Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Written By David Cusick
Last Updated April 2024
Homeownership in River Vale can be exciting for many people, but it also comes with its fair share of challenges. Repairing your home’s systems and appliances can be an unanticipated financial burden for many homeowners. A home warranty can help protect you by cutting the costs of major repairs and replacements on your home’s most important systems and appliances.
Finding the best home warranty on the market can be overwhelming, since there are lots of companies to choose from. That’s why our team at Today's Homeowner did the research and put together a list of the top home warranty companies in River Vale 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 River Vale residents. When you buy a policy 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 from Liberty are easy to understand and have a mix of both system and appliance coverage.
There are 3 home warranty plans from Liberty Home Guard: Appliance Guard, Systems Guard, and Total Home Guard. Service fees from Liberty are an affordable $75. The coverage caps are also around $3,000.
To receive a free quote from Liberty Home Guard, you can fill out this online form or call 866-451-2281. For a more detailed breakdown, read our 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 is the best overall home warranty for River Vale residents. When you buy a policy 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 from Choice are easy to understand and have a mix of both system and appliance coverage.
There are 2 home warranty plans from Choice Home Warranty: Basic Plan and Total Plan. Service fees from Choice are an affordable $85. The coverage caps are also around $3,000.
To receive a free quote from Choice Home Warranty, you can fill out this online form or call 929-400-6164. For a more detailed breakdown, read our 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 is the most cost-effective home warranty for River Vale residents. When you buy a policy 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 from Select are easy to understand and have a mix of both system and appliance coverage.
There are 3 home warranty plans from Select Home Warranty: Bronze Care Plan, Gold Care Plan, and Platinum Care Plan. Service fees from Select are a reasonable $60. The coverage caps are also around $2,000.
To receive a free quote from Select Home Warranty, you can fill out this online form or call 888-370-3953. For a more detailed breakdown, read our 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 is the most customizable home warranty for River Vale residents. When you buy a policy 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 from AHS are easy to understand and have a mix of both system and appliance coverage.
There are 3 home warranty plans from American Home Shield: ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, and ShieldPlatinum. Service fees from AHS are customizable and range from $75 to $125. The coverage caps are also around $2,500.
To receive a free quote from American Home Shield, you can fill out this online form or call 888-365-2839. For a more detailed breakdown, read our 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 is the home warranty with the best workmanship guarantee for River Vale residents. When you buy a policy 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 from Cinch are easy to understand and have a mix of both system and appliance coverage.
There are 3 home warranty plans from Cinch Home Services: Appliances Plan, Built-in Systems Plan, and Complete Home Plan. Service fees from Cinch are customizable and range from $75 to $150. The coverage caps are also around $1,000-$2,000.
To receive a free quote from Cinch Home Services, you can fill out this online form or call 877-589-0505. For a more detailed breakdown, read our 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 is the best home warranty with the quickest service for River Vale residents. When you buy a policy 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 from HSC are easy to understand and have a mix of both system and appliance coverage.
There are 2 home warranty plans from The Home Service Club: Standard Coverage Plan and Comprehensive Coverage Plan. Service fees from HSC are customizable and range from $65 to $90. The coverage caps are also around $2,000.
To receive a free quote from The Home Service Club, you can fill out this online form or call 800-750-9443. For a more detailed breakdown, read our 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 | $7,216 |
| Heating | $4,811 |
| Electrical | $722 |
| Toilets | $601 |
| Washer/Dryer | $962 |
| Plumbing | $722 |
| Oven | $1,924 |
| Fridge | $722 |
A home warranty is a protection policy that assists River Vale homeowners lower the costs of appliance and system repairs. The plans offer financial coverage to repair or replace appliances and systems that malfunction due to normal wear and tear.
When something breaks down, you file a claim and pay a service fee. The home warranty provider then arranges a contractor to handle the fix or replacement. Homeowners may have out-of-pocket costs only if the repair or replacement goes over the item's coverage limit. A home warranty gives homeowners reassurance by helping avoid expensive emergency repairs. The coverage is especially helpful for those living in older houses or houses with systems near the end of their life span. However, people with newer homes and working appliances might not require a home warranty.
