Updated Jan 10, 2023
Updated Jan 10, 2023
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Whether you’re an Ohio native or new to the Buckeye State altogether, a home warranty plan can save you thousands each year on routine and emergency maintenance for your home’s essential appliances and systems. We’ve evaluated 40+ reputable home warranty companies serving homeowners across the state of Ohio and selected the following five providers for their premier coverage options, competitive pricing, and positive customer feedback.
Like many midwestern states, the climate in Ohio can be pretty unpredictable, especially during transitional seasons like spring and fall. Keeping things like your HVAC system, hot water heater, and ceiling fans in check is especially important in Ohio, where a 70-degree day can drop into below-freezing temperatures overnight.
Read on to find out what exactly a home warranty covers, how to find the best home warranty company in Ohio for you, and other insider tips for Ohio homeowners.
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 (CHW) offers all-around exceptional home warranty coverage for Ohio homeowners, renters, and landlords. Founded in 2008, CHW currently provides premier home protection services to over 1.6 million properties nationwide. Upon generating your initial custom quote, you’ll be paired with your own CHW representative, who will assist you with any questions or issues you may have throughout your membership with Choice.
Pros
Cons
From its policy framework to its claims filing process, Choice Home Warranty keeps its coverage simple yet effective. Ohio homeowners have two standard plan options — the Basic Plan and the Total Plan. These coverage levels cover a mix of home systems and appliances, though the Total Plan offers a slightly longer list of inclusions.
No matter what plan level you choose, you’ll be covered for up to $3,000 per year in repair or replacement costs for each item covered by Choice. You’ll only be liable for your monthly or annual payment and the $85 service call fee.
Here’s a detailed look at Choice Home Warranty’s coverage:
Choice Home Warranty customers in Ohio can take their home warranty one step further by tacking on optional coverage for:
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.
Ohio homeowners on a budget will likely find the low-cost coverage they’re looking for through Select Home Warranty (SHW). On top of standard coverage plans starting at just $1 a day, SHW also advertises a host of seasonal discounts and new member-exclusive promotions. For a limited time only, homeowners who sign up with Select will receive $150 off their premium plus complimentary roof leak protection and two months of free coverage (when you pay annually).
Pros
Cons
Select Home Warranty itemizes its three base plans by type. Customers in Ohio can choose between an appliance-only plan (the Bronze Care plan), a systems plan (the Gold Care plan), or a catch-all package that combines both (the Platinum Plan).
With Select, you’ll be covered for up to $500 per year in repair/replacement costs on all covered systems and appliances, alongside a $2,000 annual coverage limit for HVAC. All optional coverage riders operate within a limit of $400 per year.
Should you ever need to open a service request, you’ll only pay a service call fee of $60 — one of the lowest home warranty deductibles you’ll find industry-wide.
Here’s a detailed look at Select’s coverage:
Select also offers an impressive spread of optional plan add-ons, including but not limited to:
For a free quote from Select Home Warranty, fill out this online form or call 888-370-3953.
Read our full Select Home Warranty review for more details.
Established in 1971, American Home Shield (AHS) is the oldest home warranty provider in the industry. AHS leverages its home protection services with over 50 years of experience and a current customer base of over 1.8 million active policyholders. Offering the most customizable home warranty plans in Ohio, AHS ensures its customers won’t have to worry about paying for more coverage than they need. By signing up with American Home Shield, you’ll have control over your plan level, premium, and service call fee.
Pros
Cons
American Home Shield has three primary plan options available to homeowners in Ohio — ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, and ShieldPlatinum. ShieldSilver only covers home systems, ShieldGold covers systems and a select number of major appliances within a coverage maximum of $3,000 per item per year. ShieldPlatinum is an enhanced version of ShieldGold featuring an annual per-item coverage cap of $6,000 and $1,000 in homeowners insurance deductible credit.
AHS customers can choose their service call fee of $75, $100, or $125. The higher your service call fee, the lower your annual or monthly premium, and vice versa.
Here’s a detailed look at American Home Shield’s coverage:
American Home Shield offers a modest selection of optional coverage riders, such as:
For a free quote from American Home Shield, fill out this online form or call 888-365-2839.
To learn more about AHS, visit our American Home Shield review.
The Home Service Club (HSC) is an ideal option for anyone who recently purchased a home in Ohio. Especially for first-time homebuyers, it can be hard to find the extra cash to cover repairs right after closing. While most home warranty companies require a 30-day waiting period before your coverage goes into effect after sign-up, HSC will activate your benefits in just ten days.
Pros
Cons
HSC divides its coverage into two straightforward variations — Standard and Comprehensive. The Standard Coverage plan is HSC’s no-frills home warranty plan, covering a variety of 18 appliances and systems.
