Whether you live in St. Louis, Kansas City, or West Plains, you can get home warranty coverage to protect your Missouri residence’s major systems and appliances. In exchange for a monthly premium and service call fee, a home warranty provider handles the costs and scheduling associated with the repair or replacement of your covered items.
To help with your research, we reviewed the best home warranty companies in the nation and selected the top providers for Missouri. We determined our selections by comparing plan costs, coverage options, and additional perks.
Missouri’s Top 4 Home Warranty Companies
The highest-rated Missouri home warranty companies include the following:
- American Home Shield: Best Coverage Caps
- Liberty Home Guard: Best Customer Ratings
- Select Home Warranty: Best Value
- America’s First Choice Home Club: Best for Customization
Our team compared coverage plans, pricing, benefits, and customer reviews to determine the four best home warranty providers in Missouri.
Summary of the Best Home Warranty Companies in Missouri
How Are Home Warranties Regulated in Missouri?
Our research shows Missouri’s Department of Insurance (DOI) regulates motor vehicle service contracts through Missouri statute §§ 385.200-385.220. The statute doesn’t mention if home warranty companies fall under the same jurisdiction as automobile service contracts. However, if you own a home warranty and your provider won’t resolve your dispute, you can submit an online complaint with the DOI.
Although there isn’t a clear governmental body that enforces home warranty regulation, some organizations do. For example, the National Home Service Contract Association (NHSCA) and Service Contract Industry Council (SCIC) are industry associations that oversee member home warranty companies. The NHSCA requires member companies to follow a code of ethics, while the SCIC works with state regulators to pass consumer protection laws.
How Much Does a Home Warranty Cost in Missouri?
The cost of a home warranty in Missouri depends on several factors. According to the pricing information we obtained for this article, expect to pay $63 per month for basic home warranty coverage. For those who prefer an annual premium, expect to pay $756. If you want more comprehensive coverage, you’ll typically pay 10%–15% more for a plan.
Where you live in Missouri could also affect your home warranty cost. Companies usually charge more or exclude coverage entirely in areas determined as high-risk. If you live in Howell or Newton County, which historically has faced more tornados than other counties, expect to pay more for a home warranty.
Factors To Consider Before Buying a Missouri Home Warranty
No two Missouri home warranty companies are exactly the same. As you shop around for a home warranty, consider the following factors to get the most value for your money:
- Coverage caps: Most home warranty companies establish a coverage cap, or dollar amount, they are willing to pay for a repair or replacement. We suggest picking a company with coverage caps that cover the replacement value of your major systems or appliances.
- Gather quotes: Request quotes from at least three companies to compare plan costs. Ensure the quotes are for similar plans across providers. This helps you decide which company provides the best value.
- Tailored coverage: Not every home needs a comprehensive coverage plan. You likely don’t need standard coverage if you recently purchased new appliances or systems. Instead, consider a custom coverage plan. These plans cover a few items that could minimize your home warranty cost.
Expert Takes on Home Warranties
Our team reached out to industry experts to answer common questions about home warranties. Here’s what they had to say:
- How does a home warranty work? According to Ryan Hawker, cofounder of H3 Homebuyers, requesting service involves a few simple steps. “When a covered item quits working, you must call the home warranty company to file a claim. You can also submit a claim online. Once the claim is approved, the company will arrange for a preapproved service provider to come to your home within 48 hours to assess the problem.”
- How much do home warranties cover? Daniel Cabrera, who is associated with San Antonio’s Sell My House Fast, emphasizes the importance of understanding your provider’s coverage limits, as each company differs. “Be sure to ask your provider how many repairs your home appliances can have before exceeding the coverage amount,” he adds.
- When can I start using my home warranty? Chuck Vander Stelt, a Quadwalls Realtor, says, “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.”
When You Can Start Using Your Home Warranty Plan
Most providers start coverage 30 days after you purchase a plan. Read the terms and conditions of your contract before buying a home warranty to verify your waiting period.
Our Conclusion
Liberty Home Guard, American Home Shield, and Select Home Warranty work best for Missouri homeowners because each company has something unique to offer, whether that’s customizable coverage, affordable plans, or unique add-ons. Before signing up for a home warranty plan, get a quote from all three companies listed in this review and compare prices. We also recommend reading each provider’s sample contract to understand their coverage exclusions and limitations better.
Other Resources for Residents in Missouri
Frequently Asked Questions
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
The This Old House Reviews Team backs up our home warranty ratings and recommendations with a detailed rating methodology to objectively score each provider. We conduct research by speaking with company representatives, requesting quotes, analyzing sample contracts from each company, and conducting focus groups and consumer surveys. We then score each provider against our review standards for coverage, value, trustworthiness and transparency, availability, and customer service to arrive at a final score out of 100.
To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our Reviews Team at reviews@thisoldhousereviews.com.