Best Home Warranty Companies in Ohio

With an Ohio home warranty, you can save thousands of dollars on expensive repairs and replacements to major home systems and appliances. Even if you have completely new items, normal wear and tear is inevitable and is bound to damage your items at some point.

If you’re looking for a home warranty in Cleveland, or another city in Ohio,  you’ve come to the right place. Our team at House Method did the research for you and found the best home warranty companies in the state. Keep reading to learn about the top warranty providers in Ohio, plans and pricing, and important home warranty buying tips.

Ohio’s best home warranty companies

Ohio shares a border with Michigan, Indiana, Pennsylvania, Kentucky, and West Virginia. Columbus is its largest city and state capital, with a population of 892,533.

For the many Ohio homeowners that live in the state, there’s always the risk of home systems breaking down and household appliances needing repair. These inevitable maintenance issues can cause massive headaches.

Read more: Cincinnati Home Warranty Review

Getting a home warranty provides extra coverage in the event that an item succumbs to normal wear and tear. Why pay thousands of dollars for a necessary repair when you can get the items replaced with little or no cost to you with a solid home warranty plan?

How a home warranty can protect your home

Here are a few home maintenance issues that Ohio homeowners typically deal with and a how a home warranty can help:

• HVAC system malfunctioning—If you don’t replace air filters at least once every three months, you run the risk of your HVAC system breaking down prematurely. Fortunately, a home warranty covers repairs and replacements to your air conditioning and heating systems.
• Hard water—Unfortunately, Ohio is in a part of the United States where hard water is a common problem and can cause damage to your home’s plumbing. Most home warranty plans cover your plumbing system and plumbing stoppages.
• Old sediment in water heater—Ohio residents sometimes have to contend with a build-up of sediment in their water heater. A lack of hot water, a strange fluctuation in water temperature, strange smells, and a rust water color may indicate that there’s build-up in your appliance. Hire a technician through your home warranty provider to check out your appliance and begin repairs.
• Gutter neglect—If your gutters get clogged, the entire system could become disrupted and lead to damage to your roof and home. Home warranty providers, like Select Home Warranty, offer free roof leak coverage.

Ohio home warranty plans and coverage

Home warranty coverage might differ by state and provider, but in general, there are a few main plans available: appliance plan, systems plan, combo plan, or build your own plan. Appliance coverage may include items like refrigerators, ovens, dishwashers, washers and dryers. Common system coverage often applies to your air conditioning, heating systems, plumbing, and electrical systems.

Below is a list of the top home warranty companies in Ohio and the coverage they provide:

1. Select Home Warranty

Select Home Warranty has three plans—Bronze, Gold, and Platinum. Here’s what’s covered under each plan:

READ: Learn about Select Home Warranty plans

2. Choice Home Warranty

CHW has two plans—Basic and Total. The Basic Plan covers 14 home components, like your heating, plumbing, dishwasher, and garbage disposal, while the Total Plan covers everything under the Basic Plan, plus the air conditioning, refrigerator, washer, and dryer. CHW has optional coverage for items like a pool, spa, second refrigerator, or septic system.

READ: Choice Home Warranty Review

3. First American Home Warranty

First American offers a Basic Plan and a Premier Plan. The Basic Plan covers essential home appliances like the washer, dryer, refrigerator and dishwasher. The Premier Plan covers all items in the Basic Plan, plus items like a garage door opener and trash compactor. Central air conditioning coverage exists as an add-on.

One of the best things First American Home Warranty has going for it is that there’s no set dollar limit on coverage or age limit on covered items.

READ: Detailed review of First American Home Warranty

How much does a home warranty cost in Ohio?

The average cost of an Ohio home warranty is between $300 and $500 a year. It’s possible to pay closer to $200 or $600, but that depends on which company and plan you select. For example, a basic plan that covers appliances might cost you $350 per year, while more comprehensive coverage might be around $450 a year.

In addition to paying a monthly premium, you should also factor in the service fee, or deductible. Most companies require customers to pay a deductible, with Ohio residents paying between $50 and $100 per service visit. 

How does a home warranty work?

If a covered system or appliance needs to be fixed or replaced, here’s what you can expect when you request service:

1. When a major system or appliance breaks down, call your home warranty provider and make a service request.
2. After filing a claim, the company will contact a local, trusted professional, who will schedule an appointment with you at the most convenient time possible.
3. The technician will come out to your house at the scheduled time, inspect the system or appliance, and determine whether a repair or replacement is needed. You’ll pay a service fee at this time.
4. If a repair is necessary, the tech may be able to address the issue right then and there. If a replacement is necessary, they’ll probably have to schedule a follow-up time to come back and install a new appliance.

Who can buy a home warranty in Ohio?

Home warranty companies encourage the following groups of people to seek out coverage.

Real estate agents

If you’re a real estate professional, you can buy a home warranty plan to gift to a new homeowner. These deals offer protection on homes you’re trying to sell, making them more appealing to homeowners wary of issues that arise once they’re in their new home.

Home sellers

Should you decide to sell your home, you can improve the process by assuring prospective home buyers that they’re covered with a home warranty. Home sellers who protect buyers from surprise repair issues hanging over their head can put themselves in a good place to sell their home.

First-time home buyers

For anyone buying a home after years of living as a renter, there’s a good chance you’re not used to handling many repairs. If you’re not financially prepared or have the DIY skills to tackle these challenges, a home warranty can provide a sense of security when it comes to getting professional repairs done in a timely manner.

Buying a home warranty in Ohio

If you’re ready to buy a home protection plan, here are a few simple tips to keep in mind.

• Ensure your most crucial home items are covered—You don’t want to request service for your heating system only to find out it’s not covered under the plan you selected. Don’t assume a system or appliance automatically gets covered; compare plans to find one that works best for your needs. If you want coverage for specific items, American Home Shield and America’s First Choice Home Club offer customizable plans.

• Make the most of add-ons—Although it’s ideal that everything is covered as part of a comprehensive plan, there are some items that are optional and won’t fall under any particular plan. Issues like roof leaks, swimming pool damage, or septic tank troubles are often not covered by a standard home warranty. By paying a little extra for these add-ons, you can save money on your repair or replacement needs.

• Check to see if refunds are available—If you find yourself dissatisfied with a service, it might be possible to get a refund. Check to see if it’s possible to get your money back if you’re unhappy with a service and make a note of any cancellation or early termination fees.

• See if the home seller can transfer their warranty to you—In some cases, home warranty companies offer coverage plans targeted at home sellers and real estate professionals. It might be that the home you’re interested in buying already comes with a home warranty that’s paid for. As part of negotiations, ask if the home seller is willing to offer a home warranty to make the transition easier.

Our conclusion

The best home warranties in Ohio will give you confidence that no matter what goes wrong in your home, you won’t have to bear the financial burden alone—if at all. Whether it’s an aging air conditioner or a washer that breaks down due to normal wear and tear, the right home warranty plan can bring you peace of mind should something go wrong.