Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Written By David Cusick
Last Updated April 2024
Buying a home is a big step for many people, but maintaining it can be expensive over time, especially if your home in Dayton is on the older side. A home warranty in Dayton can help reduce 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.
The home warranty market is saturated with a variety of providers — all with different offerings — so our team at Today's Homeowner has compiled this guide to help you choose the best home warranty companies in Dayton.
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 Dayton. Liberty has more than 6 years of experience in the home warranty sector, and has provided great customer service at an affordable cost to its customers. The 3 plans from Liberty are comprehensive and have a mix of both system and appliance coverage. Liberty offers a seamless complaint process and guaranteed service professionalism upon every repair visit. Plus, it also has a 60-day workmanship guarantee and some of the best customer service in the industry.
The 3 plans from Liberty Home Guard are Appliance Guard, Systems Guard, and Total Home Guard. The coverage caps associated with Liberty’s plans are around the $3,000 mark for many major systems and appliances, and service fees are an affordable $75.
Read our full review of Liberty Home Guard to learn more. 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 in Dayton. Choice has more than 15 years of experience in the home warranty sector, and has provided great customer service at an affordable cost to its customers. The 2 plans from Choice are comprehensive and have a mix of both system and appliance coverage. Choice offers very high coverage caps and simple-to-understand service contracts. Plus, it also has great customer service, professional contractors, and lower out-of-pocket costs compared to other home warranties.
The 2 plans from Choice Home Warranty are Basic Plan and Total Plan. The coverage caps associated with Choice’s plans are around the $3,000 mark for many major systems and appliances, and service fees are an affordable $85.
Read our full review of Choice Home Warranty to learn more. 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 in Dayton. Select has more than 11 years of experience in the home warranty sector, and has provided great customer service at an affordable cost to its customers. The 3 plans from Select are comprehensive and have a mix of both system and appliance coverage. Select offers a highly affordable service fee and free roof coverage upon purchase of a policy plan. Plus, it also has an extensive network of highly trained professionals all over the country who are experts in home maintenance.
The 3 plans from Select Home Warranty are Bronze Care Plan, Gold Care Plan, and Platinum Care Plan. The coverage caps associated with Select’s plans are around the $2,000 mark for many major systems and appliances, and service fees are a reasonable $60.
Read our full review of Select Home Warranty to learn more. 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 in Dayton. AHS has more than 26 years of experience in the home warranty sector, and has provided great customer service at an affordable cost to its customers. The 3 plans from AHS are comprehensive and have a mix of both system and appliance coverage. AHS offers the ability to customize your plan with the coverages that work specifically for your home. Plus, it also has a remarkably low claim denial rate in comparison to other home warranty companies.
The 3 plans from American Home Shield are ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, and ShieldPlatinum. The coverage caps associated with AHS’s plans are around the $2,500 mark for many major systems and appliances, and service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $125.
Read our full review of American Home Shield to learn more. 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 in Dayton. Cinch has more than 44 years of experience in the home warranty sector, and has provided great customer service at an affordable cost to its customers. The 3 plans from Cinch are comprehensive and have a mix of both system and appliance coverage. Cinch offers a 180-day workmanship guarantee that ensures your home systems and appliance repairs will be professionally done. Plus, it also has a broad range of coverage options that will give homeowners peace of mind.
The 3 plans from Cinch Home Services are Appliances Plan, Built-in Systems Plan, and Complete Home Plan. The coverage caps associated with Cinch’s plans are around the $1,000-$2,000 mark for many major systems and appliances, and service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $150.
Read our full review of Cinch Home Services to learn more. 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 in Dayton. HSC has more than 15 years of experience in the home warranty sector, and has provided great customer service at an affordable cost to its customers. The 2 plans from HSC are comprehensive and have a mix of both system and appliance coverage. HSC offers quick coverage where the home warranty goes into effect just ten days after you pay for the plan, instead of the typical 30 days. Plus, it also 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 The Home Service Club are Standard Coverage Plan and Comprehensive Coverage Plan. The coverage caps associated with HSC’s plans are around the $2,000 mark for many major systems and appliances, and service fees are customizable and range from $65 to $90.
Read our full review of The Home Service Club to learn more. 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 | $6,608 |
| Heating | $4,405 |
| Electrical | $661 |
| Toilets | $551 |
| Washer/Dryer | $881 |
| Plumbing | $661 |
| Oven | $1,762 |
| Fridge | $661 |
A home warranty is a protection plan that assists Dayton homeowners reduce the high costs of household repairs. These plans provide financial protection to repair or replace appliances and systems that stop working from normal wear and tear.
