Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Written By David Cusick
Last Updated April 2024
The cost of maintaining a home in Cambridge can be expensive, particularly as your home ages and your appliances and systems have to be updated. A home warranty is a way to protect your budget from unexpected home repairs and 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 challenging because of the numerous options out there. If you're frustrated with trying to compare them all, keep reading for our guide to the best home warranty companies in Cambridge.
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 for Cambridge residents. The 3 plans from Liberty are easily comprehensible and have a mix of both system and appliance coverage. 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.
The plans that Liberty offers to homeowners 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.
To read more, visit our thorough review of Liberty Home Guard. To get 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
Choice Home Warranty is the best overall home warranty for Cambridge residents. The 2 plans from Choice are easily comprehensible and have a mix of both system and appliance coverage. 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.
The plans that Choice offers to homeowners 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.
To read more, visit our thorough review of Choice Home Warranty. To get 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
Select Home Warranty is the most cost-effective home warranty for Cambridge residents. The 3 plans from Select are easily comprehensible and have a mix of both system and appliance coverage. 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.
The plans that Select offers to homeowners 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.
To read more, visit our thorough review of Select Home Warranty. To get 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
American Home Shield is the most customizable home warranty for Cambridge residents. The 3 plans from AHS are easily comprehensible and have a mix of both system and appliance coverage. 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.
The plans that AHS offers to homeowners 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.
To read more, visit our thorough review of American Home Shield. To get a free quote from American Home Shield, you can fill out this online form or call 888-365-2839.
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 is the home warranty with the best workmanship guarantee for Cambridge residents. The 3 plans from Cinch are easily comprehensible and have a mix of both system and appliance coverage. 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.
The plans that Cinch offers to homeowners 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.
To read more, visit our thorough review of Cinch Home Services. To get 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
The Home Service Club is the best home warranty with the quickest service for Cambridge residents. The 2 plans from HSC are easily comprehensible and have a mix of both system and appliance coverage. 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 plans that HSC offers to homeowners 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.
To read more, visit our thorough review of The Home Service Club. To get 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 | $8,059 |
| Heating | $5,373 |
| Electrical | $806 |
| Toilets | $672 |
| Washer/Dryer | $1,075 |
| Plumbing | $806 |
| Oven | $2,149 |
| Fridge | $806 |
A home warranty is a protection plan that helps reduce the high costs for Cambridge homeowners needing appliance and system repairs. These plans provide financial coverage to fix or swap out appliances and systems that break due to 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 repair 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 reassurance to homeowners because it helps prevent expensive emergency repairs. Home warranties are especially useful for older construction homes with aging systems. New homes with up-to-date appliances might not need a home warranty.
Home warranties cover your home systems and appliances. Common covered appliances are washers, garbage disposals, dishwashers, refrigerators, microwaves, dryers, and more. Included systems are normally electrical, plumbing, air conditioning, and heating. Many home warranty providers offer add-on coverage for septic systems, roof leaks, central vacuums, and locksmiths. Most home warranty plans require Cambridge 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 pre-existing conditions, cosmetic issues, natural disasters, or misusing a system or appliance. To make sure your next repair or replacement is covered, keep up with preventative maintenance.
Before agreeing to a home warranty contract, you should understand key terms like:
There are several key considerations when choosing a home warranty provider:
Home warranty coverage varies widely in the items that are included. Most plans cover AC, heating, electrical, plumbing, and appliances. More comprehensive plans also offer coverage on other items such as roof leaks, spas, well pumps, and pools. Look for providers with a range of coverage choices, such as upgraded plans. Flexibility helps you tailor your protection for your needs.
You'll pay a standard service fee of around $60 to $100 for each claim filed with your home warranty provider. These per-claim charges can quickly add up, so you may seek out companies advertising lower service fees to optimize savings on each repair claim. Certain companies may eliminate deductibles after a customer goes a period of time with no claims filed.
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 TrustPilot, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), or Google Reviews to research companies. Complimentary ratings and reviews indicate a provider known for stellar service.
Home warranty companies use networks of local repair contractors to manage repairs in a given area. Contact potential companies to learn the number of repair technicians they have in Cambridge and get an idea of how quickly your repairs could be handled in an emergency. More extensive networks improve the chance of getting qualified contractors to swiftly service your home.
Some home warranty companies include perks such as energy efficiency upgrades, smart home device coverage, and reduced maintenance fees. These can offer extra value beyond repair coverage. Added bonuses let you enhance your home and get the most from your warranty policy.
Temperatures in Cambridge can vary greatly throughout the year, which means your air conditioner and heating systems are most likely going to get a lot of use. As a homeowner in Cambridge, one of the benefits of having a home warranty is knowing that these home systems and major appliances can be covered if they need to be repaired or replaced.
Plus, having a home warranty can save you time by eliminating the need to research service technicians — most companies will send a trusted professional right to your door to do the necessary repair or replacement. Plus, though it varies by company, some providers will allow you to transfer your warranty in the event that you sell your home. This can make your house more attractive to potential homebuyers and help your home sell faster.
One disadvantage of getting a home warranty is that there are often exclusions. For example, if one of your appliances already has a manufacturer's warranty, it may be excluded from the home warranty, so it’s important to read through any contracts you’re considering carefully to understand what is included and what isn’t.
Another downside is that home warranties may not include some repairs, like those needed because of natural disasters. For example, if your HVAC system is damaged from an animal infestation, the affected systems and appliances probably won’t be covered by the home warranty.
A home warranty in Cambridge can cost between $30 and $60 a month. Higher-priced plans typically have broader coverage, higher coverage limits, and a lower service fee. You can often lower this cost by paying annually instead of monthly. Some providers will also reduce your up-front costs when you agree to a higher service fee.
Home warranties and home insurance differ in what kinds of damage they cover. Home warranties cover issues related to 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 the entire home from natural disasters, which might not be too much of a concern in Cambridge. It doesn't cover a typical appliance or system breakage.
First-time homebuyers, landlords, home sellers, real estate agents, and homeowners can all get home warranty plans. A home warranty can help make your property more attractive to prospective buyers and save you money in the long run.
The different kinds of home warranties in Cambridge include plans with coverage for either appliances or systems as well as comprehensive plans. A comprehensive plan covers your systems and appliances, such as your washing machine, drier, and HVAC. A plan that only covers appliances or systems will cover only the items listed in the contract.
Generally, a home warranty policy lasts for a year and can be renewed annually. Some providers may offer month-to-month options.
In general, the homeowner is the one who pays 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 transferred to the new homeowner, who will pay the service fees. In Cambridge, where the median value of a home is $955,015, having the seller pay for the home warranty can save you some money on your new home.
