The Best Home Warranty Companies in West Virginia of 2023

A home warranty can pay to repair covered appliances and home systems as well as help West Virginia homeowners schedule any necessary maintenance. By researching the leading options available, customers can find the best home warranty in West Virginia to suit their needs.

By Jeff Keleher | Updated Jan 12, 2023 4:37 PM

We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. Learn more.

The Best Home Warranty Companies in West Virginia

Photo: istockphoto.com

Budgeting for unexpected expenses isn’t always easy, and as is the case around the country, many West Virginia residents struggle to come up with the money to fix or replace malfunctioning appliances and home systems on short notice. When an HVAC system or refrigerator breaks down, though, homeowners can’t afford to put off repairs. The state of West Virginia is no stranger to storms, heavy rainfall, blizzards, and humidity, all of which can affect the long-term performance of key home systems like air conditioners, plumbing, and central heating. As such, it’s important that homeowners remain vigilant regarding their responsibilities to continually maintain their homes.

A home warranty can be very useful in this regard, as it can help pay for any repairs on covered appliances and home systems and, in a worst-case scenario, cover the cost to replace failing equipment. In many cases, home warranty companies will even handle all of the legwork necessary to find a skilled technician and schedule an appointment for any repairs that are covered under the customer’s plan. This can be very convenient for homeowners who don’t have the time or inclination to vet contractors and find a technician with the expertise to repair broken appliances or bring faulty home systems back online.

The top home warranty companies all have a lot to offer, but it’s important that individual homeowners look for one that can provide the right mix of benefits to suit their specific situation. Taking the time to review each provider can go a long way toward finding the best home warranty in West Virginia for a particular household.

  1. BEST OVERALL: Liberty Home Guard
  2. RUNNER-UP: Choice Home Warranty
  3. BEST COVERAGE LIMITS: American Home Shield
  4. BEST DISCOUNTS: Select Home Warranty
  5. ALSO CONSIDER: American Residential Warranty
The Best Home Warranty Companies in West Virginia Options

Photo: istockphoto.com

What to Consider When Choosing One of the Best Home Warranty Companies in West Virginia

When searching for the best home warranties in West Virginia, homeowners may want to first create a list of features or qualities that a home warranty provider will need to possess in order to be considered. Knowing what to prioritize can help customers figure out what they really want in a home warranty so they will be able to quickly and efficiently assess their options and narrow down the pool of candidates to a select group that can deliver precisely what they need.

Policies and Plans

Home warranty companies often offer multiple plans for customers to consider, all varying in cost and coverage. It’s common for companies to have separate plans that exclusively cover either appliances or home systems, along with one or two more-comprehensive plans that will cover a combination of both. As homeowners compare West Virginia home warranties, they will no doubt notice that while certain coverage terms will remain the same from one company to another, some providers will offer more extensive coverage than others. Home warranty plans may cover a wider range of appliances or repair jobs, giving homeowners more value for their money.

Another consideration is the amount of coverage provided. Home warranties often have distinct coverage limits for different items—HVAC repairs will typically have higher coverage amounts than dishwasher repairs, for instance. It’s a good idea for homeowners to compare coverage limits so they know exactly how much their home warranty company is willing to spend to fix or replace faulty equipment.

Average Monthly Rate

Comparing rates across different home warranty companies can be tricky because each provider will likely offer multiple plans at various price points. Once homeowners know exactly what they’re looking for in a home warranty they may have an easier time comparing warranties with similar coverage terms. Early on in the vetting process, though, it may be worthwhile to look at the average monthly rate of each company to get a sense of how affordable the different options may be. Homeowners are likely to find a pretty wide range of prices across home warranty companies, especially before applying available discounts or adding on extra coverage options. As such, they may want to shop around and check the average monthly rates of multiple companies to start narrowing down their search.

Discounts

Home warranty companies often offer discounts to entice new customers and help homeowners lower the cost of their policy. It’s not unusual to find companies running promotions that can shave a significant amount of money off the price of a home warranty, making coverage that much more affordable. Customers who sign up for a new policy or choose to renew an existing plan may also receive a month or more of coverage for free. Such offers can lower the total cost of a home warranty, so it’s always a good idea to account for any potential discounts when comparing the best home warranty companies in West Virginia.

