Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Written By David Cusick
Last Updated February 2024
Buying a home is a big step in many people’s lives, but the cost of maintaining it can be expensive over time, especially if your home in Terrace Heights is on the older side. A home warranty can bring you the peace of mind you need and guard your bank account from large expenses by covering your home’s major appliances and systems.
Finding the best home warranty on the market can be difficult because of the numerous options available. If you're frustrated with trying to compare them all, keep reading for our guide on the top home warranty providers in Terrace Heights.
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 Terrace Heights. AHS has over 26 years of experience in the home warranty sector, and has provided exceptional customer service at an affordable cost to its customers. If you’re looking for the ability to customize your plan with the coverages that work specifically for your home, you’ll want to have this plan on your side. Plus, it has a remarkably low claim denial rate in comparison to other home warranty companies. The 3 policies that AHS offers include differing levels of system and appliance coverage, as well as add-on options.
The 3 plans from American Home Shield are ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, and ShieldPlatinum. Service fees from AHS are customizable and range from $75 to $125. The coverage caps are also about $2,500 at the maximum.
For more information, read our full review of American Home Shield. To get a free quote from American Home Shield, fill out this online form or give them a call at 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 Terrace Heights. First American has over 39 years of experience in the home warranty sector, and has provided exceptional customer service at an affordable cost to its customers. If you’re looking for very affordable and comprehensive appliance coverage, you’ll want to have this plan on your side. 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 policies that First American offers include differing levels of system and appliance coverage, as well as add-on options.
The 2 plans from First American Home Warranty are Basic Plan and Premier Plan. Service fees from First American are a reasonable $85. The coverage caps are also about $1,500 at the maximum.
For more information, read our full review of First American Home Warranty. To get a free quote from First American Home Warranty, fill out this online form or give them a call at 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 Terrace Heights. Cinch has over 44 years of experience in the home warranty sector, and has provided exceptional customer service at an affordable cost to its customers. If you’re looking for a 180-day workmanship guarantee that ensures your home systems and appliance repairs will be professionally done, you’ll want to have this plan on your side. Plus, it has a broad range of coverage options that will give homeowners peace of mind. The 3 policies that Cinch offers include differing levels of system and appliance coverage, as well as add-on options.
The 3 plans from Cinch Home Services are 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 about $1,000-$2,000 at the maximum.
For more information, read our full review of Cinch Home Services. To get a free quote from Cinch Home Services, fill out this online form or give them a call at 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 Terrace Heights. HSC has over 15 years of experience in the home warranty sector, and has provided exceptional customer service at an affordable cost to its customers. 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, you’ll want to have this plan on your side. 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 policies that HSC offers include differing levels of system and appliance coverage, as well as add-on options.
The 2 plans from The Home Service Club are Standard Coverage Plan and Comprehensive Coverage Plan. Service fees from HSC are customizable and range from $65 to $90. The coverage caps are also about $2,000 at the maximum.
For more information, read our full review of The Home Service Club. To get a free quote from The Home Service Club, fill out this online form or give them a call at 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 | $5,595 |
| Heating | $3,730 |
| Electrical | $559 |
| Toilets | $466 |
| Washer/Dryer | $746 |
| Plumbing | $559 |
| Oven | $1,492 |
| Fridge | $559 |
A home warranty is a protection plan that helps cut costs for Terrace Heights homeowners needing appliance and system repairs. These plans provide financial coverage to fix or replace appliances and systems that break due to normal wear and tear.
Homeowners file a claim and pay a service fee when something breaks. The home warranty provider 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 reassurance to homeowners, as it helps prevent costly emergency repairs. Home warranties are particularly useful for older houses or those with aging systems. New homes with modern appliances might not require a home warranty.
Home warranties safeguard your home systems and appliances. Common appliances covered under a home warranty include microwaves, dishwashers, dryers, refrigerators, garbage disposals, washers, and more. Covered systems include air conditioning, plumbing, heating, and electrical. Many home warranties also offer add-on coverage options for central vacuums, locksmiths, septic systems, and even roof leaks. Terrace Heights 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 cover the cost of repairs and replacements due to normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't include natural disasters, pre-existing conditions, cosmetic issues, or misusing a system or appliance. Remember to keep up with preventative maintenance to help make sure your next repair or replacement is covered.
Before agreeing to 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 warranties vary widely in terms of included coverage. Basic plans typically cover AC, electrical, plumbing, heating, and appliances, while more comprehensive plans may also cover well pumps, pools, roof leaks, and spas. Look for a provider that offers robust coverage options, including upgraded plans. You want the flexibility to customize coverage to fit your home's specific needs.
Expect to pay a per-service fee of $60-100 for each home warranty claim. With these per-request costs adding up over time as you file claims, you may want to choose a provider with lower service fees to maximize savings. Some providers also remove deductibles for homeowners who don't file claims in a certain period.
A home warranty provider's reputation can offer insight into things such as speed of repairs, contractor quality, approval rates for claims, and customer satisfaction. Use third-party review sites such as Google Reviews, TrustPilot, or the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to research providers. Positive ratings and reviews indicate that a provider is known for quality service.
Home warranty companies have networks of contractors that they use to tackle covered repairs. More extensive networks raise the likelihood of getting qualified contractors to your home promptly. Contact possible providers to find out how many technicians they have in Terrace Heights to understand how long repairs may take in an urgent situation.
Certain home warranty providers include extras such as discounts on maintenance, protection for smart home devices, and energy-efficient upgrades. These offer extra value beyond repair coverage. Extra perks help improve your home and maximize your home warranty.
Temperatures in Terrace Heights can vary greatly throughout the year, which means your air conditioner and heating systems are most likely going to get a lot of use. As a homeowner in Terrace Heights, one benefit of having a home warranty is knowing that these home systems and major appliances can be covered if they need to be repaired or replaced.
A home warranty also can also save you time and energy. Instead of spending hours finding and selecting a technician 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 added benefit of having a home warranty plan is that it can increase your home’s property value. If you ever decide to sell your home, you may be able to transfer your home warranty plan to the new homebuyer depending on the provider you purchased your home warranty through.
There are also some drawbacks to buying a home warranty policy, like the coverage exclusions. For example, home warranties may not cover systems or appliances that already have a manufacturer's warranty.
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 affected systems and appliances probably won’t be covered by the home warranty.
A home warranty in Terrace Heights can cost between $30 and $60 a month. The higher-priced plans typically have broader coverage, a lower service fee, and higher coverage limits. You can often lower this cost by paying annually instead of monthly. Some companies will also decrease your up-front costs when you agree to a higher service fee.
Home warranties and home insurance differ in what sorts of damage they cover. Home warranties cover problems related to systems and appliances that need to be repaired or replaced due to normal wear and tear. A home insurance policy is a larger insurance that protects an entire home from natural disasters, which can sometimes be a concern in Terrace Heights. It doesn't cover a typical appliance or system repairs.
Homebuyers, homeowners, landlords, home sellers, and real estate agents can all get home warranty plans. A home warranty can help make your home more attractive to prospective buyers and save you money in the long run.
The different home warranties in Terrace Heights include plans that cover either appliances or systems as well as comprehensive plans. A comprehensive plan covers your systems and appliances, including your dishwasher, washing machine, and plumbing. A plan that only covers appliances or systems will cover only the specific items mentioned in the policy.
Home warranty plans typically last a year. Many providers let you renew your plan each year, and some offer month-to-month plans as well.
Generally, the homeowner is the one who pays 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 given to the new homeowner, who will pay the service fees. In Terrace Heights, where the median home value is $329,021, having the seller pay for the home warranty can save you some money on your new home.
