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6 Best Home Warranty Companies in Missouri for 2023
By Susan Doktor MONEY RESEARCH COLLECTIVE
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- 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
Home warranties can be a smart investment, as well as a good way to hedge against unexpected home repairs that can wreck your monthly budget. Home experts usually recommend that homeowners put aside 1-4% of their home’s value in savings to cover the cost of yearly maintenance and repairs.
To minimize home repair costs, some homeowners opt to buy a home warranty, especially when moving into a new property, where costs can be unpredictable. While a home warranty agreement may not cover all of the expenses related to maintaining a home — routine maintenance is generally not covered under home warranties — it can help reduce the cost of unexpected repairs for appliances and major systems.
Table of Contents:
- Our Top Picks for the 6 Best Home Warranty Companies in Missouri
- Guide to Best Home Warranty Companies in Missouri
- Best Home Warranty Companies in Missouri FAQs
- How We Evaluated the Best Home Warranty Companies in Missouri
- Summary of Our Guide to the Best Home Warranty Companies in Missouri
Our Top Picks for the 6 Best Home Warranty Companies in Missouri
Liberty Home Guard
- Offers systems-only, appliances-only and combination plans
- Multiple add-on coverage options available
- Chat available to answer your questions
- Systems coverage capped at $2,000 per system
- High standard deductible with no option to customize
| Plan name | Plan cost |
| Appliance Guard | $49.99 |
| Systems Guard | $54.99 |
| Total Home Guard | $59.99 |
Liberty Home Guard provides three flexible plans to cater to different customers’ needs. The names of the plans are straightforward, making it easy for homeowners to compare home warranty coverage.
What sets Liberty Home Guard apart is its extensive range of add-on coverage options, including uncommon household features such as professional-grade kitchen appliances, swamp coolers and reverse osmosis water filtration systems.
Liberty’s Systems Guard plan covers crucial systems in the home such as heating and cooling systems, plumbing systems and electrical systems. The Appliance Guard plan, on the other hand, covers appliances like washing machines and clothes dryers, built-in microwaves and smaller, less expensive items such as garbage disposals, ceiling fans and garage door openers.
Liberty’s Total Home Guard plan provides coverage for both systems and appliances at an affordable price. Add-on options include lawn sprinkler systems, pools and spas, roof leak coverage, septic systems and central vacuum systems. Additionally, customers can add coverage for services such as pest control, carpet cleaning and gutter cleaning. That’s a relatively rare option among home warranty plans.
In general, Liberty Home Guard charges reasonable monthly premiums, which may be offset by its standard service fee of $125, depending on the number of claims you wind up making. The repairs performed by Liberty Home Guard’s technicians come with a 60-day workmanship warranty.
Choice Home Warranty
- Get one month free when you sign an annual contract
- Two combination systems-and-appliances plans to choose from
- Low fixed service call fee across all plans
- No systems-only or appliances-only plan
- Can't lower monthly premiums by choosing a higher deductible
| Plan name | Plan cost |
| Basic plan | $46.83 |
| Total plan | $54.75 |
Choice Home Warranty provides homeowners two main options: Basic and Total. Both offer a mix of coverage for both home systems and appliances. The cost and coverage of the plans vary, with the Total Plan providing a wider range of coverage for a higher price.
You can’t purchase separate coverage for just appliances or just systems with Choice Home Warranty. If you have newer home’s systems but have appliances that are near the end of their useful life, a combination plan may seem like too much coverage. But if you have both older systems and older appliances, one of Choice’s combination plans might suit your needs quite well.
The Basic Plan includes coverage for cooktops, ovens, ranges, and built-in microwaves, dishwashers, and garbage disposals. It does not include coverage for refrigerators, clothes washers and dryers — all of which are quite common in homes today. On the systems side, the plan provides protection for electrical, plumbing and heating systems, as well as water heaters. Air conditioners and central air conditioning systems are excluded from the Basic plan.
For $8 more per month, the Total plan offers coverage for clothes washers and dryers, as well as for air conditioning systems. We believe that the Total Plan represents a better value, due to the more comprehensive coverage it includes for common home systems and appliances.
While Choice Home Warranty doesn’t offer a choice of deductibles, its service call fee is just $85 per service call. That’s a pretty low average cost and makes the company’s plans more affordable still.
