Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Written By David Cusick
Last Updated February 2024
With frigid winters, maintaining your home appliances and systems, especially your HVAC, is extremely important for homeowners in Prior Lake. A home warranty can offer you the peace of mind you need and guard 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, since there are lots of companies to choose from. That’s why the Today's Homeowner team did the research and put together a list of the best home warranty companies in Prior Lake 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
Liberty Home Guard is the most trustworthy home warranty in Prior Lake. Liberty has been in business for more than 6 years, making it a well-regarded company in the industry. Liberty offers 3 plans for homeowners to decide between. If you’re looking for a seamless complaint process and guaranteed service professionalism upon every repair visit, you’ll want to have this plan on your side. Plus, it has a 60-day workmanship guarantee and some of the best customer service in the industry.
The plans that Liberty offers to homeowners are Appliance Guard, Systems Guard, and Total Home Guard. Liberty’s service fees are an affordable $75, and the coverage limits come out to around $3,000 per covered appliance or system.
Read more by visiting our review of Liberty Home Guard. To receive 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
Choice Home Warranty is the best overall home warranty in Prior Lake. Choice has been in business for more than 15 years, making it a well-regarded company in the industry. Choice offers 2 plans for homeowners to decide between. If you’re looking for very high coverage caps and simple-to-understand service contracts, you’ll want to have this plan on your side. Plus, it has great customer service, professional contractors, and lower out-of-pocket costs compared to other home warranties.
The plans that Choice offers to homeowners are Basic Plan and Total Plan. Choice’s service fees are an affordable $85, and the coverage limits come out to around $3,000 per covered appliance or system.
Read more by visiting our review of Choice Home Warranty. To receive 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
Select Home Warranty is the most cost-effective home warranty in Prior Lake. Select has been in business for more than 11 years, making it a well-regarded company in the industry. Select offers 3 plans for homeowners to decide between. If you’re looking for a highly affordable service fee and free roof coverage upon purchase of a policy plan, you’ll want to have this plan on your side. Plus, it has an extensive network of highly trained professionals all over the country who are experts in home maintenance.
The plans that Select offers to homeowners are Bronze Care Plan, Gold Care Plan, and Platinum Care Plan. Select’s service fees are a reasonable $60, and the coverage limits come out to around $2,000 per covered appliance or system.
Read more by visiting our review of Select Home Warranty. To receive 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
American Home Shield is the most customizable home warranty in Prior Lake. AHS has been in business for more than 26 years, making it a well-regarded company in the industry. AHS offers 3 plans for homeowners to decide between. If you’re looking for the ability to customize your plan with the coverages that work specifically for your home, you’ll want to have this plan on your side. Plus, it has a remarkably low claim denial rate in comparison to other home warranty companies.
The plans that AHS offers to homeowners are ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, and ShieldPlatinum. AHS’s service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $125, and the coverage limits come out to around $2,500 per covered appliance or system.
Read more by visiting our review of American Home Shield. To receive 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
Cinch Home Services is the home warranty with the best workmanship guarantee in Prior Lake. Cinch has been in business for more than 44 years, making it a well-regarded company in the industry. Cinch offers 3 plans for homeowners to decide between. If you’re looking for a 180-day workmanship guarantee that ensures your home systems and appliance repairs will be professionally done, you’ll want to have this plan on your side. Plus, it has a broad range of coverage options that will give homeowners peace of mind.
The plans that Cinch offers to homeowners are Appliances Plan, Built-in Systems Plan, and Complete Home Plan. Cinch’s service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $150, and the coverage limits come out to around $1,000-$2,000 per covered appliance or system.
Read more by visiting our review of Cinch Home Services. To receive 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
The Home Service Club is the best home warranty with the quickest service in Prior Lake. HSC has been in business for more than 15 years, making it a well-regarded company in the industry. HSC offers 2 plans for homeowners to decide between. If you’re looking for quick coverage where the home warranty goes into effect just ten days after you pay for the plan, instead of the typical 30 days, you’ll want to have this plan on your side. Plus, it has customer service representatives available 24/7, as well as a 30-day labor guarantee and a 90-day parts guarantee.
The plans that HSC offers to homeowners are Standard Coverage Plan and Comprehensive Coverage Plan. HSC’s service fees are customizable and range from $65 to $90, and the coverage limits come out to around $2,000 per covered appliance or system.
Read more by visiting our review of The Home Service Club. To receive 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 | $6,369 |
| Heating | $4,246 |
| Electrical | $637 |
| Toilets | $531 |
| Washer/Dryer | $849 |
| Plumbing | $637 |
| Oven | $1,698 |
| Fridge | $637 |
A home warranty is a protection policy that helps reduce the high costs for Prior Lake homeowners needing appliance and system repairs. These plans provide financial coverage to fix or replace appliances and systems that stop working 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 fix 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 policy gives homeowners a sense of security and can help avoid expensive emergency repairs. They can be especially helpful for buyers of older homes or homes with systems near the end of their life span. However, newer homes with modern appliances and fixtures may not require a home warranty.
