Written By David Cusick
Last Updated February 2024
There are many perks of owning a home, but as your Chester home gets older, you may need to factor in the cost of updating your appliances and systems. A home warranty is a way to protect your savings from unexpected home repairs and expenses. With a home warranty in place, your repair costs can be considerably lower and give you some peace of mind.
The home warranty market is saturated with a lot of providers — all with different coverage — so our team at Today's Homeowner has compiled this guide to help you choose the best home warranty companies in Chester.
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 Chester residents. The 3 policies that Liberty offers include options for appliance and system coverage. If you’re looking for a seamless complaint process and guaranteed service professionalism upon every repair visit, you’ll want to have this plan on your side. Plus, 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 limits from Liberty are about $3,000. The service fees are an affordable $75, which is less than other providers in the Chester area.
To get a free quote from Liberty Home Guard, fill out this online form or call 866-451-2281. To read more, visit our full 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 Chester residents. The 2 policies that Choice offers include options for appliance and system coverage. If you’re looking for very high coverage caps and simple-to-understand service contracts, you’ll want to have this plan on your side. Plus, 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 limits from Choice are about $3,000. The service fees are an affordable $85, which is less than other providers in the Chester area.
To get a free quote from Choice Home Warranty, fill out this online form or call 929-400-6164. To read more, visit our full 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 Chester residents. The 3 policies that Select offers include options for appliance and system coverage. If you’re looking for a highly affordable service fee and free roof coverage upon purchase of a policy plan, you’ll want to have this plan on your side. Plus, 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 limits from Select are about $2,000. The service fees are a reasonable $60, which is less than other providers in the Chester area.
To get a free quote from Select Home Warranty, fill out this online form or call 888-370-3953. To read more, visit our full 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 Chester residents. The 3 policies that AHS offers include options for appliance and system coverage. If you’re looking for the ability to customize your plan with the coverages that work specifically for your home, you’ll want to have this plan on your side. Plus, 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 limits from AHS are about $2,500. The service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $125, which is less than other providers in the Chester area.
To get a free quote from American Home Shield, fill out this online form or call 888-365-2839. To read more, visit our full review of American Home Shield.
ShieldSilver
ShieldGold
ShieldPlatinum
Established company with a bbb accreditation
Doesn’t have a coverage cap on heating, cooling, or ductwork
24/7 service calls available
Offers replacement of some covered items that are too damaged to repair
Doesn’t let customers choose their own contractor
According to some customer reviews, the technical jargon in contracts is confusing
First American Home Warranty offers the best home warranty for appliance coverage for Chester residents. The 2 policies that First American offers include options for appliance and system coverage. If you’re looking for very affordable and comprehensive appliance coverage, you’ll want to have this plan on your side. Plus, it has a unique add-on alongside common ones called the First Class Upgrade, which covers fees associated with the use of lifting equipment, up to $250 per local building permits, haul away services, and appliances and systems that have been insufficiently installed or modified.
There are 2 home warranty plans from First American Home Warranty: Basic Plan and Premier Plan. The coverage limits from First American are about $1,500. The service fees are a reasonable $85, which is less than other providers in the Chester area.
To get a free quote from First American Home Warranty, fill out this online form or call 833-204-7164. To read more, visit our full review of First American Home Warranty.
Basic Plan
Premier Plan
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 Chester residents. The 3 policies that Cinch offers include options for appliance and system coverage. If you’re looking for a 180-day workmanship guarantee that ensures your home systems and appliance repairs will be professionally done, you’ll want to have this plan on your side. Plus, 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 limits from Cinch are about $1,000-$2,000. The service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $150, which is less than other providers in the Chester area.
To get a free quote from Cinch Home Services, fill out this online form or call 877-589-0505. To read more, visit our full 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 Chester residents. The 2 policies that HSC offers include options for appliance and system coverage. If you’re looking for quick coverage where the home warranty goes into effect just ten days after you pay for the plan, instead of the typical 30 days, you’ll want to have this plan on your side. Plus, 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 limits from HSC are about $2,000. The service fees are customizable and range from $65 to $90, which is less than other providers in the Chester area.
To get a free quote from The Home Service Club, fill out this online form or call 800-750-9443. To read more, visit our full 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 | $6,229 |
Heating | $4,153 |
Electrical | $623 |
Toilets | $519 |
Washer/Dryer | $831 |
Plumbing | $623 |
Oven | $1,661 |
Fridge | $623 |
A home warranty is a protection plan that helps Chester homeowners lower the high costs of household repairs. These plans offer financial protection to fix or swap out appliances and systems that stop working from normal wear and tear.
