Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Written By David Cusick
Last Updated April 2024
Southfield offers homeowners some great living options. However, unplanned repair and replacement costs on your home’s appliances and systems can get quite pricey. A home warranty is a way to protect your bank account from unexpected home repairs and expenses. With a home warranty in place, your repair costs can be considerably lower and allow you to live in your home with more peace of mind.
Choosing the best home warranty on the market can be difficult because of the numerous options out there. If you're tired of trying to compare them all, keep reading for our guide on the top home warranty companies in Southfield.
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 Southfield. The 3 policies that Liberty offers include differing levels of system and appliance coverage, as well as add-on options. 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.
There are 3 home warranty plans from Liberty Home Guard: 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 major systems and appliances, and service fees are an affordable $75.
To receive a free quote from Liberty Home Guard, you can fill out this online form or call 866-451-2281. Read more by visiting our 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 Southfield. The 2 policies that Choice offers include differing levels of system and appliance coverage, as well as add-on options. 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.
There are 2 home warranty plans from Choice Home Warranty: Basic Plan and Total Plan. The coverage caps associated with Choice’s plans are close to the $3,000 mark for many major systems and appliances, and service fees are an affordable $85.
To receive a free quote from Choice Home Warranty, you can fill out this online form or call 929-400-6164. Read more by visiting our 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 Southfield. The 3 policies that Select offers include differing levels of system and appliance coverage, as well as add-on options. 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.
There are 3 home warranty plans from Select Home Warranty: 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 major systems and appliances, and service fees are a reasonable $60.
To receive a free quote from Select Home Warranty, you can fill out this online form or call 888-370-3953. Read more by visiting our 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 Southfield. The 3 policies that AHS offers include differing levels of system and appliance coverage, as well as add-on options. 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.
There are 3 home warranty plans from American Home Shield: ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, and ShieldPlatinum. The coverage caps associated with AHS’s plans are close to the $2,500 mark for many major systems and appliances, and service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $125.
To receive a free quote from American Home Shield, you can fill out this online form or call 888-365-2839. Read more by visiting our 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 is the best home warranty for appliance coverage in Southfield. The 2 policies that First American offers include differing levels of system and appliance coverage, as well as add-on options. First American has established itself as a company with very affordable and comprehensive appliance coverage. It also 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.
There are 2 home warranty plans from First American Home Warranty: Basic Plan and Premier Plan. The coverage caps associated with First American’s plans are close to the $1,500 mark for many major systems and appliances, and service fees are a reasonable $85.
To receive a free quote from First American Home Warranty, you can fill out this online form or call 833-204-7164. Read more by visiting our 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 is the home warranty with the best workmanship guarantee in Southfield. The 3 policies that Cinch offers include differing levels of system and appliance coverage, as well as add-on options. 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.
There are 3 home warranty plans from Cinch Home Services: 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 major systems and appliances, and service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $150.
To receive a free quote from Cinch Home Services, you can fill out this online form or call 877-589-0505. Read more by visiting our 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 Southfield. The 2 policies that HSC offers include differing levels of system and appliance coverage, as well as add-on options. 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.
There are 2 home warranty plans from The Home Service Club: Standard Coverage Plan and Comprehensive Coverage Plan. The coverage caps associated with HSC’s plans are close to the $2,000 mark for many major systems and appliances, and service fees are customizable and range from $65 to $90.
To receive a free quote from The Home Service Club, you can fill out this online form or call 800-750-9443. Read more by visiting our 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 | $6,320 |
| Heating | $4,213 |
| Electrical | $632 |
| Toilets | $527 |
| Washer/Dryer | $843 |
| Plumbing | $632 |
| Oven | $1,685 |
| Fridge | $632 |
A home warranty is a protection policy that assists Southfield homeowners lower the expenses of appliance and system repairs. The plans provide coverage to repair or replace 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 provider 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 goes over the item's coverage limit. A home warranty plan gives homeowners peace of mind since it can help avoid costly emergency repairs. They can be especially helpful for people purchasing older homes or homes with systems near the end of their life span. However, newer homes with appliances and fixtures in good condition may not require a home warranty.
