Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Written By David Cusick
Last Updated February 2024
Buying a home is a big step in many people’s lives, but the cost of maintaining it can get expensive over time, especially if your home in Owings Mills is on the older side. A home warranty in Owings Mills can help bring down 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 overwhelming, as there are dozens of companies to choose from. That’s why the Today's Homeowner team did the research and made a list of the top home warranty companies in Owings Mills 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 Owings Mills. Liberty has been in the home warranty business for over 6 years. Liberty has 3 simple plans, making the selection process quick and easy. 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.
Liberty Home Guard has 3 plans that offer a combination of appliance and system coverage. The coverage caps from Liberty are around $3,000. The service fees are an affordable $75, which is lower than other providers in the Owings Mills area.
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 detailed 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 Owings Mills. Choice has been in the home warranty business for over 15 years. Choice has 2 simple plans, making the selection process quick and easy. 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.
Choice Home Warranty has 2 plans that offer a combination of appliance and system coverage. The coverage caps from Choice are around $3,000. The service fees are an affordable $85, which is lower than other providers in the Owings Mills area.
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 detailed 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 Owings Mills. Select has been in the home warranty business for over 11 years. Select has 3 simple plans, making the selection process quick and easy. 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.
Select Home Warranty has 3 plans that offer a combination of appliance and system coverage. The coverage caps from Select are around $2,000. The service fees are a reasonable $60, which is lower than other providers in the Owings Mills area.
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 detailed 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 Owings Mills. AHS has been in the home warranty business for over 26 years. AHS has 3 simple plans, making the selection process quick and easy. 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.
American Home Shield has 3 plans that offer a combination of appliance and system coverage. The coverage caps from AHS are around $2,500. The service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $125, which is lower than other providers in the Owings Mills area.
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 detailed 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 Owings Mills. First American has been in the home warranty business for over 39 years. First American has 2 simple plans, making the selection process quick and easy. First American has established itself as a company with very affordable and comprehensive appliance coverage. It 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.
First American Home Warranty has 2 plans that offer a combination of appliance and system coverage. The coverage caps from First American are around $1,500. The service fees are a reasonable $85, which is lower than other providers in the Owings Mills area.
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 detailed 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 Owings Mills. Cinch has been in the home warranty business for over 44 years. Cinch has 3 simple plans, making the selection process quick and easy. 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.
Cinch Home Services has 3 plans that offer a combination of appliance and system 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 lower than other providers in the Owings Mills area.
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 detailed 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 Owings Mills. HSC has been in the home warranty business for over 15 years. HSC has 2 simple plans, making the selection process quick and easy. 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 Home Service Club has 2 plans that offer a combination of appliance and system coverage. The coverage caps from HSC are around $2,000. The service fees are customizable and range from $65 to $90, which is lower than other providers in the Owings Mills area.
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 detailed 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 | $6,644 |
| Heating | $4,430 |
| Electrical | $664 |
| Toilets | $554 |
| Washer/Dryer | $886 |
| Plumbing | $664 |
| Oven | $1,772 |
| Fridge | $664 |
A home warranty is a protection policy that assists Owings Mills homeowners lower the high costs of household repairs. These plans offer financial coverage to fix or swap out appliances and systems that stop working from 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 fix or replacement. The only time you may pay out-of-pocket is if the cost of the repair or replacement exceeds the item's coverage limit. A home warranty plan gives homeowners a sense of security 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 appliances and fixtures in good condition may not require a home warranty.
Home warranties protect your home systems and appliances. Common appliances covered include garbage disposals, refrigerators, dishwashers, dryers, washers, microwaves, and more. Covered systems are normally heating, electrical, plumbing, and air conditioning. Many home warranty providers offer add-on coverage for septic systems, roof leaks, locksmiths, and central vacuums. Most home warranty plans require Owings Mills homeowners to wait 30 days before they can use the policy to pay for repairs. Moreover, policies normally only cover repairs and replacements resulting from normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't cover natural disasters, cosmetic issues, pre-existing conditions, or misusing a system or appliance. To make sure your next repair or replacement is covered, keep up with preventative maintenance.