Select Home Warranty
- Offers separate plans for systems or appliances
- Affordable combo plan
- Multi-year plans available at a discounted price
- Shorter list of add-on coverage options than some plans
- Low coverage limits for appliances ($500)
- More exclusions than many plans
| Plan name | Plan cost |
| Bronze Care | $44.42 |
| Gold Care | $44.42 |
| Platinum Care | $47.75 |
Homeowners have the option of choosing from three Select Home Warranty plans. These include an appliances-only plan, a systems-only plan and a combination of both.
The Bronze Care plan covers all major home appliances such as washers, dryers, refrigerators, stoves, built-in microwaves and garbage disposals.
The Gold Care plan, on the other hand, covers major home systems, such as HVAC, electrical, plumbing, water heaters and ductwork.
The Platinum Care plan is a cost-effective combination plan that covers your heating and air conditioning system (including ductwork), your plumbing system and electrical systems, and water heater. It also covers a wide range of appliances: refrigerators, clothes washers and dryers, stove/oven/cooktops, dishwashers, built-in microwaves, garbage disposals, ceiling fans and garage door openers. It also includes limited roof leak coverage. Nine add-on coverage options are available to customize your warranty plan.
However, it is important to note that the coverage limits on certain appliances and systems are low and may not be adequate to cover the replacement cost of some appliances or repairs related to your electrical and plumbing systems. Coverage for those items is limited to $500.
Select Home Warranty does publish a sample contract, but the company doesn’t reveal the length of its workmanship guarantee. That’s an important detail to consider when evaluating the value of a home warranty plan. Short workmanship guarantees can result in homeowners spending more to fix a recurring problem.
American Home Shield
- High appliance coverage limit of $6,000 (ShieldPlatinum only)
- Coverage extends to poorly maintained or undocumented appliances
- Choice of $100 or $125 deductible
- No separate coverage available for appliances only
- No low-deductible option
| Plan name | Plan cost |
| ShieldSilver | $39.99 |
| ShieldGold | $59.99 |
| ShieldPlatinum | $89.99 |
American Home Shield (AHS) is a leading player in the home warranty sector, with over 50 years of experience. The company offers three customizable plans, including one solely for home systems and two that cover both systems and appliances. The home systems plan covers 14 different systems, including heating and air conditioning systems with ductwork, electrical and plumbing systems, and water heaters.
Unlike some home warranty companies that only cover normal wear and tear, AHS provides coverage for appliances and systems that have not been properly maintained. Their combination plans provide complete appliance coverage and encompass major systems and kitchen and laundry room appliances.
With the ShieldGold plan, you receive coverage for your systems, as well as protection for popular kitchen and laundry room appliances such as refrigerators, ovens, cooktops, dishwashers and built-in microwaves.
By upgrading to the ShieldPlatinum plan, you also get limited coverage for roof leak repairs, free HVAC tune-ups, unlimited AC refrigerant refills and coverage for code violations, permits and modifications. If you can take advantage of these added benefits, they may make the $30 extra premium cost worthwhile.
AHS optional coverages are relatively few with American Home Shield. These include electronic device protection for $14 extra per month and guest unit coverage for $15.99 per month. But some important home features are excluded, for example sump pumps, septic systems, stand-alone freezers, and free-standing ice makers.
Cinch Home Services
- Choice of systems-only, appliances-only and combination plans
- Exceptional 180-day workmanship warranty
- Choose your deductible
- Deductibles are on the high side
- Limited additional coverage options
| Plan name | Plan cost |
| Appliances plan | $34.99 |
| Built-in systems plan | $39.99 |
| Complete Home Plan | $49.99 |
Cinch Home Services offers three different protection plans to its customers: one that only covers systems, another that only covers appliances and a third that covers both. A standout aspect of these plans is their low initial monthly fees. To get the most affordable rates, customers must opt for a plan with a deductible of $150 or higher. However, Cinch does provide the option to adjust the service call fee, which could lead to lower premium costs. Even with the highest deductible, the three plans remain reasonably priced.
Unfortunately, those with homes with unique features may not find what they need in the company’s supplementary coverage, which is restricted to pools and spas, septic tanks, well pumps and code violation repairs.
On a positive note, Cinch Home Services boasts several exceptional benefits. They provide a comprehensive workmanship guarantee, guaranteeing repairs performed by their technicians for a period of 180 days—other companies often offer just 30 days. This not only shows the company’s trust in its service providers, but also prevents homeowners from incurring additional service call fees to fix persistent issues.
