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 be expensive over time, especially if your home in Waldorf is on the older side. A home warranty is a way to protect your savings from unexpected expenses. With a home warranty in place, your repair costs can be significantly lower and give you some peace of mind.
Finding the best home warranty on the market can be a challenge because of the numerous options out there. If you're overwhelmed by trying to compare them all, keep reading for our guide on the top home warranty providers in Waldorf.
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 is the most trustworthy home warranty in Waldorf. Liberty has been in business for about 6 years, making it a highly regarded company in the industry. With a home warranty from Liberty, you can benefit from 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 easily comprehensible and offer both system and appliance coverage.
The 3 plans from Liberty Home Guard are Appliance Guard, Systems Guard, and Total Home Guard. The coverage caps associated with Liberty’s plans are close to the $3,000 mark for many of the major systems and appliances, and service fees are an affordable $75.
For a more detailed breakdown, read our comprehensive review of Liberty Home Guard. To receive a free quote from Liberty Home Guard, fill out this online form or give them a call at 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
Choice Home Warranty is the best overall home warranty in Waldorf. Choice has been in business for about 15 years, making it a highly regarded company in the industry. With a home warranty from Choice, you can benefit from 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 easily comprehensible and offer both system and appliance coverage.
The 2 plans from Choice Home Warranty are Basic Plan and Total Plan. The coverage caps associated with Choice’s plans are close to the $3,000 mark for many of the major systems and appliances, and service fees are an affordable $85.
For a more detailed breakdown, read our comprehensive review of Choice Home Warranty. To receive a free quote from Choice Home Warranty, fill out this online form or give them a call at 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
Select Home Warranty is the most cost-effective home warranty in Waldorf. Select has been in business for about 11 years, making it a highly regarded company in the industry. With a home warranty from Select, you can benefit from 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 easily comprehensible and offer both system and appliance coverage.
The 3 plans from Select Home Warranty are Bronze Care Plan, Gold Care Plan, and Platinum Care Plan. The coverage caps associated with Select’s plans are close to the $2,000 mark for many of the major systems and appliances, and service fees are a reasonable $60.
For a more detailed breakdown, read our comprehensive review of Select Home Warranty. To receive a free quote from Select Home Warranty, fill out this online form or give them a call at 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
American Home Shield is the most customizable home warranty in Waldorf. AHS has been in business for about 26 years, making it a highly regarded company in the industry. With a home warranty from AHS, you can benefit from 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 easily comprehensible and offer both system and appliance coverage.
The 3 plans from American Home Shield are ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, and ShieldPlatinum. The coverage caps associated with AHS’s plans are close to the $2,500 mark for many of the major systems and appliances, and service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $125.
For a more detailed breakdown, read our comprehensive review of American Home Shield. To receive a free quote from American Home Shield, fill out this online form or give them a call at 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
First American Home Warranty is the best home warranty for appliance coverage in Waldorf. First American has been in business for about 39 years, making it a highly regarded company in the industry. With a home warranty from First American, you can benefit from 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 easily comprehensible and offer both system and appliance coverage.
The 2 plans from First American Home Warranty are Basic Plan and Premier Plan. The coverage caps associated with First American’s plans are close to the $1,500 mark for many of the major systems and appliances, and service fees are a reasonable $85.
For a more detailed breakdown, read our comprehensive review of First American Home Warranty. To receive a free quote from First American Home Warranty, fill out this online form or give them a call at 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
Cinch Home Services is the home warranty with the best workmanship guarantee in Waldorf. Cinch has been in business for about 44 years, making it a highly regarded company in the industry. With a home warranty from Cinch, you can benefit from 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 easily comprehensible and offer both system and appliance coverage.
The 3 plans from Cinch Home Services are Appliances Plan, Built-in Systems Plan, and Complete Home Plan. The coverage caps associated with Cinch’s plans are close to the $1,000-$2,000 mark for many of the major systems and appliances, and service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $150.
For a more detailed breakdown, read our comprehensive review of Cinch Home Services. To receive a free quote from Cinch Home Services, fill out this online form or give them a call at 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
The Home Service Club is the best home warranty with the quickest service in Waldorf. HSC has been in business for about 15 years, making it a highly regarded company in the industry. With a home warranty from HSC, you can benefit from 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 easily comprehensible and offer both system and appliance coverage.
The 2 plans from The Home Service Club are Standard Coverage Plan and Comprehensive Coverage Plan. The coverage caps associated with HSC’s plans are close to the $2,000 mark for many of the major systems and appliances, and service fees are customizable and range from $65 to $90.
