Written By David Cusick
Last Updated February 2024
Buying a home is a big step for many, but maintaining it can be expensive over time, especially if your home in Knoxville is on the older side. A home warranty in Knoxville can help reduce your out-of-pocket costs by covering repairs or replacements to major home systems and appliances that malfunction 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 done the research to help you find the top home warranty companies in Knoxville. Read on for our home warranty 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 is the most trustworthy home warranty in Knoxville. Liberty has more than 6 years of experience in the home warranty sector, and has provided excellent customer service at an affordable cost to its customers. The 3 home warranty plans that Liberty offers include options for appliance and system coverage. If you’re looking for a seamless complaint process and guaranteed service professionalism upon every repair visit, this is the provider for you. Plus, it 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 associated with Liberty’s plans are around the $3,000 mark for many major systems and appliances, and service fees are an affordable $75.
For more information, read our review of Liberty Home Guard. To get 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 is the best overall home warranty in Knoxville. Choice has more than 15 years of experience in the home warranty sector, and has provided excellent customer service at an affordable cost to its customers. The 2 home warranty plans that Choice offers include options for appliance and system coverage. If you’re looking for very high coverage caps and simple-to-understand service contracts, this is the provider for you. Plus, it 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 associated with Choice’s plans are around the $3,000 mark for many major systems and appliances, and service fees are an affordable $85.
For more information, read our review of Choice Home Warranty. To get 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 is the most cost-effective home warranty in Knoxville. Select has more than 11 years of experience in the home warranty sector, and has provided excellent customer service at an affordable cost to its customers. The 3 home warranty plans that Select offers include options for appliance and system coverage. If you’re looking for a highly affordable service fee and free roof coverage upon purchase of a policy plan, this is the provider for you. Plus, it 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 associated with Select’s plans are around the $2,000 mark for many major systems and appliances, and service fees are a reasonable $60.
For more information, read our review of Select Home Warranty. To get 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 is the most customizable home warranty in Knoxville. AHS has more than 26 years of experience in the home warranty sector, and has provided excellent customer service at an affordable cost to its customers. The 3 home warranty plans that AHS offers include options for appliance and system coverage. If you’re looking for the ability to customize your plan with the coverages that work specifically for your home, this is the provider for you. Plus, it 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 associated with AHS’s plans are around the $2,500 mark for many major systems and appliances, and service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $125.
For more information, read our review of American Home Shield. To get 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 is the best home warranty for appliance coverage in Knoxville. First American has more than 39 years of experience in the home warranty sector, and has provided excellent customer service at an affordable cost to its customers. The 2 home warranty plans that First American offers include options for appliance and system coverage. If you’re looking for very affordable and comprehensive appliance coverage, this is the 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 plans that First American offers to homeowners are Basic Plan and Premier Plan. The coverage caps associated with First American’s plans are around the $1,500 mark for many major systems and appliances, and service fees are a reasonable $85.
For more information, read our review of First American Home Warranty. To get 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 is the home warranty with the best workmanship guarantee in Knoxville. Cinch has more than 44 years of experience in the home warranty sector, and has provided excellent customer service at an affordable cost to its customers. The 3 home warranty plans that Cinch offers include options for appliance and system coverage. If you’re looking for a 180-day workmanship guarantee that ensures your home systems and appliance repairs will be professionally done, this is the provider for you. Plus, it 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 associated with Cinch’s plans are around the $1,000-$2,000 mark for many major systems and appliances, and service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $150.
For more information, read our review of Cinch Home Services. To get 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 is the best home warranty with the quickest service in Knoxville. HSC has more than 15 years of experience in the home warranty sector, and has provided excellent customer service at an affordable cost to its customers. The 2 home warranty plans that HSC offers include options for appliance and system coverage. 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, this is the 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 plans that HSC offers to homeowners are Standard Coverage Plan and Comprehensive Coverage Plan. The coverage caps associated with HSC’s plans are around the $2,000 mark for many major systems and appliances, and service fees are customizable and range from $65 to $90.
For more information, read our review of The Home Service Club. To get 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 | $6,169 |
Heating | $4,113 |
Electrical | $617 |
Toilets | $514 |
Washer/Dryer | $823 |
Plumbing | $617 |
Oven | $1,645 |
Fridge | $617 |
A home warranty is a protection plan that helps Knoxville homeowners cut the expenses of appliance and system repairs. The plans provide financial coverage to repair or replace appliances and systems that malfunction due to normal wear and tear.
