Best Home Warranty Companies in Delaware

Searching for a Delaware home warranty can be challenging, especially if you’ve never researched companies before. Because of this, our team at House Method did the research for you and found four home warranty companies that provide the best protection in the state.

If you’re looking for a home warranty in Delaware, keep reading to learn about the best home warranty companies in the state, common home maintenance issues faced by Delaware homeowners, and important home warranty buying tips.

Delaware’s best home warranty companies

Delaware is located in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States and is bordered by Maryland, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey. It’s the sixth most densely populated state in the U.S., and is considered “The First State.” The state bird is the Delaware Blue Hen and the state tree is the American Holly. The largest city in Delaware is Wilmington and the oldest city is Lewes.

The home buying market in Delaware is heating up. The median home value for Delaware is $236,400, which is up 1% from the past year and is expected to rise 0.3% within the next year. If you’re thinking about buying a home in the next year or so, or are a current homeowner, you want to make sure you’re taking care of your home and its appliances.

Top home maintenance problems in Delaware

Property maintenance is one of the most important factors when it comes to owning a home, and in Delaware, it’s no exception. If anything, the need to maintain your home is even higher with the increase in home prices due to the hot market. Here are just a few home maintenance problems you may run into living in Delaware.

Plumbing issues

Preventing water damage can help mitigate expensive repair costs in the future. To maintain your plumbing and ensure everything is working correctly, keep an eye out for the following:

• Check for leaks occurring around your toilet, especially toward the bottom of your tank.
• Make sure all your sink faucets are working properly.
• Check for leaks occurring under your sinks, showers, or tubs.
• Clean your hot water heater regularly to get rid of any sediment.

Appliances

Make sure all your covered appliances are working up to par. Here are some of the bigger appliance features to keep an eye out for:

• Ensure that the water inlet filters in your washing machine are clear and there are no hoses that need to be replaced.
• Vacuum any lint out of the dryer ducts and all the surrounding areas.
• Clean the drain hole in your refrigerator, wash the door gasket, and vacuum the condenser coil.

Electrical

Make sure all the circuit breakers are working properly by tripping the circuit breakers and ground fault interrupters monthly. Keep an eye out for any exposed wiring at least twice a year and fix any frayed cords or wires.

Basement

Most homes in Delaware come equipped with a basement. Regularly check your basement foundation for any cracks or moisture. If you find moisture, consider waterproofing your basement; if you find holes or cracks, seal them with caulk as soon as possible. During your inspection, if you notice anything else out of the ordinary, call a professional for an inspection and repairs.

Who should buy a home warranty in Delaware?

Anyone can get a home warranty service at any time in Delaware. However, the best time to buy a home warranty might be when you purchase your home. Talk to your real estate agent and see if the seller would consider including a home warranty as a negotiation factor during the purchasing process.

Below are a few types of homes that are eligible for a home warranty:

• Mobile home—Also known as a manufactured home, mobile homes are pre-made homes that are usually less expensive than a typical single-family home but still has all the amenities that come with a single-family home. The biggest drawback of mobile homes is that they’re less sturdy than a single-family home and can be damaged easily from inclement weather. Before purchasing a home warranty, discuss the integrity of your home with your home warranty specialist.
• Single-family home—A single-family home is a singular structure created for one family and the most popular style of home. One usually comes with a separate yard and features dedicated to its own property, such as a patio, driveway, and pool.
• Duplex—A duplex is a singular structure built for two families. In this style of home, you’ll have all the features that could potentially come with a single-family home, but the entire structure will be split in two spaces and shared with another family.
• Townhouse—A townhouse is a multi-family-style structure that typically has two floors. Townhomes are placed side-by-side, similar to row homes.
• Condo—A condo is the most similar to an apartment but offers you the flexibility to renovate your space as you see fit. Some condo features include a separate garage or storage space, parking lot, and a selection of amenities such as a community pool or gym.

What is covered under a Delaware home warranty?

Depending on the home warranty and company you choose, a wide variety of appliances and home features will be covered under your Delaware home warranty. Now is the time to consider which features you need protected in your home and what items are currently covered under a manufacturer’s warranty.

Most basic plans include home appliance repair and replacements for items like your air conditioner, heating system, washer, dryer, dishwasher, and refrigerator. If you’re looking for additional coverage, look for providers that offer plans that cover your water heater, pool, extra refrigerator, and other miscellaneous items.

