Best Home Warranty Companies in Arkansas

Are you financially prepared if an important system or appliance in your home fails? Can you quickly find an expert technician to fix a home appliance? If you answered no to either of these questions, consider purchasing a comprehensive home warranty plan.

If you’re searching for a home warranty in Arkansas, keep reading to learn about the best home warranty companies in the state, common home maintenance issues faced by Arkansas property owners, and nine important home warranty buying tips.

Arkansas’ best home warranty companies

Arkansas is bordered by five states: Louisiana, Tennessee, Missouri, Mississippi, and Oklahoma. Known as the Natural State, Arkansas is home to the Buffalo River, one of the few unpolluted rivers remaining in the continental U.S. With over 600,000 acres of lakes and nearly 10,000 miles of streams and rivers, it’s easy to see why people in Arkansas love to spend time on the water. 

Arkansas has 50 state parks and six national parks to explore and enjoy. If you long to find a precious stone, Crater of Diamonds State Park allows you to prospect for garnets, quartz, agate, amethyst, and the state gem, diamonds. The state bird of Arkansas is the Mockingbird and the official state flower of Arkansas is the apple blossom.

The largest city in Arkansas, Little Rock, is a thriving economic center that underwent a revitalization attracting aviation, biotechnology, manufacturing, and service corporations to the city. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Little Rock’s fastest-growing sector in the last 12 months is leisure and hospitality.

Real estate analysts forecast Arkansas’ real estate market will continue to grow and strengthen through 2020. Arkansas is experiencing an influx of new residents each year, and in 2018, 11,000 people moved to the state. Many experts point to the state’s diversified economy, population growth, and reasonable home prices as key indicators for continued growth in the coming years.

Home values have jumped more than 7% statewide since 2017, with the median home value now $126,000. In Texarkana, Arkansas, housing costs are nearly 30% below the US national average, and residents enjoy a lower cost of living with reasonably priced healthcare, utilities, and food.

Most common home maintenance problems in Arkansas

Arkansas’ high water table, extreme heat and humidity, and geological makeup present several challenges for property owners. Here are some of the top home maintenance problems in Arkansas. 

Heat

Arkansas’ climate is classified as “humid subtropical.” This classification means winters are mild and summers are hot and steamy. During the hottest months of the year, temperatures can reach triple digits with average temperatures in the 90s. High humidity levels make the temperatures feel more uncomfortable and oppressive. Air conditioning systems are essential for most parts of the state to keep homes comfortable.

Excessive heat and humidity can cause pipes to expand and rupture, systems within the home to overheat, the soil around the house to contract, hardwood floors to warp, and extreme heat and humidity can build up in attics leading to the deterioration of roof shingles.

Prolonged periods of extreme heat also take a toll on household appliances, especially the refrigerator and freezer. During the summer months, opening and closing the refrigerator causes it to cycle on more often. And, if your refrigerator is positioned so that it’s in direct sunlight, the temperature of the air as well as the radiant heat can cause overheating and failure.

Mold

Indoor air quality is a significant concern in Arkansas. High levels of humidity cause mold to thrive, even in very clean homes. Mold infestations can be caused by flooding, a leaky roof, plumbing leaks, damp basements or crawl spaces, wet clothing, and a variety of other situations where high levels of humidity aren’t extracted from the air. Mold colonies release spores that travel through the home’s ductwork, spreading the mold from one area of the house to another.

In Arkansas, it’s imperative to have highly efficient exhaust fans as well as whole-house dehumidifiers to protect against mold infestations in the home. Mold thrives by eating organic materials like wood, paper, and fabric—elements that are in every home. In the event you do have an infestation, the mold will need to be mitigated, your ductwork cleaned, and air filters on your HVAC replaced.

A contractor can help you determine the efficiency of existing exhaust fans and dehumidifiers and may recommend repair or replacement of these systems. 

Radon gas

Radon is odorless, tasteless, and colorless—it’s the leading cause of lung cancer in non-smokers and the second leading cause of lung cancer population-wide. This naturally occurring gas is released when uranium-rich soil and stone break down. The gas migrates through the earth and can seep into buildings through the foundation. Testing for radon in Arkansas is quite easy, and kits are available online and in most home improvement stores.

If the results of a radon test reveal high levels of radon gas in your home, the EPA recommends mitigation by a nationally certified radon mitigation team. Once a mitigation team is selected, the contractor will install the appropriate mitigation system, like a suction pit or ventilation system, as well as seal crawl spaces and cracks in the foundation. Improving the air quality of your home is vital for the health and wellbeing of all members of your household.

Septic system

Arkansas has some of the most stringent laws regulating septic system design and installation in the U.S. Septic systems must be at least 100 feet from wells, and the total number of bedrooms on the property will determine the size of the system. Before a septic system can be installed, and in some cases repaired, an environmental specialist may be required to conduct soil tests with a soil pit.

