Key points
Liberty Home Guard tops our list of best home warranties in South Dakota because of its versatile coverage plans.
Average premiums for home warranties in South Dakota are $59 monthly and $679 annually.
South Dakotans value coverage choices, affordability and reliable customer service in a home warranty company.
Our Top Pick
Our Top Pick
Extends 60-day workmanship guarantee Offers customization with 42 add-ons Holds high customer ratings
4.6
Covers rust and corrosion damage Offers comprehensive coverage limits Provides flexible service fees
4.4
Charges low premiums Includes roof-leak coverage Offers solid HVAC coverage
3.9
90-day workmanship warranty $15,000 aggregate annual limit 30-day money back guarantee
4.4
Did you know?
More than 2,900 homeowners have bought a home warranty plan from one of the above companies in the last 30 days. Liberty Home Guard is our most popular provider, with 40% of consumers choosing to cover their homes with an LHG plan.
Liberty Home Guard is our top recommendation for a home warranty company in South Dakota. Its comprehensive coverage of kitchen appliances, laundry appliances and home systems is enhanced by the longest list of add-ons in the home warranty industry.
South Dakotans concerned about losing heat during a winter storm might consider American Home Shield (AHS). Among our list of the best home warranty companies, AHS earns high marks for its comprehensive HVAC coverage and generous coverage limits.
Meet the expert
Jesus Sanchez Garcia is a USA TODAY Homefront senior writer specializing in home warranty research. He has spent more than 100 hours researching, analyzing customer reviews and collecting insights from industry experts.
Top 5 home warranty companies in South Dakota
Liberty Home Guard and Elite Home Buyers top our list of home warranty providers in South Dakota because they offer their customers many customization choices. American Home Shield’s comprehensive HVAC coverage gives it a spot in our top five.
- Liberty Home Guard – Our top pick for South Dakota homeowners
- Elite Home Warranty
- American Home Shield
- Cinch Home Services
- Select Home Warranty
Compare the best South Dakota home warranties
Based on our home warranty provider review standards, Liberty Home Guard is the top provider for South Dakota homeowners, scoring 4.6 out of 5 stars. Its three main plans provide various coverage options to meet your priorities, and its list of 42 add-ons is the most in the industry.
American Home Shield also warrants consideration in South Dakota because, unlike most home warranty companies, it offers HVAC coverage with its lowest-priced plan. With mid-winter average temperatures of below 10 degrees Fahrenheit, residents of the Mount Rushmore State should be mindful of the potential for their furnaces to fail.
See the table below for a comparison of our top home warranty providers based on our team’s overall nationwide ratings.
| Company | Rating | Monthly Premium | Service Fee | BBB Rating | See Plans |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Our top pick | 4.6 | $55 | $65–$125 | NR | Explore Plans |
4.4 | $69 | $100–$125 | B | Explore Plans | |
4.2 | $64 | $75–$125 | B | Explore Plans | |
4.0 | $64 | $100 | A | Explore Plans | |
4.1 | $69 | $75–$125 | B | Explore Plans | |
3.9 | $46 | $60–$75 | B | Explore Plans | |
3.9 | $53 | $60–85 | C | Explore Plans |
| Company | Rating | Monthly Premium | Service Fee | BBB Rating | See Plans |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Our top pick | 4.6 | $55 | $65–$125 | NR | Explore Plans |
4.4 | $69 | $100–$125 | B | Explore Plans | |
4.2 | $64 | $75–$125 | B | Explore Plans | |
4.0 | $64 | $100 | A | Explore Plans | |
4.1 | $69 | $75–$125 | B | Explore Plans | |
3.9 | $46 | $60–$75 | B | Explore Plans | |
3.9 | $53 | $60–85 | C | Explore Plans |
Best home warranty in South Dakota for price
Select Home Warranty offers the lowest average premiums for a home warranty in South Dakota at $46 monthly and $546 annually. According to our research, statewide average premiums for South Dakota are $59 monthly and $679 annually.
In addition to premiums, home warranty costs are influenced by service call fees, coverage limits and the gap between coverage caps and retail prices for replacement appliances and systems.
Meet the expert
Many home warranty companies offer plans that you can customize based on your coverage needs. I recommend calling in for a quote instead of requesting one online since a representative can provide more coverage flexibility.
As you gather quotes for a home warranty, check to see how the service call fee affects the premium. Most companies offer lower premiums if you agree to pay a higher service call fee.
