Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
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Written By David Cusick
Last Updated June 2024
Homeownership in Ellicott can be gratifying for many people, but it also comes with its fair share of headaches. Repairing your home’s appliances and systems can be an unanticipated financial burden for many homeowners. A home warranty is a way to protect your savings 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 best home warranty on the market can be overwhelming, as there are lots of companies to decide between. That’s why our team at Today's Homeowner did the research and put together a list of the best home warranty companies in Ellicott 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 offers the most trustworthy home warranty for Ellicott residents. Liberty has 3 simple plans, making the selection process easy. 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.
The 3 plans from Liberty Home Guard are Appliance Guard, Systems Guard, and Total Home Guard. Liberty has coverage caps of around $3,000 for most appliances and systems, but with some plans, the coverage caps can be higher, so be sure to check with the company. Service fees are an affordable $75.
Read more by visiting our detailed review of Liberty Home Guard. To get a free quote from Liberty Home Guard, fill out this online form or give them a call at 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 for Ellicott residents. Choice has 2 simple plans, making the selection process easy. 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.
The 2 plans from Choice Home Warranty are Basic Plan and Total Plan. Choice has coverage caps of around $3,000 for most appliances and systems, but with some plans, the coverage caps can be higher, so be sure to check with the company. Service fees are an affordable $85.
Read more by visiting our detailed review of Choice Home Warranty. To get a free quote from Choice Home Warranty, fill out this online form or give them a call at 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 for Ellicott residents. Select has 3 simple plans, making the selection process easy. 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.
The 3 plans from Select Home Warranty are Bronze Care Plan, Gold Care Plan, and Platinum Care Plan. Select has coverage caps of around $2,000 for most appliances and systems, but with some plans, the coverage caps can be higher, so be sure to check with the company. Service fees are a reasonable $60.
Read more by visiting our detailed review of Select Home Warranty. To get a free quote from Select Home Warranty, fill out this online form or give them a call at 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 for Ellicott residents. AHS has 3 simple plans, making the selection process easy. 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.
The 3 plans from American Home Shield are ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, and ShieldPlatinum. AHS has coverage caps of around $2,500 for most appliances and systems, but with some plans, the coverage caps can be higher, so be sure to check with the company. Service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $125.
Read more by visiting our detailed review of American Home Shield. To get a free quote from American Home Shield, fill out this online form or give them a call at 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 for Ellicott residents. Cinch has 3 simple plans, making the selection process easy. 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.
The 3 plans from Cinch Home Services are Appliances Plan, Built-in Systems Plan, and Complete Home Plan. Cinch has coverage caps of around $1,000-$2,000 for most appliances and systems, but with some plans, the coverage caps can be higher, so be sure to check with the company. Service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $150.
Read more by visiting our detailed review of Cinch Home Services. To get a free quote from Cinch Home Services, fill out this online form or give them a call at 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 for Ellicott residents. HSC has 2 simple plans, making the selection process easy. 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 2 plans from The Home Service Club are Standard Coverage Plan and Comprehensive Coverage Plan. HSC has coverage caps of around $2,000 for most appliances and systems, but with some plans, the coverage caps can be higher, so be sure to check with the company. Service fees are customizable and range from $65 to $90.
Read more by visiting our detailed review of The Home Service Club. To get a free quote from The Home Service Club, fill out this online form or give them a call at 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 | $5,548 |
| Heating | $3,699 |
| Electrical | $555 |
| Toilets | $462 |
| Washer/Dryer | $740 |
| Plumbing | $555 |
| Oven | $1,479 |
| Fridge | $555 |
A home warranty is a protection policy that helps reduce the high costs for Ellicott homeowners needing appliance and system repairs. These plans provide financial coverage to repair or swap out appliances and systems that stop working due to normal wear and tear.
Homeowners submit a claim and pay a service fee when something breaks. The home warranty provider then finds a contractor to make the repair or replacement. The only time you may pay out-of-pocket is if the repair or replacement costs exceed the item's coverage limit. A home warranty gives homeowners peace of mind, as it helps avoid expensive emergency repairs. The coverage is particularly helpful for owners of older houses or houses with fixtures near the end of their life span. However, homeowners with newer homes and working appliances may not require a home warranty.
