Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
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Written By David Cusick
Last Updated June 2024
As much as you may love owning a home in St. Cloud, there's always that concern about whether your systems and appliances are going to need to be replaced in the next few years. A home warranty can offer you the peace of mind you need and safeguard your savings account from unexpected expenses by covering your home’s major systems and appliances.
Finding the right warranty for your home can be difficult, so our team at Today's Homeowner has done the research to help you find the top home warranty companies in St. Cloud. Read on for our top provider 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 St. Cloud. The 3 plans from Liberty are comprehensive and offer both system and appliance coverage. When you buy a policy from Liberty, you will get a seamless complaint process and guaranteed service professionalism upon every repair visit. Liberty Home Guard also has a 60-day workmanship guarantee and some of the best customer service in the industry.
Liberty Home Guard offers 3 plans for St. Cloud homeowners. The Appliance Guard, Systems Guard, and Total Home Guard are the options they have, which have a mix of system and appliance coverage. Service fees from Liberty are an affordable $75. The coverage caps are also about $3,000 at the maximum.
To receive a free quote from Liberty Home Guard, fill out this online form or call 866-451-2281. For more information on this provider, read our comprehensive 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 St. Cloud. The 2 plans from Choice are comprehensive and offer both system and appliance coverage. When you buy a policy from Choice, you will get very high coverage caps and simple-to-understand service contracts. Choice Home Warranty also has great customer service, professional contractors, and lower out-of-pocket costs compared to other home warranties.
Choice Home Warranty offers 2 plans for St. Cloud homeowners. The Basic Plan and Total Plan are the options they have, which have a mix of system and appliance coverage. Service fees from Choice are an affordable $85. The coverage caps are also about $3,000 at the maximum.
To receive a free quote from Choice Home Warranty, fill out this online form or call 929-400-6164. For more information on this provider, read our comprehensive 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 St. Cloud. The 3 plans from Select are comprehensive and offer both system and appliance coverage. When you buy a policy from Select, you will get a highly affordable service fee and free roof coverage upon purchase of a policy plan. Select Home Warranty also has an extensive network of highly trained professionals all over the country who are experts in home maintenance.
Select Home Warranty offers 3 plans for St. Cloud homeowners. The Bronze Care Plan, Gold Care Plan, and Platinum Care Plan are the options they have, which have a mix of system and appliance coverage. Service fees from Select are a reasonable $60. The coverage caps are also about $2,000 at the maximum.
To receive a free quote from Select Home Warranty, fill out this online form or call 888-370-3953. For more information on this provider, read our comprehensive 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 St. Cloud. The 3 plans from AHS are comprehensive and offer both system and appliance coverage. When you buy a policy from AHS, you will get the ability to customize your plan with the coverages that work specifically for your home. American Home Shield also has a remarkably low claim denial rate in comparison to other home warranty companies.
American Home Shield offers 3 plans for St. Cloud homeowners. The ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, and ShieldPlatinum are the options they have, which have a mix of system and appliance coverage. Service fees from AHS are customizable and range from $75 to $125. The coverage caps are also about $2,500 at the maximum.
To receive a free quote from American Home Shield, fill out this online form or call 888-365-2839. For more information on this provider, read our comprehensive 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 St. Cloud. The 3 plans from Cinch are comprehensive and offer both system and appliance coverage. When you buy a policy from Cinch, you will get a 180-day workmanship guarantee that ensures your home systems and appliance repairs will be professionally done. Cinch Home Services also has a broad range of coverage options that will give homeowners peace of mind.
Cinch Home Services offers 3 plans for St. Cloud homeowners. The Appliances Plan, Built-in Systems Plan, and Complete Home Plan are the options they have, which have a mix of system and appliance coverage. Service fees from Cinch are customizable and range from $75 to $150. The coverage caps are also about $1,000-$2,000 at the maximum.
To receive a free quote from Cinch Home Services, fill out this online form or call 877-589-0505. For more information on this provider, read our comprehensive 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 St. Cloud. The 2 plans from HSC are comprehensive and offer both system and appliance coverage. When you buy a policy from HSC, you will get quick coverage where the home warranty goes into effect just ten days after you pay for the plan, instead of the typical 30 days. The Home Service Club also has customer service representatives available 24/7, as well as a 30-day labor guarantee and a 90-day parts guarantee.
The Home Service Club offers 2 plans for St. Cloud homeowners. The Standard Coverage Plan and Comprehensive Coverage Plan are the options they have, which have a mix of system and appliance coverage. Service fees from HSC are customizable and range from $65 to $90. The coverage caps are also about $2,000 at the maximum.
