Best Home Warranty Companies in Vermont

Liberty Home Guard is an excellent service provider for homeowners who want a little bit more from their home warranty coverage. Its extensive list of add-on options expand your protection for potential home repairs to include items such as roof leaks, pest control, pro-series appliances, and pool equipment.

Benefits

➕ Unique coverage: LHG offers more than 38 add-on options, including coverage for pro-series appliances

➕ Customer service chat: LHG provides a 24/7 live-chat feature on its website to quickly connect with a representative if you have questions or concerns

➕ Workmanship guarantee: LHG re-services all approved repairs and replacements within 60 days at no additional charge

Drawbacks

➖ Opaque service call fees: LHG lacks transparency with its service call fee pricing as you pull a quote

➖ Fine print: LHG excludes its workmanship guarantee on repairs made by service providers outside its network

Liberty Home Guard (LHG) offers three plan options: Appliance Guard, Systems Guard, and Total Home Guard. Plans typically cost $600–$720 annually with service fees of $65–$125 per visit. A representative will assign a service fee to your account based on the location of your home, plan selection, and any additional coverage options you select. You can ask a representative about your service call fee during the quote process or review your assigned fee via your online portal after you sign up. Down below is a coverage and pricing breakdown for LHG plans:

• Appliance Guard ($49.99 per month): Covers your clothes washer, clothes dryer, refrigerator with ice maker and display, built-in microwave oven, dishwasher, garbage disposal, range, oven, cooktop, ceiling and exhaust fans, and garage door openers
• Systems Guard ($54.99 per month): Covers your air conditioning system, heating system, ductwork, plumbing system, electrical system, and water heater
• Total Home Guard ($59.99 per month): Combines the coverage of the appliance and systems plans into one comprehensive package
• Add-ons: Liberty Home Guard offers up to 38 additional coverage options, including carpet cleaning, guest units, gutter cleaning, lawn sprinkler systems, pro-series appliances, saltwater pools, and reverse osmosis systems. You can add any add-on to the plan options above

Liberty Home Guard lists its coverage caps and exclusions in its sample contract. A few to note include these:

• Appliances: Up to $2,000 per item
• Major systems: Up to $2,000 per item
• Electrical and plumbing: $500 per item and $250 within the first 90 days of signing up
• Add-ons: $500 per item $250 within the first 90 days of signing up

Liberty Home Guard does not cover any preexisting conditions or any damage that results from improper installation or modification.

Liberty Home Guard holds an A+ rating from the BBB. Through our research, we discovered that LHG customers appreciate the claims experience due to its user-friendliness and prompt over-the-phone service. However, some customers noted LHG does not cover labor costs when a technician completes a repair.

American Home Shield’s comprehensive coverage plans for major appliances and home systems include high coverage caps, flexible service call fees, and responsive customer support. However, AHS offers limited add-on options, so it may not be your top choice if you prioritize coverage outside the typical systems and appliances.

Benefits

➕ Flexible pricing structure: AHS allows you to choose your own service call fee, which provides a degree of customization that not all companies offer

➕ Comprehensive coverage: AHS covers improper installation and modification, unknown preexisting conditions, and items damaged by rust and corrosion

➕ Excellent roof-leak protection: AHS includes roof-leak coverage of up to $1,500 per claim in the ShieldPlatinum plan

Drawbacks

➖ Limited contractor flexibility: AHS doesn’t allow customers to choose their own contractor unless the company can’t locate a technician

➖ Not as many add-ons: AHS offers fewer add-on options than other providers

American Home Shield (AHS) offers three plan options: ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, and ShieldPlatinum. Plans are $360–$894 annually with service fees of $100 or $125 per visit. Below is a coverage and pricing breakdown for AHS plans:

