Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Written By David Cusick
Last Updated April 2024
Owning a home in Portsmouth has many 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 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 home warranty on the market can be challenging, since 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 top home warranty companies in Portsmouth 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 Portsmouth residents. 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 home warranty provider offers 3 plans to policyholders with various system and appliance coverage options.
There are 3 home warranty plans from Liberty Home Guard: Appliance Guard, Systems Guard, and Total Home Guard. The coverage limits from Liberty are around $3,000. The service fees are an affordable $75, which is cheaper than other providers in the Portsmouth area.
For more information on this provider, read our review of Liberty Home Guard. To receive 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 offers the best overall home warranty for Portsmouth residents. 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 home warranty provider offers 2 plans to policyholders with various system and appliance coverage options.
There are 2 home warranty plans from Choice Home Warranty: Basic Plan and Total Plan. The coverage limits from Choice are around $3,000. The service fees are an affordable $85, which is cheaper than other providers in the Portsmouth area.
For more information on this provider, read our review of Choice Home Warranty. To receive 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 offers the most cost-effective home warranty for Portsmouth residents. 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 home warranty provider offers 3 plans to policyholders with various system and appliance coverage options.
There are 3 home warranty plans from Select Home Warranty: Bronze Care Plan, Gold Care Plan, and Platinum Care Plan. The coverage limits from Select are around $2,000. The service fees are a reasonable $60, which is cheaper than other providers in the Portsmouth area.
For more information on this provider, read our review of Select Home Warranty. To receive 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 offers the most customizable home warranty for Portsmouth residents. 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 home warranty provider offers 3 plans to policyholders with various system and appliance coverage options.
There are 3 home warranty plans from American Home Shield: ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, and ShieldPlatinum. The coverage limits from AHS are around $2,500. The service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $125, which is cheaper than other providers in the Portsmouth area.
For more information on this provider, read our review of American Home Shield. To receive 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 offers the home warranty with the best workmanship guarantee for Portsmouth residents. 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 home warranty provider offers 3 plans to policyholders with various system and appliance coverage options.
There are 3 home warranty plans from Cinch Home Services: Appliances Plan, Built-in Systems Plan, and Complete Home Plan. The coverage limits from Cinch are around $1,000-$2,000. The service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $150, which is cheaper than other providers in the Portsmouth area.
For more information on this provider, read our review of Cinch Home Services. To receive 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 offers the best home warranty with the quickest service for Portsmouth residents. 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 home warranty provider offers 2 plans to policyholders with various system and appliance coverage options.
There are 2 home warranty plans from The Home Service Club: Standard Coverage Plan and Comprehensive Coverage Plan. The coverage limits from HSC are around $2,000. The service fees are customizable and range from $65 to $90, which is cheaper than other providers in the Portsmouth area.
For more information on this provider, read our review of The Home Service Club. To receive 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 policy that helps reduce the high costs for Portsmouth homeowners needing appliance and system repairs. These plans provide coverage to fix or replace 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 because it 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 more. Covered systems include electrical, air conditioning, heating, and plumbing. Various home warranty plans offer additional coverage for septic systems, roof leaks, central vacuums, and even locksmiths. It's important for Portsmouth homeowners to know that most home warranty policies have a 30-day waiting period before they can be used to cover repairs. Additionally, most policies only cover repairs and replacements needed due to normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't cover problems such as cosmetic issues, pre-existing conditions, natural disasters, or improper use of a system or appliance. Make sure to keep up with preventative maintenance to help ensure that your next repair or replacement is covered by the policy.
Here are some essential home warranty words to understand before signing a contract:
There are several key factors to consider when choosing a home warranty provider:
Home warranties vary widely in terms of included coverage. Basic plans typically cover AC, heating, electrical, plumbing, and appliances, while more comprehensive options may also cover well pumps, roof leaks, spas, and pools. Focus on providers with broad coverage options including upgraded plans. This flexibility enables you to customize protection for your needs.
Expect to pay a per-service fee of $60-100 for each home warranty claim. With these per-request costs adding up over time as you file claims, you may want to choose a company with more affordable fees to maximize savings. Some providers also do away with deductibles when customers have a claim-free period.
A home warranty company's track record provides insight into things such as timeliness of repairs, contractor quality, claim approval rates, and overall customer satisfaction. Use third-party review sites such as TrustPilot, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), or Google Reviews to research providers. Complimentary ratings and reviews indicate a provider known for stellar service.
Home warranty providers have networks of technicians that they use to tackle covered repairs. Bigger networks raise the likelihood of getting qualified contractors to your home promptly. Contact possible providers to ask how many technicians they have in Portsmouth. This helps you understand how long repairs could take in an urgent situation.
Home warranty companies sometimes offer extras such as maintenance discounts, coverage for smart home devices, and energy efficiency upgrades. These can add value beyond repair coverage. Additional perks can maximize the usefulness of the home warranty.
Since temperatures in Portsmouth can be quite cold in the winter, the weather can put a lot of strain on your HVAC system. Getting a home warranty plan can help homeowners save money if one of these systems or appliances breaks down suddenly.
In addition to saving you money on out-of-pocket expenses, a home warranty can offer you peace of mind and save you the pain of trying to find a qualified technician to visit your home. Home warranties usually come with a network of pre-vetted technicians who can handle any repair issues you may come across. Additionally, though home warranty companies vary, some providers will allow you to transfer your warranty if you sell your home. This can make your property more attractive to potential homebuyers and maybe even help your home sell faster.
Home warranties also have some drawbacks. Although it can be convenient that the home warranty sends out a repair technician who does 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 providers allow you to choose a contractor.
Another thing to consider is that some companies don’t cover pre-existing problems and may require an inspection before coverage begins. Ask the home warranty provider for clarification about these things if you need more information or if this is a problem for you.
A home warranty plan costs, on average, around $300 to $600 a year in Portsmouth. Our high-rated home warranty companies' most comprehensive coverage options vary from $546 to $840 per year. You can decrease your monthly bill 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 plan protects against normal wear and tear to systems and appliances in a home. Homeowners insurance protects a home in case of a situation such as a natural disaster or fire. Under a homeowners insurance plan, you won't be able to file a claim should you need a new refrigerator or dishwasher, unless the damage is due to a natural disaster, which isn't that common in Portsmouth.
Homebuyers, home sellers, landlords, homeowners, and real estate agents are all eligible for home warranty plans. A home warranty can help make your property more appealing to prospective buyers and save you money in the long run.
The different kinds of home warranties in Portsmouth include plans that cover either appliances or systems as well as combination plans. A combination plan will cover many of your home systems and appliances, such as your washing machine, drier, and plumbing. A plan that only covers appliances or systems will cover only the items mentioned in the contract.
Home warranty plans generally last a year. Many companies let you renew your plan yearly, and some offer month-to-month plans as well.
Usually the person who owns the home pays for the home warranty. In some cases, however, the one selling the home may buy a home warranty plan and transfer the policy to the buyer. The new homeowner will then have to pay 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.