Home warranties protect many household systems and appliances. Common covered appliances are microwaves, dishwashers, garbage disposals, dryers, washers, refrigerators, and others. Protected systems include plumbing, electrical, air conditioning, and heating. Many home warranty plans offer additional coverage for roof leaks, central vacuums, septic systems, and even locksmiths. Most home warranty plans require Southfield homeowners to wait 30 days before they can use the policy to pay for repairs. Moreover, policies normally 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 help ensure your next repair or replacement is covered, keep up with preventative maintenance.
Before signing a home warranty contract, you should understand key terms like:
When you're deciding on a home warranty provider, there are several important things to take into account:
Home warranty coverage varies widely in the items that are included. Most plans provide coverage for AC, heating, electrical, plumbing, and appliances. More inclusive options also cover other items such as well pumps, spas, pools, and roof leaks. Look for providers with flexible coverage choices, including upgraded plans. This allows you to tailor protection to 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 more affordable per-claim 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 company's reputation can provide insight into things such as repair timeliness, contractor quality, approval rates, and customer service. Use review platforms such as TrustPilot, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), or Google Reviews to research companies. Positive ratings and feedback indicate a company known for great service.
Home warranty companies use networks of local repair contractors to manage repairs in a given area. Reach out to potential companies to learn the number of repair professionals they have in Southfield and get an idea of how fast your repairs could be handled in an emergency. Bigger networks increase the chance of getting qualified contractors to swiftly service your home.
Some home warranty companies include bonuses such as smart home device protection, maintenance discounts, and energy efficiency upgrades. These perks add value beyond just repair coverage. Added bonuses can maximize the usefulness of the home warranty.
Temperatures in Southfield can vary greatly throughout the year, which means your air conditioner and heating systems are most likely going to get a decent amount of use. As a homeowner in Southfield, one benefit of having a home warranty is that these home systems and major appliances can be covered if they have to be repaired or replaced.
Not only can a home warranty save you some money on repairs and replacements, it saves you time too. Instead of having to vet technicians on your own, home warranty companies do the work for you and send a contractor from their network right to your door when you need them. Plus, having a home warranty can make your house more attractive to potential homebuyers if you ever decide to sell in the future. Many home warranty providers will allow you to transfer your policy to a new owner and give them the protection you’ve been receiving.
Home warranties also have some downsides. Though it can save you time when the home warranty sends out a repair person who does the repair for you, some homeowners may not like this, and they may want to choose their own contractor. If that’s important to you, some home warranty companies allow you to select a contractor.
Additionally, if you don’t maintain your home systems or appliances properly, or if they were damaged due to a natural disaster or animal infestation — anything besides normal wear and tear — the home warranty may not cover it.
A home warranty costs, on average, around $300 to $600 a year in Southfield. Our high-rated home warranty companies' 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. Additionally, it's typically cheaper 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 protects against normal wear and tear to home systems and appliances. Homeowners insurance protects the entire home in case of a situation such as a natural disaster or fire. Under homeowners insurance, you will not be able to file a claim if you need a new refrigerator or oven, unless the damage is due to a natural disaster, which is somewhat common in Southfield.
First-time homebuyers, real estate agents, homeowners, landlords, and home sellers are all eligible for home warranty plans. A home warranty can help make your property more appealing to prospective buyers and save you money in the long run.
The different home warranties in Southfield include plans that cover either appliances or systems as well as comprehensive plans. A comprehensive plan will cover 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 mentioned in the policy.
Home warranty plans generally provide coverage for a year. Many companies let you renew your plan annually, and some offer month-to-month plans as well.
Typically, the homeowner 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 will pay the service fees when using the policy. In Southfield, where the median home value is $240,352, having the seller pay for the home warranty can save you some money on your new home.