Homeowners may also be able to take advantage of discounts on other purchases as an extra benefit for signing up for a home warranty. For instance, some companies have exclusive partnerships with appliance manufacturers that allow them to give customers discounted rates on new refrigerators, ovens, and other appliances. Such discounts can add to the overall value that a home warranty can provide, so that may be another factor for West Virginia homeowners to consider when buying a policy.

Service Fee

In addition to the up-front cost that customers pay for a home warranty, they will also owe a service fee when the time comes to submit a claim and set up a repair job. Service fees—also known as technician fees—are widespread in the home warranty industry, but these expenses can vary from one company to another. In some cases, home warranty companies may charge a flat service fee for every policy they offer, but it’s just as likely that they will provide a range of options to consider. West Virginia homeowners will want to be aware that selecting a lower service fee will often increase their home warranty rates and vice versa. This is an important consideration when evaluating the cost of coverage for different home warranties since any service fees owed will be paid entirely out of pocket by the customer.

Waiting Period

New customers will typically need to wait a set amount of time before their policies go into effect. The reason for these waiting periods is relatively simple: Home warranty providers want to protect themselves from bad actors who would sign up for coverage solely to have the company pay to repair a pre-existing condition. In many cases, waiting periods can run 30 days, but it’s possible they can exceed that time frame, raising concerns about potential coverage gaps when taking out a home warranty.

Companies may offer opportunities to waive the waiting period and start coverage right away. For instance, homeowners who already have a policy with another company and want to switch providers may be able to start a new policy without being subject to a waiting period. That could be good food for thought for West Virginia residents who don’t want to wait for their home warranty coverage to begin.

Claims Process

Time is of the essence when it comes to filing a home warranty claim as homeowners may need to schedule repairs as soon as possible, especially if they have a faulty refrigerator or their HVAC system breaks down in the middle of a humid West Virginia summer. With that in mind, prospective customers will want to consider how the best home warranty companies in West Virginia approach the claims process. Online claims platforms are fairly common, but not all companies will have an online tool available for customers to file a claim. Conversely, West Virginia residents may come across home warranty companies that only support online claims and do not allow customers to file claims over the phone. Customers will have their own individual preferences regarding how they file home warranty claims, so this can be a key factor to weigh when searching for the best home warranty providers.

Workmanship Guarantee

The quality of workmanship provided can have a major impact on a homeowner’s experience with a home warranty policy. Because home warranty companies work with a wide variety of technicians located all across West Virginia, it can be difficult to anticipate how satisfied a customer will be with any repairs scheduled through a home warranty company. To provide more peace of mind, home warranty companies will typically offer a workmanship guarantee on any repairs that are covered by their policies. As long as that guarantee is in effect, customers can schedule additional technician appointments without needing to pay another service fee. Workmanship guarantees can vary significantly in terms of their length, with some companies only guaranteeing work for 30 days, while others may guarantee repairs for the entire duration of the policy.

Our Top Picks

Choosing the right policy often comes down to finding the right match for a homeowner’s particular home warranty needs. The best home warranty companies in West Virginia each offer certain benefits to consider, including costs, coverage options, and extra perks.

Best Overall

Photo: libertyhomeguard.com

Why It Made the Cut: Liberty Home Guard offers low prices, numerous add-on options, a user-friendly quote process, and various payment plans for West Virginia customers to explore.

Liberty Home Guard gives West Virginia residents plenty to mull over when looking for the best home warranty options available. Prospective customers may be enticed by the company’s relatively low prices, with average monthly rates hovering around $55. When weighing their policy options with Liberty Home Guard, customers will want to take note of the range of service fees, which can run as high as $125. Thanks to the company’s user-friendly online quote tool that clearly lays out all costs associated with a policy, it’s relatively easy for new customers to anticipate their total out-of-pocket costs and tweak their policy terms as needed.

Customers who sign up for a new policy may also want to keep in mind that the waiting period could extend for up to 60 days in some cases. Even so, it may be worth the wait to take advantage of Liberty Home Guard’s many service options, including coverage for sump pumps, roof leaks, second refrigerators, stand-alone freezers, and professional-grade appliances. With such extensive coverage options, homeowners can tailor their home warranty to their exact needs. When it comes to time to make a payment, customers can choose to pay month to month, on an annual basis, or even several years in advance. Those who do pay for multiple years up front can receive additional discounts to lower the cost of their home warranty.

