Top 10 Home Warranty in the US - 2023
Millions of homeowners and tenants in the United States have home warranties. The relief that a home warranty provides in the case of replacement or repair is unwavering in its benefits.
Home warranties are comparable to insurance policies or service contracts that cover the products and structural components of a residential building. This type of coverage is different from home insurance, which pays for damage and loss caused by natural disasters.
Home warranties cover equipment packages such as kitchen appliances, additional equipment like water heaters, HVAC units, sewers and gas pipes, plumbing and electrical systems, up to swimming pools and spas. Other forms of home warranty take care of home systems.
Home warranties are extremely popular and are considered to be as important as home insurance. They can both save the average home up to $1,500 in home repairs annually and provide the comfort of coverage for systems and appliance if any disasters happen.
Endurance
Endurance sells 9 levels of vehicle service contracts, also called extended auto warranties. These plans are available for both new and used vehicles (most qualifying vehicles were made in 2000 or later). You can also customize your policy so you don’t pay for coverage you don’t need. Endurance’s service department is available 24/7 to answer questions and connect you with its network of ASE-certified mechanics.
What we like
- Sign up and get $300 off your new policy!
- Top rated - The numbers speak for themselves - paid out $265M in claims since 2012
- 24/7 Support with Quick and easy claims
- 30-day money-back guarantee
What we don't like
- May not be available in California, Oregon, Massachusetts
Carshield
Buy coverage on your terms. Plans through CarShield go beyond your manufacturer’s warranty to cover potential vehicle repair costs – and beyond industry standards to offer month-to-month coverage for a low, fixed price.a
What we like
- Provides 24/7 roadside assistance.
- Has competitive pricing and strong financial stability.
- Has a straightforward claims process.
What we don't like
- Some customers have reported dissatisfaction with customer service.
American Dream Auto protect
American Dream Auto Protect sells three levels of vehicle service contracts, also called extended auto warranties. These plans are available for both new and used vehicles (most qualifying vehicles were made in 2000 or later). You can also customize your policy so you don’t pay for coverage you don’t need. American Dream Auto Protect’s service department is available 24/7 to answer questions and connect you with its network of ASE-certified mechanics.
What we like
- Nationwide network of over 50,000 ASE-certified mechanics
- 24/7 Support
- 2022 Best in Service
- Highest Renewal Rate in the Industry
What we don't like
- May not be available in Washington and Iowa
Carchex
Protect yourself from unexpected repairs with a CARCHEX Protection Plan. CARCHEX is one of the largest providers of Extended Vehicle Protection coverage. With over a two decades of protecting customers, we work with the top administrators to provide the highest level of coverage at the lowest possible price for vehicle protection plans.
CARCHEX is accredited with an A+ Rating by the Better Business Bureau. They are also the recommended partner of consumer protection companies such as CARFAX, RepairPal, SiriusXM, Kelley Blue Book and many more.
What we like
- Provides 24/7 roadside assistance.
- Has a strong financial stability and straightforward claims process.
- Offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.
What we don't like
- Doesn’t offer gap or rideshare insurance.
What is a Home Warranty ?
Home warranties are comparable to insurance policies or service contracts that cover the products and structural components of a residential building. This type of coverage is different from home insurance, which pays for damage and loss caused by natural disasters.
Home warranties cover equipment packages such as kitchen appliances, additional equipment like water heaters, HVAC units, sewers and gas pipes, plumbing and electrical systems, up to swimming pools and spas. Other forms of home warranty take care of home systems.
Home warranties are extremely popular and are considered to be as important as home insurance. They can both save the average home up to $1,500 in home repairs annually and provide the comfort of coverage for systems and appliance if any disasters happen.
What comes under the cost of a home warranty?
It is imperative to be aware of what comes under this policy and what doesn’t. Mechanical systems of the house such as plumbing, heating, air conditioning, and electrical are covered under this service. However, it does not cover the costs that include misusage, external damage, or inadequate maintenance that could be categorized under “mishandling” post-purchase; in which cases could be completely denied.
Some appliances or products that you buy already have a company-granted warranty tagged with them; therefore, those would not be covered under this service. Consequently, it is only wise to read through the warranty contract carefully, and speak to a consultant of the company regarding your options.
How Does A Home Warranty Work?
If you were of the opinion that you can call your repairman around the block and get your work done under the cost of the home-warranty, stop right there. The home warranty contract is issued by the company and you cannot invite anyone to do the maintenance that is required; it has to be a contractor selected by the home warranty company. This is for the whole process to be made more efficient for you and the other individuals that are using the same home warranty company in your zip code.
The procedure goes something like this; you call the company that had issued the warranty contract, narrate the problem, and they will send a contractor. Once the contractor arrives, you will have to pay them their service fee for diagnosing the problem which is called a deductible and is usually much cheaper than the process of doing it alone.
