Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Written By David Cusick
Last Updated April 2024
Owning a home in Stony Brook University has many great benefits, but there are some negatives. The weather throughout the four seasons can cause problems in a home and lead to wear and tear on systems like your HVAC. A home warranty plan can help protect homebuyers and current homeowners by covering major repairs and replacements on your home’s most important appliances and systems.
Choosing the best home warranty on the market can be challenging because of the numerous options available. If you're frustrated with trying to compare them all, keep reading for our guide on the top home warranty companies in Stony Brook University.
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 Stony Brook University residents. Liberty has been in the home warranty business for over 6 years. Liberty offers a seamless complaint process and guaranteed service professionalism upon every repair visit. Plus, it also has a 60-day workmanship guarantee and some of the best customer service in the industry. Liberty has 3 simple plans, making the selection process quick and easy.
The 3 plans from Liberty Home Guard are Appliance Guard, Systems Guard, and Total Home Guard. Service fees from Liberty are an affordable $75. The coverage caps are also generally around $3,000 at the maximum.
To receive a free quote from Liberty Home Guard, fill out this online form or give them a call at 866-451-2281. For a more detailed breakdown, read our review of Liberty Home Guard.
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 Stony Brook University residents. Choice has been in the home warranty business for over 15 years. Choice offers very high coverage caps and simple-to-understand service contracts. Plus, it also has great customer service, professional contractors, and lower out-of-pocket costs compared to other home warranties. Choice has 2 simple plans, making the selection process quick and easy.
The 2 plans from Choice Home Warranty are Basic Plan and Total Plan. Service fees from Choice are an affordable $85. The coverage caps are also generally around $3,000 at the maximum.
To receive a free quote from Choice Home Warranty, fill out this online form or give them a call at 929-400-6164. For a more detailed breakdown, read our review of Choice Home Warranty.
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 Stony Brook University residents. Select has been in the home warranty business for over 11 years. Select offers a highly affordable service fee and free roof coverage upon purchase of a policy plan. Plus, it also has an extensive network of highly trained professionals all over the country who are experts in home maintenance. Select has 3 simple plans, making the selection process quick and easy.
The 3 plans from Select Home Warranty are Bronze Care Plan, Gold Care Plan, and Platinum Care Plan. Service fees from Select are a reasonable $60. The coverage caps are also generally around $2,000 at the maximum.
To receive a free quote from Select Home Warranty, fill out this online form or give them a call at 888-370-3953. For a more detailed breakdown, read our review of Select Home Warranty.
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 Stony Brook University residents. AHS has been in the home warranty business for over 26 years. AHS offers the ability to customize your plan with the coverages that work specifically for your home. Plus, it also has a remarkably low claim denial rate in comparison to other home warranty companies. AHS has 3 simple plans, making the selection process quick and easy.
The 3 plans from American Home Shield are ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, and ShieldPlatinum. Service fees from AHS are customizable and range from $75 to $125. The coverage caps are also generally around $2,500 at the maximum.
To receive a free quote from American Home Shield, fill out this online form or give them a call at 888-365-2839. For a more detailed breakdown, read our review of American Home Shield.
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 Stony Brook University residents. Cinch has been in the home warranty business for over 44 years. Cinch offers a 180-day workmanship guarantee that ensures your home systems and appliance repairs will be professionally done. Plus, it also has a broad range of coverage options that will give homeowners peace of mind. Cinch has 3 simple plans, making the selection process quick and easy.
The 3 plans from Cinch Home Services are Appliances Plan, Built-in Systems Plan, and Complete Home Plan. Service fees from Cinch are customizable and range from $75 to $150. The coverage caps are also generally around $1,000-$2,000 at the maximum.
To receive a free quote from Cinch Home Services, fill out this online form or give them a call at 877-589-0505. For a more detailed breakdown, read our review of Cinch Home Services.
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 Stony Brook University residents. HSC has been in the home warranty business for over 15 years. HSC offers quick coverage where the home warranty goes into effect just ten days after you pay for the plan, instead of the typical 30 days. Plus, it also has customer service representatives available 24/7, as well as a 30-day labor guarantee and a 90-day parts guarantee. HSC has 2 simple plans, making the selection process quick and easy.
The 2 plans from The Home Service Club are Standard Coverage Plan and Comprehensive Coverage Plan. Service fees from HSC are customizable and range from $65 to $90. The coverage caps are also generally around $2,000 at the maximum.
To receive a free quote from The Home Service Club, fill out this online form or give them a call at 800-750-9443. For a more detailed breakdown, read our review of The Home Service Club.
