Written By David Cusick
Last Updated February 2024
Buying a home is a big step for many people, but the cost of maintaining it can be expensive over time, especially if your home in Ottawa is on the older side. A home warranty is a way to protect your budget from unexpected 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 filled with a lot of providers — all with different offerings — so our team at Today's Homeowner has compiled this guide to help you choose the best home warranty companies in Ottawa.
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 in Ottawa. Liberty has been in the home warranty business for about 6 years. The 3 plans from Liberty are easy to understand and offer a mix of both system and appliance coverage. 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.
Liberty Home Guard offers 3 plans for Ottawa homeowners. The Appliance Guard, Systems Guard, and Total Home Guard are the options they have, which contain a mix of system and appliance coverage. Service fees from Liberty are an affordable $75. The coverage caps are also generally around $3,000.
Read more by visiting our Liberty Home Guard full review. To receive a free quote from Liberty Home Guard, you can 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
Choice Home Warranty offers the best overall home warranty in Ottawa. Choice has been in the home warranty business for about 15 years. The 2 plans from Choice are easy to understand and offer a mix of both system and appliance coverage. 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.
Choice Home Warranty offers 2 plans for Ottawa homeowners. The Basic Plan and Total Plan are the options they have, which contain a mix of system and appliance coverage. Service fees from Choice are an affordable $85. The coverage caps are also generally around $3,000.
Read more by visiting our Choice Home Warranty full review. To receive a free quote from Choice Home Warranty, you can 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
Select Home Warranty offers the most cost-effective home warranty in Ottawa. Select has been in the home warranty business for about 11 years. The 3 plans from Select are easy to understand and offer a mix of both system and appliance coverage. 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.
Select Home Warranty offers 3 plans for Ottawa homeowners. The Bronze Care Plan, Gold Care Plan, and Platinum Care Plan are the options they have, which contain a mix of system and appliance coverage. Service fees from Select are a reasonable $60. The coverage caps are also generally around $2,000.
Read more by visiting our Select Home Warranty full review. To receive a free quote from Select Home Warranty, you can 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
American Home Shield offers the most customizable home warranty in Ottawa. AHS has been in the home warranty business for about 26 years. The 3 plans from AHS are easy to understand and offer a mix of both system and appliance coverage. 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.
American Home Shield offers 3 plans for Ottawa homeowners. The ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, and ShieldPlatinum are the options they have, which contain a mix of system and appliance coverage. Service fees from AHS are customizable and range from $75 to $125. The coverage caps are also generally around $2,500.
Read more by visiting our American Home Shield full review. To receive a free quote from American Home Shield, you can fill out this online form or call 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 offers the best home warranty for appliance coverage in Ottawa. First American has been in the home warranty business for about 39 years. The 2 plans from First American are easy to understand and offer a mix of both system and appliance coverage. When you purchase a plan from First American, you will get very affordable and comprehensive appliance coverage. First American Home Warranty 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 Home Warranty offers 2 plans for Ottawa homeowners. The Basic Plan and Premier Plan are the options they have, which contain a mix of system and appliance coverage. Service fees from First American are a reasonable $85. The coverage caps are also generally around $1,500.
Read more by visiting our First American Home Warranty full review. To receive a free quote from First American Home Warranty, you can fill out this online form or call 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 offers the home warranty with the best workmanship guarantee in Ottawa. Cinch has been in the home warranty business for about 44 years. The 3 plans from Cinch are easy to understand and offer a mix of both system and appliance coverage. 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.
Cinch Home Services offers 3 plans for Ottawa homeowners. The Appliances Plan, Built-in Systems Plan, and Complete Home Plan are the options they have, which contain a mix of system and appliance coverage. Service fees from Cinch are customizable and range from $75 to $150. The coverage caps are also generally around $1,000-$2,000.
Read more by visiting our Cinch Home Services full review. To receive a free quote from Cinch Home Services, you can 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
The Home Service Club offers the best home warranty with the quickest service in Ottawa. HSC has been in the home warranty business for about 15 years. The 2 plans from HSC are easy to understand and offer a mix of both system and appliance coverage. 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 Home Service Club offers 2 plans for Ottawa homeowners. The Standard Coverage Plan and Comprehensive Coverage Plan are the options they have, which contain a mix of system and appliance coverage. Service fees from HSC are customizable and range from $65 to $90. The coverage caps are also generally around $2,000.
