Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Written By David Cusick
Last Updated February 2024
Homeownership in Dover can be gratifying for many, but it also comes with its fair share of headaches. Repairing your home’s appliances and systems can be an unexpected financial burden for many homeowners. A home warranty policy can help protect homeowners by cutting the costs of major repairs and replacements on your home’s most important systems and appliances.
The home warranty market is filled with many providers — all with different plans — so our team at Today's Homeowner has done the research to help you choose the best home warranty companies in Dover.
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
In Dover, Liberty Home Guard offers the most trustworthy home warranty. Liberty has been in the home warranty business for around 6 years. Liberty has 3 simple plans, making the selection process and policy coverage easily understandable. If you’re looking for a seamless complaint process and guaranteed service professionalism upon every repair visit, you’ll want to have this plan on your side. Plus, it has a 60-day workmanship guarantee and some of the best customer service in the industry.
Liberty Home Guard offers 3 plans for Dover homeowners. The Appliance Guard, Systems Guard, and Total Home Guard are the options they have, which contain a mix of system and appliance coverage. The coverage caps from Liberty are about $3,000. The service fees are an affordable $75, which is cheaper than other providers in the Dover area.
Read our review of Liberty Home Guard to learn more. 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
In Dover, Choice Home Warranty offers the best overall home warranty. Choice has been in the home warranty business for around 15 years. Choice has 2 simple plans, making the selection process and policy coverage easily understandable. If you’re looking for very high coverage caps and simple-to-understand service contracts, you’ll want to have this plan on your side. Plus, it has great customer service, professional contractors, and lower out-of-pocket costs compared to other home warranties.
Choice Home Warranty offers 2 plans for Dover homeowners. The Basic Plan and Total Plan are the options they have, which contain a mix of system and appliance coverage. The coverage caps from Choice are about $3,000. The service fees are an affordable $85, which is cheaper than other providers in the Dover area.
Read our review of Choice Home Warranty to learn more. 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
In Dover, Select Home Warranty offers the most cost-effective home warranty. Select has been in the home warranty business for around 11 years. Select has 3 simple plans, making the selection process and policy coverage easily understandable. If you’re looking for a highly affordable service fee and free roof coverage upon purchase of a policy plan, you’ll want to have this plan on your side. Plus, it has an extensive network of highly trained professionals all over the country who are experts in home maintenance.
Select Home Warranty offers 3 plans for Dover homeowners. The Bronze Care Plan, Gold Care Plan, and Platinum Care Plan are the options they have, which contain a mix of system and appliance coverage. The coverage caps from Select are about $2,000. The service fees are a reasonable $60, which is cheaper than other providers in the Dover area.
Read our review of Select Home Warranty to learn more. 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
In Dover, American Home Shield offers the most customizable home warranty. AHS has been in the home warranty business for around 26 years. AHS has 3 simple plans, making the selection process and policy coverage easily understandable. If you’re looking for the ability to customize your plan with the coverages that work specifically for your home, you’ll want to have this plan on your side. Plus, it has a remarkably low claim denial rate in comparison to other home warranty companies.
American Home Shield offers 3 plans for Dover homeowners. The ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, and ShieldPlatinum are the options they have, which contain a mix of system and appliance coverage. The coverage caps from AHS are about $2,500. The service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $125, which is cheaper than other providers in the Dover area.
Read our review of American Home Shield to learn more. To get a free quote from American Home Shield, you can fill out this online form or call 888-365-2839.
ShieldSilver
ShieldGold
ShieldPlatinum
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
In Dover, Cinch Home Services offers the home warranty with the best workmanship guarantee. Cinch has been in the home warranty business for around 44 years. Cinch has 3 simple plans, making the selection process and policy coverage easily understandable. If you’re looking for a 180-day workmanship guarantee that ensures your home systems and appliance repairs will be professionally done, you’ll want to have this plan on your side. Plus, it has a broad range of coverage options that will give homeowners peace of mind.
Cinch Home Services offers 3 plans for Dover homeowners. The Appliances Plan, Built-in Systems Plan, and Complete Home Plan are the options they have, which contain a mix of system and appliance coverage. The coverage caps from Cinch are about $1,000-$2,000. The service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $150, which is cheaper than other providers in the Dover area.
Read our review of Cinch Home Services to learn more. 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
In Dover, The Home Service Club offers the best home warranty with the quickest service. HSC has been in the home warranty business for around 15 years. HSC has 2 simple plans, making the selection process and policy coverage easily understandable. If you’re looking for quick coverage where the home warranty goes into effect just ten days after you pay for the plan, instead of the typical 30 days, you’ll want to have this plan on your side. Plus, it has customer service representatives available 24/7, as well as a 30-day labor guarantee and a 90-day parts guarantee.
The Home Service Club offers 2 plans for Dover homeowners. The Standard Coverage Plan and Comprehensive Coverage Plan are the options they have, which contain a mix of system and appliance coverage. The coverage caps from HSC are about $2,000. The service fees are customizable and range from $65 to $90, which is cheaper than other providers in the Dover area.
