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7 Best Home Warranty Companies in Virginia for 2023
By Talon Abernathy 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
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- 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
Our Top Picks for the Best Home Warranty Companies in Virginia
- AFC Home Club – Best Overall
- Cinch Home Services – Best Pricing
- Select Home Warranty – Best Workmanship
- American Home Shield – Best Reviews
- Choice Home Warranty – Best Coverage
- First Premier Home Warranty – Best Customization
- Liberty Home Guard – Best Add-ons
Best Overall: AFC Home Club
Why we chose it: AFC Home Club tops our list as the best overall home warranty company in Virginia for its commitment to customer satisfaction, flexible contractor selection options and comprehensive coverage. With four plan options and numerous add-on features available, AFC Home Club allows customers to tailor a home warranty that’s best suited to their needs. Plan holders have the option of choosing their own technicians, provided they’re licensed, bonded and insured. In addition to flexible coverage options, AFC Home Club provides its plan holders with 24/7 support and claim coverage.
AFC Home Club offers its members a slew of benefits. Only a few, such as discounts on home appliances and home security systems, have anything to do with home ownership. These miscellaneous membership perks include free credit monitoring, identity protection alerts, emergency alert network coverage and discounts at thousands of restaurants and retailers nationwide through DealCash.
- Variety of perks available with membership
- Around-the-clock support and claim coverage
- Flexible contractor selection
- 24/7 claim service available
- $75 fee for early cancellations
- Policy-holders must submit a claim within 24 hours of becoming aware of a problem
Best Pricing: Cinch Home Services
Why we chose it: Cinch Home Services has earned a spot on our list of top-rated home warranty companies in Virginia due to its low-priced service plans. Starting at just $33 a month, coverage extends to most major systems and home appliances. More expensive tiers extend up to $68 a month and offer additional services. Premium add-ons include coverage for well pumps, heated pools, spas and septic systems. Flexible deduction limits give consumers the option to adjust their monthly premiums.
- Affordable monthly plans
- $50 Green Reward credit toward energy-efficient upgrades
- 24/7 online and telephone claim services available
- 180-day service guarantee
- Claims cap of $2,000 per incident; separate claims caps apply per appliances and built-in systems
- Higher than average service call fees
- Service doesn't cover damages related to neglect, misuse, unauthorized repairs or remodeling.
Best Workmanship: Select Home Warranty
Why we chose it: Select Home Warranty was selected as one of the best-rated home warranty companies in Virginia due to the impressive standard of care offered by its warranty plans. While Select Home Warranty works with a number of highly qualified service technicians, plan holders also have the option to choose their own contractors. Prior to starting work, Select Home Warranty will vet outside contractors to ensure they are bonded, licensed and insured.
- Customers can choose their own contractor
- Two free months when purchased annually
- Two months of roof leak coverage free
- Unlimited covered repairs
- Lengthy maintenance records required for some repairs
- Numerous complaints on its Better Business Bureau (BBB) profile
- A single issue can result in more than one service call fee if separate trades are involved
Select Home Warranty offers three plan tiers: Bronze, Gold and Platinum. The Bronze and Gold plans start at $44 a month, while the Platinum plan starts at $48 a month. If you pay annually, you receive two months free.
Select Home Warranty’s lowest-priced plan option is relatively restrictive compared to some of the other options on this list. In addition, Select Home Warranty places certain restrictions on service coverage. Most onerous is the requirement for as many as three years of maintenance records prior to starting service. It also won’t cover manufacturer defects and problems caused by earlier repairs, acts of nature or human error. The BBB has registered a sizable number of complaints against this company.
On the positive side, customers are allowed to choose their own repair technician as long as they’re vetted by Select Home Warranty. Its $60 service fee makes Select Home Warranty an affordable option. Finally, Select Home Warranty offers a wide array of add-on options to round out your coverage.
Best Reviews: American Home Shield
Why we chose it: In putting this guide together, we looked long and hard at reviews of home warranty companies in Virginia. American Home Shield’s highly satisfied customers propelled it onto our list as the home warranty company with the best reviews. Positive comments noted American Home Shield’s simple and easy claims process and the general feeling of security that comes with being a policyholder. American Home Shield’s highly customizable plan offers are another reason for the bevy of positive reviews.