Read more by visiting our The Home Service Club full review. To receive a free quote from The Home Service Club, you can 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 | $5,573 |
Heating | $3,715 |
Electrical | $557 |
Toilets | $464 |
Washer/Dryer | $743 |
Plumbing | $557 |
Oven | $1,486 |
Fridge | $557 |
A home warranty is a protection policy that assists Ottawa homeowners lower 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 submit a claim and pay a service fee when something breaks. The home warranty provider then arranges a contractor to make the fix or replacement. The only time you may pay out-of-pocket is if the repair or replacement costs go over the item's coverage limit. A home warranty plan gives homeowners peace of mind and can help avoid expensive emergency repairs. They can be especially helpful for people purchasing older homes or homes with systems near the end of their life span. However, newer homes with appliances and fixtures in good condition may not need a home warranty.
Home warranties cover your household systems and appliances. Warranties usually cover appliances such as dishwashers, microwaves, refrigerators, washers, dryers, garbage disposals, and others. Covered systems include plumbing, electrical, heating, and air conditioning. Many home warranty providers also offer add-on coverage for central vacuums, septic systems, locksmiths, and roof leaks. Most home warranty plans require Ottawa homeowners to refrain from making claims for 30 days before the plan will cover repairs. Additionally, policies typically only cover repairs and replacements due to normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't cover cosmetic issues, natural disasters, 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.
Home warranty contracts use several terms that you'll want to understand before signing, such as:
There are several important factors to consider when selecting a home warranty provider:
Home warranties vary widely in terms of included coverage. Basic policies typically cover heating, AC, plumbing, electrical, and appliances, while more comprehensive plans may also cover roof leaks, pools, well pumps, 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 systems and needs.
You'll pay a standard service fee of around $60 to $100 for each claim filed with your home warranty provider. These per-claim charges can quickly add up, so you may look for companies advertising lower service fees to optimize savings on each repair claim. Certain companies may eliminate deductibles after a customer goes a period of time with no claims filed.
A home warranty provider's rating gives you insight into things such as contractor quality, claim approval rates, timeliness of repairs, and overall customer satisfaction. Look at third-party review sites such as TrustPilot, Google Reviews, or the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to research providers. Positive ratings and reviews indicate a provider known for stellar service.
Home warranty businesses keep networks of local professionals to handle repairs in your area. Reach out to potential providers to ask how many repair contractors they have in Ottawa and get an idea for how quickly your repairs could take place in an emergency situation. More extensive networks improve the likelihood of getting qualified contractors to quickly service your home.
Certain home warranty companies provide extras such as protection for smart home devices, discounts on maintenance, and energy-efficient upgrades. These offer extra value beyond repair coverage. Extra perks enhance your home and help maximize your home warranty.
Since temperatures in Ottawa can be quite cold in the winter, the weather can put a lot of strain on your HVAC system. Purchasing a home warranty plan can help homeowners save money if one of these systems or appliances stops working unexpectedly.
A home warranty also can also save you time and energy. Instead of spending hours finding and selecting a repair person to fix your appliance or system, home warranty companies do the hard work for you and send a trusted professional to your door whenever you need them. A home warranty can also provide value in other ways. For instance, some plans can be transferred between owners when you sell your home.
One of the main drawbacks of a home warranty is not everything may be covered. It’s important to research the different policies and choose one that covers all the appliances, systems, and add-ons you need.
Additionally, 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 other than normal wear and tear — the home warranty may not cover it.
A home warranty plan costs, on average, about $300 to $600 a year in Ottawa. Our high-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 choosing a higher service fee. Additionally, it's usually 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 helps protect against normal wear and tear to home systems and appliances. A homeowners insurance plan protects your home in a situation such as a natural disaster or fire. With homeowners insurance, you won't be able to file a claim if you need a new dryer or air conditioner, unless the damage is a result of a natural disaster, which isn't that common in Ottawa.
A home warranty can help homeowners, real estate agents, home sellers, homebuyers, and investors. It can offer peace of mind and savings to anyone involved in homeownership.
A home warranty policy can cover your home’s appliances, systems, or both. Combination plans are great if you need more coverage for your home, but a system- or appliance-only plan can be helpful if you want to save some money.
Generally, a home warranty lasts for a year and can be renewed annually. Some companies may offer month-to-month plans.
Usually, the homeowner is the one who pays the premium and service fees. However, when buying a new home, sometimes the seller is the one who paid for the policy. This can then be given to the new homeowner, who will pay the service fees when using the policy. In Ottawa, where the median value of a home is $259,248, having the seller pay for the home warranty can save you some money on your new home.