Septic system failures are relatively common in Arkansas due to the rising groundwater levels and shifting soil. Homeowners are at a heightened risk of experiencing a septic system failure during the rainy season. If you are in the market for a home that has a septic system, you must understand what it takes to maintain a septic system to keep it operating correctly. 

Wells

In recent years, several counties in Arkansas have released well water testing guidelines due to high levels of cyanide in the water. To ensure safe drinking water in your home, you well should be inspected annually for cleanliness and the presence of bacteria, cyanide, nitrates, and other potentially harmful contaminants. 

In addition to testing for water safety, your well pump must be maintained to keep water flowing into the home. Well pumps can fail because of poor water quality, a lightning strike or electrical surge, or because it’s old. Most experts agree that well pumps have a lifespan of 12–20 years, depending on water quality and

Who is eligible for a home warranty in Arkansas?

The majority of property owners in Arkansas are eligible to purchase a home warranty. The state regulates service contract providers and all providers must be registered with the Arkansas Insurance Department. Generally speaking, primary residences, second homes, and investment properties are all eligible for home warranties.

Arkansas home warranty coverage

When reviewing the offerings from the best home warranty companies in Arkansas, it’s important to recognize that there isn’t a one-size-fits-all plan. Each home has different appliances and systems, and if you have swimming pools, septic systems, wells, or other specialized equipment, you might need specialized coverage options. Here are the top five home warranty companies in Arkansas

1. Choice Home Warranty

If you have specialized systems in your home, like a central vacuum, well pump, septic system, sump pump, or swimming pool and spa, Choice Home Warranty may be a good fit for your needs. Choice Home Warranty offers two plans: Basic and Total. They also allow homeowners to customize their warranty plan by adding on optional coverage of systems that are expensive to repair and replace.

An added benefit of Choice Home Warranty is that they don’t deny coverage due to the age of the home. Here is a quick snapshot of their available plans.

2. American Home Shield

American Home Shield has been providing homeowners across the country with home warranty plans for decades. In fact, American Home Shield is the oldest company in the industry. Their market saturation and success is due in large part to their wide variety of plans and the ability to create a customized plan to cover specialized systems and appliances within the home. Here are American Home Shield’s home warranty plan offerings.

Note: The Combo Plan covers all appliances and systems covered under the individual appliance and system plans.

3. First American Home Warranty

Older homes are typical in many areas of Arkansas. Unlike most home warranty companies, First American Home Warranty offers a First Class Upgrade that covers major appliances and household systems, even if they weren’t installed correctly or if they haven’t been maintained regularly. The First Class Upgrade makes First American Home Warranty one of the best home warranty companies in Arkansas, especially for homebuyers seeking an older home.

Additionally, they offer several plans and the opportunity to cover auxiliary systems including swimming pools and spas, central air conditioners, and well pumps.

 4. 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty

As we mentioned above, one of the challenges Arkansas homeowners can face is foundation problems. 2-10 Home Warranty offers 10-year structural warranties for new construction homes protecting against structural defects. They offer system and appliance service agreements that cover the key elements that keep your home comfortable and operating efficiently. Here’s a quick look at their offered plans.

5. Select Home Warranty

Select Home Warranty offers homeowners in Arkansas budget-friendly plans that cover as much, or as little equipment and systems you desire. Submitting a claim online or over the phone is easy, and representatives are available 24 hours a day. Here is an abbreviated overview of their plans. 

How much does a home warranty cost in Arkansas?

Home warranty companies in Arkansas base their fees on the size of the home, the age of the home, and other regional factors. Home warranty companies offer multiple plans based on the essential systems and appliances you want to be covered. Here are the price ranges for plans in Arkansas.

How would a home warranty work in Arkansas?

When a homeowner protected by a home warranty experiences an appliance or system failure, fixing the situation is quite simple. Here’s an example of how a homeowner deals with an air conditioning system that isn’t cooling during the sweltering summer months in Arkansas.

1. File a claim either online or via phone with the home warranty company. 
2. Be present when the home warranty company sends a repair technician. 
3. Pay the service call fee.
4. Speak with the repair technician about the reason for the failure, the options for fixing the air conditioner, or discuss a replacement system if the unit cannot be replaced.
5. Rest assured that the home warranty service contract will take care of the system failure in a timely manner.

Is a home warranty in Arkansas necessary?

As we outlined above, property owners in Arkansas face many climate and geological challenges that affect how systems and appliances in the home operate. Think of a home warranty as added insurance in the event that a system or appliance breaks down. With a warranty, you won’t have to come up with a large sum of money to pay for new appliances and expensive plumbing, heating, air conditioning, septic, and well pump problems on the fly.

