Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Written By David Cusick
Last Updated April 2024
Homeownership in St. Augustine can be satisfying for many people, but it also comes with its fair share of difficulties. Repairing your home’s systems and appliances can be an unforeseen financial burden for many homeowners. A home warranty plan can help protect you by cutting the costs of major repairs and replacements on your home’s most important systems and appliances.
The home warranty market is saturated with a lot of providers — all with different coverage — so our team at Today's Homeowner has compiled this guide to help you find the best home warranty companies in St. Augustine.
Very highly rated among customer service reviews
Covers repairs with a 60-day workmanship guarantee
Extensive list of 20+ add-on coverages
Easy claims process
Won’t cover known or unknown pre-existing conditions
Liberty Home Guard offers the most trustworthy home warranty for St. Augustine residents. The 3 plans from Liberty are easy to comprehend and have a mix of both system and appliance coverage. Liberty has established itself as a company with a seamless complaint process and guaranteed service professionalism upon every repair visit. It also has a 60-day workmanship guarantee and some of the best customer service in the industry.
Liberty Home Guard offers 3 plans for St. Augustine homeowners. The Appliance Guard, Systems Guard, and Total Home Guard are the options they have, which have a mix of system and appliance coverage. The coverage limits from Liberty are about $3,000. The service fees are an affordable $75, which is less than other providers in the St. Augustine area.
To receive a free quote from Liberty Home Guard, fill out this online form or call 866-451-2281. For a more detailed breakdown, read our review of Liberty Home Guard.
Appliance Guard
Systems Guard
Total Home Guard
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 for St. Augustine residents. The 2 plans from Choice are easy to comprehend and have a mix of both system and appliance coverage. Choice has established itself as a company with very high coverage caps and simple-to-understand service contracts. It also has great customer service, professional contractors, and lower out-of-pocket costs compared to other home warranties.
Choice Home Warranty offers 2 plans for St. Augustine homeowners. The Basic Plan and Total Plan are the options they have, which have a mix of system and appliance coverage. The coverage limits from Choice are about $3,000. The service fees are an affordable $85, which is less than other providers in the St. Augustine area.
To receive a free quote from Choice Home Warranty, fill out this online form or call 929-400-6164. For a more detailed breakdown, read our review of Choice Home Warranty.
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 for St. Augustine residents. The 3 plans from Select are easy to comprehend and have a mix of both system and appliance coverage. Select has established itself as a company with a highly affordable service fee and free roof coverage upon purchase of a policy plan. It also has an extensive network of highly trained professionals all over the country who are experts in home maintenance.
Select Home Warranty offers 3 plans for St. Augustine homeowners. The Bronze Care Plan, Gold Care Plan, and Platinum Care Plan are the options they have, which have a mix of system and appliance coverage. The coverage limits from Select are about $2,000. The service fees are a reasonable $60, which is less than other providers in the St. Augustine area.
To receive a free quote from Select Home Warranty, fill out this online form or call 888-370-3953. For a more detailed breakdown, read our review of Select Home Warranty.
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 for St. Augustine residents. The 3 plans from AHS are easy to comprehend and have a mix of both system and appliance coverage. AHS has established itself as a company with the ability to customize your plan with the coverages that work specifically for your home. It also has a remarkably low claim denial rate in comparison to other home warranty companies.
American Home Shield offers 3 plans for St. Augustine homeowners. The ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, and ShieldPlatinum are the options they have, which have a mix of system and appliance coverage. The coverage limits from AHS are about $2,500. The service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $125, which is less than other providers in the St. Augustine area.
To receive a free quote from American Home Shield, fill out this online form or call 888-365-2839. For a more detailed breakdown, read our review of American Home Shield.
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 for St. Augustine residents. The 2 plans from First American are easy to comprehend and have a mix of both system and appliance coverage. First American has established itself as a company with very affordable and comprehensive appliance coverage. It also 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.
First American Home Warranty offers 2 plans for St. Augustine homeowners. The Basic Plan and Premier Plan are the options they have, which have a mix of system and appliance coverage. The coverage limits from First American are about $1,500. The service fees are a reasonable $85, which is less than other providers in the St. Augustine area.
To receive a free quote from First American Home Warranty, fill out this online form or call 833-204-7164. For a more detailed breakdown, read our review of First American Home Warranty.
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 for St. Augustine residents. The 3 plans from Cinch are easy to comprehend and have a mix of both system and appliance coverage. Cinch has established itself as a company with a 180-day workmanship guarantee that ensures your home systems and appliance repairs will be professionally done. It also has a broad range of coverage options that will give homeowners peace of mind.
Cinch Home Services offers 3 plans for St. Augustine homeowners. The Appliances Plan, Built-in Systems Plan, and Complete Home Plan are the options they have, which have a mix of system and appliance coverage. The coverage limits from Cinch are about $1,000-$2,000. The service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $150, which is less than other providers in the St. Augustine area.
To receive a free quote from Cinch Home Services, fill out this online form or call 877-589-0505. For a more detailed breakdown, read our review of Cinch Home Services.
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 for St. Augustine residents. The 2 plans from HSC are easy to comprehend and have a mix of both system and appliance coverage. HSC has established itself as a company with quick coverage where the home warranty goes into effect just ten days after you pay for the plan, instead of the typical 30 days. It also has customer service representatives available 24/7, as well as a 30-day labor guarantee and a 90-day parts guarantee.