For a more detailed breakdown, read our comprehensive review of The Home Service Club. To receive a free quote from The Home Service Club, fill out this online form or give them a call at 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 | $6,789 |
| Heating | $4,526 |
| Electrical | $679 |
| Toilets | $566 |
| Washer/Dryer | $905 |
| Plumbing | $679 |
| Oven | $1,810 |
| Fridge | $679 |
A home warranty is a protection plan that helps reduce the high costs for Waldorf homeowners needing appliance and system repairs. These plans provide financial coverage to fix or swap out appliances and systems that stop working due to normal wear and tear.
Homeowners file a claim and pay a service fee when something breaks. The home warranty company then finds a contractor to make the fix or replacement. The only time you may pay out-of-pocket is if the repair or replacement costs exceed the item's coverage limit. A home warranty gives peace of mind to homeowners because it helps prevent expensive emergency repairs. Home warranties are the most useful for older houses or those with aging systems. New homes with modern appliances may not need a home warranty.
Home warranties help protect your home systems and appliances. Common appliances covered under a home warranty include garbage disposals, dishwashers, refrigerators, microwaves, dryers, washers, and others. Covered systems include air conditioning, heating, electrical, and plumbing. Many home warranties also offer add-on coverage options for central vacuums, septic systems, locksmiths, and even roof leaks. It's important for Waldorf homeowners to know that most home warranty policies have a 30-day waiting period before they can be used to cover repairs. Additionally, policies typically only cover repairs and replacements due to normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't cover problems such as pre-existing conditions, natural disasters, cosmetic issues, or improper use of a system or appliance. You need to keep up with preventative maintenance to ensure that your next repair or replacement is covered by your policy.
There are multiple home warranty terms to understand before signing an agreement, including:
There are several key considerations when selecting a home warranty provider:
Home warranty coverage varies, although most plans provide coverage for AC, plumbing, electrical, heating, and appliances. More inclusive plans may also include other things such as well pumps, spas, roof leaks, and pools. Look for a provider that offers an extensive selection of coverage options, including upgraded plans. You want the flexibility to customize coverage to fit your home's specific systems and needs.
With any home warranty claim, you'll pay a repair fee that typically ranges between $60 and $100, which gets paid per service call made. 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 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, approval rates for claims, speed of repairs, and customer satisfaction. Use third-party review sites such as Google Reviews, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), or TrustPilot to research companies. Positive ratings and reviews indicate that a company is known for top-tier service.
Home warranty providers have networks of technicians to handle covered repairs. Larger networks increase the likelihood of getting qualified technicians to quickly service your home. Reach out to potential providers and ask how many contractors they have in Waldorf to get a sense of how soon your repairs could happen in an emergency.
Some home warranty providers include perks such as smart home device coverage, reduced maintenance fees, and energy efficiency upgrades. These can provide extra value beyond repair coverage. Added bonuses help you enhance your home and get the most from your home warranty.
Waldorf’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 stops working in the middle of July, a home warranty can cover the needed repairs, preventing you from spending unexpected money out of pocket.
Not only does a home warranty provide some financial relief, but it also saves you time. If an appliance breaks down, the last thing you want to do is find a technician and schedule a repair. A home warranty handles the research by sending trusted professionals to your door when you need them most. 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 provider you purchased your home warranty through.
As for the downsides of home warranties, coverage varies by provider, so it’s important to read what each plan covers and excludes in the contract.
Another consideration is that home warranties usually only cover repairs needed due to normal wear and tear. They commonly won’t cover systems or appliances that need repairs or replacements due to natural disasters, animal infestations, improper maintenance, etc.
A home warranty in Waldorf can cost between $30 and $60 a month. The higher-priced plans usually have broader coverage, higher coverage limits, and a lower service fee. You can often lower this cost by paying annually instead of monthly. Some companies 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 types of damage each covers. A home warranty plan protects against normal wear and tear to home systems and appliances. Homeowners insurance protects your entire home in case of something such as a natural disaster or fire. Under a homeowners insurance plan, you won't be able to file a claim should you need a new washing machine or air conditioner, unless the damage is due to a natural disaster, which is somewhat common in Waldorf.
Homebuyers, real estate agents, home sellers, homeowners, and landlords 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.
The different home warranties in Waldorf include plans that cover either appliances or systems as well as comprehensive plans. A comprehensive plan will cover your systems and appliances, such as your dishwasher, washing machine, and plumbing. A plan that only covers appliances or systems will cover only the items listed in the policy.
Home warranty plans typically last a year. Many providers let you renew your plan yearly, and some offer month-to-month options as well.
Typically, the one who owns the home is responsible for paying for the home warranty. In some cases, however, the person who is selling the home may purchase a home warranty and transfer the policy to the buyer. The new homeowner will then be responsible for the service fees when using the policy. Since the average home value in Waldorf is $421,731, a home warranty can save you some money when buying a home.
