Best Home Warranty Companies in New York

Whether you live in Syracuse, Buffalo, or Manhattan, you’ll want to give serious consideration to purchasing a home warranty. Should your trusted appliances stop working, you might have to pay hundreds or thousands of dollars on your own—home warranty coverage can take that worry away from you.

If you’re looking for a home warranty in New York, keep reading to learn about the best home warranty companies in the state and how to find a home protection plan that’s right for you and your home. 

New York’s best home warranty companies

New York, previously known as “New Netherland,” had its beginnings with the Dutch, who controlled the region for nearly 40 years before the British conquered it in 1664. “Netherland” was dropped for “York,” in honor of the Duke of York. The state was one of the original 13 colonies until it declared its independence in 1776. 

Following the American Revolutionary War, New York City became the nation’s capital until the government’s seat of power relocated to Washington, D.C. 

New York is the most northeastern of the New England states, bordering Canadian provinces Quebec and Ontario. Lake Ontario and Lake Erie stand as water boundaries between New York and Canada. Pennsylvania and New Jersey border New York to the south, and Vermont, Massachusetts, and Connecticut each share New York’s western border.

The official state motto is “Excelsior,” which is Latin for “ever upward.” This attitude was represented by the many skyscrapers its big cities, particularly New York City, became known for. Manhattan comprises five boroughs, which combine for a population of over 8 million people. Though New York City is definitely the largest city in the state, the capital city of Albany is the oldest, as it was first settled in 1614.

New York is a state rich in history and opportunity, which is why so many continue to move there each year. Whatever your moving plans may be, they should always involve protection for your home systems and appliances.

Top home maintenance problems in New York

Below are some of the top home maintenance issues New York homeowners face:

• Electrical safety issues—Some homes in New York are a bit older and don’t have modern electrical systems. It might be necessary to revamp the entire electrical system to prevent electric shocks and fires. Provided there are no pre-existing conditions, repairing or replacing a dated system could get covered by your home warranty.

• Freezing pipes—New York weather can get very cold during the winter months, causing pipes to freeze and break. Thankfully, plumbing is usually covered under a home warranty.

• Water damage—It’s very easy for homeowners to forget about the roof until it’s too late. Failure to clean the gutters often causes further issues, such as water damage to the roof or water seeping into the home. Perform routine maintenance and seek home warranty coverage that will take care of roof repairs should a problem emerge.

• Issues with the water boiler—Unfortunately for New York homeowners, water boiler problems are fairly common. It’s not something you want to deal with when temperatures start dropping, so obtaining coverage for this appliance before there’s an issue would be for the best.

• Smoke alarm and carbon monoxide detection—Having a working smoke alarm and carbon monoxide detector isn’t something that should be optional. Luckily, there are home warranty companies, such as American Home Shield, that will cover your home smoke detectors should they start malfunctioning.

Who is eligible for a home warranty in New York?

If you’re a homeowner or buying a home, you’re encouraged to purchase a home warranty to cover the inevitable wear and tear on home systems and appliances that will occur. Home sellers and real estate agents might also buy coverage to make a sale more attractive. New York does have its share of older homes, and this kind of warranty can be reassuring to potential buyers.

Homes often covered by a warranty include single-family homes and rental properties, although it’s possible to get coverage for a multi-family home or duplex. It’s often hardest for mobile homeowners to get home warranty coverage, but it’s not impossible.

MORE: Compare mobile home warranty plans

What is covered under a New York home warranty?

What’s covered under your home warranty will vary depending on the company you choose, whether you opt for a basic plan or a combo plan, and what add-ons you want included with your plan. Here’s a general overview of coverage offered through New York’s best home warranty companies.

American Home Shield

AHS basic plans cover major appliances such as the refrigerator, oven, clothes washer, and clothes dryer, as well as crucial systems such as your HVAC, electrical, and plumbing systems. American Home Shield also covers stoppages. This is important to know because some home warranty companies cover plumbing, but consider stoppages separate.

AHS covers many of your regularly used home systems. You can buy a plan that covers just systems or appliances or combine the two. If you’re worried about paying too much, AHS lets you set up a custom plan to only pay for the items you need covered.

READ MORE: Review of American Home Shield

Choice Home Warranty

CHW has basic plans and combo plans that cover most home appliances and systems under their “Basic” plan, but if you want coverage for the refrigerator and your clothes washer and dryer, opt for the “Total” plan. Plans aside, Choice offers some nice add-ons, such as protection for your pool, well pump, septic system, and septic tank pumping.

READ MORE: CHW Review

2-10 Home Buyers Warranty

2-10 Home Buyers Warranty features standard coverage on the most important appliances and home systems. It covers your central heating system, thermostats, water heater, and ductwork. Appliances covered include the refrigerator, dishwasher, oven, stove, range, washer and dryer, and built-in microwave.

In addition to this expected type of home warranty coverage, there are certain items covered by 2-10 HBW that aren’t typically covered in competitor’s warranties. For example, 2-10 Home Warranty offers coverage for your gas line. That being said, certain types of coverage that other companies consider standard are listed as add-ons—these items include your garage door opener, toilets, tubs, and shower repair.

