Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Written By David Cusick
Last Updated April 2024
Owning a house can have lots of benefits, but it can also come with some downsides like maintenance. The older your house’s systems and appliances are, the more likely it is that you'll benefit from a home warranty. A home warranty can bring you the peace of mind you need and protect your bank account from unexpected expenses by covering your home’s major systems and appliances.
Finding the right warranty for your home can be difficult, so our team at Today's Homeowner has compiled this guide to help you find the top home warranty companies in Elmira. Read on for our top provider 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
In Elmira, Liberty Home Guard offers the most trustworthy home warranty. Liberty has been on the market for over 6 years, making it a respected company in the industry. Liberty has 3 plans for homeowners to decide between. With a home warranty from Liberty, you can benefit from a seamless complaint process and guaranteed service professionalism upon every repair visit. Not to mention, 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. The coverage caps associated with Liberty’s plans are close to the $3,000 mark for many major systems and appliances, and service fees are an affordable $75.
For more information, read our Liberty Home Guard full review. To receive 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
In Elmira, Choice Home Warranty offers the best overall home warranty. Choice has been on the market for over 15 years, making it a respected company in the industry. Choice has 2 plans for homeowners to decide between. With a home warranty from Choice, you can benefit from very high coverage caps and simple-to-understand service contracts. Not to mention, 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. The coverage caps associated with Choice’s plans are close to the $3,000 mark for many major systems and appliances, and service fees are an affordable $85.
For more information, read our Choice Home Warranty full review. To receive 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
In Elmira, Select Home Warranty offers the most cost-effective home warranty. Select has been on the market for over 11 years, making it a respected company in the industry. Select has 3 plans for homeowners to decide between. With a home warranty from Select, you can benefit from a highly affordable service fee and free roof coverage upon purchase of a policy plan. Not to mention, 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. The coverage caps associated with Select’s plans are close to the $2,000 mark for many major systems and appliances, and service fees are a reasonable $60.
For more information, read our Select Home Warranty full review. To receive 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
In Elmira, American Home Shield offers the most customizable home warranty. AHS has been on the market for over 26 years, making it a respected company in the industry. AHS has 3 plans for homeowners to decide between. With a home warranty from AHS, you can benefit from the ability to customize your plan with the coverages that work specifically for your home. Not to mention, 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. The coverage caps associated with AHS’s plans are close to the $2,500 mark for many major systems and appliances, and service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $125.
For more information, read our American Home Shield full review. To receive 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
In Elmira, Cinch Home Services offers the home warranty with the best workmanship guarantee. Cinch has been on the market for over 44 years, making it a respected company in the industry. Cinch has 3 plans for homeowners to decide between. With a home warranty from Cinch, you can benefit from a 180-day workmanship guarantee that ensures your home systems and appliance repairs will be professionally done. Not to mention, 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. The coverage caps associated with Cinch’s plans are close to the $1,000-$2,000 mark for many major systems and appliances, and service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $150.
For more information, read our Cinch Home Services full review. To receive 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
In Elmira, The Home Service Club offers the best home warranty with the quickest service. HSC has been on the market for over 15 years, making it a respected company in the industry. HSC has 2 plans for homeowners to decide between. With a home warranty from HSC, you can benefit from quick coverage where the home warranty goes into effect just ten days after you pay for the plan, instead of the typical 30 days. Not to mention, 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. The coverage caps associated with HSC’s plans are close to the $2,000 mark for many major systems and appliances, and service fees are customizable and range from $65 to $90.
For more information, read our The Home Service Club full review. To receive 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 | $5,729 |
| Heating | $3,819 |
| Electrical | $573 |
| Toilets | $477 |
| Washer/Dryer | $764 |
| Plumbing | $573 |
| Oven | $1,528 |
| Fridge | $573 |
A home warranty is a protection plan that assists Elmira homeowners cut the high costs of household repairs. These plans offer financial protection to fix or swap out appliances and systems that break down from normal wear and tear.
Homeowners file a claim and pay a service fee when something breaks. The home warranty company then finds a contractor to make the fix or replacement. The only time you may pay out-of-pocket is if the cost of the repair or replacement exceeds 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 people purchasing older homes or homes with systems near the end of their life span. However, newer homes with appliances and fixtures in good condition may not require a home warranty.
