Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Written By David Cusick
Last Updated February 2024
Although homeownership in Sumter has a great number of benefits — such as the convenience of city life — there are also downsides. One major hassle many homeowners have to deal with eventually is replacing or repairing their home systems and appliances. A home warranty in Sumter can help lower your out-of-pocket costs by covering repairs or replacements to major home appliances and systems that break down due to normal wear and tear.
Choosing the best home warranty on the market can be difficult because of the many options available. If you're tired of trying to compare them all, keep reading for our guide to the top home warranty providers in Sumter.
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 Sumter, Liberty Home Guard offers the most trustworthy home warranty. Liberty has been in the home warranty business for around 6 years. Liberty offers 3 plans for you 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.
Liberty Home Guard offers 3 plans for Sumter homeowners. The Appliance Guard, Systems Guard, and Total Home Guard are the options they have, which have a mix of system and appliance coverage. Service fees from Liberty are an affordable $75. The coverage caps are also typically about $3,000 at the maximum.
Read our review of Liberty Home Guard to learn more. To get 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 Sumter, Choice Home Warranty offers the best overall home warranty. Choice has been in the home warranty business for around 15 years. Choice offers 2 plans for you 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.
Choice Home Warranty offers 2 plans for Sumter homeowners. The Basic Plan and Total Plan are the options they have, which have a mix of system and appliance coverage. Service fees from Choice are an affordable $85. The coverage caps are also typically about $3,000 at the maximum.
Read our review of Choice Home Warranty to learn more. To get 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 Sumter, Select Home Warranty offers the most cost-effective home warranty. Select has been in the home warranty business for around 11 years. Select offers 3 plans for you 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.
Select Home Warranty offers 3 plans for Sumter homeowners. The Bronze Care Plan, Gold Care Plan, and Platinum Care Plan are the options they have, which have a mix of system and appliance coverage. Service fees from Select are a reasonable $60. The coverage caps are also typically about $2,000 at the maximum.
Read our review of Select Home Warranty to learn more. To get 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 Sumter, American Home Shield offers the most customizable home warranty. AHS has been in the home warranty business for around 26 years. AHS offers 3 plans for you 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.
American Home Shield offers 3 plans for Sumter homeowners. The ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, and ShieldPlatinum are the options they have, which have a mix of system and appliance coverage. Service fees from AHS are customizable and range from $75 to $125. The coverage caps are also typically about $2,500 at the maximum.
Read our review of American Home Shield to learn more. To get 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 Sumter, First American Home Warranty offers the best home warranty for appliance coverage. First American has been in the home warranty business for around 39 years. First American offers 2 plans for you to decide between. First American offers very affordable and comprehensive appliance coverage. Plus, 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.
First American Home Warranty offers 2 plans for Sumter homeowners. The Basic Plan and Premier Plan are the options they have, which have a mix of system and appliance coverage. Service fees from First American are a reasonable $85. The coverage caps are also typically about $1,500 at the maximum.
Read our review of First American Home Warranty to learn more. To get 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 Sumter, Cinch Home Services offers the home warranty with the best workmanship guarantee. Cinch has been in the home warranty business for around 44 years. Cinch offers 3 plans for you 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.
Cinch Home Services offers 3 plans for Sumter homeowners. The Appliances Plan, Built-in Systems Plan, and Complete Home Plan are the options they have, which have a mix of system and appliance coverage. Service fees from Cinch are customizable and range from $75 to $150. The coverage caps are also typically about $1,000-$2,000 at the maximum.
Read our review of Cinch Home Services to learn more. To get 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 Sumter, The Home Service Club offers the best home warranty with the quickest service. HSC has been in the home warranty business for around 15 years. HSC offers 2 plans for you 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 Home Service Club offers 2 plans for Sumter homeowners. The Standard Coverage Plan and Comprehensive Coverage Plan are the options they have, which have a mix of system and appliance coverage. Service fees from HSC are customizable and range from $65 to $90. The coverage caps are also typically about $2,000 at the maximum.
