Written By David Cusick
Last Updated April 2024
Homeownership in Elkridge comes with many perks, but it also comes with worries and concerns. Your home’s appliances and systems will eventually need repairs, and this could mean a burdensome expense. A home warranty policy can help protect homeowners by cutting the costs of major repairs and replacements on your home’s most important systems and appliances.
Finding the best home warranty on the market can be difficult, since there are lots of companies to choose from. That’s why our team at Today's Homeowner did the research and made a list of the top home warranty companies in Elkridge for you.
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
In Elkridge, Liberty Home Guard is the most trustworthy home warranty. The 3 plans from Liberty are easy to comprehend and have a mix of both system and appliance coverage. If you’re looking for a seamless complaint process and guaranteed service professionalism upon every repair visit, this is the plan for you. Plus, it has a 60-day workmanship guarantee and some of the best customer service in the industry.
Liberty Home Guard offers 3 plans for Elkridge homeowners. The Appliance Guard, Systems Guard, and Total Home Guard are the options they have, which have a mix of system and appliance coverage. The coverage caps from Liberty are around $3,000. The service fees are an affordable $75, which is less than other providers in the Elkridge area.
To get a free quote from Liberty Home Guard, you can fill out this online form or call 866-451-2281. For a more detailed breakdown, read 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
In Elkridge, Choice Home Warranty is the best overall home warranty. The 2 plans from Choice are easy to comprehend and have a mix of both system and appliance coverage. If you’re looking for very high coverage caps and simple-to-understand service contracts, this is the plan for you. Plus, it has great customer service, professional contractors, and lower out-of-pocket costs compared to other home warranties.
Choice Home Warranty offers 2 plans for Elkridge homeowners. The Basic Plan and Total Plan are the options they have, which have a mix of system and appliance coverage. The coverage caps from Choice are around $3,000. The service fees are an affordable $85, which is less than other providers in the Elkridge area.
To get a free quote from Choice Home Warranty, you can fill out this online form or call 929-400-6164. For a more detailed breakdown, read 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
In Elkridge, Select Home Warranty is the most cost-effective home warranty. The 3 plans from Select are easy to comprehend and have a mix of both system and appliance coverage. If you’re looking for a highly affordable service fee and free roof coverage upon purchase of a policy plan, this is the plan 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 offers 3 plans for Elkridge homeowners. The Bronze Care Plan, Gold Care Plan, and Platinum Care Plan are the options they have, which have a mix of system and appliance coverage. The coverage caps from Select are around $2,000. The service fees are a reasonable $60, which is less than other providers in the Elkridge area.
To get a free quote from Select Home Warranty, you can fill out this online form or call 888-370-3953. For a more detailed breakdown, read 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
In Elkridge, American Home Shield is the most customizable home warranty. The 3 plans from AHS are easy to comprehend and have a mix of both system and appliance coverage. If you’re looking for the ability to customize your plan with the coverages that work specifically for your home, this is the plan for you. Plus, it has a remarkably low claim denial rate in comparison to other home warranty companies.
American Home Shield offers 3 plans for Elkridge homeowners. The ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, and ShieldPlatinum are the options they have, which have a mix of system and appliance coverage. The coverage caps from AHS are around $2,500. The service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $125, which is less than other providers in the Elkridge area.
To get a free quote from American Home Shield, you can fill out this online form or call 888-365-2839. For a more detailed breakdown, read our review of American Home Shield.
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
In Elkridge, First American Home Warranty is the best home warranty for appliance coverage. The 2 plans from First American are easy to comprehend and have a mix of both system and appliance coverage. If you’re looking for very affordable and comprehensive appliance coverage, this is the plan 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 offers 2 plans for Elkridge homeowners. The Basic Plan and Premier Plan are the options they have, which have a mix of system and appliance coverage. The coverage caps from First American are around $1,500. The service fees are a reasonable $85, which is less than other providers in the Elkridge area.
To get a free quote from First American Home Warranty, you can fill out this online form or call 833-204-7164. For a more detailed breakdown, read our review of First American Home Warranty.
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
In Elkridge, Cinch Home Services is the home warranty with the best workmanship guarantee. The 3 plans from Cinch are easy to comprehend and have a mix of both system and appliance coverage. If you’re looking for a 180-day workmanship guarantee that ensures your home systems and appliance repairs will be professionally done, this is the plan for you. Plus, it has a broad range of coverage options that will give homeowners peace of mind.
Cinch Home Services offers 3 plans for Elkridge homeowners. The Appliances Plan, Built-in Systems Plan, and Complete Home Plan are the options they have, which have a mix of system and appliance coverage. The coverage caps from Cinch are around $1,000-$2,000. The service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $150, which is less than other providers in the Elkridge area.
To get a free quote from Cinch Home Services, you can fill out this online form or call 877-589-0505. For a more detailed breakdown, read 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
In Elkridge, The Home Service Club is the best home warranty with the quickest service. The 2 plans from HSC are easy to comprehend and have a mix of both system and appliance 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, this is the plan 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 offers 2 plans for Elkridge homeowners. The Standard Coverage Plan and Comprehensive Coverage Plan are the options they have, which have a mix of system and appliance coverage. The coverage caps from HSC are around $2,000. The service fees are customizable and range from $65 to $90, which is less than other providers in the Elkridge area.
