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 Melrose can be costly, particularly as your home ages and your systems and appliances have to be repaired or replaced. A home warranty in Melrose can help lower your out-of-pocket costs by covering repairs or replacements to major home systems and appliances that break down due to normal wear and tear.
Finding the best home warranty on the market can be challenging, as there are dozens of companies to choose from. That’s why our team at Today's Homeowner did the research and compiled a list of the best home warranty companies in Melrose 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
In Melrose, Liberty Home Guard offers the most trustworthy home warranty. The 3 plans from Liberty are easy to understand and offer 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.
Liberty Home Guard offers 3 plans for Melrose homeowners. The Appliance Guard, Systems Guard, and Total Home Guard are the options they have, which have a mix of system and appliance coverage. The coverage limits from Liberty are about $3,000. The service fees are an affordable $75, which is less than other providers in the Melrose area.
For a more detailed breakdown, read our full review of Liberty Home Guard. To get 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
In Melrose, Choice Home Warranty offers the best overall home warranty. The 2 plans from Choice are easy to understand and offer 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.
Choice Home Warranty offers 2 plans for Melrose homeowners. The Basic Plan and Total Plan are the options they have, which have a mix of system and appliance coverage. The coverage limits from Choice are about $3,000. The service fees are an affordable $85, which is less than other providers in the Melrose area.
For a more detailed breakdown, read our full review of Choice Home Warranty. To get 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
In Melrose, Select Home Warranty offers the most cost-effective home warranty. The 3 plans from Select are easy to understand and offer 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.
Select Home Warranty offers 3 plans for Melrose homeowners. The Bronze Care Plan, Gold Care Plan, and Platinum Care Plan are the options they have, which have a mix of system and appliance coverage. The coverage limits from Select are about $2,000. The service fees are a reasonable $60, which is less than other providers in the Melrose area.
For a more detailed breakdown, read our full review of Select Home Warranty. To get 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
In Melrose, American Home Shield offers the most customizable home warranty. The 3 plans from AHS are easy to understand and offer 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.
American Home Shield offers 3 plans for Melrose homeowners. The ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, and ShieldPlatinum are the options they have, which have a mix of system and appliance coverage. The coverage limits from AHS are about $2,500. The service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $125, which is less than other providers in the Melrose area.
For a more detailed breakdown, read our full review of American Home Shield. To get a free quote from American Home Shield, fill out this online form or give them a call at 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
In Melrose, Cinch Home Services offers the home warranty with the best workmanship guarantee. The 3 plans from Cinch are easy to understand and offer 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.
Cinch Home Services offers 3 plans for Melrose homeowners. The Appliances Plan, Built-in Systems Plan, and Complete Home Plan are the options they have, which have a mix of system and appliance coverage. The coverage limits from Cinch are about $1,000-$2,000. The service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $150, which is less than other providers in the Melrose area.
For a more detailed breakdown, read our full review of Cinch Home Services. To get 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
In Melrose, The Home Service Club offers the best home warranty with the quickest service. The 2 plans from HSC are easy to understand and offer 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 Home Service Club offers 2 plans for Melrose homeowners. The Standard Coverage Plan and Comprehensive Coverage Plan are the options they have, which have a mix of system and appliance coverage. The coverage limits from HSC are about $2,000. The service fees are customizable and range from $65 to $90, which is less than other providers in the Melrose area.
For a more detailed breakdown, read our full review of The Home Service Club. To get 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 | $7,064 |
| Heating | $4,709 |
| Electrical | $706 |
| Toilets | $589 |
| Washer/Dryer | $942 |
| Plumbing | $706 |
| Oven | $1,884 |
| Fridge | $706 |
A home warranty is a protection policy that helps reduce the high costs for Melrose homeowners needing appliance and system repairs. These plans provide financial coverage to repair or replace 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 homeowners reassurance by helping avoid expensive emergency repairs. The coverage is especially helpful for owners of older houses or houses with systems near the end of their life span. However, homeowners with newer homes and functioning appliances may not require a home warranty.
