We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. Learn More ›
Navigating the complexities of homeownership can become that much easier with the help of a home warranty. This type of coverage protects the home’s major systems and appliances if unexpected breakdowns occur due to age and normal wear and tear. But home warranty plans come in many shapes and sizes, and with multiple providers to consider, it can be difficult for customers to know which option is the right one. Homeowners in the Green Mountain State can narrow their options by considering what exactly they need in a policy, from coverage options to cost factors. By doing a little research up front, residents can easily identify the best home warranties in Vermont.
- BEST OVERALL: Liberty Home Guard
- RUNNER-UP: American Home Shield
- BEST REPAIR GUARANTEE: AFC Home Club
- BEST CLAIMS PROCESS: Home Warranty of America
- ALSO CONSIDER: Select Home Warranty
What to Consider When Choosing One of the Best Home Warranty Companies in Vermont
Every home warranty policy offers a variety of coverage options to consider, which means homeowners will need to be prepared to consider multiple plans and providers to find their best option. But before customers can begin to compare home warranty companies, they must first understand the different factors that might impact costs, coverage terms, and overall experience.
Policies and Plans
It’s common for home warranty companies to offer multiple policy tiers, allowing homeowners to select the plan with the coverage that best aligns with their needs. Home warranty plans range from basic to comprehensive, with some plans focused on home systems, some centered around home appliances, and others offering a combination of coverage.
In addition to their base policies, home warranty companies also typically offer a list of extra service add-ons customers can purchase to expand the scope of their plan. However, coverage options can vary significantly between home warranty providers, so homeowners will want to closely examine each provider’s plans and add-on options to find the best match for their needs.
Maximum Coverage Limit
Home warranty coverage limits are another important factor for customers to weigh. Whether for a major system or a home appliance, warranty coverage makes it easier for homeowners to afford potentially expensive repairs and replacements. But coverage limits directly impact how far home warranty coverage can stretch. These limits represent the maximum amount the home warranty company is willing to pay for repairs on covered items.
It’s important to note that coverage limits can vary significantly between home warranty companies, and while some companies set coverage limits per term, others apply them to each covered item. This means homeowners will need to pay close attention to the coverage limits offered by each provider. Otherwise, they could find themselves facing hefty out-of-pocket costs should they ever need repairs that exceed their coverage cap. Those considering the best home warranties for sellers, for instance, may want to closely review coverage limits to avoid paying for expensive repairs on a house they are trying to sell.
Average Monthly Rate
Monthly rates represent the up-front cost of a home warranty. Many customers pay monthly rates in return for their home warranty coverage, although they can also choose to pay in full at the start of their policy if preferred. The exact price customers will pay for their home warranty coverage will depend on many factors, from the location of their home to the coverage options they select.
Average monthly rates are important for homeowners to consider when weighing home warranty options, as they make it easier to assess the overall affordability of each home warranty company. Homeowners looking for more precise price estimates may want to obtain a home warranty quote from multiple companies, comparing rates and considering how these costs might fit into their monthly budget.
Discounts
Many home warranty companies offer discounts homeowners can use to lower the total cost of their home warranty coverage. These discounts range from promotional discounts for new customers to discounted coverage for loyal customers, and like many of the other factors on this list, discount opportunities can differ greatly between providers.
Homeowners face a plethora of costs every month, so they may want to seize the opportunity to minimize home warranty costs as much as possible. Budget-minded homeowners looking for the best deal on a home warranty policy will want to keep their eyes peeled for any potential discount opportunities that may be available to them throughout their search.
Service Fee
While monthly rates represent the cost of home warranty coverage, service fees represent the cost of actually using that coverage. Customers are required to pay a service fee when they schedule repairs on a covered item. Service fee costs can vary between home warranty providers, with some companies standardizing one fee across all policies and others giving customers a range of fees to choose from.
