Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Written By David Cusick
Last Updated February 2024
Buying a home is a big step for many, but maintaining it can get costly over time, especially if your home in Cincinnati is on the older side. A home warranty in Cincinnati can help reduce your out-of-pocket costs by covering repairs or replacements to major home appliances and systems that stop working due to normal wear and tear.
Finding the right protection for your home can be time-consuming, so our team at Today's Homeowner has compiled this guide to help you find the best home warranty companies in Cincinnati. Read on for our top provider recommendations.
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 Cincinnati. Liberty has around 6 years of experience in the home warranty market and in that time has built a impressive network of service professionals nationwide. 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. Liberty has 3 simple plans, making the selection process quick and easy.
The plans that Liberty offers to homeowners are Appliance Guard, Systems Guard, and Total Home Guard. The coverage caps associated with Liberty’s plans are close to the $3,000 mark for most of the major systems and appliances, and service fees are an affordable $75.
For a more detailed breakdown, read our 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 offers the best overall home warranty in Cincinnati. Choice has around 15 years of experience in the home warranty market and in that time has built a impressive network of service professionals nationwide. 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. Choice has 2 simple plans, making the selection process quick and easy.
The plans that Choice offers to homeowners are Basic Plan and Total Plan. The coverage caps associated with Choice’s plans are close to the $3,000 mark for most of the major systems and appliances, and service fees are an affordable $85.
For a more detailed breakdown, read our 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 offers the most cost-effective home warranty in Cincinnati. Select has around 11 years of experience in the home warranty market and in that time has built a impressive network of service professionals nationwide. 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. Select has 3 simple plans, making the selection process quick and easy.
The plans that Select offers to homeowners are Bronze Care Plan, Gold Care Plan, and Platinum Care Plan. The coverage caps associated with Select’s plans are close to the $2,000 mark for most of the major systems and appliances, and service fees are a reasonable $60.
For a more detailed breakdown, read our 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 offers the most customizable home warranty in Cincinnati. AHS has around 26 years of experience in the home warranty market and in that time has built a impressive network of service professionals nationwide. 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. AHS has 3 simple plans, making the selection process quick and easy.
The plans that AHS offers to homeowners are ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, and ShieldPlatinum. The coverage caps associated with AHS’s plans are close to the $2,500 mark for most of the major systems and appliances, and service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $125.
For a more detailed breakdown, read our 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
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 Cincinnati. First American has around 39 years of experience in the home warranty market and in that time has built a impressive network of service professionals nationwide. 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. First American has 2 simple plans, making the selection process quick and easy.
The plans that First American offers to homeowners are Basic Plan and Premier Plan. The coverage caps associated with First American’s plans are close to the $1,500 mark for most of the major systems and appliances, and service fees are a reasonable $85.
For a more detailed breakdown, read our review of First American Home Warranty. To receive a free quote from First American Home Warranty, fill out this online form or give them a call at 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 Cincinnati. Cinch has around 44 years of experience in the home warranty market and in that time has built a impressive network of service professionals nationwide. 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. Cinch has 3 simple plans, making the selection process quick and easy.
The plans that Cinch offers to homeowners are Appliances Plan, Built-in Systems Plan, and Complete Home Plan. The coverage caps associated with Cinch’s plans are close to the $1,000-$2,000 mark for most of the major systems and appliances, and service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $150.
For a more detailed breakdown, read our 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 offers the best home warranty with the quickest service in Cincinnati. HSC has around 15 years of experience in the home warranty market and in that time has built a impressive network of service professionals nationwide. 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. HSC has 2 simple plans, making the selection process quick and easy.
The plans that HSC offers to homeowners are Standard Coverage Plan and Comprehensive Coverage Plan. The coverage caps associated with HSC’s plans are close to the $2,000 mark for most of the major systems and appliances, and service fees are customizable and range from $65 to $90.
For a more detailed breakdown, read our 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 | $5,754 |
| Heating | $3,836 |
| Electrical | $575 |
| Toilets | $480 |
| Washer/Dryer | $767 |
| Plumbing | $575 |
| Oven | $1,534 |
| Fridge | $575 |
A home warranty is a protection plan that helps Cincinnati homeowners reduce the expenses of appliance and system repairs. The plans provide financial coverage to repair 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 homeowners reassurance, as it helps avoid expensive emergency repairs. The coverage is particularly 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 might not require a home warranty.
