Best Home Warranty Companies in Connecticut

As a Connecticut homeowner, it’s always a good idea to have extra protection for your important systems and appliances. Even with preventive care and regular home maintenance, there’s always the chance that something could go seriously wrong in your home. For this reason, it’s crucial for Connecticut residents to consider a home warranty. Keep reading to find the best home warranty to meet your specific needs.

Connecticut’s best home warranties

Connecticut’s name is of Native American origin, derived from the Mohican word Quinnehtukqut, which means “long river place” or “beside the long tidal river.” The name no doubt comes from the Long Island Sound that separates it from New York. In addition to New York, Connecticut is bordered by Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

Connecticut is the southernmost New England state and it’s one of the original 13 British colonies. It officially joined the United States in 1788 and was the fifth state to ratify the U.S. Constitution. Interestingly, its nickname is the “Constitution State” because it was the first state to lay the groundwork for a formal constitution.

The largest city in the state is Bridgeport, with a population of more than 146,000 people. Connecticut’s oldest city is Windsor, which was first settled under the name Dorchester in 1633.

If you live in Connecticut today, you’ll find yourself dealing with a unique and sometimes turbulent climate. Because of this, you’ll want to make sure you have a reliable home warranty in the event that any of your appliances or major systems get negatively impacted by severe weather or some other unforeseen crisis.

Fortunately, there are a variety of professional and reliable home warranty companies that can help Connecticut homeowners and potential home buyers feel secure about quickly dealing with repairs. This is important as you consider the top maintenance problems Connecticut residents often face.

Top home maintenance problems in Connecticut

There are certain home maintenance and repair issues that are entirely unique to Connecticut residents. In recent years, homeowners across dozens of communities have had to cope with crumbling foundations, a problem that’s extremely costly. Other issues aren’t so unusual, but as a Connecticut homeowner, you should plan to have coverage.

Power outages

Ice-covered power lines and downed tree branches cause massive power outages in Connecticut, sometimes impacting thousands of customers and costing thousands of dollars.

Basement flooding

One of the most common reasons for a basement to flood is poor plumbing. With a home warranty in place, it becomes easy to rectify this issue as soon as it starts.

Pest control

Common pests that Connecticut residents have to deal with include cockroaches, beetles, moths, ants, and bed bugs. Although many home warranties place an emphasis on appliances, plumbing, and HVAC, there are some companies that will also provide pest control services.

Sewage overflow and backup

As a homeowner, you’re responsible for maintaining the integrity of your home’s sewer pipelines through routine checks and maintenance. A backed-up sewer could cost thousands of dollars in repairs. Some home warranty companies will cover sewer lines as part of their coverage plans.

Aging HVAC systems

A heating and cooling survey by Yale’s Center for the Business and Environment found that Connecticut homeowners care about the age of their HVAC systems and are prone to replace the items when they’re “at the end of their useful life.”

Who should get a home warranty in Connecticut?

Here are specific groups who should strongly consider getting a home warranty in the state:

Those with appliances or systems not covered by warranties

It’s common for appliances or systems to come with their own manufacturer warranties that will cover the cost to repair or replace them. However, these warranties are often available for only a year, leaving you without coverage once the year ends. A home warranty is a desirable “Plan B” for making sure you can afford to get an important item fixed or replaced.

Homeowners

Before purchasing your home, it’s generally a good idea to ask whether or not a home warranty is already in place. However, if you already own your home and there’s no home warranty available, you’ll want to seek out some additional coverage.

You’ll feel much more secure knowing that if something goes wrong with your appliances or major heating and cooling systems, there’s a plan in place to provide coverage. This is especially handy for anyone who’s just moved to Connecticut and may not be aware of which professionals they should contact in the event that an issue arises.

Real estate agents

When showing off a home, it helps to assure potential buyers that the property comes with a warranty. Few things are as upsetting as moving into a new home and something immediately breaking down. This is especially problematic if a new homeowner doesn’t have a budget in place for sudden and potentially costly repairs.

If agents are able to assure customers that there’s coverage for heating and cooling, the pool, or the garage door opener, it might sway them to purchase the property. If set up right, the policy usually goes into effect 30 days after the new homeowners sign the paperwork on their home.

Anyone selling their home

Similar to real estate agents, if you’re hoping to sell your home, you should consider purchasing a home warranty. It might cost a few hundred dollars, but it will cover the house for at least a year after you’ve settled closing costs. It’s also a nice way of allowing homeowners to transition into the new home more smoothly, especially in the event of unforeseen maintenance or repair issues.

Rental property owners

If you’re renting property, you should expect that an appliance might stop working at some point. Often, the landlord is responsible for these types of repairs unless otherwise expressed in the rental agreement. Rather than finding yourself completely financially responsible for maintenance and repairs, it would help to have coverage that aids with expenses.

Former renters

Renters will often inform the landlord of an issue and have them take care of the problem. As a homeowner, you’re the first and last person responsible for the maintenance and care of your home. A home warranty is similar to the type of coverage you’d experience as a renter if something breaks. It would give you peace of mind and let you transition from the mindset and expectations of a renter to a homeowner.

Note: It’s possible to buy home warranty coverage for single-family or multi-family homes. Coverage is also possible with a duplex or mobile home.

Typical coverage with a Connecticut home warranty

For Connecticut residents and their unique needs, these are the systems that should be prioritized with a home warranty:

• HVAC (heating and cooling)
• Electrical systems
• Plumbing
• Water heaters

These are the most costly and most likely to be affected by emergencies or wear and tear.

Your home warranty needs might change depending on which part of the state you live in. For instance, Connecticut residents closer to the coast will likely get more rain during the winter while those who live inland are more likely to experience snow. Although snowfall is usually lighter in Connecticut than other areas of the country, there are times when a major winter storm can blow through, causing power outages and severe damage.