- Service plans can be altered to fit your needs
- Home electronics add-on coverage available
- Customers can choose their own contractor
- 30-day service guarantee
- High service charge fees
As the largest home warranty provider in the nation, American Home Shield has the institutional knowledge and experience to help you navigate the repair process, whatever your problem might be. American Home Shield has three service levels available: Silver, Gold and Platinum. Silver plans start at just $30 per month and include most of your home’s basic systems. Gold plans come in at $10 more and provide repair service for a range of large home appliances. Finally, Platinum plans start at a whopping $70 per month.
Along with everything offered by the Gold plan, the Platinum plan covers roof leaks, HVAC tune-ups, unlimited AC refrigerant and code violation and permit coverage. Prices vary by location, and service call fees range from $75 to $125. Cheaper service fees translate to higher premiums and vice versa.
American Home Shield only offers a 30-day service guarantee. If your appliance or home system stops working after that period, you will need to pay another service call fee.
Best Coverage: Choice Home Warranty
Why we chose it: Choice Home Warranty made our list for its superior coverage options. Unlike some of the other plans on our list, Choice Home Warranty only offers two plans: the Basic plan and the Total plan. Choice Home Warranty also supports emergency HVAC repairs outside of regular business hours, making it our choice for the best home warranty for HVAC.
- Emergency service options
- 30-day free cancellation
- Affordable pricing plans
- No inspections are required prior to the start of coverage.
- No customizable plans
- No coverage for pre-existing conditions
- Coverage limits and caps apply
Choice Home Warranty’s Basic plan covers most of your home’s essential features, while its Total plan also covers your air conditioning unit, washer, dryer and refrigerator. Both plans cover your home’s heating, electrical and plumbing systems as well as your water heater, bathtub, oven, range, cooktop, stove, dishwasher, built-in microwave, garbage disposal, ductwork and garage door opener.
As if that wasn’t enough, Choice Home Warranty also offers a range of add-on features available for purchase. There are add-on features available for the following:
- Central vacuum
- Pool
- Spa
- Roof leaks
- Sump pump
- Standalone freezer
- Septic Tank
- Well pump
- Plumbing stoppage
Aside from its excellent coverage options, Choice Home Warranty made our list for its affordable prices, 24/7 claim service and 90-day service guarantee. Our Choice Home Warranty review wouldn’t be complete without including some of its downsides. Choice Home Warranty’s sample contracts incorporate a set of consumer-unfriendly terms and conditions, such as requiring customers to waive the right to collect attorney’s fees and punitive damages in the event of legal action. Users agree to engage in private arbitration in lieu of participating in a class action lawsuit.
Best Customization: First Premier Home Warranty
Why we chose it: First Premier Home Warranty made our list for its array of highly customizable plans. Like Choice Home Warranty, First Premier only offers two plan options. Add-ons are available for either plan choice to customize your plan to fit your individual needs.
- Quick claim response time
- Low-cost plans available
- High payout cap
- Pricing information is not freely available
- Air conditioning maintenance is not covered under standard plans.
First Premier Home Warranty’s Premier plan covers most household essentials, while its Platinum plan offers an expanded coverage range. This provider stands out for its very generous payout cap of $15,000 per item per year. First Premier offers a quick repair process, with service technicians on site typically within 24 to 48 hours. While it’s a relatively new company, First Premier has built a good reputation with generally positive online reviews. Claims can be reported over the phone or online via the First Premier website or by email.
Best Add-Ons: Liberty Home Guard
Why we chose it: Liberty Home Guard made our list for the sheer number and variety of add-ons available with its standard plans. While all of the home warranty companies on our list offer some degree of customization, Liberty Home Guard really takes the cake with its 38 available add-ons. Liberty Home Guard also offers 24/7 live customer support. Customers and technicians have access to a unique survey module system that allows them to offer personalized feedback.
