Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Written By David Cusick
Last Updated April 2024
Buying a home is a big step for many people, but the cost of maintaining it can get expensive over time, especially if your home in Bay Shore is on the older side. 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 significantly lower and give you some peace of mind.
Finding the right protection for your home can be challenging, so our team at Today's Homeowner has done the research to help you find the best home warranty companies in Bay Shore. Keep reading for our home warranty recommendations.
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 in Bay Shore. Liberty has over 6 years of experience in the home warranty industry, and has provided exceptional customer service at an affordable cost to its customers. The home warranty company offers 3 plans to policyholders with various system and appliance coverage options. When you purchase 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.
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 generally about $3,000 at the maximum.
For more information on this provider, read our review of Liberty Home Guard. To get a free quote from Liberty Home Guard, 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 in Bay Shore. Choice has over 15 years of experience in the home warranty industry, and has provided exceptional customer service at an affordable cost to its customers. The home warranty company offers 2 plans to policyholders with various system and appliance coverage options. When you purchase 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.
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 generally about $3,000 at the maximum.
For more information on this provider, read our review of Choice Home Warranty. To get a free quote from Choice Home Warranty, 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 in Bay Shore. Select has over 11 years of experience in the home warranty industry, and has provided exceptional customer service at an affordable cost to its customers. The home warranty company offers 3 plans to policyholders with various system and appliance coverage options. When you purchase 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.
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 generally about $2,000 at the maximum.
For more information on this provider, read our review of Select Home Warranty. To get a free quote from Select Home Warranty, 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 in Bay Shore. AHS has over 26 years of experience in the home warranty industry, and has provided exceptional customer service at an affordable cost to its customers. The home warranty company offers 3 plans to policyholders with various system and appliance coverage options. When you purchase 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.
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 generally about $2,500 at the maximum.
For more information on this provider, read our review of American Home Shield. To get a free quote from American Home Shield, 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 in Bay Shore. Cinch has over 44 years of experience in the home warranty industry, and has provided exceptional customer service at an affordable cost to its customers. The home warranty company offers 3 plans to policyholders with various system and appliance coverage options. When you purchase 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.
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 generally about $1,000-$2,000 at the maximum.
For more information on this provider, read our review of Cinch Home Services. To get a free quote from Cinch Home Services, 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 in Bay Shore. HSC has over 15 years of experience in the home warranty industry, and has provided exceptional customer service at an affordable cost to its customers. The home warranty company offers 2 plans to policyholders with various system and appliance coverage options. When you purchase 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.
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 generally about $2,000 at the maximum.
For more information on this provider, read our review of The Home Service Club. To get a free quote from The Home Service Club, 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 | $6,969 |
| Heating | $4,646 |
| Electrical | $697 |
| Toilets | $581 |
| Washer/Dryer | $929 |
| Plumbing | $697 |
| Oven | $1,858 |
| Fridge | $697 |
A home warranty is a protection policy that helps Bay Shore homeowners reduce the expenses of appliance and system repairs. The plans offer coverage to fix or swap out 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 repair 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 homeowners reassurance by helping avoid high-priced emergency repairs. The coverage is particularly helpful for buyers of older houses or houses with systems near the end of their life span. However, homeowners with newer homes and modern appliances may not need a home warranty.
Home warranties cover many household systems and appliances. Warranties usually cover appliances such as dryers, microwaves, washers, dishwashers, refrigerators, garbage disposals, and more. Covered systems include electrical, heating, air conditioning, and plumbing. Many home warranty companies also offer add-on coverage for central vacuums, roof leaks, septic systems, and locksmiths. Bay Shore 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, most policies only cover repairs and replacements needed due to normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't cover problems such as cosmetic issues, natural disasters, pre-existing conditions, or damage caused by improperly using a system or appliance. Make sure to keep up with preventative maintenance to help ensure that your next repair or replacement will be covered by your policy.
Home warranties use several terms that you'll want to understand before signing a contract, such as:
When choosing a home warranty provider, there are several important factors to consider:
Home warranties have significant variation in what they include. Basic policies typically provide protection for heating, plumbing, AC, electrical, and appliances, while more comprehensive plans may also cover spas, well pumps, pools, and roof leaks. Look for a company that offers robust coverage options, including upgraded plans. Flexibility is important when trying to fit a home warranty to your home's specific systems and needs.
With any home warranty claim, you'll pay a service fee that can range from $60 to $100, which gets paid per service call made. The per-request costs can add up. You may decide to look for providers with more affordable fees to maximize your savings on each claim. Some firms also offer disappearing deductibles if a homeowner doesn't submit claims for repairs for a specified period of time.
A home warranty company's reputation provides insights into factors such as contractor expertise, repair speed, claim approval rates, and customer satisfaction. Read through review sites like TrustPilot, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), or Google Reviews to learn more about companies. Positive feedback and ratings suggest a company known for delivering quality service.
Home warranty providers keep networks of local contractors to handle repairs in your area. Contact potential providers to ask how many repair professionals they have in Bay Shore and get an idea for how quickly your repairs could take place in an emergency situation. Bigger networks improve the chances of getting qualified contractors to promptly service your home.
Some home warranty companies offer bonuses such as smart home device protection, energy efficiency upgrades, and maintenance discounts. These perks can add value beyond repair coverage. Extra bonuses help maximize the usefulness of your home warranty.
Since temperatures in Bay Shore can be quite cold in the winter, the weather can put a lot of strain on your HVAC system. Buying a home warranty can help homeowners save money if one of these systems or appliances stops working all of a sudden.
On top of saving you money on out-of-pocket expenses, a home warranty can provide you peace of mind and save you the headache of trying to find a qualified contractor to visit your home. Home warranties usually have a network of pre-vetted technicians who can handle any repair issues you may have. Another good thing about having a home warranty is while selling your home, you can most likely transfer your home warranty plan to the new owners. This can make your house more attractive to potential homebuyers and may help your home sell faster.
As for the downsides of home warranties, home system and appliance coverage varies by company, so it’s important to understand what each plan covers and doesn’t include in the contract.
Another thing to take into consideration is that some providers don’t cover pre-existing issues and may require an inspection before your coverage can begin. Ask the home warranty company for clarification about this if you aren’t sure or if this is an issue for you.
A home warranty policy costs, on average, around $300 to $600 a year in Bay Shore. 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 choosing a higher service fee. Additionally, it's usually 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 covers normal wear and tear to systems and appliances in a home. Homeowners insurance protects a home in case of something such as a natural disaster or fire. Under homeowners insurance, you won't be able to file a claim should you need a new refrigerator or stove, unless the damage is a result of a natural disaster, which isn't that common in Bay Shore.
A home warranty policy can help homeowners, homebuyers, investors, home sellers, and real estate agents. It can provide peace of mind to anyone involved with homeownership.
The different home warranties in Bay Shore include plans that cover either appliances or systems as well as comprehensive plans. A comprehensive plan covers many of your systems and appliances, such as your dishwasher, washing machine, and plumbing. An appliance or system plan will cover only the specific items listed in the policy.
Home warranty plans generally provide coverage for a year. Many companies let you renew your plan annually, and some offer month-to-month plans as well.
Usually, 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 given to the new homeowner, who will pay the service fees when using the policy. In Bay Shore, where the median value of a home is $546,187, having the seller pay for the home warranty can be a good asset for your new home.
