Repairs for home systems and appliances are expensive when they are no longer covered under original warranties. Out-of-pocket costs can be hundreds, even thousands, of dollars. A home warranty helps protect you from this financial risk. This type of service contract covers all sorts of important household items and minimizes stress levels when breakdowns happen. To inform your purchase, our partners at ConsumerAffairs researched the best home warranty in Tucson.
Home warranties are not to be confused with homeowners insurance. Homeowners insurance, required by lenders, protects you financially from home damage due to natural disasters or events like a fire, or personal property loss due to theft. A home warranty, meanwhile, is optional and pays for select repair and replacement of certain home systems and appliances that break from normal wear and tear.
In Tucson, where temperatures can hit triple digits, a home warranty is useful, for example, to pay for repairs to an overworked air conditioning system.
Home warranties can be purchased anytime, new home or old. In Tucson, home warranties are most popular among:
First-time homebuyers who want coverage for a new home and have limited budgets for repairs
Home sellers who want to provide an extra incentive for potential buyers
Owners of older homes with aging appliances and systems who want to save money on repairs and replacements
Rental property owners who want to protect an investment
Home warranty coverage in Tucson
Plans differ by company, but many will cover appliances (refrigerators, washers, dryers, ovens), systems (plumbing, electrical, HVAC) or both.
Tucson residents also consider purchasing optional coverages, like for a pool, in case a pump or motor breaks. Often it’s possible to completely customize coverage based on your home and preferences.
Most providers of home warranties will not limit the number of covered repairs during your coverage term, but you should verify this, along with any spending limits that may exist in the contract. Coverage usually begins after a 30-day grace period, during which you get a money-back guarantee.
How much does a home warranty cost in Tucson?
The average annual cost of a home warranty in Tucson is between $350 to $600, depending on how much coverage you purchase and the trade service call fee, which is comparable to a deductible. Payments can be made monthly or annually.
To use a home warranty, first contact the company that issued your policy. You will then pay the service call fee, which usually averages between $60 to $100, for the company to send a professional in its network to come and diagnose the problem. If the system or appliance is covered, the home warranty company will pay for and make the repair or replacement.
Choosing a home warranty in Tucson
When shopping for a home warranty in Tucson, consider which plan will best fit your living situation. Estimate the cost of repairing or replacing your most important household appliances and systems and compare that to the cost of a warranty and service call fees.
Be sure to read the contract carefully to learn what is covered and not covered, and ask questions if you’re unsure. Check out reviews, which shed light on customer service, response times and the quality of the contractors.
Finally, don’t forget to ask about available discounts. It is possible to save money with home warranty companies in Tucson by choosing multiple-year coverage or protecting more than one home. Some companies give lower rates to veterans and other groups.
American Home Shield, in business since 1971, is a home warranty industry leader, with nearly 1.7 million customers across 49 states. Customers can choose to get either systems or appliances covered, or a combo plan covering both. Customized plans are also available. American Home Shield offers discounts for referrals and for covering multiple properties and offers a 30-day money-back guarantee. Many customers are satisfied with their coverage and recommend the company to friends and family.
Choice Home Warranty, established in 2008, offers two different plans, plus an extensive list of optional coverages. To make a claim, customers can access the online account center or contact a representative by phone 24/7. All service providers are screened for proper licensing and insurance, and service contracts are 100 percent transferable. Choice Home Warranty customers appreciate the prompt service when they make claims.
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2-10 Home Buyers Warranty
With more than 35 years in business, 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty is an industry leader that covers appliances like a dishwasher, refrigerator, washing machine and air conditioner, to name a few. Whether you’re buying, selling or building a home, 2-10 offers a service agreement to protect you from unexpected repair costs.
With appliance and system plans starting at less than $1 per day, Liberty Home Guard offers flexible plans that let you tailor coverage to fit your home needs. Customer support is open 24/7 and Liberty says that empathy and integrity are core company values.
Total Home Protection offers two home warranty plans, Gold and Platinum, with optional coverage for pools and spas, septic systems, a second refrigerator and more. Claims service is accessible 24/7, and Total Home Protection uses only licensed and insured local contractors. There is no fee to transfer a home warranty. Customers say the company’s representatives are friendly and handle the claims process efficiently.
With tiered pricing options, AFC Home Club makes it easy to see what is and is not covered under its three plans. Choose one that fits your home’s needs and buy extra coverage to protect additional appliances and systems. There’s no deductible, only a $60 service fee. Plans include restaurant gift cards and a retail savings program for cash back at 5,000 retailers.
Select Home Warranty offers three different home warranty plans that each come with a 30-day trial period and the ability to set up easy payment plans. Discounts are available for multiple year purchases. Customers can file claims anytime and get service from a network of qualified local providers. According to reviews, Select Home Warranty staff are knowledgeable and eager to answer questions and assist with claims.
