Written By David Cusick
Last Updated February 2024
With hot summers and cool winters, keeping your home systems and appliances — specifically your HVAC — in working order is extremely important for homeowners in Independence. A home warranty is a way to protect your bank account 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 offerings — so our team at Today's Homeowner has done the research to help you find the best home warranty companies in Independence.
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 offers the most trustworthy home warranty in Independence. If you’re looking for a seamless complaint process and guaranteed service professionalism upon every repair visit, Liberty is the perfect provider for you. Plus, it has a 60-day workmanship guarantee and some of the best customer service in the industry. The 3 plans from Liberty are comprehensive 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 around $3,000. The service fees are an affordable $75, which is less than other providers in the Independence area.
Read our review of Liberty Home Guard to learn more. To receive a free quote from Liberty Home Guard, you can fill out this online form or call 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 offers the best overall home warranty in Independence. If you’re looking for very high coverage caps and simple-to-understand service contracts, Choice is the perfect provider for you. Plus, it has great customer service, professional contractors, and lower out-of-pocket costs compared to other home warranties. The 2 plans from Choice are comprehensive 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 around $3,000. The service fees are an affordable $85, which is less than other providers in the Independence area.
Read our review of Choice Home Warranty to learn more. To receive a free quote from Choice Home Warranty, you can fill out this online form or call 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 offers the most cost-effective home warranty in Independence. If you’re looking for a highly affordable service fee and free roof coverage upon purchase of a policy plan, Select is the perfect provider for you. Plus, it has an extensive network of highly trained professionals all over the country who are experts in home maintenance. The 3 plans from Select are comprehensive 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 around $2,000. The service fees are a reasonable $60, which is less than other providers in the Independence area.
Read our review of Select Home Warranty to learn more. To receive a free quote from Select Home Warranty, you can fill out this online form or call 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 offers the most customizable home warranty in Independence. If you’re looking for the ability to customize your plan with the coverages that work specifically for your home, AHS is the perfect provider for you. Plus, it has a remarkably low claim denial rate in comparison to other home warranty companies. The 3 plans from AHS are comprehensive 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 around $2,500. The service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $125, which is less than other providers in the Independence area.
Read our review of American Home Shield to learn more. To receive a free quote from American Home Shield, you can fill out this online form or call 888-365-2839.
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 offers the best home warranty for appliance coverage in Independence. If you’re looking for very affordable and comprehensive appliance coverage, First American is the perfect provider for you. Plus, it 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 comprehensive and offer both system and appliance coverage.
The plans that First American offers to homeowners are Basic Plan and Premier Plan. The coverage caps from First American are around $1,500. The service fees are a reasonable $85, which is less than other providers in the Independence area.
Read our review of First American Home Warranty to learn more. To receive a free quote from First American Home Warranty, you can fill out this online form or call 833-204-7164.
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 offers the home warranty with the best workmanship guarantee in Independence. If you’re looking for a 180-day workmanship guarantee that ensures your home systems and appliance repairs will be professionally done, Cinch is the perfect provider for you. Plus, it has a broad range of coverage options that will give homeowners peace of mind. The 3 plans from Cinch are comprehensive 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 around $1,000-$2,000. The service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $150, which is less than other providers in the Independence area.
Read our review of Cinch Home Services to learn more. To receive a free quote from Cinch Home Services, you can fill out this online form or call 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 offers the best home warranty with the quickest service in Independence. If you’re looking for quick coverage where the home warranty goes into effect just ten days after you pay for the plan, instead of the typical 30 days, HSC is the perfect provider for you. Plus, it 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 comprehensive 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 around $2,000. The service fees are customizable and range from $65 to $90, which is less than other providers in the Independence area.
Read our review of The Home Service Club to learn more. To receive a free quote from The Home Service Club, you can fill out this online form or call 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 | $5,981 |
Heating | $3,988 |
Electrical | $598 |
Toilets | $498 |
Washer/Dryer | $798 |
Plumbing | $598 |
Oven | $1,595 |
Fridge | $598 |
A home warranty is a protection policy that helps cut costs for Independence homeowners needing appliance and system repairs. These plans provide coverage to repair or replace appliances and systems that break due to normal wear and tear.
