Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Written By David Cusick
Last Updated February 2024
As much as you may love owning a home in Darien, there's always that worry about whether your appliances and systems are going to make it through the next few years. A home warranty is a way to protect your bank account from unexpected expenses. With a home warranty in place, your repair costs can be significantly lower and give you some 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 Darien.
Very highly rated among customer service reviews
Covers repairs with a 60-day workmanship guarantee
Extensive list of 20+ add-on coverages
Easy claims process
Won’t cover known or unknown pre-existing conditions
Liberty Home Guard is the most trustworthy home warranty in Darien. Liberty has established itself as a company with a seamless complaint process and guaranteed service professionalism upon every repair visit. It also has a 60-day workmanship guarantee and some of the best customer service in the industry. The 3 plans from Liberty are easy to understand and offer both system and appliance coverage.
The plans that Liberty offers to homeowners are Appliance Guard, Systems Guard, and Total Home Guard. The coverage caps from Liberty are about $3,000. The service fees are an affordable $75, which is less than other providers in the Darien area.
Read more by visiting our thorough review of Liberty Home Guard. To receive a free quote from Liberty Home Guard, fill out this online form or give them a call at 866-451-2281.
Appliance Guard
Systems Guard
Total Home Guard
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 Darien. 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. The 2 plans from Choice are easy to understand and offer both system and appliance coverage.
The plans that Choice offers to homeowners are Basic Plan and Total Plan. The coverage caps from Choice are about $3,000. The service fees are an affordable $85, which is less than other providers in the Darien area.
Read more by visiting our thorough review of Choice Home Warranty. To receive a free quote from Choice Home Warranty, fill out this online form or give them a call at 929-400-6164.
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 Darien. 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. The 3 plans from Select are easy to understand and offer both system and appliance coverage.
The plans that Select offers to homeowners are Bronze Care Plan, Gold Care Plan, and Platinum Care Plan. The coverage caps from Select are about $2,000. The service fees are a reasonable $60, which is less than other providers in the Darien area.
Read more by visiting our thorough review of Select Home Warranty. To receive a free quote from Select Home Warranty, fill out this online form or give them a call at 888-370-3953.
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 Darien. 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. The 3 plans from AHS are easy to understand and offer both system and appliance coverage.
The plans that AHS offers to homeowners are ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, and ShieldPlatinum. The coverage caps from AHS are about $2,500. The service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $125, which is less than other providers in the Darien area.
Read more by visiting our thorough review of American Home Shield. To receive a free quote from American Home Shield, fill out this online form or give them a call at 888-365-2839.
ShieldSilver
ShieldGold
ShieldPlatinum
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 Darien. 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. The 3 plans from Cinch are easy to understand and offer both system and appliance coverage.
The plans that Cinch offers to homeowners are Appliances Plan, Built-in Systems Plan, and Complete Home Plan. The coverage caps from Cinch are about $1,000-$2,000. The service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $150, which is less than other providers in the Darien area.
Read more by visiting our thorough review of Cinch Home Services. To receive 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 Darien. 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. The 2 plans from HSC are easy to understand and offer both system and appliance coverage.
The plans that HSC offers to homeowners are Standard Coverage Plan and Comprehensive Coverage Plan. The coverage caps from HSC are about $2,000. The service fees are customizable and range from $65 to $90, which is less than other providers in the Darien area.
Read more by visiting our thorough review of The Home Service Club. To receive 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 | $6,499 |
| Heating | $4,333 |
| Electrical | $650 |
| Toilets | $542 |
| Washer/Dryer | $867 |
| Plumbing | $650 |
| Oven | $1,733 |
| Fridge | $650 |
A home warranty is a protection plan that helps Darien homeowners cut the costs of appliance and system repairs. The plans offer coverage to fix or swap out appliances and systems that malfunction due to normal wear and tear.
When something breaks down, you file a claim and pay a service fee. The home warranty company then arranges a contractor to handle the fix or replacement. Homeowners may have out-of-pocket costs only if the cost of repair or replacement goes over the item's coverage limit. A home warranty gives homeowners peace of mind by helping avoid expensive emergency repairs. The coverage is especially helpful for buyers of older houses or houses with systems near the end of their life span. However, homeowners with newer homes and modern appliances may not require a home warranty.
