Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Written By David Cusick
Last Updated April 2024
North Merrick offers homeowners some beautiful living options. However, unplanned repair and replacement costs on your home’s appliances and systems can get quite expensive. A home warranty policy can help protect homebuyers and current homeowners by reducing the costs of major repairs and replacements on your home’s most important systems and appliances.
The home warranty market is filled with a lot of providers — all with different coverage — so our team at Today's Homeowner has done the research to help you choose the best home warranty companies in North Merrick.
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 North Merrick, Liberty Home Guard is the most trustworthy home warranty. Liberty has more than 6 years of experience in the home warranty industry, and has provided exceptional customer service at an affordable cost to its customers. When you purchase a plan 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. The 3 policies that Liberty offers include differing levels of system and appliance coverage, as well as add-on options.
Liberty Home Guard offers 3 plans for North Merrick homeowners. The Appliance Guard, Systems Guard, and Total Home Guard are the options they have, which have a mix of system and appliance coverage. The coverage caps from Liberty are about $3,000. The service fees are an affordable $75, which is lower than other providers in the North Merrick area.
For a more detailed breakdown, read our detailed review of Liberty Home Guard. To receive 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
In North Merrick, Choice Home Warranty is the best overall home warranty. Choice has more than 15 years of experience in the home warranty industry, and has provided exceptional customer service at an affordable cost to its customers. When you purchase a plan 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. The 2 policies that Choice offers include differing levels of system and appliance coverage, as well as add-on options.
Choice Home Warranty offers 2 plans for North Merrick homeowners. The Basic Plan and Total Plan are the options they have, which have a mix of system and appliance coverage. The coverage caps from Choice are about $3,000. The service fees are an affordable $85, which is lower than other providers in the North Merrick area.
For a more detailed breakdown, read our detailed review of Choice Home Warranty. To receive 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
In North Merrick, Select Home Warranty is the most cost-effective home warranty. Select has more than 11 years of experience in the home warranty industry, and has provided exceptional customer service at an affordable cost to its customers. When you purchase a plan 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. The 3 policies that Select offers include differing levels of system and appliance coverage, as well as add-on options.
Select Home Warranty offers 3 plans for North Merrick homeowners. The Bronze Care Plan, Gold Care Plan, and Platinum Care Plan are the options they have, which have a mix of system and appliance coverage. The coverage caps from Select are about $2,000. The service fees are a reasonable $60, which is lower than other providers in the North Merrick area.
For a more detailed breakdown, read our detailed review of Select Home Warranty. To receive 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
In North Merrick, American Home Shield is the most customizable home warranty. AHS has more than 26 years of experience in the home warranty industry, and has provided exceptional customer service at an affordable cost to its customers. When you purchase a plan 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. The 3 policies that AHS offers include differing levels of system and appliance coverage, as well as add-on options.
American Home Shield offers 3 plans for North Merrick homeowners. The ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, and ShieldPlatinum are the options they have, which have a mix of system and appliance coverage. The coverage caps from AHS are about $2,500. The service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $125, which is lower than other providers in the North Merrick area.
For a more detailed breakdown, read our detailed review of American Home Shield. To receive 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
In North Merrick, Cinch Home Services is the home warranty with the best workmanship guarantee. Cinch has more than 44 years of experience in the home warranty industry, and has provided exceptional customer service at an affordable cost to its customers. When you purchase a plan 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. The 3 policies that Cinch offers include differing levels of system and appliance coverage, as well as add-on options.
Cinch Home Services offers 3 plans for North Merrick homeowners. The Appliances Plan, Built-in Systems Plan, and Complete Home Plan are the options they have, which have a mix of system and appliance coverage. The coverage caps from Cinch are about $1,000-$2,000. The service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $150, which is lower than other providers in the North Merrick area.
For a more detailed breakdown, read our detailed review of Cinch Home Services. To receive 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
In North Merrick, The Home Service Club is the best home warranty with the quickest service. HSC has more than 15 years of experience in the home warranty industry, and has provided exceptional customer service at an affordable cost to its customers. When you purchase a plan 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. The 2 policies that HSC offers include differing levels of system and appliance coverage, as well as add-on options.
The Home Service Club offers 2 plans for North Merrick homeowners. The Standard Coverage Plan and Comprehensive Coverage Plan are the options they have, which have a mix of system and appliance coverage. The coverage caps from HSC are about $2,000. The service fees are customizable and range from $65 to $90, which is lower than other providers in the North Merrick area.
