Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Written By David Cusick
Last Updated April 2024
Homeownership in Summit comes with many perks, 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 policy can help protect homeowners by lowering the costs of major repairs and replacements on your home’s most important systems and appliances.
The home warranty market is saturated with a variety of providers — all with different plans — so the Today's Homeowner team has done the research to help you choose the best home warranty companies in Summit.
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 Summit residents. The 3 plans that AHS offers include differing levels of system and appliance coverage, as well as add-on options. When you buy a plan 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.
There are 3 home warranty plans from American Home Shield: ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, and ShieldPlatinum. Service fees from AHS are customizable and range from $75 to $125. The coverage caps are also typically around $2,500 at the maximum.
Read our American Home Shield Review to learn more. To get a free quote from American Home Shield, you can 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 for Summit residents. The 2 plans that First American offers include differing levels of system and appliance coverage, as well as add-on options. When you buy a plan 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.
There are 2 home warranty plans from First American Home Warranty: Basic Plan and Premier Plan. Service fees from First American are a reasonable $85. The coverage caps are also typically around $1,500 at the maximum.
Read our First American Home Warranty Review to learn more. To get a free quote from First American Home Warranty, you can 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 for Summit residents. The 3 plans that Cinch offers include differing levels of system and appliance coverage, as well as add-on options. When you buy a plan 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.
There are 3 home warranty plans from Cinch Home Services: Appliances Plan, Built-in Systems Plan, and Complete Home Plan. Service fees from Cinch are customizable and range from $75 to $150. The coverage caps are also typically around $1,000-$2,000 at the maximum.
Read our Cinch Home Services Review to learn more. To get a free quote from Cinch Home Services, you can 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 for Summit residents. The 2 plans that HSC offers include differing levels of system and appliance coverage, as well as add-on options. When you buy a plan 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.
There are 2 home warranty plans from The Home Service Club: Standard Coverage Plan and Comprehensive Coverage Plan. Service fees from HSC are customizable and range from $65 to $90. The coverage caps are also typically around $2,000 at the maximum.
Read our The Home Service Club Review to learn more. To get a free quote from The Home Service Club, you can 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 | $6,438 |
| Heating | $4,292 |
| Electrical | $644 |
| Toilets | $536 |
| Washer/Dryer | $858 |
| Plumbing | $644 |
| Oven | $1,717 |
| Fridge | $644 |
A home warranty is a protection policy that helps lower expenses for Summit homeowners needing appliance and system repairs. These plans provide coverage to repair or replace appliances and systems that stop working due to normal wear and tear.
Homeowners submit a claim and pay a service fee when something breaks. The home warranty company then finds a contractor to make the fix or replacement. The only time you may pay out-of-pocket is if the repair or replacement costs go over the item's coverage limit. A home warranty gives peace of mind for homeowners by helping them avoid expensive emergency repairs. They're particularly useful for those who own older homes or ones with outdated systems. Newer homes with functional fixtures probably don’t require a home warranty.
Home warranties protect your home systems and appliances. Common covered appliances are dishwashers, refrigerators, dryers, microwaves, garbage disposals, washers, and more. Covered systems are usually heating, air conditioning, plumbing, and electrical. Many home warranty companies offer add-on coverage for septic systems, locksmiths, roof leaks, and central vacuums. Summit homeowners should know that most home warranty policies have a 30-day period you must wait before they will cover the cost of any repairs. Additionally, most policies only cover repairs and replacements due to normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't cover problems such as natural disasters, pre-existing conditions, cosmetic issues, or damage caused by improperly using a system or appliance. Make sure to keep up with preventative maintenance to help ensure that your next repair or replacement is covered by the policy.
Home warranty contracts use several terms that you'll want to know before signing, such as:
There are several important considerations when choosing a home warranty provider:
Home warranty policies differ significantly in terms of coverage. Most plans provide protection for electrical, AC, plumbing, heating, and appliances. More robust plans also offer protection for other items such as pools, spas, roof leaks, and well pumps. Look for providers with a range of coverage choices, such as upgraded plans. You'll want to tailor your protection for your needs.
With any home warranty claim, you'll pay a service fee, usually falling in the $60 to $100 range, 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 providers also offer disappearing deductibles for customers who don't file any claims over a certain timespan.
A home warranty company's reputation provides insights into factors such as contractor expertise, repair speed, claim approval rates, and customer satisfaction. Look at review sites like TrustPilot, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), or Google Reviews to learn more about companies. Favorable ratings and feedback suggest a company known for providing quality service.
Home warranty providers have networks of professionals that they use to tackle covered repairs. Larger networks improve the chance of getting qualified contractors to your home quickly. Contact possible providers to learn how many contractors they have in Summit. This helps you understand how long repairs might take in an urgent situation.
Some home warranty companies may include perks such as reduced maintenance fees, smart home device coverage, and energy efficiency upgrades. These can offer extra value beyond repair coverage. Extra bonuses allow you to enhance your home and get the most from your warranty policy.
Since temperatures in Summit can hit the negatives in the winter, the extreme weather can put a lot of strain on your heating system. Purchasing a home warranty can help homeowners save money if one of these systems or appliances stops working unexpectedly.
In addition to saving you money on out-of-pocket expenses, a home warranty can give you peace of mind and save you the hassle of trying to find a qualified technician to visit your home. Home warranties usually have a network of pre-vetted technicians who can handle any repair problems you may come across. Additionally, having a home warranty can help 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 protection you’ve been receiving.
Home warranties also have some drawbacks. Though it can be convenient that the home warranty sends out a repair technician who carries out the repair for you, some people may not like this, and they would prefer to choose a contractor themselves. If that’s important to you, some home warranty plans allow you to choose a contractor.
Another thing to keep in mind is that some companies don’t cover pre-existing issues and may require an inspection before your coverage can start. Ask the home warranty company for clarification about these things if you aren’t sure or if this is an issue for you.
A home warranty policy costs, on average, around $300 to $600 a year in Summit. Our top-rated home warranty providers' most comprehensive coverage options vary from $546 to $840 per year. You can reduce your monthly bill with some companies by opting for a higher service fee. Additionally, 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 protects against normal wear and tear to systems and appliances in a home. A homeowners insurance plan protects your home in case of a situation such as a natural disaster or fire. Under homeowners insurance, you won't 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 Summit.
Homebuyers, homeowners, home sellers, landlords, and real estate agents can all get home warranty plans. A home warranty can help make your property more attractive to prospective buyers and save you money in the long run.
A home warranty can cover your home’s appliances, systems, or both. Combination plans are great if you'd like 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.
Home warranty plans typically offer coverage for a year. Many providers let you renew your plan each year, and some offer month-to-month plans as well.
Usually the one who owns the home pays for the home warranty. In some cases, though, the one selling the home may purchase a home warranty plan 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 Summit is $560,604, a home warranty can save you some money when buying a home.
