Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Written By David Cusick
Last Updated April 2024
Although homeownership in Kirkwood has a great number of advantages — such as being surrounded by nature — there are also not so glamorous sides. One major headache many homeowners have to deal with at some point is updating or repairing their home appliances and systems. A home warranty plan can help protect homebuyers and current homeowners by lowering the costs of major repairs and replacements on your home’s most important systems and appliances.
Finding the best home warranty on the market can be a challenge because of the many options available. If you're overwhelmed by trying to compare them all, keep reading for our guide to the best home warranty companies in Kirkwood.
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
In Kirkwood, Liberty Home Guard is the most trustworthy home warranty. 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. The 3 plans from Liberty are easy to understand and offer both system and appliance coverage.
The 3 plans from Liberty Home Guard are Appliance Guard, Systems Guard, and Total Home Guard. The coverage limits from Liberty are around $3,000. The service fees are an affordable $75, which is cheaper than other providers in the Kirkwood area.
To receive a free quote from Liberty Home Guard, fill out this online form or give them a call at 866-451-2281. To read more, visit our full 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
In Kirkwood, Choice Home Warranty is the best overall home warranty. 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. The 2 plans from Choice are easy to understand and offer both system and appliance coverage.
The 2 plans from Choice Home Warranty are Basic Plan and Total Plan. The coverage limits from Choice are around $3,000. The service fees are an affordable $85, which is cheaper than other providers in the Kirkwood area.
To receive a free quote from Choice Home Warranty, fill out this online form or give them a call at 929-400-6164. To read more, visit our full 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
In Kirkwood, Select Home Warranty is the most cost-effective home warranty. 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. The 3 plans from Select are easy to understand and offer both system and appliance coverage.
The 3 plans from Select Home Warranty are Bronze Care Plan, Gold Care Plan, and Platinum Care Plan. The coverage limits from Select are around $2,000. The service fees are a reasonable $60, which is cheaper than other providers in the Kirkwood area.
To receive a free quote from Select Home Warranty, fill out this online form or give them a call at 888-370-3953. To read more, visit our full 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
In Kirkwood, American Home Shield is the most customizable home warranty. 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. The 3 plans from AHS are easy to understand and offer both system and appliance coverage.
The 3 plans from American Home Shield are ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, and ShieldPlatinum. The coverage limits from AHS are around $2,500. The service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $125, which is cheaper than other providers in the Kirkwood area.
To receive a free quote from American Home Shield, fill out this online form or give them a call at 888-365-2839. To read more, visit our full 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
In Kirkwood, First American Home Warranty is the best home warranty for appliance coverage. 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. The 2 plans from First American are easy to understand and offer both system and appliance coverage.
The 2 plans from First American Home Warranty are Basic Plan and Premier Plan. The coverage limits from First American are around $1,500. The service fees are a reasonable $85, which is cheaper than other providers in the Kirkwood area.
To receive a free quote from First American Home Warranty, fill out this online form or give them a call at 833-204-7164. To read more, visit our full 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
In Kirkwood, Cinch Home Services is the home warranty with the best workmanship guarantee. 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. The 3 plans from Cinch are easy to understand and offer both system and appliance coverage.
The 3 plans from Cinch Home Services are Appliances Plan, Built-in Systems Plan, and Complete Home Plan. The coverage limits from Cinch are around $1,000-$2,000. The service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $150, which is cheaper than other providers in the Kirkwood area.
To receive a free quote from Cinch Home Services, fill out this online form or give them a call at 877-589-0505. To read more, visit our full 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
In Kirkwood, The Home Service Club is the best home warranty with the quickest service. 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 2 plans from HSC are easy to understand and offer both system and appliance coverage.
The 2 plans from The Home Service Club are Standard Coverage Plan and Comprehensive Coverage Plan. The coverage limits from HSC are around $2,000. The service fees are customizable and range from $65 to $90, which is cheaper than other providers in the Kirkwood area.
To receive a free quote from The Home Service Club, fill out this online form or give them a call at 800-750-9443. To read more, visit our full 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 | $6,250 |
| Heating | $4,166 |
| Electrical | $625 |
| Toilets | $521 |
| Washer/Dryer | $833 |
| Plumbing | $625 |
| Oven | $1,667 |
| Fridge | $625 |
A home warranty is a protection policy that helps Kirkwood homeowners lower the expenses of appliance and system repairs. The plans offer financial coverage to fix or swap out appliances and systems that stop working due to normal wear and tear.
