Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Written By David Cusick
Last Updated April 2024
Lafayette gives homeowners some great living options and the opportunity to enjoy bright warm summers. However, scorching temperatures can do a number on your home’s systems, such as your HVAC. A home warranty policy can help protect homeowners by covering major repairs and replacements on your home’s most important appliances and systems.
Finding the best home warranty on the market can be challenging, as there are so many companies to choose from. That’s why our team at Today's Homeowner did the research and compiled a list of the best home warranty companies in Lafayette for you.
Over 10 years of experience
24/7 customer service team
Home inspections aren’t required
90-day repair guarantee
Plans aren’t customizable
Customers can’t choose their own contractor
Not available in washington
Choice Home Warranty is the best overall home warranty in Lafayette. Choice has been in the home warranty industry for over 15 years. Choice has established itself as a company with very high coverage caps and simple-to-understand service contracts. It also has great customer service, professional contractors, and lower out-of-pocket costs compared to other home warranties. Choice has 2 simple plans, making the selection process quick and easy.
The 2 plans from Choice Home Warranty are Basic Plan and Total Plan. Choice has coverage caps of around $3,000 for most appliances and systems, but some plans may have different coverage caps, so make sure to check with the company. Service fees are an affordable $85.
To get a free quote from Choice Home Warranty, fill out this online form or give them a call at 929-400-6164. Read our Choice Home Warranty Review to learn more.
Basic Plan
Total Plan
Low service fees compared to other home warranty providers
Two months of free coverage
Has an appliance-only, systems-only, and combo plan option
90-day repair guarantee
Has a $75 cancellation fee
Low coverage caps
Select Home Warranty is the most cost-effective home warranty in Lafayette. Select has been in the home warranty industry for over 11 years. Select has established itself as a company with a highly affordable service fee and free roof coverage upon purchase of a policy plan. It also has an extensive network of highly trained professionals all over the country who are experts in home maintenance. Select has 3 simple plans, making the selection process quick and easy.
The 3 plans from Select Home Warranty are Bronze Care Plan, Gold Care Plan, and Platinum Care Plan. Select has coverage caps of around $2,000 for most appliances and systems, but some plans may have different coverage caps, so make sure to check with the company. Service fees are a reasonable $60.
To get a free quote from Select Home Warranty, fill out this online form or give them a call at 888-370-3953. Read our Select Home Warranty Review to learn more.
Bronze Care Plan
Gold Care Plan
Platinum Care Plan
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 Lafayette. AHS has been in the home warranty industry for over 26 years. AHS has established itself as a company with the ability to customize your plan with the coverages that work specifically for your home. It also has a remarkably low claim denial rate in comparison to other home warranty companies. AHS has 3 simple plans, making the selection process quick and easy.
The 3 plans from American Home Shield are ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, and ShieldPlatinum. AHS has coverage caps of around $2,500 for most appliances and systems, but some plans may have different coverage caps, so make sure to check with the company. Service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $125.
To get a free quote from American Home Shield, fill out this online form or give them a call at 888-365-2839. Read our American Home Shield Review to learn more.
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 Lafayette. First American has been in the home warranty industry for over 39 years. First American has established itself as a company with very affordable and comprehensive appliance coverage. It 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. First American has 2 simple plans, making the selection process quick and easy.
The 2 plans from First American Home Warranty are Basic Plan and Premier Plan. First American has coverage caps of around $1,500 for most appliances and systems, but some plans may have different coverage caps, so make sure to check with the company. Service fees are a reasonable $85.
To get a free quote from First American Home Warranty, fill out this online form or give them a call at 833-204-7164. Read our First American Home Warranty Review to learn more.
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 Lafayette. Cinch has been in the home warranty industry for over 44 years. Cinch has established itself as a company with a 180-day workmanship guarantee that ensures your home systems and appliance repairs will be professionally done. It also has a broad range of coverage options that will give homeowners peace of mind. Cinch has 3 simple plans, making the selection process quick and easy.
The 3 plans from Cinch Home Services are Appliances Plan, Built-in Systems Plan, and Complete Home Plan. Cinch has coverage caps of around $1,000-$2,000 for most appliances and systems, but some plans may have different coverage caps, so make sure to check with the company. Service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $150.
To get a free quote from Cinch Home Services, fill out this online form or give them a call at 877-589-0505. Read our Cinch Home Services Review to learn more.
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 Lafayette. HSC has been in the home warranty industry for over 15 years. HSC has established itself as a company with quick coverage where the home warranty goes into effect just ten days after you pay for the plan, instead of the typical 30 days. It also has customer service representatives available 24/7, as well as a 30-day labor guarantee and a 90-day parts guarantee. HSC has 2 simple plans, making the selection process quick and easy.
The 2 plans from The Home Service Club are Standard Coverage Plan and Comprehensive Coverage Plan. HSC has coverage caps of around $2,000 for most appliances and systems, but some plans may have different coverage caps, so make sure to check with the company. Service fees are customizable and range from $65 to $90.