Homeowners who are presented with multiple service fee options will want to be aware of how these fees impact their monthly rates. In general, choosing a lower service fee will require homeowners to pay a higher monthly rate, while agreeing to pay a more expensive fee will result in lower monthly prices. As such, homeowners will need to consider their budget to decide where they want to spend their money and then choose a home warranty company with a service fee they can comfortably afford when urgent repairs are needed.
Waiting Period
Most home warranties begin with a waiting period: a brief window of time between when the policy begins and when the customer can first submit a claim. Home warranty waiting periods typically last around 30 days, which means homeowners won’t need to wait long to schedule repairs on covered systems and appliances.
Still, some homeowners may be eager to avoid the potential coverage gap this delay could create. They might be happy to learn that some home warranty companies offer ways for customers to bypass the waiting period. For instance, some companies will waive the waiting period if the customer has an active policy with a competitor and is looking to switch providers. Others may agree to start coverage immediately for new customers who schedule an inspection of the covered home systems and appliances. Because the terms of these policies can vary, customers may want to inquire about the waiting period before choosing a home warranty provider.
Claims Process
In addition to costs and coverage, customer experience factors are important for homeowners to consider before committing to a home warranty plan. While home warranty reviews may shed some light on the potential customer experience with each provider, homeowners may want to focus on the claims process in particular.
Before committing to a policy, homeowners can closely examine the available methods for submitting claims with each provider they’re considering, as well as the average time it takes to process claims and how repair technicians are selected. After all, when a major home system or appliance breaks down, the last thing Vermont homeowners want is to navigate a slow, complicated, or unfamiliar process, so understanding the claims process ahead of time is key.
Workmanship Guarantee
The workmanship guarantee on a home warranty protects the customer if initial repairs fail to resolve the underlying issue with a covered item. Workmanship guarantees cover repairs for a certain period, allowing homeowners to schedule follow-up work without requiring them to pay an additional service fee.
Though all home warranty companies typically provide a workmanship guarantee, they may range from as little as 30 days to up to 3 years in length. To keep their systems and appliances in good working order while also keeping out-of-pocket costs low, homeowners may want to choose a company with a lengthy workmanship guarantee. Otherwise, they may need to diligently check the quality of covered repairs if they choose a provider with a shorter guarantee.
Our Top Picks
When vetting the best home warranty companies—in Vermont or elsewhere—homeowners may want to consider a wide variety of criteria ranging from costs to coverage. By doing so, they can analyze the overall value and customer experience provided by each company in the Green Mountain State.
Best Overall
Liberty Home Guard
Why It Made the Cut:
With a wide range of coverage options, affordable service fees, and flexible payment plans, Liberty Home Guard is a great choice for home warranty coverage in Vermont.
Liberty Home Guard offers a portfolio of more than 40 service add-ons customers can choose from to expand the scope of their home warranty and cover a wider range of repairs. Among Vermont customers, the most popular add-ons include pool and spa, limited roof leak, plumbing fixtures, well pump, and septic system pumping coverage. These options give homeowners more opportunities to fine-tune and customize their policy to suit their specific needs.
When reviewing their options, prospective customers might notice that Liberty Home Guard caps repairs on covered items at $2,000. While this may seem like a low coverage limit at first glance, it’s important to understand that this cap is applied per item, not per term, so cumulative repairs can exceed this amount as long as individual repairs do not. The company also gives customers a list of service fees to choose from, with options available as low as $60. These flexible service fees could make it easier for customers to keep out-of-pocket costs low when scheduling repairs on covered systems and appliances.
Liberty Home Guard also offers flexibility in the way customers pay for their home warranty coverage, accepting monthly or annual payments as well as providing financing options. Customers who pay in full for an annual or multiyear policy will be rewarded with additional months of coverage at no extra cost, baking extra value into their policy. For customers who can’t afford to pay up front for a multiyear policy, the company also offers interest-free payment plans, enabling a wider range of homeowners to fit a home warranty into their budget.
