Best Home Warranty Companies in New York 2022

Home warranties cover part of the cost of repairing or replacing broken and worn-out home systems and appliances. They can be a great way to protect against unexpected and unmanageable costs for many homeowners. But with so many home warranty companies to choose from, choosing the right one for your needs may be tough.

This guide will help you understand your choices and present our selections for the best home warranties in New York, along with reviews of home warranty companies. It also contains information on home warranties in New York and answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about home warranties.

Our Top Picks for the Best Home Warranty Companies in New York

The best home warranty company for you will depend on your individual needs and your budget constraints. The companies that made the list of top home warranty companies in New York are:

• American Home Shield: Best overall
• America’s Preferred Home Warranty: Best deductible options
• Liberty Home Guard: Best customer service
• Choice Home Warranty: Best discounts
• HomeServe: Best for mix-and-match plans
• AFC Home Club: Best workmanship guarantee
• Select Home Warranty: Best for affordability

In the following section, we discuss each of these home warranty providers in detail, including premium and deductible costs and the pros and cons of purchasing a home warranty plan through each company.

Best Home Warranty Companies in New York Reviews

Our selections for top home warranty companies in New York are based on factors such as coverage options, customer satisfaction and total costs. Note that costs depend on your location, the size of your house, and the plan you choose.

American Home Shield offers comprehensive, customizable coverage to meet your needs. Trade service fees are slightly higher than those charged by some other companies on the list. However, they are adjustable depending on your chosen premium, with higher premiums corresponding to lower service fees.

The premium costs listed below are based on the selection of the $125 service trade fee.

• ShieldSilver: $60/month
• ShieldGold: $80/month
• ShieldPlatinum: $110/month

America’s Preferred Home Warranty offers affordable adjustable deductibles. Only one plan is available for each type of residence, but optional coverage add-ons are available. The basic plan covers most major systems and appliances, such as heating and cooling systems, washers and dryers, kitchen appliances, and electrical and plumbing systems. Add-on options include a home entertainment and technology plan, termite control, gas fireplace coverage and more.

• $50 deductible plan: $59.00/month
• $100 deductible plan: $55/month

Liberty Home Guard offers high-quality 24/7 customer service to ensure you receive the service you need, day or night. It offers three home warranty plans to choose from, depending on whether you need coverage for your home systems, appliances or both. The company is not accredited by the Better Business Bureau but has an A- rating.

Service fees vary, but monthly plan prices in New York are relatively straightforward:

• Appliance Guard: $50/month
• Systems Guard: $55/month
• Total Home Guard: $60/month

Choice Home Warranty combines affordable premiums with great discounts. At the time of publication, the promotional offer for new customers was a savings of $50 and one month of coverage free of charge. You can save even more by paying annually rather than monthly.

Choice Home Warranty reviews show that customer satisfaction is mixed, with some customers being very satisfied and others being frustrated with the provider.

Choice Home Warranty offers two plans:

• Basic plan: $49/month
• Total plan: $58/month

With HomeServe, you can purchase separate coverage for independent home systems, such as internal or external electrical lines, gas lines and exterior sewer and septic lines. You could also select a combo plan that bundles coverage for several systems, such as the exterior pipe plan and home plumbing and drainage coverage.

You can mix and match plans to get the coverage you need without paying for what you don’t. Plans start at $5 per month for coverage of individual items. Combo packages range from $22 to $60 per month.

HomeServe doesn’t charge a service call fee for most plans. However, any plan that covers appliances, including the TotalHome Appliance and Combo Plan, has a $100 service fee.

AFC Home Club has been in business for 12 years and is accredited by the Better Business Bureau, with a current B rating. It offers a wide selection of plans and add-ons as well as additional benefits for policyholders, such as discounts on insurance plans and home security systems.

All prices listed below are based on selecting the highest service fee of $125 per call.

• Platinum: $50/month
• Gold: $46/month
• Silver: $40/month
• Systems: $40/month

Select Home Warranty is an affordable choice for a home warranty with roof coverage included. The company offers a promotion of $150 off and two months free of charge to help you save even more. All plans come with free roof leak coverage included.

With a service fee of $75, you’ll pay the following monthly fees for a home in New York:

• Bronze Care: $42/month
• Gold Care: $42/month
• Platinum Care: $46/month

Other companies we considered

There are a lot of reputable home warranty companies, and not all of them could make it into our top picks. When compiling this list, we also considered Cinch Home Services, First Premier Home Warranty and American Residential Warranty. The following section will briefly review each of these companies, including pricing and the pros and cons of each.

Cinch Home Services

Cinch Home Services offers three plans that let you choose to receive coverage on appliances, home systems or both. The company is accredited by the Better Business Bureau and has a current B rating. Cinch Home Services has mixed reviews on TrustPilot with an overall 3-star rating.