If you experience electrical or appliance failure, a home warranty can help you quickly fix the issues. Weather aside, temperature changes throughout the year mean that you’ll want to make sure your HVAC system is working well.

When seeking a home warranty, it’s not uncommon to focus on coverage that meets your specific home needs. Rather than purchase generic coverage that involves a range of appliances, you might want to consider a company like American Home Shield (AHS). AHS offers customers the choice of customizing their home warranty coverage. This is great for those who only wish to pay to insure certain appliances and avoid paying for coverage they don’t need.

Another thing to note is that a home warranty will typically not extend coverage to pre-existing conditions. If you’re someone seeking home warranty coverage for items that are already damaged or non-functioning, it might be hard to find a business that will accept the claim. Ask upfront while shopping around and you might find a company willing to accept the claim according to certain stipulations.

How much does a home warranty cost?

Connecticut residents can expect to spend an average of nearly $400 per year, with a price range between $300 and $500. Most home warranty companies charge by the month, so you can spend between $20 and $40 per month depending on the plan you choose.

Compared to other kinds of home insurance and preventive maintenance, a home warranty is actually rather affordable, especially with the thousands of dollars you could potentially save in the long run.

How does a home warranty work?

A home warranty is typically understood as a no-fuss, one- to two-year service contract that covers the cost to repair or replace major appliances, like your refrigerator or dishwasher. It covers more complex systems, like HVAC (cooling and heating), plumbing, and electrical systems. 

If you had a major plumbing issue, your home warranty provider would connect you with a professional that can handle the repairs. Additionally, they’ll usually take on the majority of the costs for repairs or replacements; customers will only pay a fee for the visit.

Why is a home warranty necessary?

A home warranty, also called a service contract, isn’t like home insurance. While home insurance companies are there in the event of a natural disaster, they don’t cover the cost to repair electrical, plumbing, HVAC, or appliance-related issues. No matter how central the broken item is to your life⁠—such as your heating system in the middle of winter⁠—your home insurance won’t cover it.

This is why, in addition to home insurance, homeowners should seek out the best home warranty available in Connecticut to cover all their needs. An emergency is an emergency whether it’s brought on by a massive storm or an unexpected breakdown of one of your appliances.

Buying a home warranty in Connecticut

Here are some important tips for finding the best home warranty in Connecticut:

• Don’t overpay for quality coverage—The upside to having so many reputable home warranty companies available is that it allows you to shop around and decide on a price that fits your budget. You can expect to spend a little over $300 on average, but it’s possible to get a good deal that costs a little less.
• Specify your warranty needs according to your location—Coastal residents will have cooler summers and warmer winters than those who live in the middle of the state. It’s also possible you might live in a town with major pest or plumbing concerns. Talk to your neighbors and evaluate your home needs to choose the type of coverage that makes sense according to where in Connecticut you live.
• Know how much you’ll have to pay out-of-pocket—Depending on the issue, you might have to pay a service fee of $40 to $100. It’s possible some home warranty providers have a uniform policy regarding fees and costs. Know the anticipated costs upfront to keep from feeling blindsided later on.
• Ask about a coverage cap—A home warranty company with a cap of a few thousand dollars will likely be more attractive in the end than those that only make a few hundred dollars available for replacement and repairs. It’s best to learn upfront what the potential limits are in your contract.

Connecticut home warranty reviews

Below you’ll find home warranty reviews from Connecticut customers

American Home Shield

American Home Shield customers seem happy with the speed of coverage and the ease of making claims. A customer named Jeremy wrote, 

“I’m actually quite happy with my AHS contract. In fact, this is the third year I’ve been extending it. So far I have made four claims, most of which were minor breakdowns that were still too expensive to repair or replace on my own, such as some electric work in the basement, garage door, and so on.” 

This praise isn’t universal, as multiple customers complained about having to pay more money out of pocket than they would have liked. Also, certain customers don’t appreciate that swimming pools aren’t automatically covered.

Choice Home Warranty

Customers are generally very satisfied with how knowledgeable and professional Choice Home Warranty employees are. One reviewer whose parts were no longer covered by the appliance company’s warranty found that Choice was able to negotiate a fair price for repairs on their behalf.

Although most customers are happy with the coverage, some complained that Choice rejected their claims. Choice also doesn’t cover pre-existing conditions.

Total Home Protection

Most customers have positive things to say about Total Home Protection, a company that gets high marks for customer service and top-tier coverage where their services are available. They do make the effort to check customer online complaints and reach a resolution. Customers felt the price was fair for the quality and the speed of the services provided.

The Home Service Club

One drawback for the Home Service Club might be its service fees, which are higher than competitors. Still, the brand has a solid reputation, enjoying a high score with Consumer Affairs. One customer even had a Thanksgiving Day repair needed, and they were able to get in touch with Home Service Club and get their requested repairs.

Select Home Warranty

Select Home Warranty works very hard to build trust with its customers. For example, Colin of Meriden, CT shared that the company is one he’s referred to others multiple times over a five year period.

“In five years of service, I have been treated very well, they take care of my family house problems, and it’s well worth (the) investment.”

Our conclusion

You might choose popular home warranty companies like American Home Shield, Choice Home Warranty, The Home Service Club, Total Home Protection, or Select Home Warranty. Whatever your decision, you’ll find that the extra protection given to you could come in handy later on. It’s almost inevitable that your HVAC system will break down at one point or a plumbing stoppage occurs.

While routine checks can help alert you to a problem before it gets very bad, a home warranty can take some of the worries away from you. The home warranty companies we recommended can help reduce repair and replacement costs and give you peace of mind. You don’t want to be caught off guard, and with the best home warranty options available, you won’t have to be.