By Dan Simms
Updated Jan 10, 2023
By Dan Simms
Updated Jan 10, 2023
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Whether you are a new Minnesota homeowner or have been there your entire life, you will likely understand the benefits of living in this great state. With access to various outdoor activities, quick travel to Canada, and some beautiful changes between seasons, Minnesota is a wonderful place to own a home.
Home warranties can benefit homeowners in any state, but Minnesotans see a particularly large return on investment when purchasing this type of home protection plan. The harsh winters in the North Star State put added strain on heating systems and water heaters, requiring more frequent servicing and repairs that a home warranty would cover. Additionally, the average home age is just under 50 years, which means most homeowners will see issues with major systems that are covered by warranties. Our review below should help you choose the best home warranty for these local issues and more.
Why Trust House Method
House Method’s Experts collected and analyzed 2000+ critical data points to identify what makes a great home warranty company in the eye of the consumer. Our reviews team used this data to assess over 60 home warranty providers for coverage extent, annual cost, and national availability to provide unbiased reviews so homeowners can confidently navigate key decisions about their homes.
Choice Home Warranty is the best overall home warranty in the state of Minnesota. The first thing that will stand out about the Choice Home Warranty plan is the simplicity of the service contract and plan options. Home warranties can be overwhelming with the amount of fine print that comes along with your contract. Luckily Choice Home Warranty has spent the last 13 years in the industry making home warranties as simple and straightforward as possible. Choice Home Warranty is quite generous in the coverages that it offers for the price. In addition, they will not turn your home down if it is a bit older.
Pros
Cons
The Choice Home Warranty offers two plans to choose from. Each of the plans is a combo plan that offers both system and appliance coverage. Many Minnesota homeowners have a hard time choosing between appliance or system coverage so this is a great benefit to have. There is also a wide range of add-on coverages that you can attach to the Choice Home Warranty plan. Choice Home Warranty has relatively high coverage caps, and the service fee for each claim is $85, which is about average.
Here’s a detailed look at Choice Home Warranty’s coverage:
Choice Home Warranty does allow for some plan customization with add-on coverage. The options include:
To get a free quote from Choice Home Warranty, fill out this online form or call 929-400-6164.
For more information, read our Choice Home Warranty Review.
Select Home Warranty is the most cost-effective home warranty plan for Minnesota homeowners. The overall pricing, service fees, and add-on costs are considerably lower than other companies on the market. In addition, Select Home Warranty will include free roof leak coverage in any policy that it sells. The Select Home Warranty has been on the market for about nine years. One of the characteristics that Select Home Warranty is known for is the impressive workmanship guarantee that they offer. It takes a lot for a repair technician to qualify as a Select Home Warranty-approved repair technician. This reflects in the quality of the repair that you get.
Pros
Cons
Select Home Warranty has three policies to choose from. The Gold Care and Bronze Care are the lower-priced options that are a bit more limited in coverage. The Platinum Care Plan is the best on the market with its combination of coverage and overall fair pricing. This is a plan that will quickly pay for itself after just one or two repairs. Select Home Warranty also offers several add-on options to help you get the plan to fit your Minnesota home. Select Home Warranty’s coverage caps can go as high as $2,000, and each service call requires a fee of $60, which is the lowest in the industry.
Here’s a detailed look at Select Home Warranty’s coverage:
Select Home Warranty also provides some plan customization options via the optional add-ons below:
Select Home Warranty will give you a free quote after filling out this form or calling 888-370-3953.
Read our Select Home Warranty review to learn more.
American Home Shield is the most customizable plan in the state of Minnesota. Having the ability to add and subtract coverage based on the needs of your Minnesota home is a great benefit. No two homes are created equal, and American Home Shield will work with you to meet the coverage that you need. American Home Shield has more than 50 years in the home warranty industry, making them one of the most reliable companies on the market. If you care about customer service and quality of coverage, the AHS plan is one to consider.
