Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Written By David Cusick
Last Updated April 2024
There are many perks of owning a home, but as your Middle Valley home ages, you may have to update or repair your appliances and systems. A home warranty can help protect homebuyers and current homeowners by covering major repairs and replacements on your home’s most important appliances and systems.
Finding the right protection for your home can be difficult, so our team at Today's Homeowner has done the research to help you find the best home warranty companies in Middle Valley. Read on for our top provider 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
Liberty Home Guard offers the most trustworthy home warranty for Middle Valley residents. Liberty has been in the home warranty industry for over 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.
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 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
Choice Home Warranty offers the best overall home warranty for Middle Valley residents. Choice has been in the home warranty industry for over 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.
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 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
Select Home Warranty offers the most cost-effective home warranty for Middle Valley residents. Select has been in the home warranty industry for over 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.
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 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
American Home Shield offers the most customizable home warranty for Middle Valley residents. AHS has been in the home warranty industry for over 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.
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 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
First American Home Warranty offers the best home warranty for appliance coverage for Middle Valley residents. First American has been in the home warranty industry for over 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.
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.
For a more detailed breakdown, 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
Cinch Home Services offers the home warranty with the best workmanship guarantee for Middle Valley residents. Cinch has been in the home warranty industry for over 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.
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 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
The Home Service Club offers the best home warranty with the quickest service for Middle Valley residents. HSC has been in the home warranty industry for over 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 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 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 | $6,019 |
| Heating | $4,013 |
| Electrical | $602 |
| Toilets | $502 |
| Washer/Dryer | $803 |
| Plumbing | $602 |
| Oven | $1,605 |
| Fridge | $602 |
A home warranty is a protection policy that assists Middle Valley homeowners lower the costs of appliance and system repairs. The plans offer coverage to repair or swap out appliances and systems that malfunction due to normal wear and tear.
When something breaks down, you submit 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 goes over the item's coverage limit. A home warranty gives peace of mind for homeowners by helping them prevent expensive emergency repairs. They're particularly useful for those who live in older homes or ones with aging systems. Newer homes with modern fixtures probably don’t require a home warranty.
Home warranties cover your household systems and appliances. Common covered appliances are microwaves, garbage disposals, refrigerators, dishwashers, dryers, washers, and others. Protected systems include electrical, heating, plumbing, and air conditioning. Many home warranty plans offer additional coverage for septic systems, roof leaks, central vacuums, and even locksmiths. Most home warranty plans require Middle Valley homeowners to refrain from making claims for 30 days before the plan will cover repairs. Additionally, policies usually only cover repairs and replacements due to normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't cover natural disasters, cosmetic issues, pre-existing conditions, or misuse of a system or appliance. To help ensure your next repair or replacement is covered, keep up with preventative maintenance.
Home warranty contracts use several terms that you'll want to understand before signing, such as:
There are several important factors to consider when selecting a home warranty provider:
Home warranties vary widely in terms of included coverage. Basic policies typically cover heating, plumbing, electrical, AC, and appliances, while more comprehensive plans may also cover pools, spas, roof leaks, and well pumps. Focus on providers with broad coverage options including upgraded plans. This flexibility enables you to customize your plan to meet your needs.
With any home warranty claim, you'll pay a service fee that can range from $60 to $100, which is paid per claim you submit. These per-claim charges can add up. You may decide to look for companies with more affordable fees to maximize your savings on each claim. Some companies also offer disappearing deductibles if a homeowner doesn't submit claims for repairs for a specified period of time.
A home warranty company's track record provides insight into things such as contractor quality, claim approval rates, timeliness of repairs, and overall customer satisfaction. Look at third-party review sites such as TrustPilot, Google Reviews, or the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to research providers. Complimentary reviews and ratings indicate a company known for stellar service.
Home warranty providers keep networks of professionals to handle covered repairs. Wider networks raise the probability of getting qualified technicians to service your home ASAP. Contact potential providers to find out how many contractors they have in Middle Valley to get a sense of how soon your repairs could be handled in an emergency.
Some home warranty plans include extras such as maintenance discounts, energy efficiency upgrades, and smart home device protection. These perks can add value beyond repair coverage. Added bonuses help maximize the usefulness of the home warranty.
Middle Valley’s hot summers can put a strain on a home’s HVAC system. Whether it’s summer or winter, a home warranty is designed to cover your home’s appliances and systems if they need to be repaired or replaced. For example, if your air conditioner stops working in the middle of July, a home warranty can cover the needed repairs, saving you from spending a lot of money out of pocket.
In addition to saving you money on out-of-pocket expenses, a home warranty can give you peace of mind and save you the pain of trying to find a qualified repair person to visit your home. Home warranties usually come with a network of pre-vetted contractors who can handle any repair issues you may come across. 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 house, you may be able to transfer your home warranty plan to the new homebuyer depending on the provider you purchased your home warranty through.
One of the main drawbacks of a home warranty is not everything you care about may be covered. It’s important to research the different policies and opt for one that covers all the appliances, systems, and add-ons you need.
Another downside is that home warranties may exclude some repairs, such as those due to natural disasters. For example, if your HVAC system is damaged from an animal infestation, the impacted systems and appliances probably won’t be covered by the home warranty.
A home warranty in Middle Valley can cost between $30 and $60 a month. The higher-priced plans tend to have broader coverage, a lower service fee, and higher coverage limits. This cost is often lower if you pay annually instead of monthly. Some providers 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 kinds 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 something such as a natural disaster or fire. With a homeowners insurance plan, you will not be able to file a claim should you need a new dryer or air conditioner, unless the damage is a result of a natural disaster, which can be a threat in Middle Valley.
Homebuyers, home sellers, homeowners, real estate agents, and landlords can all get home warranty plans. A home warranty can help make your home more attractive to prospective buyers and save you money in the long run.
The different types of home warranties in Middle Valley include plans that cover either appliances or systems as well as combination plans. A combination plan will cover many of your home systems and appliances, including your dishwasher, washing machine, and plumbing. A plan that only covers appliances or systems will cover only the items mentioned in the contract.
Generally, a home warranty offers coverage for a year and can be renewed annually. Some providers may offer month-to-month plans.
Typically, the one who owns the home is responsible for paying for the home warranty. In some cases, however, the person who is 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. Considering that the average home value in Middle Valley is $387,626, a home warranty can save you some money when buying a home.