Read our review of The Home Service Club to learn more. 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 | $6,386 |
| Heating | $4,257 |
| Electrical | $639 |
| Toilets | $532 |
| Washer/Dryer | $851 |
| Plumbing | $639 |
| Oven | $1,703 |
| Fridge | $639 |
A home warranty is a protection plan that helps cut costs for Dover homeowners needing appliance and system repairs. These plans provide coverage to repair or replace appliances and systems that stop working 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 fix or replacement. The only time you may pay out-of-pocket is if the repair or replacement costs go over the item's coverage limit. A home warranty gives peace of mind for homeowners by helping them avoid expensive emergency fixes. They're particularly useful for those who own older homes or ones with outdated systems. Newer homes with functional appliances probably don’t require a home warranty.
Home warranties cover your home systems and appliances. Common appliances covered include refrigerators, washers, dryers, garbage disposals, microwaves, dishwashers, and more. Covered systems are typically air conditioning, electrical, plumbing, and heating. Many home warranty providers offer add-on coverage for septic systems, locksmiths, roof leaks, and central vacuums. Dover homeowners should know that most home warranty plans begin with a 30-day waiting period before repairs are covered. Additionally, most policies only cover repairs and replacements resulting from normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't include pre-existing conditions, cosmetic issues, natural disasters, or improperly using a system or appliance. Remember to keep up with preventative maintenance to help make sure your next repair or replacement is covered.
Home warranties use several terms that you'll want to learn before signing a contract, such as:
When choosing a home warranty provider, there are several important factors to consider:
Home warranty coverage differs significantly when it comes to what's covered. Most plans cover AC, plumbing, heating, electrical, and appliances. More inclusive options also include protection for other items such as pools, roof leaks, well pumps, and spas. Look for providers with an array of coverage options, such as upgraded plans. Flexibility helps you tailor your 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, some homeowners prefer to choose a provider with more affordable fees to maximize savings on every claim. Some companies also do away with deductibles for homeowners who don't file claims in a certain period.
A home warranty company's reputation gives you insight into things such as contractor quality, timeliness of repairs, claim approval rates, and overall customer satisfaction. Use third-party review sites such as the Better Business Bureau (BBB), Google Reviews, or TrustPilot to research companies. Positive reviews and ratings indicate a provider known for stellar service.
Home warranty companies have networks of technicians that they use to tackle covered repairs. Wider networks improve the chance of getting skilled contractors to your home quickly. Contact possible providers to ask how many repair professionals they have in Dover. This helps you understand how long repairs could take in an urgent situation.
Some home warranty providers provide extras such as maintenance discounts, smart home device protection, and energy efficiency upgrades. These add value beyond just repair coverage. Extra bonuses can maximize the usefulness of your home warranty.
Home warranties are an affordable way to guard your home systems and appliances from normal wear and tear. With temperatures in Dover reaching an average high of 54℃F, you may find that some appliances, such as your air conditioning unit, get a lot of use. A home warranty can significantly decrease out-of-pocket expenses should your HVAC system break down.
Not only can a home warranty provide some financial relief, but it also saves you time. If an appliance breaks, the last thing you want to do is find a repair person and schedule a repair. A home warranty handles this process by sending trusted professionals to your door when you need them most. Another added benefit of having a home warranty policy is that it can increase your home’s property value. If you ever decide to sell your house, you may be able to transfer your home warranty plan to the new homebuyer depending on the company you purchased your home warranty through.
As for the negatives of home warranties, system and appliance coverage varies by company, so it’s important to review what each policy covers and excludes in the contract.
Another drawback is that home warranties may not include some repairs, such as those needed because of natural disasters. For example, if your HVAC system is damaged from an animal infestation, the affected systems and appliances most likely won’t be covered by the home warranty.
A home warranty in Dover can cost between $30 and $60 a month. Higher-priced plans usually have higher coverage limits, broader coverage, and a lower service fee. You can often lower this cost by paying annually instead of monthly. Some providers will also reduce your up-front costs when you opt for a higher service fee.
The difference between a home warranty and homeowner's insurance lies in what types of damage each covers. A home warranty plan covers normal wear and tear to home systems and appliances. Homeowners insurance protects your home in a situation such as a natural disaster or fire. With homeowners insurance, you won't be able to file a claim should you need a new refrigerator or stove, unless the damage is a result of a natural disaster, which isn't that common in Dover.
First-time homebuyers, real estate agents, home sellers, homeowners, and landlords can all get home warranty plans. A home warranty can help make your home more appealing to prospective buyers and save you money in the long run.
A home warranty will cover your home’s systems, appliances, or both. Combination plans are great if you'd like more coverage for your home, but a system- or appliance-only plan can be a good idea if you want to save some money.
Generally, a home warranty offers coverage for a year and can be renewed annually. Some companies may offer month-to-month options.
Usually, the homeowner is the one who pays the premium and service fees. However, when buying a new home, sometimes the seller is the one who paid for the policy. This can then be given to the new homeowner, who has to pay the service fees when using the policy. In Dover, where the median home value is $469,969, having the seller pay for the home warranty can save you some money on your new home.