Specs
- Maximum coverage limit: $2,000 per item
- Average monthly rate: $55
- Service fee: $60 to $125
- Claims process: Online, phone
- Workmanship guarantee: 60 days
Pros
- Wide variety of service add-ons
- Low $60 minimum service fee
- Flexible payment plans
- 2 months of free coverage with annual payment
Cons
- Relatively low $2,000 coverage limit per item
Runner-Up
American Home Shield
Why It Made the Cut:
American Home Shield’s notable offerings include high coverage limits and standard coverage for damage caused by rust, corrosion, sediment, and pre-existing conditions.
With American Home Shield, every policy tier comes with standard coverage on unknown pre-existing conditions, which the company defines as underlying issues that cannot be readily identified through a visual inspection or simple mechanical test. This type of coverage is commonly excluded by home warranties, so having it included here at no extra cost adds significant value for homeowners. American Home Shield also provides coverage for malfunctions due to rust, corrosion, and sediment buildup, which could give homeowners more opportunities to put their coverage to use.
It’s worth mentioning that American Home Shield’s workmanship guarantee is relatively short at only 30 days. This means customers will need to be diligent about checking the quality of repairs after they are completed to avoid paying additional fees to schedule follow-up work. Although the company offers two service fee options, both options are on the high end for this type of fee, costing homeowners either $100 or $125 when scheduling repairs on covered systems and appliances. However, that price may be worth it for homeowners to take advantage of the company’s high coverage limits and extra coverage inclusions. For instance, American Home Shield sets a $5,000 coverage limit on HVAC systems—a relatively high limit that could allow homeowners to cover more expensive repairs and replacements, keeping this critical system in good working condition.
Specs
- Maximum coverage limit: $5,000 (for HVAC repairs or replacement)
- Average monthly rate: $63
- Service fee: $100 or $125
- Claims process: Online, phone
- Workmanship guarantee: 30 days
Pros
- Relatively high $5,000 coverage limit on HVAC repairs
- Coverage for unknown pre-existing conditions included
- Rust, corrosion, and sediment coverage included
Cons
- Relatively short 30-day workmanship guarantee
- Somewhat high $100 or $125 service fee
Best Repair Guarantee
AFC Home Club
Why It Made the Cut:
With locked-in rates, long workmanship guarantees, and the ability for customers to choose their own technician for repairs, AFC Home Club is an option well worth considering.
With AFC Home Club, new customers can lock in their monthly rates for 5 years, allowing them to pay the same price for their coverage even if the company’s standard prices increase during that time. This feature can allow homeowners to save on the cost of their home warranty coverage over time. AFC Home Club also gives customers the flexibility to choose their own technician for repairs. Because many home warranty companies select technicians from a preferred network of contractors without consulting customers, this option may be appealing to Vermont homeowners who already have a trusted, local technician in mind for the job.
Before committing to a policy, customers will want to be aware that AFC Home Club will not accept any HVAC claims unless the homeowner can show proof that the system has been serviced by a qualified technician within the previous 12 months. While some homeowners may see this requirement as an inconvenience, annual maintenance can keep this system running longer, allowing homeowners to save money in the long run.
Prospective customers may also want to note that AFC Home Club’s monthly rates are somewhat high in the Vermont market, though the exact price a homeowner pays for their coverage will depend on several factors, including the size and location of their home as well as the coverage options selected by the homeowner. Still, the ability to lock in rates may allow homeowners to keep their costs consistent even if market prices increase in the coming years. Other benefits of an AFC Home Club policy include an impressively long workmanship guarantee that lasts the entire length of the customer’s policy. With policies lasting either 1 or 3 years, this is a lengthy guarantee, ensuring that customers won’t need to pay additional service fees for any necessary follow-up repairs as long as their policy is active.
Specs
- Maximum coverage limit: $3,000
- Average monthly rate: $70
- Service fee: $75 to $125
- Claims process: Online, phone
- Workmanship guarantee: 1 or 3 years
Pros
- Customer-selected technician option
- 5-year guarantee on monthly rate
- Extremely long 1- or 3-year workmanship guarantee
Cons
- Relatively high $70 average monthly rate
- Annual HVAC maintenance required
Best Claims Process
Home Warranty of America
Why It Made the Cut:
Vermont residents who choose Home Warranty of America can take advantage of low monthly rates, high coverage limits, and a rapid claims response time.
