Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Written By David Cusick
Last Updated April 2024
Homeownership in Lakeland South comes with many benefits, but it also comes with its difficulties. Your home’s appliances and systems will eventually need repairs, and this could mean a burdensome expense. A home warranty can offer you the peace of mind you need and protect your bank account from large expenses by covering your home’s major appliances and systems.
The home warranty market has many providers — all with different offerings — so our team at Today's Homeowner has done the research to help you choose the best home warranty companies in Lakeland South.
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 is the most customizable home warranty for Lakeland South residents. When you buy a policy 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. AHS has 3 simple plans, making the selection process quick and easy.
American Home Shield offers 3 plans for Lakeland South homeowners. The ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, and ShieldPlatinum are the options they have, which contain a mix of system and appliance coverage. AHS’s service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $125, and the coverage limits come out to about $2,500 for each covered system or appliance.
To receive 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 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 is the best home warranty for appliance coverage for Lakeland South residents. When you buy a policy 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 has 2 simple plans, making the selection process quick and easy.
First American Home Warranty offers 2 plans for Lakeland South homeowners. The Basic Plan and Premier Plan are the options they have, which contain a mix of system and appliance coverage. First American’s service fees are a reasonable $85, and the coverage limits come out to about $1,500 for each covered system or appliance.
To receive 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 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 is the home warranty with the best workmanship guarantee for Lakeland South residents. When you buy a policy 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 has 3 simple plans, making the selection process quick and easy.
Cinch Home Services offers 3 plans for Lakeland South homeowners. The Appliances Plan, Built-in Systems Plan, and Complete Home Plan are the options they have, which contain a mix of system and appliance coverage. Cinch’s service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $150, and the coverage limits come out to about $1,000-$2,000 for each covered system or appliance.
To receive 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 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 is the best home warranty with the quickest service for Lakeland South residents. When you buy a policy 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. HSC has 2 simple plans, making the selection process quick and easy.
The Home Service Club offers 2 plans for Lakeland South homeowners. The Standard Coverage Plan and Comprehensive Coverage Plan are the options they have, which contain a mix of system and appliance coverage. HSC’s service fees are customizable and range from $65 to $90, and the coverage limits come out to about $2,000 for each covered system or appliance.
To receive 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 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 | $6,660 |
| Heating | $4,440 |
| Electrical | $666 |
| Toilets | $555 |
| Washer/Dryer | $888 |
| Plumbing | $666 |
| Oven | $1,776 |
| Fridge | $666 |
A home warranty is a protection plan that assists Lakeland South homeowners in reducing the costs of appliance and system repairs. The plans provide coverage to swap out or repair 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 replacement or fix. 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 peace of mind to homeowners because it helps prevent expensive emergency repairs. Home warranties are especially useful for older houses or those with aging systems. New homes with modern appliances may not need a home warranty.
Home warranties help protect your home systems and appliances. Common covered appliances include dryers, microwaves, dishwashers, washers, refrigerators, garbage disposals, and others. Covered systems include plumbing, electrical, heating, and air conditioning. Many home warranty plans also offer add-on coverage options for septic systems, locksmiths, central vacuums, and even roof leaks. Lakeland South 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 address repairs and replacements resulting from normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't include natural disasters, cosmetic issues, pre-existing conditions, or misuse of a system or appliance. Make sure to keep up with preventative maintenance to help ensure your next repair or replacement is covered.
Before agreeing to a home warranty contract, you should learn key terms like:
There are several important factors to consider when choosing a home warranty provider:
Home warranty coverage varies, although most plans include protection for heating, electrical, plumbing, AC, and appliances. More comprehensive options may also include additional items such as well pumps, pools, roof leaks, and spas. Look for a company that offers an extensive selection of coverage options, including upgraded plans. You want the flexibility to customize coverage to fit your home's specific needs.
With any home warranty claim, you'll pay a repair fee that typically ranges between $60 and $100, which is paid per service call made. The costs from multiple fees can add up. You may decide to look for companies with more affordable fees to maximize your savings on each claim. Some firms also offer disappearing deductibles when customers go a period with no claims filed.
A home warranty company's track record provides insight into things such as claim approval rates, timeliness of repairs, contractor quality, and overall customer satisfaction. Look at third-party review sites such as Google Reviews, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), or TrustPilot to research providers. Favorable reviews and ratings indicate a provider known for stellar service.
Home warranty providers keep networks of contractors to handle covered repairs. More extensive networks increase the probability of getting qualified technicians to quickly service your home. Reach out to potential providers and ask how many contractors they have in Lakeland South to get a sense of how quickly your repairs could be handled in an emergency.
Home warranty companies sometimes offer perks such as coverage for smart home devices, maintenance discounts, and energy efficiency upgrades. These add value beyond repair coverage. Additional perks can maximize the usefulness of the home warranty.
Since temperatures in Lakeland South can hit the negatives in the winter, the extreme weather can put a lot of strain on your heating system. Buying a home warranty policy can help homeowners save money if one of these systems or appliances breaks unexpectedly.
Not to mention, having a home warranty can save you time by removing the need to research technicians — most companies will send a trusted professional right to your door to carry out the repair or replacement. Additionally, having a home warranty can make your house more appealing to potential homebuyers if you ever decide to sell in the future. Many home warranty companies will allow you to transfer your policy to a new owner and give them the same protection you’ve been benefiting from.
One drawback of buying a home warranty is that there are usually exclusions. For example, if one of your appliances already has a manufacturer's warranty, it may not be covered under the home warranty, so it’s important to read through any contracts you’re considering carefully to get a sense of what is included and what isn’t.
Also, 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 besides normal wear and tear — the home warranty may not cover it.
A home warranty costs, on average, around $300 to $600 a year in Lakeland South. Our high-rated home warranty companies' most comprehensive coverage options vary from $546 to $840 per year. You can decrease your monthly bill with some companies by choosing a higher service fee. Additionally, it's usually cheaper to pay annually rather than monthly.
Home warranties and home insurance differ in what sorts of damage they cover. Home warranty policies cover problems with systems and appliances that need repairs or replacements due to normal wear and tear. A home insurance policy is a larger insurance that protects your entire home from natural disasters, which might not be too much of a concern in Lakeland South. It doesn't cover a typical appliance or system breakage.
First-time homebuyers, landlords, homeowners, home sellers, and real estate agents 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.
A home warranty plan can cover your systems, appliances, or both. Combination plans are great if you need more coverage for your home, but a system- or appliance-only plan can be helpful if you're concerned about one more than the other.
Generally, a home warranty policy lasts for a year and can be renewed yearly. Some providers may offer month-to-month options.
In general, the homeowner is the one who is responsible for paying the premium and service fees. However, if you have just bought a new home, sometimes the seller is the one who paid for the policy. This can then be given to the new homeowner, who has to pay the service fees. In Lakeland South, where the median home value is $564,225, having the seller pay for the home warranty can save you some money on your new home.
