Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
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Written By David Cusick
Last Updated June 2024
Homeownership in Dover can be satisfying for many people, but it also comes with its fair share of challenges. Home repairs can be an unexpected financial burden for many homeowners. A home warranty in Dover 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 time-consuming, since there are dozens of companies to choose from. That’s why our team at Today's Homeowner did the research and made a list of the top home warranty companies in Dover 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
In Dover, Liberty Home Guard offers the most trustworthy home warranty. Liberty has been in the home warranty industry for about 6 years. Liberty has 3 simple plans, making the selection process quick and easy. 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 associated with Liberty’s plans are around the $3,000 mark for most of the major systems and appliances, and service fees are an affordable $75.
For more information, read 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
In Dover, Choice Home Warranty offers the best overall home warranty. Choice has been in the home warranty industry for about 15 years. Choice has 2 simple plans, making the selection process quick and easy. 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 associated with Choice’s plans are around the $3,000 mark for most of the major systems and appliances, and service fees are an affordable $85.
For more information, read 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
In Dover, Select Home Warranty offers the most cost-effective home warranty. Select has been in the home warranty industry for about 11 years. Select has 3 simple plans, making the selection process quick and easy. 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 associated with Select’s plans are around the $2,000 mark for most of the major systems and appliances, and service fees are a reasonable $60.
For more information, read 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
In Dover, American Home Shield offers the most customizable home warranty. AHS has been in the home warranty industry for about 26 years. AHS has 3 simple plans, making the selection process quick and easy. 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 associated with AHS’s plans are around the $2,500 mark for most of the major systems and appliances, and service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $125.
For more information, read 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
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 industry for about 44 years. Cinch has 3 simple plans, making the selection process quick and easy. 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 associated with Cinch’s plans are around the $1,000-$2,000 mark for most of the major systems and appliances, and service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $150.
For more information, read 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
In Dover, The Home Service Club offers the best home warranty with the quickest service. HSC has been in the home warranty industry for about 15 years. HSC has 2 simple plans, making the selection process quick and easy. 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 associated with HSC’s plans are around the $2,000 mark for most of the major systems and appliances, and service fees are customizable and range from $65 to $90.
For more information, read 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 | $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 Dover homeowners reduce the expenses of appliance and system repairs. The plans offer coverage to repair or replace appliances and systems that malfunction due to normal wear and tear. When something breaks down, you file a claim and pay a service fee. The home warranty provider then finds a contractor to handle the fix or replacement. Homeowners may have out-of-pocket costs only if the repair or replacement goes over the item's coverage limit. A home warranty policy gives homeowners peace of mind and can help avoid expensive emergency repairs. They can be especially helpful for people purchasing older homes or homes with systems near the end of their life span. However, newer homes with modern appliances and fixtures may not need a home warranty.
Home warranties protect your home systems and appliances. Common covered appliances are refrigerators, dryers, washers, dishwashers, microwaves, garbage disposals, and more. Covered systems are normally electrical, plumbing, heating, and air conditioning. Many home warranty companies provide add-on coverage for septic systems, roof leaks, locksmiths, and central vacuums. Dover homeowners should know that most home warranty policies have a 30-day waiting period before they can be used to cover repairs. Additionally, policies typically only cover repairs and replacements needed due to normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't cover problems such as natural disasters, cosmetic issues, pre-existing conditions, or misuse of a system or appliance. You need to keep up with preventative maintenance to help ensure that your next repair or replacement will be covered by the policy.
Before agreeing to a home warranty contract, you should learn key terms like:
When you're deciding on a home warranty provider, there are several important things to take into account:
Home warranty policies can have major differences in covered items. Most plans provide protection for electrical, AC, plumbing, heating, and appliances. More inclusive options also include coverage for other items such as pools, spas, well pumps, 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.
Homeowners should anticipate paying a $60–100 service fee when filing home warranty claims. These per-repair charges can potentially accumulate over time, so some homeowners prefer using companies with more affordable per-claim fees to maximize savings. Some companies also offer disappearing deductibles after periods where a customer files no claims.
A home warranty company's reputation can offer insight into things such as contractor quality, speed of repairs, approval rates for claims, and customer satisfaction. Use 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 providers keep networks of professionals to handle covered repairs. Wider networks improve the likelihood of getting qualified technicians to service your home ASAP. Reach out to potential providers and ask how many contractors they have in Dover to get a sense of how soon your repairs could be handled in an emergency.
Some home warranty companies include perks such as smart home device coverage, reduced maintenance fees, and energy efficiency upgrades. These extras can offer extra value beyond just repair coverage. Added bonuses help you enhance your home and get the most from your warranty policy.
Temperatures in Dover can drop to the negatives in the winter, which means your heating system is likely to get a decent amount of use. As a homeowner in Dover, one benefit of having a home warranty is that these home systems and major appliances can be covered in the event they need to be repaired or replaced.
Not only can a home warranty provide some savings, but it also saves you time. If an appliance breaks down, the last thing you want to do is find a contractor and schedule a repair. A home warranty takes care of this process by sending trusted professionals to your door when you need them most. Another added benefit of having a home warranty plan is that it can raise your home’s real estate 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 provider you purchased your home warranty through.
Home warranties also have some drawbacks. Though 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 may not like this, and they may want to choose their own contractor. If that’s the case for you, some home warranty companies allow you to choose a contractor.
Another pain point of home warranties is that they don’t cover systems or appliances that haven’t been properly maintained. This can lead to your claims being denied, so it’s important to make sure you follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for maintenance of your home systems and appliances.
A home warranty in Dover can cost anywhere from $30 to $60 a month. The higher-priced plans typically have broader coverage, a lower service fee, and higher coverage limits. You can often lower this cost by paying annually instead of monthly. Some companies will also decrease your up-front costs when you opt for a higher service fee.
Home warranties and home insurance differ in what types of damage they cover. Home warranties cover problems related to home systems and appliances that need to be repaired or replaced 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 might not be too much of a concern in Dover. It doesn't cover a typical appliance or system damage.
A home warranty can help investors, home sellers, real estate agents, homeowners, and homebuyers. It can provide peace of mind and savings to anyone involved in homeownership.
A home warranty policy will cover your home’s appliances, systems, 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.
Generally, a home warranty policy lasts for a year and can be renewed annually. Some providers may offer month-to-month options.
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 and transfer the policy to the buyer. The new homeowner will then need to pay the service fees when using the policy. Considering that the average home value in Dover is $469,969, a home warranty can save you some money when buying a home.
