Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Written By David Cusick
Last Updated February 2024
Owning a home in Portland has many great advantages, but there are some downsides. The weather throughout the four seasons can cause problems in a home and lead to wear and tear on systems like your HVAC. A home warranty in Portland can help lower 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.
Finding the best home warranty on the market can be challenging because of the sheer number of options out there. If you're overwhelmed by trying to compare them all, keep reading for our guide to the best home warranty providers in Portland.
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 Portland residents. Liberty offers a seamless complaint process and guaranteed service professionalism upon every repair visit. Plus, it also has a 60-day workmanship guarantee and some of the best customer service in the industry. The 3 plans from Liberty are easy to comprehend and have a mix of both system and appliance coverage.
There are 3 home warranty plans from Liberty Home Guard: Appliance Guard, Systems Guard, and Total Home Guard. The coverage limits from Liberty are around $3,000. The service fees are an affordable $75, which is lower than other providers in the Portland area.
To get a free quote from Liberty Home Guard, fill out this online form or give them a call at 866-451-2281. To read more, visit our 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 Portland residents. Choice offers very high coverage caps and simple-to-understand service contracts. Plus, it also has great customer service, professional contractors, and lower out-of-pocket costs compared to other home warranties. The 2 plans from Choice are easy to comprehend and have a mix of both system and appliance coverage.
There are 2 home warranty plans from Choice Home Warranty: Basic Plan and Total Plan. The coverage limits from Choice are around $3,000. The service fees are an affordable $85, which is lower than other providers in the Portland area.
To get a free quote from Choice Home Warranty, fill out this online form or give them a call at 929-400-6164. To read more, visit our 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 Portland residents. Select offers a highly affordable service fee and free roof coverage upon purchase of a policy plan. Plus, it also has an extensive network of highly trained professionals all over the country who are experts in home maintenance. The 3 plans from Select are easy to comprehend and have a mix of both system and appliance coverage.
There are 3 home warranty plans from Select Home Warranty: Bronze Care Plan, Gold Care Plan, and Platinum Care Plan. The coverage limits from Select are around $2,000. The service fees are a reasonable $60, which is lower than other providers in the Portland area.
To get a free quote from Select Home Warranty, fill out this online form or give them a call at 888-370-3953. To read more, visit our 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 Portland residents. AHS offers the ability to customize your plan with the coverages that work specifically for your home. Plus, it also has a remarkably low claim denial rate in comparison to other home warranty companies. The 3 plans from AHS are easy to comprehend and have a mix of both system and appliance coverage.
There are 3 home warranty plans from American Home Shield: ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, and ShieldPlatinum. The coverage limits from AHS are around $2,500. The service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $125, which is lower than other providers in the Portland area.
To get a free quote from American Home Shield, fill out this online form or give them a call at 888-365-2839. To read more, visit our review of American Home Shield.
ShieldSilver
ShieldGold
ShieldPlatinum
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 Portland residents. Cinch offers a 180-day workmanship guarantee that ensures your home systems and appliance repairs will be professionally done. Plus, it also has a broad range of coverage options that will give homeowners peace of mind. The 3 plans from Cinch are easy to comprehend and have a mix of both system and appliance coverage.
There are 3 home warranty plans from Cinch Home Services: Appliances Plan, Built-in Systems Plan, and Complete Home Plan. The coverage limits from Cinch are around $1,000-$2,000. The service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $150, which is lower than other providers in the Portland area.
To get a free quote from Cinch Home Services, fill out this online form or give them a call at 877-589-0505. To read more, visit our 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 Portland residents. HSC offers quick coverage where the home warranty goes into effect just ten days after you pay for the plan, instead of the typical 30 days. Plus, it 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 HSC are easy to comprehend and have a mix of both system and appliance coverage.
There are 2 home warranty plans from The Home Service Club: Standard Coverage Plan and Comprehensive Coverage Plan. The coverage limits from HSC are around $2,000. The service fees are customizable and range from $65 to $90, which is lower than other providers in the Portland area.
To get a free quote from The Home Service Club, fill out this online form or give them a call at 800-750-9443. To read more, visit our 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 | $6,291 |
| Heating | $4,194 |
| Electrical | $629 |
| Toilets | $524 |
| Washer/Dryer | $839 |
| Plumbing | $629 |
| Oven | $1,678 |
| Fridge | $629 |
A home warranty is a protection plan that helps Portland homeowners cut the expenses 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 finds a contractor to handle the repair or replacement. Homeowners may have out-of-pocket costs only if the repair or replacement exceeds the item's coverage limit. A home warranty gives homeowners peace of mind, as it helps avoid high-priced emergency repairs. The coverage is especially helpful for owners of older houses or houses with fixtures near the end of their life span. However, homeowners with newer homes and modern appliances may not need a home warranty.
