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6 best home warranty companies in Melrose, Massachusetts

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 such as 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 Melrose home contains aging furnaces, dishwashers or other appliances, you'll probably encounter an unexpected failure. These highly rated home warranty firms offer robust coverage at fair prices.

Melrose gets its fair share of winter storms, which can put strain on both your roof and HVAC system. Breakdowns could lead to hefty bills, but with a home warranty, you'll have solid financial shield and access to a few additional 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 Melrose

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

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 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
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 Melrose

The average cost of a home warranty in Melrose is on par with 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 cover a variety of major systems and home appliances. We'll give you a general overview of the two main coverage categories.

What are the typical items covered under a home warranty?

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

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 include the following:

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

What items are typically not covered under a home warranty?

Home warranties, similar to other service contracts, don't cover everything. One thing that home warranties exclude is damage outside normal wear and tear. For example, the warranty company could reject a claim for an AC breakdown if a dirty air filter is the cause. This is because replacing the air filter is considered routine upkeep. Additionally, home warranties won't cover rust or corrosion damage, acts of nature, improper system or appliance installation, cosmetic damage, hazardous waste and preexisting conditions.

Questions to ask home warranty providers in Melrose

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

What items are covered by my policy?

First, determine 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. Many companies also sell optional add-ons, covering things like sump pumps and lawn sprinkler systems. Consider whether any add-ons fit your situation.

How long is my home warranty good for?

A typical home warranty plan is effective 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 prevent 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?

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 the Massachusetts Division of Occupational Licensure 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 initially approves your claim, they'll connect you to a service contractor from their network. The contractor will arrange a meeting with you to inspect and diagnose the problem. Once they get final approval from the warranty company, they'll proceed to make repairs and manage 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 include a clause allowing you to transfer the policy to the new homeowner. Some companies handle the transfer for free, though others will charge 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

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

  • Workmanship guarantee: Workmanship guarantees temporarily 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, though some companies offer longer periods.
  • Cancellation: You'll usually see the warranty company's cancellation policy within 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 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.
  • Exclusions: Even if an appliance is covered under your home warranty, it could still have applicable exclusions for certain components. A sample contract should clearly outline these exclusions.
  • Service call fee: The service call fee is how much you'll pay the home warranty company or service provider for every claim. Fees typically vary between $75 and $125 per claim.

Facts about Melrose

Average High in July
79°F
Melrose
83°F
National Average
Average Low in January
20°F
Melrose
17°F
National Average
Average Daily Sunlight
61%
Melrose
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

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