Home warranties cover many household systems and appliances. Warranties usually cover appliances such as dishwashers, microwaves, refrigerators, garbage disposals, dryers, washers, and others. Covered systems include electrical, heating, plumbing, and air conditioning. Many home warranty providers also offer additional coverage for locksmiths, septic systems, central vacuums, and roof leaks. Melrose homeowners should know that most home warranty policies have a 30-day period you must wait before they will cover the cost of any repairs. Additionally, most policies only cover repairs and replacements that result from normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't cover problems such as pre-existing conditions, cosmetic issues, natural disasters, or misuse of a system or appliance. You need to keep up with preventative maintenance to help ensure that your next repair or replacement will be covered by the policy.
Before signing a home warranty contract, you should learn key terms like:
When choosing a home warranty provider, there are several key factors to consider:
Home warranties have significant variation in what they include. Basic plans typically include electrical, plumbing, AC, heating, and appliances, while more comprehensive plans may also cover roof leaks, well pumps, spas, and pools. Focus on providers 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 company with lower service 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 can provide insight into things such as repair timeliness, approval rates, contractor quality, and customer service. Browse review platforms such as Google Reviews, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), or TrustPilot to research companies. Good ratings and feedback indicate a company known for great service.
Home warranty businesses maintain networks of local contractors to handle repairs in your area. Contact potential providers to ask how many repair contractors they have in Melrose and get an idea for how quickly your repairs might happen in an emergency situation. More extensive networks raise the chances of getting qualified contractors to quickly service your home.
Some home warranty companies may include perks such as reduced maintenance fees, energy efficiency upgrades, and smart home device coverage. These can offer extra value beyond just repair coverage. Extra bonuses let you enhance your home and get the most from your home warranty.
Melrose’s cold winters can put a strain on a home’s HVAC system. Whether it’s summer or winter, a home warranty is designed to cover your home’s appliances and systems in the event they need to be repaired or replaced. For example, if your air conditioner fails in the middle of July, a home warranty can cover the repairs, saving you from spending unexpected money out of pocket.
In addition to saving you money on out-of-pocket expenses, a home warranty can provide you peace of mind and save you the hassle of trying to find a qualified technician to visit your home. Home warranties usually have a network of pre-vetted technicians who can handle any repair issues you may experience. A home warranty can also yield value in other ways. For instance, some plans can be transferred between owners when you sell your home.
As for the downsides of home warranties, coverage varies by provider, so it’s important to read what each policy covers and doesn’t include in the contract.
Another stipulation is that home warranties usually only cover damage from normal wear and tear. They often won’t cover home systems or appliances that have stopped working due to improper maintenance, natural disasters, animal infestations, etc.
A home warranty in Melrose can cost between $30 and $60 a month. The higher-priced plans tend to have higher coverage limits, a lower service fee, and broader coverage. This cost is often lower if you pay annually instead of monthly. Some providers will also lower 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 warranty policies cover problems related to systems and appliances that need repairs or replacements due to normal wear and tear. A home insurance policy is a different plan that protects your entire home from natural disasters, which might not be too much of a concern in Melrose. It doesn't cover a typical appliance or system repairs.
Homebuyers, real estate agents, homeowners, landlords, and home sellers can all get home warranty plans. A home warranty can help make your home more appealing to prospective buyers and save you money in the long run.
The different kinds of home warranties in Melrose include plans with coverage for either appliances or systems as well as combination plans. A combination plan will cover many of your systems and appliances, including your dishwasher, washing machine, and heating and cooling systems. A plan that only covers appliances or systems will cover only the specific items mentioned in the plan.
Home warranty plans generally last a year. Many companies let you renew your plan yearly, and some offer month-to-month plans as well.
In general, the homeowner is the one who is responsible for paying the premium and service fees. However, when buying a new home, sometimes the seller is the one who paid for the policy. This can then be transferred to the new homeowner, who has to pay the service fees when using the policy. In Melrose, where the median value of a home is $827,225, having the seller pay for the home warranty can be a good asset for your new home.