Pros
Cons
American Home Shield has three plan options to choose from. The Combo plans tend to be the most popular because of the mix of appliance and system coverage. In addition, people really are impressed with the electronics and pool and spa coverage that American Home Shield allows you to add to your policy. This company lets you customize your service fee between $75 and $150, and the coverage caps top out at $3,000 or have no limit, depending on the item.
Here’s a detailed look at American Home Shield’s coverage:
In addition to the plan options and coverages above, you can choose from the below optional coverages to add onto any plan:
To get a free quote from American Home Shield, you can fill out this form or call 888-365-2839.
To read more, visit our American Home Shield review.
The Home Service Club was founded in 2008, so it has many years of experience behind it. It’s a popular choice for homeowners who want coverage for their homes almost immediately, as the waiting period is just ten days before coverage kicks in. The company isn’t currently accredited by the Better Business Bureau, but it has plenty of positive customer reviews to add credibility and build customer trust. The company offers excellent coverage options via pre-set plans and add-ons.
Pros
Cons
The Home Service Club is similar to Choice Home Warranty in that all of its plans include both appliances and home systems. Both plans are a bit pricey compared to options from competitors, but the coverage is outstanding, and the add-on options provide a complete protection package for your home. The coverage caps from The Home Service Club range from $500, which is on the low end, to $2,500, which is about average. You can choose a service fee between $65 and $125.
Here’s a detailed look at The Home Service Club’s coverage:
The Home Service Club not only excels at providing a huge range of coverage in its plans, but it also offers numerous add-on coverage options for total protection. The available add-ons include:
Want a free quote from The Home Service Club? Just fill out this short contact form or call HSC at 800-842-9334.
For more information on this company, you can check out our complete The Home Service Club review.
Liberty Home Guard is the most trustworthy home warranty in the state of Minnesota. Amazingly, Liberty Home Guard has only been on the market for two years, yet it has earned the distinction of most trustworthy. The BBB rating for LHG is an A; this is an infrequent occurrence in the home warranty industry. Liberty Home Guard has earned this distinction by paying close attention to homeowners’ needs, properly repairing covered items, and quick service. This is a company that is going to continue to grow in the years to come.
Pros
Cons
Liberty Home Guard offers three policies to choose from. The systems plan, appliances, and combo plan give Minnesota homeowners some great choices to consider when picking out a plan. In addition, the list of add-on coverage options from Liberty Home Guard is one of the longest in the industry. This company has lower coverage caps than most competitors at just $1,500, and the service fee is $75 per claim submitted.
Here’s a detailed look at Liberty Home Guard’s coverage:
In addition to having one of the most comprehensive plans available, Liberty Home Guard also offers the most add-on coverage options you’ll see from most major home warranty providers. The add-ons include:
To get a free quote from Liberty Home Guard, fill out this online form or call 866-451-2281.
To learn more information, visit our Liberty Home Guard review.
A Minnesota home warranty cost can range anywhere from $35 to $85 per month. Some companies will offer homeowners the option to pay for a year in advance to receive slightly reduced pricing. The plan will increase in cost when you include a lot of add on or optional coverages. In addition to your monthly premium, you’ll have an average service call fee of $85 per claim, but some companies let you customize this price along with your monthly costs.
