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Best Home Warranty Companies in Ohio
By Jhicel Romano MONEY RESEARCH COLLECTIVE
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- Online Business Bureau Accredited with A+ Rating
- Covers Major Home Systems, HVAC & Appliances
- Free Roof Coverage, No Inspection Needed
24/7 support whenever your appliances fail
- Large network of independent prescreened contractors and qualified technicians
- In business for over 30 years
- Good coverage on home systems
- Does not cover pre-existing issues
- They will replace items that fail if they can't be fixed regardless of age, make or model
Get $50 OFF Any Plan
- Industry leader since 1971
- More than $2 Billion in claims paid in last 5 years
- More than 2 Million customers served
- No inspection or maintenance records required
- 30-day workmanship guarantee
Whether you’re a first-time Ohio homeowner or have lived in the state for years, you may be considering a home warranty plan. The best home warranties offer protection plans that cover the repair or replacement of major home systems and appliances.
As you decide, remember that home warranties aren’t worth it for everyone. It’s an extra cost you may not have to use if a system or appliance never breaks down. We also found that the industry tends to have a high number of customer complaints.
However, if you’re interested in a plan for peace of mind, we’ve reviewed dozens of quotes and sample contracts to identify the top home warranty companies offering the best coverage options to Ohio homeowners.
Our Top Picks for the Best Home Warranty Companies in Ohio
- Best Overall: American Home Shield
- Best Discounts: Choice Home Warranty
- Best for Choosing Your Own Contractor: America’s Preferred Home Warranty
- Best for Optional Add-Ons: Priority Home Shield
- Best Workmanship Guarantee: AFC Home Club
- Best Customer Service: Liberty Home Guard
Best Overall: American Home Shield
Why we chose it: American Home Shield (AHS) has been in business since 1971. It offers a variety of plans and coverage options, including some maintenance services on the highest tier plan.
- Offers three plan levels and add-ons
- Allows you to choose your own contractor in some cases
- Customers complain about long wait times for repairs (based on multiple reviews)
- Short repair guarantee of only 30 days
AHS offers three levels of protection. You can choose to have coverage for just your systems or appliances, or you can get the most coverage with the ShieldPlatinum plan. This plan includes protection for most major systems and appliances, plus other things like code violations, roof leaks, annual HVAC tuneups and more. You also have the option to add septic systems, well pumps, pools or spas and guest unit coverage to any of the plans.
The company has a network of technicians assigned to each customer, but in some cases, customers are allowed to choose their contractors.
American Home Shield charges between around $500 and $900 per year, depending on your plan. If you request a repair or replacement, you will need to pay a trade service call fee when a technician comes to your home. If the service fails within 30 days, AHS will send a contractor to repair it, and you will not have to pay an additional fee.
Best Discounts: Choice Home Warranty
Why we chose it:Â We found that Choice Home Warranty is one of the most generous companies when it comes to promotions. The company often runs deals that offer free months or money off an annual policy.
- Discounts often available
- Optional coverage for roof leak
- 24/7 support and fast response times
- Reputation concerns due to multiple settled lawsuits
- Major systems and appliances are not covered in the basic plan
- Low roof repair cap
Choice offers two levels of coverage — Basic and Total. The Basic Plan covers major home systems like heating and ducts, plumbing and electrical systems, and essential appliances. The Total Plan covers everything in the Basic Plan plus air conditioning systems, washers, dryers and refrigerators.
The company has a coverage cap of $3,000 per 12-month period on most covered systems and appliances, and offers a flat service fee of $85 per service request.
Choice plan holders can file a claim online or call 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Best for Choosing Your Own Contractor: America's Preferred Home Warranty
Why we chose it: America’s Preferred Home Warranty (APHW) allows you to choose any licensed contractor to repair your systems or appliances. Most other home warranty companies have a contractor network and don’t let you choose your own.
- Offers multiple deductible options
- Choose your own service contractor
- 24/7 customer service available
- Limitations in coverage contracts
- Offers only one basic plan
America’s Preferred Home Warranty allows you to work with a contractor you trust. Whether it’s someone you know or someone you’ve worked with before, APHW will work with your preferred contractor to repair your system or appliance.
The company allows customers to diversify the Standard Coverage Plan by purchasing the Preferred Upgrade Plan. This add-on may increase your plan’s total cost, but it provides coverage for items such as pool and spa equipment, washers and dryers, water softeners and jetted bathtubs.
Be aware that APHW only offers limited coverage for most of these add-on items. The company makes this information available and details its list of exclusions and limitations in its sample contract.
APHW’s average home warranty costs range from $465 to $549 per year, depending on the choice of deductible. You can choose from three deductible options: $50, $100 and $125. If you choose a higher deductible, you’ll pay lower monthly premiums.