Home warranties protect your home systems and appliances. Common appliances covered include garbage disposals, washers, refrigerators, dishwashers, dryers, microwaves, and more. Included systems are typically air conditioning, plumbing, heating, and electrical. Many home warranty companies offer add-on coverage for septic systems, locksmiths, roof leaks, and central vacuums. Elmira homeowners should know that most home warranty plans begin with a 30-day waiting period before repairs are covered. Additionally, most policies only cover the cost of repairs and replacements due to normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't include pre-existing conditions, cosmetic issues, natural disasters, or misuse of a system or appliance. Make sure to keep up with preventative maintenance to help make sure your next repair or replacement is covered.
Before agreeing to a home warranty contract, you should understand key terms like:
There are several key factors to consider when selecting a home warranty provider:
Home warranty coverage varies, although most plans include protection for plumbing, heating, AC, electrical, and appliances. More extensive plans may also cover extra things such as well pumps, spas, pools, and roof leaks. Look for providers with a range of coverage choices, such as upgraded plans. Flexibility helps you tailor your protection for 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 look for companies advertising more affordable fees to optimize savings on each repair claim. Certain companies may waive deductibles when a homeowner submits no claims in a defined period.
A home warranty provider's reputation provides insights into factors such as claim approval rates, contractor expertise, repair speed, and customer satisfaction. Read through review sites like Google Reviews, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), or TrustPilot to learn more about companies. Positive ratings and feedback suggest a company known for quality service.
Home warranty companies have networks of technicians to handle covered repairs. Wider networks improve the likelihood of getting qualified technicians to swiftly service your home. Contact potential providers to find out how many contractors they have in Elmira to get a sense of how soon your repairs could happen in an emergency.
Some home warranty plans provide extras such as energy efficiency upgrades, maintenance discounts, and smart home device protection. These add value beyond just repair coverage. Added bonuses can maximize the usefulness of your home warranty.
Elmira’s frigid winters can put a strain on a home’s HVAC system. Whether it’s summer or winter, a home warranty can help cover your home’s appliances and systems if 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 repairs, saving you from spending unexpected money out of pocket.
Not only does a home warranty provide some savings, but it also saves you time. If an appliance breaks, the last thing you want to do is find a technician and schedule a repair. A home warranty deals with the research by sending trusted professionals to your door when you need them most. Another benefit of having a home warranty is while selling your home, you can most likely transfer your home warranty policy to the new owners. It can make your home more attractive to potential homebuyers and may help your home sell faster.
As for the negatives of home warranties, home system and appliance coverage varies by company, so it’s important to read what each policy covers and doesn’t include in the contract.
Additionally, if you don’t maintain your home systems or appliances properly, or if they need repairs or replacements due to a natural disaster or animal infestation — anything other than normal wear and tear — the home warranty may not cover it.
A home warranty in Elmira 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 providers will also decrease your up-front costs when you opt for a higher service fee.
The difference between a home warranty and homeowner's insurance lies in what kinds of damage each covers. A home warranty helps protect against normal wear and tear to home systems and appliances. Homeowners insurance protects your entire home in case of a situation such as a natural disaster or fire. Under homeowners insurance, you will not be able to file a claim if you need a new dryer or dishwasher, unless the damage is a result of a natural disaster, which isn't that common in Elmira.
A home warranty can help homebuyers, home sellers, homeowners, real estate agents, and investors. It can offer peace of mind to anyone involved in homeownership.
The different kinds of home warranties in Elmira include plans that cover either appliances or systems as well as combination plans. A combination plan covers almost all your systems and appliances, including your dishwasher, washing machine, and heating and cooling systems. A plan that only covers appliances or systems will cover only the items listed in the policy.
Generally, a home warranty offers coverage for a year and can be renewed yearly. Some companies may offer month-to-month plans.
Usually the person who owns the home pays for the home warranty. In some cases, though, the home seller may buy a home warranty plan 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 Elmira is $112,284, a home warranty can save you some money when buying a home.
