Best Home Warranty Companies in Hawaii (2024)
Having a home warranty protects your home systems and appliances when they break down from normal wear and tear. Your provider also connects you with repair technicians, ensuring your home items are fixed quickly when an issue arises. We compared top home warranty companies on key factors such as cost, coverage, and customer reviews.
We then narrowed down our selections for Hawaii homeowners. We chose Liberty Home Guard as our top pick for Hawaii based on customer ratings and extensive add-on options.
Key Takeaways
Hawaii’s Top 4 Home Warranty Companies
The highest-rated home warranty companies in Hawaii include these:
We examined the leading home warranty providers in Hawaii and narrowed them down by looking at factors such as pricing, plans, reputation, customer service, and more.
Comparing Home Warranty Companies in Hawaii
Company | BBB Rating | Monthly Cost in HI | Service Fee | Visit Site |
---|---|---|---|---|
NR | $49–$59 | $65–$125 | VISIT SITE | |
B- | $44–$47 | $60–$75 | VISIT SITE | |
A+ | $44–$58 | $70 | VISIT SITE | |
C | $51–$62 | $75 | VISIT SITE |
*We based the pricing information in this table and throughout the article on sample quotes we obtained for a 2,020-square-foot, single-family home in Honolulu, Hawaii. Your pricing may vary depending on your home’s location, size, type, and plan selections.
How Much Does a Home Warranty Cost in Hawaii?
Based on the pricing information we obtained for this article, the average cost of a Hawaii home warranty is $52 monthly or $624 annually. Home warranty pricing varies by company. Your home size and chosen coverage plan also affect pricing. For example, if your home is larger than 4,000 square feet, you’ll likely pay more for a coverage plan. Also, a more comprehensive plan covering major systems and appliances costs more than a basic plan covering just one category.
If you’re on a strict budget, the following are some ways to lower your monthly premium:
- Coverage: Review which items you need coverage for and purchase a plan that only covers what you need. If you just need appliance coverage, you’ll save money by purchasing an appliances-only plan rather than a more expensive combination plan.
- Discounts: Many providers offer policy discounts if you sign up over the phone or are a veteran. The most common discount is an annual premium discount.
- Service call fees: Some companies provide flexible service call fees that raise or lower your plan cost. Choose the higher service call fee if you want a lower monthly premium.
Reviews of the Best Home Warranty Companies in Hawaii
How Are Home Warranties Regulated in Hawaii?
Our research shows that Hawaii’s Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA) oversees home warranty regulation. The DCCA has an Insurance Division that enforces regulatory jurisdiction on home warranty companies. It established Statutes §§ 481X-1–481X-12 to evaluate companies and keep them in check.
Home warranty companies also self-regulate via industry associations. For instance, the Service Contract Industry Council (SCIC) is a national trade association that helps lawmakers develop fair regulations. These regulations protect consumers from unethical business practices companies may have.
Annual Home Warranty Cost Calculator
We 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 Does a Home Warranty Work?
Home warranties are service contracts that homeowners can purchase to cover the high repair and replacement costs of home appliances and systems. For a monthly (or annual) fee, home warranty providers send vetted service providers directly to your home to fix your broken home items. You will also owe a service call fee for each filed claim before the service technician performs any work.
What Is a Service Call Fee?
A service call fee is a fee separate from your monthly premium that home warranty companies charge when you file a new claim. Companies charge service call fees to source and send service technicians to your home. Each service call fee is usually associated with one claim at a time. Typical service call fees range from $60 to $150. If you have an outstanding service call fee balance and wish to file a claim, your provider will only send a technician after you pay your balance.
What To Expect When Filing a Claim
Once you file a claim, your home warranty provider will review it within 24 to 48 hours. If you file a claim during non-business hours, expect processing delays. Once your provider reviews your claim, it’ll contact you to discuss the outcome of its review and the next steps to take.
How Do You Read Service Contracts?
Many homeowners have difficulty understanding the details of their home warranty service contracts. Knowing your provider’s coverage limitations and exclusions will help limit unwelcome surprises when you submit a claim. Below are a few pointers on reading and understanding the fine print of a home warranty service contract.
- Find what’s covered: Look through the fine print to see if your provider includes all the home items you’d like to cover. Although most providers cover common systems and appliances, confirm that your provider covers what you need.
- Understand exclusions: Your provider will have certain instances or components that it won’t cover, even on a covered item. For example, while your air conditioner might be a covered item, the filters likely won’t be. Similarly, your provider may exclude preexisting conditions from coverage.
- Ask questions: If you don’t understand the coverage exclusions in the service contract, call the provider and ask a representative to clarify those sections for you.
Who Is Eligible for a Home Warranty in Hawaii?
You can buy a home warranty if you’re a real estate agent, first-time homebuyer, home seller, or seasoned homeowner. As a real estate agent or home seller, including a warranty in the sale can be an extra incentive for potential buyers to buy the home.
Expert Takes on Home Warranties
We sourced experts across various industries and asked them questions homeowners have about home warranties. Here is what they had to say:
- Are Hawaii home warranties worth it for older homes? According to Dave Bringer, owner of Bringer Appliance Repair, “Older homes need home warranties because their appliances and systems have most likely used their manufacturer’s warranty coverage.”
- How quickly does a home warranty send a service provider? Ryan Hawker, co-founder of H3 Homebuyers, says, “Once the claim is approved, the company will arrange for a pre-approved service provider to come to your home within 48 hours to assess the problem.”
- Why should I consider a home warranty? Marcus Fernandez, attorney and co-owner of Kinney, Fernandez, and Boire Law, recommends pairing a home warranty with your homeowners insurance plan for complete home protection. “They go beyond what your homeowners insurance covers by catering to the inevitable wear and tear of home systems and appliances, which typically isn’t covered by insurance,” he says.
The Best Home Warranty Company in HI – Our Take
We recommend Liberty Home Guard and Select Home Warranty for Hawaii homeowners looking to protect their budget from appliance and system breakdowns. Before purchasing a home protection plan, we recommend getting a quote from each provider to see what coverage, exclusions, pricing, and benefits each one can offer you and your home.
Other Resources for Hawaii Residents
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible for a home warranty in Hawaii?
If you’re a real estate agent, first-time home buyer, home seller, or seasoned homeowner you can buy a home warranty. As a real estate agent or home seller, including a warranty in the sale can act as an extra incentive for potential buyers to buy the home. Whether you’re moving to Hawaii for the first time or you’re a longtime homeowner in the Aloha State, a warranty will protect you from having to pay out of pocket for a repair or replacement on an important system or appliance.
Which home warranty company provides the best coverage in Hawaii?
Liberty Home Guard is the best option for Hawaii homeowners. Its three plan options allow homeowners to find the package that fits their needs. We also recommend Select Home Warranty for its affordable pricing and extensive add-on options.
What is the difference between homeowners insurance and home warranty?
Home insurance offers protection for damage or loss of personal property due to emergencies, such as fires or theft. A home warranty covers the cost of repairs and replacements to appliances and systems that break down due to normal wear and tear.
How Do I Find the Best Home Warranty Company in My Area?
Find in-depth reviews on the best home warranty companies for major U.S. cities below.
Find Home Warranty Pros in Your City
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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.