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 | $7,594 |
| Heating | $5,063 |
| Electrical | $759 |
| Toilets | $633 |
| Washer/Dryer | $1,013 |
| Plumbing | $759 |
| Oven | $2,025 |
| Fridge | $759 |
A home warranty is a protection policy that assists Stony Brook University homeowners lower the costs of appliance and system repairs. The plans offer financial coverage to repair or replace appliances and systems that break down due to normal wear and tear.
When something breaks down, you file a claim and pay a service fee. The home warranty company then arranges a contractor to handle the repair or replacement. Homeowners may have out-of-pocket costs only if the repair or replacement goes over the item's coverage limit. A home warranty delivers peace of mind for homeowners by helping them prevent expensive emergency repairs. They're particularly valuable for those who own older homes or ones with outdated systems. Newer homes with working appliances probably don’t require a home warranty.
Home warranties cover your home systems and appliances. Common appliances covered include garbage disposals, refrigerators, dryers, microwaves, dishwashers, washers, and more. Included systems are normally electrical, air conditioning, plumbing, and heating. Many home warranty companies offer add-on coverage for septic systems, locksmiths, central vacuums, and roof leaks. Stony Brook University homeowners should know that most home warranty policies have a 30-day period you must wait before they will cover the cost of any repairs. Additionally, most policies only cover repairs and replacements needed due to normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't cover things like pre-existing conditions, cosmetic issues, natural disasters, or damage caused by improperly using a system or appliance. You need to keep up with preventative maintenance to ensure that your next repair or replacement is covered by the policy.
Here are some essential home warranty terms to know before signing a contract:
There are several important considerations when choosing a home warranty provider:
Home warranty plans differ significantly in terms of coverage. Most plans cover plumbing, AC, heating, electrical, and appliances. More comprehensive options also extend protection to other items such as pools, well pumps, spas, and roof leaks. Look for a provider that offers robust coverage options, including upgraded plans. You want the flexibility to customize coverage to fit your home's specific systems and needs.
With any home warranty claim, you'll pay a service fee that can range from $60 to $100, which gets paid per service call made. The costs from multiple fees can add up. You may decide to look for providers with more affordable fees to maximize your savings on each claim. Some providers also offer disappearing deductibles if a homeowner doesn't submit claims for repairs for a specified period of time.
A home warranty provider's reputation provides insights into factors such as repair speed, claim approval rates, contractor expertise, and customer satisfaction. Read through review sites like Google Reviews, TrustPilot, or the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to learn more about companies. Positive feedback and ratings suggest a company known for providing quality service.
Home warranty companies have networks of professionals that they use to tackle covered repairs. More extensive networks raise the likelihood of getting qualified contractors to your home swiftly. Reach out to possible providers to learn how many technicians they have in Stony Brook University. This helps you understand how long repairs could take in an urgent situation.
Home warranty companies may include extras such as coverage for smart home devices, energy efficiency upgrades, and maintenance discounts. These can add value beyond just repair coverage. Added perks help maximize the usefulness of your home warranty.
Temperatures in Stony Brook University can vary greatly throughout the year, which means your air conditioner and heating systems are most likely going to get a good bit of use. As a homeowner in Stony Brook University, one benefit of having a home warranty is knowing that these home systems and major appliances can be covered if they have to be repaired or replaced.
Not only does a home warranty give you 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 takes care of 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 increase 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.
Home warranties also have some cons. While it can be convenient that the home warranty sends out a repair person who takes care of the repair for you, some homeowners may not like this, and they would rather select a contractor themselves. If that’s the case for you, some home warranty plans allow you to select a contractor.
Another downside is that home warranties may exclude some repairs, such as those due to natural disasters. For example, if a tree falls onto your house and damages the roof, the impacted systems and appliances most likely won’t be covered by the home warranty.
A home warranty in Stony Brook University can cost anywhere from $30 to $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.
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 home systems and appliances. A homeowners insurance plan protects a home in case of something such as a fire or natural disaster. With homeowners insurance, you won't be able to file a claim should you need a new refrigerator or air conditioner, unless the damage is due to a natural disaster, which isn't that common in Stony Brook University.
A home warranty policy can help homeowners, homebuyers, home sellers, investors, and real estate agents. It can offer peace of mind to anyone involved in homeownership.
The different home warranties in Stony Brook University include plans that cover either appliances or systems as well as comprehensive plans. A comprehensive plan covers many of your systems and appliances, including your washing machine, drier, and heating and cooling systems. An appliance or system plan will cover only the items listed in the policy.
Home warranty plans usually last a year. Many providers let you renew your plan annually, and some offer month-to-month options as well.
Usually the one who owns the home pays for the home warranty. In some cases, though, the one selling the home may purchase a home warranty plan 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 Stony Brook University is $772,642, a home warranty can be an added asset when buying a home.
