Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Written By David Cusick
Last Updated April 2024
South Hill gives homeowners some great living options and the opportunity to enjoy the snow in the winter. However, freezing temperatures can do a number on your home’s systems, such as your HVAC. A home warranty is a way to protect your savings from unexpected expenses. With a home warranty in place, your repair costs can be significantly lower and give you some peace of mind.
Finding the best home warranty on the market can be time-consuming, since there are so many companies to decide between. That’s why our team at Today's Homeowner did the research and made a list of the top home warranty companies in South Hill for you.
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 in South Hill. AHS has about 26 years of experience in the industry and in that time has built a a skilled network of service technicians in the country. The 3 plans from AHS are comprehensive and offer both system and appliance coverage. If you’re looking for the ability to customize your plan with the coverages that work specifically for your home, AHS is the perfect provider for you. Plus, it 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. 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 appliance or system.
Read more by visiting our comprehensive review of American Home Shield. To receive a free quote from American Home Shield, fill out this online form or call 888-365-2839.
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 in South Hill. First American has about 39 years of experience in the industry and in that time has built a a skilled network of service technicians in the country. The 2 plans from First American are comprehensive and offer both system and appliance coverage. If you’re looking for very affordable and comprehensive appliance coverage, First American is the perfect provider for you. Plus, it 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. First American’s service fees are a reasonable $85, and the coverage limits come out to about $1,500 for each covered appliance or system.
Read more by visiting our comprehensive review of First American Home Warranty. To receive a free quote from First American Home Warranty, fill out this online form or call 833-204-7164.
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 in South Hill. Cinch has about 44 years of experience in the industry and in that time has built a a skilled network of service technicians in the country. The 3 plans from Cinch are comprehensive and offer both system and appliance coverage. If you’re looking for a 180-day workmanship guarantee that ensures your home systems and appliance repairs will be professionally done, Cinch is the perfect provider for you. Plus, it 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. 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 appliance or system.
Read more by visiting our comprehensive review of Cinch Home Services. To receive a free quote from Cinch Home Services, fill out this online form or call 877-589-0505.
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 in South Hill. HSC has about 15 years of experience in the industry and in that time has built a a skilled network of service technicians in the country. The 2 plans from HSC are comprehensive and offer both system and appliance coverage. If you’re looking for quick coverage where the home warranty goes into effect just ten days after you pay for the plan, instead of the typical 30 days, HSC is the perfect provider for you. Plus, it 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. 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 appliance or system.
Read more by visiting our comprehensive review of The Home Service Club. To receive a free quote from The Home Service Club, fill out this online form or call 800-750-9443.
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 helps South Hill homeowners in lowering the costs 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 submit 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 homeowners reassurance, as it helps avoid expensive emergency repairs. The coverage is especially helpful for owners of older houses or houses with fixtures near the end of their life span. However, homeowners with newer homes and working appliances might not need a home warranty.
Home warranties help protect your home systems and appliances. Common covered appliances include washers, dishwashers, garbage disposals, dryers, refrigerators, microwaves, and more. Covered systems include electrical, plumbing, air conditioning, and heating. Many home warranty plans also offer add-on coverage options for central vacuums, septic systems, locksmiths, and even roof leaks. It's important for South Hill homeowners to understand most home warranty plans have a 30-day waiting period before repairs are covered. Most policies also only cover repairs and replacements due to normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't include pre-existing conditions, cosmetic issues, natural disasters, or improperly using a system or appliance. Be diligent about completing preventative maintenance to help guarantee your next repair or replacement is covered.
Before signing a home warranty contract, you should know key terms like:
When you're deciding on a home warranty provider, there are several key things to take into account:
Home warranty coverage varies, although most plans cover heating, AC, plumbing, electrical, and appliances. More comprehensive options may also cover extra things such as pools, well pumps, spas, and roof leaks. Look for a provider that offers comprehensive coverage choices, including upgraded plans. Flexibility is important when trying to fit a home warranty to your home's specific systems and needs.
With any home warranty claim, you'll pay a repair fee that typically ranges between $60 and $100, which gets paid per repair request filed. 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 companies also offer disappearing deductibles for customers who don't file any claims over a certain timespan.
A home warranty provider's reputation can provide insight into things such as contractor quality, repair timeliness, approval rates, and customer satisfaction. Browse review platforms such as Google Reviews, TrustPilot, or the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to research companies. Positive ratings and feedback indicate a company known for exceptional service.
Home warranty providers use networks of local repair technicians to manage repairs in a given area. Contact potential providers to learn the number of repair professionals they have in South Hill and get an idea of how fast your repairs could be handled in an emergency. Larger networks increase the likelihood of getting qualified contractors to swiftly service your home.
Some home warranty companies include extras such as smart home device protection, maintenance discounts, and energy efficiency upgrades. These perks can add value beyond just repair coverage. Extra bonuses can maximize the usefulness of the home warranty.
Since temperatures in South Hill can hit the negatives in the winter, the extreme weather can put a lot of strain on your heating system. Purchasing a home warranty plan can help homeowners save money if one of these systems or appliances breaks down unexpectedly.
In addition, having a home warranty can save you time by getting rid of the need to research repair people — most providers will send a trusted professional right to your door to carry out the necessary repair or replacement. Plus, though it varies by company, 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 maybe even help your home sell faster.
One drawback of signing up for a home warranty is that there are generally exclusions. For instance, if you already have a manufacturer's warranty on one of your appliances, it may be excluded from the home warranty, so it’s important to read over the contracts you’re considering thoroughly to understand what is included and what isn’t.
Another potential pain point of home warranties is that they don’t cover systems or appliances that have been improperly maintained. This can lead to your repair requests being denied, so it’s important to be sure you follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for maintenance of your home systems and appliances.
A home warranty plan costs, on average, around $300 to $600 a year in South Hill. 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 choosing a higher service fee. Additionally, it's typically cheaper to pay annually rather than monthly.
Home warranties and home insurance differ in what types of damage they cover. Home warranty policies cover problems with home systems and appliances that need to be repaired or replaced due to normal wear and tear. A home insurance policy is a different insurance that protects the entire home from natural disasters, which might not be too much of a concern in South Hill. It doesn't cover a typical appliance or system damage.
Homebuyers, real estate agents, home sellers, landlords, and homeowners 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 home warranties in South Hill include plans with coverage for either appliances or systems as well as comprehensive plans. A comprehensive plan will cover many of your systems and appliances, including your refrigerator, washing machine, and HVAC. An appliance or system plan will cover only the items mentioned in the plan.
Home warranty plans generally last a year. Many companies let you renew your plan annually, and some offer month-to-month options as well.
Typically, the one who owns the home pays for the home warranty. In some cases, though, the person who is selling the home may buy a home warranty and transfer the policy to the buyer. The new homeowner will then be responsible for the service fees when using the policy. Considering that the average home value in South Hill is $565,745, a home warranty can save you some money when buying a home.
