Best Home Warranty Companies in West Virginia

A West Virginia home warranty can help homeowners save money on expensive repair and replacement costs for major home systems and appliances like a refrigerator, plumbing, or air conditioning. Whether you own a mobile home, live in a single-family home, or rent out a condo, a home warranty can protect you in every situation.

If you’re looking for a home warranty, keep reading to learn about the top home warranty providers in West Virginia and how to find the best home warranty for you and your home.

West Virginia’s best home warranty companies

West Virginia’s origins are unique when compared to most of the United States. The state was once part of its neighboring state of Virginia. However, when Virginia seceded from the Union in 1861, West Virginia made up the portion of the state that remained with the United States. It was the culmination of decades of divisiveness between the eastern and western counties of Virginia. When West Virginia applied for and received statehood in 1863, there was no going back.

West Virginia represents the heart of the Appalachian region of the United States and is the only state completely within this mountainous portion of the country. West Virginia borders the state of Ohio to the northwest, while Kentucky is its southwestern neighbor. Virginia, having once been part of the state, has the largest shared border, making up much of West Virginia’s southwest and western boundary. The connection is interrupted by Maryland, which is located northwest of the state. West Virginia shares a northern border with Pennsylvania.

West Virginia’s state bird is the Northern Cardinal, and its state flower is the beautiful Rhododendron. Its largest city is the state capital, Charleston, with an estimated population of about 47,215 as of 2017. West Virginia’s oldest city is Shepherdstown, which was established in 1762.

The state of West Virginia comes with a feisty history, and the roots of its rebellious background can be felt today. Many West Virginians who desire a quiet life off the beaten track consider it a great place to live. But even so, homeowners are presented with unique challenges related to climate, weather, and remoteness. These issues can affect indoor home appliances and outdoor septic systems.

If you’re not prepared to pay out-of-pocket should something go wrong, then getting a home warranty is a sound form of protection.

Top home maintenance problems in West Virginia

These are some of the most common home repair issues facing West Virginia homeowners today.

Frozen household pipes

Winters in West Virginia can get rough and homeowners frequently have to worry about temperatures dropping so low that it causes the pipes to crack or freeze. Though there are ways to prevent this, you might have to schedule emergency repairs if you can’t.

Neglected septic tank systems

Sanitary sewers aren’t available to all West Virginians. Because of this, it’s quite common for some residents to use a private septic system. If you have your own septic system, it’s essential to make sure your septic tank system is routinely inspected, clean, and kept in working order. Neglecting the septic tank and its related functions might cause the system to fail.

Fortunately, quite a few home warranty companies include septic tank coverage or make it available as an optional add-on.

HVAC issues

Temperatures in West Virginia can fluctuate drastically, with residents experiencing hot summers and frigid, snowy winters. For this reason, it can be especially troublesome when your HVAC system breaks down. If you don’t have the money to cover the repair or replacement for this system, consider investing in a home warranty. By submitting a claim and scheduling home warranty service, you can avoid paying hundreds or thousands of dollars out-of-pocket. 

Water heater corrosion

Due to the presence of water, oxygen, and metal, a hot water heater can start to corrode. You don’t want to be standing in the shower when you find out there’s no hot water due to a problem with your heater. And because it’s difficult for pre-existing conditions to be covered by a home warranty, this is a situation you want to be on top of before it becomes a bigger issue. Getting your water heater covered before it succumbs to a problem like corrosion means that you can save money on the cost to replace your water heater.

Blocked gutters

Twice a year, check and clean out your gutters and drainage system. Water damage and debris can cause costly issues if not addressed. If you’re really concerned about your roof, gutters, and drainage system, find a home warranty company that will pay for the cost of roofing repairs. Select Home Warranty, for example, provides free coverage for roof repairs.

Who is eligible for a home warranty in West Virginia?

Home warranties are an excellent idea for West Virginian homeowners, whether you’re new to the area or have owned your home for years. Home warranty companies often make contacts within the community, allowing you to familiarize yourself with top technicians nearby.

The types of homes typically covered under a home warranty include single-family homes, multi-family homes or duplexes, condominiums, and townhouses. It might be a little tougher to get coverage for mobile homes or even manufactured homes, but it’s possible. American Home Shield (AHS) offers coverage for all types of homes listed, including triplexes and fourplexes.

