Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Written By David Cusick
Last Updated April 2024
Homeownership in Rochester can be satisfying for many, but it also comes with its fair share of difficulties. Home repairs can be an unforeseen financial burden for many homeowners. A home warranty is a way to protect your bank account from unexpected expenses. With a home warranty in place, your repair costs can be considerably lower and give you some peace of mind.
The home warranty market has many providers — all with different coverage — so our team at Today's Homeowner has compiled this guide to help you choose the best home warranty companies in Rochester.
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 Rochester 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.
The 3 plans from Liberty Home Guard are Appliance Guard, Systems Guard, and Total Home Guard. Liberty has coverage caps of around $3,000 for most appliances and systems, but with some plans, the coverage caps can be higher, so make sure to check with the company. Service fees are an affordable $75.
To read more, visit our Liberty Home Guard full review. To receive 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
Choice Home Warranty offers the best overall home warranty for Rochester 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.
The 2 plans from Choice Home Warranty are Basic Plan and Total Plan. Choice has coverage caps of around $3,000 for most appliances and systems, but with some plans, the coverage caps can be higher, so make sure to check with the company. Service fees are an affordable $85.
To read more, visit our Choice Home Warranty full review. To receive 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
Select Home Warranty offers the most cost-effective home warranty for Rochester 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.
The 3 plans from Select Home Warranty are Bronze Care Plan, Gold Care Plan, and Platinum Care Plan. Select has coverage caps of around $2,000 for most appliances and systems, but with some plans, the coverage caps can be higher, so make sure to check with the company. Service fees are a reasonable $60.
To read more, visit our Select Home Warranty full review. To receive 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
American Home Shield offers the most customizable home warranty for Rochester 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.
The 3 plans from American Home Shield are ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, and ShieldPlatinum. AHS has coverage caps of around $2,500 for most appliances and systems, but with some plans, the coverage caps can be higher, so make sure to check with the company. Service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $125.
To read more, visit our American Home Shield full review. To receive 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
Cinch Home Services offers the home warranty with the best workmanship guarantee for Rochester 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.
The 3 plans from Cinch Home Services are Appliances Plan, Built-in Systems Plan, and Complete Home Plan. Cinch has coverage caps of around $1,000-$2,000 for most appliances and systems, but with some plans, the coverage caps can be higher, so make sure to check with the company. Service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $150.
To read more, visit our Cinch Home Services full review. To receive 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
The Home Service Club offers the best home warranty with the quickest service for Rochester 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.
The 2 plans from The Home Service Club are Standard Coverage Plan and Comprehensive Coverage Plan. HSC has coverage caps of around $2,000 for most appliances and systems, but with some plans, the coverage caps can be higher, so make sure to check with the company. Service fees are customizable and range from $65 to $90.
To read more, visit our The Home Service Club full review. To receive 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 | $6,226 |
| Heating | $4,151 |
| Electrical | $623 |
| Toilets | $519 |
| Washer/Dryer | $830 |
| Plumbing | $623 |
| Oven | $1,660 |
| Fridge | $623 |
A home warranty is a protection policy that helps cut costs for Rochester homeowners needing appliance and system repairs. These plans provide coverage to fix or swap out appliances and systems that stop working due to normal wear and tear.
Homeowners file 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 cost of the repair or replacement exceeds the item's coverage limit. A home warranty gives homeowners peace of mind by helping avoid expensive emergency repairs. The coverage is especially helpful for buyers of older houses or houses with fixtures near the end of their life span. However, people with newer homes and functioning appliances may not need a home warranty.
Home warranties protect your home systems and appliances. Common covered appliances are garbage disposals, washers, microwaves, refrigerators, dishwashers, dryers, and more. Included systems are typically plumbing, heating, air conditioning, and electrical. Many home warranty companies provide add-on coverage for septic systems, locksmiths, central vacuums, and roof leaks. It's important for Rochester 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 that result from normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't cover things like natural disasters, cosmetic issues, pre-existing conditions, or damage caused by improperly using a system or appliance. It's important to keep up with preventative maintenance to ensure that your next repair or replacement is covered by your policy.
Before signing a home warranty contract, you should understand key terms like:
When you're deciding on a home warranty provider, there are several important things to take into account:
Home warranties differ greatly in the items covered. Basic policies typically cover heating, AC, electrical, plumbing, and appliances, while more comprehensive plans may also cover pools, well pumps, roof leaks, and spas. Focus on providers with wide-ranging coverage selections including upgraded plans. Flexibility like this will help you customize your plan to meet your needs.
Homeowners should anticipate paying a $60–100 service fee when filing home warranty claims. These per-claim costs can add up, so some homeowners prefer using providers with more affordable per-claim fees to maximize savings. Some companies also offer disappearing deductibles when a homeowner goes a defined period without any repair requests.
A home warranty company's reputation provides insight into things such as repair timeliness, approval rates, contractor quality, and customer service. Use review platforms such as the Better Business Bureau (BBB), TrustPilot, or Google Reviews to research companies. Positive ratings and feedback indicate a company known for great service.
Home warranty providers keep networks of contractors to handle covered repairs. Wider networks raise the likelihood of getting qualified technicians to service your home ASAP. Contact potential providers to find out how many contractors they have in Rochester to get a sense of how quickly your repairs could be handled in an emergency.
Certain home warranty companies offer perks such as protection for smart home devices, discounts on maintenance, and energy-efficient upgrades. These can offer extra value beyond repair coverage. Added perks help improve your home and maximize your home warranty.
Temperatures in Rochester can drop to the negatives in the winter, which means your heating system is most likely going to get a good bit of use. As a homeowner in Rochester, one of the benefits of having a home warranty is that these home systems and major appliances can be covered if they have to be repaired or replaced.
Not only can a home warranty offer some financial relief, but it also saves you time. If an appliance breaks down, the last thing you want to do is find a technician and schedule a repair. A home warranty deals with the research 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 increase your home’s real estate value. If you ever decide to sell your home, 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 downsides. Although it can be convenient that the home warranty sends out a contractor who carries out the repair for you, some people 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 drawback is that home warranties may not include some repairs, such as those needed because of natural disasters. For example, if a tree falls onto your house and damages the roof, the impacted systems and appliances most likely won’t be covered by the home warranty.
A home warranty policy costs, on average, around $300 to $600 a year in Rochester. 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.
Home warranties and home insurance differ in what types of damage they cover. Home warranty policies cover issues 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 an entire home from natural disasters, which might not be too much of a concern in Rochester. It doesn't cover a normal appliance or system repairs.
A home warranty plan can help home sellers, homebuyers, investors, real estate agents, and homeowners. It can provide peace of mind and savings to anyone involved with homeownership.
A home warranty plan can cover your systems, appliances, or both. Combination plans are great if you need more coverage for your home, but a system- or appliance-only plan can be helpful if you're concerned about one more than the other.
Home warranty plans typically provide coverage for a year. Many companies let you renew your plan annually, and some offer month-to-month options as well.
In general, the homeowner is the one who pays the premium and service fees. However, if you have just bought a new home, sometimes the seller will pay for the policy. This can then be transferred to the new homeowner, who has to pay the service fees when using the policy. In Rochester, where the median home value is $354,753, having the seller pay for the home warranty can be a good asset for your new home.