Best for Optional Add-Ons: Priority Home Shield
Why we chose it: Priority Home Shield offers three basic plans to choose from with many optional add-ons to increase your coverage.
- Three plans with a comprehensive list of add-ons
- Choose your own contractor
- Real-time claim tracking feature in the customer online portal
- 90-day workmanship guarantee
- Live chat feature available
- Low coverage caps
- Charges a $50 cancellation fee
Priority Home Warranty offers three types of plans: Systems Home Care, Appliances Home Care and Total Home Care. The first two options are more affordable plans covering either major home systems or appliances. Total Home Care is a more comprehensive plan that wraps both plans into one.
There are several add-ons available. They include coverage for second appliances if you have more than one, plus ice makers, well pumps, septic plumbing, pools or spas, sump pumps, limited roof leaks and more.
Priority Home Warranty offers a live-chat feature available only to plan holders. The company also provides a real-time claims tracking system, so plan holders can see the status of their service requests without contacting customer service.
Best Workmanship Guarantee: AFC Home Warranty
Why we chose it: Most home warranty providers only offer a 30- or 90-day workmanship guarantee. However, AFC Home Club guarantees repairs for up to three years.
- Guarantees all repairs for up to three years
- Choose your own technician
- Offers multiple plans
- Free credit monitoring and family emergency services
- Service fees are higher than industry standard
- No free cancellation
AFC Home Club’s plans are about average when compared to other companies in the market. They offer a good range of coverage, and the company allows you to choose your technician. However, their plans are a bit more expensive than the average.
The company offers four plans: Platinum Plan, Gold Plan, Silver Plan and Systems Plan. The total cost of your plan may vary depending on the coverage you choose, the coverage term and the service call fee you select. Service fee options are $75, $100 or $150.
Plan holders are entitled to club membership benefits, regardless of their chosen plan. AFC offers free credit monitoring as well as discounts on specific household items, kitchen appliances, home security, entertainment and more.
Best Customer Service: Liberty Home Guard
Why we chose it: Liberty Home Guard is highly rated by the Better Bureau Business (BBB) and received positive feedback on the platform for resolving complaints.
- A- BBB rating
- Offers three plans with optional add-ons
- Has a network of 10,000 certified technicians
- 60-day workmanship guarantee
- High monthly premiums
- High service fees
Liberty Home Guard offers three types of coverage: Appliance Guard, Systems Guard and Total Home Guard. You can customize any of the plans. You can add optional coverage for items like plumbing fixtures, sump pumps, well pumps, a second refrigerator and re-key service.
Based on our research, the company’s service call fee ranges between $65 and $125. The fee may vary based on your plan, location and add-ons.
Other Companies We Considered
The following list includes home warranty companies that we considered for our list of the best companies in Ohio. They didn’t quite make our top list, but they may be worth considering.
Cinch Home Services
- 180-day service guarantee
- Unknown pre-existing conditions, rust, and corrosion are covered
- Fast claims process based on reviews
- Green Reward for energy-efficient items
- Higher service fee compared to competitors
- No coverage for roof leak repair
Cinch Home Services offers a 180-day workmanship guarantee, among the longest guarantees in the business. The company also protects against pre-existing conditions, rust and corrosion. Cinch Home Services also offers discounts for new plan holders, and customers can choose from three flexible service call fees: $100, $125 or $150. Service call fees vary depending on the plan you choose.
Select Home Warranty
- All plans include roof coverage
- You get discounts if you purchase multi-year coverage plans
- Nationwide availability
- Low coverage caps
- Requires maintenance for specific covered items
Select Home Warranty sets itself apart by offering roof leak coverage on all three of its home warranty plans. This means that you can have peace of mind knowing that your home is covered against any potential roof damage, regardless of which plan you choose.
ServicePlus Home Warranty
- Comprehensive add-on coverage options
- Discounts available
- Limited availability
- Higher premiums compared to most companies
ServicePlus offers two types of plans: Gold and Platinum. You can customize either plan by adding optional items, such as spas, pools, septic systems and central vacuums.
Home Warranty Companies in Ohio Guide
What is a home warranty?
A home warranty is a service contract that helps homeowners cover the cost of repairs or replacements for major appliances and home systems. It’s an added layer of protection beyond homeowner’s insurance. However, it may not be worth it for everyone. It’s convenient if you need to use it, but consider the monthly cost and the possibility of needing to use the service before making a decision.
Home warranties differ from home insurance, which covers damage caused by events such as fires, storms and burglaries. Home warranties cover the major systems and appliances in your home for things like breakdowns and defects. To understand the difference between a home warranty and home insurance, you must remember that lenders typically require the latter. The former is an optional contract that homebuyers or sellers can purchase.
Home warranties usually last for one year and can be renewed annually. Most home warranty companies have a network of prescreened contractors who perform the repairs or replacements covered under the contract.