Specs

  • Average monthly rate: $55
  • Service fee: $60 to $125
  • Waiting period: 30 to 60 days
  • Claims process: Online, phone
  • Workmanship guarantee: 60 days

Pros

  • Relatively low $55 average monthly rate
  • Wide variety of service add-ons
  • Special coverage available for professional-grade appliances
  • Transparent and customizable online quote process
  • Flexible payment plans

Cons

  • High $125 maximum service fee
  • Potential of a long 60-day waiting period

Runner-Up

The Best Home Warranty Companies in West Virginia Option Choice Home Warranty
Photo: choicehomewarranty.com

Why It Made the Cut: Customers who choose Choice Home Warranty may benefit from the company’s quick turnaround times on service requests, long workmanship guarantees, and affordable rates.

Choice Home Warranty may offer West Virginia residents an affordable option for their home warranty needs. The company’s $55 average monthly rate is fairly low for this market, which could help customers get a good deal on a policy by going with Choice Home Warranty. In addition, homeowners who already have an active home warranty with another company and want to switch providers can get their waiting period waived so coverage will start right away.

Choice Home Warranty charges an $85 service fee no matter what plan or coverage options a customer selects, which may limit opportunities to adjust out-of-pocket costs. The company’s approach to claims may benefit customers overall, though, as policyholders can expect to receive a response within 4 hours of filing a claim. With such a quick turnaround time, homeowners may be able to schedule technician appointments and have their covered appliances or home systems repaired as soon as possible. Once repairs are completed, customers can enjoy the peace of mind that comes with Choice Home Warranty’s generous workmanship guarantee, which runs 60 days for labor and 90 days for any parts or materials used. This way, if any follow-up repairs are needed within that time frame, customers won’t need to worry about paying additional service fees.

Specs

  • Average monthly rate: $55
  • Service fee: $85
  • Waiting period: 30 days
  • Claims process: Online, phone
  • Workmanship guarantee: 60 days labor, 90 days parts

Pros

  • Relatively low $55 average monthly rate
  • Quick claim response within 4 hours of service request
  • Relatively long workmanship guarantee (60 days for labor; 90 days for parts)
  • Waiting period waived for customers with an existing home warranty

Cons

  • No service fee flexibility

Best Coverage Limits

The Best Home Warranty Companies in West Virginia Option American Home Shield
Photo: ahs.com

Why It Made the Cut: American Home Shield may be a terrific option for many West Virginia homeowners on account of the company’s impressive coverage limits on home systems and various extra perks and benefits that come with a policy.

Homeowners looking for extensive coverage limits on their home warranty may find American Home Shield to be the right choice to suit their needs. The company does not set a hard cost limit on any covered home system repairs, regardless of which plan a customer chooses. This means that customers don’t need to worry about their claims on home systems like HVAC, plumbing, or electrical systems being denied because they exceed coverage limits. While the 30-day workmanship guarantee is a little short, customers can schedule repairs on more- specialized home systems like geothermal AC units that may require specific skills and expertise from technicians.

With such extensive standard coverage terms, it may come as no surprise that rates can be a bit on the high side. The maximum service fee option is somewhat pricey at $125 as well. American Home Shield customers may be able to get more value out of their policies by taking advantage of the company’s various discounted rates on routine maintenance tasks. For instance, customers can schedule a free or discounted HVAC tune-up, depending on which plan they purchase. They can also receive unlimited or discounted air- conditioning refrigerant refills to keep their systems running properly all year-round. Every policy comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee, so new customers have the option to cancel their plan if it’s not the right fit for them.

Specs

  • Average monthly rate: $93
  • Service fee: $75 to $125
  • Waiting period: 30 days
  • Claims process: Online, phone
  • Workmanship guarantee: 30 days

Pros

  • No service cost limit on home system repairs
  • Standard geothermal AC repairs coverage
  • Free or discounted HVAC tune-ups
  • Unlimited or discounted AC refrigerant refills
  • 30-day money-back guarantee

Cons

  • High $93 average monthly rate
  • Relatively high $125 maximum service fee
  • Relatively short 30-day workmanship guarantee

Best Discounts

The Best Home Warranty Companies in West Virginia Option Select Home Warranty
Photo: selecthomewarranty.com

Why It Made the Cut: There are many opportunities for Select Home Warranty customers to lower their total cost of coverage thanks to the various discounts and free coverage options offered by the company.