Home warranties safeguard both your home systems and appliances. Common covered appliances include washers, microwaves, refrigerators, dishwashers, dryers, garbage disposals, and others. Covered systems include air conditioning, electrical, plumbing, and heating. Many home warranty plans offer additional add-on coverage options for locksmiths, central vacuums, septic systems, and even roof leaks. It's important for Ellicott homeowners to 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 due to normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't cover things like cosmetic issues, natural disasters, pre-existing conditions, or improper use of a system or appliance. You need to keep up with preventative maintenance to help ensure that your next repair or replacement will be covered by your policy.
Before signing a home warranty contract, you should understand key terms like:
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 provide coverage for plumbing, electrical, heating, AC, and appliances. More inclusive options also offer coverage on other items such as pools, spas, well pumps, and roof leaks. Look for companies with varied coverage options, including upgraded plans. This allows you to customize your plan to your home's needs.
You'll pay a service fee, typically $60–100, for each claim filed with your home warranty provider. This fee is charged per request and can quickly add up, so you may seek out providers advertising more affordable fees to optimize savings on each repair claim. Certain providers may waive deductibles if homeowners don't submit any claims within a set period of time.
A home warranty provider's rating provides insight into things such as timeliness of repairs, claim approval rates, contractor quality, and overall customer satisfaction. Use third-party review sites such as the Better Business Bureau (BBB), TrustPilot, or Google Reviews to research providers. Complimentary ratings and reviews indicate a provider known for stellar service.
Home warranty providers have networks of contractors to handle covered repairs. Larger networks improve the probability of getting qualified technicians to promptly service your home. Reach out to potential providers and ask how many contractors they have in Ellicott to get a sense of how quickly your repairs could be handled in an emergency.
Home warranty companies might offer extras such as coverage for smart home devices, energy efficiency upgrades, and maintenance discounts. These can add value beyond repair coverage. Additional perks help maximize the usefulness of your home warranty.
Since temperatures in Ellicott can hit the negatives in the winter, the extreme weather can put a lot of strain on your heating system. Buying a home warranty policy can help homeowners save money if one of these systems or appliances breaks unexpectedly.
Not only can a home warranty provide some financial relief, but it also saves you time. If an appliance breaks, the last thing you want to do is find a repair person and schedule a repair. A home warranty deals with the research by sending trusted professionals to your door when you need them most. In addition, though it varies by company, some providers will allow you to transfer your warranty in the event that you sell your home. This can make your house more attractive to potential homebuyers and help your home sell faster.
As for the downsides of home warranties, system and appliance coverage varies by company, so it’s important to review what each plan covers and excludes in the contract.
Another stipulation is that home warranties usually only cover damage from normal wear and tear. They often won’t cover home systems or appliances that have stopped working due to improper maintenance, natural disasters, animal infestations, etc.
A home warranty in Ellicott can cost anywhere from $30 to $60 a month. The higher-priced plans usually have broader coverage, higher coverage limits, and a lower service fee. You can often lower this cost by paying annually instead of monthly. Some companies will also decrease your up-front costs when you opt for a higher service fee.
Home warranties and home insurance differ in what kinds of damage they cover. Home warranty policies cover problems related to home systems and appliances that need to be repaired or replaced due to normal wear and tear. A home insurance policy is a larger plan that protects an entire home from natural disasters, which can sometimes be a concern in Ellicott. It doesn't cover a typical appliance or system damage.
First-time homebuyers, homeowners, home sellers, landlords, and real estate agents are all eligible for 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 types of home warranties in Ellicott include plans that cover either appliances or systems as well as combination plans. A combination plan covers almost all your home systems and appliances, such as your washing machine, drier, and plumbing. An appliance or system plan will cover only the items listed in the policy.
Home warranty plans usually provide coverage for a year. Many companies let you renew your plan each year, and some offer month-to-month options as well.
Generally, the homeowner is the one who is responsible for paying the premium and service fees. However, when buying a new home, sometimes the seller is the one who paid for the policy. This can then be given to the new homeowner, who has to pay the service fees when using the policy. In Ellicott, where the median home value is $146,752, having the seller pay for the home warranty can save you some money on your new home.