It’s essential to read the fine print before signing a contract. Home warranty companies typically charge a service fee when you file a claim. In addition, some companies only cover repairs or replacements if the item breaks down due to normal wear and tear. They may not cover problems caused by accidents or neglect.
Many home warranty contracts typically exclude high-end items such as swimming pools and spas. As with any purchase, it’s always wise to compare plans and prices before selecting a home warranty company.
How does a home warranty work?
To use your home warranty, you’ll need to contact your home warranty provider and file a claim when something breaks down. The home warranty company will dispatch a contractor to diagnose the problem.
In some cases, the warranty may cover the cost of replacement parts or a new appliance. However, there may be some coverage limits, so it’s important to know what your plan covers. You will need to pay a service fee when a technician comes to your home for work.
How to choose the best home warranty plan in Ohio
There are many home warranty options, so remember to take the time to research and compare. Here are a few things to consider when choosing the best home warranty plan in Ohio.
Consider the Ohio climate when deciding on coverage
Climate is a significant factor that can affect whether or not you need home warranty coverage. Climate can be tough on homes. Extreme temperatures and weather conditions can cause wear and tear on home systems and appliances.
See what the customer reviews are saying
Reviews of home warranty companies can be helpful in making an informed decision when purchasing coverage. Customer reviews can provide insights into a company’s level of service, the types of claims they tend to cover and how easy or difficult the claims process is.
Reviews can also help you understand a company’s reputation. Is it known for being responsive and reliable? Or do customers often complain about long wait times or denied claims? Reviewing reviews gives you a better idea of what to expect.
Compare your online quotes
Comparing online quotes is the best way to ensure you get the best deal. Some things to look for include coverage for your specific home systems and appliances, a company with a good reputation, deductibles, service fees and overall pricing.
Consider deductibles you’re comfortable with. A deductible is an amount you must pay out of pocket before the warranty kicks in. So if your furnace breaks down and costs $1,000 to repair, but your deductible is $500, you’ll only get $500 back from the warranty company. Higher deductibles can mean lower premiums, so you must strike a balance between what you’re willing to pay out of pocket if something breaks and what you can afford to pay monthly for the coverage.
Check claim approval rates
The claim approval rate is the percentage of claims the home warranty company approves. A high claim approval rate means the company is more likely to approve your claim. A low claim approval rate means that multiple customers experienced denied claims with the company.
Home warranty regulations in Ohio
Under the Consumer Sales Practices Law, home warranties are considered consumer transactions, not insurance. This law also ensures that home warranty companies don’t engage in unfair or unconscionable activities.
Best Home Warranty Companies in Ohio FAQs
Is a home warranty in Ohio worth it?
When does a home warranty policy go into effect?
How We Chose the Best Home Warranty Companies in Ohio
When evaluating Ohio’s top home warranty companies, we tried to account for factors that might specifically appeal to Buckeye state residents. In our search for the best home warranty solutions, we considered several critical factors, including the plans’ cost-effectiveness, coverage options, customer service and extra benefits.
Cost-effectiveness
Cost is important. When vetting home warranty companies, we considered multiple cost factors. Those include monthly premiums, service fees and the overall flexibility each provider offers to make a plan fit into a homeowner’s budget.
Coverage
Home warranty coverage is one of the most important aspects of a homeowner’s purchase. But what does a home warranty cover, exactly? We took extra care when reviewing companies based on this criterion. We consider factors such as the types of appliances and systems covered, the warranty length and the deductible. We also looked into other important factors, including:
- Number of serviced states
- Payout caps
- Flexibility and customizations
While home warranty coverage varies by company, most home warranties cover the cost of repairing or replacing major home systems and appliances, such as air conditioners, heating systems, plumbing, furnaces, water heaters, ovens, dishwashers and garbage disposals. Some home warranty companies offer optional coverage for pools, spas and other recreational equipment.
Customer satisfaction
We looked into hundreds of customer satisfaction ratings for home warranty companies. The best home warranty companies will have high customer satisfaction and Better Business Bureau ratings.
Extra benefits
Customers want to ensure they get the best value for their money. So we considered companies that offer additional benefits and exclusive perks that other home warranty providers don’t offer. These benefits can include short waiting periods, 24/7 customer support, fast claim response times and free cancellation policies.
We gave additional points to home warranty companies offering longer-than-average workmanship guarantees. We also recognize warranty providers who have partnered with major retailers to offer their customers exclusive discounts on appliances and other home products.
Summary of Best Home Warranty Companies in Ohio
- Best Overall: American Home Shield
- Best Discounts: Choice Home Warranty
- Best for Choosing Your Own Contractor: America’s Preferred Home Warranty
- Best for Optional Add-Ons: Priority Home Shield
- Best Workmanship Guarantee: AFC Home Club
- Best Customer Service: Liberty Home Guard