Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Written By David Cusick
Last Updated April 2024
Being a homeowner in Des Moines is a great option for those who love nature and quiet neighborhoods. However, as great as Des Moines is, homeownership always comes with its fair share of headaches, such as trying to finance your appliance and system repairs yourself. A home warranty in Des Moines 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.
Choosing the best home warranty on the market can be quite a challenge because of the sheer number of options available. If you're tired of trying to compare them all, keep reading for our guide to the best home warranty providers in Des Moines.
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 Des Moines, American Home Shield is the most customizable home warranty. When you buy 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. The home warranty company offers 3 plans to policyholders with various options for appliance and system coverage.
American Home Shield has 3 plans that offer 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.
To get a free quote from American Home Shield, you can fill out this online form or call 888-365-2839. Read more by visiting our American Home Shield full 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
In Des Moines, First American Home Warranty is the best home warranty for appliance coverage. When you buy 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. The home warranty company offers 2 plans to policyholders with various options for appliance and system coverage.
First American Home Warranty has 2 plans that offer 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.
To get a free quote from First American Home Warranty, you can fill out this online form or call 833-204-7164. Read more by visiting our First American Home Warranty full 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
In Des Moines, Cinch Home Services is the home warranty with the best workmanship guarantee. When you buy 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. The home warranty company offers 3 plans to policyholders with various options for appliance and system coverage.
Cinch Home Services has 3 plans that offer 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.
To get a free quote from Cinch Home Services, you can fill out this online form or call 877-589-0505. Read more by visiting our Cinch Home Services full 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
In Des Moines, The Home Service Club is the best home warranty with the quickest service. When you buy 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 warranty company offers 2 plans to policyholders with various options for appliance and system coverage.
The Home Service Club has 2 plans that offer 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.
To get a free quote from The Home Service Club, you can fill out this online form or call 800-750-9443. Read more by visiting our The Home Service Club full 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 | $6,719 |
| Heating | $4,480 |
| Electrical | $672 |
| Toilets | $560 |
| Washer/Dryer | $896 |
| Plumbing | $672 |
| Oven | $1,792 |
| Fridge | $672 |
A home warranty is a protection policy that assists Des Moines homeowners in reducing the costs of appliance and system repairs. The plans provide coverage to swap out or fix appliances and systems that break down due to normal wear and tear.
When something breaks down, you submit a claim and pay a service fee. The home warranty company then arranges a contractor to handle the replacement or repair. Homeowners may have out-of-pocket costs only if the repair or replacement costs go over the item's coverage limit. A home warranty gives security for homeowners by helping them prevent expensive emergency repairs. They're particularly useful for those who live in older homes or ones with outdated systems. More modern homes with functional fixtures probably don’t need a home warranty.
Home warranties protect your home systems and appliances. Common appliances covered include garbage disposals, dryers, washers, microwaves, dishwashers, refrigerators, and more. Included systems are typically heating, plumbing, electrical, and air conditioning. Many home warranty providers offer add-on coverage for septic systems, roof leaks, locksmiths, and central vacuums. It's important for Des Moines homeowners to know that most home warranty policies have a 30-day period you must wait before they can be used to cover repairs. Additionally, policies typically only cover repairs and replacements that result from normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't cover things like cosmetic issues, pre-existing conditions, natural disasters, or improper use of a system or appliance. You need to keep up with preventative maintenance to help ensure that your next repair or replacement is covered by the policy.
Before agreeing to a home warranty contract, you should learn key terms like:
There are several key factors to consider when choosing a home warranty provider:
Home warranty coverage varies widely in the items that are included. Most plans cover AC, electrical, heating, plumbing, and appliances. More robust coverage options also include protection for other items such as roof leaks, spas, pools, and well pumps. Focus on companies with wide-ranging coverage selections including upgraded plans. This flexibility enables you to customize your plan to meet your needs.
Expect to pay a per-service fee of $60-100 for each home warranty claim. As this charge applies to every separate claim, you may want to choose a provider with lower service fees to maximize savings. Some providers also remove deductibles if a customer goes a period of time without filing any claims.
A home warranty company's reputation can offer insight into things such as speed of repairs, approval rates for claims, contractor quality, and customer satisfaction. Use third-party review sites such as the Better Business Bureau (BBB), TrustPilot, or Google Reviews to research companies. Positive ratings and reviews indicate that a provider is known for quality service.
Home warranty providers maintain networks of local technicians to handle repairs in your area. Reach out to potential providers to learn how many repair professionals they have in Des Moines and get an idea for how quickly your repairs might happen in an emergency situation. Wider networks increase the probability of getting qualified contractors to promptly service your home.
Home warranty companies sometimes offer extras such as maintenance discounts, coverage for smart home devices, and energy efficiency upgrades. These add value beyond just repair coverage. Additional perks can maximize the usefulness of your home warranty.
Des Moines’s frigid winters can put a strain on a home’s HVAC system. Whether it’s summer or winter, a home warranty will 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 repairs, preventing you from spending a lot of money out of pocket.
Not only can a home warranty save you money on repairs and replacements, it saves you time too. Instead of needing to vet service technicians on your own, home warranty companies do the work for you and send a contractor from their network right to your door when you need them. In addition, though it varies by company, some providers will allow you to transfer your warranty in the event that you sell your home. This can make your property more attractive to potential homebuyers and help your home sell faster.
One drawback of signing up for a home warranty is that there are often exclusions. For example, if you already have a manufacturer's warranty on one of your appliances, it may not be included in the home warranty, so it’s important to read through the contracts you’re considering carefully to understand what is included and what isn’t.
Another thing to consider is that some companies don’t cover pre-existing issues and may require an inspection before your coverage can begin. Ask the home warranty provider for clarification about these things if you aren’t sure or if this is an issue for you.
A home warranty costs, on average, around $300 to $600 a year in Des Moines. Our top-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 opting for a higher service fee. In addition, it's typically less expensive 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 plan covers normal wear and tear to home systems and appliances. Homeowners insurance protects the entire home in a situation such as a fire or natural disaster. Under a homeowners insurance plan, you will not be able to file a claim if you need a new refrigerator or air conditioner, unless the damage is a result of a natural disaster, which isn't that common in Des Moines.
A home warranty plan can help investors, home sellers, homebuyers, homeowners, and real estate agents. It can provide peace of mind to anyone involved with homeownership.
The different home warranties in Des Moines include plans with coverage for either appliances or systems as well as comprehensive plans. A comprehensive plan will cover your systems and appliances, such as your washing machine, drier, and plumbing. An appliance or system plan will cover only the specific items listed in the plan.
Generally, a home warranty plan lasts for a year and can be renewed annually. Some companies may offer month-to-month options.
Usually, the homeowner is the one who pays the premium and service fees. However, when buying a new home, sometimes the seller will pay for the policy. This can then be given to the new homeowner, who has to pay the service fees. In Des Moines, where the median value of a home is $572,230, having the seller pay for the home warranty can save you some money on your new home.
