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7 best home warranty companies in Columbia, Tennessee

HOMEFRONT

Updated Jun 22, 2024

Get a quote from our top provider, Liberty Home Guard

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You might be considering a home warranty to protect important home systems and appliances. For a monthly fee, these policies cover repair and replacement costs when items like AC units and refrigerators break down from normal wear and tear.

Many essential home components won't last over 10–15 years before needing service, according to the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors. HVAC systems typically operate for seven to 25 years. Water heaters tend to last just six to 12 years on average, and most major appliances go kaput in under 20 years.

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

Columbia's extremely hot summers make an air conditioner failure pricy and even hazardous. You can have extra peace of mind with a home warranty that has major appliance and system coverage. The national providers below carry top policies and benefits.

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
$150 Off Any Plan
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 Columbia

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

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 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

Elite Home Warranty

4.4/5

Average monthly costs: $48.98 - $59.99

Elite Home Warranty has a fully customizable coverage plan you can design based on your coverage needs. It also includes a lengthy 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

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

First American Home Warranty

4.2/5

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

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

Select Home Warranty pairs all plans with roof-leak repair coverage. It also charges low plan premiums.

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 typical monthly cost of a home warranty in Columbia ranges from $41 to $70, in line with the national average. If you're paying on an annual basis, expect to spend anywhere from $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

Home warranties provide coverage for various appliances and major systems, but they're not a substitute for homeowners insurance. Below, we'll summarize what coverage a warranty typically includes and excludes.

What are the typical items covered under a home warranty?

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

The first category of items home warranties cover is kitchen appliances and household items. 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 can be included:

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

What items are typically not covered under a home warranty?

Each home warranty has exclusions, which are the items and circumstances it will not cover. Your contract will outline each exclusion upfront, so read carefully before you sign. A common exclusion is breakdowns caused by damage outside normal wear and tear. For example, home warranties will probably not cover an air conditioner breakdown caused by a dirty air filter. This is because replacing the filter is a routine maintenance task. Home warranties also don't cover improper system or appliance installation, preexisting conditions, cosmetic damage, rust or corrosion damage, acts of nature and hazardous waste.

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 will my policy cover?

Make a list of the appliances and systems you need covered before getting home warranty quotes. This way, you can look for a provider that includes them. Some companies separate appliance and system coverage. Most home warranty companies also sell optional add-ons for things like spas and central vacuum. 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?

Standard home warranty contracts are valid for 12 months from the coverage effective date, which is usually 30 days after the initial sign-up date. Companies implement this 30-day waiting period to prevent 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?

Ask potential home warranty companies about their network of local service contractors. A contractor must have the proper local and state licensing to access the company's network. If there are no in-network contractors near you, the warranty company may let you choose your own. You can verify a contractor's license by searching the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance 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 their website or a round-the-clock support line. Typical response times are within 24 to 48 hours of filing, though there may be processing delays if you file a claim outside normal business hours. Once you submit your claim, the warranty company will review it and connect you to an in-network service contractor. The contractor will arrange a visit to diagnose the problem, and then get final approval from the warranty company for any necessary repairs.

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

If you need to move, most home warranty contracts include 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 acquire these home warranty plans to boost their home's appeal.

Home warranty contract fine print

Before buying a home warranty, examine the company's sample contracts and policies. Understanding a provider's terms and conditions can help you decide whether they're a suitable choice for you. It'll also help you stand up for your rights if you need to file a claim. Look for these key stipulations and clauses:

  • Service call fee: The service call fee is the amount you'll pay the home warranty company or service provider for every claim. Fees typically range from $75–$125 per claim.
  • Exclusions: Even if a device is covered under your home warranty, it could still have applicable exclusions for specific parts. A sample contract should clearly outline these exclusions.
  • Coverage limit: The coverage limit puts a monetary cap on how much the home warranty company will pay per repair. There may be further stipulations, such as an annual coverage limit.
  • Workmanship guarantee: The workmanship guarantee is the period during which the home warranty company won't charge an additional service call fee for a repair if an in-network technician has recently serviced the item. The industry standard is 30 days, but some companies offer longer workmanship guarantees.
  • Cancellation: You'll typically find 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.

Facts about Columbia

Average High in July
87°F
Columbia
83°F
National Average
Average Low in January
30°F
Columbia
17°F
National Average
Average Daily Sunlight
66%
Columbia
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
$150 Off Any Plan
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

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.

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