Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Written By David Cusick
Last Updated April 2024
There are many benefits of owning a home, but as your Great Falls home gets older, you may have to update or repair your appliances and systems. A home warranty in Great Falls can help bring down your out-of-pocket costs by covering repairs or replacements to major home systems and appliances that stop working due to normal wear and tear.
The home warranty market is saturated with a variety of providers — all with different plans — so our team at Today's Homeowner has done the research to help you find the best home warranty companies in Great Falls.
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 Great Falls residents. The 3 home warranty plans that Liberty offers include options for appliance and system coverage. When you purchase a home warranty from Liberty, you will get a seamless complaint process and guaranteed service professionalism upon every repair visit. Liberty Home Guard also has a 60-day workmanship guarantee and some of the best customer service in the industry.
Liberty Home Guard has 3 plans that provide a mix of appliance and system coverage. The coverage limits from Liberty are around $3,000. The service fees are an affordable $75, which is cheaper than other providers in the Great Falls area.
To receive a free quote from Liberty Home Guard, fill out this online form or call 866-451-2281. For more information, read 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
Choice Home Warranty offers the best overall home warranty for Great Falls residents. The 2 home warranty plans that Choice offers include options for appliance and system coverage. When you purchase a home warranty from Choice, you will get very high coverage caps and simple-to-understand service contracts. Choice Home Warranty also has great customer service, professional contractors, and lower out-of-pocket costs compared to other home warranties.
Choice Home Warranty has 2 plans that provide a mix of appliance and system coverage. The coverage limits from Choice are around $3,000. The service fees are an affordable $85, which is cheaper than other providers in the Great Falls area.
To receive a free quote from Choice Home Warranty, fill out this online form or call 929-400-6164. For more information, read 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
Select Home Warranty offers the most cost-effective home warranty for Great Falls residents. The 3 home warranty plans that Select offers include options for appliance and system coverage. When you purchase a home warranty from Select, you will get a highly affordable service fee and free roof coverage upon purchase of a policy plan. Select Home Warranty also has an extensive network of highly trained professionals all over the country who are experts in home maintenance.
Select Home Warranty has 3 plans that provide a mix of appliance and system coverage. The coverage limits from Select are around $2,000. The service fees are a reasonable $60, which is cheaper than other providers in the Great Falls area.
To receive a free quote from Select Home Warranty, fill out this online form or call 888-370-3953. For more information, read 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
American Home Shield offers the most customizable home warranty for Great Falls residents. The 3 home warranty plans that AHS offers include options for appliance and system coverage. When you purchase a home warranty from AHS, you will get the ability to customize your plan with the coverages that work specifically for your home. American Home Shield also has a remarkably low claim denial rate in comparison to other home warranty companies.
American Home Shield has 3 plans that provide a mix of appliance and system coverage. The coverage limits from AHS are around $2,500. The service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $125, which is cheaper than other providers in the Great Falls area.
To receive a free quote from American Home Shield, fill out this online form or call 888-365-2839. For more information, read 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
First American Home Warranty offers the best home warranty for appliance coverage for Great Falls residents. The 2 home warranty plans that First American offers include options for appliance and system coverage. When you purchase a home warranty from First American, you will get very affordable and comprehensive appliance coverage. First American Home Warranty 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 has 2 plans that provide a mix of appliance and system coverage. The coverage limits from First American are around $1,500. The service fees are a reasonable $85, which is cheaper than other providers in the Great Falls area.
To receive a free quote from First American Home Warranty, fill out this online form or call 833-204-7164. For more information, read 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
Cinch Home Services offers the home warranty with the best workmanship guarantee for Great Falls residents. The 3 home warranty plans that Cinch offers include options for appliance and system coverage. When you purchase a home warranty from Cinch, you will get a 180-day workmanship guarantee that ensures your home systems and appliance repairs will be professionally done. Cinch Home Services also has a broad range of coverage options that will give homeowners peace of mind.
Cinch Home Services has 3 plans that provide a mix of appliance and system coverage. The coverage limits from Cinch are around $1,000-$2,000. The service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $150, which is cheaper than other providers in the Great Falls area.
To receive a free quote from Cinch Home Services, fill out this online form or call 877-589-0505. For more information, read 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
The Home Service Club offers the best home warranty with the quickest service for Great Falls residents. The 2 home warranty plans that HSC offers include options for appliance and system coverage. When you purchase a home warranty from HSC, you will get quick coverage where the home warranty goes into effect just ten days after you pay for the plan, instead of the typical 30 days. The Home Service Club 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 has 2 plans that provide a mix of appliance and system coverage. The coverage limits from HSC are around $2,000. The service fees are customizable and range from $65 to $90, which is cheaper than other providers in the Great Falls area.
