Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
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Last Updated: February 25, 2025
Although homeownership in Columbia has many benefits — such as the convenience of city life — there are also downsides. One major hassle many homeowners have to deal with inevitably is updating or repairing their home appliances and systems. A home warranty in Columbia can help reduce 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.
Finding the best home warranty on the market can be challenging because of the numerous options out there. If you're overwhelmed by trying to compare them all, keep reading for our guide on the top home warranty providers in Columbia.
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 Columbia, Liberty Home Guard offers the most trustworthy home warranty. Liberty has over 6 years of experience in the home warranty industry, and has provided excellent customer service at an affordable cost to its customers. 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 3 plans from Liberty are easy to comprehend and offer both system and appliance coverage.
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.
To receive 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
In Columbia, Choice Home Warranty offers the best overall home warranty. Choice has over 15 years of experience in the home warranty industry, and has provided excellent customer service at an affordable cost to its customers. 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 2 plans from Choice are easy to comprehend and offer both system and appliance coverage.
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.
To receive 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
In Columbia, Select Home Warranty offers the most cost-effective home warranty. Select has over 11 years of experience in the home warranty industry, and has provided excellent customer service at an affordable cost to its customers. 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 3 plans from Select are easy to comprehend and offer 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 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.
To receive 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
In Columbia, American Home Shield offers the most customizable home warranty. AHS has over 26 years of experience in the home warranty industry, and has provided excellent customer service at an affordable cost to its customers. 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 3 plans from AHS are easy to comprehend and offer both system and appliance coverage.
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.
To receive 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
In Columbia, First American Home Warranty offers the best home warranty for appliance coverage. First American has over 39 years of experience in the home warranty industry, and has provided excellent customer service at an affordable cost to its customers. 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. The 2 plans from First American are easy to comprehend and offer both system and appliance coverage.
The plans that First American offers to homeowners are Basic Plan and Premier Plan. The coverage caps associated with First American’s plans are close to the $1,500 mark for many of the major systems and appliances, and service fees are a reasonable $85.
To receive 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
In Columbia, Cinch Home Services offers the home warranty with the best workmanship guarantee. Cinch has over 44 years of experience in the home warranty industry, and has provided excellent customer service at an affordable cost to its customers. 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 3 plans from Cinch are easy to comprehend and offer 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 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.
To receive 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
In Columbia, The Home Service Club offers the best home warranty with the quickest service. HSC has over 15 years of experience in the home warranty industry, and has provided excellent customer service at an affordable cost to its customers. 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 2 plans from HSC are easy to comprehend and offer both system and appliance coverage.
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.
To receive 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 | $6,174 |
| Heating | $4,116 |
| Electrical | $617 |
| Toilets | $514 |
| Washer/Dryer | $823 |
| Plumbing | $617 |
| Oven | $1,646 |
| Fridge | $617 |
A home warranty is a protection plan that assists Columbia homeowners cut the costs of appliance and system repairs. The plans offer financial coverage to repair or replace appliances and systems that stop working due to normal wear and tear. When something breaks down, you submit a claim and pay a service fee. The home warranty provider then arranges 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 homeowners peace of mind, as it helps avoid high-priced emergency repairs. The coverage is particularly helpful for those living in older houses or houses with fixtures near the end of their life span. However, homeowners with newer homes and modern appliances might not require a home warranty.
Home warranties help protect your home systems and appliances. Common appliances covered under a home warranty include refrigerators, garbage disposals, washers, microwaves, dishwashers, dryers, and more. Covered systems include electrical, air conditioning, plumbing, and heating. Many home warranties offer additional add-on coverage options for locksmiths, septic systems, central vacuums, and even roof leaks. Columbia homeowners should know that most home warranty plans begin with a 30-day waiting period before repairs are covered. What's more, most policies only cover the cost of repairs and replacements due to normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't include natural disasters, pre-existing conditions, cosmetic issues, or misusing a system or appliance. Remember to keep up with preventative maintenance to help ensure your next repair or replacement is covered.
