Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Written By David Cusick
Last Updated April 2024
University City offers homeowners some beautiful living options. However, unplanned repair and replacement costs on your home’s appliances and systems can get quite costly. A home warranty in University City can help bring down your out-of-pocket costs by covering repairs or replacements to major home appliances and systems that stop working due to normal wear and tear.
Finding the best home warranty on the market can be overwhelming, since there are dozens of companies to decide between. That’s why our team at Today's Homeowner did the research and put together a list of the best home warranty companies in University City for you.
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 University City. Liberty has about 6 years of experience in the industry and in that time has built a an expansive network of service professionals in the country. Liberty has 3 simple plans, making the selection process easy. When you buy 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.
There are 3 home warranty plans from Liberty Home Guard: Appliance Guard, Systems Guard, and Total Home Guard. Liberty has coverage caps of around $3,000 for most appliances and systems, but with some plans, the coverage caps can be higher, so be sure to check with the company. Service fees are an affordable $75.
Read more by visiting our thorough review of Liberty Home Guard. To get a free quote from Liberty Home Guard, fill out this online form or give them a call at 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 in University City. Choice has about 15 years of experience in the industry and in that time has built a an expansive network of service professionals in the country. Choice has 2 simple plans, making the selection process easy. When you buy 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.
There are 2 home warranty plans from Choice Home Warranty: Basic Plan and Total Plan. Choice has coverage caps of around $3,000 for most appliances and systems, but with some plans, the coverage caps can be higher, so be sure to check with the company. Service fees are an affordable $85.
Read more by visiting our thorough review of Choice Home Warranty. To get a free quote from Choice Home Warranty, fill out this online form or give them a call at 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 in University City. Select has about 11 years of experience in the industry and in that time has built a an expansive network of service professionals in the country. Select has 3 simple plans, making the selection process easy. When you buy 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.
There are 3 home warranty plans from Select Home Warranty: Bronze Care Plan, Gold Care Plan, and Platinum Care Plan. Select has coverage caps of around $2,000 for most appliances and systems, but with some plans, the coverage caps can be higher, so be sure to check with the company. Service fees are a reasonable $60.
Read more by visiting our thorough review of Select Home Warranty. To get a free quote from Select Home Warranty, fill out this online form or give them a call at 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 in University City. AHS has about 26 years of experience in the industry and in that time has built a an expansive network of service professionals in the country. AHS has 3 simple plans, making the selection process easy. When you buy 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.
There are 3 home warranty plans from American Home Shield: ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, and ShieldPlatinum. AHS has coverage caps of around $2,500 for most appliances and systems, but with some plans, the coverage caps can be higher, so be sure to check with the company. Service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $125.
Read more by visiting our thorough review of American Home Shield. To get a free quote from American Home Shield, fill out this online form or give them a call at 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 in University City. First American has about 39 years of experience in the industry and in that time has built a an expansive network of service professionals in the country. First American has 2 simple plans, making the selection process easy. When you buy 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.
There are 2 home warranty plans from First American Home Warranty: Basic Plan and Premier Plan. First American has coverage caps of around $1,500 for most appliances and systems, but with some plans, the coverage caps can be higher, so be sure to check with the company. Service fees are a reasonable $85.
Read more by visiting our thorough review of First American Home Warranty. To get a free quote from First American Home Warranty, fill out this online form or give them a call at 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 in University City. Cinch has about 44 years of experience in the industry and in that time has built a an expansive network of service professionals in the country. Cinch has 3 simple plans, making the selection process easy. When you buy 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.
There are 3 home warranty plans from Cinch Home Services: Appliances Plan, Built-in Systems Plan, and Complete Home Plan. Cinch has coverage caps of around $1,000-$2,000 for most appliances and systems, but with some plans, the coverage caps can be higher, so be sure to check with the company. Service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $150.
Read more by visiting our thorough review of Cinch Home Services. To get a free quote from Cinch Home Services, fill out this online form or give them a call at 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 in University City. HSC has about 15 years of experience in the industry and in that time has built a an expansive network of service professionals in the country. HSC has 2 simple plans, making the selection process easy. When you buy 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.
There are 2 home warranty plans from The Home Service Club: Standard Coverage Plan and Comprehensive Coverage Plan. HSC has coverage caps of around $2,000 for most appliances and systems, but with some plans, the coverage caps can be higher, so be sure to check with the company. Service fees are customizable and range from $65 to $90.