Here are a few other people who should consider getting a home warranty:

Landlords

When you sign a rental agreement with your tenants, it often means that they rely on you to cover the cost of repairing or replacing their appliances. Even if it’s a one-time agreement per machine, that still represents a lot of money. Not to mention, the cost of taking care of air conditioning, heating, electrical, or plumbing problems can add up. Getting a home warranty on a rental property can help save you a lot of money over time.

Former renters

Just as a home warranty can be a great idea for rental property owners, those used to renting might want familiar protection. If you’re still adjusting to life as a new homeowner, a home warranty might help make the transition slightly easier. It will give you time to become fully responsible for your home maintenance and help you save for any repair service or costs you may have to pay after reaching your coverage limit.

Home sellers

Are you preparing to sell your home? Throwing in home warranty coverage could be the sweetener that helps secure your sale. A home warranty is especially ideal if you’re selling a home that’s more than several years old.

Since most home buyers probably don’t want to be thinking about the cost of repairs within their first couple of years, this type of coverage can help get them used to their home and give them time to budget for future maintenance or repair needs.

What is covered under a West Virginia home warranty?

Here’s what you can expect regarding coverage from some of the top home warranty companies in the state.

Choice Home Warranty

CHW offers its customers fairly comprehensive home warranty coverage with its basic plan. The only appliances and systems you’d need to upgrade for are the air conditioning, refrigerator, and your clothes washer and dryer. Add-ons include a pool or spa, central vacuum, septic system and septic tank system pumping, sump pump, well pump, standalone freezer, and a second refrigerator.

American Home Shield

AHS provides coverage to customers under one of four straightforward home warranty plans. Your refrigerator, garage door opener, washer, dryer, and built-in microwave can get covered under the Appliances Plan. Additionally, AHS provides coverage strictly for home systems like your air conditioning, heating, plumbing, and electrical systems under the aptly named Systems Plan.

What’s nice is that AHS will include ductwork and stoppages under these plans without charging extra. It’s possible to combine coverage for appliances and home systems under the Combo Plan. Lastly, AHS provides a Build Your Own Plan option, where you can pick and choose specific items to cover.

Select Home Warranty

Select offers a Bronze plan that is the cheapest out of all of their plans and only includes household appliances. Your refrigerator, clothes washer and dryer, garbage disposal, oven, stove, and cooktop, as well as a built-in microwave would be covered under this most basic home warranty plan.

The Gold plan is strictly for home systems, providing coverage for your heating system, air conditioning, plumbing system, water heater, and electrical system. The Platinum plan covers items included in both Bronze and Gold. plans There’s extra coverage available in the form of add-ons for pools, septic systems, roof leaks, and more.

Total Home Protection

Total Home Protection has two plans, “Gold” and “Platinum.” The Gold plan provides basic appliance and household system coverage for your plumbing system, including any stoppages. It also covers your electrical system, water heater, ductwork, dishwasher, oven, range, stove, garage door opener, ceiling fan, bathtub, and exhaust fan.

The Platinum plan covers these appliances and systems, as well as your refrigerator, washer, dryer, air conditioning, and heating system. In addition, this home warranty company provides add-ons like limited roof leak repairs, swimming pools, spas, and free-standing ice makers.

MORE: Why You Should Consider Home Warranty Roof Coverage

How much does a home warranty cost in West Virginia?

West Virginians can expect to pay between $300 and $500 annually on a home warranty. If you shop around, you might be able to find a home warranty plan for cheaper. If you decide to include add-ons, this can impact how much your home warranty costs.

How does a home warranty work in West Virginia?

Home warranties are reasonably straightforward. You pay the company of your choosing a monthly fee to cover most or all of your household appliances and major home systems. There’s usually a waiting period of about a month before the coverage begins, although some businesses will start coverage in as soon as 10 days after signing.

It’s worth noting that some home warranty companies require an inspection before coverage starts to ensure that all items are in good working condition and that there are no pre-existing conditions. 

