Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Written By David Cusick
Last Updated June 2024
With a variety of seasons in Columbus, your home systems can experience quite a bit of wear and tear. There’s nothing worse than having your air conditioning go out in the middle of summer. A home warranty is a way to protect your budget 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 best home warranty on the market can be overwhelming, since there are so many companies to decide between. That’s why our team at Today's Homeowner did the research and made a list of the best home warranty companies in Columbus for you.
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 is the most trustworthy home warranty for Columbus residents. Liberty has established itself as a company with a seamless complaint process and guaranteed service professionalism upon every repair visit. It also has a 60-day workmanship guarantee and some of the best customer service in the industry. Liberty offers 3 plans for you to decide between.
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 some plans may have different coverage caps, so be sure to check with the provider. Service fees are an affordable $75.
Read our Liberty Home Guard full review to learn more. To receive 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 is the best overall home warranty for Columbus residents. Choice has established itself as a company with very high coverage caps and simple-to-understand service contracts. It also has great customer service, professional contractors, and lower out-of-pocket costs compared to other home warranties. Choice offers 2 plans for you to decide between.
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 some plans may have different coverage caps, so be sure to check with the provider. Service fees are an affordable $85.
Read our Choice Home Warranty full review to learn more. To receive 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 is the most cost-effective home warranty for Columbus residents. Select has established itself as a company with a highly affordable service fee and free roof coverage upon purchase of a policy plan. It also has an extensive network of highly trained professionals all over the country who are experts in home maintenance. Select offers 3 plans for you to decide between.
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 some plans may have different coverage caps, so be sure to check with the provider. Service fees are a reasonable $60.
Read our Select Home Warranty full review to learn more. To receive 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 is the most customizable home warranty for Columbus residents. AHS has established itself as a company with the ability to customize your plan with the coverages that work specifically for your home. It also has a remarkably low claim denial rate in comparison to other home warranty companies. AHS offers 3 plans for you to decide between.
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 some plans may have different coverage caps, so be sure to check with the provider. Service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $125.
Read our American Home Shield full review to learn more. To receive a free quote from American Home Shield, fill out this online form or give them a call at 888-365-2839.
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 is the best home warranty for appliance coverage for Columbus residents. First American has established itself as a company with very affordable and comprehensive appliance coverage. It also 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. First American offers 2 plans for you to decide between.
The plans that First American offers to homeowners are Basic Plan and Premier Plan. First American has coverage caps of around $1,500 for most appliances and systems, but some plans may have different coverage caps, so be sure to check with the provider. Service fees are a reasonable $85.
Read our First American Home Warranty full review to learn more. To receive a free quote from First American Home Warranty, fill out this online form or give them a call at 833-204-7164.
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 is the home warranty with the best workmanship guarantee for Columbus residents. Cinch has established itself as a company with a 180-day workmanship guarantee that ensures your home systems and appliance repairs will be professionally done. It also has a broad range of coverage options that will give homeowners peace of mind. Cinch offers 3 plans for you to decide between.
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 some plans may have different coverage caps, so be sure to check with the provider. Service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $150.
Read our Cinch Home Services full review to learn more. To receive 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 is the best home warranty with the quickest service for Columbus residents. HSC has established itself as a company with quick coverage where the home warranty goes into effect just ten days after you pay for the plan, instead of the typical 30 days. It also has customer service representatives available 24/7, as well as a 30-day labor guarantee and a 90-day parts guarantee. HSC offers 2 plans for you to decide between.
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 some plans may have different coverage caps, so be sure to check with the provider. Service fees are customizable and range from $65 to $90.
Read our The Home Service Club full review to learn more. To receive 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 | $6,112 |
| Heating | $4,075 |
| Electrical | $611 |
| Toilets | $509 |
| Washer/Dryer | $815 |
| Plumbing | $611 |
| Oven | $1,630 |
| Fridge | $611 |
A home warranty is a protection plan that helps Columbus homeowners reduce the high costs of household repairs. These plans offer financial protection to fix or replace appliances and systems that stop working from normal wear and tear.
