Home Warranty

7 best home warranty companies in Columbia, 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 Columbia. We base our ranking off average customer ratings weighted against the number of reviews. For more information, check out our full methodology.

Companies Selected

Filters

Location

Columbia, MD

Choose a new location

Companies Selected

Home warranties provide a financial buffer to repair or replace appliances that suddenly fail. For a monthly fee, these policies insure items like refrigerators and AC units when they malfunction with 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 Columbia home contains aging dishwashers, furnaces or the like, you'll likely encounter an untimely breakdown. These best home warranty firms provide robust coverage at a fair price.

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

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 Columbia

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

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

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

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 Columbia

The cost of a home warranty is in line with the national average, and it largely depends on how frequently you choose to make payments. The national average is around $40.91 to $77.05 per month, or $563.62 to $927.43 per year. We calculated the average by requesting hundreds of quotes using 2,000-square-foot, single-family homes across each state the providers service.

Home warranty coverage

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

What are the typical items covered under a home warranty?

Clothes dryers
Built-in microwaves
Cooktops
Refrigerators
Washing machines
Dishwashers

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

Central vacuum
Electrical
Water heater
Plumbing
HVAC

What items are typically not covered under a home warranty?

As with many other service contracts, home warranties won't cover certain components or appliances. These are called exclusions. A common exclusion is breakdowns caused by damage outside of normal wear and tear. For example, home warranties will likely not cover an air conditioner breakdown caused by a dirty air filter. This is because replacing the filter is a routine maintenance task.

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

Questions to ask home warranty providers in Columbia

We recommend asking each home warranty provider you're considering the following questions about their plans, terms and policies.

What items are covered by my policy?

Before asking a home warranty company for a quote, write down the specific systems and appliances that you need covered. Then, confirm the company has plans meeting your needs. Some companies separate appliance and system coverage into different plans. Most home warranty companies also sell optional add-ons for things like swimming pools and septic tank pumping. 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?

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 serves 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 select 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?

Knowledge of your warranty company's claim process makes all the difference between an approval and a denial. If you're facing a covered issue, you can usually file a claim over the phone or online. While most claims should have a 24 to 48-hour response time, there might be delays if you filed outside standard business hours. If the home warranty company grants initial approval to 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 do the repair work and manage billing on your behalf.

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

Most home warranty companies permit you to transfer your policy to a new homeowner if you need to move. Sometimes, transfers will be free, and other times, the company will levy a transfer fee for the service. Home warranty coverage can be reassuring to new homebuyers. Some companies offer sellers special coverage plans that are readily transferable to buyers.

Home warranty contract fine print

Before purchasing a home warranty, examine the company's sample contracts and policies. Understanding a provider's terms and conditions can help you determine if they're a suitable choice for you. It'll also help you advocate for yourself if you need to file a claim. Pay attention to these key stipulations and clauses:

Coverage limit: Each home warranty has a coverage limit that limits how much money the company will pay per claim. There might also be an annual coverage limit or other stipulations.
Exclusions: Home warranties have both general exclusions and ones specific to components. Even if an appliance or system is generally covered, your warranty could still exclude some specific parts if they suffer damage. Read your sample contract carefully to understand the exclusions.
Workmanship guarantee: Workmanship guarantees temporarily shield you from additional service call fees if an in-network technician unsuccessfully tried to fix a covered issue. Most guarantees are 30 days long, though some companies offer longer periods.
Service call fee: Whenever you file a claim, the home warranty or repair company will levy a service call fee. These fees typically range between $75 and $125.
Cancellation: Companies commonly detail 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.

Facts about Columbia

Average High in July

85°F

Columbia

83°F

National Average

Average Low in January

26°F

Columbia

17°F

National Average

Average Daily Sunlight

63%

Columbia

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 Columbia, Maryland

Filters