Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Written By David Cusick
Last Updated April 2024
Owning a home can have lots of advantages, but it can also come with some negatives like maintenance. The older your house’s appliances and systems are, the more likely it is that you'll benefit from a home warranty. A home warranty is a way to protect your savings from unexpected expenses. With a home warranty in place, your repair costs can be considerably lower and give you some peace of mind.
The home warranty market is filled with a lot of providers — all with different price points — so the Today's Homeowner team has done the research to help you find the best home warranty companies in Alamo.
Over 10 years of experience
24/7 customer service team
Home inspections aren’t required
90-day repair guarantee
Plans aren’t customizable
Customers can’t choose their own contractor
Not available in washington
Choice Home Warranty offers the best overall home warranty in Alamo. The 2 policies that Choice offers include differing levels of system and appliance coverage, as well as add-on options. If you’re looking for very high coverage caps and simple-to-understand service contracts, Choice is the perfect provider for you. Plus, it has great customer service, professional contractors, and lower out-of-pocket costs compared to other home warranties.
There are 2 home warranty plans from Choice Home Warranty: Basic Plan and Total Plan. Choice has coverage caps of around $3,000 for most appliances and systems, but with some plans, the coverage caps can be higher, so make sure to check with the provider. Service fees are an affordable $85.
To read more, visit our Choice Home Warranty full review. To receive a free quote from Choice Home Warranty, you can fill out this online form or call 929-400-6164.
Basic Plan
Total Plan
Low service fees compared to other home warranty providers
Two months of free coverage
Has an appliance-only, systems-only, and combo plan option
90-day repair guarantee
Has a $75 cancellation fee
Low coverage caps
Select Home Warranty offers the most cost-effective home warranty in Alamo. The 3 policies that Select offers include differing levels of system and appliance coverage, as well as add-on options. If you’re looking for a highly affordable service fee and free roof coverage upon purchase of a policy plan, Select is the perfect provider for you. Plus, it has an extensive network of highly trained professionals all over the country who are experts in home maintenance.
There are 3 home warranty plans from Select Home Warranty: Bronze Care Plan, Gold Care Plan, and Platinum Care Plan. Select has coverage caps of around $2,000 for most appliances and systems, but with some plans, the coverage caps can be higher, so make sure to check with the provider. Service fees are a reasonable $60.
To read more, visit our Select Home Warranty full review. To receive a free quote from Select Home Warranty, you can fill out this online form or call 888-370-3953.
Bronze Care Plan
Gold Care Plan
Platinum Care Plan
The oldest and most trusted company in the industry
Allows customers to build their own plans
Ability to choose the service fee you want to pay
Broad coverage on up to 33 appliances and systems
Doesn’t let customers choose their own technician
Doesn’t provide coverage in alaska
American Home Shield offers the most customizable home warranty in Alamo. The 3 policies that AHS offers include differing levels of system and appliance coverage, as well as add-on options. If you’re looking for the ability to customize your plan with the coverages that work specifically for your home, AHS is the perfect provider for you. Plus, it has a remarkably low claim denial rate in comparison to other home warranty companies.
There are 3 home warranty plans from American Home Shield: ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, and ShieldPlatinum. AHS has coverage caps of around $2,500 for most appliances and systems, but with some plans, the coverage caps can be higher, so make sure to check with the provider. Service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $125.
To read more, visit our American Home Shield full review. To receive a free quote from American Home Shield, you can fill out this online form or call 888-365-2839.
ShieldSilver
ShieldGold
ShieldPlatinum
Established company with a bbb accreditation
Doesn’t have a coverage cap on heating, cooling, or ductwork
24/7 service calls available
Offers replacement of some covered items that are too damaged to repair
Doesn’t let customers choose their own contractor
According to some customer reviews, the technical jargon in contracts is confusing
First American Home Warranty offers the best home warranty for appliance coverage in Alamo. The 2 policies that First American offers include differing levels of system and appliance coverage, as well as add-on options. If you’re looking for very affordable and comprehensive appliance coverage, First American is the perfect provider for you. Plus, it has a unique add-on alongside common ones called the First Class Upgrade, which covers fees associated with the use of lifting equipment, up to $250 per local building permits, haul away services, and appliances and systems that have been insufficiently installed or modified.
