Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Written By David Cusick
Last Updated April 2024
As much as you may love owning a home in Kalamazoo, there's always that fear about whether your systems and appliances are going to need to be replaced in the next few years. A home warranty can bring you the peace of mind you need and safeguard your savings account from unexpected expenses by covering your home’s major appliances and systems.
Finding the best home warranty on the market can be difficult because of the many options out there. If you're frustrated with trying to compare them all, keep reading for our guide to the top home warranty providers in Kalamazoo.
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 in Kalamazoo. 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 comprehensive and offer a mix of both system and appliance coverage.
The plans that Liberty offers to homeowners are Appliance Guard, Systems Guard, and Total Home Guard. The coverage caps from Liberty are about $3,000. The service fees are an affordable $75, which is cheaper than other providers in the Kalamazoo area.
To receive a free quote from Liberty Home Guard, fill out this online form or call 866-451-2281. For a more detailed breakdown, read our full 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 offers the best overall home warranty in Kalamazoo. 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 comprehensive and offer a mix of both system and appliance coverage.
The plans that Choice offers to homeowners are Basic Plan and Total Plan. The coverage caps from Choice are about $3,000. The service fees are an affordable $85, which is cheaper than other providers in the Kalamazoo area.
To receive a free quote from Choice Home Warranty, fill out this online form or call 929-400-6164. For a more detailed breakdown, read our full 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 offers the most cost-effective home warranty in Kalamazoo. 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 comprehensive and offer a mix of both system and appliance coverage.
The plans that Select offers to homeowners are Bronze Care Plan, Gold Care Plan, and Platinum Care Plan. The coverage caps from Select are about $2,000. The service fees are a reasonable $60, which is cheaper than other providers in the Kalamazoo area.
To receive a free quote from Select Home Warranty, fill out this online form or call 888-370-3953. For a more detailed breakdown, read our full 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 offers the most customizable home warranty in Kalamazoo. 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 comprehensive and offer a mix of both system and appliance coverage.
The plans that AHS offers to homeowners are ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, and ShieldPlatinum. The coverage caps from AHS are about $2,500. The service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $125, which is cheaper than other providers in the Kalamazoo area.
To receive a free quote from American Home Shield, fill out this online form or call 888-365-2839. For a more detailed breakdown, read our full review of American Home Shield.
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 offers the best home warranty for appliance coverage in Kalamazoo. 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 comprehensive and offer a mix of both system and appliance coverage.
The plans that First American offers to homeowners are Basic Plan and Premier Plan. The coverage caps from First American are about $1,500. The service fees are a reasonable $85, which is cheaper than other providers in the Kalamazoo area.
To receive a free quote from First American Home Warranty, fill out this online form or call 833-204-7164. For a more detailed breakdown, read our full review of First American Home Warranty.
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 offers the home warranty with the best workmanship guarantee in Kalamazoo. 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 comprehensive and offer a mix of both system and appliance coverage.
The plans that Cinch offers to homeowners are Appliances Plan, Built-in Systems Plan, and Complete Home Plan. The coverage caps from Cinch are about $1,000-$2,000. The service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $150, which is cheaper than other providers in the Kalamazoo area.
To receive a free quote from Cinch Home Services, fill out this online form or call 877-589-0505. For a more detailed breakdown, read our full 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 offers the best home warranty with the quickest service in Kalamazoo. 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 comprehensive and offer a mix of both system and appliance coverage.
The plans that HSC offers to homeowners are Standard Coverage Plan and Comprehensive Coverage Plan. The coverage caps from HSC are about $2,000. The service fees are customizable and range from $65 to $90, which is cheaper than other providers in the Kalamazoo area.
To receive a free quote from The Home Service Club, fill out this online form or call 800-750-9443. For a more detailed breakdown, read our full 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 | $5,954 |
| Heating | $3,969 |
| Electrical | $595 |
| Toilets | $496 |
| Washer/Dryer | $794 |
| Plumbing | $595 |
| Oven | $1,588 |
| Fridge | $595 |
A home warranty is a protection plan that assists Kalamazoo homeowners in lowering the expenses of appliance and system repairs. The plans offer financial coverage to swap out or fix appliances and systems that stop working due to normal wear and tear.