Homeowners file a claim and pay a service fee when something breaks. The home warranty provider then finds a contractor to make the fix or replacement. The only time you may pay out-of-pocket is if the cost of the repair or replacement goes over the item's coverage limit. A home warranty gives homeowners peace of mind, as it helps avoid high-priced emergency repairs. The coverage is particularly helpful for owners of older houses or houses with fixtures near the end of their life span. However, homeowners with newer homes and modern appliances might not require a home warranty.
Home warranties safeguard both your home systems and appliances. Common covered appliances include microwaves, garbage disposals, refrigerators, washers, dryers, dishwashers, and more. Covered systems include heating, electrical, plumbing, and air conditioning. Many home warranties also offer add-on coverage options for central vacuums, septic systems, locksmiths, and even roof leaks. Most home warranty plans require Columbus homeowners to refrain from making claims for 30 days before they can use the policy to pay for repairs. Additionally, policies normally 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.
There are multiple home warranty terms to learn before signing an agreement, including:
There are several important considerations when selecting a home warranty provider:
Home warranty plans can have major differences in covered items. Most plans provide protection for plumbing, electrical, AC, heating, and appliances. More robust plans also offer protection for other items such as well pumps, roof leaks, pools, and spas. Look for a company that offers robust coverage options, including upgraded plans. You want the flexibility to customize coverage to fit your home's specific needs.
Homeowners should anticipate paying a $60–100 service fee when filing home warranty claims. These per-repair charges can potentially accumulate over time, so some homeowners prefer using providers with more affordable per-claim fees to maximize savings. Some companies also offer disappearing deductibles after periods where a customer files no claims.
A home warranty provider's reputation provides insights into factors such as repair speed, claim approval rates, contractor expertise, and customer satisfaction. Look at review sites like TrustPilot, Google Reviews, or the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to learn more about providers. Good feedback and ratings suggest a company known for delivering quality service.
Home warranty providers have networks of professionals that they use to tackle covered repairs. Wider networks improve the chance of getting qualified contractors to your home swiftly. Reach out to possible providers to ask how many technicians they have in Columbus. This helps you understand how long repairs could take in an urgent situation.
Some home warranty providers provide extras such as energy efficiency upgrades, maintenance discounts, and smart home device protection. These perks add value beyond just repair coverage. Extra bonuses maximize the usefulness of your home warranty.
Home warranties are a great way to guard your home systems and appliances from normal wear and tear. With temperatures in Columbus reaching an average high of 60℃F, you may find that some appliances, such as your air conditioning system, get a lot of use. A home warranty can significantly lower out-of-pocket expenses should your HVAC system break down.
Not only does a home warranty provide some financial relief, but it also saves you time. If an appliance breaks, the last thing you want to do is find a repair person and schedule a repair. A home warranty handles the research by sending trusted professionals to your door when you need them most. Another added benefit of having home warranty coverage is that it can increase 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 company you have your home warranty with.
One of the main drawbacks of home warranties is not every home system and appliance you care about may be covered. It’s important to research the different policies and sign up for 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 Columbus can cost anywhere from $30 to $60 a month. The higher-priced plans usually have higher coverage limits, broader coverage, and a lower service fee. You can often lower this cost by paying annually instead of monthly. Some companies will also decrease 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 plan helps protect against normal wear and tear to systems and appliances in a home. Homeowners insurance protects your home in case of something such as a natural disaster or fire. With a homeowners insurance plan, you won't be able to file a claim if you need a new washing machine or stove, unless the damage is a result of a natural disaster, which can be a threat in Columbus.
First-time homebuyers, real estate agents, landlords, homeowners, and home sellers can all get home warranty plans. A home warranty can help make your home more attractive to prospective buyers and save you money in the long run.
A home warranty plan will cover your home’s 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 want to save some money.
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.
Typically, the person who owns the home is responsible for paying for the home warranty. In some cases, though, the person who is 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 Columbus is $240,278, a home warranty can save you some money when buying a home.
