Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Written By David Cusick
Last Updated February 2024
As much as you may enjoy homeownership in Amherst, there's always that fear about whether your appliances and systems are going to need to be replaced in the next few years. A home warranty can bring you the peace of mind you need and guard your savings account from unexpected expenses by covering your home’s major systems and appliances.
Finding the best home warranty on the market can be quite a challenge because of the sheer number of options available. If you're overwhelmed by trying to compare them all, keep reading for our guide to the best home warranty companies in Amherst.
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 in Amherst. Liberty is a home warranty company with 6 years of experience in the industry, and it has proved to be one of the best providers in the business. If you’re looking for a seamless complaint process and guaranteed service professionalism upon every repair visit, this is the provider for you. Plus, it has a 60-day workmanship guarantee and some of the best customer service in the industry. Liberty has 3 simple plans, making the selection process and policy coverage easily comprehensible.
Liberty Home Guard has 3 plans that provide a mix of appliance and system coverage. 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, fill out this online form or call 866-451-2281. Read our Liberty Home Guard full review to learn more.
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 in Amherst. Choice is a home warranty company with 15 years of experience in the industry, and it has proved to be one of the best providers in the business. If you’re looking for very high coverage caps and simple-to-understand service contracts, this is the provider for you. Plus, it has great customer service, professional contractors, and lower out-of-pocket costs compared to other home warranties. Choice has 2 simple plans, making the selection process and policy coverage easily comprehensible.
Choice Home Warranty has 2 plans that provide a mix of appliance and system coverage. 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, fill out this online form or call 929-400-6164. Read our Choice Home Warranty full review to learn more.
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 in Amherst. Select is a home warranty company with 11 years of experience in the industry, and it has proved to be one of the best providers in the business. If you’re looking for a highly affordable service fee and free roof coverage upon purchase of a policy plan, this is the provider for you. Plus, it has an extensive network of highly trained professionals all over the country who are experts in home maintenance. Select has 3 simple plans, making the selection process and policy coverage easily comprehensible.
Select Home Warranty has 3 plans that provide a mix of appliance and system coverage. 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, fill out this online form or call 888-370-3953. Read our Select Home Warranty full review to learn more.
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 in Amherst. AHS is a home warranty company with 26 years of experience in the industry, and it has proved to be one of the best providers in the business. If you’re looking for the ability to customize your plan with the coverages that work specifically for your home, this is the provider for you. Plus, it has a remarkably low claim denial rate in comparison to other home warranty companies. AHS has 3 simple plans, making the selection process and policy coverage easily comprehensible.
American Home Shield has 3 plans that provide a mix of appliance and system coverage. 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, fill out this online form or call 888-365-2839. Read our American Home Shield full review to learn more.
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 in Amherst. Cinch is a home warranty company with 44 years of experience in the industry, and it has proved to be one of the best providers in the business. If you’re looking for a 180-day workmanship guarantee that ensures your home systems and appliance repairs will be professionally done, this is the provider for you. Plus, it has a broad range of coverage options that will give homeowners peace of mind. Cinch has 3 simple plans, making the selection process and policy coverage easily comprehensible.
Cinch Home Services has 3 plans that provide a mix of appliance and system coverage. 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, fill out this online form or call 877-589-0505. Read our Cinch Home Services full review to learn more.
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 in Amherst. HSC is a home warranty company with 15 years of experience in the industry, and it has proved to be one of the best providers in the business. If you’re looking for quick coverage where the home warranty goes into effect just ten days after you pay for the plan, instead of the typical 30 days, this is the provider for you. Plus, it has customer service representatives available 24/7, as well as a 30-day labor guarantee and a 90-day parts guarantee. HSC has 2 simple plans, making the selection process and policy coverage easily comprehensible.
The Home Service Club has 2 plans that provide a mix of appliance and system coverage. 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, fill out this online form or call 800-750-9443. Read our The Home Service Club full review to learn more.
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 | $6,211 |
| Heating | $4,141 |
| Electrical | $621 |
| Toilets | $518 |
| Washer/Dryer | $828 |
| Plumbing | $621 |
| Oven | $1,656 |
| Fridge | $621 |
A home warranty is a protection policy that helps Amherst homeowners lower the expenses of appliance and system repairs. The plans offer coverage to fix or replace appliances and systems that break down due to normal wear and tear.
