Written By David Cusick
Last Updated February 2024
Buying a home is a big step for many, but the cost of maintaining it can be expensive over time, especially if your home in Helena is on the older side. A home warranty can bring you the peace of mind you need and protect your bank 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 done the research to help you find the top home warranty companies in Helena. Keep reading 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 in Helena. Liberty has been in the home warranty industry for about 6 years. The home warranty provider offers 3 plans to policyholders that have various options for appliance and system coverage. Liberty has established itself as a company with a seamless complaint process and guaranteed service professionalism upon every repair visit. It also has a 60-day workmanship guarantee and some of the best customer service in the industry.
The 3 plans from Liberty Home Guard are 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 provider. Service fees are an affordable $75.
For a more detailed breakdown, read 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 in Helena. Choice has been in the home warranty industry for about 15 years. The home warranty provider offers 2 plans to policyholders that have various options for appliance and system coverage. Choice has established itself as a company with very high coverage caps and simple-to-understand service contracts. It also has great customer service, professional contractors, and lower out-of-pocket costs compared to other home warranties.
The 2 plans from Choice Home Warranty are 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 provider. Service fees are an affordable $85.
For a more detailed breakdown, read 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 in Helena. Select has been in the home warranty industry for about 11 years. The home warranty provider offers 3 plans to policyholders that have various options for appliance and system coverage. Select has established itself as a company with a highly affordable service fee and free roof coverage upon purchase of a policy plan. It also has an extensive network of highly trained professionals all over the country who are experts in home maintenance.
The 3 plans from Select Home Warranty are 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 provider. Service fees are a reasonable $60.
For a more detailed breakdown, read 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 in Helena. AHS has been in the home warranty industry for about 26 years. The home warranty provider offers 3 plans to policyholders that have various options for appliance and system coverage. AHS has established itself as a company with the ability to customize your plan with the coverages that work specifically for your home. It also has a remarkably low claim denial rate in comparison to other home warranty companies.
The 3 plans from American Home Shield are 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 provider. Service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $125.
For a more detailed breakdown, read 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 in Helena. First American has been in the home warranty industry for about 39 years. The home warranty provider offers 2 plans to policyholders that have various options for appliance and system coverage. First American has established itself as a company with very affordable and comprehensive appliance coverage. 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.
The 2 plans from First American Home Warranty are 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 provider. Service fees are a reasonable $85.
For a more detailed breakdown, read 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 in Helena. Cinch has been in the home warranty industry for about 44 years. The home warranty provider offers 3 plans to policyholders that have various options for appliance and system coverage. Cinch has established itself as a company with a 180-day workmanship guarantee that ensures your home systems and appliance repairs will be professionally done. It also has a broad range of coverage options that will give homeowners peace of mind.
The 3 plans from Cinch Home Services are 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 provider. Service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $150.
For a more detailed breakdown, read 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 in Helena. HSC has been in the home warranty industry for about 15 years. The home warranty provider offers 2 plans to policyholders that have various options for appliance and system coverage. HSC has established itself as a company with quick coverage where the home warranty goes into effect just ten days after you pay for the plan, instead of the typical 30 days. It 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 The Home Service Club are 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 provider. Service fees are customizable and range from $65 to $90.
For a more detailed breakdown, read 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 | $5,885 |
Heating | $3,923 |
Electrical | $589 |
Toilets | $490 |
Washer/Dryer | $785 |
Plumbing | $589 |
Oven | $1,569 |
Fridge | $589 |
A home warranty is a protection policy that helps Helena homeowners lower the high costs of household repairs. These plans offer financial protection to repair or swap out appliances and systems that stop working from normal wear and tear.
Homeowners submit 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 exceeds the item's coverage limit. A home warranty gives peace of mind for homeowners by helping them avoid expensive emergency repairs. They're particularly useful for those who live in older homes or ones with outdated systems. More modern builds with functional fixtures probably don’t require a home warranty.