Homeowners submit 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 peace of mind, as it helps avoid high-priced emergency repairs. The coverage is especially helpful for owners of older houses or houses with systems near the end of their life span. However, homeowners with newer homes and functioning appliances might not require a home warranty.
Home warranties protect your household systems and appliances. Common covered appliances include microwaves, garbage disposals, dishwashers, refrigerators, dryers, washers, and more. Covered systems include electrical, air conditioning, heating, and plumbing. Many home warranty plans offer add-on coverage for roof leaks, central vacuums, septic systems, and even locksmiths. Independence should understand that most home warranty plans have a waiting period of 30 days before repairs are covered. Most policies also only cover repairs and replacements due to normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't include cosmetic issues, natural disasters, pre-existing conditions, or misuse of a system or appliance. Stay current with preventative maintenance to help guarantee your next repair or replacement is covered.
Here are some essential home warranty terms to understand before signing a contract:
There are several important considerations when selecting a home warranty provider:
Home warranty coverage differs significantly when it comes to what's covered. Most plans cover electrical, heating, plumbing, AC, and appliances. More comprehensive plans also offer coverage on other items such as well pumps, roof leaks, spas, and pools. Look for providers with an array of coverage options, such as upgraded plans. You'll want to tailor your protection for your needs.
You'll pay a service fee, typically $60–100, for each claim filed with your home warranty provider. These per-claim charges can quickly add up, so you may seek out providers advertising more affordable fees to optimize savings on each repair claim. Certain companies may eliminate deductibles if homeowners don't submit any claims within a set period of time.
A home warranty provider's reputation can give you insight into things such as contractor quality, repair timeliness, approval rates, and customer satisfaction. Browse review platforms such as Google Reviews, TrustPilot, or the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to research companies. Positive ratings and feedback indicate a company known for exceptional service.
Home warranty providers keep networks of local contractors to handle repairs in your area. Contact potential providers to ask how many repair professionals they have in Independence and get an idea for how fast your repairs could take place in an emergency situation. Bigger networks raise the likelihood of getting qualified contractors to quickly service your home.
Home warranty companies may include extras such as maintenance discounts, coverage for smart home devices, and energy efficiency upgrades. These add value beyond basic repair coverage. Added perks help maximize the usefulness of your home warranty.
Independence’s relatively mild winters and hot summers 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 in the event they need to be repaired or replaced. For example, if your air conditioner fails in the middle of July, a home warranty can cover the necessary repairs, saving you from spending unexpected money out of pocket.
Not only can a home warranty save you money on repairs and replacements, it saves you time as well. Instead of vetting contractors on your own, home warranty companies do the work for you and send a contractor from their network right to your door when you need them. Plus, though home warranty companies vary, some providers will allow you to transfer your warranty if you sell your home. This can make your house more attractive to potential homebuyers and help your home sell faster.
There are also some negatives to buying a home warranty plan, like the coverage exclusions. For example, home warranties may not cover systems or appliances that are already covered by a manufacturer's warranty.
Another potential pain point of home warranties is that they don’t cover systems or appliances that haven’t been properly maintained. This can lead to your claims being rejected, so it’s important to be sure you follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for maintenance of your home systems and appliances.
A home warranty plan costs, on average, around $300 to $600 a year in Independence. Our top-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 choosing a higher service fee. Additionally, it's usually less expensive to pay annually rather than monthly.
Home warranties and home insurance differ in what types of damage they cover. Home warranty plans cover problems related to systems and appliances that need to be repaired or replaced due to normal wear and tear. A home insurance policy is a different kind of insurance that protects the entire home from natural disasters, which can be a concern in Independence. It doesn't cover a typical appliance or system repairs.
A home warranty can help homeowners, homebuyers, home sellers, investors, and real estate agents. It can offer peace of mind to anyone involved in homeownership.
A home warranty will cover your systems, appliances, or both. Combination plans are beneficial if you'd like more coverage for your home, but a system- or appliance-only plan can be a good idea if you want to save some money.
Home warranty plans typically last a year. Many companies let you renew your plan each year, and some offer month-to-month plans as well.
Typically, the one who owns the home is responsible for paying for the home warranty. In some cases, though, the home seller may buy a home warranty policy and transfer the policy to the buyer. The new homeowner will then have to pay the service fees when using the policy. Since the average home value in Independence is $191,516, a home warranty can be an added asset when buying a home.