Adobe Stock – Melissa King
If you live in Ohio, a home warranty plan can help protect your home’s most important items, save you money, and provide you with peace of mind. With so many companies in the home warranty industry offering so many different plans, it can be difficult to figure out which company is right for you.
We feel confident that these four companies are all wise choices based on our reviews. After reviewing dozens of the top home warranty companies, our team recommends American Home Shield, Select Home Warranty, Choice Home Warranty, and First American Home Warranty as great choices for Ohio residents.
All prices listed reflect sample quotes received for single-family homes in Ohio under 5,000 square feet. If you live in Cleveland, Cincinnati, Columbus, or anywhere else in Ohio, we’re confident that there’s a home warranty plan right for you.
#1 Best Overall: American Home Shield
Our top overall choice for a home warranty in Ohio is American Home Shield (AHS). AHS has been in business since 1971, making it the most experienced home warranty provider on our list.
American Home Shield’s three plan offerings are the Appliances Plan, Systems Plan, and Combo Plan. The Appliances Plan covers important appliances in your kitchen and laundry room, like your refrigerator and washing machine. The Systems Plan’s protection includes your air conditioning unit, plumbing system, and electrical system. The Combo Plan, for a few extra dollars per month, covers everything included in both the System Plan and the Combo Plan.
Here’s a rundown of what’s protected along with plan prices:
The Appliances Plan covers:
The Systems Plan covers:
-
Air Conditioning
-
Heating
-
Ductwork
-
Built-in Exhaust/Vent/Attic Fans
-
Electrical System
-
Smoke Detectors
-
Ceiling Fans
-
Central Vacuum
-
Interior Plumbing Line Leaks and Breaks
-
Plumbing Stoppages
-
Toilets
-
Faucets
-
Plumbing Fixtures and Valves
-
Whirlpool Tub Motors and Components
-
Water Heaters
-
Instant Hot/Cold Water Dispensers
-
Garbage Disposals
-
Re-keying
$75 Service Fee:
-
Systems Plan: $49.99 per month
-
Appliances Plan: $49.99 per month
-
Combo Plan: $59.99 per month
$100 Service Fee:
-
Systems Plan: $39.99 per month
-
Appliances Plan: $39.99 per month
-
Combo Plan: $49.99 per month
$125 Service Fee:
-
Systems Plan: $34.99 per month
-
Appliances Plan: $34.99 per month
-
Combo Plan: $44.99 per month
One of the perks of utilizing AHS is its flexibility with service call fees. You are free to choose from three service call fees, and your monthly rate will reflect your choice. If you choose a higher service call fee, you’ll pay slightly more for repairs, but you’ll save money each month when making your payments.
American Home Shield has a wide network of trusted technicians, but often times, customers already have trusted technicians who they’d rather use. With AHS, there is an option to get your own technician approved, as long as they’re licensed and adequately insured.
American Home Shield is a trusted provider of home warranties; it has both an online portal and customer service hotline available 24/7 for submitting repair claims. AHS also has add-on coverage options available so you can cover the items you want to protect. You don’t have to pay for items bundled in that you don’t need covered.
Get a free online quote or call 844-529-9298 for a full list of items covered, limits, and exclusions. Better Homes & Gardens readers get $50 off when signing up for a plan.
#2 Best for Budget Shoppers: Select Home Warranty
Select Home Warranty’s inexpensive rates and $75 service call fee make it our top choice for homeowners looking for coverage while on a budget.
Select offers three plans—the Bronze Care, Gold Care, and Platinum Care plans. The Bronze Care plan covers appliances, the Gold Care plan covers systems, and the Platinum Care combines both and adds a few more items.
With a handful of add-on options also available, Select’s plan offerings ensure that you can have coverage for the items most important to you without breaking the bank. For only $8 more per month, the Platinum Care plan covers everything included in the Bronze Care and Gold Care plans. Here’s a rundown of Select’s plans and prices:
Bronze Care:
-
Clothes Washer
-
Clothes Dryer
-
Garbage Disposal
-
Refrigerator
-
Stove/Oven
-
Built-in Microwave Oven
-
Cooktop
-
Dishwasher
Gold Care:
-
Plumbing System
-
Heating System
-
AC/Cooling
-
Electrical System
-
Water Heater
-
Ductwork
Platinum Care:
-
Bronze Care Plan
-
Gold Care Plan
-
Garage Door Opener
-
Ceiling Fan
-
Plumbing Stoppages
Select Home Warranty’s plans all come with a $75 service call fee, which is on the cheaper side among providers. Here’s how much you’ll pay for each plan.