For a more detailed breakdown, read our detailed review of The Home Service Club. To receive 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 | $7,910 |
| Heating | $5,274 |
| Electrical | $791 |
| Toilets | $659 |
| Washer/Dryer | $1,055 |
| Plumbing | $791 |
| Oven | $2,109 |
| Fridge | $791 |
A home warranty is a protection plan that helps North Merrick homeowners in reducing the expenses of appliance and system repairs. The plans offer financial coverage to replace or repair appliances and systems that malfunction 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 replacement or repair. Homeowners may have out-of-pocket costs only if the repair or replacement costs go over 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 buyers of older houses or houses with systems near the end of their life span. However, people with newer homes and modern appliances may not require a home warranty.
Home warranties protect many home systems and appliances. Typical covered appliances are dryers, washers, dishwashers, microwaves, refrigerators, garbage disposals, and others. Covered systems include air conditioning, electrical, plumbing, and heating. Many home warranty plans offer extra coverage for septic systems, central vacuums, roof leaks, and even locksmiths. Most home warranty plans require North Merrick homeowners to wait 30 days before they can use the policy to pay for repairs. Moreover, policies usually only cover repairs and replacements due to normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't cover pre-existing conditions, natural disasters, cosmetic issues, or misuse of a system or appliance. To make sure your next repair or replacement is covered, keep up with preventative maintenance.
There are several home warranty terms to understand before signing an agreement, including:
There are several key considerations when selecting a home warranty provider:
Home warranty policies can have major differences in covered items. Most plans cover plumbing, electrical, heating, AC, and appliances. More inclusive options also include coverage for other items such as pools, well pumps, roof leaks, and spas. Look for companies with an assortment of coverage options, such as upgraded plans. Flexibility helps you tailor your protection for your home’s needs.
Expect to pay a per-service fee of $60-100 for each home warranty claim. As this charge applies to every separate claim, some homeowners prefer to choose a provider with more affordable fees to maximize savings. Some companies also remove deductibles for homeowners who don't file claims in a certain period.
A home warranty company's reputation gives you insight into things such as timeliness of repairs, contractor quality, claim approval rates, and overall customer satisfaction. Look at third-party review sites such as Google Reviews, TrustPilot, or the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to research providers. Positive ratings and reviews indicate a company known for stellar service.
Home warranty providers keep networks of contractors to handle covered repairs. Wider networks raise the probability of getting qualified technicians to promptly service your home. Contact potential providers to find out how many contractors they have in North Merrick to get a sense of how soon your repairs could be handled in an emergency.
Some home warranty providers include bonuses such as energy efficiency upgrades, maintenance discounts, and smart home device protection. These add value beyond repair coverage. Added bonuses help maximize the usefulness of your home warranty.
Temperatures in North Merrick can vary greatly throughout the year, which means your air conditioner and heating systems are most likely going to get a lot of use. As a homeowner in North Merrick, one benefit of having a home warranty is that these home systems and major appliances can be covered in the event they have to be repaired or replaced.
Not only does a home warranty offer some financial relief, but it also saves you time. If an appliance breaks, the last thing you want to do is find a contractor and schedule a repair. A home warranty deals with the research by sending trusted professionals to your door when you need them most. 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 home, you may be able to transfer your home warranty plan to the new homebuyer depending on the provider you have your home warranty with.
One major drawback of home warranties is not everything you care about may be covered. It’s important to compare the different plans and choose one that covers all the appliances, systems, and add-ons you need.
In addition, if you don’t maintain your home systems or appliances properly, or if they were damaged due to a natural disaster or animal infestation — anything besides normal wear and tear — the home warranty may not cover it.
A home warranty in North Merrick can cost between $30 and $60 a month. The higher-priced plans tend to have broader coverage, a lower service fee, and higher coverage limits. You can often lower this cost by paying annually instead of monthly. Some companies will also lower 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 protects against normal wear and tear to systems and appliances in a home. Homeowners insurance protects your home in a situation such as a natural disaster or fire. Under homeowners insurance, you will not be able to file a claim should you need a new washing machine or stove, unless the damage is a result of a natural disaster, which is somewhat common in North Merrick.
Homebuyers, home sellers, landlords, real estate agents, and homeowners can all get home warranty plans. A home warranty can help make your property more attractive to prospective buyers and save you money in the long run.
A home warranty policy will cover your appliances, systems, or both. Combination plans are great if you'd like more coverage for your home, but a system- or appliance-only plan can be helpful if you're concerned about one more than the other.
Home warranty plans usually offer coverage for a year. Many providers let you renew your plan annually, and some offer month-to-month options as well.
Usually the homeowner is responsible for paying for the home warranty. In some cases, however, the person who is selling the home may buy a home warranty and transfer the policy to the buyer. The new homeowner will then have to pay the service fees when using the policy. Since the average home value in North Merrick is $637,608, a home warranty can be an added asset when buying a home.
