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7 best home warranty companies in North Potomac, Maryland

HOMEFRONT

Updated Jun 22, 2024

Get a quote from our top provider, Liberty Home Guard

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Home warranties give you a financial buffer to repair or replace appliances that suddenly fail. For a monthly fee, these policies insure items like AC units and refrigerators when they stop working from 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 North Potomac home contains aging dishwashers, furnaces or the like, you'll likely encounter an untimely breakdown. These leading home warranty firms offer robust coverage at fair prices.

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

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 North Potomac

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

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 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 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 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 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

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 North Potomac

The average cost of a home warranty in North Potomac is in line with 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

With a home warranty, you'll have extra coverage for home appliances and major systems. However, it's not a substitute for homeowners insurance, and there are some limitations to coverage. Below, we'll talk about what's generally covered and what's not.

What are the typical items covered under a home warranty?

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

Major appliances form the first category of items that home warranties protect. This includes the following items: Major systems form the second category of covered items. The specific definition of what a "major system" is will differ between different plans. However, most include the following:

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

What items are typically not covered under a home warranty?

Home warranties, like most service contracts, don't cover everything. One common exclusion is breakdowns caused by damage outside of normal wear and tear. For example, the warranty would probably not cover an air conditioner that stopped working because of a dirty air filter, since replacing the filter is a part of routine maintenance. Home warranties also don't cover hazardous waste, acts of nature, preexisting conditions, rust or corrosion damage, improper system or appliance installation and cosmetic damage.

Questions to ask home warranty providers in North Potomac

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

What items would my policy cover?

Assess your coverage requirements before requesting a quote from a home warranty provider. Once you've determined what items need coverage, verify that the provider includes them in its plans. Some companies separate systems and appliance coverage into different plans, so ensure you select the right one. Companies might also offer additional coverage, like lawn sprinkler system and spa protection, as add-ons. Consider what supplements you might need and how much they'll add to the 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 have this 30-day waiting period 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?

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 pick 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?

Understanding the way a company’s claims process works can be the difference between an approved claim and a denied one. Home warranty providers typically accept claims via an online portal 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. After you file your claim, a staff member will examine your claim and connect you with a networked repair service. The contractor's team will book an appointment with you to examine the appliance and diagnose the problem. Once the company grants final approval, the contractor can begin the 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 complimentary, although some companies levy a transfer fee to offset administrative costs. Home warranty companies might also sell separate, special coverage plans that you can easily transfer to prospective homebuyers. Sellers can purchase 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 reading a sample contract. Learning more about the company's terms and conditions will help you make an informed decision. It'll also help you be a better advocate for yourself if you need to file a claim. Look for these key terms and clauses in your research:

  • 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: A home warranty contract should include information on how to cancel your policy and get a refund. If you cancel within the initial waiting period before coverage takes effect, many companies will fully refund your annual premium.
  • Exclusions: Be sure to learn more regarding component-specific exclusions in the home warranty company's sample contracts. Some parts of a device may be excluded even if the appliance itself is generally covered under the policy.
  • Workmanship guarantee: The workmanship guarantee is the time during which the home warranty company won't assess additional service call fees for a repair if an in-network technician has recently serviced the item. The industry standard is 30 days, although some companies offer longer workmanship guarantees.
  • Service call fee: Each time you file a claim, the home warranty or repair company will levy a service call fee. These fees typically range between $75 and $125.

Facts about North Potomac

Average High in July
85°F
North Potomac
83°F
National Average
Average Low in January
26°F
North Potomac
17°F
National Average
Average Daily Sunlight
63%
North Potomac
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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