Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Written By David Cusick
Last Updated April 2024
There are a lot of advantages of owning a home, but as your Carmel home gets older, you may have to update or repair your systems and appliances. A home warranty plan can help protect you by covering major repairs and replacements on your home’s most important appliances and systems.
Choosing the best home warranty on the market can be quite a challenge because of the many options available. If you're tired of trying to compare them all, keep reading for our guide on the top home warranty providers in Carmel.
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 Carmel residents. Liberty has 3 simple plans, making the selection process and policy coverage easily comprehensible. If you’re looking for a seamless complaint process and guaranteed service professionalism upon every repair visit, this is the home warranty for you. Plus, it has a 60-day workmanship guarantee and some of the best customer service in the industry.
The plans that Liberty offers to homeowners are 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.
To get a free quote from Liberty Home Guard, fill out this online form or give them a call at 866-451-2281. Read our review of Liberty Home Guard 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 for Carmel residents. Choice has 2 simple plans, making the selection process and policy coverage easily comprehensible. If you’re looking for very high coverage caps and simple-to-understand service contracts, this is the home warranty for you. Plus, it has great customer service, professional contractors, and lower out-of-pocket costs compared to other home warranties.
The plans that Choice offers to homeowners are Basic Plan and Total Plan. Service fees from Choice are an affordable $85. The coverage caps are also generally about $3,000.
To get a free quote from Choice Home Warranty, fill out this online form or give them a call at 929-400-6164. Read our review of Choice Home Warranty 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 for Carmel residents. Select has 3 simple plans, making the selection process and policy coverage easily comprehensible. If you’re looking for a highly affordable service fee and free roof coverage upon purchase of a policy plan, this is the home warranty for you. Plus, it has an extensive network of highly trained professionals all over the country who are experts in home maintenance.
The plans that Select offers to homeowners are 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.
To get a free quote from Select Home Warranty, fill out this online form or give them a call at 888-370-3953. Read our review of Select Home Warranty 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 for Carmel residents. AHS has 3 simple plans, making the selection process and policy coverage easily comprehensible. If you’re looking for the ability to customize your plan with the coverages that work specifically for your home, this is the home warranty for you. Plus, it has a remarkably low claim denial rate in comparison to other home warranty companies.
The plans that AHS offers to homeowners are 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.
To get a free quote from American Home Shield, fill out this online form or give them a call at 888-365-2839. Read our review of American Home Shield 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 for Carmel residents. Cinch has 3 simple plans, making the selection process and policy coverage easily comprehensible. 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 home warranty for you. Plus, it has a broad range of coverage options that will give homeowners peace of mind.
The plans that Cinch offers to homeowners are 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.
To get a free quote from Cinch Home Services, fill out this online form or give them a call at 877-589-0505. Read our review of Cinch Home Services 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 for Carmel residents. HSC has 2 simple plans, making the selection process and policy coverage easily comprehensible. 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 home warranty 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.
The plans that HSC offers to homeowners are 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.
To get a free quote from The Home Service Club, fill out this online form or give them a call at 800-750-9443. Read our review of The Home Service Club 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 | $6,592 |
| Heating | $4,395 |
| Electrical | $659 |
| Toilets | $549 |
| Washer/Dryer | $879 |
| Plumbing | $659 |
| Oven | $1,758 |
| Fridge | $659 |
A home warranty is a protection plan that assists Carmel homeowners in lowering the costs of appliance and system repairs. The plans offer coverage to swap out or fix appliances and systems that stop working due to normal wear and tear.
When something breaks down, you submit a claim and pay a service fee. The home warranty provider then arranges a contractor to handle the replacement or fix. Homeowners may have out-of-pocket costs only if the repair or replacement costs exceed the item's coverage limit. A home warranty policy gives homeowners a sense of security and can help avoid costly emergency repairs. They can be especially helpful for buyers of older homes or homes with appliances near the end of their life span. However, newer homes with modern appliances and fixtures may not need a home warranty.
