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Written By David Cusick
Last Updated June 2024
Homeownership in Rochester can be exciting 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.
Finding the best home warranty on the market can be challenging, as there are so many companies to decide between. That’s why our team at Today's Homeowner did the research and compiled a list of the top home warranty companies in Rochester 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 is the most trustworthy home warranty for Rochester residents. Liberty offers a seamless complaint process and guaranteed service professionalism upon every repair visit. Plus, 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, which have various options for appliance and system coverage.
The 3 plans from Liberty Home Guard are Appliance Guard, Systems Guard, and Total Home Guard. The coverage caps associated with Liberty’s plans are around the $3,000 mark for many of the major systems and appliances, and service fees are an affordable $75.
For more information, read our Liberty Home Guard Review. 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 is the best overall home warranty for Rochester residents. Choice offers very high coverage caps and simple-to-understand service contracts. Plus, 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, which have various options for appliance and system coverage.
The 2 plans from Choice Home Warranty are Basic Plan and Total Plan. The coverage caps associated with Choice’s plans are around the $3,000 mark for many of the major systems and appliances, and service fees are an affordable $85.
For more information, read our Choice Home Warranty Review. 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 is the most cost-effective home warranty for Rochester residents. Select offers a highly affordable service fee and free roof coverage upon purchase of a policy plan. Plus, 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, which have various options for appliance and system coverage.
The 3 plans from Select Home Warranty are Bronze Care Plan, Gold Care Plan, and Platinum Care Plan. The coverage caps associated with Select’s plans are around the $2,000 mark for many of the major systems and appliances, and service fees are a reasonable $60.
For more information, read our Select Home Warranty Review. 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 is the most customizable home warranty for Rochester residents. AHS offers the ability to customize your plan with the coverages that work specifically for your home. Plus, 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, which have various options for appliance and system coverage.
The 3 plans from American Home Shield are ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, and ShieldPlatinum. The coverage caps associated with AHS’s plans are around the $2,500 mark for many of the major systems and appliances, and service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $125.
For more information, read our American Home Shield Review. 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 is the home warranty with the best workmanship guarantee for Rochester residents. Cinch offers a 180-day workmanship guarantee that ensures your home systems and appliance repairs will be professionally done. Plus, 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, which have various options for appliance and system coverage.
The 3 plans from Cinch Home Services are Appliances Plan, Built-in Systems Plan, and Complete Home Plan. The coverage caps associated with Cinch’s plans are around the $1,000-$2,000 mark for many of the major systems and appliances, and service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $150.
For more information, read our Cinch Home Services Review. 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 is the best home warranty with the quickest service for Rochester residents. HSC offers quick coverage where the home warranty goes into effect just ten days after you pay for the plan, instead of the typical 30 days. Plus, 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, which have various options for appliance and system coverage.
The 2 plans from The Home Service Club are Standard Coverage Plan and Comprehensive Coverage Plan. The coverage caps associated with HSC’s plans are around the $2,000 mark for many of the major systems and appliances, and service fees are customizable and range from $65 to $90.
For more information, read our The Home Service Club Review. 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 | $6,226 |
Heating | $4,151 |
Electrical | $623 |
Toilets | $519 |
Washer/Dryer | $830 |
Plumbing | $623 |
Oven | $1,660 |
Fridge | $623 |
A home warranty is a protection plan that helps lower expenses for Rochester homeowners needing appliance and system repairs. These plans provide coverage to repair 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 company then arranges a contractor to make the repair 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 delivers security for homeowners by helping them avoid expensive emergency repairs. They're particularly valuable for those who live in older homes or ones with aging systems. More modern homes with functional appliances probably don’t need a home warranty.
Home warranties cover many household systems and appliances. Common covered appliances include garbage disposals, refrigerators, microwaves, washers, dryers, dishwashers, and others. Protected systems include electrical, heating, air conditioning, and plumbing. Many home warranty plans offer extra coverage for septic systems, central vacuums, roof leaks, and even locksmiths. Rochester 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 due to normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't cover things like natural disasters, pre-existing conditions, cosmetic issues, or improper use of a system or appliance. You need to keep up with preventative maintenance to help ensure that your next repair or replacement is covered by your policy.
Before agreeing to a home warranty contract, you should know key terms like:
When selecting a home warranty provider, there are several key factors to consider:
Home warranty coverage differs significantly when it comes to what's covered. Most plans cover heating, plumbing, AC, electrical, and appliances. More robust coverage options also offer coverage on other items such as well pumps, roof leaks, spas, and pools. Focus on companies with broad coverage options including upgraded plans. This flexibility enables you to customize 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 lower service fees to maximize savings. Some companies also offer disappearing deductibles if a customer doesn't submit any claims in a set timeframe.
A home warranty provider's rating provides insight into things such as claim approval rates, contractor quality, timeliness of repairs, and overall customer satisfaction. Look at third-party review sites such as TrustPilot, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), or Google Reviews to research providers. Complimentary ratings and reviews indicate a company known for stellar service.
Home warranty companies have networks of professionals that they use to tackle covered repairs. Larger networks improve the chance of getting qualified contractors to your home quickly. Reach out to possible providers to learn how many repair professionals they have in Rochester. This helps you understand how long repairs might take in an urgent situation.
Certain home warranty companies offer perks such as discounts on maintenance, energy-efficient upgrades, and protection for smart home devices. These provide extra value beyond repair coverage. Extra 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 likely to get a lot of use. As a homeowner in Rochester, one benefit of having a home warranty is knowing that these home systems and major appliances can be covered in the event they have to be repaired or replaced.
A home warranty also can also save you time and energy. Instead of spending hours finding and selecting a technician to fix your appliance or system, home warranty providers do the hard work for you and send a trusted professional to your door whenever you need them. A home warranty can also provide value in other ways. For instance, some policies can be transferred between owners during a home sale.
Home warranties also have some drawbacks. Though it can save you time when the home warranty sends out a contractor who does the repair for you, some homeowners may not like this, and they may want to select their own contractor. If that’s important to you, some home warranty plans allow you to choose a contractor.
Another possible pain point of home warranties is that they don’t cover items that have been improperly maintained. This can lead to your claims being rejected, so it’s important to carefully follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for maintenance of your home systems and appliances.
A home warranty plan costs, on average, about $300 to $600 a year in Rochester. Our top-rated home warranty providers' 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. Additionally, it's typically cheaper to pay annually rather than monthly.
The difference between a home warranty and homeowner's insurance lies in what kinds of damage each covers. A home warranty plan covers normal wear and tear to systems and appliances in a home. Homeowners insurance protects the entire home in case of a situation such as a fire or natural disaster. Under homeowners insurance, you won't be able to file a claim if you need a new refrigerator or oven, unless the damage is due to a natural disaster, which isn't that common in Rochester.
A home warranty can help homebuyers, investors, homeowners, home sellers, and real estate agents. It can offer peace of mind and savings to anyone involved with homeownership.
A home warranty policy can 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 useful if you're concerned about one more than the other.
Generally, a home warranty policy lasts for a year and can be renewed annually. Some companies may offer month-to-month options.
Usually the homeowner is responsible for paying 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. Since the average home value in Rochester is $354,753, a home warranty can save you some money when buying a home.