Best Home Warranty Companies in Minnesota (2023)
Worried about paying for unexpected repairs if your home’s major appliances and systems break down? A home warranty can help. These contracts cover repair and replacement costs when systems and appliances malfunction from regular use. Our team reviewed the best home warranty companies nationwide, then chose the top home warranty providers available in Minnesota.
Minnesota’s Top 5 Home Warranty Companies
The best home warranty companies in Minnesota provide comprehensive coverage, offer affordable payment options, and have excellent customer service teams to answer service requests 24/7. The highest-rated Minnesota home warranty companies include the following:
- Liberty Home Guard: Best Customer Ratings
- American Home Shield: Best for Comprehensive Coverage
- Select Home Warranty: Best Value
- America’s First Choice Home Club: Best for Customization
- Cinch Home Services: Best for Additional Perks
Summary of the Best Home Warranty Companies in Minnesota
BBB ratings are accurate as of October 2023.
Home warranty plan pricing in this article is based on a 2,670-square-foot, single-family home in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Your monthly premium may vary based on your home’s location, size, type and your plan and add-on choices.
How Much Does a Home Warranty Cost in Minnesota?
Multiple factors can affect the cost of a home warranty in Minnesota. Our research shows a Minnesota home warranty costs $53 monthly or $636 annually. We pulled quotes for a 2,200-square-foot, single-family home in Rochester to obtain our cost average. Pricing for your home warranty largely depends on the coverage plan and add-ons you select. For example, a basic plan that covers six major systems will cost less than a comprehensive plan that covers more than 20 items. Add-ons can also raise your monthly cost because they cover items outside of the standard plans.
We recommend pulling several quotes from various providers to get an understanding of how much a home warranty costs for your home.
Annual Home Warranty Cost Calculator
Our team created a calculator to break down the estimated annual cost of owning a home warranty. Enter your monthly premium, service call fee, and estimated number of claims to see your projected annual cost. It’s best to request a quote directly from one of our recommended providers, as annual costs and service fees vary between them.
Appliance | Average Repair Cost | Average Replacement Cost |
---|---|---|
Dehumidifier |
$50–$200 |
$1,300–$2,800 |
Microwave |
$50–$400 |
$60–$2,000 |
Dishwasher |
$50–$500 |
$400–$3,000 |
Exhaust Fans |
$16–$300 |
$250–$950 |
Electric Range |
$100–$500 |
$230–$3,000 |
Gas Range |
$100–$500 |
$230–$3,000 |
Dryer |
$100–$400 |
$450–$2,300 |
Oven |
$100–$430 |
$400–$3,000 |
Washer |
$50–$450 |
$400–$2,300 |
Freezer |
$90–$500 |
$160–$2,900 |
Refrigerator |
$40–$350 |
$200–$5,000 |
Note: The annual cost figure generated by our home warranty calculator is not an indication of a company’s actual plan cost, as annual costs and service fees vary based on your plan selections and your home’s size, type, and location.
How Are Home Warranties Regulated in Minnesota?
Minnesota’s Insurance Division (MID) oversees home warranty regulation under the state’s Department of Commerce. Minnesota statute § 59B.01 to 59B.11 is in place to ensure service contract companies fulfill their financial and ethical responsibilities to consumers. According to statute § 59B.01 to 59B.11, companies must obtain a surety bond with the MID before receiving a license. Companies must also write their service contracts in clear language to minimize consumer confusion.
We did additional research and discovered some third-party organizations also oversee home warranties. One such organization is the Service Contract Industry Council (SCIC). The SCIC works with lawmakers nationwide to create regulations that protect the consumer and treat service contract companies fairly.
If you believe your home warranty provider is neglecting its contractual obligations, you can file a complaint with the MID.
Factors To Consider Before Buying a Minnesota Home Warranty
Buying a home warranty in Minnesota is an important decision you shouldn’t take lightly. You could end up purchasing a plan that lacks coverage for your essential appliances or systems. Conversely, you could overpay for coverage you don’t need. To help you choose the right home warranty, here are key points to consider:
- Coverage: Take note of all the home systems and appliances you use most during your normal routine. Also, consider their age. If your appliances and systems are more than 10 years old, a home warranty could provide a financial safety net once they need repairs.
- Contract terms: Read the fine print carefully. Understand the conditions under which a provider will approve a repair or replacement. Ensure there aren’t gaps in coverage, specifically on item components, that might leave you without coverage when needed.
