Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Written By David Cusick
Last Updated April 2024
There are a lot of advantages of owning a home, but as your Meridian home gets older, you may need to update your appliances and systems. A home warranty is a way to protect your budget from unexpected expenses. With a home warranty in place, your repair costs can be significantly lower and allow you to live in your home with more peace of mind.
Finding the right warranty for your home can be difficult, so our team at Today's Homeowner has compiled this guide to help you find the best home warranty companies in Meridian. Read on for our 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 offers the most trustworthy home warranty for Meridian residents. Liberty has 3 plans for homeowners to decide between. 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.
Liberty Home Guard has 3 plans that offer a combination of appliance and system coverage. The coverage caps from Liberty are around $3,000. The service fees are an affordable $75, which is less than other providers in the Meridian area.
For a more detailed breakdown, read our detailed review of Liberty Home Guard. 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 offers the best overall home warranty for Meridian residents. Choice has 2 plans for homeowners to decide between. 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.
Choice Home Warranty has 2 plans that offer a combination of appliance and system coverage. The coverage caps from Choice are around $3,000. The service fees are an affordable $85, which is less than other providers in the Meridian area.
For a more detailed breakdown, read our detailed review of Choice Home Warranty. 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 offers the most cost-effective home warranty for Meridian residents. Select has 3 plans for homeowners to decide between. 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.
Select Home Warranty has 3 plans that offer a combination of appliance and system coverage. The coverage caps from Select are around $2,000. The service fees are a reasonable $60, which is less than other providers in the Meridian area.
For a more detailed breakdown, read our detailed review of Select Home Warranty. 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 offers the most customizable home warranty for Meridian residents. AHS has 3 plans for homeowners to decide between. 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.
American Home Shield has 3 plans that offer a combination of appliance and system coverage. The coverage caps from AHS are around $2,500. The service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $125, which is less than other providers in the Meridian area.
For a more detailed breakdown, read our detailed review of American Home Shield. To get a free quote from American Home Shield, you can fill out this online form or call 888-365-2839.
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 for Meridian residents. First American has 2 plans for homeowners to decide between. 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.
First American Home Warranty has 2 plans that offer a combination of appliance and system coverage. The coverage caps from First American are around $1,500. The service fees are a reasonable $85, which is less than other providers in the Meridian area.
For a more detailed breakdown, read our detailed review of First American Home Warranty. To get a free quote from First American Home Warranty, you can fill out this online form or call 833-204-7164.
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 for Meridian residents. Cinch has 3 plans for homeowners to decide between. 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.
Cinch Home Services has 3 plans that offer a combination of appliance and system coverage. The coverage caps from Cinch are around $1,000-$2,000. The service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $150, which is less than other providers in the Meridian area.
For a more detailed breakdown, read our detailed review of Cinch Home Services. 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 offers the best home warranty with the quickest service for Meridian residents. HSC has 2 plans for homeowners to decide between. 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 Home Service Club has 2 plans that offer a combination of appliance and system coverage. The coverage caps from HSC are around $2,000. The service fees are customizable and range from $65 to $90, which is less than other providers in the Meridian area.
For a more detailed breakdown, read our detailed review of The Home Service Club. 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 | $5,844 |
| Heating | $3,896 |
| Electrical | $584 |
| Toilets | $487 |
| Washer/Dryer | $779 |
| Plumbing | $584 |
| Oven | $1,559 |
| Fridge | $584 |
A home warranty is a protection policy that helps Meridian homeowners cut the costs of appliance and system repairs. The plans provide financial coverage to fix or replace appliances and systems that break down due to normal wear and tear.
When something breaks down, you submit a claim and pay a service fee. The home warranty company then finds a contractor to handle the fix 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 policy gives homeowners a sense of security and can help avoid costly emergency repairs. They can be especially helpful for people purchasing older homes or homes with appliances 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 your home systems and appliances. Common appliances covered include dishwashers, dryers, microwaves, washers, refrigerators, garbage disposals, and more. Covered systems are usually heating, air conditioning, electrical, and plumbing. Many home warranty providers offer add-on coverage for septic systems, central vacuums, locksmiths, and roof leaks. Meridian homeowners should know that most home warranty policies have a 30-day period you must wait before they will cover the cost of any repairs. Additionally, most policies only cover repairs and replacements needed due to normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't cover problems such as natural disasters, pre-existing conditions, cosmetic issues, or improper use of a system or appliance. You need to keep up with preventative maintenance to ensure that your next repair or replacement is covered by your policy.
Here are some key home warranty terms to understand before signing a contract:
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 cover plumbing, heating, AC, electrical, and appliances. More robust coverage options also offer coverage on other items such as pools, well pumps, roof leaks, and spas. Look for a provider that offers comprehensive coverage choices, including upgraded plans. You want the flexibility to customize coverage to fit your home's specific systems and needs.
Expect to pay a per-service fee of $60-100 for each home warranty claim. As this charge applies to every separate claim, some homeowners prefer to choose a company with more affordable fees to maximize savings on every claim. 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 approval rates, contractor quality, repair timeliness, and customer satisfaction. Browse review platforms such as the Better Business Bureau (BBB), Google Reviews, or TrustPilot to research companies. Good ratings and feedback indicate a company known for exceptional service.
Home warranty companies maintain networks of local contractors to handle repairs in your area. Contact potential providers to find out how many repair contractors they have in Meridian and get an idea for how fast your repairs might happen in an emergency situation. Bigger networks increase the likelihood of getting qualified contractors to quickly service your home.
Some home warranty companies offer extras such as maintenance discounts, energy efficiency upgrades, and smart home device protection. These can add value beyond repair coverage. Added bonuses maximize the usefulness of your home warranty.
Meridian’s hot summers 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 in the event they need to be repaired or replaced. For example, if your air conditioner breaks down in the middle of July, a home warranty can cover the needed repairs, preventing you from spending unexpected money out of pocket.
In addition to saving you money on out-of-pocket expenses, a home warranty can give you peace of mind and save you the headache 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 have. In addition, though it varies by company, some providers will let you transfer your warranty in the event that you sell your home. This can make your home more attractive to potential homebuyers and maybe even help your home sell faster.
Home warranties also have some cons. While it can give you less to worry about since the home warranty sends out a service technician who handles the repair for you, some homeowners may not like this, and they would prefer to select a contractor themselves. If that’s the case for you, some home warranty plans let you select a contractor.
Plus, 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 other than normal wear and tear — the home warranty may not cover it.
A home warranty in Meridian can cost anywhere from $30 to $60 a month. The higher-priced plans tend to have higher coverage limits, broader coverage, and a lower service fee. Home warranties are often cheaper when you pay annually instead of monthly. Some companies will also reduce your up-front costs when you agree to 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 helps protect against normal wear and tear to systems and appliances in a home. Homeowners insurance protects your home in case of a situation such as a natural disaster or fire. Under a homeowners insurance plan, you will not be able to file a claim should you need a new washing machine or dishwasher, unless the damage is a result of a natural disaster, which is somewhat common in Meridian.
A home warranty can help investors, homebuyers, real estate agents, home sellers, and homeowners. It can provide peace of mind and savings to anyone involved in homeownership.
A home warranty plan can cover your home’s appliances, systems, or both. Combination plans are beneficial if you'd like more coverage for your home, but a system- or appliance-only plan can be a good idea if you want to save some money.
Home warranty plans typically last a year. Many companies let you renew your plan yearly, and some offer month-to-month options as well.
Usually the homeowner pays for the home warranty. In some cases, though, the home seller may buy 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. Since the average home value in Meridian is $109,946, a home warranty can save you some money when buying a home.
