Tag: Home & privacy

Fortunately, you can take preventative measures to ensure you don’t become a fraud statistic. Online background checks will give you peace of mind that those you trust are not misrepresenting themselves. What’s more, these checks have many uses, from contacting missing family members to identifying scam callers or investigating a possible date.

But how do you know which provider best suits your needs? We review and compare the 10 best online background check sites and companies to help you uncover the truth you’re looking for.

Our Top 10 Best Online Background Check Sites and Companies:

• BeenVerified :Best overall background check site
• Intelius :Best for quick access to detailed reports
• PeopleFinders: Best for accessing billions of public records
• USA search: Best for unlimited reporting
• PeopleWhiz : Best for accurate reporting
• TruthFinder: Best for people searches
• PeopleLooker: Best for junk money searches
• CheckPeople: Best for criminal records searches
• Instant Checker: Best for reverse phone lookups
• ID True : Best for basic background checks

Our Review Methodology: Evaluating the Best Background Check Sites & Services

We used the same seven comparison factors to provide fair ratings for each of the 10 background check services listed in this review. However, some factors will be more important to you than others, depending on your needs and the type of search you are conducting. Here’s how we compare these details of what we think are the best background check sites:

• Price: We look at how affordable the service is and how much you get for what you pay for. We have also taken into account available free trials and promotional periods (if any).
• Legal Status: We have verified that the site complies with the FCRA and may be used for employment, housing, or other federally regulated purposes.
• Recommended Reports: We check which services offer people searches (including criminal records and public records, as well as unsolicited money searches); business searches; and reverse phone, email, and address lookups.
• Search parameters: We look at how many search parameters the service offers. We also check to see if it supports social media username lookups, people lookups, reverse phone number and email lookups, and property searches.
• Smartphone applications. We check to see if the service has a smartphone app and, if so, how useful is it?
• Easy to use. We evaluate the usability of each service and the readability of its reports. We also check if it supports additional features that set it apart.
• Customer Support. We evaluate how many support channels there are, what their opening hours are, and how helpful the customer service is.
  

  The Best Background Check Sites & Services – Quick Reviews:

  BeenVerified’s

  

 

BeenVerified’s web search is extensive and returns results in minutes. It examines billions of records from public data sources and the deep web, uncovering a wealth of information such as address history, phone numbers, educational and employment history, and criminal history.

While most background check services require consumers to enter search terms such as name, phone number, or address, BeenVerified includes an additional social media search option (which analyzes over 120 social networks). This allows customers with just a person’s username to complete a background check.

This is especially useful for anyone who does business through social media and wants to avoid falling victim to scams, which the Federal Trade Commission says are on the rise. More than 95,000 people reported losing nearly $770 million to social media fraud in 2021, up from $258 million in 2020.

Why do we choose BeenVerified? It also has a satisfaction guarantee that promises users personal help or a refund if they are not satisfied with the results.

Our experience. We like that BeenVerified allows users to monitor any changes to previously run reports. But while this service provides mostly accurate results, our report contained several addresses, email addresses, letters, and academic institutions that were not related to our search topic.

Read the BeenVerified Review

PROS

• Provides seven search options in one.
• Offers a seven-day trial for $1
• Search billions of records

CONS

• Monthly reports are set to 100
• Search results are not always completely accurate

Intelius

 

Intelius has a variety of search term options and pricing plans, making it the perfect place if you know exactly what type of information you’re looking for. While many other background check providers charge a flat monthly fee for all services, Intelius allows users to choose a monthly plan specific to the type of search they are most interested in.

For example,

someone using the service to look up details about houses in their neighborhood might choose Intelius’ unlimited reverse address lookup program. With it, they can find property history, ownership information, property tax information, property value, and contact information.

Conversely,

someone interested in running background checks can opt for the site’s unlimited people search plan. For the price of the program, they get criminal records, social media, address history, photographs, family and associates, civil lawsuits and judgments, traffic violations, and financial history.

These search options, including criminal records search, public records search, and people search, can be accessed directly from the site’s home page. But since the pricing structure varies depending on the type of search, knowing how much you should pay for a particular service can be confusing.

Why do we choose Intelius? Intelius regularly updates its search engine to ensure that it consistently provides fast, confidential and accurate results. It is one of the most comprehensive background check services available and has access to over 20 billion public records.

Our experience. We were impressed with the different types of unlimited searches that Intelius offers and the different pricing plan options. But we encountered several “special offers” during the initial billing process, which made it difficult to determine the monthly cost of each service. For example, the Unlimited Address Lookup plan was originally advertised at $29 per month, but was later reduced to a special price of $4.99 at checkout.

Read the Intelius review

PROS

• Provides multiple search options.
• Offers different trial periods.
• Has access to 20 billion public records.

CONS

• Confusing pricing structure
• Unsubscribing can take a long time

PeopleFinders

Launched in 1999, PeopleFinders is one of the leading online background check services on the market. It has over 120 billion public records from over 6,000 data sources with options for search terms, names, email addresses, data, and addresses.

It offers tools that allow certain users to refine their search results when searching for targets with common names.

PeopleFinders’ people search shows contact information, criminal records, liens and property assets, educational history, employment references, marriages and records;

Why did we choose PeopleFinders? We are impressed by the company’s long history in the service industry and its unparalleled access to records, making it easy to find lost contacts.

Our experience. We found the PeopleFinders search engine easy to use, both on the website and the smartphone app;

Read the PeopleFinders review

PROS

• Access to big data
• long service
• an introductory rate for the first month of the year of 9.95

CONS

• No trial period
• Reports do not include social media history.

US Search

US Search – and and.

and screen history, contact information, personal information, owned homes or cars, financial information, etc.

which allows users to be named by email address or patient name.

We select the search. In the United States, perform searches and enable and print reports when you need them.

Our experience. We liked that MTN Search got our results quickly and allowed us to check if a person had signed up for a monthly subscription. Service and it is very affordable.

the summary

PROS

• Economical monthly subscription
• Provides an easy system
• reports PDF reports

CONS

• No trial period
• Searches sometimes return duplicate results

PeopleWhiz

PeopleWhiz searches billions of public records for information including criminal records, marriage and divorce records, traffic violations, bankruptcies and convictions, address history, contact information, associates and family members, licenses and permits.

Also search popular social media sites like Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, and Pinterest.

In particular, the site uses proprietary technologies to ensure that search functions do not return false results for people with the same name. PeopleWhiz has an internal team of “bad data” watchers to clean public records and filter out errors, increasing the accuracy of your reports.

Although PeopleWhiz provides comprehensive, easy-to-read background reports, the wait time was the longest of the background check sites reviewed here; We had to wait about 10 minutes for our report to be generated. The functionality is also limited to person searches, with no obvious option to search by phone number, email, or physical address.

Why do we choose PeopleWhiz? With access to 67 billion records, PeopleWhiz is a solid choice for comprehensive name-based background check searches. Its patented search technology, which reduces false positives for people who are not the target of the search, is also a must-have feature for those looking to find accurate results.

Our experience. We were impressed that PeopleWhiz searched over 100 social sites. During our testing search, we found no false positives, a common mistake with many other online background check services. However, we were a little disappointed by the long time it took to generate the reports.

Read the PeopleWhiz review

PROS

• Search over 100 social media sites
• Conduct an exhaustive search for people.
• Patented technology ensures accurate reporting

CONS

• Relatively long wait time to generate reports.
• Limited search functionality

TruthFinder

TruthFinder is one of the most popular background check services for people searches. It is an invaluable resource for consumers looking to reconnect with a friend, relative, or colleague because it supports multiple search methods and provides comprehensive background checks. Depending on the membership level, TruthFinder allows users to search by name, address, phone number, or email address.

Like other services we rate, TruthFinder’s comprehensive background check report includes contact information, address history, social media usernames, academic records, employment history, associate information, dating profiles, personal assets, criminal records, business information and licenses.

A monthly membership provides unlimited background searches. However, some services cost extra, such as unlimited phone and email searches, printable PDF reports, tracking reports, and dark web searches.

Why choose TruthFinder? TruthFinder offers dark web monitoring services that crawl the dark parts of the web to see if your personal information is sold there. According to the 2022 Dark Web Price Index, more than 9,000 vendors are actively selling personal information products on the Deep Web. This includes approximately 4.5 million credit cards sold for $120 each.

Our experience. We liked the handy “chronology” feature, which shows the most important aspects of the report in chronological order, and the “report quality score,” which allows us to rate the accuracy of the information included in our report. Our test report, for example, had some additional email addresses, phone numbers, and photos that were not related to our search topic.

Read the TruthFinder review

PROS

• Variety of search options.
• Presents well-organized chronological reports.
• Allows unlimited searches in the background.

CONS

• Some additional services require additional payments
• No trial period

PeopleLooker

PeopleLooker offers a wide variety of search options. Users can search by name, phone number, email address, property, social media username, or business name. Additionally, they can also search for unclaimed money.

People who search this service dive into millions of public records to uncover information such as criminal records, contact information, employment verification, traffic violations, assets, family and associates, financial information, educational history, and social media profiles. .

PeopleLooker offers a useful tracking option that notifies you of updates to your previously submitted reports. It also has a mobile app that provides the same search term options as the desktop site, as well as an additional dark web search.

Why do we choose PeopleLooker? PeopleLooker’s unique search options, such as unclaimed money search and business name search, set it apart from the competition.

Our experience. We had a positive experience using PeopleLooker’s mobile app, which is easier to use than their desktop website. While both offer sleek and simple interfaces, the app more clearly presents the variety of search terms available to users, which is one of the best features of the service. We had a hard time finding the social media search feature on the desktop site.

Read the PeopleLooker review

PROS

• Provides unique search options
• Offers report monitoring functionality.
• Easy to use mobile app

CONS

• Requires additional payment for certain information
• Monthly reports are set to 100

CheckPeople

CheckPeople draws on public information from the deep web, such as court and sex offender databases, to provide a comprehensive background check report in an easy-to-read format. This report may contain contact information, social media profiles, address history, financial information such as bankruptcies and liens, personal asset information, business history, and registered licenses.

CheckPeople searches covering multiple jurisdictions can return a complete criminal profile of the subject of your search with updated information within minutes.

According to a recent study by Social Science Research, the number of people with criminal records in the United States has increased significantly. About 19 million people, or 8% of the U.S. population, have a felony conviction. 12 million of them served their time in the community on parole.

CheckPeople specializes in online criminal background checks. It allows users to search for arrest records directly from the home page and explore information from the superior court, county court, and county sheriff’s websites. CheckPeople searches for arrests and convictions for felonies and misdemeanors, and even shootings.

Why do we choose CheckPeople? CheckPeople offers instant, unlimited searches for a flat monthly fee, meaning you don’t have to pay for each search. And although its price is hidden in the fine print, you can access a three-day trial for $4.99.

Our experience. When we did a reverse phone number search on CheckPeople, it found social media sites and other deep web information related to the phone number. We think this is a valuable feature, especially since search subjects are often unaware that online checks can trace this data back to them.

Read CheckPeople’s Review

PROS

• Allows unlimited monthly searches
• Offers a three-day trial for $4.99
• Ensures searches are 100% private

CONS

• Unclear pricing structure
• Does not provide 24/7 customer support

Instant Checke

Instant Checker analyzes millions of publicly available data points and information sources to provide detailed background check reports.

Its full monthly subscription gives users access to various search features that can collect tons of information on a given topic. This includes your family members and relationships, social media accounts, criminal records, employment history, bankruptcy and lien records, licenses, and address history.

In particular, Instant Checkmate’s reverse phone lookup subscription is an affordable way to perform background checks on suspected scam calls. The service also allows its members to perform a search for relevant criminal records and obtain crime statistics by city, state or zip code.

Why do we choose instant checkers? This service provides detailed results in less than five minutes. Its ability to search for federal inmates, a unique feature we didn’t find on other sites we reviewed, also sets it apart from other background check providers.

Our experience. Each search tab, both on Instant Checkmate’s website and its mobile app, explained exactly what type of information the sections required. This helped us know exactly what to include. We also liked that we could search for traffic and criminal records right from the home page.

Read a review of Instant Chess

PROS

• Offers an affordable phone finder plan
• Collaborate in the search for federal prisoners
• Provides a personalized criminal record search option.

CONS

• Prices vary between the website and mobile app.
• Expensive monthly subscription plan

ID True

ID True is a good basic option for consumers looking for information about potential dates, old friends, lost relatives or neighbors. It even allows you to perform personal background checks on yourself.

There is no app for this service, but the site works well on mobile devices. Users can search by name or phone number on the fly, but unfortunately ID True doesn’t offer the option to search by email or physical address like other services we’ve tested.

ID True searches millions of federal, state and local records and finds contact information, location information, criminal history and sex offender status, family and associates, convictions and fines, property information, marriage and divorce records. The service can also find dating profile and social media accounts.

Why do we choose ID True? With a mobile-optimized website that provides easy-to-read report details on any device, ID True allows users to perform thorough background checks instantly.

Our experience. We liked that ID True pulled together our initial search results in a minute, allowing us to select the right search topic based on name, location, age, and possible family members. However, we would like additional options to perform a more sophisticated search by email and physical addresses.

Read True ID Review

PROS

• Intuitive mobile interface
• Allows unlimited searches in the background.
• Good for basic background checks

CONS

• No online cancellation
• There is no option to search for email or physical address.

*Please note that these services do not comply with the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act and therefore cannot be used for employment or tenant screenings.

Comparing the Top Background Check Sites & Services

When comparing background check companies, you should consider your specific screening needs. Whether your search is to verify online businesses, find out who called you, provide personal security, or find people, you should consider comparison factors. It can include pricing, what types of reports are offered, the type of information you can use to perform a search, ease of use, mobile functionality, and customer support.

For each of the 10 background check services we offer, we have compiled all of these features in the chart below, giving you the opportunity to compare and contrast the different features and prices.

What Is a Background Search?

A background search uses various online tools and publicly available information to uncover details about a person’s past, such as criminal history, location history, social media accounts, financial information, court and traffic records, education and employment history, and more. While it is possible to manually search public records, the process will be more difficult and time-consuming than using a background check service.

How Does a Background Check Work?

Typically, someone using a background check company enters the person’s name into the service’s online search tool. The company will then provide a detailed report with general information on the search topic. This process usually takes five minutes or less.

Some background check services also allow consumers to search by phone number, email address, physical address or social media username. And while many providers require users to sign up for a monthly subscription rather than purchasing a single report, some offer trial periods.

Reasons To Use Background Check Services?

There are many reasons to use an online background check service. Some people conduct background checks on new neighbors or potential online dates to ensure their personal safety. Others use tracing services to contact family or friends they’ve lost touch with, or to search their names and see what information is publicly available.

Background checks are also often used by employers to screen potential employees and landlords to screen potential tenants. But these reviews must be done through companies that comply with the Fair Credit Reporting Act and other federal, state and local regulations.

Choosing the Right Background Check Company

When looking for a background check company, you should consider what you will be using the service for (such as finding a missing relative or investigating suspicious spam callers) and find a subscription plan that fits these needs and fits your budget.

For example, if you want to investigate criminal records, you should make sure that the service you use has access to federal, state, and local court databases. And if you need to use a background check service for employment or other federally regulated purposes, be sure to use a service that complies with the FCRA.

The background check service you choose should provide accurate reporting, customizable searches, an easy-to-use web and mobile interface, and excellent customer service that can be reached via phone, chat, or email. You should also include a variety of available options for search terms, such as name, phone number, email, etc. email, address and social media username.

Considerations When Selecting a Provider

Below are some important factors to consider when choosing an online background check company.

Accuracy of Report Information

You should investigate whether the online background check service has a reputation for providing accurate information in its reports.

Some background check services will display information about people who are not the subject of your search or include information unrelated to your target, such as social media accounts, addresses, or phone numbers. User reviews should give you a good idea of how accurate the information in the service report is. Of the services we tested, PeopleWhiz performed the most accurate background checks.

Search Customization

Search customization is important, especially for consumers who want to run a background check but only have someone’s phone number, email address, physical address, or social media username.

Some background check services, such as Intelius and PeopleFinders, provide users with several search customization options in addition to people searches or allow users to perform a more personalized check, such as a criminal records search instead of a general background search.

Ease of Use

Your background check service should be easy to use and provide information in well-organized, easy-to-read reports. This is especially important for users who want to perform multiple searches. CheckPeople, for example, allows unlimited searches and offers well-organized reports.

