Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Written By David Cusick
Last Updated June 2024
The cost of maintaining a home in Virginia Beach can be costly, particularly as your home ages and your systems and appliances have to be updated or repaired. A home warranty plan can help protect homebuyers and current homeowners by covering major repairs and replacements on your home’s most important appliances and systems.
Finding the best home warranty on the market can be challenging, as there are dozens of companies to choose from. That’s why the Today's Homeowner team did the research and compiled a list of the best home warranty companies in Virginia Beach for you.
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 Virginia Beach residents. The 3 plans from Liberty are comprehensive and have a mix of both system and appliance coverage. 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 Home Guard are Appliance Guard, Systems Guard, and Total Home Guard. Service fees from Liberty are an affordable $75. The coverage caps are also about $3,000 at the maximum.
To receive a free quote from Liberty Home Guard, fill out this online form or give them a call at 866-451-2281. For a more detailed breakdown, read our Liberty Home Guard Review.
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 Virginia Beach residents. The 2 plans from Choice are comprehensive and have a mix of both system and appliance coverage. 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 Home Warranty are Basic Plan and Total Plan. Service fees from Choice are an affordable $85. The coverage caps are also about $3,000 at the maximum.
To receive a free quote from Choice Home Warranty, fill out this online form or give them a call at 929-400-6164. For a more detailed breakdown, read our Choice Home Warranty Review.
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 Virginia Beach residents. The 3 plans from Select are comprehensive and have a mix of both system and appliance coverage. 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 Home Warranty are Bronze Care Plan, Gold Care Plan, and Platinum Care Plan. Service fees from Select are a reasonable $60. The coverage caps are also about $2,000 at the maximum.
To receive a free quote from Select Home Warranty, fill out this online form or give them a call at 888-370-3953. For a more detailed breakdown, read our Select Home Warranty Review.
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 Virginia Beach residents. The 3 plans from AHS are comprehensive and have a mix of both system and appliance coverage. 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 American Home Shield are ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, and ShieldPlatinum. Service fees from AHS are customizable and range from $75 to $125. The coverage caps are also about $2,500 at the maximum.
To receive a free quote from American Home Shield, fill out this online form or give them a call at 888-365-2839. For a more detailed breakdown, read our American Home Shield Review.
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 Virginia Beach residents. The 2 plans from First American are comprehensive and have a mix of both system and appliance coverage. 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 Home Warranty are Basic Plan and Premier Plan. Service fees from First American are a reasonable $85. The coverage caps are also about $1,500 at the maximum.
To receive a free quote from First American Home Warranty, fill out this online form or give them a call at 833-204-7164. For a more detailed breakdown, read our First American Home Warranty Review.
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 Virginia Beach residents. The 3 plans from Cinch are comprehensive and have a mix of both system and appliance coverage. 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 Home Services are Appliances Plan, Built-in Systems Plan, and Complete Home Plan. Service fees from Cinch are customizable and range from $75 to $150. The coverage caps are also about $1,000-$2,000 at the maximum.
To receive a free quote from Cinch Home Services, fill out this online form or give them a call at 877-589-0505. For a more detailed breakdown, read our Cinch Home Services Review.
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 Virginia Beach residents. The 2 plans from HSC are comprehensive and have a mix of both system and appliance coverage. 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 The Home Service Club are Standard Coverage Plan and Comprehensive Coverage Plan. Service fees from HSC are customizable and range from $65 to $90. The coverage caps are also about $2,000 at the maximum.
To receive a free quote from The Home Service Club, fill out this online form or give them a call at 800-750-9443. For a more detailed breakdown, read our The Home Service Club Review.
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 | $6,565 |
| Heating | $4,376 |
| Electrical | $656 |
| Toilets | $547 |
| Washer/Dryer | $875 |
| Plumbing | $656 |
| Oven | $1,751 |
| Fridge | $656 |
A home warranty is a protection policy that assists Virginia Beach homeowners cut the expenses of appliance and system repairs. The plans provide financial coverage to fix or replace appliances and systems that malfunction due to normal wear and tear.
