Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Written By David Cusick
Last Updated April 2024
As much as you may love homeownership in Ontario, there's always that concern about whether your appliances and systems are going to make it through the next few years. A home warranty can bring you the peace of mind you need and guard your savings account from large expenses by covering your home’s major systems and appliances.
The home warranty market is saturated with a lot of providers — all with different offerings — so our team at Today's Homeowner has done the research to help you find the best home warranty companies in Ontario.
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 Ontario, Liberty Home Guard is the most trustworthy home warranty. Liberty has been operating for around 6 years, making it a well-respected company in the industry. The 3 plans from Liberty are easy to comprehend and have a mix of both system and appliance coverage. With a home warranty from Liberty, you can enjoy 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.
There are 3 home warranty plans from Liberty Home Guard: Appliance Guard, Systems Guard, and Total Home Guard. The coverage caps associated with Liberty’s plans are around the $3,000 mark for many of the major systems and appliances, and service fees are an affordable $75.
To get a free quote from Liberty Home Guard, you can fill out this online form or call 866-451-2281. For a more detailed breakdown, read our Liberty Home Guard Review.
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 Ontario, Choice Home Warranty is the best overall home warranty. Choice has been operating for around 15 years, making it a well-respected company in the industry. The 2 plans from Choice are easy to comprehend and have a mix of both system and appliance coverage. With a home warranty from Choice, you can enjoy 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.
There are 2 home warranty plans from Choice Home Warranty: Basic Plan and Total Plan. The coverage caps associated with Choice’s plans are around the $3,000 mark for many of the major systems and appliances, and service fees are an affordable $85.
To get a free quote from Choice Home Warranty, you can fill out this online form or call 929-400-6164. For a more detailed breakdown, read our Choice Home Warranty Review.
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 Ontario, Select Home Warranty is the most cost-effective home warranty. Select has been operating for around 11 years, making it a well-respected company in the industry. The 3 plans from Select are easy to comprehend and have a mix of both system and appliance coverage. With a home warranty from Select, you can enjoy 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.
There are 3 home warranty plans from Select Home Warranty: Bronze Care Plan, Gold Care Plan, and Platinum Care Plan. The coverage caps associated with Select’s plans are around the $2,000 mark for many of the major systems and appliances, and service fees are a reasonable $60.
To get a free quote from Select Home Warranty, you can fill out this online form or call 888-370-3953. For a more detailed breakdown, read our Select Home Warranty Review.
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 Ontario, American Home Shield is the most customizable home warranty. AHS has been operating for around 26 years, making it a well-respected company in the industry. The 3 plans from AHS are easy to comprehend and have a mix of both system and appliance coverage. With a home warranty from AHS, you can enjoy 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.
There are 3 home warranty plans from American Home Shield: ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, and ShieldPlatinum. The coverage caps associated with AHS’s plans are around the $2,500 mark for many of the major systems and appliances, and service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $125.
To get a free quote from American Home Shield, you can fill out this online form or call 888-365-2839. For a more detailed breakdown, read our American Home Shield Review.
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 Ontario, Cinch Home Services is the home warranty with the best workmanship guarantee. Cinch has been operating for around 44 years, making it a well-respected company in the industry. The 3 plans from Cinch are easy to comprehend and have a mix of both system and appliance coverage. With a home warranty from Cinch, you can enjoy 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.
There are 3 home warranty plans from Cinch Home Services: Appliances Plan, Built-in Systems Plan, and Complete Home Plan. The coverage caps associated with Cinch’s plans are around the $1,000-$2,000 mark for many of the major systems and appliances, and service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $150.
To get a free quote from Cinch Home Services, you can fill out this online form or call 877-589-0505. For a more detailed breakdown, read our Cinch Home Services Review.
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 Ontario, The Home Service Club is the best home warranty with the quickest service. HSC has been operating for around 15 years, making it a well-respected company in the industry. The 2 plans from HSC are easy to comprehend and have a mix of both system and appliance coverage. With a home warranty from HSC, you can enjoy 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.
There are 2 home warranty plans from The Home Service Club: Standard Coverage Plan and Comprehensive Coverage Plan. The coverage caps associated with HSC’s plans are around the $2,000 mark for many of the major systems and appliances, and service fees are customizable and range from $65 to $90.
To get a free quote from The Home Service Club, you can fill out this online form or call 800-750-9443. For a more detailed breakdown, read our The Home Service Club Review.