Home warranties protect your home systems and appliances. Common covered appliances are refrigerators, washers, dishwashers, garbage disposals, dryers, microwaves, and more. Covered systems are usually air conditioning, electrical, plumbing, and heating. Many home warranty providers offer add-on coverage for septic systems, locksmiths, central vacuums, and roof leaks. Most home warranty plans require Helena homeowners to wait 30 days before they can use the policy to pay for repairs. Additionally, policies typically only cover repairs and replacements due to normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't cover cosmetic issues, natural disasters, pre-existing conditions, or misuse of a system or appliance. To help ensure your next repair or replacement is covered, keep up with preventative maintenance.
Before agreeing to a home warranty contract, you should learn key terms like:
There are several important considerations when selecting a home warranty provider:
Home warranty coverage varies, although most plans provide coverage for heating, plumbing, electrical, AC, and appliances. More inclusive plans may also include other things such as roof leaks, pools, spas, and well pumps. Focus on companies with broad coverage options including upgraded plans. Flexibility like this will help you customize your plan to meet your home's 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 company with more affordable fees to maximize savings on every claim. Some companies also remove deductibles if a customer goes a period of time without filing any claims.
A home warranty company's reputation provides insights into factors such as repair speed, contractor expertise, claim approval rates, and customer satisfaction. Read through review sites like TrustPilot, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), or Google Reviews to learn more about providers. Good ratings and feedback suggest a company known for providing quality service.
Home warranty providers have networks of technicians to handle covered repairs. Wider networks increase the probability of getting qualified technicians to service your home ASAP. Reach out to potential providers and ask how many contractors they have in Helena to get a sense of how soon your repairs could be handled in an emergency.
Some home warranty providers include perks such as reduced maintenance fees, energy efficiency upgrades, and smart home device coverage. These extras can offer extra value beyond repair coverage. Extra bonuses let you enhance your home and get the most from your warranty policy.
Temperatures in Helena can drop to the negatives in the winter, which means your heating system is most likely going to get a lot of use. As a homeowner in Helena, 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 have to be repaired or replaced.
Not only can a home warranty save you money on repairs and replacements, it saves you time as well. Instead of having to vet contractors by yourself, home warranty companies do the work for you and send a contractor from their network right to your door when you need them. A home warranty can also have value in other ways. For instance, some policies can be transferred to another owner during a home sale.
Home warranties also have some downsides. Though it can save you time when the home warranty sends out a repair technician who does the repair for you, some may not like this, and they would rather choose their own contractor. If that’s the case for you, some home warranty companies let you choose a contractor.
Another consideration is that home warranties typically only cover repairs needed due to normal wear and tear. They most likely won’t cover home systems or appliances that need repairs or replacements due to improper maintenance, animal infestations, natural disasters, etc.
A home warranty costs, on average, about $300 to $600 a year in Helena. Our high-rated home warranty providers' most comprehensive coverage options vary from $546 to $840 per year. You can get a lower monthly payment with some companies by choosing a higher service fee. In addition, it's typically cheaper to pay annually rather than monthly.
The difference between a home warranty and homeowner's insurance lies in what kinds of damage each covers. A home warranty plan protects against normal wear and tear to home systems and appliances. Homeowners insurance protects a home in case of something such as a natural disaster or fire. With a homeowners insurance plan, you will not be able to file a claim if you need a new refrigerator or air conditioner, unless the damage is a result of a natural disaster, which isn't that common in Helena.
A home warranty policy can help real estate agents, investors, homebuyers, homeowners, and home sellers. It can offer peace of mind to anyone involved with homeownership.
A home warranty will cover your home’s systems, appliances, or both. Combination plans are beneficial if you need 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 providers let you renew your plan yearly, and some offer month-to-month plans as well.
Typically, the homeowner is responsible for paying for the home warranty. In some cases, though, the person who is selling the home 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 Helena is $450,281, a home warranty can be an added asset when buying a home.