When something breaks down, you file a claim and pay a service fee. The home warranty company then finds a contractor to handle the fix 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 to homeowners because it helps prevent expensive emergency repairs. Home warranties are the most useful for older construction homes with aging systems. New homes with up-to-date appliances might not require a home warranty.
Home warranties cover your home systems and appliances. Covered appliances normally include refrigerators, dryers, dishwashers, microwaves, garbage disposals, washers, and more. Covered systems include air conditioning, electrical, plumbing, and heating. Many home warranty providers also offer add-on coverage for locksmiths, septic systems, central vacuums, and roof leaks. Most home warranty plans require Virginia Beach homeowners to refrain from making claims for 30 days before the plan will cover repairs. Additionally, policies usually only cover repairs and replacements resulting from normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't cover cosmetic issues, natural disasters, pre-existing conditions, or misuse of a system or appliance. To make sure your next repair or replacement is covered, keep up with preventative maintenance.
Home warranties use several terms that you'll want to know before signing a contract, such as:
There are several key considerations when selecting a home warranty provider:
Home warranty coverage varies, although most plans cover electrical, AC, plumbing, heating, and appliances. More inclusive plans may also include additional items such as spas, well pumps, pools, and roof leaks. Focus on providers with an expansive array of coverage choices including upgraded plans. This flexibility enables you to customize protection for your 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 providers also offer disappearing deductibles when a homeowner goes a defined period without any repair requests.
A home warranty company's reputation can provide insight into things such as contractor quality, repair timeliness, approval rates, and customer service. Browse review platforms such as the Better Business Bureau (BBB), Google Reviews, or TrustPilot to research companies. Positive ratings and feedback indicate a company known for great service.
Home warranty companies keep networks of local professionals to handle repairs in your area. Contact potential providers to ask how many repair contractors they have in Virginia Beach and get an idea for how fast your repairs could take place in an emergency situation. Larger networks increase the likelihood of getting qualified contractors to swiftly 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.
Temperatures in Virginia Beach 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 Virginia Beach, one of the benefits of having a home warranty is knowing that these home systems and major appliances can be covered if they need to be repaired or replaced.
Not only can a home warranty save you money on repairs and replacements, it saves you time too. Instead of vetting technicians by yourself, home warranty companies do the work for you and send pre-screened technicians right to your door when you need them. Plus, though home warranty companies vary, some providers will allow you to transfer your warranty if you sell your home. This can make your property more attractive to potential homebuyers and help your home sell faster.
One of the major drawbacks of home warranties is not everything may be covered. It’s important to weigh the different policies and purchase one that covers all the appliances, systems, and add-ons you need.
Another downside is that home warranties may exclude some repairs, like those due to natural disasters. For example, if your HVAC system is damaged from an animal infestation, the affected systems and appliances probably won’t be covered by the home warranty.
A home warranty in Virginia Beach can cost anywhere from $30 to $60 a month. Higher-priced plans usually have a lower service fee, higher coverage limits, and broader coverage. This cost is often lower if you pay annually instead of monthly. Some companies will also decrease your up-front costs when you opt for a higher service fee.
Home warranties and home insurance differ in what kinds of damage they cover. Home warranties cover issues with systems and appliances that need repairs or replacements due to normal wear and tear. A home insurance policy is a different kind of plan that protects an entire home from natural disasters, which might not be too much of a concern in Virginia Beach. It doesn't cover a normal appliance or system breakage.
Homebuyers, home sellers, homeowners, real estate agents, and landlords are all eligible for home warranty plans. A home warranty can help make your house more appealing to prospective buyers and save you money in the long run.
The different types of home warranties in Virginia Beach include plans that cover either appliances or systems as well as combination plans. A combination plan will cover many of your systems and appliances, such as your washing machine, drier, and heating and cooling systems. An appliance or system plan will cover only the items listed in the policy.
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.
Usually the homeowner is responsible for paying for the home warranty. In some cases, though, the home seller may buy a home warranty policy and transfer the policy to the buyer. The new homeowner will then be responsible for the service fees when using the policy. Since the average home value in Virginia Beach is $386,959, a home warranty can be an added asset when buying a home.