When something stops working, you file a claim and pay a service fee. The home warranty provider then finds a contractor to handle the replacement or repair. Homeowners may have out-of-pocket costs only if the cost of the repair or replacement goes over the item's coverage limit. A home warranty gives homeowners peace of mind, as it helps avoid expensive emergency repairs. The coverage is particularly helpful for buyers of older houses or houses with systems near the end of their life span. However, homeowners with newer homes and working appliances might not require a home warranty.
Home warranties cover many household systems and appliances. Covered appliances normally include dryers, microwaves, dishwashers, washers, refrigerators, garbage disposals, and others. Covered systems include plumbing, air conditioning, heating, and electrical. Many home warranty providers also offer additional coverage for roof leaks, central vacuums, locksmiths, and septic systems. Kalamazoo should understand that most home warranty plans have a waiting period of 30 days before repair claims will be approved. Most policies also only cover repairs and replacements resulting from normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't include natural disasters, cosmetic issues, pre-existing conditions, or improperly using a system or appliance. Be diligent about completing preventative maintenance to ensure your next repair or replacement is covered.
There are several home warranty terms to know before signing an agreement, including:
When selecting a home warranty provider, there are several key factors to consider:
Home warranty coverage varies, although most plans provide coverage for heating, AC, plumbing, electrical, and appliances. More extensive plans may also cover other things such as spas, pools, 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.
You'll pay a repair fee, normally ranging from $60–100 for each claim filed with your home warranty provider. These fees to accumulate quickly with each claim, so you may seek out companies advertising more affordable fees to optimize savings on each repair claim. Certain companies may eliminate deductibles when a homeowner submits no claims in a defined period.
A home warranty provider's reputation can offer insight into things such as approval rates for claims, contractor quality, 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 provider is known for top-tier service.
Home warranty companies maintain networks of technicians to handle covered repairs. Wider networks increase the probability of getting qualified technicians to quickly service your home. Reach out to potential providers and ask how many contractors they have in Kalamazoo to get a sense of how soon your repairs could happen in an emergency.
Some home warranty companies may include perks such as reduced maintenance fees, energy efficiency upgrades, and smart home device coverage. These can provide extra value beyond repair coverage. Extra bonuses allow you to enhance your home and get the most from your warranty policy.
Kalamazoo’s cold winters can put a strain on a home’s HVAC system. Whether it’s summer or winter, a home warranty will cover your home’s appliances and systems if 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 needed repairs, preventing you from spending unexpected money out of pocket.
Not only can a home warranty offer some savings, but it also saves you time. If an appliance breaks, the last thing you want to do is find a technician and schedule a repair. A home warranty handles this process by sending trusted professionals to your door when you need them most. Another benefit of having a home warranty is when you’re selling your home, you can most likely transfer your home warranty plan to the new owners. This can make your home more attractive to potential homebuyers and help your home sell faster.
There are also some downsides to purchasing a home warranty plan, such as the coverage exclusions. For instance, home warranties may not cover systems or appliances that are already covered under a manufacturer's warranty.
In addition, if you don’t maintain your home systems or appliances properly, or if they need repairs or replacements due to a natural disaster or animal infestation — anything other than normal wear and tear — the home warranty may not cover it.
A home warranty costs, on average, around $300 to $600 a year in Kalamazoo. Our top-rated home warranty providers' most comprehensive coverage options vary from $546 to $840 per year. You can decrease your monthly bill with some companies by opting for a higher service fee. Additionally, it's usually less expensive to pay annually rather than monthly.
The difference between a home warranty and homeowner's insurance lies in what types of damage each covers. A home warranty protects against normal wear and tear to systems and appliances in a home. Homeowners insurance protects your entire home in case of something such as a natural disaster or fire. With homeowners insurance, you won't be able to file a claim if you need a new refrigerator or stove, unless the damage is a result of a natural disaster, which is somewhat common in Kalamazoo.
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 appealing to prospective buyers and save you money in the long run.
A home warranty plan will cover your systems, appliances, or both. Combination plans are great if you need more coverage for your home, but a system- or appliance-only plan can be useful if you want to save some money.
Home warranty plans generally offer coverage for a year. Many companies let you renew your plan yearly, and some offer month-to-month options as well.
Typically, the person who owns the home is responsible for paying for the home warranty. In some cases, though, the home seller 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. Considering that the average home value in Kalamazoo is $225,230, a home warranty can save you some money when buying a home.