Another benefit of a Cinch Home Services warranty is that the company will reimburse you for a portion of your homeowner’s insurance deductible (up to $500) if you file a home warranty claim in conjunction with a homeowner’s insurance claim. Here’s an example of how this plan feature works. If a burst pipe ruins the ceiling in your kitchen, Cinch will cover the cost of repairing the pipe (minus your deductible, of course.) It won’t cover patching, sanding, or painting your ceiling. But if you make a claim under your insurance plan for the repair, Cinch will pay you $500 toward your homeowner’s insurance deductible, lessening the financial burden of having your plumbing and ceiling problems completely fixed. This reimbursement benefit has the potential to offset the cost of an annual Cinch Home Services plan considerably. It’s also pretty unique in the home warranty industry.
American Residential Warranty (AWR)
- Unique stand-alone coverage for home electronics
- Choice of four three combination plans
- One of the industry's lowest service call fees ($55)
- Low coverage cap on systems ($1,000)
- Low coverage cap on appliances ($500)
| Plan name | Plan price |
| Ultimate Electronics Protection | $24.99 |
| Kitchen Plus | $34.99 |
| Platinum Premier | $64.99 |
| 4-in-1 Bundle | $129.99 |
ARW distinguishes itself from other home warranty companies by offering separate coverage for electronic equipment such as laptops, tablets and multiple TVs. You can choose stand-alone coverage for your electronics or get it as one component of the company’s most comprehensive plan. No one wants to be sidelined by a malfunctioning tablet, but ARW’s Ultimate Electronics Protection plan is a particularly interesting option for families and electronics enthusiasts.
In addition to the Ultimate Electronics Protection plan, ARW offers three other plans — the Kitchen Plus plan, the Platinum Premier plan and the 4-in-1 Bundle.
The Kitchen Plus plan covers kitchen appliances and systems, including ovens, ranges, cooktops, refrigerators, built-in microwaves, garbage disposals, kitchen exhaust fans, water heaters and internal electric systems.
The Platinum Premier plan offers a combination of system and appliance coverage and covers all major home systems, including heating and central air conditioning, plumbing systems, humidifiers and garage door openers.
The 4-in-1 Bundle enhances the coverage in the Platinum Premier plan by adding protection for electronic equipment and washers and dryers.
ARW also offers a pretty good list of add-on options, such as pools and spas, well pumps, external water and sewer lines, and food spoilage protection. If you’re a shop-ahead kind of person and store a lot of expensive meats and fish in your freezer, that last option may be of particular interest to you.
Guide to the Best Home Warranty Companies in Missouri
Main things to know before purchasing a home warranty in Missouri
Home warranties are legally binding agreements between homeowners and home warranty companies. For a fee, these companies agree to pay for the repair or replacement of a homeowner’s systems and appliances in the event of a breakdown. Usually sold for a one-year period, most companies allow homeowners to cancel their warranty at any point, but a prorated fee may be charged for the remaining time on the contract.
Each home warranty plan is unique and comparing them can be a lengthy process. However, it’s important for homeowners to thoroughly research the different plans, including the monthly premiums, service fees, coverage limits, and exclusions.
Some home warranty companies may refuse coverage for breakdowns caused by pre-existing conditions, while others only cover repairs from normal wear and tear. For example, a plan may cover your plumbing system, but not pay to repair plumbing stoppages. This type of information can be found in the sample contracts sometimes available on the company’s website. It’s crucial to read any contract you’re considering carefully to determine whether it has the features and offers the value that you’re looking for.
What does a home warranty company cover in Missouri?
Home warranty companies generally cover the repair or replacement of some malfunctioning systems and appliances. Some plans cover both. Only rarely do they cover routine maintenance, such as the replenishment of air conditioning refrigerant. Most policies only cover problems with systems and appliances that are due to normal wear. Pre-existing conditions are usually excluded from home warranties.
How much does a home warranty cost in Missouri?
That depends on the company you work with and how much your contract covers. Systems-only and appliances-only plans are less expensive than whole-home coverage. The monthly premiums you pay will also be affected by your deductible (service call fee). The higher your deductible, the lower your monthly premiums will be. We’ve seen plans with premiums as low as the high thirties and some that cost over $100. Choosing a lot of add-on optional coverages will also drive your premiums up. So it’s difficult to pin down home warranty costs in a general way.
Who regulates home warranty companies in Missouri?
Unlike some states that regulate home warranty companies, Missouri does not have specific regulations that dictate the actions of home warranty contracts.If you have an issue with a home warranty company, you can file a general complaint with one of the federal or state bodies that watch out for consumers in general, such as the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Some home warranty companies will also respond to complaints lodged through the Better Business Bureau. You can also contact the department of insurance in your state.
How does a home warranty work?
