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7 best home warranty companies in Knoxville, Tennessee

HOMEFRONT

Updated Jun 22, 2024

Get a quote from our top provider, Liberty Home Guard

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A home warranty offers financial protection if an appliance or major home system suddenly breaks down. For a monthly fee, the warranty company covers repair and replacement costs for items like HVAC units and refrigerators when they break down from normal wear.

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 Knoxville home contains aging furnaces, dishwashers or the like, you'll likely encounter an untimely breakdown. These top home warranty firms offer robust coverage at a fair price.

Knoxville's wet, cool weather strains HVAC systems and roofs, so we recommend a home warranty to protect yourself from unexpected breakdown repair costs. The providers we recommend offer strong coverage options and even a few added perks.

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 Knoxville

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

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 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

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 provides generous appliance coverage maximums in every plan. If you add the First American Advantage upgrade, miscellaneous items like appliance knobs and dials could also get protection.

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

Select Home Warranty plans have low premiums, and each one includes coverage for roof leaks.

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 Knoxville

The average cost of a home warranty in Knoxville is around the same as the national average, ranging 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 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?

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

Major appliances form the first category of items that home warranties cover. This includes the following items: 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 consist of the following:

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

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. 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 preexisting conditions, acts of nature, hazardous waste, improper system or appliance installation, rust or corrosion damage and cosmetic damage.

Questions to ask home warranty providers in Knoxville

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

What items would 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 company that includes them. Some companies separate appliance and system coverage. Many companies also sell optional add-ons, covering things like wells and sump pumps. 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 is designed as a way 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?

When researching a home warranty company, ask which service contractors it partners with in your area. Many home warranty companies allow you to choose your own local contractor if they don’t have an in-network provider near you. The contractor must be licensed and registered in Knoxville to obtain repair approval from the home warranty provider. You can verify a contractor's license by searching the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance 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 via a phone hotline or through the web. While most claims should have a 24 to 48-hour response time, there might be delays if you file outside standard business hours. Once the provider receives your claim, someone will examine the details 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're selling your home, you may be able to transfer your policy to the new homeowner. Some companies manage the transfer for free, while others charge a transfer fee. Home warranty companies might also sell separate, special coverage plans that you can easily transfer to prospective homebuyers. Sellers might opt for these plans to boost their home's appeal in a competitive market.

Home warranty contract fine print

Before settling on 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 stand up for your rights if you need to file a claim. Look for these key terms and clauses in your research:

  • Workmanship guarantee: Home warranties typically offer workmanship guarantees that are at least 30 days long. If an in-network technician attempted to fix your appliance or system, and you continue to experience issues with it, the company won't charge an additional service call fee for new repairs.
  • Exclusions: Be sure to familiarize yourself with component-specific exclusions in the home warranty company's sample contracts. Some parts of equipment might be excluded even if the appliance itself is typically included under the policy.
  • Service call fee: Whenever you file a claim, the warranty company or repair provider will charge a service call fee between $75 and $125.
  • Coverage limit: Your home warranty's coverage limit is the cap on how much the company pays per claim. A warranty contract could also have other stipulations, like annual coverage limits.
  • Cancellation: You'll typically find the warranty company's cancellation policy in 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 Knoxville

Average High in July
85°F
Knoxville
83°F
National Average
Average Low in January
31°F
Knoxville
17°F
National Average
Average Daily Sunlight
66%
Knoxville
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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