Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Written By David Cusick
Last Updated April 2024
There are a lot of advantages of owning a home, but as your Boston home gets older, you may need to update your appliances and systems. A home warranty can give you the peace of mind you need and protect your bank account from unexpected expenses by covering your home’s major appliances and systems.
Finding the best home warranty on the market can be time-consuming, since there are so many companies to choose from. That’s why our team at Today's Homeowner did the research and made a list of the top home warranty companies in Boston 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 for Boston residents. Liberty has been in the home warranty industry for around 6 years. The 3 plans from Liberty are easy to comprehend and have a mix of both system and appliance coverage. If you’re looking for a seamless complaint process and guaranteed service professionalism upon every repair visit, Liberty is the perfect provider for you. Plus, it has a 60-day workmanship guarantee and some of the best customer service in the industry.
The plans that Liberty offers to homeowners are Appliance Guard, Systems Guard, and Total Home Guard. Liberty’s service fees are an affordable $75, and the coverage caps come out to around $3,000 per covered system or appliance.
To receive a free quote from Liberty Home Guard, you can fill out this online form or call 866-451-2281. For more information, read our Liberty Home Guard Review.
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 for Boston residents. Choice has been in the home warranty industry for around 15 years. The 2 plans from Choice are easy to comprehend and have a mix of both system and appliance coverage. If you’re looking for very high coverage caps and simple-to-understand service contracts, Choice is the perfect provider for you. Plus, it has great customer service, professional contractors, and lower out-of-pocket costs compared to other home warranties.
The plans that Choice offers to homeowners are Basic Plan and Total Plan. Choice’s service fees are an affordable $85, and the coverage caps come out to around $3,000 per covered system or appliance.
To receive a free quote from Choice Home Warranty, you can fill out this online form or call 929-400-6164. For more information, read our Choice Home Warranty Review.
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 for Boston residents. Select has been in the home warranty industry for around 11 years. The 3 plans from Select are easy to comprehend and have a mix of both system and appliance coverage. If you’re looking for a highly affordable service fee and free roof coverage upon purchase of a policy plan, Select is the perfect provider for you. Plus, it has an extensive network of highly trained professionals all over the country who are experts in home maintenance.
The plans that Select offers to homeowners are Bronze Care Plan, Gold Care Plan, and Platinum Care Plan. Select’s service fees are a reasonable $60, and the coverage caps come out to around $2,000 per covered system or appliance.
To receive a free quote from Select Home Warranty, you can fill out this online form or call 888-370-3953. For more information, read our Select Home Warranty Review.
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 for Boston residents. AHS has been in the home warranty industry for around 26 years. The 3 plans from AHS are easy to comprehend and have a mix of both system and appliance coverage. If you’re looking for the ability to customize your plan with the coverages that work specifically for your home, AHS is the perfect provider for you. Plus, it has a remarkably low claim denial rate in comparison to other home warranty companies.
The plans that AHS offers to homeowners are ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, and ShieldPlatinum. AHS’s service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $125, and the coverage caps come out to around $2,500 per covered system or appliance.
To receive a free quote from American Home Shield, you can fill out this online form or call 888-365-2839. For more information, read our American Home Shield Review.
ShieldSilver
ShieldGold
ShieldPlatinum
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 for Boston residents. Cinch has been in the home warranty industry for around 44 years. The 3 plans from Cinch are easy to comprehend and have a mix of both system and appliance coverage. If you’re looking for a 180-day workmanship guarantee that ensures your home systems and appliance repairs will be professionally done, Cinch is the perfect provider for you. Plus, it has a broad range of coverage options that will give homeowners peace of mind.
The plans that Cinch offers to homeowners are Appliances Plan, Built-in Systems Plan, and Complete Home Plan. Cinch’s service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $150, and the coverage caps come out to around $1,000-$2,000 per covered system or appliance.
To receive a free quote from Cinch Home Services, you can fill out this online form or call 877-589-0505. For more information, read our Cinch Home Services Review.
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 for Boston residents. HSC has been in the home warranty industry for around 15 years. The 2 plans from HSC are easy to comprehend and have a mix of both system and appliance coverage. 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, HSC is the perfect provider 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 plans that HSC offers to homeowners are Standard Coverage Plan and Comprehensive Coverage Plan. HSC’s service fees are customizable and range from $65 to $90, and the coverage caps come out to around $2,000 per covered system or appliance.
To receive a free quote from The Home Service Club, you can fill out this online form or call 800-750-9443. For more information, read our The Home Service Club Review.
