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 perks of owning a home, but as your Norfolk home ages, you may need to update your systems and appliances. A home warranty in Norfolk can help reduce your out-of-pocket costs by covering repairs or replacements to major home appliances and systems that malfunction due to normal wear and tear.
Finding the best home warranty on the market can be overwhelming, as there are lots of companies to decide between. That’s why the Today's Homeowner team did the research and put together a list of the best home warranty companies in Norfolk for you.
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 Norfolk, Liberty Home Guard is the most trustworthy home warranty. Liberty has more than 6 years of experience in the home warranty industry, and has provided great customer service at an affordable cost to its customers. The home warranty provider offers 3 plans to policyholders, which have various options for appliance and system coverage. Liberty offers a seamless complaint process and guaranteed service professionalism upon every repair visit. Plus, 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 associated with Liberty’s plans are close to the $3,000 mark for many of the major systems and appliances, and service fees are an affordable $75.
To read more, visit our Liberty Home Guard full review. 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
In Norfolk, Choice Home Warranty is the best overall home warranty. Choice has more than 15 years of experience in the home warranty industry, and has provided great customer service at an affordable cost to its customers. The home warranty provider offers 2 plans to policyholders, which have various options for appliance and system coverage. Choice offers very high coverage caps and simple-to-understand service contracts. Plus, 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 associated with Choice’s plans are close to the $3,000 mark for many of the major systems and appliances, and service fees are an affordable $85.
To read more, visit our Choice Home Warranty full review. 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
In Norfolk, Select Home Warranty is the most cost-effective home warranty. Select has more than 11 years of experience in the home warranty industry, and has provided great customer service at an affordable cost to its customers. The home warranty provider offers 3 plans to policyholders, which have various options for appliance and system coverage. Select offers a highly affordable service fee and free roof coverage upon purchase of a policy plan. Plus, 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 associated with Select’s plans are close to the $2,000 mark for many of the major systems and appliances, and service fees are a reasonable $60.
To read more, visit our Select Home Warranty full review. 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
In Norfolk, American Home Shield is the most customizable home warranty. AHS has more than 26 years of experience in the home warranty industry, and has provided great customer service at an affordable cost to its customers. The home warranty provider offers 3 plans to policyholders, which have various options for appliance and system coverage. AHS offers the ability to customize your plan with the coverages that work specifically for your home. Plus, 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 associated with AHS’s plans are close to the $2,500 mark for many of the major systems and appliances, and service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $125.
To read more, visit our American Home Shield full review. 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
In Norfolk, First American Home Warranty is the best home warranty for appliance coverage. First American has more than 39 years of experience in the home warranty industry, and has provided great customer service at an affordable cost to its customers. The home warranty provider offers 2 plans to policyholders, which have various options for appliance and system coverage. First American offers very affordable and comprehensive appliance coverage. Plus, 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 associated with First American’s plans are close to the $1,500 mark for many of the major systems and appliances, and service fees are a reasonable $85.
To read more, visit our First American Home Warranty full review. 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
In Norfolk, Cinch Home Services is the home warranty with the best workmanship guarantee. Cinch has more than 44 years of experience in the home warranty industry, and has provided great customer service at an affordable cost to its customers. The home warranty provider offers 3 plans to policyholders, which have various options for appliance and system coverage. Cinch offers a 180-day workmanship guarantee that ensures your home systems and appliance repairs will be professionally done. Plus, 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 associated with Cinch’s plans are close to the $1,000-$2,000 mark for many of the major systems and appliances, and service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $150.
To read more, visit our Cinch Home Services full review. 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
In Norfolk, The Home Service Club is the best home warranty with the quickest service. HSC has more than 15 years of experience in the home warranty industry, and has provided great customer service at an affordable cost to its customers. The home warranty provider offers 2 plans to policyholders, which have various options for appliance and system coverage. HSC offers quick coverage where the home warranty goes into effect just ten days after you pay for the plan, instead of the typical 30 days. Plus, 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 associated with HSC’s plans are close to the $2,000 mark for many of the major systems and appliances, and service fees are customizable and range from $65 to $90.
