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7 best home warranty companies in Columbus, Indiana

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 safeguard essential home systems and appliances. For a monthly fee, these policies cover repair and replacement costs when items like refrigerators and AC units break down from normal wear and tear.

Many key home systems break down before hitting the 10 to 15-year mark. HVAC systems typically last just seven to 25 years. The normal lifespan for water heaters is only six to 12 years, and most major appliances today stop working in under 20 years, according to the experts at the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors.

If your Columbus house contains any aging dishwashers, furnaces or other appliances, you'll likely face an unexpected breakdown. These top home warranty providers offer robust coverage at reasonable prices.

With the scorching Indiana summers, air conditioner breakdowns in Columbus are that much more taxing for homeowners. A home warranty from one of the national providers listed below will give you a cost-effective path to the future repairs you might need.

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 Columbus

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

2-10 Home Buyers Warranty

2-10 Home Buyers Warranty

4.5/5

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

Liberty Home Guard

4.6/5

Average monthly costs: $49.99 - $59.99

Liberty Home Guard offers the largest number of optional add-ons compared to any provider in this article — 38 in total. It also has plans featuring a 60-day workmanship guarantee on completed repairs.

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 offers fully customizable plans with 90-day workmanship guarantees. Customers can build a unique coverage solution that meets their needs.

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

American Home Shield was one of the first home warranty companies, having been in business since 1971. It provides three base plans and six 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 Home Warranty has comprehensive coverage caps for appliances in each plan. Additionally, First American includes its First American Advantage upgrade in its Essential and Premium plans. This upgrade provides coverage for miscellaneous items, such as 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 is known for offering unique perks such as homeowners insurance deductible reumbursement and adjustable service fees and premiums.

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 Columbus

You'll typically pay $41-$70 per month for a home warranty in Columbus, around the same as the national average. Opting for annual payments means spending somewhere around $563.62-$927.48 for the year. To find the average home warranty plan cost, we requested hundreds of quotes using 2,000-square-foot, single-family homes across each state the providers service.

Home warranty coverage

Home warranties provide coverage for a variety of major systems and home appliances. We'll present a general overview of the two main coverage categories.

What are the typical items covered under a home warranty?

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

The first category of items home warranties provide coverage for is kitchen items and outdoor appliances. This category includes the following: Major systems form the second category of covered items. The specific definition of what a "major system" is will vary between different plans. However, most include the following:

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

What items are typically not covered under a home warranty?

As with many other service contracts, home warranties won't cover certain appliances or components. These are called exclusions. One thing that home warranties exclude is damage outside of normal wear and tear. For example, the warranty company could deny a claim for an AC breakdown if a dirty air filter is the cause. This is because replacing the air filter is a part of routine maintenance. Home warranties also don't cover improper system or appliance installation, acts of nature, preexisting conditions, hazardous waste, rust or corrosion damage and cosmetic damage.

Questions to ask home warranty providers in Columbus

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?

Assess your coverage requirements before requesting a quote from a home warranty provider. Once youknow what items require coverage, verify that the provider includes them in its packages. Some companies separate appliance and systems coverage into different plans, so ensure you choose the accurate one. Most home warranty companies also sell optional add-ons for things like roof leaks 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?

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 is designed as a way to prevent customers from filing claims for preexisting conditions. You can get coverage beyond 12 months with a multiyear plan.

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 your area has no in-network contractors nearby, the warranty company may let you choose your own. You can verify a contractor's license by searching your local or county government 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 online. While most claims should have a one to two-day turnaround, there might be delays if you file outside standard 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 required repair work.

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

Most home warranty providers allow you to transfer your policy to a new person who moves into the home the policy covers. Generally, transferring a home warranty policy to a new homeowner is free of charge, although some companies charge a transfer fee to offset administrative costs. Some home warranty companies also provide 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

To finalize your research, we recommend reading the home warranty provider’s detailed terms and sample contract before purchasing a plan. Knowing the company’s terms and conditions can help you determine whether it’s the right one for your needs. It'll also help you stand up for your rights if you need to file a claim. Below are several terms you should search for while reviewing the contract:

  • Cancellation: A home warranty contract should include information on how to cancel your policy and get a refund. If you cancel within the first 30 days of signup, many companies will offer a complete refund of your annual premium.
  • Service call fee: The service call fee is how much you'll pay the home warranty company or service provider each time you file a claim. Fees typically vary between $75 and $125 per claim.
  • Coverage limit: Your home warranty's coverage limit is the limit on how much the company pays per claim. A warranty contract could also have other stipulations, like annual coverage limits.
  • 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.
  • Exclusions: Be sure to familiarize yourself with 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 usually covered under the policy.

Facts about Columbus

Average High in July
84°F
Columbus
83°F
National Average
Average Low in January
22°F
Columbus
17°F
National Average
Average Daily Sunlight
63%
Columbus
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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