Written By David Cusick
Last Updated February 2024
Owning a home can have lots of benefits, but it can also come with some negatives like maintenance. The older your house’s appliances and systems are, the more you may want to consider getting a home warranty. A home warranty plan can help protect homeowners by cutting the costs of major repairs and replacements on your home’s most important systems and appliances.
The home warranty market is filled with many providers — all with different plans — so the Today's Homeowner team has compiled this guide to help you find the best home warranty companies in South Laurel.
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 South Laurel. Liberty has 3 simple plans, making the selection process and policy coverage easily understandable. Liberty offers a seamless complaint process and guaranteed service professionalism upon every repair visit. Plus, it also 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. The coverage caps from Liberty are about $3,000. The service fees are an affordable $75, which is cheaper than other providers in the South Laurel area.
To get a free quote from Liberty Home Guard, fill out this online form or call 866-451-2281. For a more detailed breakdown, read our full 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 South Laurel. Choice has 2 simple plans, making the selection process and policy coverage easily understandable. 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.
There are 2 home warranty plans from Choice Home Warranty: Basic Plan and Total Plan. The coverage caps from Choice are about $3,000. The service fees are an affordable $85, which is cheaper than other providers in the South Laurel area.
To get a free quote from Choice Home Warranty, fill out this online form or call 929-400-6164. For a more detailed breakdown, read our full 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 South Laurel. Select has 3 simple plans, making the selection process and policy coverage easily understandable. Select offers a highly affordable service fee and free roof coverage upon purchase of a policy plan. Plus, it also 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. The coverage caps from Select are about $2,000. The service fees are a reasonable $60, which is cheaper than other providers in the South Laurel area.
To get a free quote from Select Home Warranty, fill out this online form or call 888-370-3953. For a more detailed breakdown, read our full 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 South Laurel. AHS has 3 simple plans, making the selection process and policy coverage easily understandable. AHS offers the ability to customize your plan with the coverages that work specifically for your home. Plus, it also 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. The coverage caps from AHS are about $2,500. The service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $125, which is cheaper than other providers in the South Laurel area.
To get a free quote from American Home Shield, fill out this online form or call 888-365-2839. For a more detailed breakdown, read our full 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 South Laurel. First American has 2 simple plans, making the selection process and policy coverage easily understandable. First American offers very affordable and comprehensive appliance coverage. Plus, 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.
There are 2 home warranty plans from First American Home Warranty: Basic Plan and Premier Plan. The coverage caps from First American are about $1,500. The service fees are a reasonable $85, which is cheaper than other providers in the South Laurel area.
To get a free quote from First American Home Warranty, fill out this online form or call 833-204-7164. For a more detailed breakdown, read our full 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 South Laurel. Cinch has 3 simple plans, making the selection process and policy coverage easily understandable. Cinch offers a 180-day workmanship guarantee that ensures your home systems and appliance repairs will be professionally done. Plus, it also 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. The coverage caps from Cinch are about $1,000-$2,000. The service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $150, which is cheaper than other providers in the South Laurel area.
To get a free quote from Cinch Home Services, fill out this online form or call 877-589-0505. For a more detailed breakdown, read our full 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 South Laurel. HSC has 2 simple plans, making the selection process and policy coverage easily understandable. 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.
There are 2 home warranty plans from The Home Service Club: Standard Coverage Plan and Comprehensive Coverage Plan. The coverage caps from HSC are about $2,000. The service fees are customizable and range from $65 to $90, which is cheaper than other providers in the South Laurel area.
To get a free quote from The Home Service Club, fill out this online form or call 800-750-9443. For a more detailed breakdown, read our full 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 | $6,810 |
Heating | $4,540 |
Electrical | $681 |
Toilets | $567 |
Washer/Dryer | $908 |
Plumbing | $681 |
Oven | $1,816 |
Fridge | $681 |
A home warranty is a protection policy that assists South Laurel homeowners reduce the costs of appliance and system repairs. The plans offer financial coverage to repair or replace appliances and systems that break down due to normal wear and tear.