Home warranties are not the same as insurance policies, although there are some similarities between the two. Homeowners pay a monthly or annual fee for the coverage provided by a home warranty. When something goes wrong with a covered system or appliance, they file a claim and request service. The home warranty company will then send a technician to diagnose and fix the problem. For each service visit, the homeowner must pay a service fee—similar to an insurance deductible — which ranges from $75 to $150, depending on the plan. Home warranties, much like auto or homeowner’s insurance, also have coverage limitations. For example, some plans only cover appliance repairs or replacements up to $1,000, while others provide coverage up to $6,000. Systems repairs and replacements can similarly vary.
Best Home Warranty Companies in Missouri FAQs
Is my home warranty transferable to new homeowners?
Yes, most home warranty companies permit the transference of warranties when a property changes hands. Often sellers will purchase a home warranty to make their homes more attractive to potential buyers and to give them more confidence in the home they're purchasing. They'll then transfer ownership of the warranty along with the house.
Does my home warranty cover restoration for my house?
That depends on what you mean by restoration. No, home warranties won't pay for pulling up the carpet that's hiding some beautiful hardwood floors or to have the floors refinished. Generally, they don't cover pre-existing conditions or issues you knew about when you purchased your home. But if, for example, you move into a new home and discover a problem with the plumbing system or water heater that necessitates a repair, your home warranty should cover at least part of the cost of resolving the issue. Every home warranty comes with its own list of covered items and has prescribed coverage limits. So the extent to which your plumbing "restoration" is recovered will vary from one home warranty plan to the next.
What is the waiting period for a home warranty in Missouri?
Typically, you'll be required to pay one month's premium before your actual home warranty coverage begins. Some companies advertise that you can get one or more months free with the purchase of an annual plan. But the free months are tacked on to the end of your warranty term. You'll have to pay something up-front.
Is there any difference between homeowners insurance and a home warranty?
Homeowners insurance and home warranty are two very distinct types of coverage that serve different purposes.
Homeowners insurance is a type of insurance policy that provides financial protection to a homeowner in case of damage to the home or its contents due to events such as fire, theft, or natural disasters. It also provides liability coverage in case someone is injured on the property. The cost of homeowners insurance is based on factors such as the value of the home and its contents, the location of the property, and the extent of coverage desired.
A home warranty, on the other hand, is a type of service contract that covers the repair or replacement of certain systems and appliances in a home that break down due to normal wear and tear. The items covered by a home warranty vary, but typically include things like the heating and air conditioning system, electrical system, plumbing, and major appliances such as the refrigerator, dishwasher, and washing machine.
How We Evaluated the Best Home Warranty Companies in Missouri
To standardize our assessments, we used the same methodology to evaluate each company we reviewed. We used a single-family home under 5000 square feet located in St. Louis, Missouri as the basis for prices quoted. You can expect prices to be comparable inKansas City. We also selected the highest deductible available from each company to quote the lowest premium prices.
We assessed each company on whether they offered a selection of base plans, including separate coverage for major appliances and home systems and full home protection. We also looked for breadth of coverage. Appliance plans that included coverage for both kitchen and laundry room appliances and system plans that included air conditioning and plumbing stoppages rated well with us. We also valued companies that offered customers flexibility, such as the ability to customize their deductibles and choose from a variety of optional add-ons. We evaluated each company’s online experience, including the ease of navigating its website, the availability of a simple plan comparison tool, and the option for a quick, free quote. Additionally, we assessed each company’s transparency regarding coverage limits, exclusions, and service fees.
Summary of Our Guide to the Best Home Warranty Companies in Missouri
The good news is that Missouri residents have lots of options when purchasing a home warranty plan. The not-so good news is that choosing the right plan for your home and budget can get complicated. That’s why we created our Guide to the Best Home Warranty Companies in Missouri.
But our guide is really just a starting point. You’ll still need to invest some time in comparing plans apples-to-apples. Some of the information you need to fully assess a home warranty company may be buried in a lengthy contract. And not all companies publish sample contracts online.
Here are the factors you should consider when comparing home warranties:
- Items covered under each plan
- Premium costs per plan
- Deductible options and how they affect premiums
- Coverage caps per appliance or system and total annual coverage limit
- Whether you can customize your plan with protection for the less common features of you home
- The company’s reputation: check Better Business Bureau (BBB), Trustpilot, and Google ratings
Above all, before signing a home warranty agreement, be sure to request and carefully read a sample contract from the home warranty provider. There may be lots of devils in the details. Understanding your contract fully is the best way to ensure you’ll get peace of mind and a satisfying and affordable home warranty experience.