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6 best home warranty companies in Boston, Massachusetts

HOMEFRONT

Updated Jun 22, 2024

Get a quote from our top provider, Liberty Home Guard

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Home warranties offer a financial buffer to fix or replace appliances that suddenly fail. For a monthly fee, these policies cover items such as AC units and refrigerators when they stop working due to regular wear and tear.

Did you know that the typical life span of an HVAC system is seven to 25 years? Other major systems, such as water heaters, only last an average of six to 12 years. Most appliances last just 20 years or fewer, according to the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors.

If your Boston house contains any aging dishwashers, furnaces or other appliances, you'll likely face a surprise breakdown. These best home warranty providers offer robust coverage at reasonable prices.

The perpetually snowy Boston winters can influence your roof and HVAC system's health, so we recommend a home warranty to protect you from unforeseen repair bills. Each of the companies below has good coverage for appliance and systems.

Our Top Pick
Provider logo
4.5
Our Rating
  • Extends 60-day workmanship guarantee
  • Holds high customer ratings
  • Offers customization with 38 add-ons
Explore Plans
Provider logo
4.4
Our Rating
  • Covers rust and corrosion damage
  • Offers comprehensive coverage limits
  • Provides flexible service fees
Limited Time Offer: 50% Off
Explore Plans
Provider logo
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 Boston

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

2-10 Home Buyers Warranty

2-10 Home Buyers Warranty

4.5/5

Average monthly costs: $22.00 - $80.00

2-10 Home Buyers Warranty pairs its three coverage plans with flexible service call fees. It also offers coverage perks, including an appliance color-match program and an "Even If" service fee guarantee. With this guarantee, 2-10 will refund your service call fee if your covered item can’t be fixed or replaced.

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

Liberty Home Guard

4.6/5

Average monthly costs: $49.99 - $59.99

Liberty Home Guard offers 38 different coverage add-ons – the most of any home warranty company we researched. Each covered repair also comes with a 60-day workmanship guarantee.

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

Elite Home Warranty

4.4/5

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

American Home Shield

4.4/5

Average monthly costs: $29.99 - $89.99

An industry veteran, American Home Shield has been in business since 1971. It provides three coverage plans and six optional 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
Cinch Home Services

Cinch Home Services

4.3/5

Average monthly costs: $38.99 - $66.99

Cinch Home Services provides coverage perks other companies don’t, such as a homeowners insurance deductible reimbursement. Like most home warranty companies, Cinch offers flexible service fees that raise or lower your plan 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

Select Home Warranty

3.9/5

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 Boston

The average cost of a home warranty in Boston is around the same as the national average, running from $40.91 to $77.05 per month. If you prefer to pay an annual premium, expect to pay between $563.62 and $927.43 per year. To calculate national averages, we requested hundreds of quotes using 2,000-square-foot, single-family homes across each state the providers service.

Home warranty coverage

Home warranties protect various home appliances and major systems, but they're not a substitute for homeowners insurance. Below, we'll discuss what's generally included in home warranty coverage and what isn't.

What are the typical items covered under a home warranty?

  • Cooktops
  • Washing machines
  • Refrigerators
  • Clothes dryers
  • Built-in microwaves
  • Dishwashers

The first category of items a home warranty protects is kitchen and living appliances. This includes the following: When you purchase a home warranty, you're also getting coverage for major home systems. While different plans have unique coverage scopes for this category, the following systems may be covered:

  • Water heater
  • Plumbing
  • Central vacuum
  • HVAC
  • Electrical

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 outline each exclusion upfront, 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 malfunctions due to a dirty air filter, home warranty companies likely won't cover the repairs since air filter replacement falls under routine maintenance. Additionally, home warranties won't cover improper system or appliance installation, preexisting conditions, rust or corrosion damage, cosmetic damage, acts of nature and hazardous waste.

Questions to ask home warranty providers in Boston

Before purchasing a home warranty coverage plan, we recommend asking providers the following questions.

What items are covered by my policy?

First, figure out 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. Most home warranty companies also sell optional add-ons for things like spas and additional refrigeration. Evaluate what add-ons you might need and how much they'll add to the home warranty cost.

How long is my home warranty good for?

Generally, home warranty contracts last for one year after the coverage effective date, which is 30 days after the initial sign-up date. Companies require this 30-day waiting period to stop customers from filing claims for preexisting conditions. You may extend the 12-month policy term by purchasing a multiyear plan.

What contractors do you work with?

Be sure to ask about the warranty provider's network of licensed service contractors. Companies will usually have strict licensing requirements and other standards for a contractor to get repair approval. If there are no partner contractors near where you live, the company might let you choose your own. You can verify a contractor's license by searching the Massachusetts Division of Occupational Licensure database.

How does your claims approval process work?

Knowledge of your warranty company's claim process can make all the difference between an approval and a denial. If you're facing a covered issue, you can usually file a claim via a phone hotline or through the web. While most claims should have a one to two-day turnaround, there might be delays if you file outside standard business hours. If the home warranty company initially approves your claim, they'll connect you to a service contractor from their network. The contractor will arrange a meeting with you to examine the appliance firsthand. Once they get final approval from the warranty company, they'll proceed to make repairs and handle billing on your behalf.

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 at no charge, though others levy a transfer fee. Home warranty coverage can be reassuring to new homebuyers. Some companies offer sellers special coverage plans that are easily transferred to buyers.

Home warranty contract fine print

Before you choose a home warranty, examine its terms and conditions to ensure they're aligned with your needs. As you read through the sample contract, focus on these key details and clauses:

  • Workmanship guarantee: Workmanship guarantees help protect you from additional service call fees if an in-network technician unsuccessfully tried to fix a covered issue. Most guarantees are 30 days long, but some companies offer longer periods.
  • Service call fee: Similar to copays at the doctor or pharmacy, you'll have to pay a service call fee every time you file a home warranty claim. Most companies charge from $75 to $125 per claim.
  • Exclusions: Pay particular attention to the exclusions a company lists in its fine print. For example, most home warranty sample contracts outline component exclusions for each item under coverage.
  • Cancellation: You'll usually see the warranty company's cancellation policy inside the sample contract fine print. Depending on the company, if you cancel within the first 30 days of enrollment, you might receive a full refund of the entire premium.
  • Coverage limit: The coverage limit sets a dollar limit to how much the home warranty company will pay per repair. There may be further stipulations, such as an annual coverage limit.

Facts about Boston

Average High in July
80°F
Boston
83°F
National Average
Average Low in January
21°F
Boston
17°F
National Average
Average Daily Sunlight
62%
Boston
69%
National Average
Our Top Pick
Provider logo
4.5
Our Rating
  • Extends 60-day workmanship guarantee
  • Holds high customer ratings
  • Offers customization with 38 add-ons
Explore Plans
Provider logo
4.4
Our Rating
  • Covers rust and corrosion damage
  • Offers comprehensive coverage limits
  • Provides flexible service fees
Limited Time Offer: 50% Off
Explore Plans
Provider logo
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.

Contact us at feedback@homefront.usatoday.com if you have questions or feedback on this article

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

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