Select Home Warranty provides many different ways for customers to reduce the total cost of their policy and increase the value of their home warranty plan. For instance, customers who choose to pay for a full year’s worth of coverage up front will receive a significant discount equivalent to 2 free months of service. Select Home Warranty also frequently runs promotions that can reduce policy rates by a large amount, in some cases lowering home warranty costs by as much as 30 percent of their listed price.

It’s worth noting that the company’s workmanship guarantee is fairly short for this market at 30 days, but with so many discount opportunities available, customers may not mind that trade-off to take advantage of lower home warranty prices. On top of the other discounts mentioned above, Select Home Warranty also provides free limited roof coverage with every policy, which can help pay to patch roofs and fix any related water leaks.

Specs

  • Average monthly rate: $62
  • Service fee: $75 to $100
  • Waiting period: 30 days
  • Claims process: Online, email
  • Workmanship guarantee: 30 days

Pros

  • Free limited roof coverage with every policy
  • 2 months of free coverage with annual payment
  • Frequent promotional discounts

Cons

  • Relatively short 30-day workmanship guarantee

Also Consider

The Best Home Warranty Companies in West Virginia Option American Residential Warranty
Photo: arwhome.com

Why It Made the Cut: With low service fees and various discounts to apply, American Residential Warranty could be an affordable option for West Virginia residents who are in the market for a home warranty.

American Residential Warranty may be an appealing option to West Virginia homeowners, especially those seeking discounted rates and a lower total cost of coverage. The company runs promotional discounts that could shave a significant amount off a home warranty policy and make this kind of coverage more affordable for customers living in West Virginia. Prospective customers may want to closely review their policy options if they’re looking for home system coverage, as the company does not offer a stand-alone policy for HVAC systems: This is somewhat uncommon for home warranties.

Another factor to keep in mind is that all claims need to be submitted over the phone, but some homeowners may prefer to talk through their claim with an agent and receive more hands-on support than an online platform could facilitate. West Virginia residents looking for additional perks may be interested in American Residential Warranty’s exclusive appliance discount program, which could enable customers to get as much as 30 percent off a new appliance.

Specs

  • Average monthly rate: $65
  • Service fee: $55
  • Waiting period: 30 days
  • Claims process: Phone
  • Workmanship guarantee: 30 days labor, 60 days parts

Pros

  • Low $55 service fee
  • Frequent promotional discounts
  • Up to 30 percent discount on new appliances

Cons

  • No stand-alone HVAC coverage
  • No online claims/ process

Our Verdict

Liberty Home Guard is our choice for Best Overall because of the company’s low rates, wide range of add-on options, flexible payment schedules, and intuitive online quote process. We gave Runner-Up to Choice Home Warranty on account of its quick response time on service requests, lengthy workmanship guarantee, and relatively affordable prices on home warranty coverage.

How We Chose the Best Home Warranty Companies in West Virginia

When determining the best home warranty companies in West Virginia, one of the first factors we considered was coverage. To that end, we looked at the coverage included with each company’s various policies, identified any notable gaps that customers would want to be aware of, and checked out add-on services that could be useful to West Virginia homeowners. Cost considerations also played into our rankings, as we looked closely at the average monthly rate of each organization, along with any discounts that could lower home warranty prices, service fee options that could impact the total cost of coverage, and extra perks that may affect the overall value that a policy could provide.

The claims process was another key feature we weighed during our review process, including the different claims platforms supported by home warranty companies, expected response times to service requests, and the workmanship guarantees offered to customers. By doing so, we could glean a more complete picture of what the customer experience looks like when actually submitting claims and scheduling repairs.

Before You Choose One of the Best Home Warranty Companies in West Virginia

Home warranties can be incredibly valuable in the right circumstances, but homeowners may want to consider whether they need this kind of coverage before buying a policy. In some cases, home systems or appliances could still be covered under a manufacturer’s warranty, which may cover the same type of repairs that a home warranty would. If that’s the case, homeowners may be able to put off buying a home warranty until the manufacturer’s warranty expires. Homeowners will also want to keep in mind that home warranties cover wear and tear, but not damage caused by fire, windstorms, theft, and other perils. Because incidents of that nature are often covered by homeowners insurance, West Virginia residents may find that a home warranty policy can be a solid complement to their existing homeowners insurance coverage.

Prospective customers will also want to look closely at a warranty’s terms and conditions, which may clearly outline what is and isn’t covered by that policy. For example, some companies may exclude older home systems and appliances from their coverage, which could lead to customers having their claims denied. In addition, it’s not always clear what constitutes an “older home system” in those situations, so homeowners may want to reach out to a representative for clarification if they find this kind of language in their policy’s fine print.

