Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Written By David Cusick
Last Updated April 2024
There are many perks of owning a home, but as your Scarborough home gets older, you may find yourself needing to update or repair your systems and appliances. A home warranty can offer you the peace of mind you need and protect your bank account from unexpected expenses by covering your home’s major systems and appliances.
Finding the best warranty for your home can be time-consuming, so our team at Today's Homeowner has compiled this guide to help you find the best home warranty companies in Scarborough. Keep reading for our home warranty 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 offers the most trustworthy home warranty for Scarborough residents. Liberty has been in the home warranty business for about 6 years. Liberty offers 3 plans for you to choose from. 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.
There are 3 home warranty plans from Liberty Home Guard: Appliance Guard, Systems Guard, and Total Home Guard. Liberty’s service fees are an affordable $75, and the coverage limits come out to around $3,000 for each covered appliance or system.
To read more, visit our comprehensive review of Liberty Home Guard. To get a free quote from Liberty Home Guard, you can 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 offers the best overall home warranty for Scarborough residents. Choice has been in the home warranty business for about 15 years. Choice offers 2 plans for you to choose from. 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.
There are 2 home warranty plans from Choice Home Warranty: Basic Plan and Total Plan. Choice’s service fees are an affordable $85, and the coverage limits come out to around $3,000 for each covered appliance or system.
To read more, visit our comprehensive review of Choice Home Warranty. To get a free quote from Choice Home Warranty, you can 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 offers the most cost-effective home warranty for Scarborough residents. Select has been in the home warranty business for about 11 years. Select offers 3 plans for you to choose from. 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.
There are 3 home warranty plans from Select Home Warranty: Bronze Care Plan, Gold Care Plan, and Platinum Care Plan. Select’s service fees are a reasonable $60, and the coverage limits come out to around $2,000 for each covered appliance or system.
To read more, visit our comprehensive review of Select Home Warranty. To get a free quote from Select Home Warranty, you can 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 offers the most customizable home warranty for Scarborough residents. AHS has been in the home warranty business for about 26 years. AHS offers 3 plans for you to choose from. 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.
There are 3 home warranty plans from American Home Shield: ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, and ShieldPlatinum. AHS’s service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $125, and the coverage limits come out to around $2,500 for each covered appliance or system.
To read more, visit our comprehensive review of American Home Shield. To get a free quote from American Home Shield, you can fill out this online form or call 888-365-2839.
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 Scarborough residents. Cinch has been in the home warranty business for about 44 years. Cinch offers 3 plans for you to choose from. 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.
There are 3 home warranty plans from Cinch Home Services: 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 limits come out to around $1,000-$2,000 for each covered appliance or system.
To read more, visit our comprehensive review of Cinch Home Services. To get a free quote from Cinch Home Services, you can 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 offers the best home warranty with the quickest service for Scarborough residents. HSC has been in the home warranty business for about 15 years. HSC offers 2 plans for you to choose from. 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.
There are 2 home warranty plans from The Home Service Club: Standard Coverage Plan and Comprehensive Coverage Plan. HSC’s service fees are customizable and range from $65 to $90, and the coverage limits come out to around $2,000 for each covered appliance or system.
To read more, visit our comprehensive review of The Home Service Club. To get a free quote from The Home Service Club, you can 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 | $6,423 |
| Heating | $4,282 |
| Electrical | $642 |
| Toilets | $535 |
| Washer/Dryer | $856 |
| Plumbing | $642 |
| Oven | $1,713 |
| Fridge | $642 |
A home warranty is a protection policy that assists Scarborough homeowners cut the high costs of household repairs. These plans provide financial protection to repair or replace appliances and systems that break down 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 go over the item's coverage limit. A home warranty gives reassurance to homeowners because it helps prevent expensive emergency repairs. Home warranties are the most useful for owners of older homes or homes with aging systems. New homes with modern appliances might not require a home warranty.
Home warranties cover your household systems and appliances. Typical covered appliances include refrigerators, dishwashers, garbage disposals, microwaves, dryers, washers, and others. Protected systems include heating, plumbing, air conditioning, and electrical. Many home warranty plans offer add-on coverage for central vacuums, septic systems, roof leaks, and even locksmiths. Most home warranty plans require Scarborough 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.
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 warranty coverage varies widely in the items that are included. Most plans cover AC, heating, electrical, plumbing, and appliances. More robust coverage options also cover other items such as well pumps, pools, roof leaks, and spas. Look for providers with an assortment of coverage options, such as upgraded plans. Flexibility helps you tailor your protection for your home’s 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. These per-claim charges can add up. You may decide to look for companies with lower service fees to maximize your savings on each claim. Some providers also offer disappearing deductibles when customers go a period with no claims filed.
A home warranty provider's reputation gives insight into things such as contractor quality, approval rates, repair timeliness, and customer service. Use review platforms such as Google Reviews, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), or TrustPilot to research companies. Good ratings and feedback indicate a company known for great service.
Home warranty companies use networks of local repair professionals to manage repairs in a given area. Reach out to potential providers to learn the number of repair technicians they have in Scarborough and get an idea of how fast your repairs could be handled in an emergency. Larger networks raise the probability of getting qualified contractors to swiftly service your home.
Home warranty providers may offer perks such as maintenance discounts, energy efficiency upgrades, and coverage for smart home devices. These extras add value beyond repair coverage. Added perks maximize the usefulness of the home warranty.
Temperatures in Scarborough can drop to the negatives in the winter, which means your heating system is likely to get a lot of use. As a homeowner in Scarborough, one benefit of having a home warranty is knowing that these home systems and major appliances can be covered in the event they need to be repaired or replaced.
On top of saving you money on out-of-pocket expenses, a home warranty can give you peace of mind and save you the pain of trying to find a qualified technician to visit your home. Home warranties usually come with a network of pre-vetted technicians who can handle any repair issues you may experience. A home warranty can also yield value in other ways. For example, some plans can be transferred to another owner when you sell your home.
As for the downsides of home warranties, coverage varies by company, so it’s important to understand what each plan covers and excludes in the contract.
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 make sure you follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for maintenance of your home systems and appliances.
A home warranty costs, on average, around $300 to $600 a year in Scarborough. Our high-rated home warranty companies' most comprehensive coverage options vary from $546 to $840 per year. You can get a lower monthly payment with some companies by choosing a higher service fee. In addition, it's often less expensive to pay annually rather than monthly.
Home warranties and home insurance differ in what sorts of damage they cover. Home warranties cover issues with home systems and appliances that need to be repaired or replaced due to normal wear and tear. A home insurance policy is a larger insurance that protects the entire home from natural disasters, which can sometimes be a concern in Scarborough. It doesn't cover a normal appliance or system damage.
A home warranty can help homebuyers, homeowners, home sellers, investors, and real estate agents. It can offer peace of mind to anyone involved with homeownership.
The different types of home warranties in Scarborough include plans that cover either appliances or systems as well as comprehensive plans. A comprehensive plan covers almost all your systems and appliances, including your dishwasher, washing machine, and heating and cooling systems. An appliance or system plan will cover only the specific items mentioned in the contract.
Generally, a home warranty lasts for a year and can be renewed annually. Some companies may offer month-to-month plans.
Generally, the homeowner is the one who is responsible for paying the premium and service fees. However, if you have just bought a new home, sometimes the seller will pay for the policy. This can then be given to the new homeowner, who has to pay the service fees. In Scarborough, where the median home value is $649,764, having the seller pay for the home warranty can be a good asset for your new home.
