Home Warranty

7 best home warranty companies in Bethesda, Maryland

HOMEFRONT

Updated Jun 22, 2024

Get a quote from our top provider, Liberty Home Guard

Our Methodology

We've ranked the top 7 home warranty companies that operate within 50 miles of Bethesda. We base our ranking off average customer ratings weighted against the number of reviews. For more information, check out our full methodology.

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Consider a home warranty to financially protect your home's essential items. These policies cover the repair or replacement of typical household systems and appliances, like air conditioners and refrigerators, for a monthly fee.

Many crucial home components start having issues before hitting the 10 to 15-year mark, according to the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors. HVAC systems typically operate for just seven to 25 years. Water heaters normally last six to 12 years, and most appliances today stop working after about 20 years.

If your Bethesda home contains aging furnaces, dishwashers or the like, you'll likely encounter an unexpected breakdown. These best home warranty firms offer robust coverage at fair prices.

A standard homeowners insurance policy doesn't cover normal appliance wear and tear. With a plan from one of these home warranty companies, you'll have additional reassurance in case of an unforeseen failure.

Our Top Pick

4.5

Our Rating

Extends 60-day workmanship guarantee
Holds high customer ratings
Offers customization with 38 add-ons

Explore Plans

4.4

Our Rating

Covers rust and corrosion damage
Offers comprehensive coverage limits
Provides flexible service fees

$150 Off Any Plan

Explore Plans

3.8

Our Rating

Charges low premiums
Includes roof-leak coverage
Offers solid HVAC coverage

Explore Plans

Find the best home warranty for you in Bethesda

Here's our list of the best home warranty companies in Bethesda:

2-10 Home Buyers Warranty

4.5/5

EXPLORE PLANS

Average monthly costs: $22.00 - $80.00

2-10 offers flexible service fees and perks like an appliance color-match program. Through its "Even If" guarantee, it also refunds service fees if repairing or replacing a covered item isn't possible.

What we like

Offers a $25,000 annual coverage cap
Pairs plans with a plan-length workmanship guarantee
Offers unique perks such as color matching appliance replacements

What we don't like

Charges a monthly processing fee if you choose monthly premiums
Excludes washer and dryer coverage from most plans

Liberty Home Guard

4.6/5

EXPLORE PLANS

Average monthly costs: $49.99 - $59.99

Liberty Home Guard offers plans with a 60-day workmanship guarantee on completed repairs. Compared to other providers in this piece, it also provides the largest number of coverage add-ons – 38 in total.

What we like

Holds high ratings among customer service reviews
Covers repairs with a 60-day workmanship guarantee
Offers an extensive list of 40+ add-on coverages
Provides an easy claims process

What we don't like

Lacks transparency on service call fee pricing
Excludes coverage for known or unknown pre-existing conditions

Elite Home Warranty

4.4/5

EXPLORE PLANS

Average monthly costs: $48.98 - $59.99

Elite lets you fully customize a plan for your exact coverage needs. It also provides an exceptionally long 90-day workmanship guarantee.

What we like

Allows you to choose your technician
Extends a 90-day workmanship guarantee
Offers more than 25 add-ons

What we don't like

Charges higher service fees for high-end appliances
Doesn't provide an online quote
Limits repair and replacement coverage caps for older items

American Home Shield

4.4/5

EXPLORE PLANS

Average monthly costs: $29.99 - $89.99

Founded in 1971, American Home Shield was one of the country's first home warranty companies. Today, it offers three coverage plans and six supplementary add-ons.

What we like

Offers generous coverage caps
Allows customers to build their own plans
Provides the option to choose the service fee you want to pay

What we don't like

Doesn’t let customers choose their own technician
Offers limited add-on options

First American Home Warranty

4.2/5

EXPLORE PLANS

Average monthly costs: $47.00 - $87.00

First American is known for its comprehensive appliance coverage caps. With an Essential or Premium plan that has the First American Advantage upgrade, you could also get coverage for miscellaneous components, including appliance knobs and dials.

What we like

Allows you to choose your service call fee
Doesn’t have a coverage cap on heating, cooling, or ductwork
Accepts 24/7 service calls
Offers replacement of some covered items that are too damaged to repair

What we don't like

Doesn’t let customers choose their own contractor
Charges higher for coverage compared to other providers

Cinch Home Services

4.3/5

EXPLORE PLANS

Average monthly costs: $38.99 - $66.99

Cinch has some unique home warranty offerings and coverage perks, including homeowners insurance deductible reimbursement. Just like many other companies, it also offers flexible service fees that give you a greater say in your premium.

What we like

Offers home insurance deductible of $500
Extends a long 180-day workmanship guarantee
Provides generous $10,000 aggregate coverage limit

What we don't like

Charges high service fees of $100-$150
Doesn’t allow customers to choose their own technician
Isn’t available in Hawaii or Alaska

Select Home Warranty

3.9/5

EXPLORE PLANS

Average monthly costs: $44.42 - $47.75

Roof leak repair coverage is a rare perk that Select offers to its customers. It's also a good company to keep on your shortlist if affordable premiums are your top priority.

What we like

Provides low service fees compared to other home warranty providers
Includes two extra months of coverage in annual signup
Has an appliance-only, systems-only, and combo plan option

What we don't like

Has a $75 cancellation fee
Low coverage caps

Cost of a home warranty in Bethesda

The typical monthly cost of a home warranty in Bethesda runs from $41 to $70, on par with the national average. If you're paying on an annual basis, expect to spend roughly $563.62–$927.48 per year. To calculate national cost data, we requested hundreds of quotes for 2,000-square-foot, single-family homes across each state that the providers service.

