Best Home Warranty Companies in Massachusetts

If you’re buying a home in Massachusetts, it may be worth it to purchase a home warranty to protect your major systems and appliances. Not only can a home warranty provide extra coverage for important items in your house, it can save you from paying expensive, out-of-pocket costs on systems or appliances that break down over time.

Below you’ll find the top home warranty companies in the state of Massachusetts, pricing and plan comparisons, and tips to help you find the best home warranty for your home.

Massachusetts’ best home warranties

Massachusetts is located in New England on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean. It’s bordered by Connecticut, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, New York, and Vermont. The state bird is the Black-Capped Chickadee, the state tree is the American Elm, the largest city is Boston, and the oldest city is Plymouth.

Also known as The Pilgrim State, The Bay State, The Puritan State, The Old Colony State, and The Baked Bean State, Massachusetts is considered one of the fastest growing states in the nation, with over four million people owning a home.

Top home maintenance problems in Massachusetts

Making sure your home is in the best possible shape is important before purchasing a home warranty, as some companies won’t cover appliances or systems with pre-existing conditions. Below are some of the top home maintenance problems in Massachusetts and how you can address them.

Some factors, like how close you are to the Atlantic Ocean, your home’s age, and even the weather you experience in your area, will give you a better idea of how to prioritize certain home maintenance chores.

Dirty air filters

If you don’t change the air filters in your HVAC unit at least once every three months, your air conditioning and heating system can work overtime, leading to a potential breakdown, or circulate low-quality air throughout your home. Make it a habit to change your air filters once a season.

Water heater failure

Water heaters are prone to scaling, clogged drains, and leaks. If you notice any of these issues, contact a plumber or water heater installation company to assess the issue. Additionally, by learning how to flush your water heater, you’ll prolong its lifespan and save money. 

Excessive energy use

Older homes, especially historic homes, will typically use more energy than newly built homes. Perform a home energy audit to assess how much energy your house uses and determine how you can make your home more energy efficient. Not only can your audit provide you with ways to save more energy and money around the home, it can shed light on whether your appliances and systems are working properly and if they’re losing energy.

Faulty electrical system

Ensure that all circuit breakers work by tripping the circuit breakers and ground fault interrupters every month. Additionally, keep an eye out for any exposed wiring and fix any frayed wires or cords.

Foundation issues

Regularly check your basement foundation for any cracks or moisture. These issues can lead to extensive water damage or a crumbling foundation if not addressed immediately.

Who is eligible for a home warranty in Massachusetts?

Most people in Massachusetts are eligible for a home warranty. If you’ve purchased a home, are a real estate agent wanting to gift a home warranty to new homeowners, or are a seller who wants to include a home warranty in the home purchase as an incentive for buyers, you’re eligible for a home warranty.

Home warranties are also available for those who own mobile homes, manufactured homes, condos, duplexes, townhomes, and single-family homes.

MORE: Own a mobile home? Learn about mobile home warranty coverage.

What is covered under a Massachusetts home warranty?

Depending on the type of home warranty and the company you choose, a wide variety of home appliances and features can be covered under your Massachusetts home warranty. Before entering into a home warranty contract, consider which systems and appliances you need protection for, what’s already covered under your homeowners insurance, and what’s already covered under a manufacturers warranty.

If you want to get coverage for specific systems and appliances, you may want to go with a company like American Home Shield. This company offers a customizable home warranty plan to fit your needs. If you’ve recently purchased an older home and want full coverage for your appliances, you may want to opt for a company that has full coverage options at a reasonable price, such as Choice Home Warranty.

In general, most home warranty companies will offer a basic plan and a comprehensive plan. A basic plan will typically cover your dishwasher, plumbing system, electrical system, oven, air conditioning, and other items. More comprehensive coverage may include your entire HVAC system, water heater, refrigerator, garbage disposal, trash compactor, garage door opener, and built-in microwave.

