Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Written By David Cusick
Last Updated February 2024
Owning a home in Smithville has tons of great advantages, but there are some downsides. The weather throughout the four seasons can cause problems in a home and lead to wear and tear on systems like your HVAC. A home warranty can offer you the peace of mind you need and shield your savings account from large expenses by covering your home’s major appliances and systems.
Finding the best protection 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 Smithville. 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 is the most trustworthy home warranty for Smithville residents. When you purchase a plan 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. The 3 plans from Liberty are comprehensive and offer both system and appliance coverage.
The 3 plans from Liberty Home Guard are Appliance Guard, Systems Guard, and Total Home Guard. Service fees from Liberty are an affordable $75. The coverage caps are also generally about $3,000 at the maximum.
Read more by visiting our 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 is the best overall home warranty for Smithville residents. When you purchase a plan 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. The 2 plans from Choice are comprehensive and offer both system and appliance coverage.
The 2 plans from Choice Home Warranty are Basic Plan and Total Plan. Service fees from Choice are an affordable $85. The coverage caps are also generally about $3,000 at the maximum.
Read more by visiting our 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 is the most cost-effective home warranty for Smithville residents. When you purchase a plan 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. The 3 plans from Select are comprehensive 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. Service fees from Select are a reasonable $60. The coverage caps are also generally about $2,000 at the maximum.
Read more by visiting our 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 is the most customizable home warranty for Smithville residents. When you purchase a plan 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. The 3 plans from AHS are comprehensive and offer both system and appliance coverage.
The 3 plans from American Home Shield are ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, and ShieldPlatinum. Service fees from AHS are customizable and range from $75 to $125. The coverage caps are also generally about $2,500 at the maximum.
Read more by visiting our 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 is the best home warranty for appliance coverage for Smithville residents. When you purchase a plan from First American, you will get very affordable and comprehensive appliance coverage. First American Home Warranty 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. The 2 plans from First American are comprehensive and offer both system and appliance coverage.
The 2 plans from First American Home Warranty are Basic Plan and Premier Plan. Service fees from First American are a reasonable $85. The coverage caps are also generally about $1,500 at the maximum.
Read more by visiting our 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 is the home warranty with the best workmanship guarantee for Smithville residents. When you purchase a plan 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. The 3 plans from Cinch are comprehensive 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. Service fees from Cinch are customizable and range from $75 to $150. The coverage caps are also generally about $1,000-$2,000 at the maximum.
Read more by visiting our 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 is the best home warranty with the quickest service for Smithville residents. When you purchase a plan 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 2 plans from HSC are comprehensive and offer both system and appliance coverage.
The 2 plans from The Home Service Club are Standard Coverage Plan and Comprehensive Coverage Plan. Service fees from HSC are customizable and range from $65 to $90. The coverage caps are also generally about $2,000 at the maximum.
Read more by visiting our 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 | $5,794 |
| Heating | $3,862 |
| Electrical | $579 |
| Toilets | $483 |
| Washer/Dryer | $772 |
| Plumbing | $579 |
| Oven | $1,545 |
| Fridge | $579 |
A home warranty is a protection policy that helps reduce the high costs for Smithville homeowners needing appliance and system repairs. These plans provide financial coverage to fix or swap out appliances and systems that stop working due to normal wear and tear.
Homeowners file a claim and pay a service fee when something breaks. The home warranty provider 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 gives homeowners reassurance by helping avoid high-priced emergency repairs. The coverage is particularly helpful for those living in older houses or houses with fixtures near the end of their life span. However, homeowners with newer homes and functioning appliances may not require a home warranty.
Home warranties cover your home systems and appliances. Common covered appliances are dishwashers, garbage disposals, microwaves, dryers, washers, refrigerators, and more. Included systems are typically heating, plumbing, electrical, and air conditioning. Many home warranty providers offer add-on coverage for septic systems, roof leaks, central vacuums, and locksmiths. Smithville homeowners should know that most home warranty plans begin with a 30-day waiting period before repairs are covered. What's more, most policies only address repairs and replacements resulting from 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.
Here are some key home warranty words to understand before signing a contract:
There are several important factors to consider when choosing a home warranty provider:
Home warranty coverage differs significantly when it comes to what's covered. Most plans include protection for plumbing, heating, electrical, AC, and appliances. More inclusive options also include protection for other items such as well pumps, spas, pools, and roof leaks. 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.
With any home warranty claim, you'll pay a service fee, usually falling in the $60 to $100 range, which is paid per repair request filed. The per-request costs can add up. You may decide to look for companies with lower service fees to maximize your savings on each claim. Some companies also offer disappearing deductibles if a homeowner doesn't submit claims for repairs for a specified period of time.
A home warranty provider's reputation can give you insight into things such as contractor quality, approval rates, repair timeliness, and customer satisfaction. Use review platforms such as the Better Business Bureau (BBB), TrustPilot, or Google Reviews to research companies. Positive ratings and feedback indicate a company known for exceptional service.
Home warranty providers have networks of contractors that they use to tackle covered repairs. More extensive networks improve the likelihood of getting skilled contractors to your home swiftly. Contact possible providers to ask how many technicians they have in Smithville. This helps you understand how long repairs may take in an urgent situation.
Some home warranty providers provide extras such as maintenance discounts, smart home device protection, and energy efficiency upgrades. These perks can add value beyond just repair coverage. Added bonuses can maximize the usefulness of your home warranty.
Home warranties are a great way to protect your home systems and appliances from normal wear and tear. With temperatures in Smithville reaching an average high of 64℃F, you may find that some appliances, like your A.C., get a lot of use. A home warranty can significantly decrease out-of-pocket costs should your HVAC system break down.
Not only can a home warranty save you some money on repairs and replacements, it saves you time as well. Instead of having to vet service technicians on your own, home warranty providers do the work for you and send a contractor from their network right to your door when you need them. Plus, having a home warranty can help make your house more attractive to potential homebuyers if you ever decide to sell in the future. Many home warranty companies will allow you to transfer your policy to a new owner and give them the protection you’ve been getting.
There are also some drawbacks to buying a home warranty policy, like the coverage exclusions. For instance, home warranties may not cover systems or appliances that already have a manufacturer's warranty.
Plus, if you don’t maintain your home systems or appliances properly, or if they need repairs or replacements 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 policy costs, on average, about $300 to $600 a year in Smithville. Our high-rated home warranty companies' most comprehensive coverage options vary from $546 to $840 per year. You can get a lower monthly payment with some companies by opting for a higher service fee. In addition, it's often cheaper to pay annually rather than monthly.
The difference between a home warranty and homeowner's insurance lies in what types of damage each covers. A home warranty plan protects against normal wear and tear to home systems and appliances. A homeowners insurance plan protects your home in case of something such as a natural disaster or fire. Under homeowners insurance, you won't be able to file a claim if you need a new dryer or dishwasher, unless the damage is due to a natural disaster, which is somewhat common in Smithville.
A home warranty plan can help home sellers, investors, homebuyers, homeowners, and real estate agents. It can offer peace of mind and savings to anyone involved with homeownership.
A home warranty plan 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 a good idea 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 companies may offer month-to-month plans.
Usually the one who owns the home pays for the home warranty. In some cases, however, the one selling the home may buy a home warranty plan 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 Smithville is $355,970, a home warranty can be an added asset when buying a home.