Home warranty coverage

With a home warranty, you'll have additional coverage for major systems and home appliances. However, it's not a substitute for homeowners insurance, and there are some limitations to coverage. Below, we'll summarize what's generally covered and what's not.

What are the typical items covered under a home warranty?

Built-in microwaves
Washing machines
Refrigerators
Cooktops
Clothes dryers
Dishwashers

The first category of items home warranties cover is major appliances. This category includes the following: The second coverage category is major systems, which typically consist of the following:

Electrical
Water heater
Plumbing
HVAC
Central vacuum

What items are typically not covered under a home warranty?

Each home warranty includes specific exclusions, or things it will not cover. Your contract will clearly specify each exclusion, so read carefully before you sign. Generally, home warranties don't cover item breakdowns caused by damage outside normal wear and tear. For example, if your air conditioner stops working due to a dirty air filter, home warranty companies probably won't cover the repairs since air filter replacement falls under routine maintenance.

Hazardous waste
Cosmetic damage
Acts of nature
Rust or corrosion damage
Preexisting conditions
Improper system or appliance installation

Questions to ask home warranty providers in Bethesda

Ask each home warranty provider these questions before you purchase a plan.

What items would my policy cover?

First, determine what items need coverage before requesting a home warranty quote. Some providers separate appliance and system coverage, so verify that the company has plans to meet your particular needs. Many companies also sell optional add-ons, covering things like wells and septic tank pumping. Consider whether any add-ons fit your situation.

How long is my home warranty good for?

A typical home warranty plan is good for one year from the coverage effective date, which is 30 days after the initial sign-up date. The 30-day waiting period acts as a way to stop customers from filing claims for preexisting conditions. Purchasing a multiyear plan extends protection beyond the standard 12-month term.

What contractors do you work with?

When you're researching home warranty providers, be sure to ask about which service contractors they use. Each repair team must follow specific licensing requirements and standards to get repair approval from the warranty company. If there are no partner contractors in your area, the warranty terms might allow you to pick your own repair company. You can verify a contractor's license by searching the Maryland Home Improvement Commission database.

How does your claims approval process work?

Understanding the way a company’s claims process works often makes the difference between an approved claim and a denied one. Home warranty providers typically accept claims via an online portal or a round-the-clock support line. Typical response times are within one to two days of filing, though there may be processing delays if you file a claim outside normal business hours. Once the provider receives your claim, someone will review it and connect you with an in-network service provider. The contractor will schedule a visit, diagnose the problem, and then request final approval from the home warranty provider before starting repairs.

Can I transfer my policy to the next owner of my home?

If you need to move, most home warranty contracts contain a clause permitting you to transfer the policy to the new homeowner. Some companies handle the transfer for free, though others levy a transfer fee. Some home warranty companies also offer special coverage plans that are easily transferred to prospective buyers. Home sellers buy these home warranty plans to enhance their home's appeal.

Home warranty contract fine print

Before committing to a home warranty, we strongly recommend reviewing a sample contract. Learning more about the company's terms and conditions will help you determine the best fit. It'll also help you advocate for yourself if you need to file a claim. Look for these key terms and clauses in your research:

Coverage limit: Each home warranty has a coverage limit that stipulates how much a company will cover per individual claim. Warranty contracts could also have annual coverage limits.
Workmanship guarantee: Home warranties generally have workmanship guarantees of at least 30 days. If an in-network technician recently serviced your appliance or system, and you still have issues with it, the company won't assess an additional service call fee for new repairs.
Service call fee: Each time you file a claim, the warranty company or repair provider will charge a service call fee ranging from $75 to $125.
Cancellation: Companies generally specify how they process cancellations in their fine print. Many providers will refund the entire plan premium if you cancel within the first 30 days of sign-up.
Exclusions: Be sure to read more about component-specific exclusions in the home warranty company's sample contracts. Some parts of an appliance may be excluded even if the appliance itself is typically included under the policy.

Facts about Bethesda

Average High in July

85°F

Bethesda

83°F

National Average

Average Low in January

26°F

Bethesda

17°F

National Average

Average Daily Sunlight

63%

Bethesda

69%

National Average

Our Top Pick

4.5

Our Rating

Extends 60-day workmanship guarantee
Holds high customer ratings
Offers customization with 38 add-ons

Explore Plans

4.4

Our Rating

Covers rust and corrosion damage
Offers comprehensive coverage limits
Provides flexible service fees

$150 Off Any Plan

Explore Plans

3.8

Our Rating

Charges low premiums
Includes roof-leak coverage
Offers solid HVAC coverage

Explore Plans

Our methodology for selecting home warranty providers

We review national home warranty providers against our full home warranty methodology. We score warranty providers based on coverage options and limits, price, brand reputation, customer service, extra features and availability.

Editorial note: The name “Homefront” refers to the alliance between USA TODAY and Home Solutions that publishes review, comparison, and informational articles designed to help USA TODAY readers make smarter purchasing and investment decisions about their home. Under the alliance, Homefront provides and publishes research and articles about home service and home improvement topics. Homefront has an affiliate disclosure policy. The opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Homefront editorial staff alone (see About Homefront). Homefront adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. The information is believed to be accurate as of the publish date, but always check the provider’s website for the most current information. Go back to top

Our editors may use AI as an input tool to tailor information in local markets. All content goes through a rigorous research and review process led by our team of writers and editors.

7 best home warranty companies in Bethesda, Maryland

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