Home warranties protect your home systems and appliances. Common appliances covered include garbage disposals, refrigerators, dishwashers, washers, microwaves, dryers, and more. Included systems are usually air conditioning, plumbing, electrical, and heating. Many home warranty providers offer add-on coverage for septic systems, roof leaks, central vacuums, and locksmiths. River Vale homeowners should know that most home warranty policies have a 30-day waiting period before they will cover the cost of any repairs. Additionally, most policies only cover repairs and replacements needed due to normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't cover problems such as natural disasters, pre-existing conditions, cosmetic issues, or improper use of a system or appliance. You need 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:
There are several important considerations when selecting a home warranty provider:
Home warranty coverage differs significantly when it comes to what's covered. Most plans include protection for plumbing, heating, AC, electrical, and appliances. More robust coverage options also include protection for other items such as spas, well pumps, pools, and roof leaks. Look for a company that offers comprehensive coverage choices, including upgraded plans. Flexibility is important when trying to fit a home warranty to your home's specific 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 providers also offer disappearing deductibles if a customer doesn't submit any claims in a set timeframe.
A home warranty company's reputation gives insight into things such as approval rates, contractor quality, repair timeliness, and customer satisfaction. Check review platforms such as the Better Business Bureau (BBB), Google Reviews, or TrustPilot to research providers. Positive ratings and feedback indicate a company known for exceptional service.
Home warranty providers use networks of local repair technicians to manage repairs in a given area. Contact potential businesses to learn the number of repair specialists they have in River Vale and get an idea of how fast your repairs could be handled in an emergency. Bigger networks increase the likelihood of getting qualified contractors to promptly service your home.
Some home warranty companies include perks such as smart home device coverage, reduced maintenance fees, and energy efficiency upgrades. These can provide extra value beyond repair coverage. Extra bonuses let you enhance your home and get the most from your warranty policy.
Since temperatures in River Vale can be quite hot in the summer, the weather can put a lot of strain on your air conditioning unit and HVAC system. Purchasing a home warranty policy can help homeowners save money if one of these systems or appliances breaks down suddenly.
As well as saving you money on out-of-pocket expenses, a home warranty can give you peace of mind and save you the headache of trying to find a qualified repair person to visit your home. Home warranties usually have a network of pre-vetted contractors who can handle any repair problems you may experience. Another added benefit of having a home warranty policy 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 have your home warranty with.
Home warranties also have some drawbacks. Although it can give you less to worry about since the home warranty sends out a contractor who takes care of the repair for you, some may not like this, and they would prefer to select a contractor themselves. If that’s important to you, some home warranty companies allow you to select a contractor.
Another consideration is that home warranties usually only cover damage from normal wear and tear. They most likely won’t cover home systems or appliances that need repairs or replacements due to animal infestations, improper maintenance, natural disasters, etc.
A home warranty costs, on average, around $300 to $600 a year in River Vale. 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. In addition, it's often cheaper to pay annually rather than monthly.
Home warranties and home insurance differ in what types of damage they cover. Home warranties cover issues related to systems and appliances that need repairs or replacements due to normal wear and tear. A home insurance policy is a larger insurance that protects the entire home from natural disasters, which can sometimes be a concern in River Vale. It doesn't cover a normal appliance or system repairs.
Homebuyers, homeowners, landlords, home sellers, 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.
A home warranty policy will cover your 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're concerned about one more than the other.
Generally, a home warranty offers coverage for a year and can be renewed annually. Some companies may offer month-to-month options.
Typically, the homeowner is the one who is responsible for paying the premium and service fees. However, when buying a new home, sometimes the seller will pay for the policy. This can then be transferred to the new homeowner, who will pay the service fees when using the policy. In River Vale, where the median value of a home is $782,740, having the seller pay for the home warranty can be a good asset for your new home.