• ShieldSilver ($29.99–$39.99 per month): Covers 14 major systems, including air conditioning, heating units, ductwork, built-in exhaust, vents, attic fans, main breaker, and fuse panel boxes; doorbells, and chimes; interior electrical lines; ceiling fans, garage door openers, interior plumbing lines, toilets, faucets, and valves; whirlpool tub motor and components, and water heaters
• ShieldGold ($49.99–$64.50 per month): Covers all the items in the ShieldSilver plan plus up to $4,000 of coverage for laundry and kitchen appliances, including refrigerators, ranges, cooktops, ovens, dishwashers, built-in microwaves, garbage disposals, instant hot/cold water dispensers, washers, and dryers
• ShieldPlatinum ($68.99–$74.50 per month): Covers all of the items in the ShieldGold plan and raises the coverage cap for appliances to $4,000. It also covers up to $1,500 for roof leaks and provides a discounted annual HVAC tune-up, unlimited AC refrigerant, and up to $1,000 in code upgrades
• Add-ons: Electronics Protection Plan, guest unit, pool or spa, septic system and pump, and well pump

American Home Shield lists your plan’s coverage caps and exclusions in your service contract. Below are a few notable items we pulled from the sample service contract:

• Appliances: Covered up to $2,000 with the ShieldGold plan; $4,000 with the ShieldPlatinum plan
• Air conditioning, heating, HVAC: A $5,000 coverage cap for units up to 5-ton capacity. It covers up to $1,500 for geothermal, water source heat pumps, glycol, hot water, or steam circulating systems
• Plumbing: A $5,000 coverage cap for accessible plumbing systems, but it will only pay $1,000 for systems in obstructed walls, ceilings, and floors
• Roof leaks: Will pay up to $1,500 for roof leaks, but it excludes all metal roofs and items that penetrate the roof, such as skylights, roof-mounted installations like solar panels, gutters, and downspouts
• General exclusions: Doesn’t cover routine maintenance; repair of cosmetic defects; malfunctions due to missing components, parts, or equipment; lack of capacity; or improperly sized systems

American Home Shield is accredited and holds a B rating with the Better Business Bureau (BBB)*. We analyzed more than 800 positive and negative reviews and listened to dozens of customer service calls to determine how AHS handles its customer service. Overall, customers shared that they appreciate the quality of repairs done for their home items and the customer service they received.

A member of our team who owns an American Home Shield plan tested its services and agreed with many of the positive customer service themes in reviews. American Home Shield connected him with a local provider in under an hour when he filed his most recent claim. He appreciated how quickly the service provider repaired his issue. He had a similar experience with other claims he’s filed. He reported that American Home Shield always sent someone within 24 hours, and he only paid his service call fee for each completed repair.

However, we found there were several complaints regarding slow response time and miscommunication while reading consumer reviews.

*BBB rating is accurate as of June 2023

Select Home Warranty is another provider worth mentioning due to its uncommon inclusion of roof-leak protection with every plan option. Its base plans offer no-frills coverage for your home systems and appliances at a competitive price point, but its coverage caps are significantly lower than many of the other providers in this space.

Benefits

➕ Roof-leak coverage: Select includes up to $400 in roof-leak coverage with every plan

➕ Generous HVAC coverage: Select provides a $3,000 coverage limit for air conditioning and heating systems

➕ Annual discounts: Select grants an additional two months of coverage when you pay annually

Drawbacks

➖ Low coverage caps: Select provides a $500 coverage cap for appliances–lower than some competitors

➖ Fewer add-on options: Select offers limited add-on options compared to other providers

➖ Service call fee per claim: Select charges a service call fee for each claim filed, which means you could be charged twice if you have multiple issues to address during a technician’s visit

Select Home Warranty offers three standard plans: Bronze Care, Gold Care, and Platinum Care. Its standout feature is the inclusion of limited roof-leak coverage up to $400 with all plan tiers. Plans cost between $533–$573 annually, with a service fee of $60–$75 per claim. A Select representative we spoke with stated Select will grant you a lower service call fee if you sign-up over the phone.