To get a free quote from The Home Service Club, fill out this online form or give them a call at 800-750-9443. Read our The Home Service Club Review to learn more.
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 | $8,114 |
| Heating | $5,409 |
| Electrical | $811 |
| Toilets | $676 |
| Washer/Dryer | $1,082 |
| Plumbing | $811 |
| Oven | $2,164 |
| Fridge | $811 |
A home warranty is a protection plan that helps lower expenses for Lafayette homeowners needing appliance and system repairs. These plans provide financial coverage to fix or swap out appliances and systems that stop working due to normal wear and tear.
Homeowners file 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 cost of the repair or replacement exceeds 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 modern appliances might not require a home warranty.
Home warranties safeguard both your home systems and appliances. Common appliances covered under a home warranty include washers, dryers, garbage disposals, refrigerators, microwaves, dishwashers, and others. Covered systems include air conditioning, heating, electrical, and plumbing. Many home warranties offer additional add-on coverage options for septic systems, locksmiths, central vacuums, and even roof leaks. Lafayette should understand that most home warranty plans have a 30-day waiting period before repairs are covered. Most policies also only cover repairs and replacements resulting from normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't include pre-existing conditions, natural disasters, cosmetic issues, or improperly using a system or appliance. Stay current with preventative maintenance to help guarantee your next repair or replacement is covered.
Home warranties use several terms that you'll want to understand before signing a contract, such as:
When choosing a home warranty provider, there are several key factors to consider:
Home warranties have significant variation in what they include. Basic policies typically cover electrical, AC, heating, plumbing, and appliances, while more comprehensive plans may also cover roof leaks, pools, well pumps, and spas. Look for providers with an assortment of coverage options, such as upgraded plans. Flexibility helps you tailor your protection for your needs.
With any home warranty claim, you'll pay a repair fee that typically ranges between $60 and $100, which gets paid per claim you submit. These per-claim charges can add up. You may decide to look for providers with lower service fees to maximize your savings on each claim. Some firms also offer disappearing deductibles if a homeowner doesn't submit claims for repairs for a specified period of time.
A home warranty provider's reputation can offer insight into things such as contractor quality, speed of repairs, approval rates for claims, and customer satisfaction. Use third-party review sites such as TrustPilot, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), or Google Reviews to research companies. Positive ratings and reviews indicate that a company is known for top-tier service.
Home warranty companies maintain networks of local technicians to handle repairs in your area. Reach out to potential providers to find out how many repair professionals they have in Lafayette and get an idea for how quickly your repairs could take place in an emergency situation. Wider networks raise the probability of getting qualified contractors to promptly service your home.
Home warranty providers might offer bonuses such as coverage for smart home devices, energy efficiency upgrades, and maintenance discounts. These extras can add value beyond basic repair coverage. Added perks maximize the usefulness of the home warranty.
Temperatures in Lafayette can get quite high in the summer, which means your air conditioner is most likely going to get a decent amount of use. As a homeowner in Lafayette, one of the benefits of having a home warranty is that these home systems and major appliances can be covered if they have to be repaired or replaced.
Not only can a home warranty give you some financial relief, but it also saves you time. If an appliance breaks, the last thing you want to do is find a repair person and schedule a repair. A home warranty handles this process by sending trusted professionals to your door when you need them most. Another added benefit of having a home warranty policy is that it can increase your home’s property value. If you ever decide to sell your house, you may be able to transfer your home warranty plan to the new homebuyer depending on the provider you purchased your home warranty through.
Home warranties also have some downsides. While it can be convenient that the home warranty sends out a contractor who does the repair for you, some may not like this, and they may want to select their own contractor. If that’s important to you, some home warranty companies allow you to choose a contractor.
Another thing to take into consideration is that some providers don’t cover pre-existing issues and may require an inspection before coverage begins. Ask the home warranty company for clarification about it if you aren’t sure or if this is an issue for you.
A home warranty in Lafayette can cost between $30 and $60 a month. The higher-priced plans usually have higher coverage limits, a lower service fee, and broader coverage. This cost is often lower if you pay annually instead of monthly. Some companies will also lower your up-front costs when you opt for a higher service fee.
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 home systems and appliances. Homeowners insurance protects your home in case of a situation such as a fire or natural disaster. Under homeowners insurance, you will not be able to file a claim should you need a new dryer or oven, unless the damage is due to a natural disaster, which isn't that common in Lafayette.
Homebuyers, landlords, homeowners, home sellers, and real estate agents can all get home warranty plans. A home warranty can help make your home more appealing to prospective buyers and save you money in the long run.
The different types of home warranties in Lafayette include plans that cover either appliances or systems as well as combination plans. A combination plan will cover almost all your systems and appliances, including your dishwasher, washing machine, and heating and cooling systems. A plan that only covers appliances or systems will cover only the specific items mentioned in the policy.
Generally, a home warranty policy offers coverage for a year and can be renewed annually. Some providers may offer month-to-month plans.
Typically, 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 Lafayette, where the median home value is $1,914,728, having the seller pay for the home warranty can save you some money on your new home.