When something breaks down, you submit a claim and pay a service fee. The home warranty company then arranges a contractor to handle the fix or replacement. Homeowners may have out-of-pocket costs only if the cost of repair or replacement exceeds the item's coverage limit. A home warranty plan gives homeowners peace of mind and can help avoid expensive 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 need a home warranty.
Home warranties protect many home systems and appliances. Common covered appliances include microwaves, refrigerators, dishwashers, washers, dryers, garbage disposals, and more. Covered systems include plumbing, electrical, heating, and air conditioning. Various home warranty plans offer extra coverage for roof leaks, septic systems, central vacuums, and even locksmiths. Kirkwood homeowners should know that most home warranty plans impose a 30-day waiting period before repairs are covered. Additionally, most policies only cover the cost of repairs and replacements due to normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't include natural disasters, pre-existing conditions, cosmetic issues, or improperly using a system or appliance. Make sure to keep up with preventative maintenance to help ensure your next repair or replacement is covered.
Before signing a home warranty contract, you should know key terms like:
When selecting a home warranty provider, there are several important factors to consider:
Home warranty policies can have major differences in covered items. Most plans cover heating, electrical, AC, plumbing, and appliances. More inclusive options also include coverage for other items such as pools, roof leaks, spas, and well pumps. Look for a provider that offers comprehensive coverage choices, including upgraded plans. Flexibility is important when trying to fit a home warranty to your home's specific 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 provider with more affordable fees to maximize savings on every claim. Some providers also eliminate deductibles if a customer goes a period of time without filing any claims.
A home warranty provider's reputation can give you insight into things such as repair timeliness, approval rates, contractor quality, and customer satisfaction. Check review platforms such as the Better Business Bureau (BBB), Google Reviews, or TrustPilot to research providers. Good ratings and feedback indicate a provider known for great service.
Home warranty companies use networks of local repair professionals to manage repairs in a given area. Reach out to potential businesses to ask how many repair technicians they have in Kirkwood and get an idea of how fast your repairs could be handled in an emergency. Bigger networks raise the probability of getting qualified contractors to quickly service your home.
Some home warranty companies provide extras such as maintenance discounts, energy efficiency upgrades, and smart home device protection. These can add value beyond repair coverage. Extra bonuses maximize the usefulness of the home warranty.
Temperatures in Kirkwood can vary greatly throughout the year, which means your air conditioner and heating systems are likely to get a lot of use. As a homeowner in Kirkwood, one of the benefits of having a home warranty is knowing that these home systems and major appliances can be covered in the event they need to be repaired or replaced.
A home warranty also can also save you time and energy. Instead of spending hours finding and choosing a contractor to fix your appliance or system, home warranty companies do the hard work for you and send a trusted professional to your door whenever you need them. Plus, having a home warranty can make your house more attractive to potential homebuyers if you ever decide to sell later. Many home warranty companies will allow you to transfer your plan to a new owner and give them the protection you’ve been receiving.
One disadvantage of a home warranty is that there are usually exclusions. For instance, if you already have a manufacturer's warranty on one of your appliances, it may not be covered under the home warranty, so it’s important to read over any contracts you’re considering carefully to get a sense of what is included and what isn’t.
In addition, 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 Kirkwood can cost anywhere from $30 to $60 a month. The 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 agree to a higher service fee.
Home warranties and home insurance differ in what kinds of damage they cover. Home warranty plans cover problems with home systems and appliances that need repairs or replacements due to normal wear and tear. A home insurance policy is a larger plan that protects the entire home from natural disasters, which can be a concern in Kirkwood. It doesn't cover a normal appliance or system damage.
A home warranty plan can help real estate agents, investors, homeowners, homebuyers, and home sellers. It can provide peace of mind to anyone involved with homeownership.
A home warranty can cover your home’s appliances, systems, or both. Combination plans are beneficial if you need more coverage for your home, but a system- or appliance-only plan can be helpful if you're concerned about one more than the other.
Generally, a home warranty plan lasts for a year and can be renewed annually. Some providers may offer month-to-month options.
Generally, the homeowner is the one who pays the premium and service fees. However, when buying a new home, sometimes the seller is the one who paid for the policy. This can then be transferred to the new homeowner, who will pay the service fees. In Kirkwood, where the median value of a home is $417,006, having the seller pay for the home warranty can save you some money on your new home.