• Appliances Plan: $66/month
• Built-In Systems Plan: $70/month
• Complete Home Plan: $85/month

First Premier Home Warranty

First Premier Home Warranty offers two plans with over 20 optional add-ons so you can get the exact coverage you need. New customers receive $200 off the annual price and two months of free limited roof leak coverage. Prices below are averages based on a single-family home under 5,000 square feet — for larger homes, the premium increases by about $10 a month.

• Premium Plan: $40/month
• Platinum Plan: $48/month

American Residential Warranty

American Residential Warranty offers four plans, including one that covers electronics. The Kitchen Plus plan covers common kitchen appliances, and the Platinum Premier plan covers the same appliances in addition to many major home systems. The 4-in-1 is the most comprehensive plan, which covers everything in the Platinum Premier package, as well as washers, dryers, water and sewer lines and more.

• Ultimate Electronics Protection: $25/month
• Kitchen Plus: $40/month
• Platinum Premier: $65/month
• 4-in-1 Bundle: $130/month

Home Warranty Companies in New York Guide

Now that we’ve presented the best home warranty companies in New York, this section will help you understand the following:

• How home warranties work
• The difference between a home warranty vs. home insurance
• The average cost of home warranties
• How to choose the best home warranty in New York

What is a home warranty?

A home warranty is a service contract that covers part of the cost of repair or replacement when a household system or appliance stops working due to normal wear and tear. It helps to ease the burden of unexpected breakdowns caused by the regular use of an item over time.

The major benefit of a home warranty is that you can plan on spending a small, predetermined amount each month and avoid the unpredictable expenses of system and appliance breakdowns.

Each home warranty company offers unique plans that vary with the following features:

• Specific items that are covered and the way they are bundled into packages

• Whether the plan covers aged, ill-maintained, and improperly installed items, or those with preexisting conditions

• Costs of premiums, service trade fees, and optional add-ons

• How to file a claim

• Length of the contract

• The maximum amount the company will cover per item or repair

• The maximum amount the company will cover for all items during the term period

• Whether the company will assign technicians or allow you to choose your own

• Length of guarantee on repaired items

Most home warranty companies offer plans that cover the following:

• Kitchen appliances, such as refrigerators, ovens, and garbage disposals

• Heating and cooling systems, including water heaters

• Ductwork

• Major home systems, such as the electrical system and plumbing

• Large appliances such as washers and dryers

Many companies also offer optional add-ons for an additional fee. Some commonly offered add-ons are coverage for:

• Pools and spas
• Duplicate appliances
• Septic systems
• Roof leaks
• Well pumps
• Sump pumps
• Stand-alone freezers

Most home warranties only cover items in good working condition when the plan is purchased. Most companies do not cover the cost of items that break down due to improper installation or lack of maintenance, damage caused by animals and pests, or preexisting conditions.

When comparing plans, be sure to read the terms and conditions carefully or speak with an agent to learn precisely what items are excluded from coverage. This will help you plan for costs that may arise due to a lack of coverage.

How does a home warranty work?

A home warranty covers part of the cost of appliance and home system breakdowns in exchange for a monthly or annual fee and a service fee that is due when you request service on a covered item. You must follow a few general steps to receive payment for the repair or replacement when a covered item stops working due to normal wear and tear.

• File a claim. To file a claim, you must report it to the home warranty provider by phone or online. Most companies require that you notify them immediately when a covered item stops working, and many accept claims anytime, day or night. Some providers specify that you must file a claim within 24 hours of realizing the item is not working to receive coverage for the repair or replacement.

• Pay the deductible. All plans have a service fee that must be paid when requesting service. You may need to pay the fee online or by phone when filing the claim or pay the contractor who services the broken system or appliance.Each company has different service fees and policies regarding how you need to pay them. Most providers offer some guarantee on workmanship so that if an item stops working during a specified period after being repaired, you will not have to pay another service fee to have it fixed.

• Schedule work with a technician. Some home warranty providers allow you to choose your authorized technician, while others will assign you one out of their network of qualified contractors.Most companies promise to initiate service within 48 hours — or sooner for emergencies. Some have even faster turnaround times. Once the tech comes to your home, he or she will diagnose the problem, determine whether the warranty plan covers it, and recommend repair or replacement.

• Repair or replace the item. The contractor can often complete the work during the initial visit if the item needs repair and is covered under the warranty agreement. If it’s necessary to order parts or a replacement for the item, a second service call may be scheduled for a later time.The provider will pay for the repair or replacement up to the amount of the coverage cap for the item or the term. If they cannot repair or replace the item due to a lack of parts or obsolescence, the company will usually reimburse you in cash for what the repair or replacement would have cost.

How to choose the best home warranty plan in New York

Home warranties are designed to bring you peace of mind, reduce financial burdens and make your life easier. But choosing the wrong provider or plan for your needs could cause you more of a headache or cost you more money in the long run than having no coverage at all. That’s why it is so important to choose your New York home warranty provider carefully.

