Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Written By David Cusick
Last Updated February 2024
There are a lot of advantages of owning a home, but as your Germantown home gets older, you may need to factor in the cost of updating your appliances and systems. A home warranty can offer you the peace of mind you need and guard your bank account from large expenses by covering your home’s major appliances and systems.
The home warranty market is filled with many providers — all with different price points — so the Today's Homeowner team has done the research to help you choose the best home warranty companies in Germantown.
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 Germantown residents. Liberty is a home warranty company with 6 years of experience in the industry, and it has proved to be one of the best providers in the business. The 3 plans from Liberty are comprehensive and offer both system and appliance coverage. 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 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 lower than other providers in the Germantown area.
To read more, visit our detailed review of Liberty Home Guard. To get a free quote from Liberty Home Guard, 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 is the best overall home warranty for Germantown residents. Choice is a home warranty company with 15 years of experience in the industry, and it has proved to be one of the best providers in the business. The 2 plans from Choice are comprehensive and offer both system and appliance coverage. 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 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 lower than other providers in the Germantown area.
To read more, visit our detailed review of Choice Home Warranty. To get a free quote from Choice Home Warranty, 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 is the most cost-effective home warranty for Germantown residents. Select is a home warranty company with 11 years of experience in the industry, and it has proved to be one of the best providers in the business. The 3 plans from Select are comprehensive and offer both system and appliance coverage. 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 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 lower than other providers in the Germantown area.
To read more, visit our detailed review of Select Home Warranty. To get a free quote from Select Home Warranty, 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 is the most customizable home warranty for Germantown residents. AHS is a home warranty company with 26 years of experience in the industry, and it has proved to be one of the best providers in the business. The 3 plans from AHS are comprehensive and offer both system and appliance coverage. 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 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 lower than other providers in the Germantown area.
To read more, visit our detailed review of American Home Shield. To get a free quote from American Home Shield, 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 is the best home warranty for appliance coverage for Germantown residents. First American is a home warranty company with 39 years of experience in the industry, and it has proved to be one of the best providers in the business. The 2 plans from First American are comprehensive and offer both system and 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.
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 lower than other providers in the Germantown area.
To read more, visit our detailed review of First American Home Warranty. To get a free quote from First American Home Warranty, 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 is the home warranty with the best workmanship guarantee for Germantown residents. Cinch is a home warranty company with 44 years of experience in the industry, and it has proved to be one of the best providers in the business. The 3 plans from Cinch are comprehensive and offer both system and appliance coverage. 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 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 lower than other providers in the Germantown area.
To read more, visit our detailed review of Cinch Home Services. To get a free quote from Cinch Home Services, 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 is the best home warranty with the quickest service for Germantown residents. HSC is a home warranty company with 15 years of experience in the industry, and it has proved to be one of the best providers in the business. The 2 plans from HSC are comprehensive and offer both system and appliance coverage. 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 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 lower than other providers in the Germantown area.
To read more, visit our detailed review of The Home Service Club. To get a free quote from The Home Service Club, 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 | $6,860 |
| Heating | $4,573 |
| Electrical | $686 |
| Toilets | $572 |
| Washer/Dryer | $915 |
| Plumbing | $686 |
| Oven | $1,829 |
| Fridge | $686 |
A home warranty is a protection policy that helps reduce the high costs for Germantown 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 provider 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 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 fixtures near the end of their life span. However, people with newer homes and functioning appliances might not require a home warranty.
Home warranties cover many household systems and appliances. Warranties usually cover appliances such as dishwashers, garbage disposals, microwaves, refrigerators, dryers, washers, and more. Covered systems include electrical, heating, air conditioning, and plumbing. Many home warranty providers also offer additional coverage for roof leaks, central vacuums, locksmiths, and septic systems. It's important for Germantown homeowners to know that most home warranty policies have a 30-day waiting period before they can be used to cover repairs. Additionally, most policies only cover repairs and replacements due to normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't cover problems such as natural disasters, cosmetic issues, pre-existing conditions, or misuse of a system or appliance. You need to keep up with preventative maintenance to help ensure that your next repair or replacement will be covered by the policy.
Home warranties use several terms that you'll want to know before signing a contract, such as:
When you're deciding on a home warranty provider, there are several key things to take into account:
Home warranty coverage varies, although most plans include protection for heating, AC, plumbing, electrical, and appliances. More extensive plans may also include additional items such as spas, roof leaks, well pumps, and pools. Focus on companies with an expansive array of coverage choices including upgraded plans. This flexibility enables you to customize your plan to meet your needs.
Expect to pay a per-service fee of $60-100 for each home warranty claim. As this charge applies to every separate claim, some homeowners prefer to choose a provider with lower service fees to maximize savings on every claim. Some companies also do away with deductibles if a customer goes a period of time without filing any claims.
A home warranty company's reputation provides insights into factors such as contractor expertise, claim approval rates, repair speed, and customer satisfaction. Check review sites like Google Reviews, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), or TrustPilot to learn more about companies. Favorable feedback and ratings suggest a company known for providing quality service.
Home warranty providers use networks of local repair professionals to manage repairs in a given area. Contact potential companies to learn the number of repair technicians they have in Germantown and get an idea of how fast your repairs could be handled in an emergency. Larger networks raise the chance of getting qualified contractors to swiftly service your home.
Certain home warranty companies provide extras such as protection for smart home devices, discounts on maintenance, and energy-efficient upgrades. These can offer extra value beyond repair coverage. Extra perks enhance your home and maximize your home warranty.
Temperatures in Germantown can get quite high in the summer, which means your air conditioner is most likely going to get a lot of use. As a homeowner in Germantown, one of the benefits of having a home warranty is that these home systems and major appliances can be covered if they have to be repaired or replaced.
Not only does a home warranty offer some financial relief, but it also saves you time. If an appliance breaks, the last thing you want to do is find a repair person and schedule a repair. A home warranty deals with the research by sending trusted professionals to your door when you need them most. 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 house, you may be able to transfer your home warranty plan to the new homebuyer depending on the provider you have your home warranty with.
There are also some drawbacks to getting a home warranty plan, such as the coverage exclusions. For instance, home warranties may not cover systems or appliances that already have a manufacturer's warranty.
In addition, if you don’t maintain your home systems or appliances properly, or if they need repairs 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 costs, on average, about $300 to $600 a year in Germantown. 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 opting for a higher service fee. Additionally, it's typically cheaper to pay annually rather than monthly.
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 systems and appliances in a home. Homeowners insurance protects a home in case of something such as a fire or natural disaster. Under homeowners insurance, you will not be able to file a claim should you need a new dryer or oven, unless the damage is due to a natural disaster, which can be a threat in Germantown.
Homebuyers, home sellers, homeowners, real estate agents, and landlords are all eligible for home warranty plans. A home warranty can help make your house more appealing to prospective buyers and save you money in the long run.
A home warranty policy will cover your home’s systems, appliances, or both. Combination plans are beneficial if you need more coverage for your home, but a system- or appliance-only plan can be helpful if you want to save some money.
Generally, a home warranty policy lasts for a year and can be renewed yearly. Some companies may offer month-to-month plans.
In general, the homeowner is the one who pays the premium and service fees. However, when buying a new home, sometimes the seller will pay for the policy. This can then be transferred to the new homeowner, who will pay the service fees when using the policy. In Germantown, where the median value of a home is $485,204, having the seller pay for the home warranty can be a good asset for your new home.