There are a number of home warranty terms to learn before signing an agreement, including:
There are several important considerations when selecting a home warranty provider:
Home warranty coverage varies, although most plans include protection for AC, plumbing, electrical, heating, and appliances. More inclusive plans may also cover extra things such as spas, pools, roof leaks, and well pumps. Look for a provider that offers comprehensive coverage choices, including upgraded plans. You want the flexibility to customize coverage to fit your home's specific systems and needs.
Homeowners should anticipate paying a $60–100 service fee when filing home warranty claims. These per-claim costs can add up, so some homeowners prefer using providers with lower service fees to maximize savings. Some companies also offer disappearing deductibles when a homeowner goes a defined period without any repair requests.
A home warranty company's reputation can offer insight into things such as contractor quality, speed of repairs, approval rates for claims, and customer satisfaction. Look at third-party review sites such as TrustPilot, Google Reviews, or the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to research providers. Good ratings and reviews indicate that a provider is known for quality service.
Home warranty providers have networks of technicians that they use to tackle covered repairs. Bigger networks raise the probability of getting skilled contractors to your home promptly. Contact possible providers to learn how many repair professionals they have in Columbia. This helps you understand how long repairs could take in an urgent situation.
Some home warranty companies provide extras such as maintenance discounts, smart home device protection, and energy efficiency upgrades. These perks can add value beyond just repair coverage. Extra bonuses maximize the usefulness of your home warranty.
Since temperatures in Columbia can easily reach 100 degrees, the extreme weather can put a lot of strain on your air conditioner. Having a home warranty plan can help homeowners save money if one of these systems or appliances stops working unexpectedly.
A home warranty also can also save you time and energy. Instead of spending hours researching and selecting a technician to fix your appliance or system, home warranty providers do the hard work for you and send a trusted professional to your door whenever you need them. Plus, having a home warranty can make your house more appealing to potential homebuyers should you ever decide to sell later. Many home warranty companies will allow you to transfer your plan to a new owner and give them the same protection you’ve been getting.
Home warranties also have some cons. Although it can be convenient that the home warranty sends out a repair person who carries out the repair for you, some may not like this, and they would prefer to choose a contractor themselves. If that’s important to you, some home warranty companies let you select a contractor.
Additionally, if you don’t maintain your home systems or appliances properly, or if they were damaged due to a natural disaster or animal infestation — anything other than normal wear and tear — the home warranty may not cover it.
A home warranty in Columbia can cost between $30 and $60 a month. The higher-priced plans typically have broader coverage, higher coverage limits, and a lower service fee. You can often lower this cost by paying annually instead of monthly. Some providers will also decrease your up-front costs when you opt for a higher service fee.
Home warranties and home insurance differ in what sorts of damage they cover. Home warranty plans cover problems related to home systems and appliances that need to be repaired or replaced due to normal wear and tear. A home insurance policy is a different kind of plan that protects your entire home from natural disasters, which might not be too much of a concern in Columbia. It doesn't cover a typical appliance or system damage.
First-time homebuyers, homeowners, home sellers, real estate agents, and landlords can all get home warranty plans. A home warranty can help make your house more attractive to prospective buyers and save you money in the long run.
A home warranty can cover your appliances, systems, or both. Combination plans are beneficial if you need more coverage for your home, but a system- or appliance-only plan can be useful if you're concerned about one more than the other.
Generally, a home warranty policy offers coverage for a year and can be renewed annually. Some companies may offer month-to-month options.
Typically, the person who owns the home is responsible for paying for the home warranty. In some cases, though, the one selling the home may purchase a home warranty and transfer the policy to the buyer. The new homeowner will then have to pay the service fees when using the policy. Since the average home value in Columbia is $352,234, a home warranty can be an added asset when buying a home.