Home warranties help protect both your home systems and appliances. Common appliances covered under a home warranty include garbage disposals, microwaves, dishwashers, refrigerators, dryers, washers, and more. Covered systems include air conditioning, heating, electrical, and plumbing. Many home warranty plans offer additional add-on coverage options for septic systems, locksmiths, central vacuums, and even roof leaks. Carmel homeowners should know that most home warranty plans begin with a 30-day waiting period before repairs are covered. What's more, most policies only cover repairs and replacements resulting from normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't include cosmetic issues, pre-existing conditions, natural disasters, or misuse of a system or appliance. You must keep up with preventative maintenance to help make sure your next repair or replacement is covered.
There are multiple home warranty terms to learn before signing an agreement, including:
When selecting a home warranty provider, there are several important factors to consider:
Home warranty coverage varies, although most plans include protection for plumbing, heating, electrical, AC, and appliances. More extensive plans may also include extra things such as pools, roof leaks, well pumps, and spas. Focus on companies with broad coverage options including upgraded plans. This flexibility enables you to customize your plan to meet your home's needs.
Expect to pay a per-service fee of $60-100 for each home warranty claim. With these per-request costs adding up over time as you file claims, you may want to choose a provider with more affordable fees to maximize savings. Some companies also remove deductibles when customers have a claim-free period.
A home warranty company's reputation gives insight into things such as repair timeliness, contractor quality, approval rates, and customer service. Use review platforms such as TrustPilot, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), or Google Reviews to research providers. Good ratings and feedback indicate a company known for great service.
Home warranty companies have networks of professionals to handle covered repairs. Wider networks raise the likelihood of getting qualified technicians to service your home ASAP. Ask potential providers how many contractors they have in Carmel to get a sense of how soon your repairs could happen in an emergency.
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 just repair coverage. Extra bonuses allow you to enhance your home and get the most from your home warranty.
Carmel’s cold winters can put a strain on a home’s HVAC system. Whether it’s summer or winter, a home warranty is designed to cover your home’s appliances and systems in the event they need to be repaired or replaced. For example, if your air conditioner breaks down in the middle of July, a home warranty can cover the necessary repairs, saving you from spending unexpected money out of pocket.
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 companies do the hard work for you and send a trusted professional to your door whenever you need them. Additionally, having a home warranty can help make your house more appealing to potential homebuyers if you ever decide to sell in the future. Many home warranty companies will allow you to transfer your policy to a new owner and give them the protection you’ve been receiving.
One major drawback of home warranties is not everything may be covered. It’s important to weigh the different plans and sign up for one that covers all the appliances, systems, and add-ons you need.
Another drawback is that home warranties may not include some repairs, like those due to natural disasters. For example, if your HVAC system is damaged from an animal infestation, the affected systems and appliances most likely won’t be covered by the home warranty.
A home warranty plan costs, on average, around $300 to $600 a year in Carmel. Our high-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 typically cheaper to pay annually rather than monthly.
Home warranties and home insurance differ in what sorts of damage they cover. Home warranty policies cover issues with home systems and appliances that need to be repaired or replaced due to normal wear and tear. A home insurance policy is a different insurance that protects an entire home from natural disasters, which might not be too much of a concern in Carmel. It doesn't cover a normal appliance or system damage.
Homebuyers, homeowners, real estate agents, landlords, and home sellers are all eligible for home warranty plans. A home warranty can help make your house more attractive to prospective buyers and save you money in the long run.
The different home warranties in Carmel include plans with coverage for either appliances or systems as well as comprehensive plans. A comprehensive plan will cover many of your systems and appliances, including your washing machine, drier, and plumbing. A plan that only covers appliances or systems will cover only the items mentioned in the plan.
Home warranty plans generally offer coverage for a year. Many companies let you renew your plan yearly, and some offer month-to-month plans as well.
Typically, the person who owns the home pays for the home warranty. In some cases, though, the person who is selling the home may buy a home warranty policy and transfer the policy to the buyer. The new homeowner will then need to pay the service fees when using the policy. Since the average home value in Carmel is $524,226, a home warranty can be an added asset when buying a home.
