Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Written By David Cusick
Last Updated April 2024
Ellicott City gives homeowners some great neighborhoods and the opportunity to enjoy all four seasons. However, temperatures can do a number on your home’s systems, such as your HVAC. A home warranty in Ellicott City can help lower your out-of-pocket costs by covering repairs or replacements to major home systems and appliances that stop working due to normal wear and tear.
Finding the best home warranty on the market can be time-consuming, since there are dozens of companies to decide between. That’s why our team at Today's Homeowner did the research and put together a list of the best home warranty companies in Ellicott City 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
Liberty Home Guard offers the most trustworthy home warranty in Ellicott City. 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. The 3 plans from Liberty are easy to understand and offer both system and appliance coverage.
Liberty Home Guard offers 3 plans for Ellicott City homeowners. The Appliance Guard, Systems Guard, and Total Home Guard are the options they have, which have a mix of system and appliance coverage. Liberty 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 company. Service fees are an affordable $75.
To receive a free quote from Liberty Home Guard, fill out this online form or call 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
Choice Home Warranty offers the best overall home warranty in Ellicott City. 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. The 2 plans from Choice are easy to understand and offer both system and appliance coverage.
Choice Home Warranty offers 2 plans for Ellicott City homeowners. The Basic Plan and Total Plan are the options they have, which have a mix of system and appliance coverage. 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 company. Service fees are an affordable $85.
To receive a free quote from Choice Home Warranty, fill out this online form or call 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
Select Home Warranty offers the most cost-effective home warranty in Ellicott City. 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. The 3 plans from Select are easy to understand and offer both system and appliance coverage.
Select Home Warranty offers 3 plans for Ellicott City 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. Select 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 company. Service fees are a reasonable $60.
To receive a free quote from Select Home Warranty, fill out this online form or call 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
American Home Shield offers the most customizable home warranty in Ellicott City. 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. The 3 plans from AHS are easy to understand and offer both system and appliance coverage.
American Home Shield offers 3 plans for Ellicott City homeowners. The ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, and ShieldPlatinum are the options they have, which have a mix of system and appliance coverage. AHS has coverage caps of around $2,500 for most appliances and systems, but some plans may have different coverage caps, so make sure to check with the company. Service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $125.
To receive a free quote from American Home Shield, fill out this online form or call 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
First American Home Warranty offers the best home warranty for appliance coverage in Ellicott City. 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. The 2 plans from First American are easy to understand and offer both system and appliance coverage.
First American Home Warranty offers 2 plans for Ellicott City homeowners. The Basic Plan and Premier Plan are the options they have, which have a mix of system and appliance coverage. First American has coverage caps of around $1,500 for most appliances and systems, but some plans may have different coverage caps, so make sure to check with the company. Service fees are a reasonable $85.
To receive a free quote from First American Home Warranty, fill out this online form or call 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
Cinch Home Services offers the home warranty with the best workmanship guarantee in Ellicott City. 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. The 3 plans from Cinch are easy to understand and offer both system and appliance coverage.
Cinch Home Services offers 3 plans for Ellicott City 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. Cinch has coverage caps of around $1,000-$2,000 for most appliances and systems, but some plans may have different coverage caps, so make sure to check with the company. Service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $150.
To receive a free quote from Cinch Home Services, fill out this online form or call 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
The Home Service Club offers the best home warranty with the quickest service in Ellicott City. 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. The 2 plans from HSC are easy to understand and offer both system and appliance coverage.
The Home Service Club offers 2 plans for Ellicott City homeowners. The Standard Coverage Plan and Comprehensive Coverage Plan are the options they have, which have a mix of system and appliance coverage. 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 company. Service fees are customizable and range from $65 to $90.
To receive a free quote from The Home Service Club, fill out this online form or call 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 | $6,890 |
| Heating | $4,593 |
| Electrical | $689 |
| Toilets | $574 |
| Washer/Dryer | $919 |
| Plumbing | $689 |
| Oven | $1,837 |
| Fridge | $689 |
A home warranty is a protection plan that assists Ellicott City homeowners reduce the high costs of household repairs. These plans provide financial coverage to repair or swap out appliances and systems that break down from normal wear and tear.
Homeowners submit a claim and pay a service fee when something breaks. The home warranty company then arranges a contractor to make the fix 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 homeowners reassurance, as it helps avoid expensive emergency repairs. The coverage is especially helpful for owners of older houses or houses with systems near the end of their life span. However, people with newer homes and working appliances may not need a home warranty.