The Home Service Club offers 2 plans for St. Augustine homeowners. The Standard Coverage Plan and Comprehensive Coverage Plan are the options they have, which have a mix of system and appliance coverage. The coverage limits from HSC are about $2,000. The service fees are customizable and range from $65 to $90, which is less than other providers in the St. Augustine area.
To receive a free quote from The Home Service Club, fill out this online form or call 800-750-9443. For a more detailed breakdown, read our review of The Home Service Club.
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 | $6,513 |
| Heating | $4,342 |
| Electrical | $651 |
| Toilets | $543 |
| Washer/Dryer | $868 |
| Plumbing | $651 |
| Oven | $1,737 |
| Fridge | $651 |
A home warranty is a protection plan that helps St. Augustine homeowners lower the high costs of household repairs. These plans offer financial coverage to repair or swap out appliances and systems that stop working from normal wear and tear.
Homeowners submit a claim and pay a service fee when something breaks. The home warranty provider then finds a contractor to make the repair or replacement. The only time you may pay out-of-pocket is if the cost of the repair or replacement exceeds the item's coverage limit. A home warranty gives security for homeowners by helping them avoid expensive emergency repairs. They're particularly useful for those who live in older homes or ones with outdated systems. More modern builds with modern appliances probably don’t need a home warranty.
Home warranties safeguard your home systems and appliances. Common appliances covered under a home warranty include garbage disposals, dryers, dishwashers, microwaves, washers, refrigerators, and more. Covered systems include air conditioning, plumbing, electrical, and heating. Many home warranties offer additional add-on coverage options for septic systems, central vacuums, locksmiths, and even roof leaks. St. Augustine homeowners should know that most home warranty plans begin with a 30-day waiting period before repairs are covered. What's more, most policies only help pay for repairs and replacements due to normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't include natural disasters, cosmetic issues, pre-existing conditions, or misuse of a system or appliance. Remember to keep up with preventative maintenance to help ensure your next repair or replacement is covered.
Home warranties use several terms that you'll want to know before signing a contract, such as:
When selecting a home warranty provider, there are several key factors to consider:
Home warranty coverage varies, although most plans provide coverage for electrical, heating, plumbing, AC, and appliances. More inclusive plans may also provide protection for extra things such as pools, well pumps, spas, and roof leaks. Focus on providers with wide-ranging coverage selections including upgraded plans. Flexibility like this will help you customize protection for your needs.
You'll pay a repair fee, normally ranging from $60–100 for each claim filed with your home warranty provider. These per-claim charges can quickly add up, so you may look for companies advertising lower service fees to optimize savings on each repair claim. Certain providers may eliminate deductibles if homeowners don't submit any claims within a set period of time.
A home warranty provider's reputation provides insight into things such as approval rates, repair timeliness, contractor quality, and customer service. Check review platforms such as Google Reviews, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), or TrustPilot to research providers. Good ratings and feedback indicate a provider known for great service.
Home warranty providers use networks of local repair technicians to manage repairs in a given area. Reach out to potential businesses to ask how many repair specialists they have in St. Augustine and get an idea of how fast your repairs could be handled in an emergency. More extensive networks raise the probability of getting qualified contractors to promptly service your home.
Some home warranty plans provide bonuses such as energy efficiency upgrades, maintenance discounts, and smart home device protection. These add value beyond repair coverage. Added bonuses maximize the usefulness of your home warranty.
Temperatures in St. Augustine can get quite high in the summer, which means your air conditioner is likely to get a good bit of use. As a homeowner in St. Augustine, one benefit of having a home warranty is that these home systems and major appliances can be covered if they need to be repaired or replaced.
A home warranty also saves you time and energy. Instead of spending hours finding and choosing a repair person to fix your appliance or system, home warranty providers do the hard work for you and send a trusted professional to your door whenever you need them. Additionally, having a home warranty can make your house more attractive to potential homebuyers should you ever decide to sell in the future. Many home warranty providers will allow you to transfer your policy to a new owner and give them the same protection you’ve been getting.
One major drawback of home warranties is not every home system and appliance may be covered. It’s important to compare the different policies and purchase one that covers all the appliances, systems, and add-ons you need.
Plus, if you don’t maintain your home systems or appliances properly, or if they were damaged 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 in St. Augustine can cost anywhere from $30 to $60 a month. Higher-priced plans tend to have broader coverage, a lower service fee, and higher coverage limits. This cost is often lower if you pay annually instead of monthly. Some companies will also decrease your up-front costs when you agree to a higher service fee.
Home warranties and home insurance differ in what sorts of damage they cover. Home warranty policies cover problems related to systems and appliances that need repairs or replacements due to normal wear and tear. A home insurance policy is a larger insurance that protects the entire home from natural disasters, which might not be too much of a concern in St. Augustine. It doesn't cover a normal appliance or system breakage.
Homebuyers, real estate agents, homeowners, home sellers, and landlords can all get home warranty plans. A home warranty can help make your house more appealing to prospective buyers and save you money in the long run.
The different types of home warranties in St. Augustine 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 HVAC. A plan that only covers appliances or systems will cover only the items listed in the policy.
Generally, a home warranty offers coverage for a year and can be renewed yearly. Some providers may offer month-to-month options.
Usually the person who owns the home pays for the home warranty. In some cases, though, the home seller may buy a home warranty and transfer the policy to the buyer. The new homeowner will then be responsible for the service fees when using the policy. Since the average home value in St. Augustine is $457,971, a home warranty can be an added asset when buying a home.
