Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Written By David Cusick
Last Updated April 2024
Smithfield offers homeowners some beautiful housing options. However, unplanned repair and replacement costs on your home’s systems and appliances can get quite costly. A home warranty policy can help protect homebuyers and current homeowners by cutting the costs of major repairs and replacements on your home’s most important systems and appliances.
Finding the best home warranty on the market can be challenging because of the many options available. If you're frustrated with trying to compare them all, keep reading for our guide to the best home warranty companies in Smithfield.
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 Smithfield, Liberty Home Guard offers the most trustworthy home warranty. Liberty has been in the home warranty business for about 6 years. Liberty offers 3 plans for homeowners to decide between. Liberty offers a seamless complaint process and guaranteed service professionalism upon every repair visit. Plus, 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. The coverage caps associated with Liberty’s plans are close to the $3,000 mark for many of the major systems and appliances, and service fees are an affordable $75.
For a more detailed breakdown, read our thorough review of Liberty Home Guard. To get a free quote from Liberty Home Guard, 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 Smithfield, Choice Home Warranty offers the best overall home warranty. Choice has been in the home warranty business for about 15 years. Choice offers 2 plans for homeowners to decide between. Choice offers very high coverage caps and simple-to-understand service contracts. Plus, 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. The coverage caps associated with Choice’s plans are close to the $3,000 mark for many of the major systems and appliances, and service fees are an affordable $85.
For a more detailed breakdown, read our thorough review of Choice Home Warranty. To get a free quote from Choice Home Warranty, 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 Smithfield, Select Home Warranty offers the most cost-effective home warranty. Select has been in the home warranty business for about 11 years. Select offers 3 plans for homeowners to decide between. Select offers a highly affordable service fee and free roof coverage upon purchase of a policy plan. Plus, 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. The coverage caps associated with Select’s plans are close to the $2,000 mark for many of the major systems and appliances, and service fees are a reasonable $60.
For a more detailed breakdown, read our thorough review of Select Home Warranty. To get a free quote from Select Home Warranty, 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 Smithfield, American Home Shield offers the most customizable home warranty. AHS has been in the home warranty business for about 26 years. AHS offers 3 plans for homeowners to decide between. AHS offers the ability to customize your plan with the coverages that work specifically for your home. Plus, 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. The coverage caps associated with AHS’s plans are close to the $2,500 mark for many of the major systems and appliances, and service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $125.
For a more detailed breakdown, read our thorough review of American Home Shield. To get a free quote from American Home Shield, fill out this online form or call 888-365-2839.
ShieldSilver
ShieldGold
ShieldPlatinum
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 Smithfield, Cinch Home Services offers the home warranty with the best workmanship guarantee. Cinch has been in the home warranty business for about 44 years. Cinch offers 3 plans for homeowners to decide between. Cinch offers a 180-day workmanship guarantee that ensures your home systems and appliance repairs will be professionally done. Plus, 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. The coverage caps associated with Cinch’s plans are close to the $1,000-$2,000 mark for many of the major systems and appliances, and service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $150.
For a more detailed breakdown, read our thorough review of Cinch Home Services. To get a free quote from Cinch Home Services, 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 Smithfield, The Home Service Club offers the best home warranty with the quickest service. HSC has been in the home warranty business for about 15 years. HSC offers 2 plans for homeowners to decide between. HSC offers quick coverage where the home warranty goes into effect just ten days after you pay for the plan, instead of the typical 30 days. Plus, 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. The coverage caps associated with HSC’s plans are close to the $2,000 mark for many of the major systems and appliances, and service fees are customizable and range from $65 to $90.