The average monthly premium for our top pick in South Dakota, Liberty Home Guard, is $55 monthly. The table below shows our scores for the top five home warranty companies for price.
| Provider | Price Rating (Out of 5) | Average Monthly Premium |
|---|---|---|
| Select Home Warranty | 4.8 | $46 |
| Liberty Home Guard | 4.8 | $55 |
| AFC Home Warranty | 4.5 | $74 |
| American Home Shield | 4.3 | $71 |
| Elite Home Warranty | 4.3 | $65 |
Know your coverage limits
American Home Shield rated 5 out of 5 stars based on our review standards for coverage limits. Its caps of $2,000–$4,000 for appliances and $5,000 up to unlimited for home systems can cover almost every repair or replacement.
Anything over the coverage cap amount will not be paid for by the home warranty.
Meet the expert
Even if a home warranty provider charges less per month, you might not get the best value if the company doesn’t pay enough to fully reimburse you for a repair or replacement.
Some home warranty providers will only pay a prorated amount toward older items that have decreased in value over the years. While other companies will only pay for certain aspects of a repair job, such as an AC unit, but won’t cover the total cost of other elements, such as refrigerant.
The table below shows how we ranked the top providers that operate in South Dakota based on our review standards for coverage limits.
| Provider | Coverage Limits Rating (Out of 5) | Appliance Coverage Limits | System Coverage Limits |
|---|---|---|---|
| American Home Shield | 5.0 | $2,000–$4,000 | $5,000–unlimited |
| ARW Home | 4.7 | $2,500 | $2,500 |
| Liberty Home Guard | 4.3 | $2,000 | $250–$2,000 |
| Elite Home Services | 4.3 | $500–$3,000 | $1,000–$4,000 |
| AFC Home Warranty | 4.3 | $150–$3,000 | $150–$1,000 |
How life expectancy influences home warranty costs
Knowing how long you can expect an appliance or system to last and how much it would cost to repair or replace is a big factor to consider as you shop for a home warranty.
If the amount needed to repair or replace an item is less than you’d pay for the duration of your home warranty agreement, you might be better served putting money aside to cover major household repairs as they arise.
Below is a list of appliance and system life expectancies and replacement costs. Life expectancy data is from the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors. Appliance replacement costs reflect the ranges of listed retail prices for five major manufacturers: GE, LG, Maytag, Samsung and Whirlpool. System replacement costs reflect Home Depot pricing.
| Appliance/System | Life Expectancy | Replacement Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Central air conditioning | 7–15 years | $1,100–$7,555 |
| Dishwasher | 9 years | $250–$1,900 |
| Clothes dryer | 13 years | $499–$2,099 |
| Electrical fixtures | 40 years | $75–$155 |
| Garbage disposal | 12 years | $65–$350 |
| Microwave | 9 years | $109–$1,029 |
| Range (electric) | 13–15 years | $649–$4,449 |
| Range (gas) | 15–17 years | $379–$3,599 |
| Refrigerator | 9–13 years | $584–$10,929 |
| Sump pump | 7 years | $150–$2,636 |
| Clothes washer | 5–15 years | $499–$2,299 |
Best South Dakota home warranty for coverage plans and features
To determine the top providers in South Dakota, we looked at the depth of coverage plans and related add-ons. Liberty Home Guard’s home warranty plans offer extensive coverage for appliances and home systems, but its array of add-ons put it over the top.
While LHG took our top spot overall in South Dakota, American Home Shield got the nod for coverage plans because its plans in all price ranges include HVAC coverage.
AHS scored the best among leading home warranty companies for coverage plans and features, with 4.5 out of 5 stars. Its only drawback in the review standards was that its add-ons are limited to six choices.
Elite Home Warranty also rates well for coverage plans at 4.4 out of 5 stars. All of its plans cover a respectable range of items and allow for plenty of customization.
When rating providers for their coverage plans, we look at the depth of coverage for kitchen appliances, laundry appliances, major systems, unique features offered, extra perks and geographic coverage area.
| Provider | Coverage Plans Rating (Out of 5) | Optional Add-Ons |
|---|---|---|
| American Home Shield | 4.5 | 6 |
| Elite Home Warranty | 4.4 | 30 |
| Liberty Home Guard | 4.2 | 42 |
| Cinch Home Services | 4.0 | 6 |
| Select Home Warranty | 3.9 | 9 |
Common optional add-ons offered by home warranty companies
Home warranty companies usually offer a line of add-ons, extra services or covered items that cost an extra $4–$30 per month. Add-ons can cover additional refrigerators, guest houses, or services such as an annual HVAC inspection.
