Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Written By David Cusick
Last Updated April 2024
Owning a home in Norfolk has many great benefits, but there are some negatives. 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 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 time-consuming, as there are lots of companies to decide between. That’s why the Today's Homeowner team did the research and made a list of the best home warranty companies in Norfolk 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 offers the most trustworthy home warranty for Norfolk residents. 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. The home warranty provider offers 3 plans to policyholders with various options for appliance and system coverage.
Liberty Home Guard has 3 plans that offer a combination of system and appliance coverage. Service fees from Liberty are an affordable $75. The coverage caps are also about $3,000 at the maximum.
To read more, visit our 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 Norfolk residents. 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. The home warranty provider offers 2 plans to policyholders with various options for appliance and system coverage.
Choice Home Warranty has 2 plans that offer a combination of system and appliance coverage. Service fees from Choice are an affordable $85. The coverage caps are also about $3,000 at the maximum.
To read more, visit our 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 Norfolk residents. 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. The home warranty provider offers 3 plans to policyholders with various options for appliance and system coverage.
Select Home Warranty has 3 plans that offer a combination of system and appliance coverage. Service fees from Select are a reasonable $60. The coverage caps are also about $2,000 at the maximum.
To read more, visit our 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 Norfolk residents. 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. The home warranty provider offers 3 plans to policyholders with various options for appliance and system coverage.
American Home Shield has 3 plans that offer a combination of system and appliance coverage. Service fees from AHS are customizable and range from $75 to $125. The coverage caps are also about $2,500 at the maximum.
To read more, visit our 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 Norfolk residents. 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. The home warranty provider offers 2 plans to policyholders with various options for appliance and system coverage.
First American Home Warranty has 2 plans that offer a combination of system and appliance coverage. Service fees from First American are a reasonable $85. The coverage caps are also about $1,500 at the maximum.
To read more, visit our 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 Norfolk residents. 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. The home warranty provider offers 3 plans to policyholders with various options for appliance and system coverage.
Cinch Home Services has 3 plans that offer a combination of system and appliance coverage. Service fees from Cinch are customizable and range from $75 to $150. The coverage caps are also about $1,000-$2,000 at the maximum.
To read more, visit our 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 Norfolk residents. 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. The home warranty provider offers 2 plans to policyholders with various options for appliance and system coverage.
The Home Service Club has 2 plans that offer a combination of system and appliance coverage. Service fees from HSC are customizable and range from $65 to $90. The coverage caps are also about $2,000 at the maximum.
To read more, visit our 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 | $5,665 |
| Heating | $3,777 |
| Electrical | $566 |
| Toilets | $472 |
| Washer/Dryer | $755 |
| Plumbing | $566 |
| Oven | $1,511 |
| Fridge | $566 |
A home warranty is a protection plan that helps lower expenses for Norfolk homeowners needing appliance and system repairs. These plans provide financial coverage to fix or swap out appliances and systems that break due to normal wear and tear.
Homeowners submit a claim and pay a service fee when something breaks. The home warranty company then finds a contractor to make the repair 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 peace of mind, as it helps avoid high-priced emergency repairs. The coverage is particularly helpful for those living in older houses or houses with systems near the end of their life span. However, homeowners with newer homes and modern appliances might not need a home warranty.
Home warranties cover many household systems and appliances. Warranties usually cover appliances such as washers, microwaves, refrigerators, dryers, garbage disposals, dishwashers, and more. Covered systems include heating, electrical, air conditioning, and plumbing. Many home warranty providers also offer add-on coverage for central vacuums, roof leaks, locksmiths, and septic systems. Norfolk should understand that most home warranty plans have a waiting period of 30 days before repairs are covered. Most policies also only cover repairs and replacements due to normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't include cosmetic issues, pre-existing conditions, natural disasters, or improperly using a system or appliance. Stay current with preventative maintenance to help guarantee your next repair or replacement is covered.
There are multiple home warranty terms to learn before signing an agreement, including:
When choosing a home warranty provider, there are several key factors to consider:
Home warranties differ greatly in the items covered. Basic policies typically include plumbing, electrical, AC, heating, and appliances, while more comprehensive options may also cover spas, pools, roof leaks, and well pumps. Focus on companies with an expansive array of coverage choices including upgraded plans. This flexibility enables you to customize your plan to meet your needs.
With any home warranty claim, you'll pay a repair fee that typically ranges between $60 and $100, which is paid per repair request filed. The per-request costs can add up. You may decide to look for companies with more affordable fees to maximize your savings on each claim. Some companies also offer disappearing deductibles for customers who don't file any claims over a certain timespan.
A home warranty company's reputation can offer insight into things such as contractor quality, approval rates for claims, speed of repairs, and customer satisfaction. Look at third-party review sites such as Google Reviews, TrustPilot, 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 maintain networks of professionals to handle covered repairs. Bigger networks improve the probability of getting qualified technicians to service your home ASAP. Ask potential providers how many contractors they have in Norfolk to get a sense of how soon your repairs could happen in an emergency.
Home warranty companies may include extras such as maintenance discounts, coverage for smart home devices, and energy efficiency upgrades. These add value beyond basic repair coverage. Added perks help maximize the usefulness of your home warranty.
Norfolk’s relatively mild winters and hot summers can put a strain on a home’s HVAC system. Whether it’s summer or winter, a home warranty will cover your home’s appliances and systems in the event they need to be repaired or replaced. For example, if your air conditioner stops working in the middle of July, a home warranty can cover the needed repairs, preventing you from spending unexpected money out of pocket.
Additionally, having a home warranty can save you some time by getting rid of the need to research repair people — most companies will send a trusted professional right to your door to do the necessary repair or replacement. Additionally, though home warranty companies vary, some providers will let you transfer your warranty if you sell your home. This can make your house more attractive to potential homebuyers and maybe even help your home sell faster.
One drawback of buying a home warranty is that there are generally exclusions. For instance, if one of your appliances already has a manufacturer's warranty, it may not be covered under the home warranty, so it’s important to read over the contracts you’re considering carefully to understand what is included and what isn’t.
Another thing to keep in mind is that some providers don’t cover pre-existing issues and may require an inspection before your coverage can begin. Ask the home warranty provider for clarification about these things if you aren’t sure or if this is a problem for you.
A home warranty costs, on average, about $300 to $600 a year in Norfolk. 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.
The difference between a home warranty and homeowner's insurance lies in what types of damage each covers. A home warranty helps protect against normal wear and tear to home systems and appliances. A homeowners insurance plan protects your home in case of something such as a fire or natural disaster. With homeowners insurance, you will not be able to file a claim if you need a new refrigerator or dishwasher, unless the damage is a result of a natural disaster, which isn't that common in Norfolk.
Homebuyers, real estate agents, homeowners, home sellers, and landlords can all get home warranty plans. A home warranty can help make your property more appealing to prospective buyers and save you money in the long run.
A home warranty policy will cover your systems, appliances, or both. Combination plans are beneficial if you'd like 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.
Typically, the person who owns the home pays for the home warranty. In some cases, however, the one selling the home may purchase a home warranty 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 Norfolk is $228,888, a home warranty can be an added asset when buying a home.