For a more detailed breakdown, read our thorough review of The Home Service Club. To get a free quote from The Home Service Club, 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 | $6,441 |
| Heating | $4,294 |
| Electrical | $644 |
| Toilets | $537 |
| Washer/Dryer | $859 |
| Plumbing | $644 |
| Oven | $1,718 |
| Fridge | $644 |
A home warranty is a protection policy that helps Smithfield homeowners lower the costs 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 plan gives homeowners peace of mind because it can help avoid costly emergency repairs. They can be especially helpful for buyers of 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 protect many home systems and appliances. Typical covered appliances are refrigerators, microwaves, washers, garbage disposals, dryers, dishwashers, and more. Covered systems include plumbing, air conditioning, electrical, and heating. Various home warranty plans offer additional coverage for roof leaks, central vacuums, septic systems, and even locksmiths. Smithfield 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 natural disasters, pre-existing conditions, cosmetic issues, or misusing 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 choosing a home warranty provider, there are several key factors to consider:
Home warranty coverage varies, although most plans cover heating, AC, electrical, plumbing, and appliances. More inclusive plans may also cover other things such as roof leaks, spas, pools, and well pumps. Look for a provider that offers an extensive selection of coverage options, including upgraded plans. Flexibility is important when trying to fit a home warranty to 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 seek out companies advertising lower service fees to optimize savings on each repair claim. Certain companies may waive deductibles after a customer goes a period of time with no claims filed.
A home warranty company's reputation gives you insight into things such as timeliness of repairs, contractor quality, claim approval rates, and overall customer satisfaction. Look at third-party review sites such as TrustPilot, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), or Google Reviews to research providers. Favorable reviews and ratings indicate a company known for stellar service.
Home warranty providers keep networks of local professionals to handle repairs in your area. Reach out to potential providers to learn how many repair technicians they have in Smithfield and get an idea for how quickly your repairs might happen in an emergency situation. Wider networks improve the likelihood of getting qualified contractors to promptly service your home.
Certain home warranty providers offer extras such as protection for smart home devices, energy-efficient upgrades, and discounts on maintenance. These bonuses provide extra value beyond repair coverage. Added perks help improve your home and maximize your home warranty.
Smithfield’s cold winters can put a strain on a home’s HVAC system. Whether it’s summer or winter, a home warranty can cover your home’s appliances and systems in the event they need to be repaired or replaced. For example, if your air conditioner fails in the middle of July, a home warranty can cover the needed repairs, saving you from spending a lot of money out of pocket.
Not only can a home warranty save you money on repairs and replacements, it saves you time as well. Instead of having to vet service technicians by yourself, home warranty companies do the work for you and send pre-screened technicians right to your door when you need them. Another added benefit of having home warranty coverage is that it can increase your home’s property value. If you ever decide to sell your house, you may be able to transfer your home warranty plan to the new homebuyer depending on the company you purchased your home warranty through.
One of the major drawbacks of home warranties is not every home system and appliance may be covered. It’s important to research the different plans and choose one that covers all the appliances, systems, and add-ons you need.
Another drawback is that home warranties may not include some repairs, like those needed because of natural disasters. For example, if your house floods, the impacted systems and appliances most likely won’t be covered by the home warranty.
A home warranty in Smithfield can cost anywhere from $30 to $60 a month. The higher-priced plans typically have higher coverage limits, a lower service fee, and broader coverage. 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.
The difference between a home warranty and homeowner's insurance lies in what types of damage each covers. A home warranty plan helps protect against normal wear and tear to systems and appliances in a home. A homeowners insurance plan protects the entire home in a situation 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 refrigerator or air conditioner, unless the damage is a result of a natural disaster, which can be a threat in Smithfield.
A home warranty plan can help real estate agents, homebuyers, homeowners, investors, and home sellers. It can offer peace of mind and savings to anyone involved with homeownership.
The different home warranties in Smithfield include plans with coverage for either appliances or systems as well as combination plans. A combination plan will cover many of your home systems and appliances, such as your washing machine, drier, and heating and cooling systems. A plan that only covers appliances or systems will cover only the specific items mentioned in the contract.
Home warranty plans usually provide coverage for a year. Many companies let you renew your plan each year, and some offer month-to-month plans as well.
In general, the homeowner is the one who is responsible for paying 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 Smithfield, where the median home value is $447,582, having the seller pay for the home warranty can save you some money on your new home.