Many background check services will provide an online dashboard where you can save and organize your searches; some, like US Search, will even let you print PDF versions of your reports.

Customer Support

Good customer support is vital to any online background check service, so users can rest assured that any issues they encounter will be resolved quickly. Find out if the service offers customer support online or by phone (ideally both).

Carefully review the background check service’s cancellation policy to determine whether they allow online cancellation or require you to call the service line to cancel your subscription, especially if you plan to cancel before the trial period ends. We’ve found that TruthFinder and PeopleLooker offer excellent customer support with options to cancel your subscription online or over the phone.

How Much Do Background Check Services Cost?

Background check services typically cost between $20 and $30 per month. And many require users to sign up for a monthly subscription to receive unlimited reports rather than allowing one-time report purchases. Generally, the monthly price will be cheaper if you sign up for an extended subscription. However, many services require you to pay for an entire subscription upfront (for example, three or six months).

Some background check providers have cheaper subscription options for specific services, such as Instant Checkmate’s unlimited phone search option, which will cost you just $5.99 a month. Others, like BeenVerified, also offer trials, making them practical for people interested in doing a single search.

Information Included in Different Types of Background Checks

Consumers can perform background checks and and .

To help you figure out what you need, we’re the types they discover, too.

Criminal Background Checks

courts and databases for crime and and ‘for.

Background Checks for Employment

Conduct background checks on prospective employees during the hiring process to confirm and conduct a competent background check to confirm that they are working in the previous role listed on their resume.

Education Verification

potential employment by the employer.

Reference Checks

Link checking is often also multiple times as they work and work and work.

Universal Background Checks

and:
People who want to buy a dealer because of their bad reputation or other people’s judgments?

OIG Background Checks

When hiring, health care employers typically look to the US Office of Health and Human Services Inspector General’s Exclusion List for health care workers who cannot participate in publicly funded health care plans. Federal funds such as Medicare and Medicaid. Individuals on the OIG exclusion list may be convicted of serious charges such as fraud, abuse, or neglect.

E-Verify Background Checks

E-Verify is an online background check system that allows employers to compare a job candidate’s information with US government records, such as those from the Department of Homeland Security and the US Social Security Administration. This verification is used to confirm whether a candidate is eligible to work in the United States.

Credit Background Checks

Credit background checks review a person’s credit report, which contains information such as credit card accounts, debts, and on-time payment history. Landlords often run credit checks on prospective tenants to make sure they are financially responsible, but those checks must comply with the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act.

Social Security Number Trace

A Social Security Trace verifies a person’s Social Security number to ensure they are not using a fake or stolen identity. It will also show detailed address history. Employers can use this tracking to verify a candidate’s identity or to determine which law enforcement agencies to look for during a criminal background check.

Personal Background Checks

A personal background check is when someone runs a search on themselves to determine what types of public information is available about them. This background check is a good option if you want to find out if there is false information about you so you can dispute and correct it.

Professional Licenses Background Checks

Employers often use professional license background checks to confirm that a potential job candidate’s professional licenses are up-to-date and that the candidate has not misrepresented himself. For example, an employer hiring an accountant may want to verify the candidate’s credentials with the appropriate state regulatory agency.

International Background Checks

International background checks can be found and remain foreign where the subject of the search has lived or worked;

Social Media Scans

Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn, as well as many lesser-known sites: person’s name, phone. The composition of the teams may be different.

Sources of Background Check Information

There is no public source that provides verification.

• repositories
• and certification data
• Social media pages
• Car records
• and:
• Property records
• online phone directories

Are Free Background Checks Legit?

– You can go to the local court to file.

The reason for the nona verification service is that you will do a lot more thorough just a few minutes reviewing many jurisdictions.

Many online that offer pre-orders charge money, and even though some sites say they offer it for free

Understanding Different Levels of Background Checks

In some industries, employers perform different levels of background checks depending on the type of job they are hiring for.

While most employers will want to verify a candidate’s educational and work history, some jobs require an additional level of background checks.

For example, someone hiring a moving truck driver might want to check a candidate’s driving record, while someone hiring for a finance position might want to review criminal records for fraud charges. These are the different levels of background checks.

Level 1:

Identity verification. Most employers typically follow Social Security to verify a candidate’s name and date of birth. A social security trace will also provide a detailed address history.

Level 2:

Criminal Background Check. Many organizations will conduct a criminal background check by searching federal, state and local court records for felony or misdemeanor charges or convictions. But federal and state laws govern how criminal records can be used to make employment decisions.

Level 3:

Credit history and score check. Some employers may conduct a credit history check that will include credit card accounts, debt owed, and on-time payment history, especially for roles where financial responsibility is an integral part of job duties.

Level 4:

Vehicle registration. Some companies will use state motor vehicle records to verify a candidate’s driving history. If the job duties include driving, the employer will specifically check the history of violations.

Level 5:

Verification of educational and professional background. Educational and professional background checks verify a candidate’s degree at their university or by calling a previous employer to verify their position and job duties.

Level 6:

Fingerprint verification. Some professions conduct fingerprint criminal background checks for a more thorough criminal background check, such as in government or security. Someone’s fingerprint can be compared to an FBI database to look for criminal records.

Step 7:

Verify Legal Employment Status in the US There are employers who use the government’s online E-Verify system to compare candidate information with records from the Department of Homeland Security and the Social Security Administration. This verification ensures the candidate’s eligibility to work in the US.

How Long Do Background Checks Actually Take?

Online background check services usually provide results in less than five minutes, although some take longer. Background investigation searches that analyze large amounts of information usually take the longest.

Employment background checks, which require contacting previous employers, academic institutions or officials, can take days or weeks. International background searches can take much longer depending on the country’s process for accessing public records.

Factors That May Result in a Failed Background Check

Anyone performing a background check must determine what disclosures could be made to fail a background check on the subject of their search. For example, an employer hiring for a driving position may decide that anyone with serious traffic violations or drug offenses will not pass a background check.

Ultimately, failing a background check will depend on the type of background check (pre-employment in this example) and the reason the background check is being performed (for example, to find a responsible driver). Providing false or misleading information to a potential employer that is discovered through a background check will likely result in your failure.

Conducting a Background Check on a Romantic Partner

Do a background check on the person you’re dating.

48% of Pew Research Center respondents believe that online dating is the most common online dating service background checks.

and and and and – is conducting inspections:

Additional Background Check Sites We Reviewed

and we
In addition to the 10 sites we’ve included here for reference (which are partners of Top10.com), there are a number of other online services.

• SearchQuarry – or to search for VINs
• Persopo. and:
• SentryLink – for those who want service
• Spokeo – for dating sites
• DeepSearchPro – to scan the billions ahead
  

  Final Verdict: Discover the Truth in Minutes

  Our picks for the top 10 background check sites include BeenVerified, Intelius, PeopleFinders, US Search, PeopleWhiz, TruthFinder, PeopleLooker, CheckPeople, InstantCheckmate and IDTrue.

and and and and and and and.

online service can make it easy by sifting through data and

the part to be subscribed are affordable , you should compare a number of companies and understand and “will be well equipped to thoroughly check who needs.

Sleep. There is nothing more important, but nothing more fickle either. Getting a good night’s sleep is arguably the most important factor in being happy and healthy, but there are countless factors that can get in the way of a good rest.

That is why it is even more important to have a good mattress. No matter what else happens in your day, the right mattress will ensure it ends well. Of course, everyone has different sleeping patterns and the best mattress for one person may not be the best for another.

However, today there are companies that design mattresses that fit a wide range of sleeping styles. These online mattress companies are moving away from the traditional model and instead channeling their resources into sleep research, ergonomic design, and sophisticated engineering. The result? Premium mattresses that suit all types of people and can be delivered right to your door.

You can’t control how your day goes, but you can control how your night begins. Here is our list of the best online mattresses of 2023.

The Best Mattress Companies – An In-Depth Look

Casper

• 1095 dollars
• 100 night sleep test
• 10 year warranty

Casper mattresses are the result of extensive sleep research conducted by its own team of researchers and engineers. The company currently offers 3 designs, although its signature mattress, the Casper, is probably the most popular among people; It contains 4 layers of breathable, open-cell foam designed to keep the sleeper in a comfortable yet supportive sleeping position. Casper is of medium strength and may sink less than some prefer; Fortunately, the company also offers hybrid foam/spring options with an internal spring system, in addition to memory foam and gels, which may be ideal for those who prefer more bounce.

Casper also offers a budget-friendly Essential mattress and an advanced gel mattress called The Wave. All mattresses come with 100-night free trials and 10-year limited warranties.

• Research-based mattresses and bedding
• Ergonomic support with multi-layer foam
• Hybrid foam/spring mattresses are available
  Cons
• Not ideal for those with back problems
• Shorter warranty than others in the industry

Saatva

• $1,199
• 120 night sleep trial
• 15 year warranty

Saatva’s mattress sits on the higher end of the price spectrum, but its luxury materials and therapeutic engineering more than justify the price.

Saatva’s signature mattress features lumbar technology, dual inner coils, and a pillow top with organic cotton, all of which merge into a bed that provides a luxurious feel and advanced spinal support. The 884 individually wrapped inner coils are designed to minimize movement, making it an ideal bed for those with restless partners. The interior of the bed conforms to the body, while the lumbar support and additional layer of memory foam provide excellent spinal support and pressure relief for those suffering from back and joint pain. Made in the United States from eco-friendly materials and approved by the Congress of State Chiropractic Associations, the Saatva mattress combines luxury with durability and impressive therapeutic support.

All Saatva mattresses come in firm, plush and soft designs. White glove delivery is free and includes installation and removal of your old mattress. Plus, customers have 120 days to try out the bed, which comes with a 15-year warranty.

• Made in the EU.
• Internal coil technology for reduced motion
• Approved by the Congress of State Chiropractic Associations
  Cons
• More expensive than other brands.
• No lifetime warranty

Helix

• 899 dollars
• 100 nights sleep test
• 10 year warranty

Helix offers more choice than many of its competitors, with mattresses specifically designed for side, back and stomach sleepers. The mattresses have 3 levels of firmness and each level is further divided into 2 options for side sleepers or back and stomach sleepers. All mattresses are hybrids with 4-layer (standard mattresses) or 6-layer construction (LUXE mattresses) with different combinations of high-quality foam, memory foam (for side sleeper models) and innerspring systems, and are made of breathable materials designed for maximum temperature regulation. . make sure While the Helix mattress engineering isn’t as sophisticated as other manufacturers, its range of options and mattress types make it ideal for those looking for a bed that fits their specific sleeping habits.

• Mattresses for side, back and stomach sleepers
• The hybrid design features memory foam and coils
• Temperature regulating materials

• There is no lifetime warranty
• The 100 night trial is less than what other companies offer

DreamCloud

• $1099
• 365 nights of sleep tria
• Lifetime warranty

DreamCloud offers a more luxurious version of the hybrid mattress. Like other hybrids, the DreamCloud mattress combines the benefits of memory foam and innerspring coils. But this mattress has a premium touch that adds to its comfort, but also its price.

The 6-layer design includes a super-fluffy layer made of gel-infused memory foam, another supportive layer of resistance, and innerspring coils that add bounce to a traditional mattress. There is also a base layer for extra support and, unique to the DreamCloud mattress, a stabilizing base that holds the mattress in place. Add a quilted Euro top for softness, and you’ve got a superior version of a hybrid mattress that aims to harness the benefits of memory foam and innersprings without sacrificing too much firmness or luster.

Despite being on the higher end of the price spectrum, the DreamCloud mattress is backed by a lifetime warranty. The company also offers a 365-night trial and free shipping.

Pros
6 layers of plushness and support
Contoured memory foam with traditional bounce
365 night trial period
Cons
At the higher end of the price spectrum
May not be firm enough for some sleepers

Birch Living

• $1099
• 100 nights
• 25 years warranty

The Birch Natural Mattress by Helix is an eco-friendly, non-toxic mattress that provides comfort and ergonomic support to eco-conscious consumers. Birch has many certifications, including GOTS, OEKO-TEX, eco-INSTITUT and Greenguard Gold. The mattress consists of 6 layers that include organic cotton, wool fibers that naturally ignite, 100% all-natural birch wool, natural Talalay latex, individually wrapped steel coils and a solid base.

Additional purchase options include an organic pillow designed to reduce heat and increase breathability, and a plush organic mattress topper that makes the mattress slightly softer than the usual medium firm. The Birch Natural Mattress comes with a 100-night sleep trial, a 25-year warranty, and free shipping.

• Organic, natural, high quality materials
• 100 night trial
• 25 year warranty

• Only one model
• Only one strength level

Muse Sleep

• $795
• 120 nights
• 10 years

Muse was created to dispel the one-size-fits-all mattress design philosophy. Aware that there are different types of people who sleep and the importance of good sleep for health and physical and emotional well-being, Muse Sleep was born. Today, there are three different types of mattresses (soft, medium, and firm) that suit different types of sleepers. Each is designed with the same revolutionary technology that provides support, responsiveness and comfortable nights, along with cooling elements for uninterrupted sleep.

The Muse Sleep mattress might be the best thing you can do for yourself. Designed with advanced cooling technology, Muse Sleep provides support, comfort, and resistance to heat transfer all at the same time. This way you will get the most comfortable sleep you have ever had. Add to that a machine-washable cover, a 120-night free trial, free delivery, and a 10-year warranty, and Muse Sleep guarantees you’ll sleep like a baby. See specifications below.

Pros

• 120-night risk-free trial
• Free shipping and returns
• Long warranty
  Cons
• Not good for people who love spring mattresses.
• The edges of the mattress are not good for people who need support.

Puffy

• 850 dollars
• 101 nights sleep test
• During the life

Recognized as one of the best beds for combination sleepers, the Puffy offers a very versatile mattress that’s ideal for couples with different sleeping styles or individuals who aren’t sure which mattress style suits them best.

The Puffy mattress combines spinal support with temperature regulation to ensure uninterrupted sleep regardless of climate or sleeping style. Designers have allocated 2 layers for temperature regulation. one layer is a breathable cooling gel designed to stay cool even in extreme heat, while the other layer is a temperature-stabilizing Climate Comfort material that maintains the bed’s temperature throughout the night. Add a firm core support foam that adapts to changing body patterns, and you’ve got a versatile, one-size-fits-all mattress made for changing weather and sleeping patterns.

Puffy’s versatility is also evident in that the mattresses are made to accommodate all surfaces, from box springs to tiles or even floors. The mattress comes with 101 nights of sleep experience and a lifetime warranty for those who stick with it.

Pros

• The Climate Comfort design makes it great for warmer regions
• Works with box springs, slatted beds or almost any surface
• Lifetime warranty

• Only 1 strength level is recommended
• Better suited to hot climates

Airweave

• $910
• 100 nights
• 10-year limited warranty

Airweave is a patented design that provides sleepers with optimal spinal alignment and support. With evenly distributed weight support, couples will not feel each other’s movements and individuals will be able to expend less energy and maintain a deeper level of sleep.

Airweave mattresses do not have springs or foam. They’re designed with breathable air fiber technology to provide a firmer layer of support that keeps you cool at night. Airweave mattresses are also eco-friendly, made with safe and recyclable materials, use less energy during manufacturing, and are lightweight for easier, cleaner transportation. What’s more, these mattresses are even 100% washable for a cleaner, fresher feel.

• 100% washable
• Optimal spinal support
• Airfiber body heat dispersion for cooler nights

• Does not remove your old mattress
• Shipping may take up to 14 days.

Leesa

• 849 dollars
• 100 night sleep test
• 10 years

Leesa offers 3 types of mattresses: its signature mattress, a hybrid version, and the higher-end Legend mattress.

The signature product is an all-foam mattress made in the USA with CertiPUR-US certification. It features a 2-inch layer of breathable, responsive memory foam that contours to the body for comfort. This is balanced by a 6-inch support base, also made of foam, and a cooling layer on top for comfort. Leesa’s signature mattress has received rave reviews as a versatile bed that can accommodate different types of sleepers. Meanwhile, those looking for more bounce have the option of a hybrid foam/spring mattress or the Legend, a premium offering with hypoallergenic materials and a cover made from organic cotton and merino wool.