Read our review of The Home Service Club to learn more. To get 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 | $5,835 |
| Heating | $3,890 |
| Electrical | $583 |
| Toilets | $486 |
| Washer/Dryer | $778 |
| Plumbing | $583 |
| Oven | $1,556 |
| Fridge | $583 |
A home warranty is a protection policy that assists Sumter homeowners in reducing the costs of appliance and system repairs. The plans offer financial coverage to swap out or fix 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 arranges a contractor to handle the replacement or repair. Homeowners may have out-of-pocket costs only if the repair or replacement costs exceed the item's coverage limit. A home warranty policy gives homeowners a sense of security and 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 household systems and appliances. Common covered appliances are dishwashers, refrigerators, garbage disposals, washers, dryers, microwaves, and others. Covered systems include plumbing, electrical, heating, and air conditioning. Various home warranty plans offer extra coverage for roof leaks, central vacuums, septic systems, and even locksmiths. Sumter should understand that most home warranty plans have a waiting period of 30 days before repairs are covered. The majority of policies also only cover repairs and replacements resulting from normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't include cosmetic issues, pre-existing conditions, natural disasters, or improperly using a system or appliance. Be diligent about completing preventative maintenance to help guarantee your next repair or replacement is covered.
There are multiple home warranty terms to know before signing an agreement, including:
There are several key considerations when selecting a home warranty provider:
Home warranties vary widely in terms of included coverage. Basic policies typically include plumbing, AC, electrical, heating, and appliances, while more comprehensive plans may also cover spas, well pumps, roof leaks, and pools. Focus on providers with wide-ranging coverage selections including upgraded plans. This flexibility enables you to customize protection for your needs.
You'll pay a standard service fee of around $60 to $100 for each claim filed with your home warranty provider. This fee is charged per request and can quickly add up, so you may look for providers 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 company's reputation can offer insight into things such as approval rates for claims, speed of repairs, contractor quality, and customer satisfaction. Use third-party review sites such as Google Reviews, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), or TrustPilot to research companies. Positive ratings and reviews indicate that a company is known for top-tier service.
Home warranty companies have networks of local contractors to handle repairs in your area. Reach out to potential providers to find out how many repair technicians they have in Sumter and get an idea for how quickly your repairs could take place in an emergency situation. Bigger networks improve the probability of getting qualified contractors to swiftly service your home.
Some home warranty companies offer extras such as smart home device protection, maintenance discounts, and energy efficiency upgrades. These add value beyond repair coverage. Extra bonuses maximize the usefulness of the home warranty.
Since temperatures in Sumter can easily reach 100 degrees, the extreme weather can put a lot of strain on your air conditioner. Having a home warranty can help homeowners save money if one of these systems or appliances breaks unexpectedly.
Not only can a home warranty provide some financial relief, but it also saves you time. If an appliance breaks down, the last thing you want to do is find a technician and schedule a repair. A home warranty takes care of the research by sending trusted professionals to your door when you need them most. Another added benefit of having home warranty coverage is that it can raise your home’s property value. If you ever decide to sell your home, you may be able to transfer your home warranty plan to the new homebuyer depending on the company you purchased your home warranty through.
There are also some downsides to purchasing a home warranty policy, like the coverage exclusions. For instance, home warranties may not cover home systems or appliances that are already covered under a manufacturer's warranty.
Another thing to keep in mind is that some companies don’t cover pre-existing problems and may require an inspection before your coverage can start. Ask the home warranty company for clarification about these things if you aren’t sure or if this is a problem for you.
A home warranty costs, on average, around $300 to $600 a year in Sumter. Our high-rated home warranty providers' 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 often cheaper 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 covers normal wear and tear to systems and appliances in a home. A homeowners insurance plan protects your home in case of a situation such as a natural disaster or fire. Under homeowners insurance, you won't be able to file a claim if you need a new dryer or oven, unless the damage is a result of a natural disaster, which is somewhat common in Sumter.
A home warranty plan can help home sellers, real estate agents, investors, homeowners, and homebuyers. It can provide peace of mind to anyone involved in homeownership.
The different kinds of home warranties in Sumter include plans that cover either appliances or systems as well as comprehensive plans. A comprehensive plan will cover almost all your home systems and appliances, such as your washing machine, drier, and HVAC. A plan that only covers appliances or systems will cover only the specific items mentioned in the contract.
Generally, a home warranty plan offers coverage for a year and can be renewed annually. Some companies may offer month-to-month options.
Typically, the homeowner is responsible for paying for the home warranty. In some cases, however, the one selling the home may purchase a home warranty and transfer the policy to the buyer. The new homeowner will then need to pay the service fees when using the policy. Considering that the average home value in Sumter is $180,493, a home warranty can save you some money when buying a home.
