Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Written By David Cusick
Last Updated February 2024
Homeownership in Urbana can be gratifying for many, but it also comes with its fair share of challenges. Home repairs can be an unexpected financial burden for many homeowners. A home warranty is a way to protect your savings account 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 challenging, since there are so many companies to choose from. That’s why our team at Today's Homeowner did the research and made a list of the best home warranty companies in Urbana 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 Urbana residents. Liberty has been in business for over 6 years, making it a well-regarded company in the industry. 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. Liberty has 3 plans for you to choose from.
The 3 plans from Liberty Home Guard are Appliance Guard, Systems Guard, and Total Home Guard. The coverage caps from Liberty are about $3,000. The service fees are an affordable $75, which is less than other providers in the Urbana area.
To get a free quote from Liberty Home Guard, fill out this online form or call 866-451-2281. Read more by visiting 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 is the best overall home warranty for Urbana residents. Choice has been in business for over 15 years, making it a well-regarded company in the industry. 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. Choice has 2 plans for you to choose from.
The 2 plans from Choice Home Warranty are Basic Plan and Total Plan. The coverage caps from Choice are about $3,000. The service fees are an affordable $85, which is less than other providers in the Urbana area.
To get a free quote from Choice Home Warranty, fill out this online form or call 929-400-6164. Read more by visiting 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 is the most cost-effective home warranty for Urbana residents. Select has been in business for over 11 years, making it a well-regarded company in the industry. 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. Select has 3 plans for you to choose from.
The 3 plans from Select Home Warranty are Bronze Care Plan, Gold Care Plan, and Platinum Care Plan. The coverage caps from Select are about $2,000. The service fees are a reasonable $60, which is less than other providers in the Urbana area.
To get a free quote from Select Home Warranty, fill out this online form or call 888-370-3953. Read more by visiting 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 is the most customizable home warranty for Urbana residents. AHS has been in business for over 26 years, making it a well-regarded company in the industry. 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. AHS has 3 plans for you to choose from.
The 3 plans from American Home Shield are ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, and ShieldPlatinum. The coverage caps 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 Urbana area.
To get a free quote from American Home Shield, fill out this online form or call 888-365-2839. Read more by visiting our 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 is the best home warranty for appliance coverage for Urbana residents. First American has been in business for over 39 years, making it a well-regarded company in the industry. With a home warranty from First American, you can enjoy very affordable and comprehensive appliance coverage. Not to mention, 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. First American has 2 plans for you to choose from.
The 2 plans from First American Home Warranty are Basic Plan and Premier Plan. The coverage caps from First American are about $1,500. The service fees are a reasonable $85, which is less than other providers in the Urbana area.
To get a free quote from First American Home Warranty, fill out this online form or call 833-204-7164. Read more by visiting our 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 is the home warranty with the best workmanship guarantee for Urbana residents. Cinch has been in business for over 44 years, making it a well-regarded company in the industry. 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. Cinch has 3 plans for you to choose from.
The 3 plans from Cinch Home Services are Appliances Plan, Built-in Systems Plan, and Complete Home Plan. The coverage caps 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 Urbana area.
To get a free quote from Cinch Home Services, fill out this online form or call 877-589-0505. Read more by visiting 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 is the best home warranty with the quickest service for Urbana residents. HSC has been in business for over 15 years, making it a well-regarded company in the industry. 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. HSC has 2 plans for you to choose from.
The 2 plans from The Home Service Club are Standard Coverage Plan and Comprehensive Coverage Plan. The coverage caps 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 Urbana area.
To get a free quote from The Home Service Club, fill out this online form or call 800-750-9443. Read more by visiting 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 | $5,513 |
| Heating | $3,676 |
| Electrical | $551 |
| Toilets | $459 |
| Washer/Dryer | $735 |
| Plumbing | $551 |
| Oven | $1,470 |
| Fridge | $551 |
A home warranty is a protection policy that helps Urbana homeowners cut the expenses of appliance and system repairs. The plans offer financial coverage to repair or swap out 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 provider then finds a contractor to handle the repair or replacement. Homeowners may have out-of-pocket costs only if the cost of repair or replacement exceeds the item's coverage limit. A home warranty gives reassurance to homeowners because it helps prevent costly emergency repairs. Home warranties are particularly useful for owners of older homes or homes with aging systems. New homes with modern appliances might not require a home warranty.