Pros

• Certified by CertiPUR-US
• Made in the USA
• Foam, hybrid and luxury mattresses are available
  Cons
• There is no lifetime warranty
• A signature mattress may not be firm enough for some sleepers

Avocado Green Mattress

• 899 dollars
• 1 year
• 25 years

The Avocado Green Mattress combines advanced sleep technology with eco-friendliness to give your body and your conscience a good night’s sleep. Handmade in Los Angeles from all-organic materials, these farm-to-table beds are certified non-toxic, but designed for comfort as much as for the environment.

The mattresses themselves are medium firm and recommended for back, stomach and combination sleepers. At 11 inches thick, they feature reduced motion transmission and needle tufted rosettes for strength and durability. With more than 1,400 hardened steel coils and 5 different ergonomic zones scattered throughout the bed, sleepers will find exceptional weight distribution, lower back and hip support, and a surface that doesn’t sink or resist, making for an adaptable mattress that can is to meet the needs. a wide variety of sleepers as well as couples with different sleeping styles.

Pros

• Made from organic and certified non-toxic materials
• Needle tufted roses for extreme durability
• 25 year warranty

• Not ideal for side sleepers
• Not suitable for those with latex allergies

Why Buy a Mattress Online

Although it may seem contradictory to buy a mattress online, there are many compelling reasons beyond the lowest price.

For one, the top online mattress companies have mastered the art of mattress shipping. And most of them offer free shipping, usually along with installation and even removal of your old mattress. It’s easy and convenient.

On the other hand, you have plenty of time to return your mattress. Everyone knows that you need to try a mattress before you buy it, and you may think that buying one online means you have no choice but to do so. However, this is not the case. Today’s online mattress companies offer free trials that last between 100 and 365 nights. With a year to see if you like your mattress and the option to return it for free, there is little risk in ordering a mattress for your home.

Finally, there is the price. Online mattresses are usually less expensive than store-bought mattresses. And the quality is usually higher; a company without the expense of a brick-and-mortar store can focus more freely on the science and engineering of sleep. And that is exactly what is happening. Many of today’s online mattress companies are producing innovative, research-backed mattresses that are driving the entire industry forward.

What’s the Best Mattress to Buy in 2021?

There is no such thing as the best mattress, only the best mattress for you. This is because everyone sleeps differently and requires different types of support.

That being said, here are some of the main considerations when purchasing a mattress.

• Do you sleep on your side, back or stomach? The position you sleep in most often can determine which style of mattress is best for you.
• Do you have back problems? People with back pain and joint problems should consider mattresses made with lumbar support and other therapeutic designs.
• Do you like it when your bed swallows you? Or do you like a little more bounce? Different mattresses have different levels of responsiveness. All-foam beds, for example, tend to be more plush and enveloping, while innerspring mattresses provide a little more resistance for those who prefer traditional firmness.

It is best to consider your sleeping habits to find the best mattress for you. Take some time to observe your sleeping positions, habits, and preferences. This will help you narrow down your search and find the best mattress that fits your needs.

Storage is a big problem for many people, and public storage companies are the obvious solution. Offering affordable storage units to store your belongings, full-service and self-storage options abound.

People keep things for different reasons. You may have excess items that no longer fit in your home. Or you may be in the middle of a movement or some other kind of transition in your life. Maybe you’re taking a gap year or have extensive travel plans. Public storage containers are useful even for businesses. You may have an online business and need a place to store your inventory, or you may be a retailer looking to stock seasonal inventory.

Whatever the reason,

public storage units are a great option. They offer a clean, safe, private and easily accessible place where you can store all your belongings. Storage companies vary in price and service packages. There are indoor and outdoor storage units, climate controlled units, full service easy access storage units, self storage units and much more. Simply put, you have many options. You just need to know what your needs are and the storage options will help you along with the rest.

So whether you’ve inherited items, are trying to accommodate a senior moving to a new living situation, are a college student who needs to put away your belongings for the summer, or have season-specific gear (such as motorcycles, snowmobiles, boats, sports). equipment, industrial tools), here are the best full-service self-storage companies to keep your items safe while in storage. Storage is a big problem for many, and public storage companies are the obvious solution. Offering affordable storage units to store your belongings, full-service and self-storage options abound.

People keep things for different reasons. You may have excess items that no longer fit in your home. Or you may be in the middle of a movement or some other kind of transition in your life. Maybe you’re taking a gap year or have extensive travel plans. Public storage containers are useful even for businesses. You may have an online business and need a place to store your inventory, or you may be a retailer looking to stock seasonal inventory.

Whatever the reason, public storage units are a great option. They offer a clean, safe, private and easily accessible place where you can store all your belongings. Storage companies vary in price and service packages. There are indoor and outdoor storage units, climate controlled units, full service easy access storage units, self storage units and much more. Simply put, you have many options. You just need to know what your needs are and the storage options will help you along with the rest.

So whether you’ve inherited items, are trying to accommodate a senior moving to a new living situation, are a college student who needs to put away your belongings for the summer, or have season-specific gear (such as motorcycles, snowmobiles, boats, sports). equipment, industrial tools), here are the best full-service and self-storage companies to keep your items safe during storage.

The Best Storage Unit Companies – An In-Depth Look

GetStored

• Starting price $119 per month
• Self-service or full service Full service
• States are available in the US and Canada.

GetStored has partnered with Atlas to combine the two areas of expertise of these companies. It is now one of the top-rated full-service storage companies in the country. With state-of-the-art, high-security storage facilities located throughout the US and Canada, GetStored has a lot to offer those looking to keep their belongings safe and secure.

GetStored has professional packing options, so you can bring professionals to your home and put everything together from start to finish. Once locked in the secure unit, GetStored will pick up and deliver your items whenever you want. And with protection plans that cover all eventualities, even during transport, GetStored is the ultimate in storage convenience.

Pros

• Complete protection plans
• Complete packaging and storage service.
• Free packaging materials

Cons

• No personal access
• One-time pickup fee

MakeSpace

• Starting price $69 per month
• Self storage or full service Full service storage
• Available states 31 cities

MakeSpace is the full-service storage company you’ve been looking for. You can use the convenient mobile application to request delivery of certain products whenever you want.

All MakeSpace facilities are monitored by a 24-hour security presence, motion sensor cameras and state-of-the-art alarm systems for safety; buy more coverage.

Pros

• Full service, warehousing and shipping included
• Photo inventory application
• Free packing supplies

Cons

• Only available in select locations
• There is no self-support option

Public storage

• Starting Price Approx. $15
• Self-maintenance or full service Self-maintenance
• Available States 39

 

Public storage is synonymous with storage, and no wonder. The company has been around for 50 years. And he made quite a name for himself in that time. Today, Public Warehouse is synonymous with quality, flexibility and convenience. With climate-controlled units, easy access options, and tons of storage unit sizes, public storage is the obvious choice for moving companies, businesses, and anyone else looking for reliable storage solutions.

Public Storage offers a $1 first month promotion and monthly contracts. You can also order a unit for free and without any obligation. Public Storage has a handy size guide on their website to help you decide which unit is right for your needs. And you can easily change the size of your disk at any time.

Pros

• Lowest prices around
• Controlled climate
• Flexible rental terms

Cons

• There is no full service option
• No 24 hour access

U-Haul

• Starting Price Approx. 60 dollars
• Self-maintenance or full service Self-maintenance
• 50 countries available

U-Haul is a household name. While it’s best known for its moving options, U-Haul is also a great solution if you’re looking for all kinds of storage. From indoor, climate-controlled, fully secure units to outdoor, drive-thru and easy-access units, U-Haul has them all. You can store anything from furniture to seasonal items, sports equipment, car wrecks and boats. U-Haul also has 24-hour access to some of its storage units, which is a huge plus for many consumers.

U-Haul has flexible rental terms with monthly contracts, your first month is free when you rent a truck, and a huge variety of unit sizes. You also get the benefit of a state-of-the-art security system that includes cameras, intercom systems and limited access to units, buildings and even apartments. U-Haul also offers storage insurance and online account management.

Pros

• 24 hour access
• First month free truck rental
• Different types of storage units.

Cons

• Not all features are available in all locations
• More expensive than some competitors.

extra space

 

• Starting price $10 per month
• Self-maintenance or full service Self-maintenance
• Available States43

The extra space is easy storage. You can visit one of thousands of locations across the country or do it all online. Extra Space offers clean, well-lit and secure storage facilities of all sizes to businesses and private consumers. The secure blocks have individual alarms, are covered by video surveillance and are protected by an access code behind electronic doors.

Extra Space is reasonably priced, with units starting as low as $10 per month for units. You can sign up for monthly contracts or set up automatic payment for more convenient payment options. Extra Space also offers $11 per month insurance to protect your belongings, making it a safe and affordable option.

Pros

• Excellent safety and security features.
• Regular treatment of pests and rodents.
• Discounts and online bookings
• 24/7 access

Cons

• There is no full service option
• Prices vary considerably from place to place

CubeSmart

 

• Starting price $26 per month
• Self-service or full-service self-service
• 40 countries available

CubeSmart has a great reputation for being customer friendly. It also offers deep discounts on storage services, making CubeSmart a popular choice for businesses and consumers on a budget. With many storage units to choose from, CubeSmart has many sizes and categories to meet every storage need, from outdoor to indoor, climate controlled, enhanced security, and even business office space.

CubeSmart offers many freebies, including free truck rentals for local moves, Wi-Fi access, and a business lounge. Additionally, CubeSmart has customizable storage units, so you can get the exact specifications and features you need to make your storage solution fit like a glove. CubeSmart has great security features, including an on-site manager to keep track of things 24 hours a day.

Pros

• Discounts, raffles and contests
• Monthly contracts
• Many additional services

Cons

• Available only during open house hours
• Insurance is not included.

Simply Self Storage

• Starting price $11 per month
• Self-service or full-service self-service
• 23 countries available

Simply Self Storage (or Simply SS, as your friends like to call it) offers a variety of storage solutions, from mini storage units to car storage and even business storage solutions. The units are climate controlled for maximum protection and Simply SS provides state-of-the-art security systems throughout the facility. Most impressively, most Simply SS locations have 24/7 access, which is a huge plus for those who value flexibility and convenience.

Pros

• Get insurance coverage included
• 24/7 access at most locations
• Good security measures

Cons

• There are not many places in the entire country.
• There is no exact pricing information available online.

Clutter

 

• Starting price Varies depending on services and location.
• Self-service or full service Self-service and full service
• Available states 9

Clutter is one of the few storage providers that offers both self-service and full-service storage options. For self-sufficiency, Clutter gives you 24/7 access, low monthly fees, and flat rates. Plus, you’ll get free transportation. Chaos will send you a delivery van and driver to help you move all your stuff to the warehouse.

For a complete maintenance service, Clutter truly provides white glove service. Professional moving companies will come to your home, expertly pack and move your items for storage, and deliver them to your door upon request. See what you have in stock at a glance using the Clutter mobile app, complete with a photo inventory. All Clutter units are clean, climate-controlled warehouses with 24-hour security.

Pros

• 24/7 access
• Photo Inventory
• Free cargo van and driver.

Cons

• Very limited service area
• No next day returns

Vecino

• Starting priceVaries
• Self storage or full serviceSelf storage
• Available states50

Vecino is a radically different type of storage service. Leveraging the power (and savings potential) of crowdsourcing, Neighbor connects those seeking storage space with private storage space providers in the area. This gives you convenient access to storage locations around the corner. Best of all, prices for Neighbor storage solutions are typically 50% lower than comparable conventional storage services.

Neighbor is built on trust, so it verifies all storage offers and uses secure payment platforms. What’s more, Neighbor offers tenants a $1 million guarantee. Private storage solutions vary from area to area, but typically include climate-controlled units, long-term storage, RV, car and boat storage, monthly parking, and more.

Pros

• Much cheaper than a normal storage unit.
• $25,000 protection guarantee for your possessions
• Search/filter by storage type, size and price

Cons

• Requires you to put your trust in another person
• Packaging and transportation not available.

How to Choose a Storage Company

 

What Are My Storage Options?

When you start researching the different public storage options, you’ll quickly notice that these services can be divided into 2 main categories:

• Self storage facilities

When you rent from storage, you do all the heavy lifting. You pack your items yourself and take them to your storage unit. This obviously costs you more time and effort, but it’s the way to go if you’re looking for affordable storage, as self-storage facilities are usually significantly cheaper than full-service alternatives. Storage facilities also have the advantage of being available anytime (out of hours, if not 24/7). Full service public storage companies do not allow you to visit their warehouses at all. Instead, you have to pay for shipping and pickup, which adds to the price of your rental unit.

Storage units often come with a number of additional benefits, such as easy access, portable supplies and flexible contracts.

• Full service storage

Full service storage companies offer the jobs. They will go to your home or workplace, collect your belongings and move them to the best storage facilities they have. When you want a product, these warehousing companies come to your unit, pick up the product and deliver it to your doorstep. This is an option for those who value extreme comfort and a minimal investment of time and work. Of course, you have to pay more for this type of storage solution, but that’s the price of convenience.

There is another category you may notice called pod storage units. This exciting innovation is basically a storage unit on wheels. You will get a storage container that is mounted on the back of the truck. Container storage companies deliver a portable container to your home.Capsule storage units are not a good option for long-term storage.

What types of storage units are there?
In addition to the types of storage companies available, there are different types of units including:

What Type of Storage Units Are There?

• Indoor storage units

are more secure and are the best option if you have delicate items that could be damaged if left in more open outdoor storage units. Indoor storage units usually have climate control. This is an important feature for fragile items such as photos, films, electronic equipment, cameras, wine, some materials, record albums, musical instruments, antiques, artwork and other sensitive items. Climate-controlled units protect your belongings from potential damage from heat, humidity, and cold.

Indoor self-storage and full-service units are safer because they are stored inside a building (which is usually protected by a comprehensive security system).

• Full service outdoor units and self storage

Outdoor storage units are also good options, especially if you are storing larger items. These units are not actually outside. Think of them as large motel-type structures that you have a private entrance to. You can access the outdoor unit from the outside, hence the name. These public storage units have advantages such as drive-thru access (easier to load and unload), on-site managers and video surveillance.

What Features Should I Look for in a Storage Unit?

The features that make up the best storage units for you will vary depending on your personal needs and preferences. For example, if you want to be able to access your storage unit whenever you want, bring things into the unit, take things out, and generally have more control over your things, then self-storage services are a better option. for you.

Trying to choose the best storage media for you? As with any service, read public storage reviews before investing in a unit. Also compare the following features:

• Safety

Is there 24/7 security? What kind of security system is there? Are there cameras, electric gates, access codes and on-site controls?

• Air conditioning units

As mentioned, this is an important feature if you have sensitive items. Make sure your storage units protect your belongings.

• Availability

Some storage companies offer you unlimited access to their storage unit, while others are more exclusive with their access. Some self storage facilities require you to make an appointment to drop off or pick up items from your storage and storage. If you plan to regularly remove or add to the unit, accessibility is an important feature to consider.

• Prices

The price of storage units is usually based on the amount of space you need. The storage service will offer a variety of unit sizes measured in square feet. You choose the size of the unit that you think will hold the number of items you want to store (eg 5’x5′ [25 square feet], 10’x10′ [100 square feet], etc.). Good storage services allow you to easily upgrade or downgrade without starting a whole new registration process.

If you’re looking for affordable local storage companies, you can do a quick Google search for “storage units near me”. However, prices are usually not shown. You must enter a zip code and/or contact the company directly.

• Rental option

Is there a long contract requirement? Month by month? Can you set up automatic payment?

Also, find out if you will be able to purchase additional materials from a storage service. Items such as packaging materials, labels, markers, boxes, bubble wrap, etc. can often be purchased at a discounted price from these services because they buy in bulk. So, before buying packing materials yourself, ask.

Do I Need to Pay to Insure My Belongings in a Storage Unit?

Professional storage companies require you to have some type of insurance for the items they store. This is a precaution and still a good idea for homeowners. The good news is that it’s easy to get insurance. Most people are already covered by their home insurance. But you should check your policy to see the exact terms and whether your stored items are covered or not. If you are covered by other types of insurance, be sure to bring a copy of the policy with you when you rent your unit in case it is required.

If you are not covered by an existing insurance policy, most public warehouses will have insurance coverage available for purchase. These policies usually offer a certain amount of coverage (up to $1,000, up to $2,000, etc.) for a monthly fee. Some really great storage companies also include free basic coverage in the rental agreement. If you want, you can choose to upgrade your insurance policy for higher coverage amounts. This is recommended as the basic cover is usually a fraction of the actual cost of the items.

