Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
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Written By David Cusick
Last Updated June 2024
Owning a home in Portsmouth has tons of great advantages, but there are some downsides. 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 is a way to protect your savings account from unexpected expenses. With a home warranty in place, your repair costs can be significantly lower and give you some peace of mind.
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 best home warranty companies in Portsmouth. Read on for our home warranty 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 is the most trustworthy home warranty for Portsmouth residents. 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. The 3 plans that Liberty offers include differing levels of system and appliance coverage, as well as add-on options.
Liberty Home Guard has 3 plans that offer a mix of system and appliance coverage. Service fees from Liberty are an affordable $75. The coverage caps are also typically about $3,000.
To read more, visit our Liberty Home Guard Review. 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 for Portsmouth residents. 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. The 2 plans that Choice offers include differing levels of system and appliance coverage, as well as add-on options.
Choice Home Warranty has 2 plans that offer a mix of system and appliance coverage. Service fees from Choice are an affordable $85. The coverage caps are also typically about $3,000.
To read more, visit our Choice Home Warranty Review. 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 for Portsmouth residents. 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. The 3 plans that Select offers include differing levels of system and appliance coverage, as well as add-on options.
Select Home Warranty has 3 plans that offer a mix of system and appliance coverage. Service fees from Select are a reasonable $60. The coverage caps are also typically about $2,000.
To read more, visit our Select Home Warranty Review. 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 for Portsmouth residents. 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. The 3 plans that AHS offers include differing levels of system and appliance coverage, as well as add-on options.
American Home Shield has 3 plans that offer a mix of system and appliance coverage. Service fees from AHS are customizable and range from $75 to $125. The coverage caps are also typically about $2,500.
To read more, visit our American Home Shield Review. 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
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 for Portsmouth residents. 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. The 3 plans that Cinch offers include differing levels of system and appliance coverage, as well as add-on options.
Cinch Home Services has 3 plans that offer a mix of system and appliance coverage. Service fees from Cinch are customizable and range from $75 to $150. The coverage caps are also typically about $1,000-$2,000.
To read more, visit our Cinch Home Services Review. 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 for Portsmouth residents. 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. The 2 plans that HSC offers include differing levels of system and appliance coverage, as well as add-on options.
The Home Service Club has 2 plans that offer a mix of system and appliance coverage. Service fees from HSC are customizable and range from $65 to $90. The coverage caps are also typically about $2,000.
To read more, visit our The Home Service Club Review. 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 | $6,571 |
| Heating | $4,381 |
| Electrical | $657 |
| Toilets | $548 |
| Washer/Dryer | $876 |
| Plumbing | $657 |
| Oven | $1,752 |
| Fridge | $657 |
A home warranty is a protection plan that helps lower expenses for Portsmouth homeowners needing appliance and system repairs. These plans provide financial coverage to repair 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 provider 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 exceed the item's coverage limit. A home warranty plan gives homeowners peace of mind and can help avoid expensive emergency repairs. They can be especially helpful for buyers of older homes or homes with systems near the end of their life span. However, newer homes with appliances and fixtures in good condition may not require a home warranty.
Home warranties cover your home's systems and appliances. Common covered appliances are dryers, microwaves, dishwashers, washers, garbage disposals, refrigerators, and others. Protected systems include electrical, air conditioning, heating, and plumbing. Various home warranty plans offer add-on coverage for roof leaks, central vacuums, septic systems, and even locksmiths. Portsmouth homeowners should know that most home warranty plans have a 30-day waiting period before repairs are covered. Additionally, most policies only cover the cost of repairs and replacements due to normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't include cosmetic issues, natural disasters, pre-existing conditions, or misuse of a system or appliance. You must keep up with preventative maintenance to help make sure your next repair or replacement is covered.
Here are some key home warranty terms to learn before signing a contract:
When choosing a home warranty provider, there are several key factors to consider:
Home warranty policies vary widely in what they include. Most plans cover AC, heating, plumbing, electrical, and appliances. More inclusive options also include coverage for other items such as spas, well pumps, pools, and roof leaks. Look for providers with an array of coverage options, such as upgraded plans. Flexibility helps you tailor your protection for your 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 providers with more affordable per-claim fees to maximize savings. Some providers also offer disappearing deductibles after periods where a customer files no claims.
A home warranty company's reputation provides insight into things such as approval rates, repair timeliness, contractor quality, and customer satisfaction. Use review platforms such as TrustPilot, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), or Google Reviews to research providers. Good ratings and feedback indicate a company known for exceptional service.
Home warranty companies use networks of local repair contractors to manage repairs in a given area. Reach out to potential companies to ask how many repair technicians they have in Portsmouth and get an idea of how quickly your repairs could be handled in an emergency. Bigger networks raise the likelihood of getting qualified contractors to swiftly service your home.
Home warranty providers may include perks such as energy efficiency upgrades, maintenance discounts, and coverage for smart home devices. These extras add value beyond basic repair coverage. Added perks help maximize the usefulness of the home warranty.
Portsmouth’s cold winters 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 fails in the middle of July, a home warranty can cover the repairs, preventing you from spending a lot of money out of pocket.
Plus, having a home warranty can save you some time by removing the need to research contractors — most companies will send a trusted professional right to your door to complete the necessary repair or replacement. A home warranty can also offer value in other ways. For example, some plans can be transferred to another owner during a home sale.
One main drawback of home warranties is not everything you care about may be covered. It’s important to compare the different plans and select one that covers all the appliances, systems, and add-ons you need.
Another thing to consider is that some companies don’t cover pre-existing issues and may require an inspection before coverage begins. Ask the home warranty company for clarification about it if you aren’t sure or if this is an issue for you.
A home warranty plan costs, on average, around $300 to $600 a year in Portsmouth. 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 choosing a higher service fee. Additionally, it's often cheaper to pay annually rather than monthly.
Home warranties and home insurance differ in what sorts of damage they cover. Home warranties cover problems related to systems and appliances that need to be repaired or replaced due to normal wear and tear. A home insurance policy is a different plan that protects your entire home from natural disasters, which might not be too much of a concern in Portsmouth. It doesn't cover a typical appliance or system repairs.
First-time homebuyers, landlords, real estate agents, homeowners, and home sellers are all eligible for home warranty plans. A home warranty can help make your house more attractive to prospective buyers and save you money in the long run.
A home warranty will cover your home’s appliances, systems, or both. Combination plans are great if you'd like more coverage for your home, but a system- or appliance-only plan can be helpful if you want to save some money.
Home warranty plans generally offer coverage for a year. Many providers let you renew your plan each year, and some offer month-to-month plans as well.
Usually the homeowner pays for the home warranty. In some cases, however, 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. Considering that the average home value in Portsmouth is $675,139, a home warranty can be an added asset when buying a home.