Home warranties cover your home systems and appliances. Common appliances covered include dishwashers, microwaves, washers, refrigerators, garbage disposals, dryers, and more. Covered systems are typically air conditioning, electrical, plumbing, and heating. Many home warranty providers offer add-on coverage for septic systems, central vacuums, locksmiths, and roof leaks. Most home warranty plans require Darien homeowners to refrain from making claims for 30 days before they can use the policy to pay for repairs. Additionally, policies usually only cover repairs and replacements resulting from normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't cover cosmetic issues, pre-existing conditions, natural disasters, or misuse of a system or appliance. To make sure your next repair or replacement is covered, keep up with preventative maintenance.
Here are some essential home warranty terms to know before signing a contract:
There are several important considerations when selecting a home warranty provider:
Home warranty policies vary widely in what they include. Most plans provide protection for heating, plumbing, AC, electrical, and appliances. More comprehensive options also include coverage for other items such as roof leaks, spas, well pumps, and pools. Focus on companies with broad coverage options including upgraded plans. Flexibility like this will help you customize your plan to meet your 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 providers with lower service fees to maximize savings. Some companies also offer disappearing deductibles when a homeowner goes a defined period without any repair requests.
A home warranty provider's reputation can offer insight into things such as contractor quality, approval rates for claims, speed of repairs, and customer satisfaction. Use third-party review sites such as TrustPilot, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), or Google Reviews to research providers. Positive ratings and reviews indicate that a company is known for quality service.
Home warranty providers use networks of local repair professionals to manage repairs in a given area. Reach out to potential companies to learn the number of repair specialists they have in Darien and get an idea of how fast your repairs could be handled in an emergency. Bigger networks increase the probability of getting qualified contractors to promptly service your home.
Home warranty companies may include extras such as coverage for smart home devices, energy efficiency upgrades, and maintenance discounts. These can add value beyond repair coverage. Added perks maximize the usefulness of your home warranty.
Darien’s cold winters can put a strain on a home’s HVAC system. Whether it’s summer or winter, a home warranty can help cover your home’s appliances and systems if they need to be repaired or replaced. For example, if your air conditioner breaks down in the middle of July, a home warranty can cover the repairs, preventing you from spending unexpected money out of pocket.
On top of saving you money on out-of-pocket expenses, a home warranty can provide you peace of mind and save you the headache of trying to find a qualified technician to visit your home. Home warranties usually have a network of pre-vetted contractors who can handle any repair problems you may come across. A home warranty can also offer value in other ways. For example, some policies can be transferred to another owner when you sell your home.
There are also some negatives to purchasing a home warranty policy, such as the coverage exclusions. For example, home warranties may not cover systems or appliances that already have a manufacturer's warranty.
Another drawback is that home warranties may not include some repairs, like those needed because of natural disasters. For example, if a tree falls onto your house and damages the roof, the impacted systems and appliances probably won’t be covered by the home warranty.
A home warranty policy costs, on average, around $300 to $600 a year in Darien. Our high-rated home warranty companies' most comprehensive coverage options vary from $546 to $840 per year. You can reduce your monthly bill with some companies by opting for a higher service fee. Additionally, it's often cheaper to pay annually rather than monthly.
The difference between a home warranty and homeowner's insurance lies in what types of damage each covers. A home warranty plan protects against 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 a homeowners insurance plan, you will not be able to file a claim should you need a new dryer or air conditioner, unless the damage is a result of a natural disaster, which is somewhat common in Darien.
Homebuyers, homeowners, home sellers, real estate agents, and landlords can all get home warranty plans. A home warranty can help make your property more attractive to prospective buyers and save you money in the long run.
The different kinds of home warranties in Darien include plans that cover either appliances or systems as well as combination plans. A combination plan covers 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 items listed in the policy.
Home warranty plans generally provide coverage for a year. Many providers let you renew your plan yearly, and some offer month-to-month options as well.
Typically, the one who owns the home is responsible for paying for the home warranty. In some cases, however, the person who is selling the home 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. Considering that the average home value in Darien is $394,613, a home warranty can be an added asset when buying a home.