READ MORE: 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty Review

Total Home Protection

Whether you go for the “Gold” or “Platinum” plan, you’ll find coverage for plumbing and stoppages, water heaters, dishwashers, garbage disposals, and ductwork. If you want coverage for your air conditioning and heating system, you’ll need to upgrade to the “Platinum” plan. There’s optional coverage available for a range of items, including limited roof leak coverage.

READ MORE: Total Home Protection Review

How much does a home warranty cost in New York?

New Yorkers who buy a home warranty can expect to pay between $350 and $600 per year. Though this is the average price range for home warranties, it’s possible to find a warranty that costs closer to $200. You might end up paying more based on the coverage you select and the amount of add-ons you include in your plan. For the best quality coverage, you should expect to spend closer to the higher end of coverage. 

Additionally, your service fee might cost as little as $40 or as much as $200. The average range is $75 to $125.

How does a home warranty work in New York?

Think about the warranties that your appliances first came with and the assurance that if your item stopped working correctly, the manufacturer would cover the cost to repair or replace the item. That extra bit of assurance allowed you to feel comfortable that should something go wrong, it could be quickly addressed.

With home warranties, you can feel at ease knowing that if appliances or home systems falter due to normal wear and tear, the home warranty company will send a repair technician to fix the problem and will pay the cost of a repair or replacement. Compared to the thousands of dollars you might otherwise find yourself paying, this is a relief.

To make sure your claim gets accepted, double-check to make sure items are covered under the plan you choose and that there are no pre-existing conditions with your current systems or appliances.

Home warranty regulations and restrictions in New York

Home warranties fall under the jurisdiction of the New York State Insurance Department. Such businesses are, therefore, required by law to get a license and act as an insurer. The way to avoid a violation would be to register in New York as a service contract provider, satisfying Article 79 of the Insurance Law.

Why is a home warranty necessary?

New York can be a very expensive place to live, particularly if you’re living in New York City. Having to pay the full cost of repairs or replacements can add even more strain to one’s living circumstances. If you don’t have the money or a budget in place to cope with these issues, a home warranty can alleviate your financial stress. 

Working with a trusted home warranty company means having access to a network of reliable technicians who can perform high-quality repairs in a fast, efficient manner.

How to buy a home warranty in New York

Here are some important reminders before you purchase your home warranty:

• Make sure your warranty completely covers your home systems—Some warranties only partially cover a system, requiring you to upgrade or use an add-on for complete coverage. Ask questions upfront about what a plan does and does not cover to avoid future claim troubles.
• Schedule a thorough home inspection before you apply—Some home warranty businesses require customers to complete a series of inspections documenting the state of their home appliances and systems prior to coverage. This is a good way to protect yourself against incorrect assumptions, such as a repair being needed due to a pre-existing condition, which could jeopardize your claim.
• Don’t forget about deductibles—Aside from your monthly plan fee, you’ll probably have to pay a small service charge when you call to submit a repair claim. It might be a flat fee or be priced according to the required service. Ask ahead of time and then budget just in case.

New York home warranty reviews

Below are a few reviews from current home warranty customers:

American Home Shield

AHS is preferred because of its availability in all 50 states and wide range of coverage. Some reviewers took issue with the company’s expensive service fees, but acknowledge AHS for its exceptional customer service. A customer named Joe in Buffalo, NY bought AHS coverage for a home he was selling. Here’s what he had to say:

“[The] HVAC guy was able to respond very quickly and make a quality repair that allowed me to sell the house the next day.” 

2-10 Home Buyers Warranty

Customers responded well to 2-10 HBW’s upfront response to coverage, including what they’d be able to help with and what they could not do. Some customers expressed frustration over not getting their claims approved, while happier customers commended the company on their speed, thorough communication, and professionalism of the technicians they sent out.

Total Home Protection

Reviewers mention that THP provides customers with fast service that’s all-around very good. It also helps that their contractors tend to be very tidy and are willing to clean up before leaving, instead of forcing customers to deal with any mess.

Amy of Buffalo, NY, was very pleased with the service she received, saying:

“THP sent out a wonderful repairman who assessed the damage quickly, communicated efficiently with both THP and I, and then fixed my washer/dryer within 30 minutes. I thought I would’ve had to buy a new one, but my combo works like new now.”

Choice Home Warranty

CHW receives praise for its coverage terms and available options, as well as their professionalism and efficiency. There are some unhappy customers who have trouble with their claims, though it’s possible they didn’t read through what the plan did and did not cover before choosing it.

Here’s what Karen of Springfield Gardens, NY, had to say:

“The contractor called promptly on Monday. [He] was very fast and very professional. We were very satisfied with his work.” 

Our conclusion

New York residents already cope with tough winters, crowded city living, and aging homes. The peace of mind provided by a good home warranty shouldn’t be underestimated. Not everyone is prepared to pay out-of-pocket every time there’s an issue and, in the end, it’s better to have a home warranty and never need it than to find yourself stuck with a repair bill that you can’t afford.