Written By David Cusick
Last Updated February 2024
Homeownership in Lancaster comes with lots of perks, but it also comes with its challenges. Your home’s appliances and systems will eventually need repairs, and this could mean a burdensome expense. A home warranty is a way to protect your budget from unexpected home repairs and expenses. With a home warranty in place, your repair costs can be considerably lower and allow you to live in your home with more peace of mind.
The home warranty market is filled with many providers — all with different plans — so the Today's Homeowner team has compiled this guide to help you find the best home warranty companies in Lancaster.
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
In Lancaster, Choice Home Warranty is the best overall home warranty. Choice has about 15 years of experience in the home warranty market and in that time has built a impressive network of service professionals nationwide. Choice has 2 plans for homeowners to choose from. When you buy a policy from Choice, you will get very high coverage caps and simple-to-understand service contracts. Choice Home Warranty also has great customer service, professional contractors, and lower out-of-pocket costs compared to other home warranties.
There are 2 home warranty plans from Choice Home Warranty: Basic Plan and Total Plan. Service fees from Choice are an affordable $85. The coverage caps are also about $3,000.
To get a free quote from Choice Home Warranty, fill out this online form or call 929-400-6164. Read more by visiting our review of Choice Home Warranty.
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
In Lancaster, Select Home Warranty is the most cost-effective home warranty. Select has about 11 years of experience in the home warranty market and in that time has built a impressive network of service professionals nationwide. Select has 3 plans for homeowners to choose from. When you buy a policy from Select, you will get a highly affordable service fee and free roof coverage upon purchase of a policy plan. Select Home Warranty also has an extensive network of highly trained professionals all over the country who are experts in home maintenance.
There are 3 home warranty plans from Select Home Warranty: Bronze Care Plan, Gold Care Plan, and Platinum Care Plan. Service fees from Select are a reasonable $60. The coverage caps are also about $2,000.
To get a free quote from Select Home Warranty, fill out this online form or call 888-370-3953. Read more by visiting our review of Select Home Warranty.
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
In Lancaster, American Home Shield is the most customizable home warranty. AHS has about 26 years of experience in the home warranty market and in that time has built a impressive network of service professionals nationwide. AHS has 3 plans for homeowners to choose from. When you buy a policy 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 about $2,500.
To get a free quote from American Home Shield, fill out this online form or call 888-365-2839. Read more by visiting our review of American Home Shield.
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
In Lancaster, First American Home Warranty is the best home warranty for appliance coverage. First American has about 39 years of experience in the home warranty market and in that time has built a impressive network of service professionals nationwide. First American has 2 plans for homeowners to choose from. When you buy a policy 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 about $1,500.
To get a free quote from First American Home Warranty, fill out this online form or call 833-204-7164. Read more by visiting our review of First American Home Warranty.
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
In Lancaster, Cinch Home Services is the home warranty with the best workmanship guarantee. Cinch has about 44 years of experience in the home warranty market and in that time has built a impressive network of service professionals nationwide. Cinch has 3 plans for homeowners to choose from. When you buy a policy 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 about $1,000-$2,000.
To get a free quote from Cinch Home Services, fill out this online form or call 877-589-0505. Read more by visiting our review of Cinch Home Services.
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
In Lancaster, The Home Service Club is the best home warranty with the quickest service. HSC has about 15 years of experience in the home warranty market and in that time has built a impressive network of service professionals nationwide. HSC has 2 plans for homeowners to choose from. When you buy a policy 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 about $2,000.
To get a free quote from The Home Service Club, fill out this online form or call 800-750-9443. Read more by visiting our review of The Home Service Club.
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 | $6,764 |
Heating | $4,509 |
Electrical | $676 |
Toilets | $564 |
Washer/Dryer | $902 |
Plumbing | $676 |
Oven | $1,804 |
Fridge | $676 |
A home warranty is a protection policy that helps cut costs for Lancaster homeowners needing appliance and system repairs. These plans provide 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 goes over the item's coverage limit. A home warranty gives homeowners reassurance by helping avoid high-priced emergency repairs. The coverage is especially helpful for buyers of older houses or houses with fixtures near the end of their life span. However, people with newer homes and modern appliances might not need a home warranty.
