Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Written By David Cusick
Last Updated April 2024
With a variety of seasons in Columbia, your home systems can experience quite a bit of wear and tear. There’s nothing worse than having your air conditioning go out in the middle of summer. 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 significantly lower and give you some peace of mind.
Finding the best home warranty on the market can be difficult, since there are so many companies to choose from. That’s why our team at Today's Homeowner did the research and made a list of the best home warranty companies in Columbia for you.
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 for Columbia residents. 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 have a mix of both system and appliance coverage.
The plans that Liberty offers to homeowners are Appliance Guard, Systems Guard, and Total Home Guard. Liberty has coverage caps of around $3,000 for most appliances and systems, but with some plans, the coverage caps can be higher, so be sure to check with the provider. Service fees are an affordable $75.
To receive a free quote from Liberty Home Guard, fill out this online form or call 866-451-2281. Read our review of Liberty Home Guard to learn more.
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 for Columbia residents. 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 have a mix of both system and appliance coverage.
The plans that Choice offers to homeowners are Basic Plan and Total Plan. Choice has coverage caps of around $3,000 for most appliances and systems, but with some plans, the coverage caps can be higher, so be sure to check with the provider. Service fees are an affordable $85.
To receive a free quote from Choice Home Warranty, fill out this online form or call 929-400-6164. Read our review of Choice Home Warranty 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 for Columbia residents. 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 have a mix of both system and appliance coverage.
The plans that Select offers to homeowners 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 with some plans, the coverage caps can be higher, so be sure to check with the provider. Service fees are a reasonable $60.
To receive a free quote from Select Home Warranty, fill out this online form or call 888-370-3953. Read our review of Select Home Warranty 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 for Columbia residents. 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 have a mix of both system and appliance coverage.
The plans that AHS offers to homeowners are ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, and ShieldPlatinum. AHS has coverage caps of around $2,500 for most appliances and systems, but with some plans, the coverage caps can be higher, so be sure to check with the provider. Service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $125.
To receive a free quote from American Home Shield, fill out this online form or call 888-365-2839. Read our review of American Home Shield 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 for Columbia residents. 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. The 2 plans from First American are easy to understand and have a mix of both system and appliance coverage.
The plans that First American offers to homeowners are Basic Plan and Premier Plan. First American has coverage caps of around $1,500 for most appliances and systems, but with some plans, the coverage caps can be higher, so be sure to check with the provider. Service fees are a reasonable $85.
To receive a free quote from First American Home Warranty, fill out this online form or call 833-204-7164. Read our review of First American Home Warranty 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 for Columbia residents. 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 have a mix of both system and appliance coverage.
The plans that Cinch offers to homeowners 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 with some plans, the coverage caps can be higher, so be sure to check with the provider. Service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $150.
To receive a free quote from Cinch Home Services, fill out this online form or call 877-589-0505. Read our review of Cinch Home Services 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 for Columbia residents. 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 have a mix of both system and appliance coverage.
The plans that HSC offers to homeowners are Standard Coverage Plan and Comprehensive Coverage Plan. HSC has coverage caps of around $2,000 for most appliances and systems, but with some plans, the coverage caps can be higher, so be sure to check with the provider. Service fees are customizable and range from $65 to $90.
To receive a free quote from The Home Service Club, fill out this online form or call 800-750-9443. Read our review of The Home Service Club 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 | $6,939 |
| Heating | $4,626 |
| Electrical | $694 |
| Toilets | $578 |
| Washer/Dryer | $925 |
| Plumbing | $694 |
| Oven | $1,850 |
| Fridge | $694 |
A home warranty is a protection plan that assists Columbia homeowners lower the expenses of appliance and system repairs. The plans offer financial coverage to fix or swap out appliances and systems that stop working due to normal wear and tear.
When something breaks down, you submit a claim and pay a service fee. The home warranty company then finds 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 peace of mind to homeowners because it helps prevent costly emergency repairs. Home warranties are particularly useful for owners of older homes or homes with aging systems. New homes with modern appliances might not require a home warranty.