To receive a free quote from The Home Service Club, fill out this online form or call 800-750-9443. For more information, read 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 | $7,809 |
| Heating | $5,206 |
| Electrical | $781 |
| Toilets | $651 |
| Washer/Dryer | $1,041 |
| Plumbing | $781 |
| Oven | $2,082 |
| Fridge | $781 |
A home warranty is a protection policy that helps cut costs for Great Falls homeowners needing appliance and system repairs. These plans provide financial coverage to repair or swap out appliances and systems that break due to normal wear and tear.
Homeowners submit 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 repair or replacement costs go over the item's coverage limit. A home warranty gives peace of mind to homeowners, as it helps prevent costly emergency repairs. Home warranties are the most useful for older houses or those with aging systems. New homes with up-to-date appliances may not require a home warranty.
Home warranties cover your home systems and appliances. Common appliances covered include washers, microwaves, garbage disposals, refrigerators, dishwashers, dryers, and more. Covered systems are normally heating, electrical, plumbing, and air conditioning. Many home warranty companies offer add-on coverage for septic systems, central vacuums, roof leaks, and locksmiths. Great Falls 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 help pay for 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.
Here are some key home warranty terms to understand before signing a contract:
There are several key factors to consider when choosing a home warranty provider:
Home warranty coverage varies, although most plans include protection for plumbing, AC, electrical, heating, and appliances. More comprehensive options may also provide protection for additional items such as pools, spas, roof leaks, and well pumps. Look for companies with a range of coverage choices, such as upgraded plans. Flexibility helps you tailor your protection for your home’s 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 seek out providers advertising more affordable fees to optimize savings on each repair claim. Certain providers may eliminate 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, claim approval rates, contractor quality, and overall customer satisfaction. Look at third-party review sites such as the Better Business Bureau (BBB), TrustPilot, or Google Reviews to research providers. Positive reviews and ratings indicate a provider known for stellar service.
Home warranty businesses maintain networks of local contractors to handle repairs in your area. Contact potential providers to learn how many repair technicians they have in Great Falls and get an idea for how quickly your repairs might happen in an emergency situation. Larger networks improve the chances of getting qualified contractors to swiftly service your home.
Home warranty companies often offer bonuses such as coverage for smart home devices, maintenance discounts, and energy efficiency upgrades. These add value beyond just repair coverage. Added perks maximize the usefulness of the home warranty.
Temperatures in Great Falls can vary greatly throughout the year, which means your air conditioner and heating systems are most likely going to get a decent amount of use. As a homeowner in Great Falls, one benefit of having a home warranty is that these home systems and major appliances can be covered in the event they need to be repaired or replaced.
Not only can a home warranty give you some savings, but it also saves you time. If an appliance breaks down, the last thing you want to do is find a contractor and schedule a repair. A home warranty takes care of this process by sending trusted professionals to your door when you need them most. Another benefit of having a home warranty is when you’re selling your home, you can most likely transfer your home warranty plan to the new owners. This can make your house more attractive to potential homebuyers and may help your house sell faster.
As for the downsides of home warranties, coverage varies by provider, so it’s important to review what each policy covers and doesn’t include in the contract.
Another pain point of home warranties is that they don’t cover items that have been improperly maintained. This can lead to your claims being denied, so it’s important to be sure you follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for maintenance of your home systems and appliances.
A home warranty in Great Falls can cost between $30 and $60 a month. The higher-priced plans usually have higher coverage limits, broader coverage, and a lower service fee. 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 kinds of damage each covers. A home warranty helps protect against normal wear and tear to systems and appliances in a home. A homeowners insurance plan protects the entire home in case of something such as a natural disaster or fire. With homeowners insurance, you will not be able to file a claim should you need a new dryer or dishwasher, unless the damage is due to a natural disaster, which isn't that common in Great Falls.
Homebuyers, homeowners, real estate agents, home sellers, and landlords are all eligible for 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 home’s 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.
Home warranty plans typically offer coverage for a year. Many providers let you renew your plan annually, and some offer month-to-month options as well.
Typically, the homeowner 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 will pay the service fees when using the policy. In Great Falls, where the median home value is $1,471,205, having the seller pay for the home warranty can save you some money on your new home.