One of the most important things you can do when looking for the best home warranty coverage is to shop around and get quotes from different companies. There are other considerations to keep in mind, such as the climate in your area, customer reviews and testimonials, the fine print in the plan contract and the plan’s total costs.

Consider the New York climate when deciding on coverage

Unlike home insurance, home warranties don’t cover damage caused by extreme weather. But that doesn’t mean that the climate where you live has no impact on the home warranty coverage you need. Climate can affect how your home systems naturally wear and the degree to which you rely on them.

New York state experiences the full spectrum of weather, with hot summers and sometimes-frigid winters. Parts of the state regularly experience very heavy snowfall. Both your heating and cooling systems probably get a lot of use, which can cause them to wear faster.

If they break down, you will want them back up and running as quickly as possible. Getting coverage for your heating and cooling systems will help ensure you’re able to get these expensive systems fixed right away if they break down at the worst possible time, as they often do.

Heavy snowfalls can be brutal on your roof. Ice damming and vent blockages are common problems experienced by roofs during harsh winters. When considering what home warranty coverage you need, you may want to get one that offers roof leak coverage.

Limited roof leak protection offered by home warranty providers doesn’t cover acute damage caused by storms. However, it can help to protect you if your roof naturally wears out due to New York’s snowy climate and fluctuating temperatures.

Check the customer reviews

Customer reviews are one of the most powerful ways of gauging a company’s trustworthiness. Hearing from customers who have used the business in the past can give you a real understanding of the type of experience you’re likely to have if you purchase a home warranty plan with the company.

Customer testimonials often focus on the customer service that the company provides, which can be challenging to assess in any other way. Companies clearly describe the coverage they offer and the prices they charge, but they can’t provide an accurate picture of the customer service they offer.

Some home warranty companies include customer reviews and testimonials on their website, which is helpful, but it’s always a good idea to check reviews on independent sites as well. The Better Business Bureau and TrustPilot are two reputable sites that offer customer reviews and helpful information about home warranty providers that you won’t find on the company websites.

Study the fine print

Before purchasing any home warranty plan, be sure to read all the fine print. What sounds like perfect coverage at first glance may not be the best plan for you once you understand the terms and conditions. Always check the fine print for details such as:

• Coverage caps per individual item and per repair
• Total coverage limits for the duration of the contract
• Coverage exclusions
• Length of the workmanship guarantee
• Claims process
• Cancellation policy
• Mandatory arbitration agreements and waivers of jury trials
• Liability waivers

Keep in mind premium, service and add-on fees

The premium cost is not the only thing to consider when comparing plan prices. To get the clearest picture of what you will be spending over the life of the contract, be sure you understand the service and add-on fees as well so you don’t get any surprises in the future.

Home warranty regulations in New York

Home warranties in New York are regulated by the New York Department of Financial Services. Most regulations in the state cover the information that must be included in the contract. Under New York law, home warranty contracts must be easy to understand and include the plan’s exclusions and cancellation policy.

If you run into a problem with a provider not living up to its end of the contract, you can file a claim with the Department of Financial Services for assistance in resolving the matter.

How We Chose the Best Home Warranty Companies in New York

When selecting the best home warranty companies in New York, we looked at various factors, including cost-effectiveness, coverage offered, customer satisfaction and extra benefits provided with your plan.

Cost-effectiveness

Consumers purchase home warranties as a way to save money, so the best home warranty plans must be cost-effective. This means more than just having affordable premiums. Add-on costs and service fees are also considered, as is the value received for the money you will spend on the warranty.

Coverage

The best home warranties offer comprehensive plans that cover a wide range of home systems and appliances. We chose only the companies that offer a good coverage selection. We also gave special consideration to those that make the coverage options customizable, so you get exactly the protection you need.

Customer satisfaction

High customer satisfaction ratings indicate a trustworthy company that is easy to work with. When choosing the best home warranty companies in New York, we looked at customer ratings and testimonials, Better Business Bureau ratings, and the number of grievances filed against each provider.

Extra benefits

Some companies offer extra benefits to entice customers and give them added financial protection and peace of mind. We considered this when compiling the list of best providers. Benefits such as insurance discounts and identity theft monitoring demonstrate an increased commitment to a provider’s customers and offer additional value for your money.

Summary of Best Home Warranty Companies in New York 2022

There are a lot of home warranty companies to choose from, but this guide helps to narrow down the best in New York in 2022. Before purchasing home warranty coverage through any company, be sure to determine if it is worth it for you and shop around to find the one that offers the protection you need.

Don’t forget to read the fine print to protect yourself against unpleasant surprises and unexpected costs when an item breaks down. Read what other customers have said about working with the company and consider all the costs so you don’t spend more than you plan to.

• American Home Shield: Best overall
• America’s Preferred Home Warranty: Best deductible options
• Liberty Home Guard: Best customer service
• Choice Home Warranty: Best discounts
• HomeServe: Best for mix-and-match plans
• AFC Home Club: Best workmanship guarantee
• Select Home Warranty: Best for affordability