Home warranties cover your home systems and appliances. Warranties usually cover appliances such as washers, refrigerators, dryers, microwaves, garbage disposals, dishwashers, and others. Covered systems include heating, air conditioning, electrical, and plumbing. Many home warranty providers also offer add-on coverage for central vacuums, septic systems, roof leaks, and locksmiths. It's important for Portland homeowners to know that most home warranty policies have a 30-day waiting period before they will cover the cost of any repairs. Additionally, most policies only cover repairs and replacements due to normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't cover problems such as cosmetic issues, natural disasters, pre-existing conditions, or misuse of a system or appliance. Make sure to keep up with preventative maintenance to ensure that your next repair or replacement is covered by your policy.
Here are some essential home warranty words to know before signing a contract:
When choosing a home warranty provider, there are several important factors to consider:
Home warranty coverage differs significantly when it comes to what's covered. Most plans provide coverage for electrical, heating, plumbing, AC, and appliances. More inclusive options also include protection for other items such as pools, roof leaks, well pumps, and spas. Focus on providers with an expansive array of coverage choices including upgraded plans. Flexibility like this will help you customize protection for 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 lower service fees to optimize savings on each repair claim. Certain companies may eliminate deductibles when a homeowner submits no claims in a defined period.
A home warranty company's reputation can offer insight into things such as contractor quality, speed of repairs, approval rates for claims, and customer satisfaction. Use third-party review sites such as TrustPilot, Google Reviews, or the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to research companies. Good ratings and reviews indicate that a company is known for top-tier service.
Home warranty providers have networks of contractors to handle covered repairs. Bigger networks improve the likelihood of getting qualified technicians to service your home ASAP. Reach out to potential providers and ask how many contractors they have in Portland to get a sense of how soon your repairs could be handled in an emergency.
Certain home warranty providers offer extras such as energy-efficient upgrades, discounts on maintenance, and protection for smart home devices. These provide extra value beyond repair coverage. Extra perks help improve your home and help maximize your home warranty.
Since temperatures in Portland can hit the negatives in the winter, the extreme weather can put a lot of strain on your heating system. Having a home warranty can help homeowners save money if one of these systems or appliances breaks down all of a sudden.
Along with saving you money on out-of-pocket expenses, a home warranty can provide you peace of mind and save you the headache of trying to find a qualified repair person to visit your home. Home warranties usually have a network of pre-vetted technicians who can handle any repair issues you may have. Plus, having a home warranty can help make your house more attractive to potential homebuyers should you ever decide to sell later. Many home warranty companies will allow you to transfer your policy to a new owner and give them the protection you’ve been benefiting from.
One drawback of getting a home warranty is that there are often exclusions. For instance, if one of your appliances already has a manufacturer's warranty, it may not be included in 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 drawback is that home warranties may exclude some repairs, such as those due to natural disasters. For example, if a tree falls onto your house and damages the roof, the affected systems and appliances most likely won’t be covered by the home warranty.
A home warranty in Portland can cost anywhere from $30 to $60 a month. Higher-priced plans tend to have higher coverage limits, a lower service fee, and broader coverage. You can often lower this cost by paying annually instead of monthly. Some providers will also decrease your up-front costs when you opt for a higher service fee.
Home warranties and home insurance differ in what sorts of damage they cover. Home warranty policies cover problems related to systems and appliances that need repairs or replacements due to normal wear and tear. A home insurance policy is a larger plan that protects an entire home from natural disasters, which can sometimes be a concern in Portland. It doesn't cover a typical appliance or system repairs.
A home warranty can help real estate agents, investors, homeowners, home sellers, and homebuyers. It can provide peace of mind to anyone involved in homeownership.
The different home warranties in Portland include plans with coverage for either appliances or systems as well as combination plans. A combination plan will cover almost all your systems and appliances, including your washing machine, drier, and plumbing. A plan that only covers appliances or systems will cover only the specific items mentioned in the plan.
Generally, a home warranty offers coverage for a year and can be renewed yearly. Some providers may offer month-to-month options.
In general, the homeowner is the one who is responsible for paying the premium and service fees. However, when buying a new home, sometimes the seller is the one who paid for the policy. This can then be transferred to the new homeowner, who has to pay the service fees. In Portland, where the median home value is $529,220, having the seller pay for the home warranty can be a good asset for your new home.