Homeowners file a claim and pay a service fee when something breaks. The home warranty provider then finds a contractor to make the repair or replacement. The only time you may pay out-of-pocket is if the repair or replacement costs exceed the item's coverage limit. A home warranty gives homeowners reassurance, as it helps avoid high-priced emergency repairs. The coverage is particularly helpful for those living in older houses or houses with fixtures near the end of their life span. However, people with newer homes and functioning appliances might not need a home warranty.
Home warranties cover your home systems and appliances. Common covered appliances are microwaves, garbage disposals, washers, dishwashers, dryers, refrigerators, and more. Covered systems are typically electrical, air conditioning, plumbing, and heating. Many home warranty companies provide add-on coverage for septic systems, locksmiths, roof leaks, and central vacuums. Dayton homeowners should know that most home warranty plans begin with a 30-day waiting period before repairs are covered. What's more, most policies only cover repairs and replacements resulting from normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't include cosmetic issues, pre-existing conditions, natural disasters, or misuse of a system or appliance. You must keep up with preventative maintenance to help ensure your next repair or replacement is covered.
Before agreeing to a home warranty contract, you should learn key terms like:
When selecting a home warranty provider, there are several key factors to consider:
Home warranties differ greatly in the items covered. Basic plans typically include electrical, plumbing, AC, heating, and appliances, while more comprehensive options may also cover roof leaks, pools, well pumps, and spas. Look for providers with flexible coverage choices, including upgraded plans. This allows you to customize your plan to your home's needs.
With any home warranty claim, you'll pay a service fee that can range from $60 to $100, which is paid per service call made. These per-claim charges can add up. You may decide to look for companies with more affordable fees to maximize your savings on each claim. Some companies also offer disappearing deductibles when customers go a period with no claims filed.
A home warranty company's reputation gives you insight into things such as claim approval rates, timeliness of repairs, contractor quality, and overall customer satisfaction. Look at third-party review sites such as Google Reviews, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), or TrustPilot to research companies. Complimentary reviews and ratings 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 Dayton and get an idea of how quickly your repairs could be handled in an emergency. More extensive networks increase the chance of getting qualified contractors to quickly service your home.
Home warranty companies sometimes offer perks such as maintenance discounts, energy efficiency upgrades, and coverage for smart home devices. These add value beyond basic repair coverage. Added perks help maximize the usefulness of the home warranty.
Home warranty policies are a great way to protect your home systems and appliances from normal wear and tear. With temperatures in Dayton hitting an average high of 53℃F, you may find that certain appliances, such as your air conditioning unit, get a lot of use. A home warranty can remarkably decrease out-of-pocket costs should your HVAC system break down.
Along with saving you money on out-of-pocket expenses, a home warranty can provide you peace of mind and save you the pain of trying to find a qualified contractor to visit your home. Home warranties usually come with a network of pre-vetted contractors who can handle any repair issues you may come across. Another good thing about having a home warranty is if you want to sell your home, some providers let you transfer your home warranty to the new owners. It can make your home more attractive to potential homebuyers and help your home sell faster.
Home warranties also have some cons. Though it can be convenient that the home warranty sends out a contractor who takes care of the repair for you, some people may not like this, and they would rather choose their own contractor. If that’s important to you, some home warranty companies allow you to select a contractor.
Plus, if you don’t maintain your home systems or appliances properly, or if they need repairs 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 plan costs, on average, around $300 to $600 a year in Dayton. Our top-rated home warranty companies' most comprehensive coverage options vary from $546 to $840 per year. You can lower your monthly bill with some companies by opting for a higher service fee. Additionally, it's usually 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 plan helps protect against normal wear and tear to systems and appliances in a home. A homeowners insurance plan protects a home in case of a situation such as a natural disaster or fire. With a homeowners insurance plan, you won't be able to file a claim should you need a new washing machine or air conditioner, unless the damage is due to a natural disaster, which isn't that common in Dayton.
Homebuyers, home sellers, homeowners, real estate agents, and landlords are all eligible for home warranty plans. A home warranty can help make your home more attractive to prospective buyers and save you money in the long run.
A home warranty plan will cover your appliances, systems, or both. Combination plans are great if you need more coverage for your home, but a system- or appliance-only plan can be helpful if you want to save some money.
Generally, a home warranty plan lasts for a year and can be renewed yearly. Some companies may offer month-to-month plans.
Usually the person who owns the home pays for the home warranty. In some cases, though, the home seller may buy a home warranty policy and transfer the policy to the buyer. The new homeowner will then have to pay the service fees when using the policy. Since the average home value in Dayton is $479,171, a home warranty can be an added asset when buying a home.