Home warranties safeguard both your home systems and appliances. Common appliances covered under a home warranty include dryers, dishwashers, refrigerators, garbage disposals, microwaves, washers, and others. Covered systems include electrical, plumbing, heating, and air conditioning. Many home warranty plans offer additional add-on coverage options for locksmiths, central vacuums, septic systems, and even roof leaks. It's important for Urbana homeowners to understand most home warranty plans have a 30-day waiting period before repair claims will be approved. Most policies also only cover repairs and replacements resulting from normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't include natural disasters, pre-existing conditions, cosmetic issues, or misuse of a system or appliance. Stay current with preventative maintenance to ensure your next repair or replacement is covered.
Here are some essential home warranty words to learn before signing a contract:
When selecting a home warranty provider, there are several important factors to consider:
Home warranty policies can have major differences in covered items. Most plans provide protection for AC, electrical, heating, plumbing, and appliances. More inclusive options also offer protection for other items such as roof leaks, spas, pools, and well pumps. Look for providers with flexible coverage choices, including upgraded plans. This allows you to customize your plan to your needs.
You'll pay a repair fee, normally ranging from $60–100 for each claim filed with your home warranty provider. This fee is charged per request and can quickly add up, so you may seek out companies advertising more affordable fees to optimize savings on each repair claim. Certain providers may waive deductibles when a homeowner submits no claims in a defined period.
A home warranty provider's reputation can provide insight into things such as contractor quality, approval rates, repair timeliness, and customer service. Use review platforms such as Google Reviews, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), or TrustPilot to research providers. Positive ratings and feedback indicate a provider known for great service.
Home warranty providers maintain networks of professionals to handle covered repairs. Larger networks increase the probability of getting qualified technicians to quickly service your home. Contact potential providers to find out how many contractors they have in Urbana to get a sense of how soon your repairs could be handled in an emergency.
Some home warranty companies include extras such as energy efficiency upgrades, maintenance discounts, and smart home device protection. These perks add value beyond repair coverage. Extra bonuses can maximize the usefulness of the home warranty.
Temperatures in Urbana can vary greatly throughout the year, which means your air conditioner and heating systems are most likely going to get a decent amount of use. As a homeowner in Urbana, one benefit of having a home warranty is knowing that these home systems and major appliances can be covered in the event they need to be repaired or replaced.
Not only can a home warranty save you money on repairs and replacements, it saves you time too. Instead of needing to vet contractors on your own, home warranty providers do the work for you and send pre-screened technicians right to your door when you need them. A home warranty can also yield value in other ways. For instance, some policies can be transferred to another owner during a home sale.
Home warranties also have some cons. Though it can be convenient that the home warranty sends out a contractor who handles the repair for you, some may not like this, and they would rather choose a contractor themselves. If that’s important to you, some home warranty providers allow you to select a contractor.
Another thing to consider is that some companies don’t cover pre-existing damage and may require an inspection before coverage begins. Ask the home warranty provider for clarification about this if you aren’t sure or if this is a problem for you.
A home warranty in Urbana can cost anywhere from $30 to $60 a month. The higher-priced plans usually have broader coverage, a lower service fee, and higher coverage limits. You can often lower this cost by paying annually instead of monthly. Some companies will also reduce your up-front costs when you agree to a higher service fee.
Home warranties and home insurance differ in what kinds of damage they cover. Home warranty policies cover problems related to systems and appliances that need to be repaired or replaced due to normal wear and tear. A home insurance policy is a larger plan that protects an entire home from natural disasters, which can sometimes be a concern in Urbana. It doesn't cover a typical appliance or system breakage.
A home warranty plan can help homeowners, investors, home sellers, real estate agents, and homebuyers. It can provide peace of mind to anyone involved with homeownership.
A home warranty plan will cover your systems, appliances, 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.
Home warranty plans generally offer coverage for a year. Many companies let you renew your plan annually, and some offer month-to-month plans as well.
Typically, the homeowner is responsible for paying 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 given to the new homeowner, who has to pay the service fees when using the policy. In Urbana, where the median home value is $176,094, having the seller pay for the home warranty can save you some money on your new home.
