Home Warranty in Idaho

Idaho is a state of unmatched natural beauty. But of course, that beauty comes at a price. Extremes in weather and geography make owning and maintaining your Idaho home a challenge. A home warranty plan can be one way of solving that problem. The best home warranty companies should offer good value, excellent service, and a track record of standing by their work. 

What features should you be looking for to provide peace of mind in your Idaho home? Is a home warranty even the right decision for you right now? Let’s dig in and find some answers. 

Who Needs A Home Warranty in Idaho?

Homeowners

The longer you live in a home, the more the cost of those home repairs can start to add up. Homeowners insurance covers the unexpected disaster, but what about just regular wear and tear? 

You are probably here reading this article because you are looking for ways to protect the investment you have in your Idaho home. Saving time and money are important to you, and a home warranty can do both.

Read Also: What Are The Top Companies For First-Time Homeowners?

Homebuyers

If you are thinking of moving to Idaho, you are not alone. Over the past decade, Idaho is consistently among the fastest-growing states in the US. You don’t want home appliances or major systems like HVAC to malfunction right after you sign the agreement of sale on your new home -- that is a buyer’s worst nightmare. Home warranty service can protect you from that. 

Real Also: What Are The Best Home Warranties For A Buyer?

Home Sellers

With so much mobility within and people moving into the state, you will want your home to stand out with potential buyers. Offering a home warranty protecting your home systems and appliances can make all the difference when potential buyers are choosing between several homes that otherwise cover their wish-list. Home prices are very good, selling at a median price of over $423,000 at the end of 2019. But that is not the kind of investment you want to let sit on the market. 

Read Also: Which Home Warranty Plans Are Recommended For Sellers?

Real Estate Agents

There is a reason home warranty companies have web portals specifically for real estate pros. Offering a homeowner a warranty can move you to the head of the line among potential listing agents. A good protection plan offered to buyers can also be a factor in helping them not miss out on buying their dream home. 

What Should You Think About When Purchasing A Home Warranty in Idaho?

Weather/Climate

When it comes to weather, you’ve got a little bit of everything in Idaho: cold temperatures, snow, heavy rains--all of this can have a big impact on major systems and appliances in your home.

If you are considering a move to Idaho - here is a glimpse at what winter might be like for you:

So while an air conditioner might not be the biggest concern for you in your Idaho home, a home warranty that covers your heating system (including ductwork) and plumbing systems could be a big money saver.

Geography

Geography is a BIG factor in why you live in Idaho from the canyons through the Salmon and Snake rivers to metro Boise and suburban Eagle. With so much mountainous terrain it is no wonder the population per square mile is just 19. 

Idaho Home Warranty Facts

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Nevada and Utah are to the south and famous neighbors Washington and Oregon to the west, but hold a unique position between the Southwest and Pacific Northwest. And your housing is as unique as the landscape where you live. It is beautiful but can be unforgiving. So the added protection of a home warranty can be a welcome counterbalance to this majestic but untamed region you know and love as your home.

What Will A Home Warranty Cost A Resident Of Idaho?

Your Idaho home warranty will have a few costs to keep in mind. The annual plan cost and a service fee are two separate things. Plan costs range from the $300s to the high $700s annually, depending on the type of plan and optional add-ons you choose. Service fees range from around $75 to $125, and some providers, like American Home Shield, allow you to select your service fee within those ranges.

Your warranty service provider may or may not offer a full refund before 30 days. Select Home Warranty is one provider who charges $75 for cancellation, so if having some time to reconsider is important, find a provider like Choice or American Home Shield who will cancel your plan with no penalty in the first 30 days.

What Types Of Plans Are Available For You In Idaho?

Home warranty companies serving Idaho generally offer three types of plans: an appliance plan, a systems plan, and a combo plan. These can have different names like “Bronze, Gold, or Platinum,” or other similar designations. You get the idea. 

The combo plan offers comprehensive coverage and is generally the one with the most bang for the buck in terms of covered items. For these reasons, it is the most popular choice, as you get coverage for most any home systems or appliances that might malfunction, from air conditioning, heating, and plumbing systems to a dishwasher, water heater, and even your garbage disposal and garage door opener.

