Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Written By David Cusick
Last Updated February 2024
As much as you may love owning a home in South Portland, there's always that concern about whether your systems and appliances are going to need to be replaced in the next few years. A home warranty can give you the peace of mind you need and safeguard your bank account from large expenses by covering your home’s major appliances and systems.
Finding the best warranty for your home can be time-consuming, so our team at Today's Homeowner has done the research to help you find the top home warranty companies in South Portland. 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 is the most trustworthy home warranty in South Portland. Liberty is a home warranty provider with 6 years of experience in the industry, and it has become one of the best providers in the business. The 3 plans that Liberty offers include differing levels of system and appliance coverage, as well as add-on options. Liberty has established itself as a company with a seamless complaint process and guaranteed service professionalism upon every repair visit. It also 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. The coverage limits from Liberty are around $3,000. The service fees are an affordable $75, which is cheaper than other providers in the South Portland area.
Read our review of Liberty Home Guard to learn more. To receive 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 South Portland. Choice is a home warranty provider with 15 years of experience in the industry, and it has become one of the best providers in the business. The 2 plans that Choice offers include differing levels of system and appliance coverage, as well as add-on options. Choice has established itself as a company with very high coverage caps and simple-to-understand service contracts. It also 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. The coverage limits from Choice are around $3,000. The service fees are an affordable $85, which is cheaper than other providers in the South Portland area.
Read our review of Choice Home Warranty to learn more. To receive 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 South Portland. Select is a home warranty provider with 11 years of experience in the industry, and it has become one of the best providers in the business. The 3 plans that Select offers include differing levels of system and appliance coverage, as well as add-on options. Select has established itself as a company with a highly affordable service fee and free roof coverage upon purchase of a policy plan. It also 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. The coverage limits from Select are around $2,000. The service fees are a reasonable $60, which is cheaper than other providers in the South Portland area.
Read our review of Select Home Warranty to learn more. To receive 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 South Portland. AHS is a home warranty provider with 26 years of experience in the industry, and it has become one of the best providers in the business. The 3 plans that AHS offers include differing levels of system and appliance coverage, as well as add-on options. AHS has established itself as a company with the ability to customize your plan with the coverages that work specifically for your home. It also 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. The coverage limits from AHS are around $2,500. The service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $125, which is cheaper than other providers in the South Portland area.
Read our review of American Home Shield to learn more. To receive a free quote from American Home Shield, 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 is the home warranty with the best workmanship guarantee in South Portland. Cinch is a home warranty provider with 44 years of experience in the industry, and it has become one of the best providers in the business. The 3 plans that Cinch offers include differing levels of system and appliance coverage, as well as add-on options. Cinch has established itself as a company with a 180-day workmanship guarantee that ensures your home systems and appliance repairs will be professionally done. It also 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. The coverage limits from Cinch are around $1,000-$2,000. The service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $150, which is cheaper than other providers in the South Portland area.
Read our review of Cinch Home Services to learn more. To receive 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 South Portland. HSC is a home warranty provider with 15 years of experience in the industry, and it has become one of the best providers in the business. The 2 plans that HSC offers include differing levels of system and appliance coverage, as well as add-on options. HSC has established itself as a company with quick coverage where the home warranty goes into effect just ten days after you pay for the plan, instead of the typical 30 days. It also 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. The coverage limits from HSC are around $2,000. The service fees are customizable and range from $65 to $90, which is cheaper than other providers in the South Portland area.
Read our review of The Home Service Club to learn more. To receive 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 | $6,510 |
| Heating | $4,340 |
| Electrical | $651 |
| Toilets | $543 |
| Washer/Dryer | $868 |
| Plumbing | $651 |
| Oven | $1,736 |
| Fridge | $651 |
A home warranty is a protection policy that helps reduce the high costs for South Portland homeowners needing appliance and system repairs. These plans provide coverage to repair or replace 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 provider 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 goes over the item's coverage limit. A home warranty delivers peace of mind for homeowners by helping them avoid expensive emergency repairs. They're particularly valuable for those who own older homes or ones with outdated systems. Newer homes with working appliances probably don’t need a home warranty.