- 60-day service guarantee
- 38 add-on features available
- 24/7 customer support is available
- Survey module enables customers to easily share feedback
- Opaque pricing structure
- No preexisting condition coverage offered
- High monthly premiums
- $50 cancellation fee
Drawbacks include a $50 cancellation fee and relatively high monthly premiums. Perhaps most frustrating is the company’s lack of transparency in its pricing structure. You won’t have a good idea of what your exact service fee will be until you go through the quote process. If you have a preferred service provider, Liberty Home Guard might not be for you. Unlike many of the other entries on this list, it does not allow its customers to choose their own repair technicians.
Other Companies We Considered
Our methodology assessed home warranty companies on responsiveness, reviews, discounts and specials, coverage and add-ons and whether customers are allowed to select their own technicians.
While failing to excel in the assessed areas, the following two companies earned honorable mentions due to their strong offerings.
First American Home Warranty
First American Home Warranty’s weak coverage options prevented it from earning a place on our list of home warranty insurance companies in Virginia. No First American Home Warranty review would be complete without mentioning its total lack of present coverage caps on certain important systems, drastically reducing replacement costs for plan holders.
- 24/7 customer service offered
- Rental property coverage available
- Reimbursement for out-of-network technicians is available in some emergency situations.
- Online claim tracking portal
- No roof leak repair coverage is available.
- Plumbing and electrical systems are not included in the basic plan.
Service Plus Home Warranty
Formerly known as Total Home Protection, Service Plus Home Warranty got its start in 2016, making it a relative newcomer to the home warranty industry. Service Plus Home Warranty offers affordable premiums and a list of customizable add-on features. However, it failed to make our list due to its low payout caps and inflexibility regarding out-of-network contractors.
- Affordable annual plans
- Personalized add-ons available
- 24/7 claim and customer support service available
- Doesn't allow homeowners to choose their own repair technician
- Low payout caps
- No pre-existing coverage is available
Best Home Warranty Providers in Virginia Guide
The following guide will give you the information and tools necessary to navigate the home warranty purchasing process.
What is a home warranty plan?
Home warranty plans are often confused with homeowner’s insurance. However, vital distinctions exist between the two. It’s important to understand the differences between home warranty vs. home insurance. Home insurance plans protect homeowners against catastrophic events like hurricanes and fires. They also protect against malevolent human actions like theft and vandalism.
Homeowner’s insurance provides a limited amount of liability coverage. For example, if someone were to slip and fall on your driveway and you were deemed at fault, your homeowner’s insurance policy may kick in to protect you. Separate flood and tornado insurance are required to protect against both disasters respectively.
By contrast, a home warranty plan protects against more quotidian concerns such as routine repair and replacement of home appliances and major home systems. Major home appliances covered under most plans include ovens, dishwashers, built-in microwaves, washers, drying machines, freezers and garage door openers. Important internal systems protected by most home warranty plans include air conditioning units, furnaces, water heaters, electrical wiring, plumbing, sump pumps, central vacuums and garbage disposal units.
Home warranty plans are heavily defined by coverage exclusions. Payout limits are common and differ according to the appliance or system affected. Some plans will cover additional appliances and systems for an extra charge. Popular add-on features include protection of roofing, pools and spas.
How do home warranties work?
A one-year home warranty is often included by the seller when purchasing a new house. After the initial plan expires, you will be free to purchase a new plan or renew your existing plan. The fee structure for a home warranty consists of two parts: a premium paid either monthly or annually (many plans offer annual discounts when the premium is paid in an upfront lump sum) and a service fee that is charged every time a service technician visits your home. Not sure how to buy a home warranty? After you receive a quote, you can proceed with your home warranty purchase online or over the phone, depending on the warranty provider.
Policy premiums tend to be uniform regardless of home age or size. Exceptions exist when the home is over 5,000 square feet, in which case the premium will be higher. Brand-new homes also command higher premiums. Before you purchase a home, carefully review your plan’s coverage limits which vary significantly from plan to plan.
