Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Written By David Cusick
Last Updated February 2024
Homeownership in Polk has many perks, but it also comes with worries and concerns. Your home’s appliances and systems will eventually need repairs, and this could mean a huge expense. A home warranty is a way to protect your budget from unexpected expenses. With a home warranty in place, your repair costs can be considerably lower and give you some peace of mind.
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 best home warranty companies in Polk. Read on for our home warranty 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 Polk residents. Liberty is a home warranty provider with 6 years of experience in the industry, and it has become one of the best providers in the business. Liberty has 3 simple plans, making the selection process quick and easy. 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.
There are 3 home warranty plans from Liberty Home Guard: Appliance Guard, Systems Guard, and Total Home Guard. Service fees from Liberty are an affordable $75. The coverage caps are also around $3,000.
To read more, visit our full review of Liberty Home Guard. To get a free quote from Liberty Home Guard, 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 Polk residents. Choice is a home warranty provider with 15 years of experience in the industry, and it has become one of the best providers in the business. Choice has 2 simple plans, making the selection process quick and easy. 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.
There are 2 home warranty plans from Choice Home Warranty: Basic Plan and Total Plan. Service fees from Choice are an affordable $85. The coverage caps are also around $3,000.
To read more, visit our full review of Choice Home Warranty. To get a free quote from Choice Home Warranty, 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 Polk residents. Select is a home warranty provider with 11 years of experience in the industry, and it has become one of the best providers in the business. Select has 3 simple plans, making the selection process quick and easy. 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.
There are 3 home warranty plans from Select Home Warranty: Bronze Care Plan, Gold Care Plan, and Platinum Care Plan. Service fees from Select are a reasonable $60. The coverage caps are also around $2,000.
To read more, visit our full review of Select Home Warranty. To get a free quote from Select Home Warranty, 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 Polk residents. AHS is a home warranty provider with 26 years of experience in the industry, and it has become one of the best providers in the business. AHS has 3 simple plans, making the selection process quick and easy. 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.
There are 3 home warranty plans from American Home Shield: ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, and ShieldPlatinum. Service fees from AHS are customizable and range from $75 to $125. The coverage caps are also around $2,500.
To read more, visit our full review of American Home Shield. To get a free quote from American Home Shield, 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 Polk residents. First American is a home warranty provider with 39 years of experience in the industry, and it has become one of the best providers in the business. First American has 2 simple plans, making the selection process quick and easy. First American offers very affordable and comprehensive appliance coverage. Plus, it also 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.
There are 2 home warranty plans from First American Home Warranty: Basic Plan and Premier Plan. Service fees from First American are a reasonable $85. The coverage caps are also around $1,500.
To read more, visit our full review of First American Home Warranty. To get a free quote from First American Home Warranty, 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 Polk residents. Cinch is a home warranty provider with 44 years of experience in the industry, and it has become one of the best providers in the business. Cinch has 3 simple plans, making the selection process quick and easy. 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.
There are 3 home warranty plans from Cinch Home Services: Appliances Plan, Built-in Systems Plan, and Complete Home Plan. Service fees from Cinch are customizable and range from $75 to $150. The coverage caps are also around $1,000-$2,000.
To read more, visit our full review of Cinch Home Services. To get a free quote from Cinch Home Services, 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 Polk residents. HSC is a home warranty provider with 15 years of experience in the industry, and it has become one of the best providers in the business. HSC has 2 simple plans, making the selection process quick and easy. 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.
There are 2 home warranty plans from The Home Service Club: Standard Coverage Plan and Comprehensive Coverage Plan. Service fees from HSC are customizable and range from $65 to $90. The coverage caps are also around $2,000.
To read more, visit our full review of The Home Service Club. To get a free quote from The Home Service Club, 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 | $5,730 |
| Heating | $3,820 |
| Electrical | $573 |
| Toilets | $477 |
| Washer/Dryer | $764 |
| Plumbing | $573 |
| Oven | $1,528 |
| Fridge | $573 |
A home warranty is a protection policy that helps Polk homeowners in reducing the expenses of appliance and system repairs. The plans provide coverage to replace or fix appliances and systems that malfunction due to normal wear and tear.