Cost of Opting for One of the Best Home Warranty Companies in West Virginia

There are many variables that can impact a customer’s home warranty cost in West Virginia. Companies frequently offer multiple policies to choose from, and plans with more comprehensive coverage will undoubtedly cost more than those that only cover certain appliances or home systems. Customers may also have the option to add extra coverage options to their policy, which will raise the price of their plan.
Home warranty discounts are fairly common in the West Virginia market, and eligible customers can take advantage of these offers to lower the cost of their policy—sometimes to a significant degree.

Homeowners will also want to keep in mind that their choice of service fee will affect both the initial and long-term cost of their policy. Selecting a more-expensive service fee will often lower a policy’s rate, but customers will pay more out of pocket when they need to schedule any covered repairs.

The Advantages of Opting for One of the Best Home Warranty Companies in West Virginia

A home warranty can be very handy if a homeowner’s covered home systems or appliances break down due to normal wear and tear. A premium home warranty in West Virginia can extend to an even wider variety of items and repair jobs. When homeowners are considering the potential cost to replace a refrigerator or conduct major repairs on an HVAC system, buying a home warranty is worth it in many situations. Budgeting for these kinds of unexpected repairs could otherwise be very difficult for many homeowners across the country, including West Virginia homeowners who are on a fixed income or need to prioritize other regular housing costs and living expenses. Getting a policy with one of the best home warranty companies in West Virginia can benefit customers in several other ways too:

  • Numerous service options and add-ons, including coverage for restaurant-quality appliances, geothermal AC units, and roof leaks.
  • Convenient and speedy claims processes with 4-hour response times in some cases.
  • Extra perks such as free HVAC tune-ups and discounts on new appliances that help increase the total value of a home warranty.

FAQs

Finding the perfect home warranty for a given situation requires a bit of research and due diligence, but homeowners can start their search on the right foot by gathering some background information about how home warranties work, especially when it comes to the policies available in West Virginia. With that in mind, prospective customers may want to consider looking over some of the most common questions homeowners have about this type of policy so they can find the best home warranties in West Virginia.

Q. How soon after purchase is my home warranty effective?

Home warranties typically have a waiting period to prevent unscrupulous homeowners from filing claims on existing issues at the outset of their policy. Although there are no home warranty regulations in West Virginia that dictate how long a waiting period should run, 30 days is fairly common. That being said, some companies may require a longer waiting period before coverage begins.

Q. What is the most reliable home warranty company?

Determining the most reliable home warranty company can be difficult because customer experiences are highly subjective, but there are some factors to consider when vetting providers. Reviewing the terms of coverage listed in a policy can help homeowners anticipate when claims may be denied due to age, poor maintenance, or other circumstances. Customers may feel more comfortable working with a home warranty company that offers long workmanship guarantees as well. As long as homeowners do their due diligence when searching for the best home warranty companies, then they should be able to find a reliable provider.

Q. How does a West Virginia home warranty work?

West Virginia home warranties work the same way they do in any other part of the country. Home warranties cover the cost to repair or replace covered appliances or home systems. After paying a service fee, customers can schedule a technician to inspect and repair their covered items or, if necessary, replace them with new appliances or equipment. These basic conditions will remain largely the same regardless of whether customers buy a home warranty in Charleston, West Virginia, or any other part of the state.

Q. Is American Residential Warranty any good?

American Residential Warranty can be a good home warranty option for West Virginia residents due to the company’s low service fee and various available discounts to help lower the cost of coverage. That being said, there is no one-size-fits-all solution, and homeowners should research all of their options before deciding on the best home warranty for their needs.

Q. Is Choice Home Warranty worth it?

Choice Home Warranty offers a number of benefits that may appeal to West Virginia residents, including low average monthly rates, a responsive claims management team, and a fairly long workmanship guarantee for the market. Homeowners may find a better fit elsewhere, depending on what exactly they’re looking for in a home warranty company, so vetting all potential options is still recommended.

Q. Can you negotiate home warranty prices and coverage terms?

Home warranty companies are unlikely to negotiate with customers over their prices or the coverage options included in a policy. That being said, customers may be able to appeal any claims that are denied and argue their case with their provider to be reimbursed for any repairs they pay for out of pocket under some circumstances.