The Best Storage Units Are Just a Click Away

The best storage facilities offer a fully online rental process. You will be able to book, register and pay for your storage without having to contact anyone. This is something to consider, especially in the current health care climate. Avoiding excessive exposure and public contact is always an advantage.

Conclusion

Choosing the right storage solution for you depends on knowing exactly what your needs are in terms of space, price and level of service. Carefully consider how you will use your storage space before deciding which company best fits those requirements. Fortunately, there are many flexible, affordable, and professional options to choose from.

According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the United States suffered more than half a million home burglaries in 2019, with more than 50% of them committed during daylight hours. Why should these statistics concern you? Because without taking proactive steps to secure your home and valuables, you too may become a statistic.

A reliable home security system informs you to protect your home, property and family.

This guide will help you understand the qualities and costs of the 10 best home security systems in 2223, so you can decide what’s going on.

Our Top 10 Best Home Security Systems and Companies:

• ADT – The best home security system overall
• Vivint – The best for smart security
• SimpliSafe – Best for hassle-free coverage
• Cove – The best for 360 security
• Frontpoint Security – Best for low budgets
• SecurityPricer – Best for comparison
• ADT Self Setup – Best for short term contracts
• Scout Alarm – Best for self installation
• Link Home Security – Best for wireless installation
• Deep Sentinel – The best for real-time monitoring

Our Methodology: How We Reviewed the Best Home Security Systems & Companies

To make sure you get the best advice and information when comparing home security companies, we test the home security systems we recommend in real-world environments wherever possible. In addition, we also analyze third-party user reviews and opinions expressed on social networks. Our comprehensive methodology is based on the following factors:

• Upfront and monthly costs.
• Ease of installation
• Ease of use
• Hardware and software quality
• Functionality of the mobile application
• Customer service
• Customer reviews

Our Top 10 Best Home Security Systems

ADT is a trusted home security company

 

ADT is a trusted home security company with over 140 years of experience in the industry. They offer a range of services including 24/7 monitoring, professional installation and a range of equipment options such as cameras, door and window sensors and smart home devices.

StarLinkHow’s cybersecurity expert Andrew Sinden comments that ADT is “a reputable company with a long history of providing comprehensive and reliable security solutions.” This sentiment is particularly reflected in ADT’s many positive customer reviews and six-month money-back guarantee, the longest full refund period on our list.

Why we chose ADT? They use smart home integration and provide comprehensive protection 24/7. You can even monitor your home and monitor your security system from anywhere in the world with their mobile app.

Our experience. Installation was quick and hassle-free; The technician also helped us set up the mobile app and put up a sign in the yard saying the house has a security system.

Read the ADT review

PROS

• 24/7 professional monitoring
• Customized security systems
• The mobile app has overwhelmingly positive reviews

CONS

• Three-year fixed contract.
• Professional installation required

Vivint

Vivint is a highly rated company that offers a number of smart security packages. Their app gives you complete control over your home, allowing you to turn lights on and off, monitor security cameras, and lock and unlock doors right from your phone.

Raj, editor-in-chief of WireQuality, calls Vivint “an innovative provider of home technology” and emphasizes its commitment to “ease of use, seamless connectivity, and improving the safety and convenience of homeowners.”

Why we choose Vivint. Vivint’s professional installers evaluate your home before offering equipment, so you’ll get personalized service from day one. They even provide energy management services to save you money on electricity bills.

Our experience. we liked Vivint’s Smart Deter technology, which deters potential thieves with sounds and lights as soon as security sensors detect them.

Read the Vivint review

PROS

• Smart Deter innovative technology
• Customized security solutions
• Integration with smart home automation devices.

CONS

• Money back guarantee unclear window
• No DIY installation options

SimpliSafe

SimpliSafe provides easy-to-use, reliable and configurable wireless security systems with 24/7 monitoring. You can choose the level of service you need for installation, professional or DIY, and the level of follow-up you will need.

Eric Lee, co-founder of REI Insiders, a real estate investment company, notes that “SimpliSafe is a great affordable option and is easy to install and use.” Most of your devices can also connect, such as doorbells and smart locks.

Why do we choose SimpliSafe? SimpliSafe wireless systems do not require professional installation, although they do offer them as an option. And all their contracts are monthly, so there is no need to sign an annual agreement like you do with other companies.

Our experience. Setting up the monitoring system and connecting components is simple with the included adhesive pads. Access to customer service was also convenient. We especially liked their live chat feature.

Read the SimpliSafe Review

PROS

• Simple, drill-free installation
• It works over WiFi and cellular networks.
• No contracts

CONS

• Various smart home integrations
• It is not as robust as other systems.

Cove

Cove offers high-quality home security equipment including video surveillance, smart sensors, and alarm systems. Their DIY installation process is beginner-friendly and their user reviews are extremely encouraging.

To use Cove products, you must subscribe to one of two monthly professional tracking plans: Cove Basic or Cove Plus. The Cove Plus includes the use of security cameras, while the Cove Basic does not. Cove doesn’t require you to sign a contract, but make sure you keep up with your monthly payments or your devices will simply stop working.

Why did we choose Cove? Their security system is backed by 24/7 customer support and is compatible with both Android and iOS mobile devices. All products also come with a 60-day money back guarantee.

Our Experience: We loved being able to access the Cove Emergency Center through the system 24/7, something we didn’t see with other DIY solutions.

Read the cove review

PROS

• Easy installation
• Affordable monthly rates
• Custom security solutions

CONS

• Available only in the US.
• Users report a buggy mobile app

Frontpoint

Frontpoint Security and makes it ideal for unstable WiFi connections.

Their service is exceptional, responsive chers are available from 8am to 5pm. at 23:00 on weekends. From them, customers benefit from the security combined with smart technology. their devices are integrated with Google Assistant and Alexa.

Why did we choose Frontpoint Security? they are ideal for renters. and you can take it with you when you move.

Our experience. We liked that we were able to use the investment costs, and instead of buying outright, they are the cheapest tarbela kn, we are happy with them.

An overview of Frontpoint Security

PROS

• and:
• Fast, easy, installation
• Excellent customer service

CONS

• option is not available
• monthly tracking fees

SecurityPricer

SecurityPricer is a comparison site that offers free quotes from the best home security companies on the market. Although it is not a home security provider, it allows you to compare costs and features of companies in your area.

It shows you your options for home security brands after you enter your address and answer a few questions about your security preferences. You can even schedule appointments online.

Why we chose SecurityPricer. SecurityPricer is completely free to use. It’s a particularly useful resource for comparing services side-by-side to help you make the best purchasing decision for your needs.

Our experience. While it was easy to find basic information, we wish we didn’t have to navigate to each brand’s individual website to gather more details.

Read the SecurityPricer Review

PROS

• Free estimates from home security providers near you
• Easy to navigate platform
• Work with the leading names in home security.

CONS

• It is not a home security system per se
• Search results may be limited

ADT Self Setup

ADT Self Setup is ADT’s DIY security solution. Allows you to install and monitor your home security system without the need for professional help.

The system includes features such as door and window sensors, motion detectors, and a mobile app for remote control and monitoring. The benefit is that you get a flexible security system with superior service, similar to ADT’s professionally installed security systems.

Why we chose ADT Self Setup. they are an ideal beginner DIY option for those who want to save on installation costs and directly monitor their home security.

Our experience. ADT Self Setup products are integrated with Google Nest, which made it easy for us to set up the system and connect it to our smartphones and other compatible devices.

Read the ADT Auto Configuration Review

PROS

• Choose between self and professional tracking
• Easy DIY installation
• Smart home integration

CONS

• No long term contracts
• The smoke alarm does not detect carbon monoxide

Scout

Scout Alarm’s core offering is a modern, easy-to-use home security system that can be customized to meet the needs of individual homeowners.

The self-monitoring plan (Always On) costs $9.99 per month, while the professional monitoring plan (Always On+) costs $19.99 per month. Its key features include customizable phone and email notifications, as well as cellular and battery backup.

Why we chose Scout Alarm? you can install the security features you want for your home without paying installation fees. The advanced plan dispatches police and firefighters in case of an emergency.

Our experience. The small Scout package took us only 45 minutes to install. The process was as simple as connecting the Scout Hub to the WiFi router with an Ethernet cable, entering the setup code on the QuickStart card, and allowing the Hub to pair with each device.

Read the Scout Alarm Review

PROS

• Integrating tons of smartphone apps
• Affordable, low maintenance equipment
• 24/7 professional monitoring on the advanced plan

CONS

• No external cameras
• Not yet updated with 5G technology

Link Interactive

Link Interactive is a do-it-yourself security service that lets you do the initial setup, but offers help when you need it. If you’re having trouble setting up your system, the Link call center has experts to help you.

Their systems are highly customizable and their contracts are flexible and have cancellation fees (meaning you can cancel without paying), making it easy for you to adjust your settings as your needs evolve. You can also connect security cameras, add smart home automation devices, and install life safety alarms.

Why did we choose Link Interactive? You can choose individual components such as glass break sensors, automatic lights and panic buttons for your system. There is no need to buy a more expensive package with several components.

Our experience. Wireless technology eliminates the need to run cables between rooms or drill holes in walls. Since the motion sensors and detectors were so easy to install by just peeling and sticking, we really liked the ease of use of the product.

Read link Home Safety Review

PROS

• No drilling, easy installation
• Tons of components to customize your system
• Three-year manufacturer’s warranty.

CONS

• Unprofessional installation
• Long term contract

Deep Sentinel

Deep Sentinel is an innovative security company that uses advanced technology to prevent crime before it happens. Their security system is backed by facial recognition software and live video monitoring, both of which should be features of a truly solid security product.

Deep Sentinel uses artificial intelligence and 24-hour professional surveillance. Your video stream is also analyzed by an AI-powered center to detect potential threats.

Why do we choose Deep Sentinel? With an easy-to-use mobile app and superior AI-based technology, Deep Sentinel is an advanced and reliable security solution.

Our experience. Although they are more expensive than other companies, we liked that their security guards are specially trained and can respond quickly if necessary.

Read the Deep Sentinel Review

PROS

• Cameras equipped with two-way audio devices.
• 24/7 professional human monitoring
• AI-based threat detection system

CONS

• No smart home integration
• Expensive

Comparing the Best Home Security Systems & Companies

Our home security systems comparison chart lists the prices, money-back guarantees, and warranty periods of the companies we reviewed. When comparing home security systems, consider factors such as hardware options, monitoring services, and customer support. Read reviews and check ratings from trusted sources to make sure you’re choosing a reliable company. Finally, consider any additional features or services that are important to you, such as home automation integration, mobile backup, or mobile app management.

Who Should Consider Getting a Home Security System?

*Nest Doorbell professionally installed for free. 36-month monitoring contract required starting at $56.99/month. With QSP (24-month tracking contract in California, total fees from $1,367.76) and ADT EasyPay enrollment. Offer includes installation of one (1) Nest Doorbell with a minimum purchase price of $599 after geo-based promotion is applied. Maximum discount $229. The Nest Doorbell includes corded or battery powered options. Offer available to new ADT customers only. Limit per customer, not compatible with other offers. In the event of early termination by the customer, ADT may charge 75% of the monthly maintenance fees due for the remainder of the initial contract term. The Quality Service Plan (QSP) is ADT’s extended limited warranty. Maintenance and installation fees vary depending on system configuration, equipment and services selected. Google and Nest Doorbell are trademarks of Google LLC. Some features, including mobile notifications, remote control, video streaming, and video recording, require active Internet and Wi-Fi. Minimum operating system requirements are available at g.co/home/req. iOS is a trademark of Cisco and is used under license. Expires on 30.11.23.
Home security systems are an important investment in protecting your home and family. They come with a variety of sensors and technologies that help protect what’s most precious to you, both inside and outside your home.

If there are people working in your home, such as cleaners or maintenance workers, indoor cameras also allow you to check that they have completed their work and have not damaged or stolen anything. Also, you can identify people trying to steal your packages with a home security camera and sensor. You can even prevent them from doing so with an alarm that sounds when someone approaches your front door or porch.

How Do Home Security Systems Work?

What Are Common Components of a Security System?

Home security systems work by using a combination of sensors, cameras, and alarms to detect and respond to potential intruders. Common components include the following:

Control Panel

A central control panel communicates with various sensors and cameras in your home. You can use it to arm and disarm the system, and depending on your type, you can also monitor your home in real-time via a mobile app or web portal.

Video Surveillance

Video surveillance, also known as closed circuit television (CCTV), uses cameras to monitor certain areas. The cameras record video images that you can also view in real time. Video surveillance significantly reduces crime in residential neighborhoods and can help identify potential suspects if a crime does occur.

Burglar Alarms

When the sensor is activated, an alarm sounds to alert you and those around you of a possible intrusion. Burglar alarms can be installed as a standalone system or included in a more complete home security package.

Motion Sensors

When the sensor detects movement or some other type of disturbance in the space, it sends a signal to the control panel, setting off an alarm and/or sending a signal to your connected smartphone.

Contact Sensors

A contact sensor, also known as a door/window sensor or magnetic sensor, detects when a door, window, or other access point is opened or closed. A magnet is placed on the door or window and an access sensor is placed on the frame. When someone opens the door or window, the magnet moves away from the sensor, triggering the alarm.

Glass-Break Sensors

These are sound detectors that are activated when a glass window or door is broken, which can indicate a possible intruder. They can be wired or wireless. Some models have an adjustable sensitivity level or the ability to distinguish between the sound of breaking glass and other loud sounds.

Yard Signs and Stickers

When burglars know your home has a security system, they are much less likely to break in and move on to another target. Many companies provide yard signs and stickers to show that your home is guarded and protected for safety. Stickers are often placed on different doors and windows of the house, and the yard sign is in front of it.

Environmental Sensors

Environmental sensors monitor various conditions of the house or building.

• Presence of fire and smoke.
• Dangerous levels of carbon dioxide
• Extreme temperature fluctuations
• Humidity levels
• Water leak
• Air quality

Choosing the Right Home Security System

When choosing home security, you should follow the following steps:

1. Assess Your Security Requirements

Assess the home or property and look for where a burglar might try to enter.

2. Determine Your Budget

Estimate how much you are willing to spend relative to the value of your assets.

3. Conduct Thorough Research

Before choosing security and safety systems, do your various research and compare the available devices, security features based on the reviews of previous users.

4. Decide Between Professional or DIY Installation and Monitoring

If not, choose a company or package that includes professional installation and 24/7 monitoring.

5. Consult With a Professional

If you hire a professional installation company, you may meet with a representative to review and receive your needs.

How Much Does a Reliable Security System Cost?

On average, home security system startup costs can be $200 for a self-install kit and over $1,000 for a professionally installed and monitored system. Monitoring costs typically range from $20 to $50, depending on whether the system is self-monitored or professionally monitored.

Indoor camera systems cost about $100 each, and outdoor cameras cost about $200. Door and window sensors typically cost $30 each, while smoke and carbon monoxide ambient sensors cost an average of $100.

Systems with only the basic sensor types are usually cheaper than those with smart home integrations and more advanced devices (such as the best home security cameras and doorbells).

Exploring Different Types of Home Security Systems

There are several types of home security systems. Some of the most common are:

Wired Systems

They are connected to your home’s electrical system and usually require professional installation. They are more reliable than wireless systems, but tend to be more expensive and difficult to install.

Wireless Systems

These systems use wireless technology (WiFi or cellular) to communicate with various security components. They are easier to install than wired systems and are usually less expensive, but less reliable in areas with low signal strength.

Monitored Systems

These systems are usually professionally installed home security packages and connected to an external monitoring center. They offer greater peace of mind, but are more expensive than unmonitored systems.

Unmonitored Systems

Unsupervised systems are more affordable than supervised ones, but they are less reliable. they require you to manually respond to alerts and alarms.

DIY Home Security Systems: A Practical Option

DIY systems like SimpliSafe and Cove are ideal if you only have basic security needs. They are generally the best home security systems for renters because they are designed to be easily installed and removed when needed. You also save on the cost of a home security system by installing and monitoring it yourself, which is perfect if you’re on a tight budget.

However, DIY products cannot provide the same level of safety or reliability as the professionals. You need to make sure that they are installed correctly and that all sensors and cameras are working properly. You must also monitor the system yourself and respond to any alerts or alarms. This can be time consuming and not feasible if you have a busy schedule or limited technical knowledge.