Bronze Care: $36 per month
Gold Care: $36 per month
Platinum Care: $42 per month
Select has been in business since 2012 and already covers 49 states, including Ohio. Its $42 Platinum Plan covers a wide range of appliances and systems at a lower price than its competitors. Get a sample quote online or call 888-370-3956. Better Homes & Gardens readers get $100 off and two months free when signing up for a plan with Select.
#3 Best for Older Homes: Choice Home Warranty
Choice Home Warranty is our top pick among providers to cover older homes. The company was founded in 2008. Since then, Choice has expanded its network to cover 48 states, including Ohio.
Choice’s plan menu is simple, which we like. You can choose between the Basic Plan and the Total Plan. Both options cover appliances and systems. The Basic Plan covers nine systems and appliances, and the Total Plan covers an extra three for complete coverage. Options for add-ons include pool and septic tank coverage if you need protection for those items.
Here is a list of items covered and prices with Choice Home Warranty:
Basic Plan:
-
Heating System
-
Electrical System
-
Plumbing System
-
Plumbing Stoppage
-
Water Heater
-
Whirlpool Bathtub
-
Oven/Range/Stove
-
Cooktop
-
Dishwasher
-
Built-in Microwave
-
Garbage Disposal
-
Ductwork
-
Garage Door Opener
-
Ceiling and Exhaust Fans
Total Plan:
-
Basic Plan
-
Air Conditioning
-
Refrigerator
-
Clothes Washer
-
Clothes Dryer
Basic Plan: $41.69 per month
Total Plan: $50.00 per month
Choice’s limits of liability are less complicated than most home warranty providers. Choice sets a general limit of $3000 for repairs on individual items. This is one reason why it’s our top choice for older homes. If you have items that will likely need repairs in the future, you’ll know exactly how much Choice will contribute to repairs. You’ll pay between $60-85 per service call, which is on the lower end among home warranty providers.
Choice offers 24/7 customer service both online and over the phone. We are impressed with the comprehensive coverage offered by Choice’s base plan. It is a reputable home warranty provider with accessible customer service outlets. To find out more aboutChoice’s generous limits, get a quote online or call 929-400-6165. Better Homes & Gardens readers get $50 off and one month free when signing on for a plan.
#4 Most Comprehensive Claim Coverage: First American Home Warranty
First American Home Warranty scored best in class for comprehensive claim coverage. This is due in part to its generous limits on repair coverage; many items and systems are even fully covered.
As far as plans are concerned, First American offers a Basic Plan and a Premier Plan. The Basic Plan covers mainly appliances, and the Premier Plan covers all of the Basic Plan and adds several home systems.
Here is what’s covered in each plan and what each costs:
Basic Plan:
-
Washer/Dryer
-
Dishwasher
-
Refrigerator
-
Oven/Range
-
Cooktop
-
Microwave
-
Garbage Disposal
-
Trash Compactor
The Basic Plan is $32 per month.
Premier Plan:
-
Basic Plan
-
Plumbing
-
Heating
-
Water Heater
-
Electrical System
-
Garage Door Opener
-
Ductwork
-
Central Vacuum System
The Premier Plan is $43.50 per month.
The only drawback to these plans is the lack of air conditioning coverage. Air conditioning is one of the available add-ons from First American, and your central air conditioning system can be covered with no limits for a few extra dollars per month. Other add-ons include well pump and pool coverage.
First American, like the other top home warranty companies, offers 24/7 customer service. Its inexpensive $75 service call fee, combined with its generous coverage limits, make First American a great choice for any consumer. For a full list of prices, limits, and exclusions, get a free online quote or by call 833-777-0049.
Frequently Asked Questions about Ohio Home Warranties
What is a home warranty and do I need one?
A home warranty is a good way for many homeowners to save money on costly repairs. Instead of footing the bill yourself, your home warranty company will pay for some or all of the repairs on your covered items.
Which company is the best?
American Home Shield is our top-rated home warranty provider, but we think Select Home Warranty, Choice Home Warranty, and First American Home Warranty are all great options. We recommend getting a variety of quotes before making a decision.
How can I get a sample quote?
Getting a sample quote is easy. Follow the links above for each company. Most companies will ask for your name and address, and you’ll receive a quote in seconds. Sample quotes are free of charge and can provide useful information to help you make the optimal decision for your home warranty plan.