More than 50% of the Trustpilot reviews we read rated Select Home Warranty four stars or higher. Many noted how easy and quick it was to sign up for coverage. One customer mentioned that Select’s representative explained its coverage clearly and concisely. However, other customer reviews we read lamented Select’s inconsistent customer service. Down below is a coverage and pricing breakdown for Select’s protection plans:

• Bronze Care ($44.42 per month): Covers your home’s appliances, including your clothes washer, clothes dryer, garbage disposal, refrigerator, stove, oven, built-in microwave oven, cooktop, and dishwasher
• Gold Care ($44.42 per month): Covers built-in systems, including your air conditioning system, heating system, plumbing system, electrical system, water heater, and ductwork
• Platinum Care ($47.75 per month): Covers all the items in the Bronze Care and Gold Care plans, plus garage door openers and ceiling fans
• Add-ons: Central vacuum, lawn sprinkler system, pool, septic system, spa, stand-alone freezer, sump pump, well pump

As mentioned above, Select Home Warranty’s coverage caps are slightly lower than other home warranty companies. We outlined notable coverage caps below:

• Appliances: Covered up to $500 per item
• Air conditioning, heating, and HVAC: Covered up to $3,000 per plan term
• Electrical and plumbing: Covered up to $500 per item
• Roof-leak coverage and other add-ons: Up to $400 per covered item
• General exclusions: Only covers systems and appliances in a single-family dwelling, individual condominium units, townhouses, and modular homes. Prices may vary. It only covers systems and appliances properly and permanently installed and located within the living area of the home. Excludes coverage for systems or appliances in commercial properties or residential properties used for business purposes. Doesn’t cover preexisting conditions

Select Home Warranty holds a B- rating* with the BBB. As part of our analysis for Select, we combed through more than 1,000 Google and Trustpilot Reviews from existing customers. We found many customers enjoyed Select’s helpful and knowledgeable service providers. However, several customers lamented Select’s lack of communication. Others stated it was difficult to get ahold of a representative when filing a claim or making changes to their coverage plan.

America’s 1st Choice Home Club (AFC Home Club) stands out for its plan variety, lengthy workmanship guarantee, and suite of additional benefits that come with any tier of plan coverage.

Benefits

➕ Plan variety: AFC offers customizable plans via four coverage plans and three service call fee options

➕ Longest repair guarantee: AFC provides a workmanship guarantee that extends the life of your plan per completed repair

➕ Additional benefits: Includes security perks such as identity protection and free credit monitoring services

Drawbacks

➖ Coverage exclusions: Doesn’t cover items with preexisting conditions

➖ Limited coverage caps: AFC limits reimbursement for covered items older than five years to their depreciated value

America’s 1st Choice Home Club (AFC Home Club) offers four plan options. Plans cost between $435 and $649 annually with services fees of $75–$125 per claim. Additionally, AFC Home Club provides an extensive workmanship guarantee and additional membership perks. Down below is a coverage and pricing breakdown for AFC protection plans:

• Silver Plan ($36.25–$40.55 per month): Covers essential appliances, such as your clothes washer and dryer, kitchen refrigerator, oven, range, cooktop, stove, dishwasher, garbage disposal, and garage door opener
• Systems Plan ($43.17–$48.55 per month): Covers your water heater, air conditioning system, heating system, electrical system, plumbing system, and ductwork.
• Gold Plan ($50–$51.95 per month): Combines the coverage of the two basic plans into one comprehensive package
• Platinum Plan ($51.95–$54.13 per month): Includes all the items in the Gold Plan plus coverage for built-in microwaves, faucets, ice makers, and plumbing stoppages
• Add-ons: Built-in microwave, central vacuum, double oven, electronic coverage, hot water dispenser, ice maker, in-ground pool, septic system, stand-alone freezer, sump pump, tankless water heater, and well pump

Note: Our quote did not include ductwork in the Systems Plan. When we reached out to the provider for clarification, a representative informed us that this confusion resulted from a clerical error. However, all plans that cover systems will also cover ductwork.