Below is how your home warranty would work in practice:

1. If a covered item, such as a clothes washer, needed a repair, you’d submit a claim with your home warranty company. The window of time available to do this depends on the company. Some require your claim get submitted within a month, others within a few days of you noticing the problem.
2. Home warranty companies usually respond within 24 hours, but it might take a few days. If your claim is accepted, they’ll dispatch a professional to come to your home, examine the issue, and repair your item.
3. If the item can’t be repaired, the home warranty company will replace your washer at no cost to you (or replace it up to the coverage limit set for that item).
4. Before the service technician leaves your house, you’ll have to pay a service call fee.

Why is a home warranty in West Virginia necessary?

Septic systems are fairly standard in West Virginia, and so are septic system problems. A good home warranty plan will cover both the inside and outside of your home and significantly reduce the stress related to maintaining your home.

A home warranty is a must if you don’t have the money set aside for replacing your household appliances as they succumb to normal wear and tear. The same is true if you can’t afford the full cost of repairing or replacing your most critical home systems. The monthly charge of a home warranty is considerably cheaper than what you’d expect to pay for major repairs.

Buying a home warranty in West Virginia

Getting the best home warranty isn’t just about the research; it’s about taking steps to make sure you can get the best out of whatever plan you decide is right for you. Here are a few tips to help make that happen.

• Do a thorough home inspection—It’s true that some plans don’t require you to get a home inspection prior to signing the contract. Despite this, taking this step can protect you against future claim disputes. Additionally, it provides a baseline for the working state of your household appliances and home systems prior to any necessary claims.
• Be clear on what’s covered in your plan and what isn’t—Don’t assume that plumbing includes plumbing stoppages. While some home warranties cover both under a basic plan, some businesses place stoppages under a separate plan. Be sure you have a complete understanding of what items get coverage in your contract.
• Ask about any deals—Home warranty companies frequently expend deals to first-time buyers. Ask if there are any specials happening, as it might be possible to get a couple of months free or a reduced monthly charge.

West Virginia home warranty reviews

Below you’ll find some common feedback regarding the state’s top home warranty companies.

Choice Home Warranty

Choice has among the best coverage options available. It’s consistently among the top-rated home warranty companies, receiving praise for value of their coverage. Still, some customers complained that it’s tough to get their claims accepted due to perceived ambiguity as to whether there were pre-existing conditions on their covered items. Other customers consistently have good experiences, noting they got their claims responded to quickly and professionally and that they only needed to pay out a small service fee.

READ MORE: CHW Reviews

American Home Shield

American Home Shield is accredited with the Better Business Bureau, and has a solid B rating with the organization. Although it has a vast network of contractors, reviewers do take issue with customers not getting the chance to choose the professionals themselves.

Instead, AHS has the first and last say, which can cause unhappiness among customers if technicians do a bad job. Overall, the company has a good track record with meeting customer needs and making sure claims are taken care of.

READ MORE: Review of AHS

Select Home Warranty

Select is persistently among the top-rated home warranty businesses in West Virginia. It’s noted for its outstanding customer service, professionalism, and overall satisfactory nature of repairs. One customer, Tari, was not only pleased with the company’s professionalism, she found that coverage saved her hundreds of dollars versus what she’d paid a competitor.

A common complaint among Select Home Warranty reviewers is the short window to report a claim, which is three days. It’s actually much shorter than the industry standard of about a month.

READ MORE: Select Home Warranty Reviews

Total Home Protection

This home warranty company provides 24/7 coverage, and many customers are happy with the brand’s quick turnaround rate. For instance, a customer named Joseph submitted his claim for a water heater “on a Thursday or Friday,” and Total Home Protection had a contractor out to his home on Monday.

“There were things that needed to be added, which were recommended because the new water heaters are differently sized than the old water heaters. So, we needed all new connections.”

Total Home Protection gets high marks for customer support and is rated to be a great value for the money.

READ MORE: Total Home Protection Reviews

Our conclusion

A good home warranty can make the difference between paying a simple $50 for a requested service and having to pay out hundreds of dollars on repairs or a new appliance. There’s no telling when something might go wrong and a home warranty is a great way to protect your wallet and provide yourself with some peace of mind.

If you’re looking for the best home warranty companies in West Virginia, our research suggests that American Home Shield, Choice Home Warranty, Select Home Warranty, and Total Home Protection are businesses worth considering. Whatever company you go with, be sure you do your research. Ask questions, and, if necessary, do a home inspection prior to getting coverage.