 Arkansas hot and humid summers naturally take a toll on refrigerators, plumbing, air conditioning systems, and exhaust fans. With a comprehensive home warranty service contract, you can rest assured that appliance and system failures will be remedied by repair or replacement as soon as reasonably possible. 

 Specific populations, including first-time homebuyers, single parents, and seniors can benefit greatly from a home warranty. Instead of trying to troubleshoot a problem and searching for the cheapest and fastest way to repair a system or appliance, they can simply file a claim and allow the home warranty company to repair the problem.

How to buy a home warranty in Arkansas

When buying a home, it may be prudent to ask the seller to include a 12-month home warranty in the purchase. If you’re selling in a buyer’s market, you may want to consider offering a home warranty as a way to lure buyers. Even if you’re not buying or selling a home, you can still purchase protection for your systems and appliances. In fact, the best home warranty companies in Arkansas cover rental properties, vacation homes, and primary residences.

When you’re ready to buy a home warranty in Arkansas, here are nine tips to keep in mind:

1. Learn the value of your home—Figure 10% of the value of the home is the average annual expenditure homeowners make in annual repairs and maintenance. For example, if your home is worth $150,000, you can expect to pay $1,500 over the course of each year for maintenance, repairs, and replacement of vital home systems.
2. Evaluate your budget—Determine if you’re more comfortable creating a home improvement emergency budget to cover system failures and repairs, or if you would be more comfortable making modest monthly payments to one of the best home warranty companies in Arkansas.
3. Inspect your appliances—Take inventory of the age and condition of the appliances in your home
4. Determine the type and number of HVAC systems in your home—This will help you customize your coverage plan and ensure all heating and air conditioning systems are protected. 
5. Think about additional add-ons—Make a list of special systems in the home like well pumps, septic, sump pumps, central vacuums, and swimming pool and spa equipment.
6. Read customer reviews—Third-party reviews are one of the greatest ways to understand how a company operates and how good they are at their job.
7. Look through a sample contract—Carefully review each service contract and make a note of exclusions and limitations. Every home warranty company offers slightly different plans. Be sure to understand any annual caps on specific systems and determine if you need to add optional coverage categories.
8. Call a service representative—Speak to several home warranty companies and make sure all of your questions are answered satisfactorily before signing a contract. 
9. Pick a winner—Choose the best home warranty for your home’s systems and your household budget. 

Arkansas home warranty reviews

Below are a few reviews from Arkansas homeowners who have a home warranty:

Choice Home Warranty

Choice Home Warranty is headquartered in New Jersey and has a C rating with the Better Business Bureau. An analysis of complaints on the BBB’s website indicates that the majority of complaints have been resolved and typically are generated by homeowners that misunderstood plan exclusions and limitations. Comments and reviews posted by Choice Home Warranty customers indicate a wide range of experiences including customers satisfied for many years.

“We have been members for the past three months. We have had a technician assigned whenever an issue arises. They have been able to solve the problem and we have been pleased with their responsiveness. No problems thus far and [we] would recommend them to others.” — Sapan P.

American Home Shield

Headquartered in Tennessee, American Home Shield has a B rating with the Better Business Bureau and has been accredited since 1997. Customers of American Home Shield have a generally positive impression of the company with many customers stating that the service was prompt and professional. 

[American Home Shield was] very professional. The tech came out first thing the next day and replaced my water heater.” — Marlene H.

First American Home Warranty

First American Home Warranty is an accredited business with the BBB and has a B+ rating. It appears on the BBB’s website that the company is very responsive to complaints (and compliments) and that customers are generally pleased with their home warranty service contract.

“I have been a customer for many years and all I can say is that First American Home Warranty is a fantastic company. I had many problems in my condo and every time First American did just great. Thank you.” — Raphael B.

2-10 Home Warranty

2-10 Home Warranty has an A rating with the BBB and is an accredited business. The company quickly remedies customer concerns and complaints and most customers have a favorable view of 2-10 Home Warranty.

“Today I am very happy that I have this [2-10 Home Warranty]. They just saved good money with a garage repair. The service couldn’t have been better, from the intake call to the performance of the work. Thank you!” — J.K.

Select Home Warranty

Select Home Warranty is not an accredited BBB business, but they do have a solid B rating with the Better Business Bureau. After a review of recent complaints, it appears that customers feel claims are denied due to being out of service areas and the length of time to receive repair service in some parts of the country are quite length. However, many customers praise Select Home Warranty for their friendliness, professional staff, and courteous technicians.

“[Select Home Warranty] called me right away after filing a claim. The contractor came out fixed my AC right away. The best service I’ve ever had.” — Erica M.

Our conclusion

In our opinion, the above home warranties are some of the best in the business. Choice Home Warranty and American Home Shield both offer comprehensive plans while 2-10 Home Warranty and Select are some of the most affordable and trusted providers in the business.