Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Written By Todays Homeowner Local Pros
Last Updated May 2023
Are you considering getting a home warranty? Go with one of our recommended home warranty companies. Columbia gives homeowners some beautiful living options. However, unanticipated repair and replacement costs on your home's systems and appliances can get quite expensive.
A home warranty policy can help protect you by covering major repairs and replacements on your home's appliances and systems. Finding the best home warranties on the market can be a challenge because of the sheer number of options out there. If you are frustrated with trying to compare the different options, keep reading for our guide to the top home warranty providers in Columbia.
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 Columbia. Choice has over 15 years of experience in the home warranty industry, and has provided great customer service at an affordable cost to its customers. 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 home warranty plans that Choice offers include differing levels of system and appliance coverage, as well as add-on options.
The plans that Choice offers to homeowners are Basic Plan and Total Plan. Choice has coverage caps of around $3,000 for most appliances and systems, but some plans may have different coverage caps, so make sure to check with the provider. Service fees are an affordable $85.
To receive a free quote from Choice Home Warranty, you can fill out this online form or call 929-400-6164. Read our review of Choice Home Warranty to learn more.
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 Columbia residents. Select has been in the home warranty industry for over 11 years. If you're looking for a highly affordable service fee and free roof coverage upon purchase of a policy plan, this is the home warranty for you. Plus, it has an extensive network of highly trained professionals all over the country who are experts in home maintenance. Select has 3 simple plans, making the selection process easy.
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 less than other providers in the Columbia area.
To get a free quote from Select Home Warranty, fill out this online form or give them a call at 888-370-3953. Read more by visiting our Select Home Warranty full review.
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
In Columbia, American Home Shield is the most customizable home warranty. AHS has over 26 years of experience in the home warranty industry, and has provided excellent customer service at an affordable cost to its customers. 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 home warranty company offers 3 plans to policyholders, which have various system and appliance coverage options.
There are 3 home warranty plans from American Home Shield: ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, and ShieldPlatinum. The coverage caps associated with AHS's plans are around the $2,500 mark for many major systems and appliances, and service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $125.
For more information, read our comprehensive review of American Home Shield. To receive a free quote from American Home Shield, fill out this online form or give them a call at 888-365-2839.
ShieldSilver
ShieldGold
ShieldPlatinum
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 for Columbia 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. HSC has 2 plans for you to decide between.
There are 2 home warranty plans from The Home Service Club: Standard Coverage Plan and Comprehensive Coverage Plan. HSC has coverage caps of around $2,000 for most appliances and systems, but some plans may have different coverage caps, so make sure to check with the provider. Service fees are customizable and range from $65 to $90.
Read more by visiting our comprehensive review of The Home Service Club. To get a free quote from The Home Service Club, fill out this online form or give them a call at 800-750-9443.
Standard Coverage Plan
Comprehensive Coverage Plan
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
Isn’t available in 2 states
Won’t cover known or unknown pre-existing conditions
Liberty Home Guard offers the most trustworthy home warranty for Columbia residents. When you purchase a plan 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. The home warranty provider offers 3 plans to policyholders, which have various options for appliance and system coverage.
Liberty Home Guard offers 3 plans for Columbia homeowners. The Appliance Guard, Systems Guard, and Total Home Guard are the options they have, which have a mix of system and appliance coverage. Service fees from Liberty are an affordable $75. The coverage caps are also generally about $3,000.
To read more, visit our review of Liberty Home Guard. 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
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 Columbia residents. The home warranty provider offers 2 plans to policyholders, which have various system and appliance coverage options. When you buy a policy from First American, you will get very affordable and comprehensive appliance coverage. First American Home Warranty also 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.
There are 2 home warranty plans from First American Home Warranty: Basic Plan and Premier Plan. Service fees from First American are a reasonable $85. The coverage caps are also around $1,500 at the maximum.
For a more detailed breakdown, read our First American Home Warranty Review. To get a free quote from First American Home Warranty, you can 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 Columbia. Cinch has around 44 years of experience in the industry and in that time has built a an network of service technicians nationwide. With a home warranty from Cinch, you can enjoy a 180-day workmanship guarantee that ensures your home systems and appliance repairs will be professionally done. Not to mention, it has a broad range of coverage options that will give homeowners peace of mind. Cinch has 3 simple plans, making the selection process easy.