Wondering how to file a home warranty claim? If a covered appliance or home system stops working, you can file a claim. Most major home warranty providers are available 24/7 through online and telephone claim reporting services. After your claim has been filed, the warranty provider will dispatch a qualified repair technician to your home. Depending on your home warranty provider, you may have the option to select your own independent contractor.
You will be charged a service fee for the technician’s visit. Depending on your plan and the extent of the damage, you may also have to pay a deductible and any costs incurred beyond the payout cap limit. If the damage is caused by negligence, misuse, unauthorized maintenance or other reasons specifically delineated in your policy contract, your claim may be denied. Not all policies cover pre-existing conditions and those that do often have stipulations regarding which pre-existing conditions are eligible under the plan.
How to pick home warranty coverage
When selecting a home warranty, there are several key details to consider before making a purchase.
Make sure it fits within your budget
The cost of a home warranty is multi-faceted and it’s important to look beyond the monthly premium cost before making a purchase. You should factor in service fees, payout cap limits, deductibles, discounts and the cost of add-on services. If you’re confident in the integrity of your home and its systems, you may choose to opt for a plan with a lower premium, lower payout cap and a higher deductible and service fee cost.
If you’re anticipating a major repair or replacement in the coming year, you may find it prudent to choose a plan with a low deductible, low service fee, high pay-out cap and high premium. Before you lock yourself into an annual plan with an early termination fee, carefully weigh your options and make sure to take all the relevant variables into account before you pull the trigger on a home warranty purchase.
Be sure it covers all your needs
Each home warranty plan is unique in its coverage limits. Never assume and always double-check that your plan makes provisions for all features you deem necessary. Only you know what your individual needs are. If your home has an in-ground pool or a sauna, you will want to ensure your plan covers both.
Read the fine print
Home warranty policies come rife with exceptions, exclusions and limits. Understanding exactly what is included and what is excluded in your policy is vital to preventing nasty surprises in the future. Be aware of coverage limitations and activities that could invalidate your warranty. Some warranties require homeowners to pay out of pocket for annual inspections. These can cost several hundred dollars per inspection.
Get a quote
Don’t get just one quote. Shop around and compare prices. Inform your sales representative about the features that are most important to you and the price range you’re working in. An experienced sales representative will put together a quote to best fit your needs. Once you have several quotes, you can compare prices and coverage limits to come to an educated decision.
Best Home Warranty Companies in Virginia FAQs
Who regulates home warranty companies?
Unlike the home insurance business, no national body exists to regulate home warranties. Instead, the home warranty business operates at the state level. In Virginia, the industry is relatively unregulated. However, Virginia state law makes a provision for a one-year implied warranty on all new home sales. Consumers who would like to levy a complaint against their home warranty company may file a complaint with Virginia's attorney general's office.
How do you compare home warranty companies?
We compared home warranty companies across a variety of dimensions such as price, coverage details, discounts, responsiveness and the option for customers to select their own home repair technician. As a consumer, you will need to identify the most important factors for your home and act accordingly. For example, if your home has a built-in sauna or in-ground pool, having access to affordable add-on options will weigh heavily in your selection process. However, if you're operating on a strict budget, affordable premiums and low service charge fees will factor more heavily into your decision-making process.
What are the service fees for home warranty companies?
In addition to a monthly or annual policy fee, home warranty companies charge for each on-site repair or replacement visit. Companies typically charge a flat rate which usually runs between $60 to $100 per visit, although some companies may charge more or less than this range. For example, Cinch Home Service charges up to a $150 service fee.
Service fee options vary by plan choice. It is important to remain cognizant of service fee costs when selecting a plan choice. A high service plan fee is sometimes put into place to offset a low monthly or annual premium. Conversely, plans with high premiums may offset their high upfront price with a lower service fee. When shopping for a home warranty, it's important to look at the policy holistically by weighing the monthly premium cost, service fees, deductible, payout caps and coverage details together.
What do home warranty companies cover?