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 | $7,531 |
| Heating | $5,020 |
| Electrical | $753 |
| Toilets | $628 |
| Washer/Dryer | $1,004 |
| Plumbing | $753 |
| Oven | $2,008 |
| Fridge | $753 |
A home warranty is a protection policy that helps cut costs for Boston homeowners needing appliance and system repairs. These plans provide coverage to repair or replace appliances and systems that break due to normal wear and tear.
Homeowners file a claim and pay a service fee when something breaks. The home warranty provider 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 peace of mind, as it helps avoid high-priced emergency repairs. The coverage is especially helpful for owners of older houses or houses with fixtures near the end of their life span. However, people with newer homes and modern appliances might not need a home warranty.
Home warranties cover your home systems and appliances. Common appliances covered include microwaves, refrigerators, washers, dryers, dishwashers, garbage disposals, and more. Covered systems are typically air conditioning, heating, plumbing, and electrical. Many home warranty companies offer add-on coverage for septic systems, roof leaks, central vacuums, and locksmiths. Most home warranty plans require Boston homeowners to wait 30 days before the plan will cover repairs. Moreover, policies typically only cover repairs and replacements due to normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't cover cosmetic issues, pre-existing conditions, natural disasters, or misusing a system or appliance. To make sure your next repair or replacement is covered, keep up with preventative maintenance.
Before signing a home warranty contract, you should learn key terms like:
When choosing a home warranty provider, there are several important factors to consider:
Home warranties vary widely in terms of included coverage. Basic plans typically include heating, electrical, AC, plumbing, and appliances, while more comprehensive options may also cover pools, spas, roof leaks, and well pumps. Focus on companies with broad coverage options including upgraded plans. Flexibility like this will help you customize protection for your needs.
Expect to pay a per-service fee of $60-100 for each home warranty claim. With these per-request costs adding up over time as you file claims, you may want to choose a provider with more affordable fees to maximize savings. Some providers also remove deductibles for homeowners who don't file claims in a certain period.
A home warranty company's track record gives insight into things such as contractor quality, claim approval rates, timeliness of repairs, and overall customer satisfaction. Look at third-party review sites such as the Better Business Bureau (BBB), TrustPilot, or Google Reviews to research companies. Complimentary ratings and reviews indicate a provider known for stellar service.
Home warranty providers use networks of local repair professionals to manage repairs in a given area. Contact potential companies to learn the number of repair specialists they have in Boston and get an idea of how quickly your repairs could be handled in an emergency. Bigger networks raise the chance of getting qualified contractors to quickly service your home.
Some home warranty providers may include perks such as reduced maintenance fees, energy efficiency upgrades, and smart home device coverage. These can provide extra value beyond just repair coverage. Added bonuses let you enhance your home and get the most from your warranty policy.
Boston’s cold winters 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 repairs, saving you from spending unexpected money out of pocket.
Not only does a home warranty provide some savings, but it also saves you time. If an appliance breaks down, the last thing you want to do is find a repair person and schedule a repair. A home warranty handles the research by sending trusted professionals to your door when you need them most. A home warranty can also yield value in other ways. For example, some plans can be transferred between owners when you sell your home.
One drawback of getting 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 through any contracts you’re considering carefully to get a sense of what is included and what isn’t.
Another thing to take into consideration is that some providers don’t cover pre-existing issues and may require an inspection before your coverage can begin. Ask the home warranty company for clarification about these things if you need more information or if this is an issue for you.
A home warranty costs, on average, around $300 to $600 a year in Boston. 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 choosing a higher service fee. In addition, it's usually less expensive 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 plan covers normal wear and tear to systems and appliances in a home. Homeowners insurance protects the entire home in a situation such as a fire or natural disaster. Under homeowners insurance, you will not be able to file a claim if you need a new dryer or air conditioner, unless the damage is due to a natural disaster, which can be a threat in Boston.
A home warranty policy can help homebuyers, real estate agents, homeowners, investors, and home sellers. It can provide peace of mind to anyone involved with homeownership.
The different types of home warranties in Boston include plans with coverage for either appliances or systems as well as comprehensive plans. A comprehensive plan will cover almost all your systems and appliances, such as your washing machine, drier, and heating and cooling systems. An appliance or system plan will cover only the items mentioned in the plan.
Home warranty plans usually provide coverage for a year. Many companies let you renew your plan yearly, and some offer month-to-month plans as well.
Typically, 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 transferred to the new homeowner, who has to pay the service fees. In Boston, where the median value of a home is $726,400, having the seller pay for the home warranty can be a good asset for your new home.
