Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
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Last Updated: February 25, 2025
Homeownership in Elkridge has many positives, but it also comes with its challenges. Your home’s appliances and systems will eventually need repairs, and this could mean a burdensome expense. A home warranty in Elkridge can help reduce your out-of-pocket costs by covering repairs or replacements to major home appliances and systems that malfunction due to normal wear and tear.
Finding the best home warranty on the market can be difficult because of the sheer number of options available. If you're overwhelmed by trying to compare them all, keep reading for our guide on the top home warranty companies in Elkridge.
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. Liberty has 3 simple plans, making the selection process and policy coverage easily comprehensible. With a home warranty from Liberty, you can enjoy a seamless complaint process and guaranteed service professionalism upon every repair visit. Not to mention, it 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 caps come out to around $3,000 for each covered system or appliance.
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
In Elkridge, Choice Home Warranty is the best overall home warranty. Choice has 2 simple plans, making the selection process and policy coverage easily comprehensible. With a home warranty from Choice, you can enjoy very high coverage caps and simple-to-understand service contracts. Not to mention, it 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 caps come out to around $3,000 for each covered system or appliance.
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
In Elkridge, Select Home Warranty is the most cost-effective home warranty. Select has 3 simple plans, making the selection process and policy coverage easily comprehensible. With a home warranty from Select, you can enjoy a highly affordable service fee and free roof coverage upon purchase of a policy plan. Not to mention, it 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 caps come out to around $2,000 for each covered system or appliance.
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
In Elkridge, American Home Shield is the most customizable home warranty. AHS has 3 simple plans, making the selection process and policy coverage easily comprehensible. With a home warranty from AHS, you can enjoy the ability to customize your plan with the coverages that work specifically for your home. Not to mention, it 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 caps come out to around $2,500 for each covered system or appliance.
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
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. First American has 2 simple plans, making the selection process and policy coverage easily comprehensible. With a home warranty from First American, you can enjoy very affordable and comprehensive appliance coverage. Not to mention, 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.
There are 2 home warranty plans from First American Home Warranty: Basic Plan and Premier Plan. First American’s service fees are a reasonable $85, and the coverage caps come out to around $1,500 for each covered system or appliance.
To get a free quote from First American Home Warranty, fill out this online form or give them a call at 833-204-7164. To read more, visit 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. Cinch has 3 simple plans, making the selection process and policy coverage easily comprehensible. 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.
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 caps come out to around $1,000-$2,000 for each covered system or appliance.
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
In Elkridge, The Home Service Club is the best home warranty with the quickest service. HSC has 2 simple plans, making the selection process and policy coverage easily comprehensible. With a home warranty from HSC, you can enjoy quick coverage where the home warranty goes into effect just ten days after you pay for the plan, instead of the typical 30 days. Not to mention, it 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 caps come out to around $2,000 for each covered system or appliance.
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 | $6,721 |
| 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 cut the expenses of appliance and system repairs. The plans provide financial coverage to repair or swap out appliances and systems that malfunction due to normal wear and tear. When something breaks down, you submit 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 cost of repair or replacement exceeds the item's coverage limit. A home warranty plan gives homeowners peace of mind since it can help avoid expensive emergency repairs. They can be especially helpful for people purchasing older homes or homes with appliances near the end of their life span. However, newer homes with modern appliances and fixtures may not require a home warranty.
Home warranties safeguard both your home systems and appliances. Common covered appliances include refrigerators, washers, microwaves, dishwashers, dryers, garbage disposals, and more. Covered systems include air conditioning, electrical, heating, and plumbing. 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 can be used to cover repairs. Additionally, most policies only cover repairs and replacements that result from normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't cover things like natural disasters, pre-existing conditions, cosmetic issues, or misuse of a system or appliance. It's important to keep up with preventative maintenance to help ensure that your next repair or replacement is covered by your policy.
Home warranties use several terms that you'll want to know before signing a contract, such as:
When you're deciding on a home warranty provider, there are several key things to take into account:
Home warranties vary widely in terms of included coverage. Basic plans typically cover electrical, plumbing, heating, AC, and appliances, while more comprehensive options may also cover spas, well pumps, pools, and roof leaks. Look for companies with flexible coverage choices, including upgraded plans. This allows you to customize your plan to your needs.
Homeowners should anticipate paying a $60–100 service fee when filing home warranty claims. These per-repair charges can potentially accumulate over time, so some homeowners prefer using providers with lower service fees to maximize savings. Some providers also offer disappearing deductibles after periods where a customer files no claims.
A home warranty company's reputation provides insight into things such as contractor quality, approval rates, repair timeliness, and customer service. Use review platforms such as TrustPilot, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), or Google Reviews to research companies. Good ratings and feedback indicate a provider known for exceptional service.
Home warranty companies use networks of local repair technicians to manage repairs in a given area. Reach out to potential providers to ask how many repair specialists they have in Elkridge and get an idea of how quickly your repairs could be handled in an emergency. Wider networks raise the likelihood of getting qualified contractors to quickly service your home.
Home warranty companies might include bonuses such as energy efficiency upgrades, coverage for smart home devices, and maintenance discounts. These add value beyond repair coverage. Added perks maximize the usefulness of your home warranty.
Temperatures in Elkridge can vary greatly throughout the year, which means your air conditioner and heating systems are likely to get a lot of use. As a homeowner in Elkridge, one of the benefits of having a home warranty is that these home systems and major appliances can be covered in the event they have to be repaired or replaced.
Not to mention, having a home warranty can save you some time by removing the need to research service technicians — most providers will send a trusted professional right to your door to carry out the repair or replacement. Another added benefit of having home warranty coverage is that it can increase your home’s property value. If you ever decide to sell your house, you may be able to transfer your home warranty plan to the new homebuyer depending on the company you purchased your home warranty through.
As for the disadvantages of home warranties, home system and appliance coverage varies by provider, so it’s important to read what each policy covers and doesn’t include in the contract.
Another potential pain point of home warranties is that they don’t cover items that haven’t been properly maintained. This can lead to your repair requests being denied, so it’s important to be sure you follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for maintenance of your home systems and appliances.
A home warranty in Elkridge can cost anywhere from $30 to $60 a month. The higher-priced plans tend to have a lower service fee, broader coverage, and higher coverage limits. You can often lower this cost by paying annually instead of monthly. Some providers will also reduce 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 kinds of damage each covers. A home warranty protects against normal wear and tear to home systems and appliances. Homeowners insurance protects a home in case of a situation such as a natural disaster or fire. Under a homeowners insurance plan, you will not be able to file a claim should you need a new refrigerator or air conditioner, unless the damage is due to a natural disaster, which isn't that common in Elkridge.
Homebuyers, landlords, real estate agents, homeowners, and home sellers can all get 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 different kinds of home warranties in Elkridge include plans that cover either appliances or systems as well as comprehensive plans. A comprehensive plan will cover many of your systems and appliances, including your refrigerator, washing machine, and HVAC. A plan that only covers appliances or systems will cover only the items listed in the policy.
Generally, a home warranty plan lasts for a year and can be renewed annually. Some companies may offer month-to-month options.
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 will pay the service fees when using the policy. In Elkridge, where the median value of a home is $457,390, having the seller pay for the home warranty can save you some money on your new home.