Homeowners submit a claim and pay a service fee when something breaks. The home warranty company then finds a contractor to make the repair 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 peace of mind and can help avoid costly emergency repairs. They can be especially helpful for people purchasing older homes or homes with appliances 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 help protect your home systems and appliances. Common covered appliances include microwaves, dryers, garbage disposals, refrigerators, washers, dishwashers, and more. Covered systems include plumbing, air conditioning, heating, and electrical. Many home warranties also offer add-on coverage options for septic systems, locksmiths, central vacuums, and even roof leaks. It's important for Chester homeowners to know that most home warranty policies have a 30-day period you must wait before they can be used to cover repairs. Additionally, most policies only cover repairs and replacements due to normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't cover problems such as pre-existing conditions, natural disasters, cosmetic issues, or misuse of a system or appliance. Make sure to keep up with preventative maintenance to help ensure that your next repair or replacement is covered by your policy.
Here are some key home warranty terms to understand before signing a contract:
When you're deciding on a home warranty provider, there are several key things to take into account:
Home warranty coverage can have major differences in what's included. Most plans provide coverage for electrical, heating, AC, plumbing, and appliances. More inclusive options also cover other items such as pools, well pumps, roof leaks, and spas. Focus on providers with an expansive array of coverage choices including upgraded plans. Flexibility like this will help you customize your plan to meet your home's needs.
Expect to pay a per-service fee of $60-100 for each home warranty claim. With these per-request costs adding up over time as you file claims, some homeowners prefer to choose a provider with more affordable fees to maximize savings. Some providers also do away with deductibles for homeowners who don't file claims in a certain period.
A home warranty provider's reputation provides insights into factors such as contractor expertise, repair speed, claim approval rates, and customer satisfaction. Look at review sites like the Better Business Bureau (BBB), Google Reviews, or TrustPilot to learn more about companies. Positive ratings and feedback suggest a company known for quality service.
Home warranty providers have networks of local professionals to handle repairs in your area. Contact potential providers to find out how many repair technicians they have in Chester and get an idea for how fast your repairs could take place in an emergency situation. Wider networks increase the chances of getting qualified contractors to quickly service your home.
Some home warranty companies provide bonuses such as maintenance discounts, energy efficiency upgrades, and smart home device protection. These add value beyond repair coverage. Added bonuses can maximize the usefulness of your home warranty.
Chester’s cold winters can put a strain on a home’s HVAC system. Whether it’s summer or winter, a home warranty can 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, preventing you from spending a lot of money out of pocket.
A home warranty also saves you time and energy. Instead of spending hours researching and choosing a technician to fix your appliance or system, home warranty providers do the hard work for you and send a trusted professional to your door whenever you need them. Additionally, having a home warranty can make your house more appealing to potential homebuyers should you ever decide to sell in the future. Many home warranty companies will allow you to transfer your policy to a new owner and give them the protection you’ve been getting.
One drawback of purchasing a home warranty is that there are generally exclusions. For instance, if you already have a manufacturer's warranty on one of your appliances, it may be excluded from the home warranty, so it’s important to read through the contracts you’re considering thoroughly to get a sense of what is included and what isn’t.
Another downside is that home warranties may not include some repairs, like those due to natural disasters. For example, if your house floods, the affected systems and appliances most likely won’t be covered by the home warranty.
A home warranty plan costs, on average, about $300 to $600 a year in Chester. 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 often less expensive to pay annually rather than monthly.
The difference between a home warranty and homeowner's insurance lies in what types of damage each covers. A home warranty plan helps protect against normal wear and tear to systems and appliances in a home. A homeowners insurance plan protects a home in case of a situation such as a natural disaster or fire. With 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 a result of a natural disaster, which isn't that common in Chester.
Homebuyers, landlords, homeowners, real estate agents, and home sellers 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.
The different types of home warranties in Chester 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 refrigerator, washing machine, and heating and cooling systems. An appliance or system plan will cover only the items listed in the plan.
Generally, a home warranty plan lasts for a year and can be renewed yearly. Some providers may offer month-to-month plans.
In general, the homeowner is the one who pays the premium and service fees. However, if you have just bought a new home, sometimes the seller is the one who paid for the policy. This can then be transferred to the new homeowner, who will pay the service fees when using the policy. In Chester, where the median home value is $606,660, having the seller pay for the home warranty can be a good asset for your new home.