Home warranties cover your home's systems and appliances. Common covered appliances include dryers, refrigerators, washers, garbage disposals, microwaves, dishwashers, and others. Covered systems include plumbing, heating, electrical, and air conditioning. Various home warranty plans offer additional coverage for septic systems, roof leaks, central vacuums, and even locksmiths. Most home warranty plans require Columbia homeowners to refrain from making claims for 30 days before the plan will cover repairs. Moreover, policies normally only cover repairs and replacements resulting from normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't cover pre-existing conditions, natural disasters, cosmetic issues, or misusing a system or appliance. To make sure your next repair or replacement is covered, keep up with preventative maintenance.
Before agreeing to a home warranty contract, you should learn key terms like:
There are several important factors to consider when selecting a home warranty provider:
Home warranty coverage can have major differences in what's included. Most plans provide coverage for AC, plumbing, electrical, heating, and appliances. More robust coverage options also offer coverage on other items such as well pumps, roof leaks, spas, and pools. Focus on providers with an expansive array of coverage choices including upgraded plans. Flexibility like this will help you customize your plan to meet your home's needs.
Homeowners should anticipate paying a $60–100 service fee when filing home warranty claims. These per-claim costs can add up, 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 provider's reputation can offer insight into things such as approval rates for claims, speed of repairs, contractor quality, and customer satisfaction. Look at third-party review sites such as Google Reviews, TrustPilot, or the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to research providers. Positive ratings and reviews indicate that a provider is known for top-tier service.
Home warranty providers use networks of local repair technicians to manage repairs in a given area. Reach out to potential companies to ask how many repair technicians they have in Columbia and get an idea of how quickly your repairs could be handled in an emergency. Bigger networks raise the probability of getting qualified contractors to promptly service your home.
Certain home warranty providers offer perks such as energy-efficient upgrades, discounts on maintenance, and protection for smart home devices. These bonuses offer extra value beyond repair coverage. Added perks enhance your home and maximize your home warranty.
Home warranties are a great way to protect your home systems and appliances from normal wear and tear. With temperatures in Columbia hitting an average high of 62℃F, you may find that certain appliances, like your air conditioning unit, get a lot of use. A home warranty can considerably decrease out-of-pocket costs should your HVAC system stop working.
A home warranty also can also save you time and energy. Instead of spending hours finding and selecting a repair person to fix your appliance or system, home warranty providers do the hard work for you and send a trusted professional to your door whenever you need them. Additionally, though home warranty companies vary, some providers will let you transfer your warranty if you sell your home. This can make your property more attractive to potential homebuyers and maybe even help your home sell faster.
One major drawback of a home warranty is not everything you care about may be covered. It’s important to research the different plans and purchase one that covers all the appliances, systems, and add-ons you need.
Also, if you don’t maintain your home systems or appliances properly, or if they need repairs or replacements due to a natural disaster or animal infestation — anything other than normal wear and tear — the home warranty may not cover it.
A home warranty in Columbia can cost between $30 and $60 a month. The higher-priced plans usually have a lower service fee, broader coverage, and higher coverage limits. Home warranties are often cheaper when 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 plan covers normal wear and tear to home systems and appliances. Homeowners insurance protects the entire home in case of a situation such as a fire or natural disaster. Under a homeowners insurance plan, you won't 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 isn't that common in Columbia.
Homebuyers, homeowners, landlords, home sellers, and real estate agents can all get home warranty plans. A home warranty can help make your home more attractive to prospective buyers and save you money in the long run.
A home warranty policy can cover your home’s appliances, systems, or both. Combination plans are beneficial if you'd like more coverage for your home, but a system- or appliance-only plan can be helpful if you want to save some money.
Home warranty plans typically provide coverage for a year. Many companies let you renew your plan yearly, and some offer month-to-month options as well.
Typically, the person who owns the home is responsible for paying for the home warranty. In some cases, however, the one selling the home may purchase a home warranty plan 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 Columbia is $475,873, a home warranty can save you some money when buying a home.