Overall | $727.43 |
Single Family | $590.12 |
Multi Family | $1,120.18 |
Townhome | $499.13 |
Condo | $626.40 |
Duplex | $926.55 |
Home Over 5,000 sq ft | $1,294.73 |
Home Under 5,000 sq ft | $656.87 |
Home Warranty Company | Choice Home Warranty | Select Home Warranty | American Home Shield | The Home Service Club | Liberty Home Guard |
Our Rating | 9.7 | 9.5 | 9.6 | 9.4 | 9.3 |
Best For | Best Overall | Most Cost-Effective Plans | Best Customization Options | Fastest Service | Most Trustworthy |
Average Cost | $50 per month | $60 per month | $45 per month | $56 per month | $70 per month |
Service Fee | $85 | $75 | $75-$125 | $75 | $60 |
Annual Limit | $3,000 | $2,000 | $3,000 to unlimited | $350-$2,000 | $2,000-$2,500 |
Average Response Time | Up to 48 hours | Up to 48 hours | Up to 48 hours | Within 24 hours | Within 24 hours |
State Availability | 49 States | 46 States | 49 States | 50 States | 48 States |
Online Chat / Mobile App | No | No | No | No | Online Chat |
Quote | Get Quote | Get Quote | Get Quote | Get Quote | Get Quote |
At this point, you should feel a little better about the best home warranty companies in Minnesota. There are so many great choices on this list that you can now choose a plan with confidence. The Choice Home Warranty still stands out as the best overall home warranty on the market. The time that Choice has spent in the industry, its impressive customer service, and the two combo plan options really set this plan apart. Although all of these companies offer great benefits, it does make sense to get quotes from more than just one home service provider. This way, you can compare the final pricing and coverages to ensure that you are getting the best deal for your Minnesota home.
Now that you have your options narrowed down to the top five, it’s time to choose the one that is best suited for your Minnesota home. There are several key features you can look for across these plans to ensure that you choose the best one for you. A few things that we would consider looking into are the overall pricing, BBB ratings, and exclusions.
All of the above criteria are crucial considerations to make when choosing a home warranty in Minnesota. There are some local factors that come into play when deciding as well, though.
One such factor is the long and frigid winter that Minnesotans experience every year. The monthly lows in MN can remain under 60 degrees for every month but July, which means your heating system could be running almost year-round. This puts immense stress on the equipment, so you should consider a plan that covers heating systems to stay adequately protected.
Another thing you’ll want to consider is the high humidity throughout the state in the summers. Elevated humidity levels can not only put added stress on your refrigerator to keep food cool and dry, but it can also make your home feel less comfortable in terms of temperature. As a result, many homeowners increase their heat or AC accordingly, putting more strain on equipment and increasing the likelihood of it failing. A home warranty that covers heating, AC, and refrigerators will be particularly useful in Minnesota.
A home warranty is a home protection plan for your appliances and home systems. They act like home insurance policies in some regards, but they cover individual components or items in your home rather than the entire property. Home warranties typically require a monthly fee to maintain coverage, as well as a service fee that you’ll pay upfront for each claim you submit.
Home warranties also have coverage caps and exclusions that are important to note before committing to one. Coverage caps are maximum payout amounts for specific items in your home, so they limit your financial assistance when you have covered problems. Exclusions can be anything from parts of appliances like refrigerator blower motors to certain components of systems like pool jets.
We compared home warranties to homeowners insurance above, but there are several key differences that set these two protection plans apart.
First, homeowners insurance tends to cover your entire house, and it will only pay out a single amount for damage done. Conversely, home warranties cover individual systems and appliances, and coverage can be paid out separately on each covered item.
Second, homeowners insurance typically comes with a high deductible, meaning there’s a large out-of-pocket fee if you ever need coverage. In most cases, the deductible is several thousands of dollars. A home warranty just requires a service call fee, which averages around $85. However, the coverage amounts are far less for home warranties than they are for home insurance policies.
Finally, home warranties and homeowners insurance differ in when they kick in. Homeowners insurance usually requires a catastrophe to occur before coverage starts, like a fallen tree, damage from a natural disaster, or damage caused by a reckless driver. On the other hand, home warranties kick in when appliances break down from normal wear and tear or home systems fail because of old age.
A home warranty allows a homeowner to submit a claim for a repair on a covered appliance or system. At that time, the customer will pay a service fee to cover the cost of the repair technician diagnosing the issue. Once it is determined that the repair is to be covered under the limitations of the home warranty policy, there are no other costs incurred by the homeowner.