Home warranty contracts use several terms that you'll want to learn before signing, such as:
There are several important factors to consider when choosing a home warranty provider:
Home warranty coverage varies, although most plans cover heating, electrical, plumbing, AC, and appliances. More comprehensive options may also include additional items such as pools, well pumps, roof leaks, and spas. Look for companies with a diverse range of coverage options, including upgraded plans. This allows you to tailor protection to your needs.
You'll pay a service fee, typically $60–100, for each claim filed with your home warranty provider. This fee is charged per request and can quickly add up, so you may seek out providers advertising lower service fees to optimize savings on each repair claim. Certain providers may waive deductibles after a customer goes a period of time with no claims filed.
A home warranty provider's reputation provides insights into factors such as repair speed, contractor expertise, claim approval rates, and customer satisfaction. Look at review sites like the Better Business Bureau (BBB), Google Reviews, or TrustPilot to learn more about companies. Positive ratings and feedback suggest a company known for providing quality service.
Home warranty providers have networks of technicians that they use to tackle covered repairs. Bigger networks increase the probability of getting skilled contractors to your home promptly. Contact possible providers to find out how many contractors they have in Owings Mills to understand how long repairs might take in an urgent situation.
Certain home warranty companies include extras such as discounts on maintenance, energy-efficient upgrades, and protection for smart home devices. These can provide extra value beyond repair coverage. Extra perks can enhance your home and help maximize your home warranty.
Owings Mills’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 can help cover your home’s appliances and systems if they need to be repaired or replaced. For example, if your air conditioner fails in the middle of July, a home warranty can cover the necessary repairs, saving you from spending unexpected money out of pocket.
Not only can a home warranty save you some money on repairs and replacements, it saves you time as well. Instead of needing to vet technicians by yourself, home warranty companies do the work for you and send a contractor from their network right to your door when you need them. A home warranty can also have value in other ways. For instance, some policies can be transferred to another owner during a home sale.
One disadvantage of signing up for a home warranty is that there are usually exclusions. For example, if one of your appliances already has a manufacturer's warranty, it may not be included in the home warranty, so it’s important to read over any contracts you’re considering thoroughly to understand what is included and what isn’t.
Another possible 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 rejected, so it’s important to make sure you follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for maintenance of your home systems and appliances.
A home warranty costs, on average, about $300 to $600 a year in Owings Mills. Our top-rated home warranty companies' most comprehensive coverage options vary from $546 to $840 per year. You can lower your monthly bill with some companies by opting for a higher service fee. Additionally, it's usually cheaper to pay annually rather than monthly.
The difference between a home warranty and homeowner's insurance lies in what kinds of damage each covers. A home warranty helps protect against normal wear and tear to home systems and appliances. A homeowners insurance plan protects your entire home in case of something such as a fire or natural disaster. Under homeowners insurance, you will not be able to file a claim should you need a new dryer or dishwasher, unless the damage is a result of a natural disaster, which is somewhat common in Owings Mills.
A home warranty plan can help homebuyers, homeowners, real estate agents, investors, and home sellers. It can offer peace of mind and savings to anyone involved with homeownership.
A home warranty policy will cover your home’s systems, appliances, or both. Combination plans are great if you need more coverage for your home, but a system- or appliance-only plan can be useful if you're concerned about one more than the other.
Generally, a home warranty policy offers coverage for a year and can be renewed yearly. Some providers may offer month-to-month plans.
Typically, the homeowner is the one who pays the premium and service fees. However, when buying a new home, sometimes the seller will pay for the policy. This can then be transferred to the new homeowner, who has to pay the service fees when using the policy. In Owings Mills, where the median home value is $377,676, having the seller pay for the home warranty can be a good asset for your new home.
