Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Our editorial team is committed to creating independent and objective content focused on helping our readers make informed decisions. To help support these efforts we receive compensation from companies that advertise with us.
The compensation we receive from these companies may impact how and where products appear on this site. This compensation does not influence the recommendations or advice our editorial team provides within our content. We do not include all companies, products or offers that may be available.
Written By David Cusick
Last Updated June 2024
Owning a house can have many advantages, but it can also come with some downsides like maintenance. The older your house’s systems and appliances are, the more likely it is that you'll benefit from a home warranty. A home warranty can offer you the peace of mind you need and guard your bank account from unexpected expenses by covering your home’s major systems and appliances.
Finding the best warranty for your home can be time-consuming, so our team at Today's Homeowner has done the research to help you find the best home warranty companies in Waltham. Keep reading for our recommendations.
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 Waltham. Liberty has over 6 years of industry experience and in that time has built a impressive network of service professionals nationwide. The home warranty provider offers 3 plans to policyholders that have various options for appliance and system coverage. 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.
There are 3 home warranty plans from Liberty Home Guard: Appliance Guard, Systems Guard, and Total Home Guard. Service fees from Liberty are an affordable $75. The coverage caps are also typically about $3,000 at the maximum.
To receive a free quote from Liberty Home Guard, fill out this online form or give them a call at 866-451-2281. For a more detailed breakdown, read our detailed review of Liberty Home Guard.
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 Waltham. Choice has over 15 years of industry experience and in that time has built a impressive network of service professionals nationwide. The home warranty provider offers 2 plans to policyholders that have various options for appliance and system coverage. 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.
There are 2 home warranty plans from Choice Home Warranty: Basic Plan and Total Plan. Service fees from Choice are an affordable $85. The coverage caps are also typically about $3,000 at the maximum.
To receive a free quote from Choice Home Warranty, fill out this online form or give them a call at 929-400-6164. For a more detailed breakdown, read our detailed review of Choice Home Warranty.
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 Waltham. Select has over 11 years of industry experience and in that time has built a impressive network of service professionals nationwide. The home warranty provider offers 3 plans to policyholders that have various options for appliance and system coverage. 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.
There are 3 home warranty plans from Select Home Warranty: Bronze Care Plan, Gold Care Plan, and Platinum Care Plan. Service fees from Select are a reasonable $60. The coverage caps are also typically about $2,000 at the maximum.
To receive a free quote from Select Home Warranty, fill out this online form or give them a call at 888-370-3953. For a more detailed breakdown, read our detailed review of Select Home Warranty.
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 Waltham. AHS has over 26 years of industry experience and in that time has built a impressive network of service professionals nationwide. The home warranty provider offers 3 plans to policyholders that have various options for appliance and system coverage. 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.
There are 3 home warranty plans from American Home Shield: ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, and ShieldPlatinum. Service fees from AHS are customizable and range from $75 to $125. The coverage caps are also typically about $2,500 at the maximum.
To receive a free quote from American Home Shield, fill out this online form or give them a call at 888-365-2839. For a more detailed breakdown, read our detailed review of American Home Shield.
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 in Waltham. Cinch has over 44 years of industry experience and in that time has built a impressive network of service professionals nationwide. The home warranty provider offers 3 plans to policyholders that have various options for appliance and system coverage. 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.
There are 3 home warranty plans from Cinch Home Services: 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 typically about $1,000-$2,000 at the maximum.
To receive a free quote from Cinch Home Services, fill out this online form or give them a call at 877-589-0505. For a more detailed breakdown, read our detailed review of Cinch Home Services.
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 Waltham. HSC has over 15 years of industry experience and in that time has built a impressive network of service professionals nationwide. The home warranty provider offers 2 plans to policyholders that have various options for appliance and system coverage. 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.
There are 2 home warranty plans from The Home Service Club: Standard Coverage Plan and Comprehensive Coverage Plan. Service fees from HSC are customizable and range from $65 to $90. The coverage caps are also typically about $2,000 at the maximum.
To receive a free quote from The Home Service Club, fill out this online form or give them a call at 800-750-9443. For a more detailed breakdown, read our detailed review of The Home Service Club.
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 | $7,400 |
| Heating | $4,934 |
| Electrical | $740 |
| Toilets | $617 |
| Washer/Dryer | $987 |
| Plumbing | $740 |
| Oven | $1,973 |
| Fridge | $740 |
A home warranty is a protection policy that assists Waltham homeowners cut the costs of appliance and system repairs. The plans provide financial coverage to repair or swap out appliances and systems that malfunction due to normal wear and tear. When something breaks down, you file a claim and pay a service fee. The home warranty company then arranges a contractor to handle the repair or replacement. Homeowners may have out-of-pocket costs only if the cost of repair or replacement exceeds the item's coverage limit. A home warranty gives security for homeowners by helping them prevent expensive emergency fixes. They're particularly valuable for those who own older homes or ones with outdated systems. More modern builds with working appliances probably don’t require a home warranty.
