Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Written By David Cusick
Last Updated February 2024
Although homeownership in Upper Darby has a great number of perks — such as the convenience of city life — there are also not so glamorous sides. One major headache many homeowners have to deal with inevitably is updating or repairing their home systems and appliances. A home warranty plan can help protect homeowners by covering major repairs and replacements on your home’s most important appliances and systems.
Finding the best protection for your home can be time-consuming, so our team at Today's Homeowner has compiled this guide to help you find the top home warranty companies in Upper Darby. Read on for our recommendations.
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
In Upper Darby, Liberty Home Guard is the most trustworthy home warranty. If you’re looking for a seamless complaint process and guaranteed service professionalism upon every repair visit, this is the provider for you. Plus, it has a 60-day workmanship guarantee and some of the best customer service in the industry. The 3 plans from Liberty are easily comprehensible and have a mix of both system and appliance coverage.
The plans that Liberty offers to homeowners 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 Upper Darby area.
For more information on this provider, read our comprehensive review of Liberty Home Guard. 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
In Upper Darby, Choice Home Warranty is the best overall home warranty. If you’re looking for very high coverage caps and simple-to-understand service contracts, this is the provider for you. Plus, it has great customer service, professional contractors, and lower out-of-pocket costs compared to other home warranties. The 2 plans from Choice are easily comprehensible and have a mix of both system and appliance coverage.
The plans that Choice offers to homeowners 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 Upper Darby area.
For more information on this provider, read our comprehensive review of Choice Home Warranty. 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
In Upper Darby, Select Home Warranty is the most cost-effective home warranty. If you’re looking for a highly affordable service fee and free roof coverage upon purchase of a policy plan, this is the provider for you. Plus, it has an extensive network of highly trained professionals all over the country who are experts in home maintenance. The 3 plans from Select are easily comprehensible and have a mix of both system and appliance coverage.
The plans that Select offers to homeowners 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 Upper Darby area.
For more information on this provider, read our comprehensive review of Select Home Warranty. 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
In Upper Darby, American Home Shield is the most customizable home warranty. If you’re looking for the ability to customize your plan with the coverages that work specifically for your home, this is the provider for you. Plus, it has a remarkably low claim denial rate in comparison to other home warranty companies. The 3 plans from AHS are easily comprehensible and have a mix of both system and appliance coverage.
The plans that AHS offers to homeowners 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 Upper Darby area.
For more information on this provider, read our comprehensive review of American Home Shield. 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
In Upper Darby, First American Home Warranty is the best home warranty for appliance coverage. If you’re looking for very affordable and comprehensive appliance coverage, this is the provider for you. 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. The 2 plans from First American are easily comprehensible and have a mix of both system and appliance coverage.
The plans that First American offers to homeowners 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 Upper Darby area.
For more information on this provider, read our comprehensive review of First American Home Warranty. 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
In Upper Darby, Cinch Home Services is the home warranty with the best workmanship guarantee. If you’re looking for a 180-day workmanship guarantee that ensures your home systems and appliance repairs will be professionally done, this is the provider for you. Plus, it has a broad range of coverage options that will give homeowners peace of mind. The 3 plans from Cinch are easily comprehensible and have a mix of both system and appliance coverage.
The plans that Cinch offers to homeowners 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 Upper Darby area.
For more information on this provider, read our comprehensive review of Cinch Home Services. 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
In Upper Darby, The Home Service Club is the best home warranty with the quickest service. 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, this is the provider for you. Plus, it has customer service representatives available 24/7, as well as a 30-day labor guarantee and a 90-day parts guarantee. The 2 plans from HSC are easily comprehensible and have a mix of both system and appliance coverage.
The plans that HSC offers to homeowners 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 Upper Darby area.
For more information on this provider, read our comprehensive review of The Home Service Club. 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 | $6,221 |
| Heating | $4,147 |
| Electrical | $622 |
| Toilets | $518 |
| Washer/Dryer | $829 |
| Plumbing | $622 |
| Oven | $1,659 |
| Fridge | $622 |
A home warranty is a protection plan that helps Upper Darby homeowners reduce the high costs of household repairs. These plans provide financial coverage to fix or swap out appliances and systems that break down 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 plan gives homeowners peace of mind because it can help avoid expensive emergency repairs. They can be especially helpful for buyers of older homes or homes with appliances near the end of their life span. However, newer homes with modern appliances and fixtures may not need a home warranty.