Not every company offers a deep range of options. For example, American Home Shield offers fewer add-ons than its competitors but makes up for it with broader coverage in its established plans.
Some companies offer the option to use premium appliances if replacement becomes necessary. Providers may also automatically include limited roof-leak coverage, which is more frequently offered as an add-on.
Here are some examples of add-on coverages and features typically offered by home warranty companies:
- Carpet cleaning
- Ejector pump
- Electronics protection
- Garage door opener
- Generator
- Grinder pump
- Lawn sprinklers
- Limited roof-leak repair
- Plumbing fixtures
- Pool and spa
- Septic system
- Sump pump
- Water heater
- Well pump
Best home warranty in South Dakota for customer service
Cinch Home Services is the top-rated home warranty company for customer service in South Dakota, based on our review standards. It earned 5 out of 5 stars thanks to a 180-day workmanship guarantee and a promise to respond to customer inquiries and claims within 24 hours.
Meet the expert
Home warranty companies work with vetted service providers, which saves you the hassle of searching for a reputable contractor.
A company’s reputation in the home services industry is shaped by how consistently it meets its customers’ needs. Customers notice how quickly a provider responds to inquiries and claims, accurately diagnoses malfunctions and repairs items or schedules new installations quickly.
The table below shows how the home warranty providers we evaluated stack up against our customer service review standards.
| Provider | Customer Service Rating (Out of 5) |
|---|---|
| Cinch Home Services | 5.0 |
| Liberty Home Guard | 4.7 |
| American Home Shield | 4.2 |
| Elite Home Services | 4.2 |
| AFC Home Warranty | 3.9 |
Best home warranty company in South Dakota for reputation
Liberty Home Guard (LHG) and Elite Home Warranty earned top scores for reputation in South Dakota based on our review standards. Both earned 5 out of 5 stars.
A home warranty company builds a good reputation by demonstrating courteous sales and reliable customer service, timely responses to questions and claims, and consistent claims fulfillment.
Read customer reviews on consumer sites like the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and Trustpilot, but don’t assign too much weight to individual reviews. Customers are more likely to complain on a public forum than to leave a compliment, so read reviews with this in mind.
When you read consumer reviews on sites such as BBB, use the filter settings to view the most recent reviews. That way, you’ll find the latest opinions about the company.
As you read through customer reviews and grades, look for patterns of complaints. If you spot a pattern, such as frequently rejected claims or inadequate reimbursements, ask your salesperson to explain why this may be.
The table below shows the top five providers for reputation in South Dakota based on our home warranty review standards.
| Provider | Reputation Rating (Out of 5) |
|---|---|
| Liberty Home Guard | 5.0 |
| Elite Home Warranty | 5.0 |
| ARW Home | 4.3 |
| American Home Shield | 3.7 |
| Select | 3.7 |
How claims fulfillment relates to reputation
A home warranty company that consistently rejects claims filed by its customers isn’t going to enjoy a great reputation. Validation of a legitimate claim is the least a home warranty owner can expect, and a company’s consistent failure to live up to contractual obligations can lead to disgruntled customers.
We surveyed 1,000 homeowners nationwide in November 2023 and found that claim approval rates for the top home warranty providers were the highest among 2-10 Home Buyers (96%) and American Home Shield (94%).
| Provider | Claims Approved | Claims Rejected | Claims Ongoing |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2-10 Home Buyers | 96% | 2% | 2% |
| American Home Shield | 94% | 3% | 3% |
| Choice Home Warranty | 89% | 3% | 8% |
| First American | 89% | 1% | 10% |
| Liberty Home Guard | 89% | 4% | 7% |
| AFC Home Warranty | 88% | 5% | 7% |
| ARW Home | 77% | 12% | 12% |
| Elite Home Warranty | 76% | 10% | 14% |
| Select Home Warranty | 76% | 15% | 9% |
| Cinch Home Services | 68% | 19% | 13% |
How do you choose the best South Dakota home warranty?
The home warranty company you pick should help you stay prepared for unexpected breakdowns of your laundry and kitchen appliances and home systems such as HVAC, electrical and plumbing.