Professional Home Security Systems: Enhanced Protection

Professional systems like Brinks Home Security and Vector Security are the best home security systems for homeowners. cater to those with one-time or long-term security needs and/or high value items. They also provide 24/7 monitoring and respond to intrusion or other security breach alerts.

Useful Tips for Home Security Systems

You can ensure that your home security system provides the level of protection you need by following these tips:

• Choose the right package. Home security systems come in a variety of configurations, so choose one that fits your specific needs. Consider factors such as the size of your home, level of security, and your budget.
• Install the system correctly. To ensure that your home security system works properly, proper installation is essential. If you don’t want to install a home security system yourself or don’t feel comfortable doing it yourself, consider hiring a professional.
• Test your devices. whether you choose a monitored or unmonitored system, test your security system regularly to make sure all devices are working properly. This will help you identify any issues before they become a problem.
• Regularly monitor the system. If you have a self-monitoring system, you should monitor surveillance footage frequently and respond quickly to alerts or alarms. This will also help you see if someone is checking your home for a future burglary.
• Take additional security measures. Consider installing locks on all exterior doors, using motion sensor lights, and trimming back bushes or trees that could provide cover for burglars.

Additional Home Security Systems We’ve Reviewed

In addition to the above vendors, we also reviewed the following companies using the same methodology:

• Guardian Protection – The best mobile app with custom automations
• CenturyLink. Best for security packages with home communications
• Protect America. The best DIY system with no upfront costs
  

  Interesting Articles on Home Security

• 10 Signs Someone Is Inspecting Your Home
• The 10 highest burglary rates in the US by state
• 10 weird things people have caught on their home security cameras
  

  Protect Your Home Effectively

  Regardless of size, type, or location, any home will benefit from a security system, especially by deterring burglars from trying to break in. With the right home security system, you can enjoy greater peace of mind and protect your home and loved ones from potential threats.

Replacement windows can change the entire look and value of your home. And if you haven’t changed your windows in a few decades, then this update may be more necessary than you think. But replacing home windows is not something that should be taken lightly. Options abound, from what material to choose for the frame, to what type of glass to buy, and, of course, what company to hire to do the job.

Are you dizzy before you even start? Check out this comprehensive guide to finding the best replacement windows, including the average cost to replace windows, top window replacement companies, and which materials are best for your home.

The Best Replacement Windows – An In-Depth Look

Renewal by Andersen

Average price range Quotations by consultation
Warranty 20 year limited warranty
Response Time Advice is relatively quick
Renewal by Andersen offers replacement windows for every type of home and window requirement, from double-hung to picture windows and even custom doors and awnings. It has a great photo gallery on the site so you can browse the different window styles and understand the definitions before making your choice.

What’s really great about this company is the free consultation that anyone can get. You will schedule a scheduled appointment (no windows) during which Andersen Renewal will assess your home and window replacement needs. The contractor will discuss your options, provide project price quotes and answer any questions you may have.

• A beautiful and strong energy efficient product
• Long warranty
• Highly reputable and professional company
  Cons
• The warranty is limited to certain conditions
• An expensive option

 Home Services

Average price rangeVaries by manufacturer
Warranty Yes:
Response time In a few hours
The Home Depot is one of the biggest names in home improvement. The familiar orange logo is synonymous with making your home look, feel and function better. So it’s only natural that Americans also turn to The Home Depot for their window replacement needs. And for good reason. The Home Depot has a wide range of attractive and affordable replacement windows, comes with a true lifetime warranty, and provides professional consultation, measurements, delivery and installation.

One convenient feature that The Home Depot offers that most other window replacement companies do not offer is the convenience of scheduling a virtual consultation. From there, you will be connected with a design consultant who will help you based on your specific needs. Of course, The Home Depot offers a free in-house consultation if you want more options, professional measurements, and more experienced recommendations. But you can do it all online if you want and have a professional, licensed contractor deliver and install your windows.

• True lifetime warranty
• Consultations and authorized facilities throughout the country.
• Wide variety of online and offline options.
  Cons
• Some branches are more professional than others.
• Not so many special designs

Home Window Prices

Average Price Range Varies based on contractor
Warranty Varies based on contractor
Response time Varies based on contractor
Home Window Prices is a simple online search portal that helps homeowners find local professionals who can efficiently perform window repair and replacement. The network consists of over 100 expert home window replacement services, including well-known names such as Marvin Windows and Doors, Renewal by Andersen, and Jeld Wen Windows and Doors. Home Window Prices partners with quality name brands, so homeowners can be sure they’re getting the best money they can buy.

In addition to being an easy online process, Home Window Prices offers some helpful information about buying and replacing windows right on the site. Learn about different types of window ratings, energy efficient window models and more when you visit the Pure Home Window Prices website.

Pros

• Fast online search engine
• Best window repair services on the net
• Several levels of energy efficiency available
  Cons
• Not dealing with a direct contractor at first
• Works with in-network contractors only

Simple Home Quotes

Average Price Range Varies depending on local provider
Warranty Varies depending on local supplier
Response time Quotations in hours:
Simple Home Quotes offers free quotes from local contractors for your window replacement. Simply enter your details and the company will contact you within hours with up to 3 quotes to choose from.

Simple Home Quotes does not perform window installations itself, so it is up to you to research individual contractors and get the final price for your project. However, the platform can help you get started on your window replacement project and make it easy to find great, affordable local contractors.

Pros

• Completely free to use
• Get local estimates in hours
• Start searching for quotes in minutes
  Cons
• Does not request information about window types
• Estimates can vary widely

Pella

Average price $90 to $2000
Warranty 10 to 20 years depending on product
Response time 3 to 47 days
Pella is a popular window manufacturer with a modern website and quotes, plus a huge selection of windows. This company has a reputation for customization and quality of its products. Pella offers wood, vinyl and fiberglass windows in all major styles.

Although some customers have had problems with Pellas warranties in the past, as long as you read the terms and conditions carefully and install the product properly (or ask for the help of a qualified Pella installer), you shouldn’t have any problems. The great thing about Pella windows is that there are options if you need special weather protection or have had problems with other windows in the past.

Pros

• Virtual or home consultation
• A series of architectural windows
• Warranties are available

• Warranties not long/wide enough
• Past Class-Action Suit for Grooming
• Somewhat inconsistent customer service

Lowe’s

Average price range from $2,000 to $5,000
1 year warranty for labor
Response time: 1-3 days
Lowes has a wide selection of windows from top brands to help you with window replacement. The company can fit any budget, with options ranging from aluminum and vinyl to fiberglass and wood. Just keep in mind that customization options are somewhat limited.

The window replacement process at Lowes is not ultra-custom. You can get a free online consultation, but not all locations offer in-home estimates. Additionally, installations are performed by independent contractors rather than a dedicated Lowes team.

Pros

• Affordable windows available
• Offers dozens of major brands.
• Financing plans available
  Cons
• Independent contractors perform the installation.
• Short one-year warranty for installation.

Marvin Windows

Average price $250 to $1500
10 year warranty on most components
Response time 3+ days
Marvin manufactures elegant replacement windows that match any home decor. The company stands out for its wide selection and ability to fully customize your finishes and equipment. Marvin also backs its windows with a 10-year or longer warranty.

We also appreciate that Marvin works with local contractors for installation. This makes it easy to get a personalized assessment of your home right at the beginning of the design process. Marvin also offers free guides and samples to help you get started with the replacement process.

• A wide variety of window types
• 10 year warranty on finish
• Work with local contractors for installation
  Cons
• Remove expensive window options
• Warranty does not include installation

Thumbtack

Average Price RangeVaries depending on the contractor and job.
WarrantyPush Pin Warranty
Response time Generally within 4 hours
Thumbtack is the fastest and easiest way to hire window replacement contractors. Consisting of a huge network of home repair professionals, Thumbtack connects homeowners with the service providers they seek quickly and efficiently. What’s more, Thumbtack only works with local professionals. This way you will only receive profiles of contractors from nearby companies. This significantly reduces waiting time. What’s more, since they are all professionals, you can rest easy knowing that the job will be done right.

Thumbtack service providers cover all aspects of window requirements including window installation, cleaning and repair. You can also find professionals to handle more sophisticated window treatments, such as window tinting and screen installation or replacement. Detailed contractor pages let you see a lot of information about contractors before you even pick up the phone, and customer reviews help you distinguish inferior options from better ones.

Pros

• Thousands of professionals in a single network
• Convenient mobile applications
• Thumbtack Guarantee
  Cons
• Not all types of services are available in all areas.
• Not a direct window replacement contractor.

Remodel Connection

Average Price RangeVaries by contractor
WarrantyVaries depending on the contractor.
Response time Same day quotes
Remodel Connection is another window replacement company comparison tool. However, one difference between this and others of this type are the numbers. Remodel Connection has a massive network of over 500 contractors to work with. Therefore, you will get a great selection of the best people for the job.

Since everything is done online, Remodel Connection is a great way to calculate the average cost to replace windows in your area and within your range of requirements. Answer some basic questions, such as what type of windows you are interested in, where you live, how many windows need replacing, and whether you are repairing or replacing the windows entirely. Remodel Connection then connects you with the best window replacement services for you.

Pros

• More than 500 industry-leading contractors
• Fast online process
• Simple comparison tool
  Cons
• There aren’t many options to choose from on the initial form.
• Not a direct contractor

Home Renovation

Average price range Free to sign up and free quotes
Warranty Varies by contractor
Turnaround Time How quickly will your home’s windows be replaced?
Home renovations work on a simple principle: according to experts, replacing your windows can increase your home’s resale value by 80% or more. That’s a pretty good incentive for most homeowners. Home remodeling gives you easy access to a large number of trusted contractors at the same time. It’s an online portal that connects homeowners with contractors in their area, so it basically takes all the work out of shopping around.

Thanks to a smart home improvement algorithm, homeowners will get the best comparison prices when using a simple comparison tool. You fill out one application form and tell Home Renovation what type of replacement windows you’re looking for. The system then processes your information through a network of qualified contractors and returns only window replacement companies that match you. So you get multiple quotes instantly. It is a good system for those who like to shop.

Pros
Multiple quotes with one app
Instant online quotes
Wide network of qualified contractors

• Not a true window replacement service

• There is not much information before signing up.

What is the Best Window Replacement and How to Choose the Right One?

The best window replacement for you will depend on several factors, including your budget, the climate in your location, and the type of home you have. If you already have a style or design in mind, it’s a good idea to talk to the contractor directly. They will be able to give you a professional opinion on whether or not your design choice is the best option for your home.

To choose the best window replacement for your location, consider the weather. Do you live in a very cold or very hot climate? Does it rain a lot in your area? After answering these questions, these 4 attributes should be weighted accordingly.

R-value

• R-value. This is a measure of how well the window prevents heat loss. Basically it’s about isolation. This will ensure that the window keeps the correct temperature inside and the wrong temperature outside.

U-value.

• U-value. The U-value is the inverse of the R-value. So you want a high R-value and a low U-value.

Wind resistance

• Wind resistance. This indicates how much air leakage the window will allow. You want a lower number for this because it indicates a better seal.

Solar gain

• Solar gain. The solar heat gain coefficient, or SHGC for short, is a measure of how well a window will allow a room to be heated by the sun. This can be good or bad depending on the weather (bad in summer, good in winter). The higher the solar gain, the higher the number.

These different window ratings are clearly marked, so use these factors to decide which type of window is right for you. If, for example, you live in the southern half of Florida, Texas, or Louisiana, you’ll look for windows with a U-value of 0.40 or lower and a solar gain of 0.65 or lower. On the other hand, more northern areas such as Maine and New York will look for values of 0.35 U (solar gain is not such a factor in northern areas).

How Much Does the Average Window Replacement Cost?

The average cost of window replacement will vary significantly depending on several factors. They can include:

• Quality of materials used

As with any design, there are high-end and low-end material options. Depending on your budget, you will decide which material is best for you.

• Frame material and type

It’s not just the quality of the material that will affect window replacement costs. The type of frame and glass you choose will also vary considerably. Vinyl window frames are significantly more cost effective than the common alternative, wood. It is easier to manufacture and is more available. Wood, on the other hand, is a beautiful option, but will cost approximately 30% to 50% more. Fiberglass is another option that falls somewhere in between these two pricing options.

• Glass type

Thickness, any special effects (such as glazing or tinting), and other factors can significantly increase the cost of your glass package. Energy efficiency is one of the most popular features that people look at. This will increase your window replacement cost by approximately 15%. However, before you rule this out, keep in mind that energy-efficient windows can give you a return of up to 75% in just a few years.

• Facility

The level of difficulty of the installation will also determine the price. More difficult installations will cost more, including where in the house they will be installed, full-frame installations, and fancier bay windows.

• Number of windows being replaced

This is obvious. The more windows you replace, the more it will cost you. However, several window replacement companies will offer discounts for multiple window replacements performed simultaneously.

Types of Window Replacements

Home window replacements can vary in terms of frame style, glass thickness, glass type, and more. Some of the most common types of window replacement include:

sash windows

• The bottom half of the window is what moves.

Average cost: $170-$360

• sash windows

Both the top and bottom of the window can be moved.

Average cost: $450-$600

• arched windows

They are windows with round covers.

Average cost: $325-$500

• Awning windows

These open to the outside.

Average cost: $420-$760

• bay windows

This is a window that protrudes from the exterior wall, creating a bench inside your home.

Average cost: $1,150-$3,550

• arched windows

This is a rounded semicircle of windows on the outside of the house.

Average cost: $1,400-$3,800

• casement windows

Like shutters, it is a single panel that opens to the right, left, up or down.

Average cost: $270-$750

• egress windows

This is an escape hatch style window, often seen in basements.

Average cost: $100-$5,000

• garden windows

These are miniature windows in which you can place plants.

Average cost: $1,000-$4,000

• glass block windows

These are literally glass blocks, a decorative element.

Average cost: $365-$785

• Hopper windows

They generally open from the top and are good for small spaces.

Average cost: $265-$720

• Windows with lattices

This is a multi-pane window style.

Average cost: $175-$375

• Panoramic windows

It is a large glass window, ideal for enjoying beautiful views.

Average cost: $245-$850

• circular windows

These beautiful windows can be elliptical, oval, round or semicircular. They are decorative, in addition to allowing light to enter smaller spaces.

Average cost: $250-$750

• windows skylights

They are installed on the ceiling, which is perfect for letting more light into limited spaces on exterior walls.

Average cost: $900-$2,130

• sliding windows

These are elongated, rectangular windows made up of 2 panels, one of which slides from side to side.

Average cost: $320-$1300

• storm windows

Another layer of protection, they are installed directly above your current windows.

Average cost: $200-$460

• Stern windows

Another attractive option is decorative windows that are installed simply to add more style to an area.

Average cost: $200-$575

You can also get custom windows. Not everyone will offer all of these services, but all good window replacement companies will have a good enough selection to give you plenty of options to choose from. They will also help you choose the best replacement windows for your home situation and budget.

What Window Materials Should I Look For?

The material of your replacement windows will dramatically change the price of your project, as we noted above. Here are some of your options for frames:

• Wood frames vs. vinyl frames, we’ve already discussed this
• Fiberglass, the middle ground
• Fibrex is a composite of wood and epoxy resin: this option does not rot or deteriorate but looks like wood.

As for the glass itself, you can get one, two or three panels. These can be coated with multiple coatings to resist the elements or create more energy efficient options. Choose your window material based on location and budget, but also consider aspects such as energy savings and wear and tear over time.

When it comes to pest control services, “best” may vary depending on your location, the type of pests you are dealing with, and your specific needs. Here are some general tips to help you find a reputable pest control service:

All our contractors deal with:

Bedbugs

Bed bugs usually hide in cracks and crevices near a food source, usually in a human environment. It is quite common to find them living inside furniture, behind baseboards and of course in mattresses and beds. Although bed bugs do not transmit diseases, they are known to bite people and leave itchy welts. These pests are elusive and therefore require a professional to completely eliminate them from your home.

Termites

Termites are common pests in homes, especially those built of wood. These pests are responsible for billions of dollars in structural damage in the United States each year. These creatures often eat the wood of a house leaving the outer layer intact, giving homeowners the impression that they are free of infestation. If you find termites on your property, you will most likely need professional Control help to deal with the problem.

