Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Written By David Cusick
Last Updated April 2024
With cold winters in Ithaca, your home systems can go through quite a bit of wear and tear. There’s nothing worse than having your heater go out in the middle of winter. 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 allow you to live in your home with more peace of mind.
Finding the right protection 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 Ithaca. 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
Liberty Home Guard offers the most trustworthy home warranty for Ithaca residents. 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. The home warranty company offers 3 plans to policyholders that have various system and appliance coverage options. 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. 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 provider. Service fees are an affordable $75.
For a more detailed breakdown, read our Liberty Home Guard full review. 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 Ithaca residents. 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. The home warranty company offers 2 plans to policyholders that have various system and appliance coverage options. 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. 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 provider. Service fees are an affordable $85.
For a more detailed breakdown, read our Choice Home Warranty full review. 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 Ithaca residents. 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. The home warranty company offers 3 plans to policyholders that have various system and appliance coverage options. 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. 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 provider. Service fees are a reasonable $60.
For a more detailed breakdown, read our Select Home Warranty full review. 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 Ithaca residents. 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. The home warranty company offers 3 plans to policyholders that have various system and appliance coverage options. 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. 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 provider. Service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $125.
For a more detailed breakdown, read our American Home Shield full review. 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 Ithaca residents. 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. The home warranty company offers 3 plans to policyholders that have various system and appliance coverage options. 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. 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 provider. Service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $150.
For a more detailed breakdown, read our Cinch Home Services full review. 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 Ithaca residents. 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. The home warranty company offers 2 plans to policyholders that have various system and appliance coverage options. 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. 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 provider. Service fees are customizable and range from $65 to $90.
For a more detailed breakdown, read our The Home Service Club full review. 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 | $6,406 |
| Heating | $4,271 |
| Electrical | $641 |
| Toilets | $534 |
| Washer/Dryer | $854 |
| Plumbing | $641 |
| Oven | $1,708 |
| Fridge | $641 |
A home warranty is a protection policy that helps reduce the high costs for Ithaca homeowners needing appliance and system repairs. These plans provide financial coverage to fix or swap out appliances and systems that break due to 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 repair or replacement costs exceed the item's coverage limit. A home warranty plan gives homeowners peace of mind since it can help avoid costly emergency repairs. They can be especially helpful for buyers of 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 need a home warranty.
Home warranties cover your home systems and appliances. Warranties usually cover appliances such as refrigerators, dishwashers, dryers, garbage disposals, washers, microwaves, and others. Covered systems include air conditioning, electrical, heating, and plumbing. Many home warranty providers also offer add-on coverage for roof leaks, central vacuums, septic systems, and locksmiths. Most home warranty plans require Ithaca homeowners to refrain from making claims for 30 days before they can use the policy to pay for repairs. Additionally, policies typically only cover repairs and replacements due to normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't cover pre-existing conditions, natural disasters, cosmetic issues, or misusing a system or appliance. To make sure your next repair or replacement is covered, keep up with preventative maintenance.
Here are some essential home warranty words to learn before signing a contract:
There are several important factors to consider when choosing a home warranty provider:
Home warranties differ greatly in the items covered. Basic plans typically include electrical, plumbing, heating, AC, and appliances, while more comprehensive options may also cover roof leaks, pools, spas, and well pumps. Look for companies with an array of coverage options, such as upgraded plans. You'll want to tailor your protection for your needs.
Expect to pay a per-service fee of $60-100 for each home warranty claim. As this charge applies to every separate claim, you may want to choose a provider with more affordable fees to maximize savings on every claim. Some companies also eliminate deductibles when customers have a claim-free period.
A home warranty provider's reputation can offer insight into things such as speed of repairs, contractor quality, approval rates for claims, and customer satisfaction. Use third-party review sites such as TrustPilot, Google Reviews, or the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to research providers. Good ratings and reviews indicate that a company is known for top-tier service.
Home warranty providers have networks of contractors to handle covered repairs. Bigger networks raise the likelihood of getting qualified technicians to promptly service your home. Reach out to potential providers and ask how many contractors they have in Ithaca to get a sense of how quickly your repairs could happen in an emergency.
Home warranty providers might include bonuses such as coverage for smart home devices, maintenance discounts, and energy efficiency upgrades. These can add value beyond just repair coverage. Added perks can maximize the usefulness of the home warranty.
Since temperatures in Ithaca can hit the negatives in the winter, the extreme weather can put a lot of strain on your heating system. Getting a home warranty policy can help homeowners save money if one of these systems or appliances stops working suddenly.
Not only can a home warranty save you some money on repairs and replacements, it saves you time too. Instead of needing to vet technicians on your own, home warranty providers do the work for you and send pre-screened technicians right to your door when you need them. Another added benefit of having a home warranty policy is that it can raise your home’s real estate value. If you ever decide to sell your house, you may be able to transfer your home warranty plan to the new homebuyer depending on the provider you purchased your home warranty through.
One of the main drawbacks of a home warranty 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 possible pain point of home warranties is that they don’t cover systems or appliances that haven’t been properly maintained. This can lead to your claims being denied, so it’s important to make sure you follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for maintenance of your home systems and appliances.
A home warranty plan costs, on average, about $300 to $600 a year in Ithaca. Our top-rated home warranty companies' 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. Additionally, it's typically less expensive 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 plan covers normal wear and tear to systems and appliances in a home. Homeowners insurance protects a home in case of a situation such as a natural disaster or fire. Under a homeowners insurance plan, you won't be able to file a claim should you need a new washing machine or air conditioner, unless the damage is due to a natural disaster, which isn't that common in Ithaca.
Homebuyers, home sellers, landlords, real estate agents, and homeowners are all eligible for home warranty plans. A home warranty can help make your home more appealing to prospective buyers and save you money in the long run.
The different home warranties in Ithaca include plans that cover either appliances or systems as well as comprehensive plans. A comprehensive plan covers almost all your home systems and appliances, including your dishwasher, washing machine, and heating and cooling systems. An appliance or system plan will cover only the specific items listed in the policy.
Generally, a home warranty plan offers coverage for a year and can be renewed yearly. Some providers may offer month-to-month options.
Usually the person who owns the home is responsible for paying for the home warranty. In some cases, though, the one selling the home may buy a home warranty policy and transfer the policy to the buyer. The new homeowner will then be responsible for the service fees when using the policy. Considering that the average home value in Ithaca is $225,813, a home warranty can be an added asset when buying a home.