You should watch for potential red flags, such as a pattern of rejected claims, an unfavorable BBB score, a limited workmanship guarantee and unresponsive or discourteous communications.
In South Dakota, where average temperatures in January and February hover in the 30s to below 10 degrees Fahrenheit, you’ll want to protect your heating system. The last thing you want to happen is for your furnace to fail during an Arctic air incursion.
Follow our review standards to help find the right home warranty.
- Coverage plans: List your major appliances and home systems. Note whether they remain under a manufacturer’s warranty or have lapsed warranties. Determine the appliances and systems most vulnerable to breakdowns and research how much it would cost to replace them.
- Price: Determine what you can afford in monthly or annual premiums, then weigh that against the potential cost of repairs or replacements. Don’t merely settle for the cheapest option.
- Coverage limits: Look for providers that pay reasonable, fair amounts to repair or replace your covered items. The cost over-run comes out of your pocket.
- Reputation: Read customer reviews and look for patterns of complaints, such as slow response times or regularly rejected claims.
- Customer service: Note how well you’re treated during the sales process. Ask about service call response times, claims acceptance and communication methods. Make sure the workmanship guarantee is at least the 30-day industry standard.
What are common South Dakota home warranty coverage needs?
South Dakota homeowners may be familiar with the occasionally bitter cold of January and February in the Black Hills, and elsewhere. Unless the Chinook winds blow, the average low in Rapid City can dip to 11 degrees Fahrenheit.
When that happens, pipes can freeze and burst. The furnace is subjected to round-the-clock operation. Roof shingles or tiles can freeze and crack, or snow can cave it in.
A home warranty can help ensure a malfunctioning heating system won’t stay down for long. A provider’s focus is not only on covering the cost of a broken appliance or system; it also involves working directly with a licensed technician to solve the problem as quickly as possible.
The Energy Information Administration (EIA) keeps track of major household expenditures related to energy consumption. Its Residential Energy Consumption Survey helps you gauge whether your costs for AC, heating, electricity and other expenditures align with statewide averages.
Knowing this information can help determine whether your energy expenses align with South Dakota’s average or if you’re spending more to warm your house or keep the lights on.
It’s also a good way to help predict how much you can expect to spend on these services in the coming months.
| Expense | Average Cost in South Dakota | National Average | National Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air conditioning | $159 | $299 | No. 39 |
| Refrigerator | $103 | $116 | No. 31 |
| Space heating | $567 | $519 | No. 24 |
| Water heater | $245 | $287 | No. 36 |
| Electricity | $1,275 | $1,380 | No. 32 |
How are home warranties regulated in South Dakota?
Home warranties are governed through the South Dakota Division of Insurance within the state’s Department of Labor & Regulation. Consumers can file formal complaints with the state by using the complaint form on the Division of Insurance website.
Final take: Liberty Home Guard’s home warranty plans give South Dakotans flexibility
We recommend Liberty Home Guard for South Dakota homeowners who seek a reliable, versatile home warranty plan that’s priced competitively. LHG’s 42 add-on options give South Dakotans all the flexibility they need to customize their home warranty.
If protecting your home’s heating system is your major concern, we recommend that you take a look at American Home Shield. While its plans are generally a bit pricier than most competitors, its HVAC coverage and coverage caps are excellent.
Before deciding, seek quotes from at least three home warranty providers. Select the one that meets your needs most affordably.
Our rating methodology for home warranty companies
We research and rate home warranty providers to help you choose the right one for your budget and home. Our research includes gathering customer insights via consumer surveys, interviewing industry experts, secret shopping all of the companies we review, and analyzing customer reviews from third-party review sites such as Trustpilot and BBB.
We score home warranty providers up to 100 points, which we then convert to a 5-star rating. Points are awarded in the following five categories:
- Coverage plans and extra features (31 points): Based on number and type of plans, add-on options, perks and state availability
- Price (20 points): Considers premiums for basic and comprehensive plans and service call fees
- Customer service (19 points): Based on response times, customer service hours, workmanship guarantees and cancellation fees
- Coverage limits (15 points): Favors companies that offer coverage caps of $2,000 or more for appliances and $3,000 or more for home systems
- Reputation (15 points): Based on ratings from consumer sites such as the Better Business Bureau and Trustpilot
Read our full home warranty company methodology for more information.
BBB and Trustpilot ratings are accurate as of September 2024.