When something breaks down, you submit a claim and pay a service fee. The home warranty provider 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 exceeds the item's coverage limit. A home warranty gives homeowners reassurance by helping 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, people with newer homes and working appliances might not need a home warranty.
Home warranties help protect both your home systems and appliances. Common covered appliances include dishwashers, dryers, refrigerators, washers, microwaves, garbage disposals, and others. Covered systems include heating, air conditioning, plumbing, and electrical. Many home warranty plans offer additional add-on coverage options for central vacuums, locksmiths, septic systems, and even roof leaks. Knoxville homeowners should know that most home warranty plans have a 30-day waiting period before repairs are covered. What's more, most policies only cover repairs and replacements due to normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't include natural disasters, cosmetic issues, pre-existing conditions, or misuse of a system or appliance. Make sure to keep up with preventative maintenance to help make sure your next repair or replacement is covered.
Here are some essential home warranty words to learn before signing a contract:
When selecting a home warranty provider, there are several important factors to consider:
Home warranty coverage differs significantly when it comes to what's covered. Most plans provide coverage for AC, plumbing, heating, electrical, and appliances. More robust coverage options also include protection for other items such as roof leaks, spas, well pumps, and pools. Focus on companies with broad coverage options including upgraded plans. Flexibility like this will help you customize your plan to meet your needs.
With any home warranty claim, you'll pay a repair fee that typically ranges between $60 and $100, which is paid per repair request filed. The per-request costs can add up. You may decide to look for providers with more affordable fees to maximize your savings on each claim. Some companies also offer disappearing deductibles if a homeowner doesn't submit claims for repairs for a specified period of time.
A home warranty company's reputation can offer insight into things such as contractor quality, approval rates for claims, speed of repairs, and customer satisfaction. Look at third-party review sites such as Google Reviews, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), or TrustPilot to research providers. Positive ratings and reviews indicate that a provider is known for top-tier service.
Home warranty providers have networks of technicians to handle covered repairs. More extensive networks increase the likelihood of getting qualified technicians to service your home ASAP. Reach out to potential providers and ask how many contractors they have in Knoxville to get a sense of how soon your repairs could be handled in an emergency.
Certain home warranty companies offer extras such as protection for smart home devices, energy-efficient upgrades, and discounts on maintenance. These bonuses provide extra value beyond repair coverage. Added perks enhance your home and help maximize your home warranty.
Knoxville’s hot summers can put a strain on a home’s HVAC system. Whether it’s summer or winter, a home warranty is designed to cover your home’s appliances and systems if they need to be repaired or replaced. For example, if your air conditioner stops working in the middle of July, a home warranty can cover the needed repairs, preventing you from spending unexpected money out of pocket.
As well as saving you money on out-of-pocket expenses, a home warranty can offer you peace of mind and save you the pain of trying to find a qualified technician to visit your home. Home warranties usually have a network of pre-vetted technicians who can handle any repair problems you may experience. A home warranty can also give value in other ways. For instance, some plans can be transferred between owners when you sell your home.
There are also some downsides to purchasing a home warranty plan, such as the coverage exclusions. For instance, home warranties may not cover systems or appliances that are already covered under a manufacturer's warranty.
Another downside is that home warranties may not include some repairs, like those due to natural disasters. For example, if your HVAC system is damaged from an animal infestation, the impacted systems and appliances most likely won’t be covered by the home warranty.
A home warranty in Knoxville can cost anywhere from $30 to $60 a month. The higher-priced plans typically have higher coverage limits, a lower service fee, and broader coverage. Home warranties are often cheaper when you pay annually instead of monthly. Some providers will also reduce your up-front costs when you agree to a higher service fee.
Home warranties and home insurance differ in what kinds of damage they cover. Home warranties cover problems with home systems and appliances that need repairs or replacements due to normal wear and tear. A home insurance policy is a larger insurance that protects your entire home from natural disasters, which can sometimes be a concern in Knoxville. It doesn't cover a normal appliance or system damage.
First-time homebuyers, homeowners, landlords, home sellers, and real estate agents are all eligible for home warranty plans. A home warranty can help make your property more attractive to prospective buyers and save you money in the long run.
The different home warranties in Knoxville include plans with coverage for 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 specific items listed in the plan.
Generally, a home warranty offers coverage for a year and can be renewed yearly. Some providers may offer month-to-month plans.
Usually the person who owns the home pays for the home warranty. In some cases, though, the person who is selling the home may purchase a home warranty 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 Knoxville is $338,302, a home warranty can be an added asset when buying a home.