If the problem is approved by the contractor to come under the cost of the home warranty, the rest of the damage will be free-of-cost.
Differences between Home warranty and Home insurance
Underwriting
An underwriter assesses the risk by paying a visit to the home when we apply for home insurance. They consider factors like history, location, contents, construction, and the age of your home. After that, the price and premium for the insurance plan are derived accordingly.
Home warranties, on the other hand, do not require underwriting. The premium and warranty plan is the same for one and all.
Automatic Renewal
Clients enjoy automatic renewals of home insurance. As long as one pays the premiums, he or she has insurance coverage. Home warranties, on the other hand, require renewal. Warranties are for a limited time, and after that, the clients need to renew them.
The advantage is that you can search for better warranty plans when the current runs out and avail new member discounts on them. The disadvantage is that if a client forgets to renew the warranty, it will lapse, and any damage that occurs won’t be covered.
Necessity
To receive mortgages, having home insurance is generally necessary. On the other hand, having a home warranty is not mandatory and generally not required. It is optional.
Personal Liability coverage
Home insurances mostly cover personal liability, but the home warranty does not. In simple words, if an inhabitant or any member of the family on the property is hurt in an accident, the home insurance covers medical costs concerning bodily harm.. The loss of wages of the hurt member and legal fee is also covered in the personal liability coverage.
Extra coverage
Most warranty companies provide extra coverage to clients like the protection of swimming pools and spas if they choose a bigger coverage. Home insurance, on the other hand, does not offer anything of that sort.
Limited coverage
Home Warranty companies put a limit to the maximum coverage they would provide to the clients. Whereas, the Homeowner’s Insurance usually covers around 50% to 70% of the total insured amount. You might have to conduct a home inventory for the same, which allows the companies to better understand the total worth of your assets. It might also include liability protection and additional living expenses, in case you are not able to put up at your place due to the damage.
Surprises down the road
What is covered and not under Home insurance is apparent right from the beginning because of underwriting. However, home warranty companies don’t undertake any assessments and may deny coverage of the appliance later because of factors like improper installment, area building codes, improper usage or lack of maintenance, etc.
Cost
The cost of home insurance is usually higher than home warranty. U.S. average annual premium for Home insurance is $1,211, while for a home warranty policy, it ranges between $300 and $600.
What Are Home Warranty Deductibles
Since home warranty plans are all different, ask specifically what kind of deductibles are included in your plan of choice. Contact your broker to see if any upgrades are available. Make sure to make all the checks require before signing a home warranty contract.
Home warranty companies often list three types of coverage: basic coverage, full coverage, and optional coverage. Some carriers may not have basic insurance, but they do have a standard policy.
Below is more information you should know on these three types of coverages.
Basic Home Warranty Coverage
A basic home warranty covers systems and devices that are essential for everyday use. Items covered by a home warranty vary from state to state. The daily use of devices depends on climatic conditions and other factors—for example, built-in microwaves, plumbing, ceiling fans, etc.
You should note that not all companies include the same list of items in their default policies.
Enhanced Home Warranty Coverage
Extended coverage includes some systems and devices that are not included in a basic plan, but are used frequently. Enhanced coverage costs a little more than basic coverage. Under certain warranty conditions for private households, air conditioning, refrigerator, washer/dryer, etc. They are not included in the basic insurance.
Optional Home Warranty Coverage
Optional coverage includes items that are not covered by basic or full coverage. This cover gives you the ability to add your own pool, spa, wine cooler, well pump, etc. You have to pay a fixed additional premium to add one of these items to your home coverage.
Most home warranty company websites have sample policies. Indicate which items are included in basic, full, and optional coverage. Be sure to read the document for a clear understanding of the elements included in each policy and speak to a representative of the company.
Deductible Costs, Service Costs, and Other Fees
When evaluating a home warranty deductibles, make sure you know exactly the costs involved. This means you have to take into consideration, among other things, acquisition costs, service costs, and additional costs.
The actual price of a home warranty deductibles depends on the chosen coverage. Typical annual costs can be $200 for large appliances and $800 for HVAC, plumbing, and electrical systems.
When buying a home, the warranty premium is a part of the final costs of the house. However, the question of who to pay the premium remains open. Payment responsibilities can be transferred entirely to the seller or shared between the seller, the buyer, and the broker.
Some home warranties have a deductible of around $60-70; or the repair cost, whichever is lower. If the warranty includes a deductible, this fee will be charged for every repair. And even if you don’t pay the actual repair or replacement costs, you may be liable to pay from between $65 and up to $125 in trade fees for each repair. This fee, stipulated in the contract, covers the price of the technician who comes to your home to diagnose the problem.