Home warranties protect your household systems and appliances. Common covered appliances include dryers, dishwashers, washers, microwaves, refrigerators, garbage disposals, and others. Covered systems include air conditioning, heating, electrical, and plumbing. Many home warranty plans offer extra coverage for central vacuums, septic systems, roof leaks, and even locksmiths. Lancaster 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 things like cosmetic issues, natural disasters, pre-existing conditions, or improper use of a system or appliance. Make sure to keep up with preventative maintenance to ensure that your next repair or replacement is covered by your policy.
Here are some essential home warranty words to understand before signing a contract:
When selecting a home warranty provider, there are several key factors to consider:
Home warranty coverage varies widely in the items that are included. Most plans include protection for heating, plumbing, AC, electrical, and appliances. More comprehensive plans also offer coverage on other items such as spas, well pumps, pools, and roof leaks. Look for providers with a diverse range of coverage options, including upgraded plans. This helps you tailor protection to your home's needs.
Homeowners should anticipate paying a $60–100 service fee when filing home warranty claims. These per-repair charges can potentially accumulate over time, so some homeowners prefer using companies with more affordable per-claim fees to maximize savings. Some providers also offer disappearing deductibles when a homeowner goes a defined period without any repair requests.
A home warranty company's track record provides insight into things such as contractor quality, timeliness of repairs, claim approval rates, and overall customer satisfaction. Look at third-party review sites such as the Better Business Bureau (BBB), TrustPilot, or Google Reviews to research companies. Complimentary reviews and ratings indicate a company known for stellar service.
Home warranty providers have networks of professionals to handle covered repairs. More extensive networks increase the probability of getting qualified technicians to service your home ASAP. Contact potential providers to find out how many contractors they have in Lancaster to get a sense of how soon your repairs could be handled in an emergency.
Some home warranty companies include perks such as smart home device coverage, energy efficiency upgrades, and reduced maintenance fees. These can provide extra value beyond just repair coverage. Extra bonuses allow you to enhance your home and get the most from your home warranty.
Lancaster’s hot summers can put a strain on a home’s HVAC system. Whether it’s summer or winter, a home warranty will cover your home’s appliances and systems if they need to be repaired or replaced. For example, if your air conditioner stops working in the middle of July, a home warranty can cover the repairs, preventing you from spending a lot of money out of pocket.
Plus, having a home warranty can save you some time by getting rid of the need to research contractors — most providers will send a trusted professional right to your door to do the repair or replacement. A home warranty can also give value in other ways. For example, some plans can be transferred between owners when you sell your home.
There are also some negatives to getting a home warranty policy, such as the coverage exclusions. For instance, home warranties may not cover systems or appliances that are already covered by a manufacturer's warranty.
Another downside is that home warranties may exclude some repairs, like those needed because of natural disasters. For example, if a tree falls onto your house and damages the roof, the affected systems and appliances most likely won’t be covered by the home warranty.
A home warranty in Lancaster can cost anywhere from $30 to $60 a month. The higher-priced plans usually have broader coverage, a lower service fee, and higher coverage limits. Home warranties are often cheaper when you pay annually instead of monthly. Some companies will also reduce 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 types of damage each covers. A home warranty plan covers normal wear and tear to systems and appliances in a home. Homeowners insurance protects your home in case of a situation such as a natural disaster or fire. With homeowners insurance, you will not be able to file a claim if you need a new washing machine or stove, unless the damage is a result of a natural disaster, which is somewhat common in Lancaster.
A home warranty can help homeowners, investors, real estate agents, homebuyers, and home sellers. It can provide peace of mind and savings to anyone involved with homeownership.
A home warranty plan can cover your home’s systems, appliances, or both. Combination plans are great if you need 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.
Generally, a home warranty policy lasts for a year and can be renewed annually. Some providers may offer month-to-month plans.
Typically, the person who owns the home pays for the home warranty. In some cases, however, the home seller may buy a home warranty policy and transfer the policy to the buyer. The new homeowner will then be responsible for the service fees when using the policy. Since the average home value in Lancaster is $446,340, a home warranty can save you some money when buying a home.