When something breaks down, you file a claim and pay a service fee. The home warranty company then finds a contractor to handle the fix or replacement. Homeowners may have out-of-pocket costs only if the cost of repair or replacement goes over the item's coverage limit. A home warranty gives peace of mind to homeowners because it helps prevent expensive emergency repairs. Home warranties are the most useful for owners of older homes or homes with aging systems. New homes with up-to-date appliances may not need a home warranty.
Home warranties protect many home systems and appliances. Typical covered appliances include microwaves, dryers, garbage disposals, refrigerators, washers, dishwashers, and others. Protected systems include plumbing, heating, air conditioning, and electrical. Various home warranty plans offer additional coverage for roof leaks, septic systems, central vacuums, and even locksmiths. Amherst homeowners should know that most home warranty policies have a 30-day period you must wait 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 pre-existing conditions, cosmetic issues, natural disasters, or damage caused by improperly using a system or appliance. Make sure to keep up with preventative maintenance to ensure that your next repair or replacement will be covered by the policy.
Here are some essential home warranty terms to know before signing a contract:
When you're deciding on a home warranty provider, there are several key things to take into account:
Home warranty coverage differs significantly when it comes to what's covered. Most plans include protection for electrical, plumbing, heating, AC, and appliances. More inclusive options also offer coverage on other items such as well pumps, roof leaks, spas, and pools. Look for companies with a diverse range of coverage options, including upgraded plans. This allows you to customize your plan to your home's 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 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 track record provides insight into things such as claim approval rates, contractor quality, timeliness of repairs, and overall customer satisfaction. Use third-party review sites such as Google Reviews, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), or TrustPilot to research companies. Complimentary reviews and ratings indicate a provider known for stellar service.
Home warranty companies keep networks of professionals to handle covered repairs. More extensive networks increase the probability of getting qualified technicians to promptly service your home. Ask potential providers how many contractors they have in Amherst to get a sense of how soon your repairs could be handled in an emergency.
Certain home warranty companies offer extras such as discounts on maintenance, protection for smart home devices, and energy-efficient upgrades. These bonuses offer extra value beyond repair coverage. Extra perks can enhance your home and maximize your home warranty.
Home warranty plans are an affordable way to guard your home systems and appliances from normal wear and tear. With temperatures in Amherst hitting an average high of 54℃F, you may find that some appliances, such as your A.C., get a lot of use. A home warranty can significantly bring down out-of-pocket costs should your HVAC system break down.
In addition, having a home warranty can save you some time by getting rid of the need to research service technicians — most companies will send a trusted professional right to your door to carry out the repair or replacement. A home warranty can also offer value in other ways. For instance, some policies can be transferred to another owner during a home sale.
Home warranties also have some downsides. Though it can save you time when the home warranty sends out a contractor who handles the repair for you, some people may not like this, and they may want to choose a contractor themselves. If that’s important to you, some home warranty plans let you choose a contractor.
Another stipulation is that home warranties usually only cover damage from normal wear and tear. They most likely won’t cover systems or appliances that have been damaged due to animal infestations, improper maintenance, natural disasters, etc.
A home warranty in Amherst can cost between $30 and $60 a month. The higher-priced plans typically have a lower service fee, higher coverage limits, and broader coverage. Home warranties are often cheaper when you pay annually instead of monthly. Some companies will also reduce your up-front costs when you agree to a higher service fee.
The difference between a home warranty and homeowner's insurance lies in what types of damage each covers. A home warranty plan helps protect against normal wear and tear to systems and appliances in a home. Homeowners insurance protects your home in case of something such as a fire or natural disaster. With homeowners insurance, you will not be able to file a claim if you need a new washing machine or oven, unless the damage is due to a natural disaster, which is somewhat common in Amherst.
A home warranty policy can help real estate agents, homeowners, investors, home sellers, and homebuyers. It can provide peace of mind to anyone involved with homeownership.
The different kinds of home warranties in Amherst include plans that cover either appliances or systems as well as comprehensive plans. A comprehensive plan covers many of your home systems and appliances, such as your washing machine, drier, and HVAC. An appliance or system plan will cover only the items listed in the policy.
Generally, a home warranty lasts for a year and can be renewed yearly. Some companies may offer month-to-month plans.
Typically, 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 will pay for the policy. This can then be given to the new homeowner, who will pay the service fees. In Amherst, where the median value of a home is $318,349, having the seller pay for the home warranty can be a good asset for your new home.