Based on average quotes, Home Warranty of America offers competitive prices in Vermont with an average monthly rate of $54. Although several elements can impact the price homeowners pay for their coverage, ranging from the home’s size to the coverage options selected, these average prices indicate that homeowners may be able to get a good deal on their home warranty by going with this provider. Home Warranty of America also sets relatively high coverage limits, allowing homeowners to schedule repairs for up to $5,000 per system or $15,000 per term. With higher limits, homeowners may be able to get more mileage out of their home warranty coverage.
Prospective customers may want to note that the company’s workmanship guarantee only covers repairs for 30 days, which could potentially lead to situations where homeowners are required to pay an additional service fee for follow-up work. The company offers two policy levels to choose from, and there are also only a handful of add-ons available, so homeowners may have fewer opportunities to customize their coverage with Home Warranty of America.
Still, customers seeking reliable coverage may be able to find it here at an affordable cost and with a speedy claims process. The company states that in most cases, repair requests will be assigned to a trusted technician immediately upon submission, allowing customers to schedule repairs without delay. This is an impressively quick claims response time, which may bring homeowners additional peace of mind throughout their policy term.
Specs
- Maximum coverage limit: $5,000 per item ($15,000 per term)
- Average monthly rate: $54
- Service fee: Starting at $75
- Claims process: Online, phone
- Workmanship guarantee: 30 days
Pros
- Relatively high $5,000 coverage limit
- Relatively low $54 average monthly rate
- Immediate response to service requests possible
Cons
- Limited policy options
- Relatively short 30-day workmanship guarantee
Also Consider
Select Home Warranty
Why It Made the Cut:
Select Home Warranty gives customers access to frequent promotional discounts, free limited roof-leak coverage, and other membership perks.
Deal-seeking customers may be pleased to learn that Select Home Warranty frequently runs promotional discounts for new and returning customers, offering them ways to save. Though specific terms can vary, these discounts can be sizable and make it easier for homeowners to fit a home warranty into their budget. Select Home Warranty also gives customers the option to add free limited roof-leak coverage regardless of the plan they choose. Although they will need to select this as an add-on service, Select doesn’t charge for the addition, enabling homeowners to expand the scope of their coverage at no additional cost.
If the home warranty coverage doesn’t end up aligning with their needs, customers who cancel their policy before the term is up can receive a prorated refund. However, they will also be required to pay a $75 cancellation fee, which is on the high end for this type of coverage. Homeowners will also need to be aware that claims submitted on weekends or holidays could take as long as 96 hours to process. While this could potentially lead to delays in scheduling repairs, it’s worth noting that claims submitted during regular business hours will likely be processed much faster. Customers who pay in full for an annual policy will also be rewarded with 2 months of extra coverage at no added cost, essentially giving them 14 months of coverage for the price of 12. This offering increases the overall value of a Select Home Warranty policy, allowing homeowners to save on the total cost of their coverage.
Specs
- Maximum coverage limit: $3,000
- Average monthly rate: $62
- Service fee: $75 to $100
- Claims process: Online, phone
- Workmanship guarantee: 60 days
Pros
- Free limited roof-leak coverage available with every policy
- 2 months of free coverage with annual payment
- Frequent promotional discounts
Cons
- Relatively slow claim response of up to 96 hours after receiving service request
- Somewhat high $75 plan-cancellation fee
Our Verdict
We gave the Best Overall award to Liberty Home Guard because of its extra coverage add-ons, flexible payment plans, and low service fee options. The Runner-Up award goes to American Home Shield due to its high coverage limits and standard coverage inclusions for rust, corrosion, and certain pre-existing conditions.