Home warranties protect your household systems and appliances. Typical covered appliances are dryers, dishwashers, garbage disposals, washers, microwaves, refrigerators, and others. Covered systems include plumbing, heating, air conditioning, and electrical. Many home warranty plans offer add-on coverage for roof leaks, septic systems, central vacuums, and even locksmiths. It's important for Cincinnati homeowners to understand most home warranty plans have a 30-day waiting period before repairs are covered. The majority of policies also only cover repairs and replacements due to normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't include pre-existing conditions, natural disasters, cosmetic issues, or misuse of a system or appliance. Stay current with preventative maintenance to help guarantee your next repair or replacement is covered.
There are a number of home warranty terms to understand before signing an agreement, including:
When choosing a home warranty provider, there are several important factors to consider:
Home warranties vary widely in terms of included coverage. Basic policies typically cover plumbing, AC, electrical, heating, and appliances, while more comprehensive plans may also cover well pumps, pools, spas, and roof leaks. Look for providers with flexible coverage choices, including upgraded plans. This helps you customize your plan to your 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 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 provides insights into factors such as claim approval rates, contractor expertise, repair speed, and customer satisfaction. Read through review sites like TrustPilot, Google Reviews, or the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to learn more about providers. Positive feedback and ratings suggest a company known for providing quality service.
Home warranty providers maintain networks of local technicians to handle repairs in your area. Reach out to potential providers to learn how many repair technicians they have in Cincinnati and get an idea for how fast your repairs could take place in an emergency situation. Larger networks increase the chances of getting qualified contractors to swiftly service your home.
Some home warranty companies provide extras such as energy efficiency upgrades, smart home device protection, and maintenance discounts. These add value beyond repair coverage. Added bonuses help maximize the usefulness of the home warranty.
Since temperatures in Cincinnati can be quite hot in the summer, the weather can put a lot of strain on your air conditioning unit and HVAC system. Getting a home warranty policy can help homeowners save money if one of these systems or appliances stops working unexpectedly.
Plus, having a home warranty can save you time by getting rid of the need to research service technicians — most companies will send a trusted professional right to your door to complete the repair or replacement. Another added benefit of having home warranty coverage is that it can raise your home’s real estate value. If you ever decide to sell your home, 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 give you less to worry about since the home warranty sends out a repair person who does the repair for you, some people may not like this, and they would prefer to choose a contractor themselves. If that’s important to you, some home warranty providers let you 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 your coverage can start. Ask the home warranty provider for clarification about these things if you aren’t sure or if this is a problem for you.
A home warranty plan costs, on average, about $300 to $600 a year in Cincinnati. Our top-rated home warranty companies' most comprehensive coverage options vary from $546 to $840 per year. You can get a lower monthly payment with some companies by opting for a higher service fee. Additionally, it's usually cheaper to pay annually rather than monthly.
Home warranties and home insurance differ in what kinds of damage they cover. Home warranty policies cover problems related to systems and appliances that need repairs or replacements due to normal wear and tear. A home insurance policy is a different kind of plan that protects your entire home from natural disasters, which can be a concern in Cincinnati. It doesn't cover a normal appliance or system repairs.
A home warranty plan can help real estate agents, home sellers, homebuyers, homeowners, and investors. It can offer peace of mind to anyone involved with homeownership.
The different kinds of home warranties in Cincinnati include plans that cover either appliances or systems as well as combination plans. A combination plan covers many of your systems and appliances, such as your washing machine, drier, and HVAC. An appliance or system plan will cover only the items listed in the plan.
Generally, a home warranty policy lasts for a year and can be renewed annually. Some companies may offer month-to-month options.
Typically, the homeowner is the one who pays the premium and service fees. However, if you have just bought a new home, sometimes the seller will pay for the policy. This can then be given to the new homeowner, who will pay the service fees. In Cincinnati, where the median value of a home is $238,714, having the seller pay for the home warranty can be a good asset for your new home.
