Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Written By David Cusick
Last Updated April 2024
As much as you may enjoy homeownership in Ridgefield, there's always that fear about whether your appliances and systems are going to need to be replaced in the next few years. A home warranty can offer you the peace of mind you need and shield your savings account from large expenses by covering your home’s major systems and appliances.
The home warranty market is saturated with many providers — all with different offerings — so our team at Today's Homeowner has compiled this guide to help you choose the best home warranty companies in Ridgefield.
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 Ridgefield, American Home Shield is the most customizable home warranty. AHS has about 26 years of experience in the industry and in that time has built a an expansive network of service technicians nationwide. The 3 plans from AHS are easy to comprehend and have a mix of both system and appliance coverage. When you purchase 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.
American Home Shield offers 3 plans for Ridgefield homeowners. The ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, and ShieldPlatinum are the options they have, which have 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, fill out this online form or give them a call at 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
In Ridgefield, First American Home Warranty is the best home warranty for appliance coverage. First American has about 39 years of experience in the industry and in that time has built a an expansive network of service technicians nationwide. The 2 plans from First American are easy to comprehend and have a mix of both system and appliance coverage. When you purchase 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 Home Warranty offers 2 plans for Ridgefield homeowners. The Basic Plan and Premier Plan are the options they have, which have 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, fill out this online form or give them a call at 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
In Ridgefield, Cinch Home Services is the home warranty with the best workmanship guarantee. Cinch has about 44 years of experience in the industry and in that time has built a an expansive network of service technicians nationwide. The 3 plans from Cinch are easy to comprehend and have a mix of both system and appliance coverage. When you purchase 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 Home Services offers 3 plans for Ridgefield homeowners. The Appliances Plan, Built-in Systems Plan, and Complete Home Plan are the options they have, which have 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, fill out this online form or give them a call at 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
In Ridgefield, The Home Service Club is the best home warranty with the quickest service. HSC has about 15 years of experience in the industry and in that time has built a an expansive network of service technicians nationwide. The 2 plans from HSC are easy to comprehend and have a mix of both system and appliance coverage. When you purchase 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.
The Home Service Club offers 2 plans for Ridgefield homeowners. The Standard Coverage Plan and Comprehensive Coverage Plan are the options they have, which have 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, fill out this online form or give them a call at 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 | $6,759 |
| Heating | $4,506 |
| Electrical | $676 |
| Toilets | $563 |
| Washer/Dryer | $901 |
| Plumbing | $676 |
| Oven | $1,802 |
| Fridge | $676 |
A home warranty is a protection policy that helps Ridgefield homeowners in lowering the expenses of appliance and system repairs. The plans offer coverage to swap out or fix 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 security for homeowners by helping them avoid expensive emergency fixes. They're particularly valuable for those who own older homes or ones with outdated systems. More modern homes with working appliances probably don’t require a home warranty.
Home warranties cover many household systems and appliances. Common covered appliances include microwaves, dryers, dishwashers, washers, refrigerators, garbage disposals, and more. Protected systems include electrical, plumbing, air conditioning, and heating. Various home warranty plans offer additional coverage for central vacuums, roof leaks, septic systems, and even locksmiths. It's important for Ridgefield homeowners to know that most home warranty policies have a 30-day waiting period before they can be used to cover repairs. Additionally, policies typically only cover repairs and replacements due to 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 ensure that your next repair or replacement will be covered by the policy.
Before signing a home warranty contract, you should learn key terms like:
There are several key factors to consider when choosing a home warranty provider:
Home warranties vary widely in terms of included coverage. Basic plans typically include AC, electrical, heating, plumbing, and appliances, while more comprehensive plans may also cover roof leaks, spas, well pumps, and pools. Focus on providers with wide-ranging coverage selections including upgraded plans. Flexibility like this will help you customize protection for 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, some homeowners prefer to choose a provider with lower service fees to maximize savings on every claim. Some providers also remove deductibles when customers have a claim-free period.
A home warranty provider's rating gives you insight into things such as contractor quality, claim approval rates, timeliness of repairs, and overall customer satisfaction. Use third-party review sites such as the Better Business Bureau (BBB), Google Reviews, or TrustPilot to research providers. Complimentary reviews and ratings indicate a provider known for stellar service.
Home warranty providers have networks of technicians to handle covered repairs. Larger networks improve the probability of getting qualified technicians to service your home ASAP. Reach out to potential providers and ask how many contractors they have in Ridgefield to get a sense of how soon your repairs could happen in an emergency.
Certain home warranty providers offer perks such as discounts on maintenance, protection for smart home devices, and energy-efficient upgrades. These provide extra value beyond repair coverage. Added perks enhance your home and maximize your home warranty.
Home warranty policies are a great way to guard your home systems and appliances from normal wear and tear. With temperatures in Ridgefield hitting an average high of 59℃F, you may find that certain appliances, like your air conditioner, get a lot of use. A home warranty can remarkably lower out-of-pocket costs should your HVAC system break down.
A home warranty also can also save you time and energy. Instead of spending hours researching and selecting a repair person to fix your appliance or system, home warranty providers do the hard work for you and send a trusted professional to your door whenever you need them. Another good thing about having a home warranty is if you want to sell your home, some providers let you transfer your home warranty policy to the new owners. This can make your home more attractive to potential homebuyers and may help your house sell faster.
Home warranties also have some downsides. Though it can give you less to worry about since the home warranty sends out a contractor who handles the repair for you, some people may not like this, and they would rather select their own contractor. If that’s important to you, some home warranty plans let you choose a contractor.
Another downside is that home warranties may exclude some repairs, like those due to natural disasters. For example, if a tree falls onto your house and damages the roof, the impacted systems and appliances probably won’t be covered by the home warranty.
A home warranty plan costs, on average, around $300 to $600 a year in Ridgefield. Our high-rated home warranty companies' most comprehensive coverage options vary from $546 to $840 per year. You can get a lower monthly payment with some companies by choosing a higher service fee. In addition, it's often cheaper to pay annually rather than monthly.
The difference between a home warranty and homeowner's insurance lies in what kinds of damage each covers. A home warranty plan protects against normal wear and tear to home systems and appliances. A homeowners insurance plan 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 washing machine or oven, unless the damage is due to a natural disaster, which isn't that common in Ridgefield.
Homebuyers, homeowners, real estate agents, home sellers, and landlords are all eligible for home warranty plans. A home warranty can help make your property more appealing to prospective buyers and save you money in the long run.
The different home warranties in Ridgefield include plans that cover either appliances or systems as well as combination plans. A combination plan will cover your home systems and appliances, such as your dishwasher, washing machine, and HVAC. A plan that only covers appliances or systems will cover only the specific items mentioned in the contract.
Generally, a home warranty plan offers coverage for a year and can be renewed annually. Some companies may offer month-to-month options.
Generally, 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 transferred to the new homeowner, who has to pay the service fees when using the policy. In Ridgefield, where the median home value is $651,498, having the seller pay for the home warranty can be a good asset for your new home.