For $13 more per month, the Comprehensive Coverage plan will safeguard 27 systems and appliances in your home, with a few unique inclusions like pest control, home security systems, telephone wiring, and more. HSC’s annual coverage limits range between $500 and $2,500 per item, depending on the appliance or system.
Like American Home Shield, HSC lets its customers choose their service call fee of $60, $75, or $95.
Here’s a detailed look at The Home Service Club’s coverage:
In addition to its main home warranty plans, The Home Service Club offers additional coverage for:
To get a free quote from The Home Service Club, fill out this online form or call 800-842-9334.
Continue reading about HSC in our complete The Home Service Club review.
Liberty Home Guard (LHG) is our go-to provider recommendation for homeowners with minimal home warranty experience. With an A rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB) — a rarity in the home warranty category — we nominated LHG as the most trustworthy home warranty company in Ohio. Though only a five-year-old business, Liberty Home Guard has earned its reputation through fast claim turnaround times, versatile coverage options, and diligent customer service.
Pros
Cons
Liberty Home Guard has three standard plans for Ohio residents to choose from, each curated to satisfy different coverage objectives. LHG’s first two coverage levels, Appliance Guard and Systems Guard are appliance-only and system-only options for those who don’t want their entire home covered. For maximum protection, LHG also offers Total Home Guard, which rolls the two previously mentioned plans into one.
All appliances and systems included in Liberty Home Guard’s standard coverage terms are capped at an annual limit of $2,000 per item. Optional add-ons are limited to $500 per year for each item needing repair or replacement. You’ll also be accountable for the $75 service fee at your initial service appointment.
Here’s a detailed look at Liberty Home Guard’s coverage:
Customers can add more than 40 coverage riders to their LHG policy. A few of the many unique offerings available through Liberty Home Guard include:
To get a free quote from Liberty Home Guard, fill out this online form or call 866-451-2281.
Continue reading about LHG in our Liberty Home Guard review.
Standard home warranty coverage in Ohio usually costs between $40-$70 a month, or $480-$840 per year, depending on the plan level you select and whether or not you add any optional coverage items to your policy.
All home warranty providers also instate service call fees, which are a deductible you’ll need to pay out-of-pocket each time a technician is dispatched to your property for a new home service request. Usually ranging between $60-$125, the service call fee covers labor costs and any travel expenses incurred by the contractor.
Keep in mind that you’ll likely only be compensated for repair and replacements under an annual coverage limit for each covered item. Any maintenance expenses that exceed that maximum will be left to you, the homeowner, to pay.
Overall | $682.79 |
Single Family | $568.55 |
Multi Family | $1,035.46 |
Townhome | $474.78 |
Condo | $577.84 |
Duplex | $837.63 |
Home Over 5,000 sq ft | $1,294.73 |
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 customizable plans | Quickest service | Most trustworthy |
Average Cost | $45 – $53 | $56 – $62 | $34 – $64 | $50 – $62 | $70 – $80 |
Service Fee | $85 | $60 | $75, $100, or $125 | $60, $75, or $95 | $75 |
Annual Limit | $3,000 per standard item; $250-$500 for add-ons | $500-$3,000 per standard item; $400 for add-ons | Up to $6,000 per standard item; $1,500+ for add-ons | $500-$2,500 per standard item; $500-$2,000+ for add-ons | $2,000-$2,500 per standard item; $250-$500 for add-ons |
Average Response Time | Up to 48 hours | Up to 48 hours | Up to 48 hours | Within 24 hours | Within 24 hours |
State Availability | Not available in WA | Not available in WA, NV, WY, or NM | Not available in Alaska | Available in all 50 states | Not available in WA or WI |
Online Chat / Mobile App | Yes | No | No | No | Yes |
Quote | Get Quote | Get Quote | Get Quote | Get Quote | Get Quote |
Home warranties aren’t one-size-fits-all. No matter what state you live in, the right policy for you will ultimately depend on your budget and coverage needs. While a home warranty isn’t obligatory in the same way that homeowner’s insurance is, that doesn’t make it any less imperative of a financial tool.
With so many plan and provider options available in Ohio, it can be hard to know where to start. Based on our research, Choice Home Warranty (CHW) offers the most universal coverage in the home warranty space, with affordable premiums and made-to-order policies for all types of homeowners.
Though we’ve singled out and evaluated a few of the top home warranty providers in Ohio for you, it’s unlikely that all five of these carriers will be an automatic fit. Here are a few additional factors to consider as you decide on a final home warranty service provider:
Investing in a home warranty is an especially lucrative decision for some cities in Ohio more than it is for others. Though the collective state of Ohio maintains a cost of living approximately 8% below the national average, cities like Upper Arlington, Columbus, and Cincinnati are among the most expensive to live in state-wide. In other words, home repair services will be costlier for homeowners in these densely populated areas than for those residing along the outskirts of Ohio.