Home warranties cover your home systems and appliances. Common appliances covered include dishwashers, dryers, washers, garbage disposals, refrigerators, microwaves, and more. Covered systems are normally electrical, heating, plumbing, and air conditioning. Many home warranty providers offer add-on coverage for septic systems, central vacuums, locksmiths, and roof leaks. South Portland should understand that most home warranty plans have a 30-day waiting period before repairs are covered. Most policies also only cover repairs and replacements due to normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't include pre-existing conditions, natural disasters, cosmetic issues, or misuse of a system or appliance. Stay current with preventative maintenance to help guarantee your next repair or replacement is covered.
Here are some essential 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 vary widely in terms of included coverage. Basic plans typically include heating, AC, plumbing, electrical, and appliances, while more comprehensive options may also cover pools, roof leaks, well pumps, and spas. Focus on providers with broad coverage options including upgraded plans. This flexibility enables you to customize your plan to meet your needs.
With any home warranty claim, you'll pay a service fee that can range from $60 to $100, which is paid per claim you submit. 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 when customers go a period with no claims filed.
A home warranty company's reputation can offer insight into things such as speed of repairs, contractor quality, approval rates for claims, and customer satisfaction. Use third-party review sites such as the Better Business Bureau (BBB), TrustPilot, or Google Reviews to research companies. Positive ratings and reviews indicate that a company is known for quality service.
Home warranty companies have networks of contractors to handle covered repairs. Bigger networks improve the probability of getting qualified technicians to service your home ASAP. Ask potential providers how many contractors they have in South Portland to get a sense of how quickly your repairs could happen in an emergency.
Some home warranty companies offer extras such as energy efficiency upgrades, smart home device protection, and maintenance discounts. These perks can add value beyond just repair coverage. Added bonuses help maximize the usefulness of the home warranty.
Since temperatures in South Portland can hit the negatives in the winter, the extreme weather can put a lot of strain on your heating system. Getting a home warranty policy can help homeowners save money if one of these systems or appliances breaks suddenly.
Along with saving you money on out-of-pocket expenses, a home warranty can give you peace of mind and save you the headache 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 have. Another good thing about having a home warranty is when you’re selling your home, some providers let you transfer your home warranty plan to the new owners. It can make your home more attractive to potential homebuyers and help your house sell faster.
There are also some drawbacks to getting a home warranty policy, like the coverage exclusions. For example, home warranties may not cover home systems or appliances that are already covered under a manufacturer's warranty.
Another stipulation is that home warranties usually only cover repairs needed due to normal wear and tear. They commonly won’t cover home systems or appliances that have been damaged due to improper maintenance, animal infestations, natural disasters, etc.
A home warranty plan costs, on average, around $300 to $600 a year in South Portland. Our top-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. Additionally, it's often cheaper to pay annually rather than monthly.
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 different plan that protects an entire home from natural disasters, which can sometimes be a concern in South Portland. It doesn't cover a typical appliance or system breakage.
A home warranty plan can help real estate agents, homebuyers, home sellers, homeowners, and investors. It can offer peace of mind to anyone involved with homeownership.
A home warranty plan will cover your systems, appliances, or both. Combination plans are great if you'd like more coverage for your home, but a system- or appliance-only plan can be a good idea if you want to save some money.
Home warranty plans typically offer coverage for a year. Many providers let you renew your plan annually, and some offer month-to-month options as well.
Usually the person who owns the home pays for the home warranty. In some cases, however, the person who is selling the home may purchase a home warranty plan and transfer the policy to the buyer. The new homeowner will then be responsible for the service fees when using the policy. Since the average home value in South Portland is $488,828, a home warranty can be an added asset when buying a home.