How We Chose the Best Home Warranty Companies in Vermont
To find the best home warranty companies in Vermont, we began by assessing each company’s coverage options, including standard coverage included with different plans and any add-ons homeowners might be able to use to customize or expand their policy. Coverage limits were also an important factor to weigh, as they can impact a customer’s out-of-pocket expenses if the cost to repair or replace covered items exceed those caps.
Cost factors were another key consideration, and we analyzed each provider’s average rates, service fees, and potential discount opportunities to understand the total cost of coverage with each company. Lastly, we closely examined customer service factors ranging from the claims process to the workmanship guarantee to anticipate the potential customer experience with each home warranty company.
Before You Choose One of the Best Home Warranty Companies in Vermont
Before homeowners choose a home warranty plan and provider, it’s a good idea for them to first determine if they need a home warranty and identify their coverage priorities. While some homeowners may be seeking the best warranty for older homes, others may prioritize finding a specific type of coverage, such as the best warranty for roof protection.
Prospective customers will also need to consider how a home warranty might fit into their household budget. In addition to paying monthly rates, customers will need to pay a service fee before scheduling repairs on covered systems and appliances. Available discounts can help lower the total cost of coverage, though, and homeowners may find it’s worth exploring cost-saving opportunities with each company to minimize home warranty expenses.
Cost of Opting for One of the Best Home Warranty Companies in Vermont
Homeowners have two main factors to consider when calculating home warranty costs: monthly rates and service fees. While monthly rates represent the up-front cost of a home warranty, service fees are also important to consider, since they can have a significant impact on the total cost of coverage.
Although the exact cost of a home warranty will depend on several factors, including the home and the coverage options selected by the homeowner, national home warranty costs average around $600 per year. However, Vermont residents may find that rates in their state are somewhat higher than the national average. Home warranty costs can also vary significantly between providers, so it’s a good idea for homeowners to collect and compare quotes from multiple companies before choosing the provider with the best costs and coverage for their needs.
The Advantages of Opting for One of the Best Home Warranty Companies in Vermont
When a critical system or appliance breaks down, homeowners are understandably eager to schedule repairs and move on with their lives. But in this situation, those without a home warranty might be facing repairs or replacements that are prohibitively expensive, while those with a home warranty might have a much easier road to travel. With that in mind, a home warranty is worth it for many homeowners who worry about budgeting for unexpected repairs around the house. The best home warranties in Vermont offer many other potential benefits, including:
- Extensive standard coverage terms, in some cases including coverage for pre-existing conditions, rust, corrosion, or sediment;
- Various service add-ons to expand the scope of coverage and allow customers to customize their policy; and
- Responsive claims representatives who can assign technicians and schedule repair appointments without delay.
FAQs
Residential warranty services vary significantly from company to company, giving prospective customers a long list of factors to consider. While it makes sense that homeowners might harbor some hesitations about pursuing this type of coverage, a home warranty can be a powerful tool for those who understand how to wield it. Reviewing some of the most common questions homeowners have regarding this type of coverage can help minimize confusion and help them enter the home warranty search with confidence.
Q. How long are most home warranties?
Home warranty policies vary in length, though annual policies are the most common option. Companies may have multiyear terms available as well.
Q. How fast can I get a home warranty?
Most home warranties begin with a 30-day waiting period, during which homeowners will be unable to submit any claims. However, some companies may waive the waiting period for new customers under certain circumstances, such as for those switching providers.
Q. What does homeowners insurance cover?
When comparing home warranty vs. homeowners insurance coverage, it’s important for homeowners to understand that home warranties only cover certain appliances and home systems for malfunctions due to age and normal wear and tear. Homeowners insurance, meanwhile, protects against many covered perils such as fire, wind, hail, theft, and vandalism. A standard homeowners insurance policy will include dwelling coverage to protect the structure of the home, personal property coverage for the home’s contents, other structures coverage for detached structures on the property (tool sheds, gazebos, fences, etc.), and liability coverage to protect the policyholder financially.