Best Home Warranty Companies in Iowa

By entering into a home warranty contract, Iowa homeowners can save money on costly repairs and replacements and have peace of mind should an appliance or system break.

Our team at House Method compared multiple home warranty companies, spent hours on the phone with representatives from each company, and rated providers so that you can make an educated decision when purchasing a protection plan for your home. Below you’ll find the best home warranty companies in the state of Iowa and a comprehensive guide to help you find a home warranty that’s perfect for you and your home needs.

Iowa’s 5 best home warranty companies

Iowa is a state in the midwestern United States. It’s bordered by the Mississippi River to the east and the Missouri River and Big Sioux River to the west. It’s also bordered by six states: Wisconsin to the northeast, Illinois to the east, Missouri to the south, Nebraska to the west, South Dakota to the northwest, and Minnesota to the north. Des Moines is the capital of Iowa and its largest city, and Dubuque is the oldest city. Iowa’s state bird is the American goldfinch and the state tree is the bur oak.

Like most states in the Midwest, Iowa has a humid continental climate, meaning hot summers with high humidity, and snowy, freezing winters. Spring is unpredictable, often with high precipitation levels. The fluctuating levels of humidity and precipitation can impact the home’s exterior, which may require extra maintenance. Also, the drastic temperature changes between summer and winter weather can impact how a home’s systems and appliances function over time.

Top home maintenance problems in Iowa

The best home warranty in Iowa includes coverage for major appliances, plumbing, electrical, and HVAC systems. Homeowners benefit from this coverage as they’re protected from unexpected repair and replacement costs and experience significant long-term savings.

As of 2019, the current Iowa population is about 3.2 million people, and 72% of that population consists of owner-occupants. The median year a house was built in Iowa was 1968, so it’s likely the mechanical systems or appliances will require repairs or replacements in the near future. Since these expenses can be costly, a home warranty can help homeowners make the necessary repairs at a reasonable cost.

The below are the most common home maintenance issues Iowa homeowners are likely to encounter:

• Siding damage—Rough winters and humid summers can cause premature damage to your house’s siding. This damage may be caused by neglecting annual maintenance, winter storms and high winds in the spring, or excessive moisture levels from the high humidity levels storms.
• Roofing damage—Iowa’s spring tornado season can bring a host of home issues, particularly roof damage. Even a small crack should be repaired, because this can ultimately become a much larger and costly issue.
• Air conditioning units—The snow and ice from harsh winters can damage an air conditioning unit to the point it could require professional repair.
• Appliance assessment—Most household appliances last approximately 10 years. If your appliances are coming up to that milestone, look into replacing them.
• Plumbing issues—In older homes, the plumbing may not be up to current code. There may be out-of-date materials used or faulty fixtures present. An inexpensive repair would be replacing a fixture, while the most costly repairs could involve replacing the entire plumbing system. Additionally, when frost sets in during a harsh Iowa winter, the pipes may start to erode, requiring professional help.

Who is eligible for a home warranty?

Depending on the type of dwelling a homeowner resides in, there are different types of warranties available. Some home warranty companies in Iowa offer coverage only for single-family homes, while other home warranty companies offer coverage for manufactured homes or multi-family homes.

MORE: Looking for a home warranty for your mobile home? Compare mobile home warranty plans here.

Iowa home warranty coverage

Home warranty coverage varies based on the company and their respective plan levels, however there are standard home appliance and system repairs that are covered items under most plans. Some companies, such as American Home Shield, offer the option of customizable home warranty plans. This level of customization is beneficial to homeowners who want to cover only certain appliances or applicable systems.

How much does a home warranty cost?

The average cost for a home warranty premium in Iowa is $320. This varies based on the amount of coverage included in the home warranty contract and if you choose to add on any optional items. Home warranty contracts typically renew on an annual basis and customers are billed monthly.

In addition to the plan’s annual cost, policy holders are charged a service fee every time a claim is filed that results in a technician being sent to the home. Fees will vary for multiple visits for the same repair. Before filing a claim, double check that the repair is included in the contract.

