Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Written By David Cusick
Last Updated April 2024
There are many advantages of owning a home, but as your Clayton home ages, you may find yourself needing to update or repair your appliances and systems. A home warranty policy can help protect homeowners by reducing the costs of major repairs and replacements on your home’s most important systems and appliances.
Choosing the best home warranty on the market can be a challenge because of the sheer number of options available. If you're frustrated with trying to compare them all, keep reading for our guide on the best home warranty companies in Clayton.
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 Clayton residents. The home warranty provider offers 3 plans to policyholders with various system and appliance coverage options. 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.
Liberty Home Guard has 3 plans that offer a combination of system and appliance coverage. The coverage caps from Liberty are about $3,000. The service fees are an affordable $75, which is cheaper than other providers in the Clayton area.
To get a free quote from Liberty Home Guard, fill out this online form or call 866-451-2281. For more information, read our full review of Liberty Home Guard.
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 Clayton residents. The home warranty provider offers 2 plans to policyholders with various system and appliance coverage options. 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.
Choice Home Warranty has 2 plans that offer a combination of system and appliance coverage. The coverage caps from Choice are about $3,000. The service fees are an affordable $85, which is cheaper than other providers in the Clayton area.
To get a free quote from Choice Home Warranty, fill out this online form or call 929-400-6164. For more information, read our full review of Choice Home Warranty.
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 Clayton residents. The home warranty provider offers 3 plans to policyholders with various system and appliance coverage options. 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.
Select Home Warranty has 3 plans that offer a combination of system and appliance coverage. The coverage caps from Select are about $2,000. The service fees are a reasonable $60, which is cheaper than other providers in the Clayton area.
To get a free quote from Select Home Warranty, fill out this online form or call 888-370-3953. For more information, read our full review of Select Home Warranty.
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 Clayton residents. The home warranty provider offers 3 plans to policyholders with various system and appliance coverage options. 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.
American Home Shield has 3 plans that offer a combination of system and appliance coverage. The coverage caps from AHS are about $2,500. The service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $125, which is cheaper than other providers in the Clayton area.
To get a free quote from American Home Shield, fill out this online form or call 888-365-2839. For more information, read our full review of American Home Shield.
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 Clayton residents. The home warranty provider offers 3 plans to policyholders with various system and appliance coverage options. 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.
Cinch Home Services has 3 plans that offer a combination of system and appliance coverage. The coverage caps from Cinch are about $1,000-$2,000. The service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $150, which is cheaper than other providers in the Clayton area.
To get a free quote from Cinch Home Services, fill out this online form or call 877-589-0505. For more information, read our full review of Cinch Home Services.
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 Clayton residents. The home warranty provider offers 2 plans to policyholders with various system and appliance coverage options. 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 Service Club has 2 plans that offer a combination of system and appliance coverage. The coverage caps from HSC are about $2,000. The service fees are customizable and range from $65 to $90, which is cheaper than other providers in the Clayton area.
To get a free quote from The Home Service Club, fill out this online form or call 800-750-9443. For more information, read our full review of The Home Service Club.
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 | $6,344 |
| Heating | $4,230 |
| Electrical | $634 |
| Toilets | $529 |
| Washer/Dryer | $846 |
| Plumbing | $634 |
| Oven | $1,692 |
| Fridge | $634 |
A home warranty is a protection plan that helps cut costs for Clayton 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 company 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 reassurance by helping avoid expensive emergency repairs. The coverage is particularly helpful for those living in older houses or houses with systems near the end of their life span. However, people with newer homes and functioning appliances might not need a home warranty.
Home warranties cover your home systems and appliances. Warranties usually cover appliances such as dishwashers, washers, microwaves, dryers, garbage disposals, refrigerators, and more. Covered systems include electrical, heating, plumbing, and air conditioning. Many home warranty companies also provide additional coverage for septic systems, central vacuums, roof leaks, and locksmiths. Most home warranty plans require Clayton homeowners to wait 30 days before they can use the policy to pay for repairs. Moreover, policies typically only cover repairs and replacements resulting from normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't cover natural disasters, pre-existing conditions, cosmetic issues, or misusing a system or appliance. To help ensure your next repair or replacement is covered, keep up with preventative maintenance.
