Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
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Written By David Cusick
Last Updated June 2024
Buying a home is a big step for many, but the cost of maintaining it can be expensive over time, especially if your home in Independence is on the older side. A home warranty is a way to protect your savings 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 has many providers — all with different offerings — so the Today's Homeowner team has compiled this guide to help you choose the best home warranty companies in Independence.
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 in Independence. Liberty has over 6 years of experience in the home warranty industry, and has provided great customer service at an affordable cost to its customers. Liberty offers 3 plans for you to choose from. 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.
The plans that Liberty offers to homeowners 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 get 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 is the best overall home warranty in Independence. Choice has over 15 years of experience in the home warranty industry, and has provided great customer service at an affordable cost to its customers. Choice offers 2 plans for you to choose from. 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.
The plans that Choice offers to homeowners 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 get 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 is the most cost-effective home warranty in Independence. Select has over 11 years of experience in the home warranty industry, and has provided great customer service at an affordable cost to its customers. Select offers 3 plans for you to choose from. 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.
The plans that Select offers to homeowners 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 get 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 is the most customizable home warranty in Independence. AHS has over 26 years of experience in the home warranty industry, and has provided great customer service at an affordable cost to its customers. AHS offers 3 plans for you to choose from. 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.
The plans that AHS offers to homeowners 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 get 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
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 in Independence. First American has over 39 years of experience in the home warranty industry, and has provided great customer service at an affordable cost to its customers. First American offers 2 plans for you to choose from. 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.
The plans that First American offers to homeowners are Basic Plan and Premier Plan. Service fees from First American are a reasonable $85. The coverage caps are also generally around $1,500 at the maximum.
To get a free quote from First American Home Warranty, fill out this online form or give them a call at 833-204-7164. For a more detailed breakdown, read 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 in Independence. Cinch has over 44 years of experience in the home warranty industry, and has provided great customer service at an affordable cost to its customers. Cinch offers 3 plans for you to choose from. 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.
The plans that Cinch offers to homeowners 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 get 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 is the best home warranty with the quickest service in Independence. HSC has over 15 years of experience in the home warranty industry, and has provided great customer service at an affordable cost to its customers. HSC offers 2 plans for you to choose from. 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.
The plans that HSC offers to homeowners 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 get 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 | $6,108 |
| Heating | $4,072 |
| Electrical | $611 |
| Toilets | $509 |
| Washer/Dryer | $814 |
| Plumbing | $611 |
| Oven | $1,629 |
| Fridge | $611 |
A home warranty is a protection plan that assists Independence homeowners in lowering the expenses of appliance and system repairs. The plans provide financial coverage to replace or fix appliances and systems that stop working due to normal wear and tear. When something stops working, you submit a claim and pay a service fee. The home warranty provider then finds a contractor to handle the replacement or fix. Homeowners may have out-of-pocket costs only if the cost of the repair or replacement exceeds the item's coverage limit. A home warranty gives homeowners reassurance by helping avoid expensive emergency repairs. The coverage is particularly helpful for those living in older houses or houses with systems near the end of their life span. However, homeowners with newer homes and modern appliances might not need a home warranty.
Home warranties protect your home systems and appliances. Common covered appliances are dishwashers, microwaves, garbage disposals, dryers, washers, refrigerators, and more. Included systems are normally plumbing, electrical, air conditioning, and heating. Many home warranty companies provide add-on coverage for septic systems, central vacuums, roof leaks, and locksmiths. Most home warranty plans require Independence homeowners to wait 30 days before the plan will cover repairs. Additionally, policies typically only cover repairs and replacements resulting from normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't cover natural disasters, pre-existing conditions, 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 several home warranty terms to understand before signing an agreement, including:
There are several important factors to consider when selecting a home warranty provider:
Home warranties differ greatly in the items covered. Basic plans typically cover plumbing, AC, electrical, heating, and appliances, while more comprehensive plans may also cover roof leaks, pools, spas, and well pumps. Look for companies with an assortment of coverage options, such as upgraded plans. You'll want to tailor your protection for your home’s needs.
With any home warranty claim, you'll pay a service fee, usually falling in the $60 to $100 range, which gets paid per service call made. The per-request costs can add up. You may decide to look for providers with lower service fees to maximize your savings on each claim. Some companies also offer disappearing deductibles for customers who don't file any claims over a certain timespan.
A home warranty provider's reputation can offer insight into things such as speed of repairs, approval rates for claims, contractor quality, and customer satisfaction. Look at third-party review sites such as the Better Business Bureau (BBB), TrustPilot, or Google Reviews to research companies. Good ratings and reviews indicate that a company is known for quality service.
Home warranty providers keep networks of professionals to handle covered repairs. More extensive networks raise the probability of getting qualified technicians to promptly service your home. Ask potential providers how many contractors they have in Independence to get a sense of how soon your repairs could be handled in an emergency.
Home warranty companies might include perks such as energy efficiency upgrades, maintenance discounts, and coverage for smart home devices. These can add value beyond repair coverage. Additional perks can 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 Independence reaching an average high of 60℃F, you may find that certain appliances, such as your air conditioning system, get a lot of use. A home warranty can considerably lower out-of-pocket costs should your HVAC system stop working.
Not only can a home warranty save you some money on repairs and replacements, it saves you time too. Instead of needing to vet service technicians on your own, home warranty companies do the work for you and send a contractor from their network right to your door when you need them. In addition, though it varies by company, some providers will allow you to transfer your warranty if you sell your home. This can make your home more attractive to potential homebuyers and maybe even help your home sell faster.
There are also some negatives to getting a home warranty plan, like the coverage exclusions. For example, home warranties may not cover systems or appliances that already have a manufacturer's warranty.
Another drawback is that home warranties may not include some repairs, like those due to natural disasters. For example, if your HVAC system is damaged from an animal infestation, the affected systems and appliances probably won’t be covered by the home warranty.
A home warranty in Independence can cost between $30 and $60 a month. Higher-priced plans usually have broader coverage, higher coverage limits, and a lower service fee. Home warranties are often cheaper when you pay annually instead of monthly. Some providers will also lower 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 covers normal wear and tear to home systems and appliances. Homeowners insurance protects your home in case of something such as a fire or natural disaster. Under homeowners insurance, you won't be able to file a claim should you need a new washing machine or stove, unless the damage is a result of a natural disaster, which isn't that common in Independence.
A home warranty can help homebuyers, home sellers, homeowners, investors, and real estate agents. It can provide peace of mind to anyone involved in homeownership.
The different home warranties in Independence include plans with coverage for either appliances or systems as well as comprehensive plans. A comprehensive plan will cover many of your home systems and appliances, including your refrigerator, washing machine, and plumbing. An appliance or system plan will cover only the specific items listed in the plan.
Generally, a home warranty offers coverage for a year and can be renewed yearly. Some providers may offer month-to-month plans.
Usually 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 plan and transfer the policy to the buyer. The new homeowner will then need to pay the service fees when using the policy. Since the average home value in Independence is $401,898, a home warranty can save you some money when buying a home.
