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7 best home warranty companies in Salem, Oregon

HOMEFRONT

Updated Jun 22, 2024

Get a quote from our top provider, Liberty Home Guard

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Companies Selected

A home warranty gives you 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 refrigerators and HVAC units when they break down from normal use.

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 Salem home has a dishwasher, furnace or any other everyday appliance within that age range, you will likely experience an untimely breakdown. The top home warranty companies listed below offer generous coverage at affordable rates.

Appliance malfunctions due to normal wear and tear aren't covered under homeowners insurance, so having a home warranty can provide you an extra cushion against the unforeseen. We've done the research to determine what home warranty providers have the best major appliance and system coverage.

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 Salem

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

2-10 Home Buyers Warranty

2-10 Home Buyers Warranty

4.5/5

Average monthly costs: $22.00 - $80.00

2-10 Home Buyers Warranty pairs its three coverage plans with flexible service call fees. It also offers coverage perks, including an appliance color-match program and an "Even If" service fee guarantee. With this guarantee, 2-10 will refund your service call fee 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 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

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

Select Home Warranty pairs all plans with roof-leak repair coverage. It also charges low plan premiums.

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 Salem

You'll usually pay $41-$70 per month for a home warranty in Salem, 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 cover various major systems and appliances, 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?

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

Major appliances form the first category of items that home warranties provide coverage for. This includes the following items: The second coverage category is major systems, which often consist of the following:

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

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 outline each exclusion upfront, so read carefully before you sign. One thing that home warranties don't cover 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 considered routine upkeep.

    Home warranties also don't cover the following:
  • Preexisting conditions
  • Rust or corrosion damage
  • Cosmetic damage
  • Acts of nature
  • Hazardous waste
  • Improper system or appliance installation

Questions to ask home warranty providers in Salem

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

What items would my policy cover?

Before asking a home warranty provider for a quote, write down the specific systems and appliances that you need covered. Then, verify the company has plans meeting your needs. Some providers separate appliance and system coverage into different plans. Most home warranty companies also sell optional add-ons for things like lawn sprinkler systems and spas. 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?

Standard home warranty contracts last for 12 months from the coverage effective date, which is usually 30 days after the initial sign-up date. Companies implement this 30-day waiting period 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?

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 Oregon Construction Contractors Board database.

How does your claims approval process work?

Knowing more about your warranty company's claims process can improve your chances of getting an approval. Most companies accept claims online or via a 24/7 phone line. Once you file, the company will aim to reply within 24 to 48 hours. Filing outside normal business hours may lead to processing delays. After you file your claim, a staff member will examine your claim and connect you with an in-network repair contractor. The contractor's team will schedule a meeting with you to inspect the issue 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 free of charge, although some companies levy 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 purchase these home warranty plans to enhance their home's appeal.

Home warranty contract fine print

Before you select a home warranty, examine its terms and conditions to ensure they're compatible with your needs. As you read through the sample contract, look for these key details and clauses:

  • Coverage limit: Your home warranty's coverage limit is the cap on how much the company will pay per claim. A warranty contract could also have other stipulations, like annual coverage limits.
  • Exclusions: Even if an appliance is covered under your home warranty, it may still have applicable exclusions for specific parts. A sample contract should clearly outline these exclusions.
  • Service call fee: Whenever you file a claim, the warranty company or repair provider will assess a service call fee ranging from $75 to $125.
  • Cancellation: You'll typically find the warranty company's cancellation policy within their 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.
  • 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, though some companies offer longer workmanship guarantees.

Facts about Salem

Average High in July
73°F
Salem
83°F
National Average
Average Low in January
35°F
Salem
17°F
National Average
Average Daily Sunlight
61%
Salem
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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