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 | $5,799 |
| Heating | $3,866 |
| Electrical | $580 |
| Toilets | $483 |
| Washer/Dryer | $773 |
| Plumbing | $580 |
| Oven | $1,546 |
| Fridge | $580 |
A home warranty is a protection policy that assists Ontario homeowners in reducing 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 stops working, you file 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 cost of the repair or replacement exceeds the item's coverage limit. A home warranty gives homeowners reassurance, as it helps avoid high-priced emergency repairs. The coverage is especially helpful for buyers 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 cover many household systems and appliances. Warranties usually cover appliances such as refrigerators, dryers, dishwashers, microwaves, washers, garbage disposals, and more. Covered systems include plumbing, air conditioning, electrical, and heating. Many home warranty providers also offer additional coverage for central vacuums, roof leaks, locksmiths, and septic systems. Most home warranty plans require Ontario homeowners to refrain from making claims for 30 days before the plan will cover repairs. Additionally, policies usually only cover repairs and replacements resulting from normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't cover natural disasters, cosmetic issues, pre-existing conditions, or misuse of a system or appliance. To make sure your next repair or replacement is covered, keep up with preventative maintenance.
There are multiple home warranty terms to understand before signing an agreement, including:
When you're deciding on a home warranty provider, there are several key things to take into account:
Home warranty coverage varies widely in the items that are included. Most plans provide coverage for plumbing, AC, electrical, heating, and appliances. More inclusive options also cover other items such as well pumps, roof leaks, pools, and spas. Look for companies with a diverse range of coverage options, including upgraded plans. This helps you customize your plan to your home's needs.
Homeowners should anticipate paying a $60–100 service fee when filing home warranty claims. These per-claim costs can add up, so some homeowners prefer using providers with lower service fees to maximize savings. Some providers also offer disappearing deductibles when a homeowner goes a defined period without any repair requests.
A home warranty provider's rating gives insight into things such as timeliness of repairs, contractor quality, claim approval rates, and overall customer satisfaction. Use third-party review sites such as TrustPilot, Google Reviews, or the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to research providers. Complimentary reviews and ratings indicate a provider known for stellar service.
Home warranty providers have networks of professionals to handle covered repairs. Larger networks improve the probability of getting qualified technicians to service your home ASAP. Contact potential providers to find out how many contractors they have in Ontario to get a sense of how quickly your repairs could happen in an emergency.
Home warranty companies sometimes offer bonuses such as coverage for smart home devices, maintenance discounts, and energy efficiency upgrades. These extras can add value beyond repair coverage. Added perks can maximize the usefulness of your home warranty.
Ontario’s frigid 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 a lot of money out of pocket.
Not only can a home warranty save you some money on repairs and replacements, it saves you time too. Instead of needing to vet contractors on your own, home warranty companies do the work for you and send a contractor from their network right to your door when you need them. Another benefit of having a home warranty is when you’re selling your home, some providers let you transfer your home warranty plan to the new owners. It can make your house more attractive to potential homebuyers and help your home sell faster.
Home warranties also have some downsides. Although it can be convenient that the home warranty sends out a service technician who handles the repair for you, some homeowners may not like this, and they would rather choose their own contractor. If that’s the case for you, some home warranty plans let you choose a contractor.
Another pain point of home warranties is that they don’t cover items that have been improperly maintained. This can lead to your claims being denied, so it’s important to carefully follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for maintenance of your home systems and appliances.
A home warranty in Ontario can cost between $30 and $60 a month. Higher-priced plans usually have higher coverage limits, a lower service fee, and broader coverage. You can often lower this cost by paying annually instead of monthly. Some companies will also decrease your up-front costs when you agree to a higher service fee.
Home warranties and home insurance differ in what sorts of damage they cover. Home warranties cover issues 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 different plan that protects the entire home from natural disasters, which might not be too much of a concern in Ontario. It doesn't cover a normal appliance or system breakage.
First-time homebuyers, real estate agents, homeowners, home sellers, and landlords can all get home warranty plans. A home warranty can help make your house more appealing to prospective buyers and save you money in the long run.
A home warranty can cover your systems, appliances, or both. Combination plans are beneficial if you need more coverage for your home, but a system- or appliance-only plan can be a good idea if you're concerned about one more than the other.
Generally, a home warranty lasts for a year and can be renewed yearly. Some providers may offer month-to-month options.
Typically, the one who owns the home is responsible for paying for the home warranty. In some cases, however, the one 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. Considering that the average home value in Ontario is $282,681, a home warranty can save you some money when buying a home.
