Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Written By David Cusick
Last Updated April 2024
Buying a home is a big step in many people’s lives, but the cost of maintaining it can get expensive over time, especially if your home in Prairie Ridge is on the older side. A home warranty policy can help protect you by covering major repairs and replacements on your home’s most important appliances and systems.
The home warranty market is saturated with many providers — all with different offerings — so the Today's Homeowner team has done the research to help you choose the best home warranty companies in Prairie Ridge.
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 in Prairie Ridge. AHS has been in the home warranty business for around 26 years. AHS offers 3 plans for you to decide between. AHS has established itself as a company with the ability to customize your plan with the coverages that work specifically for your home. It 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 system and appliance coverage. The coverage caps associated with AHS’s plans are around the $2,500 mark for many of the major systems and appliances, and service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $125.
To get a free quote from American Home Shield, fill out this online form or give them a call at 888-365-2839. To read more, visit 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 in Prairie Ridge. First American has been in the home warranty business for around 39 years. First American offers 2 plans for you to decide between. First American has established itself as a company with very affordable and comprehensive appliance coverage. 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.
First American Home Warranty has 2 plans that provide a mix of system and appliance coverage. The coverage caps associated with First American’s plans are around the $1,500 mark for many of the major systems and appliances, and service fees are a reasonable $85.
To get a free quote from First American Home Warranty, fill out this online form or give them a call at 833-204-7164. To read more, visit 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 in Prairie Ridge. Cinch has been in the home warranty business for around 44 years. Cinch offers 3 plans for you to decide between. Cinch has established itself as a company with a 180-day workmanship guarantee that ensures your home systems and appliance repairs will be professionally done. It 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 system and appliance coverage. The coverage caps associated with Cinch’s plans are around 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.
To get a free quote from Cinch Home Services, fill out this online form or give them a call at 877-589-0505. To read more, visit 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 in Prairie Ridge. HSC has been in the home warranty business for around 15 years. HSC offers 2 plans for you to decide between. HSC has established itself as a company with quick coverage where the home warranty goes into effect just ten days after you pay for the plan, instead of the typical 30 days. It 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 system and appliance coverage. The coverage caps associated with HSC’s plans are around the $2,000 mark for many of the major systems and appliances, and service fees are customizable and range from $65 to $90.
To get a free quote from The Home Service Club, fill out this online form or give them a call at 800-750-9443. To read more, visit 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 | $6,789 |
| Heating | $4,526 |
| Electrical | $679 |
| Toilets | $566 |
| Washer/Dryer | $905 |
| Plumbing | $679 |
| Oven | $1,810 |
| Fridge | $679 |
A home warranty is a protection policy that helps Prairie Ridge homeowners cut the high costs of household repairs. These plans provide financial protection to fix or swap out appliances and systems that stop working from 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 repair or replacement. The only time you may pay out-of-pocket is if the cost of the repair or replacement exceeds the item's coverage limit. A home warranty gives reassurance to homeowners, as it helps prevent expensive emergency repairs. Home warranties are particularly useful for older construction homes with aging systems. New homes with modern appliances may not need a home warranty.
Home warranties protect your home systems and appliances. Common appliances covered include garbage disposals, washers, refrigerators, dryers, dishwashers, microwaves, and more. Included systems are usually electrical, air conditioning, plumbing, and heating. Many home warranty companies offer add-on coverage for septic systems, roof leaks, central vacuums, and locksmiths. Prairie Ridge should understand that most home warranty plans have a waiting period of 30 days before repair claims will be approved. The majority of policies also only cover repairs and replacements due to normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't include pre-existing conditions, natural disasters, cosmetic issues, or misusing a system or appliance. Stay current with preventative maintenance to help guarantee your next repair or replacement is covered.
Here are some key home warranty words to learn before signing a contract:
When you're deciding on a home warranty provider, there are several important things to take into account:
Home warranty coverage varies, although most plans cover electrical, AC, heating, plumbing, and appliances. More comprehensive options may also provide protection for other things such as spas, pools, roof leaks, and well pumps. Look for companies with flexible coverage choices, including upgraded plans. This helps you customize your plan to your needs.
With any home warranty claim, you'll pay a service fee that can range from $60 to $100, which gets paid per service call made. These per-claim charges can add up. You may decide to look for providers with more affordable fees to maximize your savings on each claim. Some companies also offer disappearing deductibles when customers go a period with no claims filed.
A home warranty company's reputation can offer insight into things such as contractor quality, speed of repairs, approval rates for claims, and customer satisfaction. Look at third-party review sites such as TrustPilot, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), or Google Reviews to research providers. Positive ratings and reviews indicate that a provider is known for quality service.
Home warranty companies have networks of technicians that they use to tackle covered repairs. Bigger networks increase the chance of getting qualified contractors to your home quickly. Reach out to possible providers to find out how many repair professionals they have in Prairie Ridge to understand how long repairs may take in an urgent situation.
Home warranty providers may offer perks such as energy efficiency upgrades, coverage for smart home devices, and maintenance discounts. These can add value beyond just repair coverage. Additional perks maximize the usefulness of the home warranty.
Since temperatures in Prairie Ridge can hit the negatives in the winter, the extreme weather can put a lot of strain on your heating system. Getting a home warranty plan can help homeowners save money if one of these systems or appliances breaks suddenly.
Additionally, having a home warranty can save you some time by eliminating the need to research contractors — most providers will send a trusted professional right to your door to carry out the necessary repair or replacement. Plus, having a home warranty can help make your house more attractive to potential homebuyers if you ever decide to sell later. Many home warranty providers will allow you to transfer your policy to a new owner and give them the same protection you’ve been receiving.
As for the disadvantages of home warranties, system and appliance coverage varies by provider, so it’s important to understand what each policy covers and doesn’t include in the contract.
Also, if you don’t maintain your home systems or appliances properly, or if they need repairs or replacements due to a natural disaster or animal infestation — anything other than normal wear and tear — the home warranty may not cover it.
A home warranty in Prairie Ridge can cost anywhere from $30 to $60 a month. Higher-priced plans usually have higher coverage limits, a lower service fee, and broader coverage. Home warranties are often cheaper when you pay annually instead of monthly. Some providers will also lower 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 plan covers normal wear and tear to home systems and appliances. A homeowners insurance plan protects your entire home in case of a situation such as a fire or natural disaster. With a homeowners insurance plan, you won't be able to file a claim if you need a new dryer or dishwasher, unless the damage is a result of a natural disaster, which isn't that common in Prairie Ridge.
First-time homebuyers, home sellers, homeowners, landlords, and real estate agents 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.
The different types of home warranties in Prairie Ridge include plans that cover either appliances or systems as well as comprehensive plans. A comprehensive plan covers almost all your home systems and appliances, such as your refrigerator, washing machine, and HVAC. An appliance or system plan will cover only the items mentioned in the contract.
Generally, a home warranty offers coverage for a year and can be renewed annually. Some companies may offer month-to-month plans.
Usually, the homeowner is the one who pays the premium and service fees. However, if you have just bought 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 when using the policy. In Prairie Ridge, where the median value of a home is $551,958, having the seller pay for the home warranty can be a good asset for your new home.