To read more, visit our The Home Service Club full review. 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 | $6,153 |
| Heating | $4,102 |
| Electrical | $615 |
| Toilets | $513 |
| Washer/Dryer | $820 |
| Plumbing | $615 |
| Oven | $1,641 |
| Fridge | $615 |
A home warranty is a protection plan that helps lower expenses for Norfolk homeowners needing appliance and system repairs. These plans provide coverage to fix 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 arranges a contractor to make the fix or replacement. The only time you may pay out-of-pocket is if the repair or replacement costs exceed the item's coverage limit. A home warranty gives reassurance to homeowners because it helps prevent expensive emergency repairs. Home warranties are particularly useful for older construction homes with aging systems. New homes with modern appliances might not need a home warranty.
Home warranties cover your home systems and appliances. Warranties usually cover appliances such as microwaves, refrigerators, dryers, garbage disposals, dishwashers, washers, and more. Covered systems include air conditioning, electrical, plumbing, and heating. Many home warranty providers also offer add-on coverage for septic systems, locksmiths, roof leaks, and central vacuums. It's important for Norfolk homeowners to understand most home warranty plans have a waiting period of 30 days before repairs are covered. Most policies also only cover repairs and replacements resulting from normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't include pre-existing conditions, cosmetic issues, natural disasters, or misusing a system or appliance. Be diligent about completing preventative maintenance to help guarantee your next repair or replacement is covered.
There are multiple home warranty terms to understand before signing an agreement, including:
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 provide coverage for electrical, AC, heating, plumbing, and appliances. More inclusive plans may also include extra things such as roof leaks, pools, spas, and well pumps. Focus on companies with wide-ranging coverage selections including upgraded plans. Flexibility like this will help you customize protection for your home's needs.
With any home warranty claim, you'll pay a service fee, usually falling in the $60 to $100 range, which is paid per service call made. These per-claim charges can add up. You may decide to look for companies with more affordable fees to maximize your savings on each claim. Some firms also offer disappearing deductibles when customers go a period with no claims filed.
A home warranty provider's rating gives insight into things such as contractor quality, timeliness of repairs, claim approval rates, and overall customer satisfaction. Use third-party review sites such as Google Reviews, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), or TrustPilot to research companies. Complimentary reviews and ratings indicate a company known for stellar service.
Home warranty providers have networks of technicians that they use to tackle covered repairs. Larger networks raise the chance of getting skilled contractors to your home swiftly. Contact possible providers to learn how many repair professionals they have in Norfolk to understand how long repairs could take in an urgent situation.
Certain home warranty providers offer perks 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 help maximize your home warranty.
Since temperatures in Norfolk 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 plan can help homeowners save money if one of these systems or appliances stops working suddenly.
Not only does a home warranty give you some savings, but it also saves you time. If an appliance breaks down, the last thing you want to do is find a technician and schedule a repair. A home warranty takes care of the research by sending trusted professionals to your door when you need them most. Another benefit of having a home warranty is if you want to sell your home, you can most likely transfer your home warranty plan to the new owners. It can make your house more attractive to potential homebuyers and may help your house sell faster.
One disadvantage of a home warranty is that there are usually exclusions. For example, if one of your appliances already has a manufacturer's warranty, it may be excluded from the home warranty, so it’s important to read over any contracts you’re considering thoroughly to get a sense of what is included and what isn’t.
Another 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 repair requests being rejected, so it’s important to carefully 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 Norfolk. Our high-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 choosing a higher service fee. Additionally, it's typically less expensive to pay annually rather than monthly.
Home warranties and home insurance differ in what sorts of damage they cover. Home warranties cover issues related to home 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 plan that protects the entire home from natural disasters, which can sometimes be a concern in Norfolk. It doesn't cover a typical appliance or system repairs.
Homebuyers, homeowners, landlords, real estate agents, and home sellers can all get home warranty plans. A home warranty can help make your home more attractive to prospective buyers and save you money in the long run.
A home warranty plan can cover your appliances, systems, or both. Combination plans are great 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.
Home warranty plans typically last a year. Many providers let you renew your plan yearly, and some offer month-to-month plans as well.
Typically, the person who owns the home pays for the home warranty. In some cases, though, the home seller may purchase 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. Since the average home value in Norfolk is $284,367, a home warranty can be an added asset when buying a home.