Depending on the contract terms, when the maximum coverage limit is reached, contract holders may be responsible for the cost of repairs.

For example, if a washing machine breaks down and can’t be repaired, the cost to replace the washing machine could be $2,000, but the home warranty policy has a $1,000 washing machine coverage limit. A home warranty company may provide payout for $1,000, and the homeowners would need to cover the remaining $1,000.

How does a home warranty work?

In Iowa, the home warranty repair process makes it easy for the policyholder to file a claim and get a timely repair or replacement. Below is an example of how the general home warranty repair process might look:

• Report a claim—When an appliance breaks, the contract holder (i.e. the homeowners) contacts the home warranty company. The home warranty company then opens a claim to begin the repair process. 
• A local professional is assigned to your home—The home warranty company assigns a technician from their vetted network of home repair professionals to visit the house and complete the repair or replacement. Some home warranty companies will let you choose your desired service technician.
• The technician will make the necessary repairs or replacement—A technician comes to the house to repair the broken appliance and the homeowner pays the home warranty company a service fee.

Is a home warranty necessary?

A home warranty can protect Iowa homeowners against unexpected and costly repair costs. A home warranty is especially helpful for those who don’t have home repairs factored into the monthly budget, those on fixed incomes, first-time homebuyers who are used to contacting the rental unit’s maintenance staff to fix repairs, or landlords who own rental properties, among others.

Because home-related expenses aren’t always expected, a home warranty can be beneficial and give you peace of mind throughout homeownership. Investing in a home warranty can save you money on home repairs and replacements and also eliminate the fear of the unknown pricing if something breaks.

In addition to homeowners purchasing home warranties, home sellers also find them helpful when trying to sell their home by including it in an offer package to incentivize buyers. Home sellers who already have a home warranty can transfer the pre-existing warranty to the new buyer at the time of closing. Additionally, real estate agents will sometimes gift home warranties to clients as a closing gift.

How to buy a home warranty in Iowa

When searching for a home warranty in Iowa, look for one that includes multiple plan options, full coverage, and clear contracts.

With these factors in mind, the first step in buying the best home warranty is to research the different companies and assess coverage options and cost to ensure it offers what you need. Then, contact the Iowa Department of Insurance to verify that the home warranty company is licensed, bonded, and secured. The Iowa Department of Insurance protects homeowners during insurance-related purchases, including the purchase of a home warranty.

Other factors to consider when buying a home warranty in Iowa include:

• Company’s reputation/ratings
• Age of the home
• Condition of the home
• Climate of the area

Iowa home warranty reviews

Below is feedback from several home warranty reviewers providing insight into several Iowa home warranty companies.

First American Home Warranty review on Trustpilot:

“They took care of the problem with my dishwasher right away and also gave me some tips on how to avoid it again.”

Select Home Warranty review on Trustpilot:

“So as a soon-to-be first homeowner, I have been doing a bit of research on all the options available to me since I have slowly been learning about all the processes involved. Upon shopping around for different home warranties, I could not find a decent policy that gave me the protection and value that I wanted. That is, until I came upon Select Home Warranty. The agent, Abraham, was pretty easy to work with. He laid out the options available and was very helpful. All in all, after hearing the coverage options and PRICE, I was very happy in selecting this as my home warranty provider. Select Home Warranty definitely has the best coverage and price in the market currently!”

Our conclusion

A home warranty is important because it provides Iowa homeowners with a central location to fix the inevitable damages that come with homeownership. Home appliances and systems will likely need repair work at some point, and a protection plan can help prevent you from paying out-of-pocket costs for unexpected repair and replacement bills.

Purchasing a home warranty in Iowa is accessible for every type of homeowner, buyer, or seller. First-time homeowners particularly may benefit from a home warranty company. For those who are transitioning from being a renter to a homeowner, not having a landlord or management company to call can be an adjustment. A home warranty company can fill in for that role.

While assessing home warranties can be overwhelming, it’s worth it in the long-run when you face broken appliances or faulty systems.