There are 2 home warranty plans from First American Home Warranty: Basic Plan and Premier Plan. First American has coverage caps of around $1,500 for most appliances and systems, but with some plans, the coverage caps can be higher, so make sure to check with the provider. Service fees are a reasonable $85.
To read more, visit our First American Home Warranty full review. To receive a free quote from First American Home Warranty, you can fill out this online form or call 833-204-7164.
Basic Plan
Premier Plan
Offers home insurance deductible of $500
Extra long 180-day workmanship guarantee
Offers free cancellation in the first 30 days
Charges high service fees of $75-$150
Doesn’t allow customers to choose their own technician
Isn’t available in hawaii or alaska
Cinch Home Services offers the home warranty with the best workmanship guarantee in Alamo. The 3 policies that Cinch offers include differing levels of system and appliance coverage, as well as add-on options. If you’re looking for a 180-day workmanship guarantee that ensures your home systems and appliance repairs will be professionally done, Cinch is the perfect provider for you. Plus, it has a broad range of coverage options that will give homeowners peace of mind.
There are 3 home warranty plans from Cinch Home Services: Appliances Plan, Built-in Systems Plan, and Complete Home Plan. Cinch has coverage caps of around $1,000-$2,000 for most appliances and systems, but with some plans, the coverage caps can be higher, so make sure to check with the provider. Service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $150.
To read more, visit our Cinch Home Services full review. To receive a free quote from Cinch Home Services, you can fill out this online form or call 877-589-0505.
Appliances Plan
Built-in Systems Plan
Complete Home Plan
Policy starts in ten days
24/7 customer service support
Generous coverage caps on important systems and appliances
30-labor guarantee and 90-day parts guarantee
Offers utility and home service outside line coverage
Higher service fee of $95
Not accredited by the better business bureau (bbb)
Only 2 plan options
The Home Service Club offers the best home warranty with the quickest service in Alamo. The 2 policies that HSC offers include differing levels of system and appliance coverage, as well as add-on options. If you’re looking for quick coverage where the home warranty goes into effect just ten days after you pay for the plan, instead of the typical 30 days, HSC is the perfect provider for you. Plus, it has customer service representatives available 24/7, as well as a 30-day labor guarantee and a 90-day parts guarantee.
There are 2 home warranty plans from The Home Service Club: Standard Coverage Plan and Comprehensive Coverage Plan. HSC has coverage caps of around $2,000 for most appliances and systems, but with some plans, the coverage caps can be higher, so make sure to check with the provider. Service fees are customizable and range from $65 to $90.
To read more, visit our The Home Service Club full review. To receive a free quote from The Home Service Club, you can fill out this online form or call 800-750-9443.
Standard Coverage Plan
Comprehensive Coverage Plan
Today's Homeowner looks at dozens of datapoints on home warranty companies to come up with our data-driven rankings. It's not possible for a company to pay for preferential treatment in our rankings. We look at the following key factors in determining who should top our list:
| Home Appliance | Repair Cost |
|---|---|
| Air Conditioner | $8,250 |
| Heating | $5,500 |
| Electrical | $825 |
| Toilets | $688 |
| Washer/Dryer | $1,100 |
| Plumbing | $825 |
| Oven | $2,200 |
| Fridge | $825 |
A home warranty is a protection policy that helps Alamo homeowners lower the high costs of household repairs. These plans offer financial coverage to fix or replace appliances and systems that stop working from normal wear and tear.
Homeowners file a claim and pay a service fee when something breaks. The home warranty company then finds a contractor to make the fix or replacement. The only time you may pay out-of-pocket is if the repair or replacement costs exceed the item's coverage limit. A home warranty gives homeowners reassurance, as it helps avoid high-priced emergency repairs. The coverage is particularly helpful for buyers of older houses or houses with systems near the end of their life span. However, homeowners with newer homes and working appliances may not require a home warranty.
Home warranties protect many home systems and appliances. Typical covered appliances include dryers, washers, dishwashers, refrigerators, microwaves, garbage disposals, and more. Covered systems include heating, air conditioning, electrical, and plumbing. Various home warranty plans offer additional coverage for central vacuums, roof leaks, septic systems, and even locksmiths. Alamo should understand that most home warranty plans have a 30-day waiting period before repairs are covered. The majority of policies also only cover repairs and replacements due to normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't include pre-existing conditions, natural disasters, cosmetic issues, or misusing a system or appliance. Be diligent about completing preventative maintenance to help guarantee your next repair or replacement is covered.