When something stops working, you submit a claim and pay a service fee. The home warranty provider then finds a contractor to handle the replacement or repair. Homeowners may have out-of-pocket costs only if the repair or replacement costs exceed the item's coverage limit. A home warranty gives reassurance to homeowners because it helps prevent expensive emergency repairs. Home warranties are particularly useful for older construction homes with aging systems. New homes with up-to-date appliances may not require a home warranty.
Home warranties cover your home systems and appliances. Covered appliances typically include washers, garbage disposals, refrigerators, dryers, dishwashers, microwaves, and more. Covered systems include electrical, heating, air conditioning, and plumbing. Many home warranty providers also offer add-on coverage for locksmiths, roof leaks, central vacuums, and septic systems. Polk homeowners should know that most home warranty plans impose a 30-day waiting period before repairs are covered. Additionally, most policies only address repairs and replacements resulting from normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't include natural disasters, cosmetic issues, pre-existing conditions, or misuse of a system or appliance. Make sure to keep up with preventative maintenance to help make sure your next repair or replacement is covered.
There are a number of home warranty terms to know before signing an agreement, including:
When you're deciding on a home warranty provider, there are several key things to take into account:
Home warranty coverage differs significantly when it comes to what's covered. Most plans cover heating, electrical, plumbing, AC, and appliances. More inclusive options also include protection for other items such as pools, well pumps, roof leaks, and spas. Look for companies with a diverse range of coverage options, including upgraded plans. This helps you customize your plan to your home's 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 provider with more affordable fees to maximize savings on every claim. Some providers also do away with deductibles if a customer goes a period of time without filing any claims.
A home warranty company's reputation can offer insight into things such as speed of repairs, approval rates for claims, contractor quality, and customer satisfaction. Use third-party review sites such as TrustPilot, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), or Google Reviews to research providers. Positive ratings and reviews indicate that a company is known for quality service.
Home warranty providers use networks of local repair contractors to manage repairs in a given area. Contact potential businesses to learn the number of repair specialists they have in Polk and get an idea of how fast your repairs could be handled in an emergency. Bigger networks increase the probability of getting qualified contractors to promptly service your home.
Certain home warranty providers offer extras such as energy-efficient upgrades, discounts on maintenance, and protection for smart home devices. These bonuses offer extra value beyond repair coverage. Added perks enhance your home and help maximize your home warranty.
Since temperatures in Polk can be quite hot in the summer, the weather can put a lot of strain on your air conditioning unit and HVAC system. Purchasing a home warranty policy can help homeowners save money if one of these systems or appliances breaks down all of a sudden.
A home warranty also saves you time and energy. Instead of spending hours researching and choosing 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. Additionally, having a home warranty can make your house more attractive to potential homebuyers should you ever decide to sell later. Many home warranty providers will allow you to transfer your policy to a new owner and give them the same protection you’ve been receiving.
As for the negatives of home warranties, system and appliance coverage varies by provider, so it’s important to understand what each plan covers and doesn’t include in the contract.
Also, 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 Polk can cost anywhere from $30 to $60 a month. The higher-priced plans tend to have a lower service fee, broader coverage, and higher coverage limits. Home warranties are often cheaper when you pay 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 sorts of damage they cover. Home warranty plans cover problems with home systems and appliances that need to be repaired or replaced due to normal wear and tear. A home insurance policy is a larger plan that protects an entire home from natural disasters, which can sometimes be a concern in Polk. It doesn't cover a typical appliance or system repairs.
A home warranty policy can help real estate agents, home sellers, homeowners, homebuyers, and investors. It can provide peace of mind and savings to anyone involved with homeownership.
The different kinds of home warranties in Polk include plans with coverage for either appliances or systems as well as comprehensive plans. A comprehensive plan covers almost all your systems and appliances, including your dishwasher, washing machine, and HVAC. An appliance or system plan will cover only the items listed in the plan.
Home warranty plans usually offer coverage for a year. Many companies let you renew your plan yearly, and some offer month-to-month plans as well.
Usually the person who owns the home is responsible for paying for the home warranty. In some cases, though, the one selling the home may purchase a home warranty plan and transfer the policy to the buyer. The new homeowner will then need to pay the service fees when using the policy. Considering that the average home value in Polk is $155,973, a home warranty can be an added asset when buying a home.