Home warranties cover your home systems and appliances. Common covered appliances are microwaves, dishwashers, garbage disposals, washers, dryers, refrigerators, and more. Included systems are normally electrical, air conditioning, plumbing, and heating. Many home warranty companies provide add-on coverage for septic systems, central vacuums, roof leaks, and locksmiths. It's important for Prior Lake homeowners to know that most home warranty policies have a 30-day period you must wait before they can be used to cover repairs. Additionally, most policies only cover repairs and replacements that result from normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't cover things like 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 your policy.
Home warranty contracts use several terms that you'll want to learn before signing, such as:
There are several important factors to consider when choosing a home warranty provider:
Home warranty coverage varies widely in the items that are included. Most plans include protection for plumbing, heating, AC, electrical, and appliances. More comprehensive plans also offer coverage on other items such as well pumps, roof leaks, spas, and pools. Look for a provider that offers robust coverage options, including upgraded plans. Flexibility is important when trying to fit a home warranty to your home's specific needs.
You'll pay a service fee, typically $60–100, for each claim filed with your home warranty provider. This fee is charged per request and can quickly add up, so you may look for companies advertising more affordable fees to optimize savings on each repair claim. Certain companies may eliminate deductibles if homeowners don't submit any claims within a set period of time.
A home warranty provider's reputation provides insights into factors such as contractor expertise, repair speed, claim approval rates, and customer satisfaction. Check review sites like the Better Business Bureau (BBB), TrustPilot, or Google Reviews to learn more about companies. Favorable feedback and ratings suggest a company known for delivering quality service.
Home warranty businesses keep networks of local professionals to handle repairs in your area. Reach out to potential providers to find out how many repair contractors they have in Prior Lake and get an idea for how fast your repairs might happen in an emergency situation. Larger networks improve the chances of getting qualified contractors to swiftly service your home.
Home warranty companies may include perks such as coverage for smart home devices, maintenance discounts, and energy efficiency upgrades. These extras add value beyond just repair coverage. Added perks maximize the usefulness of the home warranty.
Home warranty plans are a great way to protect your home systems and appliances from normal wear and tear. With temperatures in Prior Lake reaching an average high of 54℃F, you may find that certain appliances, such as your air conditioning system, get a lot of use. A home warranty can significantly bring down out-of-pocket costs should your HVAC system stop working.
As well as saving you money on out-of-pocket expenses, a home warranty can give you peace of mind and save you the hassle of trying to find a qualified contractor to visit your home. Home warranties usually come with a network of pre-vetted technicians who can handle any repair issues you may come across. Additionally, having a home warranty can make your house more appealing to potential homebuyers should 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 benefiting from.
One downside of purchasing a home warranty is that there are often exclusions. For instance, if one of your appliances already has a manufacturer's warranty, it may be excluded from the home warranty, so it’s important to read through the contracts you’re considering thoroughly to understand what is included and what isn’t.
Another possible pain point of home warranties is that they don’t cover systems or appliances that have been improperly maintained. This can lead to your claims being denied, so it’s important to be sure you follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for maintenance of your home systems and appliances.
A home warranty in Prior Lake can cost anywhere from $30 to $60 a month. Higher-priced plans usually have a lower service fee, broader coverage, and higher coverage limits. You can often lower this cost by paying annually instead of monthly. Some companies will also reduce your up-front costs when you opt for a higher service fee.
Home warranties and home insurance differ in what kinds of damage they cover. Home warranty policies cover problems related to home systems and appliances that need to be repaired or replaced due to normal wear and tear. A home insurance policy is a different kind of insurance that protects an entire home from natural disasters, which might not be too much of a concern in Prior Lake. It doesn't cover a normal appliance or system breakage.
Homebuyers, homeowners, real estate agents, home sellers, and landlords can all get home warranty plans. A home warranty can help make your house more appealing to prospective buyers and save you money in the long run.
The different kinds of home warranties in Prior Lake include plans with coverage for either appliances or systems as well as comprehensive plans. A comprehensive plan covers almost all your home systems and appliances, such as your refrigerator, washing machine, and HVAC. An appliance or system plan will cover only the items mentioned in the plan.
Home warranty plans typically offer coverage for a year. Many companies let you renew your plan each year, and some offer month-to-month options as well.
In general, the homeowner is the one who is responsible for paying the premium and service fees. However, if you have just bought 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. In Prior Lake, where the median home value is $501,750, having the seller pay for the home warranty can be a good asset for your new home.
