Written By David Cusick
Last Updated April 2024
Being a homeowner in Pittsburgh is a great option for those who enjoy up-and-coming areas. However, as great as Pittsburgh is, homeownership always comes with its fair share of headaches, such as trying to deal with your appliance and system repairs yourself. A home warranty is a way to protect your savings account 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.
The home warranty market has a variety of 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 Pittsburgh.
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
In Pittsburgh, Liberty Home Guard is the most trustworthy home warranty. 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. Liberty offers 3 plans for homeowners to decide between.
The plans that Liberty offers to homeowners are Appliance Guard, Systems Guard, and Total Home Guard. Liberty’s service fees are an affordable $75, and the coverage caps come out to around $3,000 per covered system or appliance.
For a more detailed breakdown, read our detailed 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
In Pittsburgh, Choice Home Warranty is the best overall home warranty. 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. Choice offers 2 plans for homeowners to decide between.
The plans that Choice offers to homeowners are Basic Plan and Total Plan. Choice’s service fees are an affordable $85, and the coverage caps come out to around $3,000 per covered system or appliance.
For a more detailed breakdown, read our detailed 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
In Pittsburgh, Select Home Warranty is the most cost-effective home warranty. 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. Select offers 3 plans for homeowners to decide between.
The plans that Select offers to homeowners are Bronze Care Plan, Gold Care Plan, and Platinum Care Plan. Select’s service fees are a reasonable $60, and the coverage caps come out to around $2,000 per covered system or appliance.
For a more detailed breakdown, read our detailed 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
In Pittsburgh, American Home Shield is the most customizable home warranty. 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. AHS offers 3 plans for homeowners to decide between.
The plans that AHS offers to homeowners are ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, and ShieldPlatinum. AHS’s service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $125, and the coverage caps come out to around $2,500 per covered system or appliance.
For a more detailed breakdown, read our detailed 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
In Pittsburgh, First American Home Warranty is the best home warranty for appliance coverage. 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. First American offers 2 plans for homeowners to decide between.
The plans that First American offers to homeowners are Basic Plan and Premier Plan. First American’s service fees are a reasonable $85, and the coverage caps come out to around $1,500 per covered system or appliance.
For a more detailed breakdown, read our detailed 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
In Pittsburgh, Cinch Home Services is the home warranty with the best workmanship guarantee. 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. Cinch offers 3 plans for homeowners to decide between.
The plans that Cinch offers to homeowners are Appliances Plan, Built-in Systems Plan, and Complete Home Plan. Cinch’s service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $150, and the coverage caps come out to around $1,000-$2,000 per covered system or appliance.
For a more detailed breakdown, read our detailed 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
In Pittsburgh, The Home Service Club is the best home warranty with the quickest service. 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. HSC offers 2 plans for homeowners to decide between.
The plans that HSC offers to homeowners are Standard Coverage Plan and Comprehensive Coverage Plan. HSC’s service fees are customizable and range from $65 to $90, and the coverage caps come out to around $2,000 per covered system or appliance.
For a more detailed breakdown, read our detailed 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 | $6,073 |
Heating | $4,049 |
Electrical | $607 |
Toilets | $506 |
Washer/Dryer | $810 |
Plumbing | $607 |
Oven | $1,619 |
Fridge | $607 |
A home warranty is a protection plan that assists Pittsburgh homeowners lower the costs of appliance and system repairs. The plans provide coverage to repair or replace appliances and systems that break down due to normal wear and tear.
When something breaks down, you file a claim and pay a service fee. The home warranty provider then finds a contractor to handle the repair or replacement. Homeowners may have out-of-pocket costs only if the cost of repair or replacement exceeds the item's coverage limit. A home warranty gives reassurance to homeowners, as it helps prevent expensive emergency repairs. Home warranties are the most useful for owners of older homes or homes with aging systems. New homes with up-to-date appliances may not require a home warranty.
Home warranties protect many household systems and appliances. Typical covered appliances include refrigerators, microwaves, dishwashers, dryers, washers, garbage disposals, and others. Covered systems include air conditioning, electrical, heating, and plumbing. Many home warranty plans offer extra coverage for septic systems, central vacuums, roof leaks, and even locksmiths. Most home warranty plans require Pittsburgh 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 cosmetic issues, natural disasters, pre-existing conditions, or misusing a system or appliance. To help ensure 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 factors to consider when selecting a home warranty provider:
Home warranties vary widely in terms of included coverage. Basic policies typically provide protection for heating, electrical, plumbing, AC, and appliances, while more comprehensive plans may also cover spas, pools, well pumps, and roof leaks. Look for providers with a range of coverage choices, such as upgraded plans. Flexibility helps you tailor your protection for 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 more affordable per-claim 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 contractor expertise, repair speed, claim approval rates, and customer satisfaction. Read through review sites like Google Reviews, TrustPilot, or the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to learn more about companies. Favorable reviews and ratings suggest a company known for quality service.
Home warranty providers have networks of technicians that they use to tackle covered repairs. More extensive networks increase the likelihood of getting qualified contractors to your home quickly. Contact possible providers to ask how many contractors they have in Pittsburgh to understand how long repairs might take in an urgent situation.
Some home warranty companies offer extras such as smart home device protection, energy efficiency upgrades, and maintenance discounts. These add value beyond repair coverage. Added bonuses can maximize the usefulness of the home warranty.
Since temperatures in Pittsburgh can be quite cold in the winter, the weather can put a lot of strain on your HVAC system. Purchasing a home warranty can help homeowners save money if one of these systems or appliances stops working unexpectedly.
Not only can a home warranty save you some money on repairs and replacements, it saves you time too. Instead of needing to vet contractors on your own, home warranty providers do the work for you and send pre-screened technicians right to your door when you need them. In addition, though it varies by company, some providers will allow you to transfer your warranty in the event that you sell your home. This can make your house more attractive to potential homebuyers and help your home sell faster.
As for the drawbacks of home warranties, home system and appliance coverage varies by company, so it’s important to understand what each policy covers and doesn’t include in the contract.
Another thing to take into consideration is that some companies don’t cover pre-existing conditions and may require an inspection before your coverage can start. Ask the home warranty provider for clarification about it if you need more information or if this is an issue for you.
A home warranty plan costs, on average, about $300 to $600 a year in Pittsburgh. Our top-rated home warranty providers' most comprehensive coverage options vary from $546 to $840 per year. You can get a lower monthly payment with some companies by choosing a higher service fee. In addition, it's typically cheaper to pay annually rather than monthly.
Home warranties and home insurance differ in what sorts of damage they cover. Home warranty policies cover issues with systems and appliances that need repairs or replacements due to normal wear and tear. A home insurance policy is a different plan that protects an entire home from natural disasters, which can sometimes be a concern in Pittsburgh. It doesn't cover a normal appliance or system breakage.
A home warranty policy can help home sellers, real estate agents, homebuyers, investors, and homeowners. It can provide peace of mind to anyone involved in homeownership.
A home warranty policy can cover your appliances, systems, or both. Combination plans are beneficial if you need more coverage for your home, but a system- or appliance-only plan can be a good idea if you're concerned about one more than the other.
Home warranty plans typically last a year. Many providers let you renew your plan each year, and some offer month-to-month options as well.
Typically, the homeowner pays for the home warranty. In some cases, though, the one selling the home may buy a home warranty plan and transfer the policy to the buyer. The new homeowner will then have to pay the service fees when using the policy. Considering that the average home value in Pittsburgh is $228,459, a home warranty can be an added asset when buying a home.