Here are some essential home warranty terms to learn before signing a contract:
When choosing a home warranty provider, there are several important factors to consider:
Home warranty coverage differs significantly when it comes to what's covered. Most plans cover electrical, heating, plumbing, AC, and appliances. More inclusive options also cover other items such as well pumps, roof leaks, pools, and spas. Look for companies with a diverse range of coverage options, including upgraded plans. This allows you to tailor protection to your needs.
With any home warranty claim, you'll pay a service fee that can range from $60 to $100, which is paid per claim you submit. These per-claim charges can add up. You may decide to look for companies with lower service fees to maximize your savings on each claim. Some companies also offer disappearing deductibles when customers go a period with no claims filed.
A home warranty company's reputation gives insight into things such as claim approval rates, timeliness of repairs, contractor quality, and overall customer satisfaction. Use third-party review sites such as TrustPilot, Google Reviews, or the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to research companies. Positive ratings and reviews indicate a company known for stellar service.
Home warranty providers keep networks of local professionals to handle repairs in your area. Contact potential providers to find out how many repair contractors they have in Alamo and get an idea for how quickly your repairs might happen in an emergency situation. More extensive networks raise the chances of getting qualified contractors to quickly service your home.
Some home warranty companies provide bonuses such as energy efficiency upgrades, maintenance discounts, and smart home device protection. These add value beyond repair coverage. Extra bonuses help maximize the usefulness of the home warranty.
Alamo’s hot summers can put a strain on a home’s HVAC system. Whether it’s summer or winter, a home warranty can help cover your home’s appliances and systems if they need to be repaired or replaced. For example, if your air conditioner fails in the middle of July, a home warranty can cover the necessary repairs, preventing you from spending unexpected money out of pocket.
Additionally, having a home warranty can save you some time by eliminating the need to research technicians — most companies will send a trusted professional right to your door to carry out the necessary repair or replacement. Additionally, having a home warranty can help make your house more appealing to potential homebuyers should you ever decide to sell later. Many home warranty providers will allow you to transfer your plan to a new owner and give them the same protection you’ve been receiving.
There are also some negatives to buying a home warranty plan, such as the coverage exclusions. For instance, home warranties may not cover systems or appliances that already have a manufacturer's warranty.
Plus, if you don’t maintain your home systems or appliances properly, or if they need repairs or replacements due to a natural disaster or animal infestation — anything other than normal wear and tear — the home warranty may not cover it.
A home warranty policy costs, on average, about $300 to $600 a year in Alamo. Our high-rated home warranty companies' most comprehensive coverage options vary from $546 to $840 per year. You can get a lower monthly payment with some companies by opting for a higher service fee. In addition, it's often less expensive to pay annually rather than monthly.
The difference between a home warranty and homeowner's insurance lies in what types of damage each covers. A home warranty plan protects against normal wear and tear to systems and appliances in a home. Homeowners insurance protects a home in case of something such as a natural disaster or fire. With a homeowners insurance plan, you won't be able to file a claim should you need a new refrigerator or oven, unless the damage is due to a natural disaster, which isn't that common in Alamo.
A home warranty policy can help investors, home sellers, real estate agents, homebuyers, and homeowners. It can offer peace of mind and savings to anyone involved in homeownership.
The different home warranties in Alamo include plans that cover either appliances or systems as well as comprehensive plans. A comprehensive plan will cover your systems and appliances, such as your dishwasher, washing machine, and heating and cooling systems. A plan that only covers appliances or systems will cover only the specific items mentioned in the contract.
Home warranty plans usually provide coverage for a year. Many providers let you renew your plan annually, and some offer month-to-month plans as well.
Typically, the one who owns the home pays for the home warranty. In some cases, however, the one selling the home may purchase a home warranty policy and transfer the policy to the buyer. The new homeowner will then need to pay the service fees when using the policy. Since the average home value in Alamo is $2,408,766, a home warranty can save you some money when buying a home.