The entire process is as follows:
Home warranty coverage depends largely on the warranty provider you choose and the plan you select. Plans tend to cover appliances or home systems, and the most comprehensive plans cover both.
Common appliances covered in appliance-only and combo plans include refrigerators, ovens, stovetops, dishwashers, built-in microwaves, garbage disposals, cooktop exhaust fans, clothes washers, dryers, and more. In plans that include home systems, common coverages include plumbing, heating, and electrical systems, air conditioners, garage door openers, ceiling fans, and more.
It should also be noted that most home warranty companies include add-on options for additional coverage with an up-charge per item. Common add-on services include pools, spas, septic systems, sump pumps, well pumps, stand-alone freezers, central vacuum systems, roof leaks, and more.
It’s hard to say what will be excluded by your home warranty, as every option is different in terms of coverage and exclusions. Most home warranties, however, will not include intentional damages, cosmetic repairs, or damages or breakdowns caused by a lack of proper maintenance.
Most Minnesota homeowners are happy with the coverage they receive from home warranty companies. However, as is the case in any industry, there are some complaints that appear frequently in customer reviews.
One of the most commonly complained about factors when it comes to home warranties is denied coverage with lack of reason or explanation. In some cases, it’s likely that these complaints were made because of a lack of understanding about the limitations of the home warranty. It’s crucial that you read your service contract carefully and know about limitations and exclusions. In other cases, it could be disingenuous home warranty companies trying to save money. You should always go with a reputable provider, like the ones we have reviewed above.
Another complaint we see about home warranties from Minnesota residents is higher out-of-pocket costs than were expected. It’s crucial to remember that home warranties have coverage caps, above which the repair costs will be your responsibility. You can choose a company based, at least in part, on the coverage caps you think you need.
There’s no guarantee that a home warranty will save you money, but most homeowners do find that their home warranty provides substantial savings in the long run.
It’s easy to see the potential value of a home warranty if you look at average costs for common home repairs and services:
Now consider that, with a home warranty, all you’ll pay for most of these repairs and replacements is the $85 service call fee. That amounts to massive savings, even if you only experience one of these repair needs per year. Most homeowners will see more than one annually, making home warranties an even better deal.
For many Minnesota residents, a home warranty is worth it just for the peace of mind it provides. You’ll never have to worry about your budget unexpectedly being blown on an appliance or home system repair again.
Any Minnesota homeowner that is worried about the unexpected expenses of repair and replacement of systems and appliances in the home will benefit from a home warranty. If you know how to fix your own HVAC or dishwasher, a home warranty might not be a good fit. However, having a home warranty in place typically saves both time and money.
Minnesota homeowners are lucky to have the Choice Home Warranty plan in place. This is a well-done home warranty policy with a good range of coverage options, more than 13 years in the industry, and impressive customer service. You can easily qualify for Choice Home Warranty coverage even if you live in an older home.
A service fee is a small amount of money you pay out-of-pocket for each service call sent to your home warranty provider. The average service fee is just $85, so you can think of it as a small deductible in order to receive the home appliance or home system repair or replacement.
Most home warranties either cover appliances or home systems, and some cover both for a higher per-month charge. Most plans that offer coverage for home systems will include your HVAC system. However, it’s important to check your provider’s service contract before committing to ensure your equipment is covered, as every plan is different. For some warranty companies, the HVAC system or components — like ductwork — could be add-on services, which cost more.
At House Method, transparency and trust are our most important values for the reader. We’ve done the homework for you and have researched over 50 home warranty companies so you can have the information you need to make the best choice for your home.
Our team spent hours on the phone speaking to representatives from each home warranty company to get information right from the source. We also dug into the fine print on each company’s service agreement to ensure no detail was left out.
To make the most of our research, we developed an objective rating system to score each home warranty company based on the following criteria:
Additional Minnesota Home Warranty Resources
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