When something breaks down, you submit a claim and pay a service fee. The home warranty company then arranges a contractor to handle the fix 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 and 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 help protect both your home systems and appliances. Common covered appliances include garbage disposals, dishwashers, dryers, microwaves, washers, refrigerators, and more. Covered systems include air conditioning, electrical, plumbing, and heating. Many home warranties also offer add-on coverage options for septic systems, locksmiths, central vacuums, and even roof leaks. Most home warranty plans require South Laurel homeowners to refrain from making claims for 30 days before they can use the policy to pay for repairs. Moreover, policies typically only cover repairs and replacements due to normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't cover pre-existing conditions, natural disasters, cosmetic issues, or misusing a system or appliance. To help ensure your next repair or replacement is covered, keep up with preventative maintenance.
Here are some essential home warranty terms to understand before signing a contract:
When you're deciding on a home warranty provider, there are several important things to take into account:
Home warranty coverage differs significantly when it comes to what's covered. Most plans cover plumbing, electrical, AC, heating, and appliances. More inclusive options also cover other items such as spas, pools, well pumps, and roof leaks. Look for providers with flexible coverage choices, including upgraded plans. This allows you to customize your plan to your needs.
With any home warranty claim, you'll pay a repair fee that typically ranges between $60 and $100, which is paid per repair request filed. These per-claim charges can add up. You may decide to look for companies with lower service fees to maximize your savings on each claim. Some firms also offer disappearing deductibles for customers who don't file any claims over a certain timespan.
A home warranty company's reputation gives you insight into things such as timeliness of repairs, claim approval rates, contractor quality, and overall customer satisfaction. Use third-party review sites such as Google Reviews, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), or TrustPilot to research companies. Favorable reviews and ratings indicate a provider known for stellar service.
Home warranty providers have networks of professionals that they use to tackle covered repairs. Wider networks raise the likelihood of getting skilled contractors to your home quickly. Contact possible providers to find out how many repair professionals they have in South Laurel. This helps you understand how long repairs might take in an urgent situation.
Some home warranty providers include perks such as smart home device coverage, reduced maintenance fees, and energy efficiency upgrades. These extras can offer extra value beyond repair coverage. Added bonuses allow you to enhance your home and get the most from your warranty policy.
Temperatures in South Laurel can vary greatly throughout the year, which means your air conditioner and heating systems are likely to get a decent amount of use. As a homeowner in South Laurel, one of the benefits of having a home warranty is knowing that these home systems and major appliances can be covered if they have to be repaired or replaced.
Not to mention, having a home warranty can save you time by eliminating the need to research technicians — most providers will send a trusted professional right to your door to carry out the repair or replacement. Another good thing about having a home warranty is if you want to sell your home, some providers let you transfer your home warranty policy to the new owners. It can make your house more attractive to potential homebuyers and may help your house sell faster.
One of the main drawbacks of home warranties is not every home system and appliance may be covered. It’s important to compare the different policies and get one that covers all the appliances, systems, and add-ons you need.
Another pain point of home warranties is that they don’t cover systems or appliances that haven’t been properly maintained. This can lead to your repair requests being denied, so it’s important to make sure you follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for maintenance of your home systems and appliances.
A home warranty plan costs, on average, about $300 to $600 a year in South Laurel. Our top-rated home warranty companies' most comprehensive coverage options vary from $546 to $840 per year. You can reduce your monthly bill with some companies by opting for a higher service fee. In addition, it's usually cheaper to pay annually rather than monthly.
Home warranties and home insurance differ in what types of damage they cover. Home warranty policies cover problems with home systems and appliances that need to be repaired or replaced due to normal wear and tear. A home insurance policy is a larger plan that protects your entire home from natural disasters, which can sometimes be a concern in South Laurel. It doesn't cover a typical appliance or system breakage.
A home warranty plan can help investors, homebuyers, real estate agents, homeowners, and home sellers. It can offer peace of mind and savings to anyone involved with homeownership.
The different home warranties in South Laurel include plans that cover either appliances or systems as well as combination plans. A combination plan will cover many of your systems and appliances, including your refrigerator, washing machine, and HVAC. An appliance or system plan will cover only the items mentioned in the plan.
Generally, a home warranty policy lasts for a year and can be renewed yearly. Some providers may offer month-to-month options.
In general, 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 is the one who paid for the policy. This can then be given to the new homeowner, who has to pay the service fees when using the policy. In South Laurel, where the median home value is $431,233, having the seller pay for the home warranty can be a good asset for your new home.