To get a free quote from The Home Service Club, you can fill out this online form or call 800-750-9443. For a more detailed breakdown, read 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 | $6,721 |
Heating | $4,481 |
Electrical | $672 |
Toilets | $560 |
Washer/Dryer | $896 |
Plumbing | $672 |
Oven | $1,792 |
Fridge | $672 |
A home warranty is a protection plan that helps Elkridge homeowners in lowering the costs of appliance and system repairs. The plans provide financial coverage to swap out or repair appliances and systems that break down due to normal wear and tear.
When something stops working, you submit a claim and pay a service fee. The home warranty company then finds a contractor to handle the replacement or repair. Homeowners may have out-of-pocket costs only if the repair or replacement costs go over the item's coverage limit. A home warranty gives security for homeowners by helping them avoid expensive emergency fixes. They're particularly useful for those who live in older homes or ones with outdated systems. Newer homes with working fixtures probably don’t need a home warranty.
Home warranties safeguard both your home systems and appliances. Common covered appliances include microwaves, dishwashers, dryers, refrigerators, washers, garbage disposals, and others. Covered systems include plumbing, electrical, air conditioning, and heating. Many home warranties offer additional add-on coverage options for locksmiths, septic systems, central vacuums, and even roof leaks. It's important for Elkridge homeowners to know that most home warranty policies have a 30-day period you must wait before they will cover the cost of any repairs. Additionally, policies typically only cover repairs and replacements due to normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't cover problems such as pre-existing conditions, natural disasters, cosmetic issues, or improper use of a system or appliance. It's important to keep up with preventative maintenance to ensure that your next repair or replacement will be covered by your policy.
There are several home warranty terms to learn before signing an agreement, including:
When you're deciding on a home warranty provider, there are several key things to take into account:
Home warranty policies can have major differences in covered items. Most plans provide protection for electrical, plumbing, heating, AC, and appliances. More comprehensive options also extend protection to other items such as well pumps, spas, pools, and roof leaks. Look for companies with an array of coverage options, such as upgraded plans. Flexibility helps you tailor your protection for your needs.
You'll pay a repair fee, normally ranging from $60–100 for each claim filed with your home warranty provider. These per-claim charges can quickly add up, so you may look for providers advertising lower service fees to optimize savings on each repair claim. Certain providers may eliminate deductibles after a customer goes a period of time with no claims filed.
A home warranty company's track record gives you insight into things such as contractor quality, claim approval rates, timeliness of repairs, and overall customer satisfaction. Look at third-party review sites such as TrustPilot, Google Reviews, or the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to research companies. Positive reviews and ratings indicate a provider known for stellar service.
Home warranty companies maintain networks of local technicians to handle repairs in your area. Reach out to potential providers to find out how many repair technicians they have in Elkridge and get an idea for how quickly your repairs might happen in an emergency situation. Larger networks raise the likelihood of getting qualified contractors to promptly service your home.
Some home warranty providers include bonuses such as maintenance discounts, energy efficiency upgrades, and smart home device protection. These add value beyond just repair coverage. Extra bonuses can maximize the usefulness of the home warranty.
Since temperatures in Elkridge can be quite hot in the summer, the weather can put a lot of strain on your air conditioning unit and HVAC system. Purchasing a home warranty can help homeowners save money if one of these systems or appliances stops working all of a sudden.
Not only can a home warranty provide some financial relief, but it also saves you time. If an appliance breaks down, 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. Another benefit of having a home warranty is if you want to sell your home, you can most likely transfer your home warranty to the new owners. It can make your house more attractive to potential homebuyers and may help your house sell faster.
Home warranties also have some downsides. Though it can save you time when the home warranty sends out a contractor who handles the repair for you, some may not like this, and they would rather choose their own contractor. If that’s the case for you, some home warranty providers let you select a contractor.
Another downside is that home warranties may not include 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 probably won’t be covered by the home warranty.
A home warranty in Elkridge can cost anywhere from $30 to $60 a month. The higher-priced plans typically have higher coverage limits, broader coverage, and a lower service fee. Home warranties are often cheaper when you pay annually instead of monthly. Some companies will also decrease your up-front costs when you agree to a higher service fee.
The difference between a home warranty and homeowner's insurance lies in what types of damage each covers. A home warranty plan helps protect 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. Under a homeowners insurance plan, you won't be able to file a claim should you need a new refrigerator or oven, unless the damage is a result of a natural disaster, which isn't that common in Elkridge.
A home warranty plan can help home sellers, homebuyers, real estate agents, investors, and homeowners. It can provide peace of mind and savings to anyone involved in homeownership.
A home warranty plan can cover your home’s appliances, systems, 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.
Generally, a home warranty lasts for a year and can be renewed annually. Some companies may offer month-to-month options.
Usually the homeowner is responsible for paying for the home warranty. In some cases, however, the one 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 Elkridge is $457,390, a home warranty can save you some money when buying a home.