Roaches

Mold is one of the most common pests in the United States; Due to their dirty habits and unhealthy environment, they create big problems for representatives of the food industry. Since some are able to withstand extreme conditions and temperatures, it can be difficult to try to remove them from your home. It’s not uncommon to find a single cockroach in your home from time to time. If you notice that this is becoming a regular occurrence, you should probably call a professional.

Ants

Ants can cause a lot of damage as they search for food and water in homes. They are generally attracted to the most common elements in the kitchen, such as sweets, oils, fats and meats. It is not uncommon for ants to build a nest in the foundation of the house. on walls, under floors and even inside appliances. Removing ants from your home can be difficult, as they tend to move quickly when their nests are threatened, but an exterminator will be able to help and there are many traps and sprays you can purchase.

Bees

Bees are basically clean insects going about their business. They are also not particularly aggressive, but can be if disturbed or feel threatened. Bees are not necessarily considered pests because they perform many activities that benefit humans and the environment in general. Approaching a hive is extremely dangerous and should therefore be left to an expert beekeeper.

Mosquitos

Mosquitoes usually live in areas with tall grass, bushes, weeds, and standing water. These habitats are usually located near residential areas such as houses and buildings. Most people are familiar with the annoyance of a single mosquito at night, but a mosquito infestation can be much worse. Eliminating a mosquito infestation is hard work that requires adequate knowledge and experience in the field.

 

This was the reality for Jessica, who was a victim of identity theft when her wallet (and her identity) was stolen from her at a San Francisco bar in 2018.

But identity theft extends beyond our physical possessions. our increasing reliance on digital transactions amplifies the threat in the online world. For example, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recorded nearly 700,000 reports of credit card fraud alone.

Fortunately, affordable identity theft protection services offer a convenient way to monitor online activity conducted in your name. Below, we present a selection of the 10 most trusted identity theft protection services to help you protect your finances and assets from imposters.

Our Top 10 Best ID Theft Protection Services & Companies in 2023:

• Aura: Best Overall Identity Theft Protection Company
• LifeLock: Best for Norton Antivirus Users
• Identity Guard: Best for full spectrum protection
• Zander Identity Theft. Best for People Looking to Recover Their Identity
• Norton. Best for anyone who has or wants Norton antivirus
• myFICO: the best for the protection of the whole family
• IdentityIQ: Best for Fraud Protection
• IDShield : Best for Identity Assistance and Restoration
• robodeidentidad.com: the best for those looking to protect their credit
• MyCleanID : Best for Identity Theft and PC Maintenance

The table below provides a quick comparison of the best identity theft protection services on the market today. You can compare the cost of each service, see user ratings and reviews, and check out the key features of each service to help you decide which one is right for your needs.

In-Depth Reviews of Our Top ID Theft Protection Picks

Aura

• 60-day money back guarantee
• A complete suite of ID theft, financial fraud, and device protection tools
• $9/month or $108/year
  Aura provides robust protection against identity theft, including online account controls, financial transaction monitoring and a secure digital “vault” to store sensitive personal data.

The suite also has a password manager that makes it easy to create and store multiple strong passwords. What’s more, Aura’s VPN uses high-end encryption to protect your online activity, especially on public Wi-Fi networks. In addition, they offer AI-powered antivirus and safe browsing tools that serve as a digital fortress against unwanted websites and fraudulent websites.

Aura monitors all three credit bureaus, Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion, as the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) recommends identifying identity theft. The CFPB also advises to be alert for credit check requests from unknown companies and suspicious accounts that Aura can monitor for you.

Why did we choose Aura? In the event of a data breach, Aura intervenes immediately with security alerts, comprehensive fraud resolution services and up to $1 million in premium identity theft insurance per person. The platform’s sleek, user-friendly interface also features a “Protection Summary” that conveniently displays active identity theft measures on a central dashboard.

Our experience. we were impressed with Aura’s 24/7 customer service. We appreciated that the US-based anti-fraud team was always available to personally assist us with fraudulent incidents. Should a breach occur, the team will work directly with us to develop a recovery plan and resolve the issue.

Pros:

• A complete set of tools to protect your identity and finances
• 60-day money back guarantee for annual plan
• 24/7 US based customer service
  Cons
• Fixed plans, no mixing and matching

LifeLock

• 60-day money back guarantee
• Norton antivirus users
• $9.99 per month

LifeLock, a heavyweight Norton antivirus product, has the technology, accessibility, and ease you’d expect from the industry-leading company. Most impressive are the plans themselves, which not only combine online security and identity theft protection, but also offer more flexibility than usual.

Lifelock plans include ID and Social Security number alerts and are offered in conjunction with Norton’s 360 suite. This means that the bundled plans give you VPN services plus robust identity theft features, such as stolen funds refunds ranging from $25,000 to $1 million, bank account and credit card activity alerts, and even credit card account alerts. 401(k) investment in the Ultimate Plus plan.

LifeLock also offers LifeLock Junior, an affordable add-on for children under 18 that includes:

Dark Web monitoring and searches on file sharing networks. All plans include 24/7 live member support and help from US-based identity restoration specialists.

• Refund of up to $1 million
• Antivirus and protection against cyber threats
• 60-day money back guarantee
  Cons:
• It’s only worth it if you want Norton 360
• Price can be confusing

Identity Guard

• Free trials. Forks
• Full spectrum protection
• $7.20/month or $79.99/year per month

Identity Guard has protected more than 45 million identities and resolved more than 140,000 cases to date. They partner with IBM Watson’s AI technology, using its advanced data analytics and predictive capabilities to enhance threat detection.

The service protects your online identity by monitoring the dark web (a notorious hub for cybercriminal activity) and alerting you if criminals are selling your personal information. Identity Guard also constantly monitors your personal and financial information, with their US-based support team always ready to resolve any issues that arise.

Why we chose Identity Guard? With 20 years of industry experience, Identity Guard stands out in providing effective identity theft protection and monitoring services powered by AI. These services immediately alert you to a wide range of potential threats. They also offer up to $1 million in insurance coverage per adult to cover legal fees and replace lost funds.

Our experience: we’ve found that even the most budget-friendly Identity Guard plan provides the highest level of protection against ID fraud. We were particularly impressed by the inclusion of dark web monitoring in this entry-level subscription package.

• Monitors credit score with all 3 credit bureaus
• Uses IBM’s Watson AI technology for optimal performance
• $2,000 emergency cash fund
  Cons
• No 24/7 customer service
• 3-Credit reports with Premier plans only

Zander Identity Theft

• No
• People seeking to recover their identity
• $6.75/month

Zander Insurance’s anti-identity theft service diligently scans the dark web to prevent criminals from selling personal information like your Social Security number and driver’s license number. The company offers plans for both individuals and families. It should be noted that their family plans cover two adults and up to 10 children at no additional cost.

Their top-tier package, Elite Cyber Bundle, includes online security features like VPN and antivirus protection. This service also protects against all forms of identity theft, including financial fraud, medical fraud, and child identity theft. Additionally, he is endorsed by radio host and financial guru Dave Ramsey.

The unique appeal of Zander Insurance is its focus on premium recovery service. They provide a dedicated US-based recovery team and up to $1 million per person in insurance coverage. However, to keep prices low, they do not offer credit monitoring or financial transactions, which they believe people can manage independently through banks and credit agencies.

Why we chose Zander Insurance? Their emphasis on top-notch identity recovery services, such as full-service recovery, makes them a great choice for those at high risk of identity theft. This includes previous victims of identity theft, people who frequently transact online, and people active on multiple social media accounts.

Our Experience: We were impressed with Zander Insurance’s commitment to personalized identity recovery and premium identity theft insurance, particularly given their long-standing reputation as trusted insurance providers. We also appreciate that Zander provides access to a trained team of specialists ready to address any identity breach promptly.

Pros:

• Unlimited family plan
• One of the most affordable options.
• Comprehensive recovery services, including lost wage coverage.
  Cons:
• No credit monitoring
• No free trial period

Norton

• 60-day money back guarantee
• Anyone who has or wants Norton Antivirus
• $9.99/month

LifeLock operates under Norton, a well-recognized leader in online security. Although the use of other Norton products is not a prerequisite, their products are seamlessly integrated if they are used. This service quickly detects potential threats and alerts you via calls, text or email. Furthermore, it ensures that a dedicated ID recovery specialist is always available to help resolve the issue.

LifeLock offers three subscription plans with varying degrees of protection. The standard plan provides $1,050,000 in coverage, identity alerts, dark web monitoring, and single bureau credit monitoring. In contrast, premium plans offer up to $3 million in insurance, crime alerts in your name, and protection against phone bill capture.

While LifeLock only includes three-bureau credit monitoring in its highest-level annual package, daily updates are available for single-bureau monitoring. Furthermore, this product is an ideal add-on for existing Norton users, as some online security features, such as VPNs, are bundled with Norton’s antivirus products, not LifeLock.

Why did we choose LifeLock? At the core of Norton, LifeLock offers strong protection against identity theft. Its design is user-friendly and easily navigable. Notably, even the most basic membership level includes 24/7 live member support, ensuring consistent, reliable help when needed.

Our experience: we were impressed with LifeLock’s comprehensive insurance options, always available customer support, and cost-effective pricing structures. However, we found room for improvement. credit monitoring from the three bureaus should be standard across all their subscription plans for comprehensive credit monitoring.

Pros

• Includes Norton Antivirus
• Offers 3-bureau credit monitoring
• User friendly mobile application

• No family plan
• Expensive compared to other services

myFICO,

• No
• Protection for the whole family
• $19.95per month

myFICO, the consumer division of FICO, the company behind FICO credit scoring, offers a robust identity theft defense plan with comprehensive credit report monitoring, especially aimed at those looking to improve their credit.

The platform delivers significant value through extensive monitoring across three offices and 24/7 identity restoration services. It also includes $1 million in identity theft insurance. However, while the advanced tier offers quarterly updates, the main subscription provides monthly updates. Receive alerts about any inquiries made to your credit reports, which could indicate fraudulent use of your personal information. Unfortunately, myFICO does not offer a free trial or family plans. Although you can cancel at any time, they do not offer refunds.

Why we chose myFICO: myFICO sets itself apart from the competition by prioritizing comprehensive credit monitoring across all three bureaus, regardless of the subscription plan selected. Their credit inquiry alert system also serves as a unique potential fraud warning feature.

Our experience: We were impressed with myFICO’s dual focus on credit monitoring and identity theft protection, making it an invaluable resource for people looking to improve their credit scores while ensuring online security. . We especially liked the FICO score simulator, which allows users to visualize how different financial decisions could affect their credit score.

Pros

• Monthly and quarterly reports.
• Receive alerts by SMS, email or mobile app
• 24/7 customer support
  Cons
• The basic plan only includes coverage for 1 office
• Minor limitations on some credit report data

IdentityIQ

• None:
• Best for customizable identity theft protection
• From $6.99/month

IdentityIQ offers comprehensive protection against identity theft and fraud through its easy-to-use mobile and desktop applications. Provides peace of mind with various monitoring features, ensuring your personal information is safe from misuse. The service is available in four plans, to suit different needs and budgets, and even the basic level offers up to $1 million in identity theft and loss of income coverage. However, it lacks social media following and shares information with third parties for promotional purposes.

Key features include dark web monitoring and family coverage in higher-tier packages. IdentityIQ monitors credit reports from up to three bureaus, Internet and dark web activity, and address changes with credit reporting agencies. It also offers optional Bitdefender Premium VPN and Total Security antivirus for additional protection.

Prices vary across four tiers. Secure, Secure Plus, Secure Pro and Secure Max, and range from basic to advanced features. All plans offer substantial coverage, with the top tier providing additional benefits such as identity restoration with limited power of attorney and family coverage for members under 24 years of age. Monthly and annual billing options are available, offering up to 35% savings. However, there is no free trial option.

Why we chose IdentityIQ? Offering up to $1 million in identity theft insurance on all plans, including family coverage options in higher-tier packages, ensures extensive coverage and peace of mind for users.

Our Experience: We appreciate the comprehensive customer support that IdentityIQ offers. We understood that when problems arose, guidance through the steps of identity theft recovery, such as contacting the credit bureaus and handling fraudulent activity on your credit reports, was taken for granted. After the fact, the IdentityIQ team proactively follows up on cases to ensure the issue is resolved.

Pros:

• Refund of up to $1 million of stolen funds
• Comprehensive dark web monitoring
• Real-time credit monitoring and identification
  Cons:
• No refunds for partial months
• No free trial option offered

IdentityTheft.com

• forks
• Those who want to protect their credit
• N/A

IdentityTheft.com has partnered with ScoreSense to offer an effective identity theft solution. The platform runs daily scans to detect irregular credit report activity and other potential signs of identity theft, alerting you immediately of such occurrences. You also have the option to request full credit reports from all three bureaus to check for errors, unauthorized changes, or suspicious activity.

Furthermore, IdentityTheft.com extends its monitoring services to other personal accounts such as driver’s licenses or credit cards. It digs deep into the dark web to make sure your personal information isn’t being sold by cybercriminals. To enhance your protection, the service offers $1 million in insurance coverage to cover any financial loss due to identity theft.

However, if you want protection against a wide range of identity theft scams, you’ll need to manually set up additional account monitoring. This platform also does not provide a full-service identity solution in the event of a breach. Instead, they guide you through the necessary steps, from closing unauthorized accounts to filing police reports and FTC complaints.

Why we chose IdentityTheft.com. If you want to keep a close eye on your credit reports, IdentityTheft.com is a great choice. The service provides personalized advice with loan officers and a dedicated dispute center. Furthermore, it provides monthly updates from all three credit bureaus and proactively monitors daily for any unusual activity.

Our experience: we were positively impressed with IdentityTheft.com’s three bureau credit monitoring. If you’re willing to be proactive in protecting your online identity, this “one-size-fits-all” service should suffice.

• Ability to add multiple accounts to be monitored
• Continuous monitoring
• Instant alerts on suspicious activity
  Cons
• No pricing information
• No 24/7 customer support

MyCleanID

• One-time free diagnosis
• Identity theft and PC maintenance
• $19.99 per month

MyCleanID combines identity theft monitoring with specialized diagnostic software to effectively protect against identity theft. This tool tracks your hard drive and hides the location of any data (sensitive information like phone numbers, email addresses, and credit card numbers) that could be exploited by identity thieves.

Additionally, MyCleanID constantly tracks changes to your credit reports, newly opened accounts, and suspicious activity linked to your Social Security number or physical address. The service even includes lost wallet protection, with up to $2,000 in emergency cash and a maximum of $1 million in identity theft insurance.

MyCleanID is unique in protecting both your local device and your cloud-based personal information. And all you need to do is download the diagnostic software to your computer. But while it will flag issues for free, fixing them will require a $19.99 annual subscription. Additionally, it lacks multiple subscription tiers with different levels of features.

Why we chose MyCleanID? MyCleanID employs diagnostic software that scans for security risks on your device, offering an additional layer of protection to your identity safeguards. The anti-identity theft product also provides consistent monitoring and alert systems. Ultimately, these could prove invaluable in keeping your information out of the hands of identity thieves.

Our experience: We did not see similar diagnostic software on any other competitor’s site. This tool really impressed us, as it gave us unique insight into how locally stored information could expose us to identity theft. However, at $19.99 per year on top of the monthly subscription fee, we’d prefer to see more customizable subscription tiers.

Pros

• Up to $2,000 of lost wallet protection
• Exclusive PC protection software encourages proactive online security
• 24/7 support in the US
  Cons:
• You need to pay a one-time activation fee
• Only 1 plan available

How We Reviewed the Best Identity Theft Protection Services – Our Methodology

With a wide variety of online identity theft services available, we’ve considered several factors to rank some of the best identity theft protection services.

We have reviewed the adaptability of their services, their cost, monitoring techniques, recovery process and customer service reliability. We also looked into providing additional online security tools, such as VPN access and antivirus protection, in addition to their basic identity security measures. Our evaluation criteria include:

• Monitoring methods including credit reporting and dark web monitoring
• Identity recovery methods: full-service or stand-alone?
• Cost effectiveness
• Availability of customer service
• Additional online security tools
• The degree of customization of the product
• User reviews
  

What’s Identity Theft Protection?

Identity theft protection services are designed to protect your personal information from fraudulent use, such as opening new credit card accounts or taking out loans in your name. Typically, most ID theft services feature identity and credit monitoring designed to detect suspicious activity in real time, such as unauthorized purchases.

Many also include insurance to reduce costs if a breach occurs and offer resources to help resolve theft issues and facilitate ID recovery.