- Service providers: Be aware of the time a home warranty company takes to send a service provider to your home. Ask where the company sources its in-network technicians and if there is a vetting process before working with said technicians. Avoid home warranty companies that don’t have a vetting process or give you a vague answer.
Expert Takes on Home Warranties
We interviewed industry experts and compiled answers to common questions about home warranties. Read our experts’ takes below:
- Can I trust home warranties? Gary Parker, owner of Gary Buys Houses, has one tip to confirm whether a home warranty provider is trustworthy: “Check if the company is licensed and belongs to professional organizations or associations that uphold ethical standards.”
- How do I choose the best home warranty company? Patrick Grayson, a Paramount Property Buyers real-estate expert, says, “When shopping for a home warranty, consider the coverage each company offers and ensure it fits your needs.” He continues, “Some companies may offer more coverage than others, so make sure to compare all your options.”
- Why must I wait before I can start using my Minnesota home warranty? Chuck Vander Stelt, a Quadwalls Realtor, says home warranty companies include a waiting period to prevent claims for items with preexisting conditions. “If you already own the home you’re getting a home warranty for, there is typically a 30- to 90-day blackout period where you can’t make claims,” he adds.
Our Conclusion
Based on your research, we chose American Home Shield as the best home warranty company for Minnesota residents. The company offers comprehensive coverage with generous coverage caps. Consider Liberty Home Guard if you want reliable customer support. If affordable premiums are a priority, choose Select Home Warranty as your provider.
Before buying a Minnesota home warranty, we recommend getting a quote from all three companies listed in this review so you can compare price estimates and choose the coverage that best fits your budget.
Other Resources for Residents in Minnesota
- Best Homeowners Insurance in Minnesota
- Best Solar Companies in Minnesota
- Best Moving Companies in Minnesota
FAQ About Home Warranties in Minnesota
How much does a Minnesota home warranty cost?
On average, a Minnesota home warranty costs between $350 and $650 per year. Costs will depend on the coverage level selected, your home size, and where you live. In addition, customers will pay a service call fee every time they file a claim. This deductible typically costs between $75 and $125. Since pricing varies by provider, we recommend getting quotes from several companies to see how costs compare.
Do home warranty companies provide roof-leak coverage?
Many home warranty companies offer roof-leak coverage, but some only offer it as an add-on or in higher plan tiers. Some companies, such as Select Home Warranty, include roof-leak coverage with every plan. We recommend checking each sample quote to verify roof-leak inclusions.
What items are typically included in a home warranty?
Home warranties typically include major home appliances and systems such as HVAC, refrigerators, clothes washers and dryers, and plumbing lines. Some companies offer add-ons that expand your coverage for other items and services, such as pools, luxury appliances, and pest control.
How Do I Find the Best Home Warranty Company in My Area?
Find in-depth reviews on the best home warranty companies for each state and major U.S. city below.
Our Rating Methodology
We back up our home warranty ratings and recommendations with a detailed rating methodology to score each provider objectively. We conduct research by speaking with company representatives, requesting quotes, analyzing sample contracts, and conducting focus groups and consumer surveys.
We score each provider against our review standards, which include four comparison categories: coverage, value, trust and transparency, and availability and service. We rate each provider across 31 factors within these categories. Each factor is assigned a point value based on its importance to a homeowner, totaling 100 points. We then convert the final scores to a 5-star rating.
Here’s a breakdown of our weighted factors:
- Coverage (40%): We scored coverage based on included home systems and appliances, add-on options, and unique benefits. We also compared coverage caps and policy exclusions.
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- Additional coverage items
- Annual coverage cap
- Home systems coverage
- Major appliances coverage
- Obstructed wall coverage cap
- Value (30%): We compared the coverage level received to monthly pricing to determine plan value. We considered premium pricing, service fees, and flexibility in customizing plan costs.
-
- Average monthly cost
- Cost flexibility
- Lowest service fee
- Trust and Transparency (16%): We evaluated each company’s reputation using the Better Business Bureau ratings and customer reviews on third-party review sites. We read through plan change policies, workmanship protections, and sample contract availability.
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- Brand reputation
- Policy change flexibility
- Sample contract availability
- Workmanship guarantee length
- Availability and Service (14%): We award higher scores for faster claim processing and response times. We also considered service technician policies, including options to choose your technician.
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- Claims process
- Guaranteed response time
- Service flexibility
To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our Reviews Team at reviews@thisoldhousereviews.com.