If you have some appliances that are already under a covered service, you may want to opt for a company like American Home Shield, which offers a customizable home warranty plan. If you’ve purchased an older home and want full coverage for your home’s systems and appliances, consider choosing a company that has full coverage options at a reasonable price.

More: Compare American Home Shield coverage plans

How much does a home warranty cost in Delaware?

The average cost for a home warranty in Delaware is between $350 and $600 per year. If you’re in need of additional coverage for special home features like a pool, you can expect to pay an additional $100 to $500 per year. The actual price of your home warranty, however, will ultimately depend on the coverage plan you choose.

How does a home warranty work?

Purchasing a home warranty in Delaware is quick and easy, especially if you’re about to purchase a home. The process begins by calling your potential home warranty provider and asking for a quote based on your coverage needs. Once you agree on the terms, you will have your home warranty.

Home warranties cover a variety of appliances, so if you have a home warranty and one of your covered appliances breaks, you usually have a quick and easy process of filing a service request with your home warranty company to have a technician come to your home to repair the damage or issue a replacement.

Keep in mind that the condition of the appliance before purchasing your home warranty or the cause of the damage will have an effect on the coverage you are awarded from the damage.

The home warranty process

Here’s a simple example of how your home warranty can help you in repairing or replacing your home systems or appliances:

1. You experience an emergency where one of your covered items stops working.
2. Call your home warranty company customer service line. They will walk you through the process of creating and filing a claim. If you don’t like talking on the phone, you can visit your home warranty’s website to file a claim online.
3. After creating a claim, your home warranty company will send a chosen service contractor to inspect your broken home system or appliance. With some companies, you’ll even get to choose your preferred service technician.
4. The contractor will assess the damage done to your home system or appliance and determine if the item needs a simple repair or a complete replacement. If the damage is due to regular wear and tear, you should be covered.
5. The technician will either make the necessary repairs at that time, visit at a later date to fix the damage, or order a replacement to be delivered to your home and install the appliance or system at a later date.

Home warranty limitations and exclusions

While there are no specific regulations and restrictions pertaining to the age, make, or model of systems and appliances in your home warranty, each individual home warranty does come with their own restrictions and regulations, such as:

• Most home warranties only cover damages that are from normal wear and tear.
• Home warranties will take into account the current condition of the appliance upon signing up for the home warranty and whether or not coverage will be issued for that appliance when it breaks down or needs to be replaced.
• Home warranties won’t cover all appliances in your home and will protect only the appliances listed under your warranty plan.

Should I buy a home warranty if I live in Delaware?

Purchasing a home warranty gives you peace of mind that when an emergency strikes, you’ll be covered by specialists that are trained to fix your home’s appliances. Even brand new appliances can break down due to regular wear and tear.

Did you know that the average cost to have your refrigerator repaired or replaced can range from $150–$1,300? With the reasonable cost of investing in a home warranty and the substantial cost savings of fixing a single appliance, being protected is worth the investment.

What to consider before buying a home warranty

There are several factors you should consider when it comes to choosing the right home warranty for you. The first thing to think about is the current condition of your home and whether or not there are any repairs that need to be made in the foreseeable future.

Another important consideration is how much you’re willing to spend on coverage for your systems and appliances. Ask yourself these questions before purchasing a home warranty:

• How new is your home?
• What appliances are already covered under a manufacturer’s warranty?
• What issues popped up on your home inspection?
• What is your budget?

Once you’ve answered those questions, research the individual home warranty companies and determine the cost of services fees, different coverage caps for your appliances, and if there’s a limit to the service calls you can make in a year.

Delaware home warranty reviews

Below is a review from a current home warranty owner in Delaware:

“The people I have spoken to on the phone have been top notch and all my questions were answered quickly. I reviewed several other companies and Select’s customer care won me over. Hope I never need them to. I’m glad they are there if I do.” — Tammy R. on Select Home Warranty

Our conclusion

Keeping your home appliances protected is of the utmost importance as a Delaware homeowner, and there’s no better way to stay protected than with a home warranty. Some of the best home warranty companies in Delaware include American Home Shield and Choice Home Warranty.

You’ll be covered and protected in a matter of minutes with these home warranty companies, so that when a home emergency strikes, you know you’ll receive the best care from one of their personally selected technicians. Give them a call to discuss their home warranty plans and your appliance protection needs.