How Does Identity Theft Happen?

Most identity theft occurs over the Internet when you don’t implement proper cybersecurity measures. Weak passwords can be easily guessed or cracked when using outdated antivirus software, leaving your data vulnerable to newer malware.

For example, one common trick is a phishing scam that lures you into submitting your information to fake websites. In these scams, you unknowingly hand over your passwords and personal information while the criminals remain unknown. An updated antivirus package, however, will be able to identify suspicious or dangerous websites.

Some hackers can also infiltrate your device directly using viruses or remote desktop software, while others infiltrate your accounts using malicious methods such as keylogging. In addition, criminals can steal your personal information through data breaches of companies or other organizations that have your data registered.

For example, an alleged hacker forum leak exposed the emails of more than 200 million Twitter users. dark web or other criminal forums.

If you suspect identity theft, act immediately. The potential damage extends far beyond data loss and can have serious consequences.

Why’s Identity Theft Protection Important to Have?

Identity theft protection is important because it quickly flags suspicious activity, allowing you to take preventative measures. Such mitigating actions may include disputing a fraudulent account or freezing your credit. Every second is important. The longer a criminal has access to your personal data, the more damage they can do.

Most identity protection services will do the heavy lifting, closing unauthorized accounts and contacting your bank and credit bureaus to report fraud. They also offer online security tools like VPNs and antivirus software to thwart hackers, preventing identity theft in the first place.

In addition, many of these services include insurance coverage in the event of a breach, giving you peace of mind that you will recover from any financial losses.

Do I Need an Identity Theft Protection Service?

Ultimately, the decision comes down to personal preference. Would you rather pay a small fee for coverage in case you are a victim of identity theft?

Reliable identity theft prevention services offer valuable protection against financial and identity-related harm caused by criminals and malicious actors.

High-risk individuals, especially, could significantly benefit from these advanced safeguards against identity theft. This includes previous victims, as their stolen information may be traded or sold between bad actors who could victimize them again, and those who frequently conduct confidential transactions online.

However, it is essential to understand that identity theft protection services do not completely prevent identity theft. With this in mind, it is becoming increasingly clear that you need to be smart and proactive when it comes to protecting your personal information.

How to Prevent Identity Theft

Signing up for an identity theft protection service does not prevent your personal information from being stolen. Instead, it allows you to take immediate action if fraud is detected. These services monitor various sources, including your credit files, social media accounts, and the dark web, to identify any signs of criminal activity.

Fortunately, there are some actions you can take to proactively prevent identity theft. These include the following:

• Regularly review your financial accounts. Frequently review your credit card and bank account statements to identify suspicious or unknown expenses.
• Use strong, unique passwords. By employing strong passwords (think: “SDjcks2347\]LKS”:>” vs. “Yourname2023”), you make it harder for criminals to guess or crack them and limit the potential damage if one of your passwords leaks or is stolen.
• Install updated antivirus software. Hackers often try to install malware on devices to gain unauthorized access or steal personal information. Using a reliable antivirus program can detect and block malicious software before it infiltrates your device, reducing the risk of this happening.
• Protect physical information. Make sure your mail is delivered to a secure location or locked mailbox. Also, shred all personal documents before throwing them away so they can’t be stolen from the trash.
  

  Is an ID Theft Protection Tool Worth the Investment?

  Yes, identity theft prevention tools are essential to ensure effective identity protection. As we become increasingly reliant on phones and computers, the threat of digital identity theft continues to rise. If you have been a victim of identity theft in the past, you are particularly vulnerable. And your risk increases every time you conduct confidential transactions online.

If you want to add an extra layer of security to your life and reduce the risk of identity theft, consider spending a few dollars a month on an identity theft protection service.

What Types of Identity Theft Protection Services Are Out There?

Identity theft protection services offer a variety of features and varying degrees of protection. Some, like credit report monitoring, provide basic protection but don’t guarantee full coverage. Others are more comprehensive but also often more expensive.

Here is an overview of these services with an idea of their special offers and benefits:

• Credit report monitoring. Credit report monitoring services basically monitor your credit report activity in real time. This feature will notify you of changes, including loan applications or new bank accounts opened in your name.
• Identity monitoring. More comprehensive identity monitoring is designed to scan for compromised or stolen personal data from a variety of sources that criminals can weaponize. These sources include the dark web, common websites, and a variety of other databases.
• Restoration of identity. Reliable identity recovery services (which are usually part of an ID theft protection package) can greatly simplify the process of repairing the damage caused by identity theft. Some companies even provide professional assistance, which allows you to relax while professionals solve the problem.
• Identity theft insurance. Another important consideration is the type and level of insurance coverage associated with your identity theft protection service. Some provide a high level of coverage, protecting you from financial loss following identity theft.
  

  Other Types of Identity Theft Protection Services

  Tax-Related ID Protection

  People who illegally obtain personal information such as a Social Security number can file false tax returns with the IRS. However, to combat the growing tax-related identity theft, the IRS teamed up with tax firms, payroll processors and state tax administrators. Together, they run awareness campaigns to educate citizens about safe practices.

Americans should protect their tax records, keep their Social Security cards in safe places, and use reliable security software and strong passwords when submitting sensitive personal information online.

Medical ID Protection

Although less frequent, medical identity theft is an equally serious threat. It includes the misuse of your personal information to obtain medical services or medicines. The dark web can trade this information so that complete strangers can use it, and medical providers can even use it to submit inflated or falsified claims to insurance providers.

For this reason, online protection of your data may not be sufficient. Experts recommend checking health insurance records annually for potential discrepancies.

Common Types of Identity Theft Scams

Criminals use various scams with the sole purpose of stealing your identity or personal information. However, not all identity theft cases involve modern technology, as phone scams and theft of physical information are still common. In fact, Americans lost a staggering $39.5 billion in the last year to phone scams alone.

Here are some common identity theft scams to be aware of:

Phishing. Phishing scams involve criminals posing as legitimate companies or organizations. These scams usually arrive via email or text messages that appear to be from trusted organizations such as banks. They often call for immediate action, such as updating personal or payment information, but once entered, this information is quickly stolen.

Hacking and data breaches. Even with the most advanced cybersecurity measures, everyone is still vulnerable to identity theft. Hackers use various techniques to access devices or corporate databases, allowing them to steal large amounts of personal information.
Form hijacking: Criminals can target online retailers or other unsecured service providers by inserting malicious code designed to help them steal your payment information. This technique often involves manipulating a form so that when you complete it, the code sends a copy of your information to the attacker.
Physical Theft: Physical identity theft continues to pose a significant threat. Reportedly, more than 50% of identity theft incidents between 2006 and 2016 were traced back to non-digital vulnerabilities. This form of fraud can occur through various means, including obvious theft of a purse, wallet, or mail.

Other Kinds of Identity Theft

In addition to the standard types of identity theft mentioned above, you should be aware of some less common ones.

Tax-related identity theft. Criminals can leverage stolen information, such as Social Security numbers, to file fraudulent tax returns with the IRS. Although efforts are made to mitigate this risk, it is still important to protect your Social Security cards and tax records.
Medical identity theft. Although relatively uncommon, medical identity theft occurs when someone uses your personal information to obtain medical services or submit falsified insurance claims.
Child Identity Theft. Scammers may steal children’s identities to open unauthorized bank accounts, apply for loans, and engage in other fraudulent activities.
Synthetic Identity Theft. This form of identity theft involves combining authentic (often stolen) information with fabricated data to create a completely fictitious identity.

What Are Some Common Signs of Identity Theft?

Here are some common indicators of identity theft to watch for:

1. Financial Discrepancies: One of the first warning signs of identity theft is unusual or unauthorized transactions on your credit card or bank records.
2. Your Mail Gets Lost. A common tactic criminals use is to redirect your mail to an address of their choosing. This allows them to receive your mail, giving them access to your sensitive information, such as bank statements, credit card details or other personal information.
3. Debt Collectors Contact You: If someone has been using your identity to get loans and credit cards but hasn’t kept up with their payments, debt collectors may come after you for debts you didn’t know you owed.
4. Your medical records show discrepancies. Some criminals may use your personal information to access medical treatment. If your benefits do not add up or you receive an unexpected medical bill, it could indicate that someone is using your information to receive “free” medical care.
5. Your information is exposed in a data breach. Data breaches are surprisingly common. In fact, these breaches exposed more than six million data records worldwide in the first quarter of 2023. These data breaches often result in personal information being sold on the dark web, which could put you at risk of Identity Theft.

How Can I Find Out If Someone Is Using My Identity?

One of the most effective ways to detect online identity theft is to regularly monitor your bank and credit card statements. Financial institutions typically offer access to account statements through online platforms or mobile apps, so you can easily review your recent deposits, withdrawals, charges, and payments.

If you notice something you didn’t authorize, consider it a clear warning sign of possible identity theft. Additionally, it is essential to regularly check your credit report from the three major credit bureaus. Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion. You can access your credit reports for free by visiting www.annualcreditreport.com.

How to Report Identity Theft

If you are a victim of identity theft, it is essential that you report the incident to the FTC. You can easily do this over the phone or through their online platform; just be sure to provide as much information as possible.

Additionally, please contact your bank, credit card provider and any relevant organizations affected by fraudulent activity carried out in your name. It is also recommended to notify one or more of:

How to Choose the Right Identity Theft Protection Service

While all of the identity theft protection services listed here are great choices, it’s important to find one that fits your needs. Start by considering your budget to eliminate expensive options right away.

Next, assess your requirements. Do you prefer credit monitoring or comprehensive identity monitoring? What level of insurance cover do you need? Is professional help available if you are experiencing identity theft?

After considering these questions, you will be better equipped to make an informed decision. Remember that many providers offer free trials that allow you to test their services without any financial commitment.

Identity Theft Is on the Rise

Recent reports indicate a growing concern about identity theft. Credit card fraud, loan fraud and benefits fraud are alarmingly common. In fact, according to the FTC, incidents of identity theft in the U.S. will increase from more than 650,000 to 1.1 million between 2019 and 2022.

This trend can largely be attributed to the increasing digitization of our lives, which has led to numerous data breaches. These breaches have exposed the personal information of countless individuals, allowing criminals and ID thieves to take advantage of it.

Other Identity Theft Protection Services We Reviewed

In addition to the identity theft protection services discussed above, we have also researched and compiled a list of other brands that may be of interest to you. Check out this list of identity theft services to get an idea of the different pricing options, types of reports, and features offered across the board.

Experian – Best for dark web surveillance

Identity Protection – Best for affordable basic theft protection

ReliaShield – Best for family plans and free coverage for children

GOFreeCredit – The best of three bureau credit monitoring and credit signals

Avira – Best online security tools for Mac users

Credit Karma – Best for free credit report monitoring

Self Financing – Best for building credit

Stop Identity Thieves in Their Tracks

Investing in an online identity protection service is an extremely effective way to prevent online identity theft. However, it is important to recognize that no identity is completely secure in the digital age. That’s why features like identity resolution services and ID theft insurance provide added peace of mind to those looking for extra protection.

Choose the strongest anti-identity theft tool within your budget to keep you safe online. Even a basic or free credit monitoring service can go a long way in deterring identity thieves.

This is where a home warranty plan can come in handy. Protects your investment and reduces repair costs that can put you in debt. However, comparing home warranties can be confusing and time-consuming. Exclusions, coverage limitations, and service charges are just some of the key factors to investigate.

To make it easier for you and better understand what to look for, we evaluated the most popular companies in the industry and compiled a list of the best home warranty providers.

Our Top 10 Best Home Warranty Companies:

• Choice Home Guarantee :Best Overall Home Warranty Company
• Choose Home Warranty: Reasonably Priced Premiums and Rates
• American Home Shield: Best for Custom Plans
• Home Warranty of America: Best for Comprehensive Appliance Coverage
• America’s First Home Guarantee: Best for High Payments
• Home Maintenance Club: Best for Covering Pre-Existing Problems
• Liberty Home Guard: Homeowners Looking for Fast Claims Processing
• Elite Home Warranty : Adjustable Warranty Policy
• Mike Holmes Protection: Unlimited coverage for home systems and up to $6,000 coverage for appliances.
• 2-10 Home Buyer Guarantee : Best for Fast Service

Our Review Methodology: Evaluating the Best Home Warranty Companies

It is important that you get the best advice and information when comparing home warranty companies. That’s why, in addition to the main criteria in our list below, we also take into account public opinion of customers and draw on industry experience to offer only high-quality services. Our methodology is based on the following factors:

• Average annual premium
• Number of contractors
• Service call fee
• When can service requests be made?
• Coverage range
• Types of plans available (premier, gold, platinum, etc.)

Our Top 10 Best Home Warranty Companies – Quick Reviews:

Choice

Choice Home Warranty is an ideal affordable option for first-time homeowners. Choose between their customizable Basic Plan (12 items) and General Plan (16 items) for coverage of up to $3,000 per successful claim.

DebtHammer CEO Jake Hill notes that the Choice Home warranty is also “particularly helpful for older homeowners” because they are not “denied coverage based on the age of their home systems or appliances.”

Instead of changing service fees, they only charge $85 per claim. You also get your first month free if you’re a new customer.

Why we choose Choice Home Guarantee. Setting itself apart from other services, Choice Home Warranty responds quickly to inquiries and claims, provides reliable customer service, and has affordable annual premiums.

Our Experience: We were impressed with Choice Home Warranty’s quick response time when making claims online and over the phone. The support professionals we worked with were knowledgeable and quick to provide helpful information.

Read the Choice Home warranty review

PROS

• Low premiums
• First month free
• 24/7 phone and online home warranty solutions

CONS

• Coverage limits of $250 to $3,000 per item
• Not available in California

Select Home Warranty

Select Home Warranty provides competitively priced coverage for major appliances and systems. Their premiums start at just $36 per month, which is more affordable than other home warranty companies.

Jennifer Spinelli, real estate professional, investment advisor, and founder and CEO of Cash For Houses, calls Select Home Warranty “reliable and trustworthy.” She adds that she no longer has to worry about “expensive repairs or replacements due to accidents or breakdowns.”

There are three different plans available and all include free roof leak coverage. However, Select Home Warranty services are not available in Nevada, Washington, or Wisconsin.

Why we choose Select Home Guarantee. Their affordable premiums and minimal rates set them apart from their competitors. It is also convenient that they offer two months free with their annual plan.

Our experience. We were particularly impressed with Select Home Warranty’s friendly 24/7 phone support and free roof leak coverage.

Read the Select Home Warranty Review

PROS

• Affordable premiums and rates
• 24/7 phone support
• Free Roof Drain Coverage

CONS

• Lower coverage limits
• Not available in Nevada, Washington or Wisconsin

 American Home Shield

American Home Shield, in business since 1971, is the largest and most respected company in the U.S. home warranty market with more than two million members.

Tommy Gallagher, former investment banker and founder of Top Mobile Banks, was “impressed with the range of contractors available and the quality of service provided”.

Choose from their three customizable plans: ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, and ShieldPlatinum. The ShieldSilver plan only covers 14 major systems, while the ShieldGold plan covers 23.

For additional benefits, ShieldPlatinum comes with full system and hardware coverage. This includes cost-saving extras like free HVAC tune-ups, unlimited air conditioning refrigerant, coverage against leaks and code violations, and higher payment limits for repairs and replacements.

Why do we choose American Home Shield? They operate in 47 states and Washington DC, and you can customize your plan. American Home Shield automatically covers duplicate items and older items with rust or corrosion.

Our experience. We found American Home Shield to be a great option for anyone looking for highly customized plans and access to a broad network of contractors. We could easily find a program that suited our needs.

Read the American Home Shield Review

PROS

• Highly customizable plans
• Includes undisclosed pre-existing conditions.
• Covers old things including rust and corrosion.

CONS

• There is no guarantee of repair time.
• Not available in Alaska, New York or Hawaii

Home Warranty of America

Home Warranty of America has comprehensive policies that cover most appliances and home systems. Offering up to $15,000 in annual coverage for repairs and replacements, they also have 24/7 phone or online support requests and a 30-day money-back guarantee.

They may be a little more expensive than some of the competition, but you get a lot for your money. All plans come with a per-service visit deductible.

Why we choose Home Warranty of America. Home Warranty of America provides nationwide service and is a good value when covering all appliances.

Our experience. We were impressed with the home warranty and efficient US customer service. It was easy to set up a plan and we appreciated their 30-day money back guarantee.

