You just moved into your dream home and the furnace stops working in the dead of winter. What do you do? You just spent your savings to buy the perfect home and money is tight. Well, if you were smart, you purchased a home warranty during the buying process that will protect you for a nominal service fee now.
A home warranty is usually purchased during the sale of a home. It provides coverage for major appliances and systems in your home. The fee for the year is paid at closing. Current homeowners can also purchase a home warranty for their residence as home warranties are not limited to real estate transactions.
“I have to have insurance, do I need a warranty also?” The answer is yes, you do. The insurance policy protects against fires, hail, theft, and other natural disasters. They do not protect you from the normal wear and tear of your appliances and systems like plumbing, electrical, and heating. The home warranty plan is a peace of mind to lessen stress and out of pocket cost for expensive repairs.
Factors For Choosing an Ohio Home Warranty
There are several home warranty companies to chose from. So, how do you decide which is the best home warranty company for you?
Most plans will cover the major systems and appliances of a home. For example, a built-in microwave, dishwasher, air conditioning units, and water heaters are some of the covered items. Several home warranty companies have addons where they will provide coverage for typically uncovered items like pools, water softeners, and additional appliances.
There are also differences in the costs of service fees. Some home warranty companies offer reduced service fees for an increased price.
There can also be a difference in the technicians that are able to be used. Some Ohio home warranty companies have technicians that they use solely and you do not have a choice in who will come to your home. Other companies will give you the option to choose your own technician.
There is also the issue of age in terms of home warranty coverage. Some items are not covered if they are over ten years old. You may have to pay extra for a plan with this if your appliances are older.
Most home warranty companies have different plans to meet the needs of their consumers. It can be difficult and confusing to find the one that works best for you. So, we will go through several of the top Ohio home warranty companies and explain their plans and services to give you a better idea of your options.
Best Home Warranty Ohio Companies
American Home Shield
About American Home Shield
American Home Shield set the standard for the home warranty industry when it was founded in 1971. Since then, it has set the standard for home warranty companies. American Home Shield has a network of contractors that numbers around 15,000. The waiting period to file a claim is thirty days.
American Home Shield Plans
When I went to American Home Shield’s website to get a quote, I found that they have three different rates for service calls. You can choose from 75, 100, or 125.
They have three separate plans: appliances, systems, and a combo. The appliance plan covers kitchen and laundry room appliances. The systems plan covers heating and cooling systems, plumbing, and electrical systems. Combo obviously includes both.
American Home Shield Fees
Your monthly rate decreases with the higher deductible for the service call fee. For additional fees, they will also warranty pools, sump pumps, electric systems, and septic pumps. They also offer discounted HVAC tuneup and air filter delivery. They also offer a thirty-day guarantee on workmanship. If something fails within thirty days of being repaired, they will send out a technician again for free.
SHIELD ASSURANCES (from their website)
WE COVER WHAT OTHERS DON’T.
- Nothing is too old. We cover items no matter the age
- Inspections and maintenance records not required
- Covered breakdowns caused by lack of maintenance
- Improper installations, repairs, or modifications
- Damage due to sediment, rust, or corrosion
- Removal of old, defective items
- Duplicates of the same item, like that extra fridge
To check out American Home Shield, check out their website. You can fill their form out online or call for a quote.
As a side note, Coldwell Banker has partnered with American Home Shield. If your agent works for Coldwell Banker, you will have no choice in your warranty company.
Choice Home Warranty
About Choice Home Warranty
Choice Home Warranty is in 48 states. They are not in California and Washington. They have been in business for 5 years. This company has two home warranty plans. They have what they call the Total Plan and the Basic Plan. Then, you have the option to add coverage for pools, stand-alone freezer, central vacuum, well pump, septic system, sump pump, septic tank pumping, and additional spa and refrigerator.
Choice Home Warranty Plans
The basic plan does not cover washers and dryers, air conditioning system,s, and refrigerators. The total plan covers the same systems, heating, cooling, plumbing and electrical, water heater, and appliances like American Home Shield. It also offers coverage under this plan for jetted tubs, ceiling and exhaust fans, garage door opener, and ductwork.
According to its website, Choice Home Warranty offers 24/7 home warranty service. They also state that they pre-screen their technicians and if they cannot fix the item in question, it will be replaced.
Choice Home Warranty Fees
When I filled out the online form for a quote, the total plan price was very comparable to American Home Shield’s price for their combo plan. However, I was not able to find out the charge for the service call fee. I looked all around the site and it was not readily seen. I also did not see where they covered pre-existing conditions. I would make sure to talk to a customer service representative to see what exactly their fees and coverage are so you know before you purchase the home warranty. Check them out at https://choicehome.com/.
Select Home Warranty
About Select Home Warranty
A third Ohio home warranty company is Select Home Warranty. Select Home Warranty won the Editor’s Choice for 2019. This company has three home warranty plans, Gold Care, Platinum Care, and Bronze Care.
Select Home Warranty Plans
Their Gold Care plan covers air conditioning, cooling and heating system, plumbing and electrical system, water heater, and ductwork.
Their Bronze Care plan covers washer and dryer, garbage disposal, refrigerator, stove, built-in microwave oven, cooktop, and dishwasher.