The higher cost of living across Ohio’s metropolitan areas naturally translates into more expensive professional home services, and even more so if you opt to hire your own technician and pay out-of-pocket.
A home warranty saves you thousands of dollars on routine maintenance and surprise breakdowns, but it’ll also spare you any time spent trying to find a qualified local contractor in Ohio with reasonable rates and next-day availability.
A home warranty is an annual service contract that covers homeowners for the cost to repair or replace major home appliances and systems as they break down due to normal wear and tear. Once you’ve enrolled in a home warranty plan, when an item like your dishwasher or HVAC system stops working properly, you’ll have instant access to quick repairs through a professional home repair service near you.
Twister season is no joke in Ohio, especially in westward parts of the state. While your home insurance policy will cover you for any damage that your home sustains from potential tornadoes, it won’t cover age-related deterioration around your property like home warranties do.
Also, whereas home insurance is typically a requirement for homeowners looking to secure a mortgage, home warranties are an entirely optional means of home protection. Still, a home warranty fills a fairly wide coverage gap that homeowners insurance won’t touch.
Accessing your home warranty benefits works the same way in Ohio as in any other state. Here’s a brief rundown of what you’ll need to do to initiate a service request through your provider:
When you notice a damaged appliance or system in your home, you’ll first have to notify your home warranty provider of the issue by filing a claim online or contacting a representative over the phone. Your claim will either be approved or denied within 24-48 hours after it is filed.
Assuming your claim is approved, your home warranty provider will dispatch a technician from its internal network of contractors. At this initial appointment, the technician will assess the problem related to your claim and report back to your carrier with a repair estimate. You’ll be responsible for paying the required service call fee at this first home visit.
After the first diagnostic appointment is complete, your home warranty provider will schedule a secondary appointment for the actual repair. Remember, you’ll be covered for repair or replacement costs within the set annual coverage limit mentioned in your service contract.
A home warranty covers costs related to repairing or replacing a select number of major systems and appliances within your home. Though standard inclusions do vary from provider to provider, most home warranty companies will typically cover:
Appliances | Systems | Add-ons |
Built-in microwaves Dishwashers Refrigerators OvensStoves/Cooktops Clothes washers Clothes dryers | Heating Air conditioning Electrical Plumbing Ductwork Hot water heaters | Pools and spas Limited roof leak Septic systems Septic tank pumping Sump pumps Well pumps Second refrigerators Standalone freezers |
Familiarizing yourself with your home warranty provider’s specific exclusions is the best way to ensure you’ll never have a claim denied in the future. While each company’s limitations aren’t the same across the board, most home warranty carriers won’t cover costs for:
As a home protection product, home warranties are designed to provide homeowners with peace of mind that their finances will never be jeopardized by a sudden appliance or system failure. Still, it requires some due diligence on the customer’s part to ensure that they’ll get the most out of their home warranty.
We’ve combed through a list of low ratings specifically from homeowners in Ohio and paired recurring customer issues with our advice on avoiding these pitfalls:
A survey done in February 2022 found that the average homeowner spends roughly $2,676 per year on maintenance and repairs and $6,649 on other home improvements. For many, especially first-time homeowners, that’s a significant chunk of change to spend out-of-pocket — unless they’ve already invested in a home warranty.
Given that the national average cost of a home warranty is approximately $600 per year with a typical annual coverage limit of $3,000 per year, your policy can easily pay for itself next to that $2.676 estimation. So, when an appliance or system in your home unexpectedly quits, you’ll only have to pay a service fee of about $60-$125 instead of a few grand.
Michael Stimpson, the owner and operator of Snowflake Air, clued us in on how home warranties are more than just a worthwhile investment for homeowners — they’re also helping small businesses as well as they recover from the economic impact of the pandemic. Home warranties offer an all-around “win-win-win situation when everything goes well,” Stimpson says. “The customer gets a good deal on repair services, the contractor gets work without having to pay for marketing, and the home warranty company is able to provide an affordable product.”
Choice Home Warranty is the best home warranty company in the greater Ohio area. With over 14 years in the home warranty industry, Choice is continuously voted one of Ohio homeowners’ best home service protection options. Choice Home Warranty’s policies are self-explanatory and competitively priced, covering both major systems and appliances.
No matter what city you’re located in, all Ohio homeowners should have a home warranty as an added line of protection against your home’s inevitable maintenance needs. New or old, every home will require routine upkeep and periodic professional servicing to stave off more expensive repairs in the future. Responsible homeownership begins with anticipating those home improvement costs well before issues arise.
While the time and money you’ll save are arguably some of the most valuable perks of having a home warranty in place, home protection plans also grant peace of mind that you’ll never have to put other financial obligations on the line in the event of an emergency appliance or system malfunction. Home warranties guarantee you expedited access to your repair or replacement needs through an entirely hands-off service experience.
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 Ohio Home Warranty Resources
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