Read a review of Home Warranty of America

PROS

• Covers most appliances.
• High coverage limits
• 30 days money back guarantee

CONS

• 30 day waiting period
• 10% cancellation fee

The First American

The First American home warranty is the ideal choice for those looking for solid home protection for their systems and devices. The company has been in business since 1984 and claims to have saved homeowners more than $219 million in renovation costs.

Coverage comes in two basic plans and one premium plan. The best features of the First American Home warranty include that it protects items regardless of their age and replaces defective items with new equivalents if they cannot be repaired.

Why We Choose First American Home Warranty First American Home Warranty offers specialized programs for both real estate professionals and service providers. They also have a 24/7 complaints service, fully vetted merchants and a transparent application process.

Our experience. We liked First American Home Warranty’s response times, which were significantly faster than other companies.

Read the First American Home Warranty Review

PROS

• 24/7 claims support
• Fully verified merchants
• Low prices and service fees.

CONS

• It is difficult to understand the price breakdown without a personal quote.
• Your application is poorly rated.

Home Service Club

Home Service Club (HSC) offers two service plans: Standard and Comprehensive. The Standard plan includes 18 major devices and systems, while the Comprehensive plan includes 33. Additional extras such as pool and roof cover are available at an additional cost.

HSC’s unique plans include pest damage and utility line coverage, setting them apart from other home warranty services. You can also choose the amount of your service fee from three options ($65, $95, and $125), and all repairs come with a 90-day warranty.

However, HSC charges above-average service charges and surcharges. You must also live in a single-family residence, condominium, townhouse or multi-family property to qualify for the program.

Why we chose Home Service Club? HSC has a wide selection of optional extras including coverage for gas lines, grinder pumps, pipelines, swimming pools and spas. In addition, the company’s services are available throughout the country without exceptions.

Our experience. we appreciated that HSC provides pest damage coverage, which many competitors do not.

Read the Home Care Club review

PROS

• Provides coverage for pest damage
• Available nationwide
• 90-day warranty on all repairs

CONS

• High base premiums and service charges
• Do not list prices on the website

Liberty Home Guard

With high ratings and excellent reviews, Liberty Home Guard has a reputation for providing reliable service to customers.

They have three plans available (Systems Guard, Appliance Guard and Total Home Guard) with optional financial protection for roof leaks, freestanding freezers, generators, carpet cleaning and pressure washing. New policyholders also get free limited roof leak protection and two months of free coverage.

Liberty Home Guard’s exceptional claims process sets them apart from other home warranty providers. They have a 24/7 call center and guarantee to assign a contractor to a claim within 24 to 48 hours. They also have a network of over 10,000 qualified technicians in all 50 states.

Liberty Home Guard has launched a comprehensive mobile app that revolutionizes the way homeowners manage their escrow accounts, file claims and access real-time information. The app offers features like easy access to warranty details, efficient claims management, streamlined payment tracking, seamless communication with technicians, real-time notifications, and a wealth of home maintenance knowledge.

Why We Chose Liberty Home Guard: Liberty Home Guard’s rates start at just $1 per day and their technicians arrive within 24 to 48 hours of filing a claim.

Our Experience: We are pleased with Liberty Home Guard’s reliability, fast claims processing, and excellent customer service.

Read the Liberty Home Guard Review

PROS

• Excellent client service
• Currently offering two months free.
• Highly valued by customers.

CONS

• Not available in Wisconsin
• Less technicians compared to other companies

Elite Home Warranty

Elite Home Warranty offers highly customizable home warranty policies. You can choose from three warranty packages and dozens of optional add-ons, or create a completely custom policy that protects the devices and home systems you care about most. You can also adjust your coverage limits and copayments for service visits. Overall, Elite Home warranty policies are comprehensive and affordable.

Elite Home Warranty is one of the few home warranty providers that allows you to choose your own service technician. The company also has a nationwide network of contractors and can dispatch them within 24 to 48 hours of your claim. You can file a claim 24/7 online, by phone, or through the Elite Home Warranty mobile app.

Read the Elite Home Warranty Review

PROS

• Select custom coverage limits
• In-network service technicians or choose your own
• Submit claims 24/7 online, by phone or through the app

CONS

• Copays for service visits can be up to $130 each time.
• The service performance guarantee is only 30 days.

Mike Holmes Protection

Mike Holmes Protection offers adjustable home warranty policies that provide unlimited coverage for your home systems and up to $6,000 in coverage for your appliances. The company has a network of more than 11,500 contractors and responds to requests 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Why did we choose Mike Holmes Protection? Mike Holmes Protection is more expensive than the competition, but you’ll have peace of mind knowing that even the most expensive repairs will be fully covered. The company also has excellent reviews from owners for its quick response to complaints.

Our experience. I found the support team at Mike Holmes Defense to be very responsive and very helpful. I also love that you can get a free quote and sign up online in just a few minutes.

Read Mike Holmes’ defense review

PROS

• Unlimited coverage for home system repairs.
• Multiple plans with multiple add-ons
• Great reputation for quick repairs.

CONS

• Available only in 36 states
• Premium costs are higher than the industry average.

2-10 Home Buyers Guarantee

2-10 Home Buyers Guarantee has 40 years of experience in the home warranty industry. It offers 3 plan tiers: $19.99 per month, $51 per month, and $60 per month. Service fees are adjustable and range from $65 to $100 per visit, but the base fee is $85. 2-10 HBW offers a generous annual coverage limit of $25,000, so you’re protected in the event of multiple device or system failures.

To get started, simply visit the 2-10 HBW website or call customer service. You can purchase a warranty at any time, whether you’re buying, selling or currently living in your home. Support is available 24/7 and you can expect a service call within 24 to 48 hours of submitting your claim.

Benefits:

• Annual coverage limit up to $25,000
• Covers casual wear
• Service charge refund if item not covered
• Customers receive discounts on GE and Whirlpool appliances

Plans and Pricing:

The 2-10 Home Buyer’s Warranty offers three plans and optional additional coverage.

• Simply Kitchen – includes six kitchen appliances
• Complete house. covers 22 appliances and home systems, including all those covered by the Simply Kitchen plan
• Pinnacle Home. covers 32 appliances and home systems, including all those covered by the Complete Home plan

States Serviced:

The 2-10 home buyer warranty is available in 42 states, but not available in Alaska, Hawaii, Montana, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, and Wyoming.

Read 2-10 warranty reviews for home buyers

PROS

• Available in 48 contiguous states
• Buy a plan anytime
• $25,000 annual coverage limit

CONS

• Expensive annual premium
• High base maintenance fee

Comparing the Top Home Warranty Companies

Now that you have more information about the top 10 home warranty companies, it’s time to compare them. The home warranty chart below outlines each company’s features and services, including coverage details, average annual premiums and customer experience.

Consider coverage inclusions and limitations when reviewing the chart. Look closely at maintenance fees to make sure you’re not overpaying for actual repairs in an attempt to save on the annual premium. Finally, read customer reviews to learn how each company performs, as well as the quality and timeliness of their repairs. With this information, you will easily be able to decide which company offers the best plans at the most affordable prices.

What is a Home Warranty?

A home warranty is a contract that provides customers with coverage for the repair and replacement of major home systems and appliances due to normal wear and tear. Offers protection against unexpected breakdowns, including repair or replacement of covered items such as air conditioners, boilers, refrigerators, washing machines and plumbing systems.

How Do Home Warranties Work?

Home warranties help homeowners cover the cost of repairing or replacing appliances, systems, and other household items that break down over time. When you purchase a home warranty, it’s like having a security blanket for unexpected repairs. If something goes wrong with covered products, the appliance warranty company pays for repairs or replacements up to your plan limit.

If you have a problem with a covered product, you can call the warranty company and they will send a technician to fix it. The technician will use parts from an approved list to repair or replace the product to get it working again.

You usually have to pay a small service fee or deductible for each repair or replacement job. His plan will cover the rest of the bill up to the amount of his policy. That’s why many people consider home warranties a valuable investment. You don’t pay anything if something breaks.

Are Home Warranty Plans Worth It?

Home warranty programs are worth it for many homeowners. They protect you from unexpected repairs and high replacement bills, especially for large appliances like refrigerators or washing machines.

There are many reasons to get a home warranty plan, including the peace of mind of knowing that if something breaks in your home, you may not have to pay as much to fix it. Many companies also offer additional coverage options such as pools, spas, extras or systems, so you can customize your plan to your needs.

Determining the Need for a Home Warranty

A home warranty can be beneficial in many situations, whether you are moving into a new home or a home you have loved for decades. For those moving into a newly built home, the warranty covers defects and malfunctions in the home’s major systems and appliances. It can even reduce overall maintenance costs during the first year.

Getting coverage for an older home is also a good idea because it protects against costly repairs due to aging and wear and tear. While most plans do not cover problems in older homes, there are some home warranties that cover pre-existing conditions, allowing for repair services at a reduced or no cost.

How to Choose the Best Home Warranty Plan for Your Needs

When you’re ready to purchase a home warranty plan, follow these steps to ensure you choose the best company for your needs.

• Explore different plans and compare features. Read about the different home warranty contracts available to determine which one best suits your needs. Consider the coverage limits, service charges, and other benefits each plan offers.
• Ask important questions. Contact home warranty companies if you have any questions about your plans. Make sure you understand what is covered and if any limits or restrictions apply.
• Get home warranty quotes from multiple providers. When you’re ready to buy, compare prices and request quotes from several vendors. Be sure to read the fine print of the contract before making a decision.
• Verify credentials. Look for companies that are certified by organizations such as the National Home Services Contracting Association to ensure they are reputable and have the proper licenses and regulations.
• Study customer reviews. Read home warranty reviews from customers who have used the company in the past. Check how reliable, helpful and responsive their customer service is to know how to file a claim or repair later.
  

  Coverage Details of Home Warranty Plans

  Basic home warranty plans typically cover major appliances and offer coverage for:

• Refrigerators
• Dishwasher
• Washing machines
• Dryers
• Stoves and ovens
• Garbage collection

Additionally, most home warranties cover the following basic home systems:

• Electric system
• Ducts
• the water heater
• Air-conditioning
• Cooling and heating system.
• Ancient
• plumbing system
• garage door

For an additional cost, many home warranties offer additional coverage for the following items.

• Tanks septicos
• piscinas buried
• bombas de pozo
• bombas de sumidero
• Septic systems
• aspiradoras centrales
• Balnearios
• Water heaters
  

  Cost Considerations for Home Warranty Plans

  Home warranty plans typically cost between $300 and $600 per year, which breaks down to $25 to $50 per month. Some companies offer monthly payment options, but pay annually if possible, as many providers offer discounts for this.

  Additionally, most home warranty companies charge or reduce a maintenance fee each time. This can cost between $60 and $150. There may also be charges for after-hours repairs, special types of services, and other items not included in your plan. Please read the terms and conditions of your plan to understand exactly the fees associated with it.

  Advantages of Purchasing a Home Warranty

  An additional layer of insurance for your home, home warranties can cover costly repairs or help finance the replacement of major appliances and other items in your home. With a home warranty program, you can avoid surprise expenses and enjoy peace of mind knowing that all warranty issues will be covered.

  Benefits for Homeowners and Landlords with a Home Warranty Policy

  Homeowners and landlords can benefit from home warranty policies because they cover the cost of repairing and replacing major appliances and systems that will eventually break down. This is particularly helpful for landlords who rely on rental income to pay bills and maintain maintenance costs. With a home warranty program, they don’t need to worry about additional repair costs.

  Homeowners also benefit by knowing that if something goes wrong, they won’t have to scramble to raise money or find a contractor. Most companies offer custom coverage options, allowing homeowners to select the specific items they need protection for.

  What Types of Home Warranty Plans Are Available?

  Home warranty programs are a helpful way to protect yourself against costly repairs. There are several types of home warranties, so it is very important to understand the coverage of each plan. Below is a summary of the different types of plans and what they include:

   

• Device-only plans. Basic appliances such as stoves, garbage disposals, refrigerators and ovens.
• Systems-only plans. Home systems such as plumbing, electrical and air conditioning.
• Comprehensive plans. both large appliances and home systems.
• Additional coverage. items not included in your basic plan, such as pools, spas, second refrigerators, septic tanks, sump pumps, and well pumps.
  No matter which home warranty plan you choose, always read the fine print and ask questions before you commit. This way you can be sure that your investment in your home will be properly protected.

What Is Not Covered Under Warranty?

While home warranty programs provide homeowners with valuable protection, they may not cover everything. You often need a higher-tier plan or special add-on to cover certain things. Below are some items and situations that are not typically covered by most warranties:

• Accidents due to inadequate maintenance. You will have to pay for any damage or malfunction caused by improper maintenance or lack of maintenance. For example, if you do not change the filters in your HVAC system regularly, the resulting problems will not be covered.
• Damage caused by self-repair. Repair or replacement costs will not be covered if you attempt to repair any item yourself, causing further damage. Therefore, if you think something is wrong, you should always call a professional.
• Pre-existing damage.
• Cosmetic problems. Cosmetic problems, such as scratched tiles or paint on a wall, are considered minor repairs and are not covered by standard warranties.
• Code Violations. Your home warranty policy will not cover damages related to code violations, such as if you build an addition to your home without proper permits.
  

  Step-by-Step Guide to the Home Warranty Claims Process

  Filing a claim with your home warranty company doesn’t have to be overwhelming or complicated. You can follow the process below to resolve your issues quickly.

Step 1: Contact Your Home Warranty Company

Contact your home warranty company online, by phone, or by email. Give them all the relevant details about your problem, such as when it occurred, what happened, and what could be causing it. You may also be asked for photographs or proof of purchase, depending on company policy.

Step 2: Submit an Online Claim Form (If Required)

Some companies offer an online claim form that you must complete before accepting your claim. It helps the company understand its problem more clearly and can ultimately simplify the process for both parties. When completing the form, please read each field carefully before submitting to ensure the information is complete and accurate.

Step 3: Await Confirmation of Your Claim

After submitting your claim, you will need to wait for confirmation that it has been accepted. Most companies aim to respond within 24 hours, but this can vary depending on the severity of the issue. Please follow up if there is no response within a day or two; sometimes emails get lost.

Step 4: Check If You Need to Pay Service Fees

You will probably have to pay a maintenance fee before repairs can begin. Your home warranty company should provide clear instructions on how and when to make this payment. Ask questions to avoid misunderstandings afterwards and, of course, before the technician arrives at your door.

Step 5: Arrange for Repair or Replacement of the Item

Once your claim is accepted, the repair or replacement will begin. Depending on where you live and the availability of parts and services in your area, this can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks. Many companies have a group of contractors that they work with on site, but they are not always reliable or communicative. Be sure to ask for updates throughout the process.

Home Warranty vs. Homeowners’ Insurance: Understanding the Difference

Homeowners insurance covers repair costs related to fire, flood, lightning, wind, hail, theft, vandalism, and liability protection (if someone is injured on your property). Specially covered items can include roofs, furniture, clothing, appliances and more, as long as the damage is caused by a covered issue or natural event.

Home warranties typically cover repair or replacement of major appliances and systems, such as air conditioning, plumbing, and electrical wiring, due to normal wear and tear. For similar reasons, your home warranty may also cover large appliances like dishwashers, stoves, ovens, and refrigerators.

Both protect the value of your home, so it’s important to compare your home warranty and homeowners insurance when making your decision.

Additional Home Warranty Companies We Reviewed

More Home Warranty Companies We’ve Reviewed
In addition to the top home warranty companies mentioned above, the following are also worth considering:

• Sears Home Warranty – Best Repair Guarantee
• HSA Home Guarantee: Best Without Home Inspection
• Landmark Home Guarantee – Best Pest Control Coverage
• HomeServe USA – Best Value Packages
• Amazon Home Warranty: Best One-Month Free Service
  

  Bottom Line – Protect Your Investment with a Home Warranty

  Our picks for the top 10 home warranty companies are Choice Home Guarantee, Select Home Guarantee, American Home Shield, Home Guarantee of America, First American Home Guarantee, Home Service Club, ARW Home, Liberty Home Guard, First Premier and 2- 10. Guarantee for home buyers.

Home warranties can help homeowners and homeowners save money on maintaining appliances and home systems.

Some plans give you access to additional benefits like extended appliance protection, free HVAC maintenance, and a network of vetted and certified technicians you can trust. These benefits alone make home warranties a good investment for many homeowners.