Home warranty coverage often has potential add-ons, which might make a lot of sense, especially for rural Idaho residents - like a septic tank, septic pumping, well pump, etc. 

Read Also: Which Plans Are Recommended For Appliances?

Is A Home Warranty Worth It In Idaho?

With all the funky weather you encounter as an Idaho resident, a home warranty can provide peace of mind and is very worthwhile to consider. 

Home warranty providers suggest that an average repair cost for a cooktop and oven is around $150 and replacement cost averages $900. Service contractors can be expensive without the benefit of a home warranty. When you know you’ll be paying just $75 for a service call, and your oven will be repaired or replaced, that is a big deal. 

Or what if your heater breaks down on a cold northern Idaho night? You want to get that system repaired ASAP without a huge and unexpected expense. So a home warranty can be well worth it.

What Are The Home Warranty Regulations In Idaho?

In Idaho, a home warranty is regulated under insurance codes. 

As an Idaho resident, you have one unique point of law in your favor when it comes to a service contract like a home warranty. As part of the insurance code, “chapter 62, title 41, Idaho Code, may provide for the repair, replacement or maintenance of property for damage resulting from power surges and accidental damage from handling.” (emphasis added)

So you have some added protections not offered in every state!

Top Home Warranties For Idaho Reviewed

Drumroll, please…. Here are our top 5 home warranty reviews!

#1 Choice Home Warranty

Choice provides excellent coverage even with their Basic Plan, with additional options for septic as well as limited roof leak coverage. That can come in handy with the rain and snow that are a fact of life in Idaho. If you have an older home, Choice is less likely to deny coverage for older systems and appliances.

Read Our Full Review of Choice Home Warranty

Pros

• Good coverage with Basic or Total Plan
• Won’t deny coverage for older appliances and systems

Cons

• Fewer add-ons than some other plans
• Not customizable

#2 American Home Shield

Malfunctions to crucial home services like your heating system don’t ever happen when it’s convenient. That’s one of the reasons why, with a 24/7 service call center, home protection from American Home Shield is one of the top picks for Idaho residents. 

Their Combo Plan covers all the major appliances and systems Idahoans depend on, along with optional coverage for things like septic systems and well pumps many in rural communities will find essential.

Read Our Full Review of American Home Shield

Pros

• 24/7 Service Calls
• Industry veteran
• Known for a high rate of claim approval

Cons

• Fewer add-ons than other plans
• As a market veteran, they have had time to accumulate some BBB negative reviews

#3 Select Home Warranty

Select has a comprehensive combo plan they call Platinum Care that covers all the Idaho essentials like heating, plumbing, water heater, and stove. And if you buy a place even further up in the woods, you can transfer your service plan with no fee.

Select has no optional coverage, so if you have a well or septic system, they will not be covered with any of the plans.

Read Our Full Review of Select Home Warranty

Pros

• All plans include limited roof leak coverage
• $0 transfer fee

Cons

• $75 cancellation fee
• No add ons available

#4 Total Home Protection

Total Home protection is just 4 years old but is quickly making a big impression in the home warranty industry. 

One big drawback for a busy Idahoan: you only have one day to submit a claim on a system or appliance that is not working. So they have solid plans and good service, but don’t goof around and miss submitting a claim! Also, while some other providers offer coverage of up to $2,000 on certain repairs or replacements, THP only offers a $500 maximum coverage. 

Read Our Full Review of Total Home Protection

Pros

• Fewest BBB complaints among the top 5
• 24/7 service calls

Cons

• One day to submit a claim
• Lower limits on maximum coverage

#5 First American Home Warranty

You are not looking to overpay for your Idaho home warranty. First American is here for that. They were our Best Value winner in 2019 and are still very strong in that department. With deductibles on basic plans as low as $25 a month, they do indeed offer strong value.

Read Our Full Review of First American Home Warranty

Pros

• Great Value for the money
• A large and established company

Cons

• Automatic renewal of the policy
• Limited add-on coverage

Final Thoughts On Home Warranties In Idaho State

Living in your own private Idaho is great (I had to get that in!) until you need help with a broken appliance or HVAC system. For added protection of your hard-earned property, a home warranty can be a valuable resource.