The plans that Cinch offers to homeowners are Appliances Plan, Built-in Systems Plan, and Complete Home Plan. The coverage caps associated with Cinch's plans are around the $1,000-$2,000 mark for many of the major systems and appliances, and service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $150.
To receive a free quote from Cinch Home Services, you can fill out this online form or call 877-589-0505. Read more by visiting our Cinch Home Services Review.
Appliances Plan
Built-in Systems Plan
Complete Home 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 | $6,939 |
| Heating | $4,626 |
| Electrical | $694 |
| Toilets | $578 |
| Washer/Dryer | $925 |
| Plumbing | $694 |
| Oven | $1,850 |
| Fridge | $694 |
A home warranty is a protection plan that makes it more affordable when one of your home systems or appliances breaks down. A home warranty can help homeowners who need to stick to their budget and don't want to dip into their savings to pay for large repair or replacement expenses. Typically, about 30 days after buying a home warranty plan, the coverage will start on your home systems and appliances.
When you have a system or appliance that has a problem, you file a claim with your service provider. You can do so in an online portal or by calling customer support, and then a contractor will come and fix the problem.
The claim is then processed, and a homeowner will pay the service fee to schedule the repair. This repair will typically occur within 24 to 72 hours and there shouldn't be any out-of-pocket expenses. Most service fees range between $60 and $150.
A home warranty offers coverage on your home's major appliances and systems and it can help cut back on the cost of maintaining your home. The appliances typically covered under a home warranty plan include a microwave, refrigerator, garbage disposal, clothes dryer, clothes washer, dishwasher, and more. The systems included are electrical systems, air conditioning, plumbing, and ductwork.
Add-on coverage options can vary by company but typically include things such as a sprinkler system, central vacuum, second refrigerator, plumbing stoppages, and septic system.
A home warranty will only protect against normal wear and tear on your home systems and appliances. Things like cosmetic damages, misuse, pre-existing conditions, and lack of maintenance are not included in the home warranty policy.
Temperatures in Columbia can vary greatly throughout the year, which means your air conditioner and heating systems are likely to get a good bit of use. As a homeowner in Columbia, one benefit of having a home warranty is knowing that these home systems and major appliances can be covered if they need to be repaired or replaced.
In addition, though home warranty companies vary, some providers will allow you to transfer your warranty if you sell your home. This can make your house more attractive to potential homebuyers and maybe even make your home sell faster.
Home warranties also have some cons. Although it can be convenient that the home warranty sends out a repair technician who takes care of the repair for you, some homeowners may not like this, and they would rather select their own contractor. If that's important to you, some home warranty providers let you select a contractor.
Another downside is that home warranties may not include some repairs, like those needed because of natural disasters. For example, if your HVAC system is damaged from an animal infestation, the affected systems and appliances most likely won't be covered by the home warranty.
Determining the best company for your home warranty is a step you can take to help protect your property. When considering which home warranty company is the best fit for you, here are some important factors to bear in mind:
The best home warranty provider in Columbia is Choice Home Warranty. Choice Home Warranty has a large network of professional repair technicians and a respected reputation in the Columbia area.
Home warranty plans cover issues with systems and appliances that need repairs or replacements due to normal wear and tear. A homeowner's insurance policy is a larger insurance that protects the entire home from natural disasters, which might not be too much of a concern in Columbia. It doesn't cover a normal appliance or system breakage.
Homebuyers, landlords, home sellers, homeowners, and real estate agents are all eligible for home warranty plans. A home warranty can help make your home more attractive to prospective buyers and save you money in the long run.
The type of home warranty you need depends on what your priorities are. A less costly plan may have higher service fees and deductibles, whereas a higher-priced plan may have lower deductibles and provide more coverage. If you have a home that has new appliances or systems, you may be able to get a cheaper plan. The company's reputation and available plans are the main things to look for when choosing a home warranty company.
Many homeowners find a home warranty is a good investment since it helps protect against unexpected expenses, and saving money is important with the cost of living going up a lot in Columbia. If you're worried about your budget and home maintenance, having a home warranty can help. One of the major positives of a home warranty is that it can offer you some financial peace of mind.
Home warranties cover the cost of repairs and replacements as long as it is within the policy limits of the plan. If the replacement costs more than the home warranty plan covers, you will have to pay for the rest out of pocket.
The systems and appliances in a home are covered under a home warranty policy in Columbia. Everything from a fridge to a swimming pool can be covered under a home warranty depending on the plan.
