Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Written By David Cusick
Last Updated February 2024
There are a lot of benefits of owning a home, but as your Towson home ages, you may have to update or repair your appliances and systems. A home warranty 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 saturated with many providers — all with different price points — so our team at Today's Homeowner has compiled this guide to help you choose the best home warranty companies in Towson.
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 Towson, Liberty Home Guard offers the most trustworthy home warranty. Liberty has been in the home warranty industry for over 6 years. Liberty has 3 simple plans, making the selection process and policy coverage easily comprehensible. 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.
The 3 plans from Liberty Home Guard are Appliance Guard, Systems Guard, and Total Home Guard. Service fees from Liberty are an affordable $75. The coverage caps are also around $3,000.
For more information on this provider, read our review of Liberty Home Guard. To receive a free quote from Liberty Home Guard, you can fill out this online form or call 866-451-2281.
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 Towson, Choice Home Warranty offers the best overall home warranty. Choice has been in the home warranty industry for over 15 years. Choice has 2 simple plans, making the selection process and policy coverage easily comprehensible. 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.
The 2 plans from Choice Home Warranty are Basic Plan and Total Plan. Service fees from Choice are an affordable $85. The coverage caps are also around $3,000.
For more information on this provider, read our review of Choice Home Warranty. To receive a free quote from Choice Home Warranty, you can fill out this online form or call 929-400-6164.
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 Towson, Select Home Warranty offers the most cost-effective home warranty. Select has been in the home warranty industry for over 11 years. Select has 3 simple plans, making the selection process and policy coverage easily comprehensible. 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.
The 3 plans from Select Home Warranty are Bronze Care Plan, Gold Care Plan, and Platinum Care Plan. Service fees from Select are a reasonable $60. The coverage caps are also around $2,000.
For more information on this provider, read our review of Select Home Warranty. To receive a free quote from Select Home Warranty, you can fill out this online form or call 888-370-3953.
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 Towson, American Home Shield offers the most customizable home warranty. AHS has been in the home warranty industry for over 26 years. AHS has 3 simple plans, making the selection process and policy coverage easily comprehensible. 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.
The 3 plans from American Home Shield are ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, and ShieldPlatinum. Service fees from AHS are customizable and range from $75 to $125. The coverage caps are also around $2,500.
For more information on this provider, read our review of American Home Shield. To receive a free quote from American Home Shield, you can fill out this online form or call 888-365-2839.
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 Towson, First American Home Warranty offers the best home warranty for appliance coverage. First American has been in the home warranty industry for over 39 years. First American has 2 simple plans, making the selection process and policy coverage easily comprehensible. 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.
The 2 plans from First American Home Warranty are Basic Plan and Premier Plan. Service fees from First American are a reasonable $85. The coverage caps are also around $1,500.
For more information on this provider, read our review of First American Home Warranty. To receive a free quote from First American Home Warranty, you can fill out this online form or call 833-204-7164.
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 Towson, Cinch Home Services offers the home warranty with the best workmanship guarantee. Cinch has been in the home warranty industry for over 44 years. Cinch has 3 simple plans, making the selection process and policy coverage easily comprehensible. 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.
The 3 plans from Cinch Home Services are Appliances Plan, Built-in Systems Plan, and Complete Home Plan. Service fees from Cinch are customizable and range from $75 to $150. The coverage caps are also around $1,000-$2,000.
For more information on this provider, read our review of Cinch Home Services. To receive a free quote from Cinch Home Services, you can fill out this online form or call 877-589-0505.
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 Towson, The Home Service Club offers the best home warranty with the quickest service. HSC has been in the home warranty industry for over 15 years. HSC has 2 simple plans, making the selection process and policy coverage easily comprehensible. 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 2 plans from The Home Service Club are Standard Coverage Plan and Comprehensive Coverage Plan. Service fees from HSC are customizable and range from $65 to $90. The coverage caps are also around $2,000.
For more information on this provider, read our review of The Home Service Club. To receive a free quote from The Home Service Club, you can fill out this online form or call 800-750-9443.