To receive a free quote from The Home Service Club, fill out this online form or call 800-750-9443. For more information on this provider, read our comprehensive 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 | $5,868 |
| Heating | $3,912 |
| Electrical | $587 |
| Toilets | $489 |
| Washer/Dryer | $782 |
| Plumbing | $587 |
| Oven | $1,565 |
| Fridge | $587 |
A home warranty is a protection plan that helps St. Cloud homeowners cut the high costs of household repairs. These plans offer financial protection to fix or swap out appliances and systems that break down from 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 cost of the repair or replacement goes over the item's coverage limit. A home warranty provides peace of mind for homeowners by helping them prevent expensive emergency fixes. They're particularly valuable for those who live in older homes or ones with outdated systems. More modern homes with modern appliances probably don’t need a home warranty.
Home warranties safeguard both your home systems and appliances. Common appliances covered under a home warranty include microwaves, washers, refrigerators, dishwashers, garbage disposals, dryers, and others. Covered systems include heating, air conditioning, plumbing, and electrical. Many home warranties offer additional add-on coverage options for central vacuums, locksmiths, septic systems, and even roof leaks. Most home warranty plans require St. Cloud homeowners to wait 30 days before they can use the policy to pay for repairs. Moreover, policies typically only cover repairs and replacements resulting from normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't cover cosmetic issues, natural disasters, pre-existing conditions, or misusing a system or appliance. To help ensure your next repair or replacement is covered, keep up with preventative maintenance.
There are a number of home warranty terms to know before signing an agreement, including:
There are several key considerations when choosing a home warranty provider:
Home warranty plans can have major differences in covered items. Most plans provide protection for electrical, AC, plumbing, heating, and appliances. More comprehensive options also offer protection for other items such as roof leaks, pools, well pumps, and spas. Look for a provider that offers an extensive selection of coverage options, including upgraded plans. Flexibility is important when trying to fit a home warranty to your home's specific systems and needs.
Expect to pay a per-service fee of $60-100 for each home warranty claim. With these per-request costs adding up over time as you file claims, some homeowners prefer to choose a company with lower service fees to maximize savings. Some providers also eliminate deductibles for homeowners who don't file claims in a certain period.
A home warranty provider's reputation provides insight into things such as contractor quality, approval rates, repair timeliness, and customer service. Browse review platforms such as TrustPilot, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), or Google Reviews to research providers. Positive ratings and feedback indicate a provider known for exceptional service.
Home warranty businesses keep networks of local technicians to handle repairs in your area. Contact potential providers to find out how many repair contractors they have in St. Cloud and get an idea for how fast your repairs might happen in an emergency situation. Bigger networks increase the chances of getting qualified contractors to promptly service your home.
Some home warranty plans provide extras such as energy efficiency upgrades, maintenance discounts, and smart home device protection. These perks can add value beyond just repair coverage. Extra bonuses can maximize the usefulness of the home warranty.
St. Cloud’s frigid winters can put a strain on a home’s HVAC system. Whether it’s summer or winter, a home warranty can cover your home’s appliances and systems if they need to be repaired or replaced. For example, if your air conditioner stops working in the middle of July, a home warranty can cover the necessary repairs, preventing you from spending a lot of money out of pocket.
A home warranty also can also save you time and energy. Instead of spending hours researching and selecting a technician to fix your appliance or system, home warranty providers do the hard work for you and send a trusted professional to your door whenever you need them. Another benefit of having a home warranty is while selling your home, you can most likely transfer your home warranty to the new owners. It can make your house more attractive to potential homebuyers and may help your home sell faster.
As for the disadvantages of home warranties, system and appliance coverage varies by provider, so it’s important to read what each policy covers and excludes in the contract.
Another stipulation is that home warranties usually only cover malfunctions due to normal wear and tear. They most likely won’t cover home systems or appliances that need repairs or replacements due to animal infestations, improper maintenance, natural disasters, etc.
A home warranty in St. Cloud can cost between $30 and $60 a month. Higher-priced plans tend to have broader coverage, higher coverage limits, and a lower service fee. This cost is often lower if you pay annually instead of monthly. Some providers will also lower your up-front costs when you opt for a higher service fee.
The difference between a home warranty and homeowner's insurance lies in what kinds of damage each covers. A home warranty plan covers normal wear and tear to home systems and appliances. A homeowners insurance plan protects your home in a situation such as a fire or natural disaster. With a homeowners insurance plan, you won't be able to file a claim should you need a new dryer or dishwasher, unless the damage is due to a natural disaster, which is somewhat common in St. Cloud.
A home warranty plan can help investors, real estate agents, homebuyers, homeowners, and home sellers. It can offer peace of mind to anyone involved in homeownership.
A home warranty can 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 useful if you're concerned about one more than the other.
Generally, a home warranty lasts for a year and can be renewed annually. Some providers may offer month-to-month options.
In general, the homeowner 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 when using the policy. In St. Cloud, where the median value of a home is $238,267, having the seller pay for the home warranty can save you some money on your new home.