In general, AFC Home Club’s offers similar coverage terms compared to other home warranty providers. Here are a few key limitations and exclusions to consider:

• Appliances: Up to $3,000 per covered item
• Systems: Prorated coverage based on the depreciated value of systems five years or older
• Add-ons: Varies by item (e.g., $500 for pool and spa equipment, sump pump, and well pump, but $200 for central vacuums)
• General exclusions: Malfunction or improper operation due to rust or corrosion, collapsed ductwork, known or unknown preexisting conditions, routine maintenance, cosmetic defects, and secondary damage caused by an uncovered item

AFC Home Club holds a B rating* from the BBB. We reviewed hundreds of customer reviews on the BBB website and Google Reviews to determine that AFC Home Club has an overall satisfactory rating from existing customers.

AFC Home Club customers admire the friendly and knowledgeable customer service representatives and minimal hold times. Several customers wrote complaints regarding coverage—the biggest complaint being coverage claims denied due to technicalities. We recommend you review your service contract and plan options carefully with any provider before signing up.

Cinch Home Services can be a great choice for homeowners who don’t mind paying slightly higher service call fees for flexible monthly prices and a suite of additional benefits. These additional benefits include a $25 air conditioner or refrigerator filter credit to encourage routine maintenance.

Benefits

➕ Comprehensive coverage: Cinch provides coverage for unknown preexisting conditions, plus rust and corrosion damage

➕ Unique benefits:  Cinch includes rare extra perks in the Complete Plan, such as a homeowners deductible reimbursement of up to $500

➕ Quick response times: Cinch attempts to find a service technician within two hours if you file a claim during normal business hours. If you file a claim after hours, Cinch will attempt to find one within 24 hours

Drawbacks

➖ No roof-leak repair: Excludes roof-leak coverage

➖ Limited add-on options: Cinch provides a limited selection of add-ons compared to other providers

Cinch Home Services offers three standard plans and a customizable service call fee model, which allows you to adjust your monthly or yearly premium to suit your needs. Plans cost $480–$768 annually with service fees of $100, $125, or $150 per claim.

All Cinch plans also come with a 180-day workmanship guarantee. This provides roughly a six-month window to re-service a covered item if it malfunctions again without an additional service charge. Down below is a coverage and pricing breakdown for Cinch Home Services plans:

• Appliances Plan ($39.99–$48.99 per month): Covers your clothes washer, clothes dryer, cooktop, dishwasher, built-in food center, freestanding ice maker, built-in microwave, range, range exhaust hood, refrigerator, built-in trash compactor, and wall oven. It also comes with a $25 air conditioner or refrigerator filter credit. Cinch includes this credit in each coverage plan
• Built-in Systems Plan ($44.99–$57.99 per month): Covers your air conditioning including ductwork, heating including ductwork, attic fans, ceiling fans, central vacuum, doorbell, electrical system, garage door openers, garbage disposal, instant hot/cold water dispenser, plumbing system, smoke detectors, sump pump, toilets, water heater, and whirlpool/jetted tub
• Complete Home Plan ($54.99–$63.99 per month): Covers all the items in the Appliances and Built-in Systems plans. It also includes a homeowners insurance deductible reimbursement of up to $500
• Add-ons: Pool, pool with spa, Premier Upgrade Package, septic tank/pumping, spa, well pump

Cinch Home Services makes its coverage cap simple by stating that the entire plan is capped at $10,000 per calendar year. All covered items must be properly maintained and in working order, and they must also be “domestic grade.”

In general, Cinch’s plans only cover mechanical components, which can exclude certain items, such as oven racks. When you read through the sample contract, examples of uncovered items are listed in each covered item’s section.

Cinch Home Services is accredited by the BBB and holds a B rating*. Our research involved reading more than 1,000 BBB reviews and nearly 2,000 Trustpilot reviews. The most common theme from Cinch customers is its comprehensive coverage for items that typically aren’t covered by most home warranty providers. Common complaints include inconsistent customer service experiences.