Read more by visiting our thorough review of The Home Service Club. To get a free quote from The Home Service Club, fill out this online form or give them a call at 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 | $6,248 |
| Heating | $4,165 |
| Electrical | $625 |
| Toilets | $521 |
| Washer/Dryer | $833 |
| Plumbing | $625 |
| Oven | $1,666 |
| Fridge | $625 |
A home warranty is a protection policy that assists University City homeowners reduce the expenses of appliance and system repairs. The plans provide coverage to repair 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 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 gives peace of mind 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 might not require a home warranty.
Home warranties cover your home systems and appliances. Covered appliances normally include garbage disposals, washers, dryers, dishwashers, microwaves, refrigerators, and more. Covered systems include heating, air conditioning, plumbing, and electrical. Many home warranty companies also provide add-on coverage for septic systems, roof leaks, central vacuums, and locksmiths. University City should understand that most home warranty plans have a 30-day waiting period before repair claims will be approved. Most policies also only cover repairs and replacements due to normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't include pre-existing conditions, natural disasters, cosmetic issues, or improperly using a system or appliance. Stay current with preventative maintenance to help guarantee your next repair or replacement is covered.
Here are some essential home warranty terms to understand before signing a contract:
There are several key considerations when choosing a home warranty provider:
Home warranty coverage varies, although most plans cover electrical, plumbing, AC, heating, and appliances. More comprehensive options may also cover additional items such as well pumps, spas, roof leaks, and pools. Focus on companies with wide-ranging coverage selections including upgraded plans. This flexibility enables you to customize protection for your needs.
Expect to pay a per-service fee of $60-100 for each home warranty claim. As this charge applies to every separate claim, you may want to choose a provider with lower service fees to maximize savings. Some providers also remove deductibles for homeowners who don't file claims in a certain period.
A home warranty provider's reputation can offer insight into things such as speed of repairs, approval rates for claims, contractor quality, and customer satisfaction. Look at third-party review sites such as TrustPilot, Google Reviews, or the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to research providers. Good ratings and reviews indicate that a company is known for top-tier service.
Home warranty companies use networks of local repair professionals to manage repairs in a given area. Reach out to potential providers to ask how many repair technicians they have in University City and get an idea of how quickly your repairs could be handled in an emergency. More extensive networks improve the chance of getting qualified contractors to swiftly service your home.
Certain home warranty providers offer perks such as protection for smart home devices, discounts on maintenance, and energy-efficient upgrades. These bonuses offer extra value beyond repair coverage. Added perks enhance your home and maximize your home warranty.
Since temperatures in University City 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 can help homeowners save money if one of these systems or appliances stops working all of a sudden.
Not only can a home warranty save you some money on repairs and replacements, it saves you time too. Instead of needing to vet technicians yourself, home warranty providers do the work for you and send a contractor from their network right to your door when you need them. Additionally, having a home warranty can help make your house more appealing to potential homebuyers should you ever decide to sell later. Many home warranty providers will allow you to transfer your plan to a new owner and give them the same protection you’ve been benefiting from.
Home warranties also have some downsides. Although it can give you less to worry about since the home warranty sends out a repair technician who carries out the repair for you, some homeowners may not like this, and they may want to choose their own contractor. If that’s important to you, some home warranty companies let you choose a contractor.
Another downside is that home warranties may exclude some repairs, such as those due to natural disasters. For example, if your house floods, the impacted systems and appliances probably won’t be covered by the home warranty.
A home warranty policy costs, on average, about $300 to $600 a year in University City. Our top-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 usually less expensive to pay annually rather than monthly.
Home warranties and home insurance differ in what types of damage they cover. Home warranty plans cover issues with home systems and appliances that need repairs or replacements due to normal wear and tear. A home insurance policy is a different kind of insurance that protects the entire home from natural disasters, which can be a concern in University City. It doesn't cover a normal appliance or system repairs.
A home warranty policy can help homeowners, home sellers, homebuyers, investors, and real estate agents. It can provide peace of mind and savings to anyone involved with homeownership.
A home warranty can cover your systems, appliances, or both. Combination plans are great if you need more coverage for your home, but a system- or appliance-only plan can be helpful if you want to save some money.
Generally, a home warranty offers coverage for a year and can be renewed annually. Some providers may offer month-to-month plans.
Typically, the person who owns the home pays for the home warranty. In some cases, though, the person who is selling the home may purchase a home warranty policy and transfer the policy to the buyer. The new homeowner will then need to pay the service fees when using the policy. Since the average home value in University City is $259,956, a home warranty can be an added asset when buying a home.