What home warranty companies cover will vary from plan to plan. However, coverage generally extends to the following appliances and systems:
- Ovens
- Dishwashers
- Water heaters
- AC units
- Heating systems
- Wiring
- Garbage disposal units
- Stand-alone freezer
- A garage door opener
- Plumbing
- Central vacuum
- Sump pump
- Refrigerators
- Built-in microwaves
- Washers
- Dryers
How We Chose the Best Home Warranty Companies in Virginia
We evaluated each company on our list according to the following five metrics. Home warranty businesses that scored high on one or more of the following were incorporated into our main list of the highest-rated home warranty companies in Virginia.
Freedom to choose your own technician
It’s common practice in the home warranty industry for companies to only allow preselected contractors to fulfill warranty obligations. Companies may prefer to use a stable of vetted technicians for reasons of cost, quality or reliability. However, some homeowners strongly prefer to use an out-of-network technician to perform their home repairs either for reasons of quality, reputation, location or due to a preexisting relationship between the two.
In light of this preference, some home warranty companies allow homeowners to select their own repair technicians. Typically, home warranty companies will include stipulations such as that the independent contractor must be bonded, licensed and insured. The flexibility to choose your own contractor was a top factor in the construction of our list.
Responsiveness
No one wants to be stuck taking cold showers for days on end. A broken refrigerator can cause homeowners to spend hundreds of dollars on wasted food and eating out. In some areas, a broken AC system during the summer months can even turn deadly, especially for elderly homeowners. That’s why we evaluated each of our choices based on claim responsiveness.
No one deserves to suffer through frigid winter temperatures because their furnace stopped working. Each entry on our list has a 24/7 claim service available 365 days a year. While specific promises tend to be rare, we looked for companies that claim to send out repair technicians in a timely manner. Top-ranked businesses such as AFC Home Club, our best overall pick, will send a qualified repair technician to your home within 24 to 48 hours of filing a claim.
Reviews
We incorporated reviews from both trusted industry-leading organizations such as the Better Business Bureau and from average consumers. Review aggregator websites like Yelp and Google Business profiles provide a clear, unbiased picture of customer satisfaction rates. Reviews offer a unique picture of the day-to-day functioning of a business. For our purposes, reviews helped us determine if a business was living up to the standards it set for itself.
Discounts and specials
Many home warranty companies will offer discounts and specials to entice new customers, retain existing clients and encourage socially conscious behavior. For example, Cinch Home Services offers its customers a $25 one-time credit that can be used toward replacing an AC or water filter. In a more environmentally friendly vein, it also offers a $50 Green Reward credit good for energy-efficient home upgrades. Other common discounts include offering one or more months free for annual payment plans, seasonal markdowns and price reductions for current or former military members.
Coverage and add-ons
Coverage details are a core variable to take into account when assessing home warranty plans. Consumers will need to weigh warranty price against total coverage when making a decision. Lower-priced plans with limited coverage options may prove unsuitable for consumers with greater coverage needs.
To this end, we weighed the coverage limits of each plan to ensure that basic appliances and built-in home systems were covered. Many warranty plans include optional add-on features that allow customers to customize their policies to best fit their individual needs.
Summary of Best Home Warranty Companies in Virginia of 2023
You know best what your home needs. Which home warranty plan you select will depend on your personal financial situation and your home’s coverage needs. To that end, we’ve broken down the top home warranty providers in Virginia so that you can select the right company and plan for your needs.
AFC Home Club topped our list as the best overall pick with its added benefits for plan holders, commitment to customer satisfaction and flexible technician selection process. Cinch Home Services is our top pick for budget-savvy consumers with its affordable plans and quality service. Select Home Warranty is a solid bet for anyone looking for top-notch workmanship. American Home Shield’s commitment to superior customer service shone through in its overwhelmingly positive customer reviews which propelled it onto this list as our top choice for best reviews. Choice Home Warranty came in for best coverage while First Premier Home Warranty snagged the best customization slot for its willingness to go above and beyond when personalizing its customers’ plans. Liberty Home Guard rocketed into our list with its unique catalog of 38 available add-ons.
This concludes our list of top home warranty companies in Virginia. Now that you know how to compare home warranty companies, you have all the information you need to sign a service contract.