Home warranty companies also include add-ons to their plan that you can tack onto your existing plan for an additional charge. For example, if you have a pool, hot tub, or sump pump, you may want to add coverage for these items under your home warranty.

MORE: Should you get a pool warranty?

How much does a home warranty cost in Massachusetts?

The average cost of a home warranty ranges between $350 and $600 per year, with the average premium in Massachusetts being $318. If you need additional coverage for special home features like a pool or hot tub, you can expect to pay an additional $100 to $500 per year.

In addition to the annual premium, remember that you’ll have to pay a service fee, ranging between $75–$125, whenever a technician comes to your house to fix your system or appliance. The service fee amount will vary depending on the home warranty company you choose, so be sure to check how much you’ll have to pay before signing a contract.

How does a home warranty work?

Let’s say your HVAC system breaks down in the winter. Here’s how a home warranty would work to address the issue:

1. Call your home warranty company to file a claim or submit a claim online.
2. Once your home warranty company receives your claim and the service request is processed, they’ll contact a technician in their service network and encourage them to set up an appointment with you that fits your schedule. Note: some home warranty companies will allow you to choose your own service contractors for repairs or replacements.
3. When the technician comes to your home, they’ll assess the issue and determine if a repair or replacement is needed. If a repair is the solution, they can typically fix the issue that day if they have all of the necessary parts. If a replacement is needed, the contractor will have to schedule a follow-up appointment to install the new appliance or system.
4. Before the technician leaves, you’ll pay the service fee set by your home warranty company.
5. Sit back and enjoy your functioning HVAC system.

Keep in mind that any pre-existing conditions on your appliance or system, and the cause of the damage, may have an effect on the coverage you’re awarded from the home warranty company.

Is a home warranty necessary?

Even brand new appliances will break down from regular wear and tear, so you want to make sure you’re covered in the event of an emergency. Purchasing a home warranty gives you the peace of mind that when disaster strikes, you’ll have specialists who are trained to fix your home’s appliances quickly and efficiently.

To put things in perspective, did you know that the average cost to repair or replace your refrigerator can range from $150 to $1,300? The higher end of that spectrum can be more than triple the amount of some home warranty plans. With the potential cost savings of a home warranty, being protected is worth the investment.

Buying a home warranty in Massachusetts

There are a few different factors you should consider when choosing the right home warranty for your needs. One important factor to think about is your budget and how much you can realistically afford to spend on a home warranty to get the coverage you need. Here are a few other questions to ask yourself when shopping around for a home warranty:

• Do you have any pre-existing conditions on your systems and appliances?
• What items are already covered under a warranty?
• What are the coverage caps for items listed in your home warranty?
• What covered items are included under the home warranty?
• Are there any limitations and exclusions on coverage?
• How many service calls can you make in a given year?
• Are there miscellaneous items like a pool, spa, or hot tub that you want coverage for?
• Do you want the ability to choose your own contractor?
• Does the home warranty company provide 24/7 customer service?
• How much is the service fee?
• Does the plan automatically renew?
• Can you opt into a multi-year plan?

Massachusetts home warranty reviews

Below are a few reviews from Massachusetts homeowners who have home warranties:

“I am lucky to have received a warranty from Select Home Warranty at my closing. The cost to repair my central AC was $60 instead of $1,200! Thank you.”  — Josh

“Everything went exceptionally well with the contractor when I filed a claim with AHS concerning my dryer. He came in, repaired it, and it’s been outstanding since the repair! Overall, American Home Shield is receptive and excellent.” — Ronald

Our conclusion

Protecting your home appliances and systems is of the utmost importance as a Massachusetts homeowner, and there’s no better way to keep your home safe than with a home warranty. Some of the providers with the best home warranty in Massachusetts include American Home Shield and Choice Home Warranty. You can find coverage and peace of mind in a matter of minutes with these companies and know that you’ll receive the best service from one of their personally selected technicians. Be sure to reach out and give them a call to discuss your home warranty and appliance protection needs.