appliance coverage. 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.
Read our full review of Choice Home Warranty to learn more. To get 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
Select Home Warranty is the most cost-effective home warranty in Ottawa. The 3 plans that Select offers include options for appliance and system coverage. 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.
Select Home Warranty has 3 plans that provide a combination of system and appliance coverage. 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.
Read our full review of Select Home Warranty to learn more. To get 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
American Home Shield is the most customizable home warranty in Ottawa. The 3 plans that AHS offers include options for appliance and system coverage. 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.
American Home Shield has 3 plans that provide a combination of system and appliance coverage. 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.
Read our full review of American Home Shield to learn more. To get 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
First American Home Warranty is the best home warranty for appliance coverage in Ottawa. The 2 plans that First American offers include options for appliance and system coverage. 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.
First American Home Warranty has 2 plans that provide a combination of system and appliance coverage. 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.
Read our full review of First American Home Warranty to learn more. To get 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
Cinch Home Services is the home warranty with the best workmanship guarantee in Ottawa. The 3 plans that Cinch offers include options for appliance and system coverage. 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.
Cinch Home Services has 3 plans that provide a combination of system and appliance coverage. 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.
Read our full review of Cinch Home Services to learn more. To get 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
The Home Service Club is the best home warranty with the quickest service in Ottawa. The 2 plans that HSC offers include options for appliance and system coverage. 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 Home Service Club has 2 plans that provide a combination of system and appliance coverage. 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.
Read our full review of The Home Service Club to learn more. To get 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 | $5,791 |
Heating | $3,860 |
Electrical | $579 |
Toilets | $483 |
Washer/Dryer | $772 |
Plumbing | $579 |
Oven | $1,544 |
Fridge | $579 |
A home warranty is a protection plan that assists Ottawa homeowners lower the high costs of household repairs. These plans provide financial coverage to repair or replace appliances and systems that stop working from 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 repair or replacement costs exceed the item's coverage limit. A home warranty gives reassurance to homeowners, as it helps prevent costly emergency repairs. Home warranties are especially useful for older construction homes with aging systems. New homes with up-to-date appliances might not require a home warranty.
Home warranties safeguard your home systems and appliances. Common appliances covered under a home warranty include refrigerators, dishwashers, dryers, washers, garbage disposals, microwaves, and more. Covered systems include electrical, heating, air conditioning, and plumbing. Many home warranties offer additional add-on coverage options for locksmiths, septic systems, central vacuums, and even roof leaks. Most home warranty plans require Ottawa homeowners to wait 30 days before the plan will cover repairs. Moreover, policies usually only cover repairs and replacements due to normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't cover natural disasters, pre-existing conditions, cosmetic issues, or misuse of a system or appliance. To make sure your next repair or replacement is covered, keep up with preventative maintenance.
Before agreeing to a home warranty contract, you should learn key terms like:
There are several important considerations when choosing a home warranty provider:
Home warranty coverage differs significantly when it comes to what's covered. Most plans provide coverage for AC, heating, plumbing, electrical, and appliances. More inclusive options also offer coverage on other items such as pools, well pumps, spas, and roof leaks. Look for a provider that offers an extensive selection of coverage options, including upgraded plans. You want the flexibility to customize coverage to fit your home's specific needs.
With any home warranty claim, you'll pay a repair fee that typically ranges between $60 and $100, which gets paid per repair request filed. The costs from multiple fees can add up. You may decide to look for companies 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 provides insights into factors such as repair speed, claim approval rates, contractor expertise, and customer satisfaction. Check review sites like TrustPilot, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), or Google Reviews to learn more about providers. Positive ratings and feedback suggest a company known for providing quality service.
Home warranty companies maintain networks of technicians to handle covered repairs. More extensive networks raise the probability of getting qualified technicians to promptly service your home. Ask potential providers how many contractors they have in Ottawa to get a sense of how quickly your repairs could happen in an emergency.
Some home warranty companies provide extras such as energy efficiency upgrades, maintenance discounts, and smart home device protection. These add value beyond just repair coverage. Added bonuses maximize the usefulness of the home warranty.
Home warranties are a great way to guard your home systems and appliances from normal wear and tear. With temperatures in Ottawa reaching an average high of 66℃F, you may find that certain appliances, such as your air conditioning unit, get a lot of use. A home warranty can remarkably bring down out-of-pocket expenses should your HVAC system break down.
Not only can a home warranty give you some savings, but it also saves you time. If an appliance breaks, the last thing you want to do is find a contractor and schedule a repair. A home warranty handles the research by sending trusted professionals to your door when you need them most. A home warranty can also provide value in other ways. For example, some plans can be transferred between owners during a home sale.
There are also some negatives to buying a home warranty policy, such as the coverage exclusions. For instance, home warranties may not cover home systems or appliances that are already covered under a manufacturer's warranty.
Another thing to consider is that some providers don’t cover pre-existing issues and may require an inspection before your coverage can begin. Ask the home warranty company for clarification about it if you aren’t sure or if this is an issue for you.
A home warranty policy costs, on average, around $300 to $600 a year in Ottawa. Our top-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 choosing a higher service fee. Additionally, it's typically less expensive to pay annually rather than monthly.
The difference between a home warranty and homeowner's insurance lies in what types of damage each covers. A home warranty protects against normal wear and tear to home systems and appliances. A homeowners insurance plan 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 dryer or dishwasher, unless the damage is due to a natural disaster, which isn't that common in Ottawa.
First-time homebuyers, real estate agents, landlords, home sellers, and homeowners 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.
A home warranty plan can cover your systems, appliances, or both. Combination plans are beneficial if you'd like more coverage for your home, but a system- or appliance-only plan can be helpful if you're concerned about one more than the other.
Generally, a home warranty offers coverage for a year and can be renewed yearly. Some providers may offer month-to-month options.
Usually the one who owns the home pays for the home warranty. In some cases, though, the person who is 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. Since the average home value in Ottawa is $198,784, a home warranty can be an added asset when buying a home.