The Platinum Care plan covers the heating and cooling system, the AC, the plumbing and electrical system, the water heater, plumbing stoppage, washer and dryer, garbage disposal, refrigerator, stove and cooktop, built-in microwave, dishwasher, ductwork, ceiling fans, and garage door opener.
Select Home Warranty will also offer coverage for an additional amount on central vacuum, lawn sprinkler system, pool, roof leaks, septic systems, spa, stand-alone freezer, as well as sump and well pumps.
Select Home Warranty Fees
Once again as I went through their online form, I could not find how much their service call fee is. I would make sure to call and speak to a customer service representative for more information before completing payment so you have a better idea of the total cost.
Check them out at https://selecthomewarranty.com/.
Amazon Home Warranty
About Amazon Home Warranty
Amazon Home Warranty made the top five list on This Old House’s best warranty companies of 2020. It has been in business for ten years and is not affiliated with Amazon.com. They do not offer home warranties in California, Iowa, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Washington.
Amazon Home Warranty Plans
Amazon Home Warranty offers three home warranty plans similar to American Home Shield. They are the Appliances Plan, the Systems plan, and lastly, the Combo Plan.
The appliances plan covers the dishwasher, refrigerator with icemaker, the washer and dryer, stand-alone freezer, trash compactor and oven, stove, and microwave. From what I read on their website, it does not appear that the microwave has to built-in.
The systems plan covers two central AC units, a central heating system, electrical and plumbing systems including plumbing stoppages, water heater, ductwork, jetted bathtub, and garage door opener.
The combo plan covers everything in the first two plans and also includes an instant hot water dispenser, garbage disposal, attic and ceiling fan, bathroom exhaust fan, doorbell, and the kitchen fan/exhaust hood.
Amazon Home Warranty also offers coverage for an additional fee for pools and spas, an additional central air conditioning unit, additional centra heating unit, central vacuum system, lawn sprinkler system, well pump, septic system, wine refrigerator, whole house humidifier, septic tank pumping, a stand-alone freezer, and additional refrigerator, sump pump, water softener water heater, ice maker, and extra oven, dishwasher, microwave and washer, and dryer. They also warranty duplexes and pool heaters for an additional fee. In addition, you can also add a limited roof leak warranty. They offer coverage on several items that most other companies do not cover.
Amazon Home Warranty Fees
Their pricing is comparable to the other companies for the combo plan. The additional warranty fees were similar in price also. The service call fee that was quoted was $75. Their network of service providers is over 40,000 throughout the country.
Check them out at https://ahwp.com/.
Residential Warranty Services (RWS)
About Residential Warranty Services
RWS has been in business since 1988. They are in all 50 states. RWS is involved in the real estate market. They offer warranties to sellers and buyers. If you get a home inspection from one of their ‘provider’ home inspection companies, the term for the warranty goes from 12 to 18 months. If you are a seller, there is a free listing for you including HVAC without any upcharge.
Residential Warranty Services Plans
RWS offers two policies, the Simple Policy, and the Advantage Plan. RWS states on their website, “The Simple Warranty by Residential Warranty Services, Inc represents the broadest coverage available in the market today. All options are included, no known preexisting conditions and we offer the best coverage guarantee. In fact, if you are ever denied coverage for a claim that can be verified eligible by any other policy we will either cover it or give you 100% of your premiums back. Pricing is based on a simple square footage system, and you’ll never experience any upcharges.”
The Simple Policy from RWS also covers underground sewer and water lines at no additional cost. No other warranty company provides this coverage, even as an additional service. Roof leaks are also covered with this policy at no additional fee, unlike the other warranty companies we talked about earlier. They also include a well pump, sump pump, water softener, drain line stoppage, additional appliances, and HVAC units, termite treatments, outdoor spigots, home alarms, and garage door springs at no additional charge.
RWS does not dictate who you need to use as a repairman. If you have someone you like, you can use them. If not, they can suggest one to you.
Residential Warranty Services Fees
Their prices are very competitive and are based solely on square footage. They also include plans from a single-family home up to a four-plex. Their prices are spelled out on their website along with the pricing for additional coverages. They also offer a twenty dollar discount on all condos and townhomes.
You can add a mold-safe policy, pool and spa coverage, and septic tank pumping for additional fees. There is also the option to pay a one-time fee of $75 to have your service call fee be $75 for the term of the policy.
RWS does not market like other warranty companies. They keep costs down for their clients by using word of mouth. They also partner with home inspection companies throughout the country.
Check them out at https://ohiohomewarranty.net/.
Conclusion
There are some good choices for warranty companies out there. For those involved in buying a home and other real estate transactions, RWS is a very good option if your home inspector partners with them. You will get an 18-month warranty for the price of 12. They are very upfront about their costs and coverage. Their costs were also less than those of the other companies. While I was able to pull up the actual policy online for RWS, I was not able to do that with any of the other companies. In addition, they offer a 100% guarantee that none of the other home warranties do. RWS also includes in their basic coverage many items that other companies charge additional fees for. For the best home warranty in Columbus, Ohio, check out Residential Warranty Services.
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