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7 best home warranty companies in Pontiac, Michigan

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 essential 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 crucial home components start having issues before hitting the 10 to 15-year mark, according to the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors. HVAC systems typically last just seven to 25 years. Water heaters normally last six to 12 years, and most appliances today fail after about 20 years.

If your Pontiac home contains aging dishwashers, furnaces or other appliances, you'll probably encounter an untimely failure. These top-rated home warranty firms provide robust coverage at fair prices.

The constantly snowy Pontiac winters can affect your roof and HVAC system's health, so we recommend a home warranty to protect you from unexpected repair bills. Each of the companies below has strong coverage for appliance and systems.

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 Pontiac

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

2-10 Home Buyers Warranty

2-10 Home Buyers Warranty

4.5/5

Average monthly costs: $22.00 - $80.00

2-10 has three coverage plans with flexible service call fees and perks like appliance color matching. The company also has an "Even If" guarantee that refunds your service call fees 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 38 different coverage add-ons – the most of any home warranty company we researched. Each covered repair also comes with a 60-day workmanship guarantee.

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 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 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

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 Pontiac

The cost of a home warranty is on par with the national average, and it heavily relies on how frequently you choose to make payments. The national average is about $40.91 to $77.05 per month, or $563.62 to $927.43 per year. We calculated the average by requesting hundreds of quotes using 2,000-square-foot, single-family homes across each state the providers service.

Home warranty coverage

Home warranties cover various home appliances and major systems, but they're not a substitute for homeowners insurance. Below, we'll summarize what's generally covered in a home warranty and what isn't.

What are the typical items covered under a home warranty?

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

Major appliances form the first category of items that home warranties protect. This includes the following items: The second category of covered items under a home warranty is major systems. Not every plan covers the same major systems. However, you can find coverage for any of these items:

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

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 clearly specify each exclusion, 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 reject 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. Additionally, home warranties won't cover cosmetic damage, preexisting conditions, acts of nature, rust or corrosion damage, improper system or appliance installation and hazardous waste.

Questions to ask home warranty providers in Pontiac

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 seek out a company that includes them. Some providers 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?

Generally, home warranty contracts are active for one year after the coverage effective date, which is 30 days after the initial sign-up date. Companies require this 30-day waiting period to deter 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 companies, 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 choose your own repair company. You can verify a contractor's license by searching the Michigan Licensing and Regulatory Affairs database.

How does your claims approval process work?

Understanding how a company’s claims process works often makes the difference between claim approval and denial. Home warranty providers typically accept claims via their website or a round-the-clock support line. Typical response times are within one to two days 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 set up an appointment to diagnose the problem, and then seek final authorization from the warranty company for any required repair work.

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 will handle the transfer for free, while others levy a transfer fee. Some home warranty companies also offer special coverage plans that are easily transferred to prospective buyers. Home sellers purchase these home warranty plans to increase their home's appeal.

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:

  • Cancellation: Companies generally specify how they process cancellations in their fine print. Many providers will refund the entire plan premium if you cancel within the first 30 days of sign-up.
  • Exclusions: Home warranties have both general exclusions and ones specific to components. Even if a device or system is generally covered, your warranty might not cover some specific parts if they become damaged. Read your sample contract carefully to be aware of what is not covered.
  • 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 range from $75–$125 per claim.
  • Coverage limit: Your home warranty's coverage limit is the cap on how much the company can pay per claim. A warranty contract could also have other stipulations, like annual coverage limits.
  • Workmanship guarantee: Home warranties generally have workmanship guarantees of at least 30 days. If an in-network technician attempted to fix your appliance or system, and you keep experiencing issues with it, the company will not charge an additional service call fee for new repairs.

Facts about Pontiac

Average High in July
80°F
Pontiac
83°F
National Average
Average Low in January
16°F
Pontiac
17°F
National Average
Average Daily Sunlight
59%
Pontiac
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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