Home warranties cover many home systems and appliances. Warranties usually cover appliances such as microwaves, washers, garbage disposals, dishwashers, refrigerators, dryers, and others. Covered systems include air conditioning, heating, electrical, and plumbing. Many home warranty companies also offer additional coverage for central vacuums, septic systems, roof leaks, and locksmiths. Upper Darby should understand that most home warranty plans have a waiting period of 30 days before repair claims will be approved. The majority of policies also only cover repairs and replacements resulting from normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't include pre-existing conditions, cosmetic issues, natural disasters, or misusing a system or appliance. Be diligent about completing preventative maintenance to help guarantee your next repair or replacement is covered.
Here are some essential home warranty words to understand before signing a contract:
There are several key considerations when choosing a home warranty provider:
Home warranties differ greatly in the items covered. Basic plans typically cover heating, plumbing, electrical, AC, and appliances, while more comprehensive options may also cover roof leaks, spas, pools, and well pumps. Look for providers with an array of coverage options, such as upgraded plans. You'll want to tailor your protection for your home’s needs.
Expect to pay a per-service fee of $60-100 for each home warranty claim. As this charge applies to every separate claim, you may want to choose a company with more affordable fees to maximize savings on every claim. Some providers also eliminate deductibles for homeowners who don't file claims in a certain period.
A home warranty company's reputation can provide insight into things such as repair timeliness, approval rates, contractor quality, and customer satisfaction. Use review platforms such as TrustPilot, Google Reviews, or the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to research companies. Positive ratings and feedback indicate a company known for exceptional service.
Home warranty companies have networks of technicians to handle covered repairs. Bigger networks increase the likelihood of getting qualified technicians to service your home ASAP. Ask potential providers how many contractors they have in Upper Darby to get a sense of how quickly your repairs could be handled in an emergency.
Some home warranty plans offer extras such as maintenance discounts, smart home device protection, and energy efficiency upgrades. These can add value beyond repair coverage. Added bonuses can maximize the usefulness of the home warranty.
Home warranty plans are an affordable way to guard your home systems and appliances from normal wear and tear. With temperatures in Upper Darby reaching an average high of 62℃F, you may find that certain appliances, like your air conditioning system, get a lot of use. A home warranty can significantly decrease out-of-pocket expenses 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 having to vet contractors yourself, home warranty providers do the work for you and send pre-screened technicians right to your door when you need them. Additionally, having a home warranty can help make your house more appealing to potential homebuyers if you ever decide to sell in the future. Many home warranty providers will allow you to transfer your plan to a new owner and give them the same protection you’ve been benefiting from.
Home warranties also have some cons. Although it can save you time when the home warranty sends out a repair technician who carries out the repair for you, some may not like this, and they would rather choose a contractor themselves. If that’s the case for you, some home warranty providers let you select a contractor.
Another thing to keep in mind is that some companies don’t cover pre-existing conditions and may require an inspection before coverage begins. Ask the home warranty company for clarification about it if you need more information or if this is an issue for you.
A home warranty plan costs, on average, around $300 to $600 a year in Upper Darby. Our high-rated home warranty companies' most comprehensive coverage options vary from $546 to $840 per year. You can reduce your monthly bill with some companies by choosing a higher service fee. In addition, it's often less expensive to pay annually rather than monthly.
The difference between a home warranty and homeowner's insurance lies in what kinds of damage each covers. A home warranty plan protects against normal wear and tear to systems and appliances in a home. A homeowners insurance plan protects a home in case of something such as a natural disaster or fire. Under a homeowners insurance plan, you will not be able to file a claim if you need a new refrigerator or oven, unless the damage is due to a natural disaster, which is somewhat common in Upper Darby.
A home warranty plan can help home sellers, investors, homeowners, homebuyers, and real estate agents. It can provide peace of mind to anyone involved with homeownership.
The different types of home warranties in Upper Darby include plans with coverage for either appliances or systems as well as comprehensive plans. A comprehensive plan covers your systems and appliances, such as 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 policy lasts for a year and can be renewed annually. Some companies may offer month-to-month plans.
Typically, 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 has to pay the service fees. In Upper Darby, where the median value of a home is $243,500, having the seller pay for the home warranty can be a good asset for your new home.