Home warranty contracts use several terms that you'll want to understand before signing, such as:
When choosing a home warranty provider, there are several key factors to consider:
Home warranties vary widely in terms of included coverage. Basic policies typically cover plumbing, heating, AC, electrical, and appliances, while more comprehensive plans may also cover roof leaks, well pumps, spas, and pools. Look for providers with an assortment of coverage options, such as upgraded plans. Flexibility helps you tailor your protection for your needs.
With any home warranty claim, you'll pay a service fee that can range from $60 to $100, which is paid per service call made. These per-claim charges can add up. You may decide to look for providers with more affordable fees to maximize your savings on each claim. Some providers also offer disappearing deductibles when customers go a period with no claims filed.
A home warranty provider's reputation can offer insight into things such as approval rates for claims, speed of repairs, contractor quality, and customer satisfaction. Look at third-party review sites such as TrustPilot, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), or Google Reviews to research providers. Positive ratings and reviews indicate that a company is known for top-tier service.
Home warranty businesses keep networks of local technicians to handle repairs in your area. Contact potential providers to ask how many repair professionals they have in Clayton and get an idea for how quickly your repairs might happen in an emergency situation. More extensive networks raise the likelihood of getting qualified contractors to promptly service your home.
Some home warranty providers include perks such as energy efficiency upgrades, smart home device coverage, and reduced maintenance fees. These extras can provide extra value beyond repair coverage. Extra bonuses allow you to enhance your home and get the most from your home warranty.
Temperatures in Clayton can vary greatly throughout the year, which means your air conditioner and heating systems are likely to get a decent amount of use. As a homeowner in Clayton, one benefit of having a home warranty is that these home systems and major appliances can be covered in the event they have to be repaired or replaced.
Not only can a home warranty save you some money on repairs and replacements, it saves you time as well. Instead of needing to vet technicians by yourself, home warranty companies do the work for you and send pre-screened technicians right to your door when you need them. Another added benefit of having home warranty coverage is that it can raise your home’s property 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 company you have your home warranty with.
As for the negatives of home warranties, coverage varies by provider, so it’s important to understand what each plan covers and excludes in the contract.
In addition, if you don’t maintain your home systems or appliances properly, or if they need repairs or replacements due to a natural disaster or animal infestation — anything besides normal wear and tear — the home warranty may not cover it.
A home warranty plan costs, on average, about $300 to $600 a year in Clayton. 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. In addition, it's typically 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 covers normal wear and tear to systems and appliances in a home. A homeowners insurance plan protects your entire home in a situation such as a fire or natural disaster. Under a homeowners insurance plan, you will not be able to file a claim if you need a new washing machine or air conditioner, unless the damage is due to a natural disaster, which isn't that common in Clayton.
First-time homebuyers, home sellers, homeowners, landlords, and real estate agents can all get home warranty plans. A home warranty can help make your property more attractive to prospective buyers and save you money in the long run.
The different kinds of home warranties in Clayton include plans with coverage for either appliances or systems as well as combination plans. A combination plan will cover many of your home systems and appliances, including your refrigerator, washing machine, and plumbing. An appliance or system plan will cover only the items mentioned in the contract.
Home warranty plans usually last a year. Many providers let you renew your plan each year, and some offer month-to-month options as well.
In general, the homeowner is the one who is responsible for paying the premium and service fees. However, if you have just bought a new home, sometimes the seller is the one who paid for the policy. This can then be transferred to the new homeowner, who will pay the service fees. In Clayton, where the median value of a home is $271,836, having the seller pay for the home warranty can save you some money on your new home.