Home warranties cover many home systems and appliances. Covered appliances normally include microwaves, washers, dryers, refrigerators, dishwashers, garbage disposals, and others. Covered systems include electrical, plumbing, heating, and air conditioning. Many home warranty providers also offer add-on coverage for central vacuums, locksmiths, septic systems, and roof leaks. Most home warranty plans require Ellicott City homeowners to refrain from making claims for 30 days before the plan will cover repairs. Moreover, policies usually only cover repairs and replacements resulting from normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't cover natural disasters, pre-existing conditions, cosmetic issues, or misusing a system or appliance. To make sure your next repair or replacement is covered, keep up with preventative maintenance.
Here are some essential home warranty words to learn before signing a contract:
When selecting a home warranty provider, there are several important factors to consider:
Home warranty coverage varies, although most plans include protection for electrical, plumbing, heating, AC, and appliances. More extensive plans may also include other things such as pools, roof leaks, well pumps, and spas. Look for a company that offers robust coverage options, including upgraded plans. Flexibility is important when trying to fit a home warranty to your home's specific needs.
With any home warranty claim, you'll pay a service fee, usually falling in the $60 to $100 range, which is paid per repair request filed. These per-claim charges can add up. You may decide to look for companies with more affordable fees to maximize your savings on each claim. Some companies also offer disappearing deductibles if a homeowner doesn't submit claims for repairs for a specified period of time.
A home warranty company's reputation can offer insight into things such as contractor quality, speed of repairs, approval rates for claims, and customer satisfaction. Look at third-party review sites such as the Better Business Bureau (BBB), Google Reviews, or TrustPilot to research companies. Good ratings and reviews indicate that a company is known for top-tier service.
Home warranty providers have networks of professionals that they use to tackle covered repairs. Bigger networks raise the chance of getting qualified contractors to your home swiftly. Contact possible providers to learn how many repair professionals they have in Ellicott City. This helps you understand how long repairs may take in an urgent situation.
Some home warranty plans include extras such as maintenance discounts, smart home device protection, and energy efficiency upgrades. These perks can add value beyond repair coverage. Added bonuses maximize the usefulness of your home warranty.
Ellicott City’s relatively mild winters and hot summers can put a strain on a home’s HVAC system. Whether it’s summer or winter, a home warranty is designed to cover your home’s appliances and systems if they need to be repaired or replaced. For example, if your air conditioner breaks down in the middle of July, a home warranty can cover the necessary repairs, saving you from spending a lot of money out of pocket.
Not only can a home warranty save you some money on repairs and replacements, it saves you time too. Instead of vetting technicians on your own, home warranty providers do the work for you and send pre-screened technicians right to your door when you need them. Another benefit of having a home warranty is if you want to sell your home, some providers let you transfer your home warranty plan to the new owners. This can make your house more attractive to potential homebuyers and may help your house sell faster.
One downside of buying a home warranty is that there are often exclusions. For example, if one of your appliances already has a manufacturer's warranty, it may be excluded from the home warranty, so it’s important to read over the contracts you’re considering thoroughly to get a sense of what is included and what isn’t.
Another stipulation is that home warranties typically only cover malfunctions due to normal wear and tear. They most likely won’t cover home systems or appliances that have been damaged due to animal infestations, improper maintenance, natural disasters, etc.
A home warranty plan costs, on average, about $300 to $600 a year in Ellicott City. Our top-rated home warranty providers' most comprehensive coverage options vary from $546 to $840 per year. You can get a lower monthly payment with some companies by opting for a higher service fee. Additionally, it's often less expensive to pay annually rather than monthly.
Home warranties and home insurance differ in what kinds of damage they cover. Home warranty policies cover issues with systems and appliances that need repairs or replacements due to normal wear and tear. A home insurance policy is a different kind of plan that protects an entire home from natural disasters, which might not be too much of a concern in Ellicott City. It doesn't cover a typical appliance or system damage.
First-time homebuyers, real estate agents, homeowners, landlords, and home sellers can all get home warranty plans. A home warranty can help make your home more appealing to prospective buyers and save you money in the long run.
A home warranty plan will cover your home’s 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.
Generally, a home warranty plan offers coverage for a year and can be renewed annually. Some companies may offer month-to-month options.
Usually, 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 when using the policy. In Ellicott City, where the median value of a home is $396,964, having the seller pay for the home warranty can save you some money on your new home.