Home warranties cover many household systems and appliances. Covered appliances typically include washers, refrigerators, dishwashers, microwaves, garbage disposals, dryers, and others. Covered systems include plumbing, heating, electrical, and air conditioning. Many home warranty companies also offer additional coverage for septic systems, locksmiths, central vacuums, and roof leaks. Waltham homeowners should know that most home warranty plans begin with a 30-day waiting period before repairs are covered. Additionally, most policies only cover the cost of repairs and replacements resulting from normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't include pre-existing conditions, natural disasters, cosmetic issues, or misuse of a system or appliance. Make sure to keep up with preventative maintenance to help make sure your next repair or replacement is covered.
Home warranties use several terms that you'll want to understand before signing a contract, such as:
There are several important considerations when choosing a home warranty provider:
Home warranty coverage varies, although most plans provide coverage for AC, electrical, plumbing, heating, and appliances. More comprehensive options may also include other things such as well pumps, pools, roof leaks, and spas. Focus on companies with wide-ranging coverage selections including upgraded plans. This flexibility enables you to customize protection for your home's needs.
Homeowners should anticipate paying a $60–100 service fee when filing home warranty claims. These per-claim costs can add up, so some homeowners prefer using companies with lower service fees to maximize savings. Some companies also offer disappearing deductibles if a customer doesn't submit any claims in a set timeframe.
A home warranty provider's reputation provides insights into factors such as contractor expertise, repair speed, claim approval rates, and customer satisfaction. Look at review sites like Google Reviews, TrustPilot, or the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to learn more about providers. Positive feedback and ratings suggest a company known for quality service.
Home warranty companies have networks of technicians that they use to tackle covered repairs. Wider networks increase the chance of getting skilled contractors to your home quickly. Contact possible providers to find out how many repair professionals they have in Waltham. This helps you understand how long repairs might take in an urgent situation.
Certain home warranty providers include perks such as energy-efficient upgrades, discounts on maintenance, and protection for smart home devices. These provide extra value beyond repair coverage. Extra perks can enhance your home and help maximize your home warranty.
Temperatures in Waltham can vary greatly throughout the year, which means your air conditioner and heating systems are likely to get a decent amount of use. As a homeowner in Waltham, one of the benefits of having a home warranty is that these home systems and major appliances can be covered in the event they have to be repaired or replaced.
As well as saving you money on out-of-pocket expenses, a home warranty can give you peace of mind and save you the headache of trying to find a qualified contractor to visit your home. Home warranties usually have a network of pre-vetted contractors who can handle any repair problems you may experience. Plus, though it varies by company, some providers will let you transfer your warranty in the event that you sell your home. This can make your home more attractive to potential homebuyers and maybe even help your home sell faster.
Home warranties also have some cons. While it can be convenient that the home warranty sends out a repair technician who takes care of the repair for you, some may not like this, and they would rather select their own contractor. If that’s the case for you, some home warranty providers let you choose a contractor.
Another stipulation is that home warranties typically only cover repairs needed due to normal wear and tear. They often won’t cover home systems or appliances that have been damaged due to animal infestations, natural disasters, improper maintenance, etc.
A home warranty in Waltham can cost anywhere from $30 to $60 a month. The higher-priced plans typically have a lower service fee, broader coverage, and higher coverage limits. This cost is often lower if you pay 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 types of damage they cover. Home warranty policies cover issues related to systems and appliances that need to be repaired or replaced due to normal wear and tear. A home insurance policy is a different insurance that protects your entire home from natural disasters, which might not be too much of a concern in Waltham. It doesn't cover a typical appliance or system breakage.
A home warranty policy can help home sellers, homeowners, homebuyers, real estate agents, and investors. It can offer peace of mind to anyone involved with homeownership.
A home warranty plan will cover your systems, appliances, or both. Combination plans are great if you'd like more coverage for your home, but a system- or appliance-only plan can be a good idea if you want to save some money.
Generally, a home warranty lasts for a year and can be renewed yearly. Some providers may offer month-to-month plans.
Usually the homeowner is responsible for paying for the home warranty. In some cases, however, the home seller may buy a home warranty plan and transfer the policy to the buyer. The new homeowner will then be responsible for the service fees when using the policy. Considering that the average home value in Waltham is $750,523, a home warranty can be an added asset when buying a home.