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 | $6,378 |
| Heating | $4,252 |
| Electrical | $638 |
| Toilets | $532 |
| Washer/Dryer | $850 |
| Plumbing | $638 |
| Oven | $1,701 |
| Fridge | $638 |
A home warranty is a protection plan that helps Towson homeowners reduce the high costs of household repairs. These plans offer financial protection to fix or replace 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 cost of the repair or replacement goes over the item's coverage limit. A home warranty gives reassurance to homeowners because it helps prevent costly emergency repairs. Home warranties are particularly useful for older construction homes with aging systems. New homes with up-to-date appliances may not require a home warranty.
Home warranties cover your home's systems and appliances. Typical covered appliances are refrigerators, washers, dishwashers, garbage disposals, microwaves, dryers, and more. Protected systems include electrical, air conditioning, heating, and plumbing. Many home warranty plans offer add-on coverage for septic systems, roof leaks, central vacuums, and even locksmiths. Most home warranty plans require Towson homeowners to wait 30 days before they can use the policy to pay for repairs. Moreover, policies normally only cover repairs and replacements due to normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't cover natural disasters, cosmetic issues, pre-existing conditions, or misuse of a system or appliance. To help ensure your next repair or replacement is covered, keep up with preventative maintenance.
Home warranties use several terms that you'll want to learn before signing a contract, such as:
There are several key considerations when choosing a home warranty provider:
Home warranty coverage varies, although most plans provide coverage for heating, electrical, plumbing, AC, and appliances. More inclusive plans may also cover additional items such as pools, spas, roof leaks, and well pumps. Look for companies with varied coverage options, including upgraded plans. This allows you to customize your plan to your needs.
Expect to pay a per-service fee of $60-100 for each home warranty claim. As this charge applies to every separate claim, you may want to choose a provider with more affordable fees to maximize savings on every claim. Some companies also eliminate deductibles if a customer goes a period of time without filing any claims.
A home warranty company's reputation provides insights into factors such as claim approval rates, repair speed, contractor expertise, and customer satisfaction. Look at review sites like the Better Business Bureau (BBB), TrustPilot, or Google Reviews to learn more about providers. Positive reviews and ratings suggest a company known for quality service.
Home warranty providers keep networks of local technicians to handle repairs in your area. Contact potential providers to find out how many repair professionals they have in Towson and get an idea for how quickly your repairs could take place in an emergency situation. Bigger networks raise the likelihood of getting qualified contractors to swiftly service your home.
Home warranty providers sometimes include extras such as coverage for smart home devices, energy efficiency upgrades, and maintenance discounts. These can add value beyond basic repair coverage. Added perks can maximize the usefulness of your home warranty.
Towson’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 cover your home’s appliances and systems if they need to be repaired or replaced. For example, if your air conditioner stops working in the middle of July, a home warranty can cover the needed repairs, saving you from spending unexpected money out of pocket.
Not only can a home warranty save you money on repairs and replacements, it saves you time too. Instead of needing to vet technicians on your own, home warranty companies do the work for you and send a contractor from their network right to your door when you need them. Another added benefit of having a home warranty policy is that it can increase your home’s real estate value. If you ever decide to sell your home, 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 negatives of home warranties, home system and appliance coverage varies by provider, so it’s important to understand what each plan covers and excludes in the contract.
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 in Towson can cost anywhere from $30 to $60 a month. The higher-priced plans usually have a lower service fee, higher coverage limits, and broader coverage. This cost is often lower if you pay annually instead of monthly. Some providers will also decrease your up-front costs when you agree to a higher service fee.
Home warranties and home insurance differ in what sorts of damage they cover. Home warranties cover problems with systems and appliances that need to be repaired or replaced 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 can sometimes be a concern in Towson. It doesn't cover a typical appliance or system breakage.
First-time homebuyers, landlords, home sellers, homeowners, and real estate agents can all get home warranty plans. A home warranty can help make your property more appealing to prospective buyers and save you money in the long run.
A home warranty can cover your home’s appliances, systems, or both. Combination plans are great if you need more coverage for your home, but a system- or appliance-only plan can be helpful 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 plans.
Generally, 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 Towson, where the median home value is $441,033, having the seller pay for the home warranty can save you some money on your new home.
