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Last Updated: February 25, 2025
Buying a home is a big step in many people’s lives, but the cost of maintaining it can get expensive over time, especially if your home in Altoona is on the older side. A home warranty can bring you the peace of mind you need and protect your bank account from large expenses by covering your home’s major systems and appliances.
Finding the best protection for your home can be challenging, so our team at Today's Homeowner has done the research to help you find the top home warranty companies in Altoona. Read on for our home warranty recommendations.
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 is the most trustworthy home warranty in Altoona. Liberty has over 6 years of experience in the home warranty industry and in that time has built a impressive network of service professionals nationwide. With a home warranty from Liberty, you can benefit from a seamless complaint process and guaranteed service professionalism upon every repair visit. Not to mention, it has a 60-day workmanship guarantee and some of the best customer service in the industry. The 3 home warranty plans that Liberty offers include options for appliance and system coverage.
The 3 plans from Liberty Home Guard are Appliance Guard, Systems Guard, and Total Home Guard. The coverage limits from Liberty are around $3,000. The service fees are an affordable $75, which is cheaper than other providers in the Altoona area.
To receive a free quote from Liberty Home Guard, fill out this online form or call 866-451-2281. Read our Liberty Home Guard Review to learn more.
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 is the best overall home warranty in Altoona. Choice has over 15 years of experience in the home warranty industry and in that time has built a impressive network of service professionals nationwide. With a home warranty from Choice, you can benefit from very high coverage caps and simple-to-understand service contracts. Not to mention, it has great customer service, professional contractors, and lower out-of-pocket costs compared to other home warranties. The 2 home warranty plans that Choice offers include options for appliance and system coverage.
The 2 plans from Choice Home Warranty are Basic Plan and Total Plan. The coverage limits from Choice are around $3,000. The service fees are an affordable $85, which is cheaper than other providers in the Altoona area.
To receive a free quote from Choice Home Warranty, fill out this online form or call 929-400-6164. Read our Choice Home Warranty Review to learn more.
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 is the most cost-effective home warranty in Altoona. Select has over 11 years of experience in the home warranty industry and in that time has built a impressive network of service professionals nationwide. With a home warranty from Select, you can benefit from a highly affordable service fee and free roof coverage upon purchase of a policy plan. Not to mention, it has an extensive network of highly trained professionals all over the country who are experts in home maintenance. The 3 home warranty plans that Select offers include options for appliance and system coverage.
The 3 plans from Select Home Warranty are Bronze Care Plan, Gold Care Plan, and Platinum Care Plan. The coverage limits from Select are around $2,000. The service fees are a reasonable $60, which is cheaper than other providers in the Altoona area.
To receive a free quote from Select Home Warranty, fill out this online form or call 888-370-3953. Read our Select Home Warranty Review to learn more.
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 is the most customizable home warranty in Altoona. AHS has over 26 years of experience in the home warranty industry and in that time has built a impressive network of service professionals nationwide. With a home warranty from AHS, you can benefit from the ability to customize your plan with the coverages that work specifically for your home. Not to mention, it has a remarkably low claim denial rate in comparison to other home warranty companies. The 3 home warranty plans that AHS offers include options for appliance and system coverage.
The 3 plans from American Home Shield are ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, and ShieldPlatinum. The coverage limits from AHS are around $2,500. The service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $125, which is cheaper than other providers in the Altoona area.
To receive a free quote from American Home Shield, fill out this online form or call 888-365-2839. Read our American Home Shield Review to learn more.
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 is the best home warranty for appliance coverage in Altoona. First American has over 39 years of experience in the home warranty industry and in that time has built a impressive network of service professionals nationwide. With a home warranty from First American, you can benefit from very affordable and comprehensive appliance coverage. Not to mention, 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. The 2 home warranty plans that First American offers include options for appliance and system coverage.
The 2 plans from First American Home Warranty are Basic Plan and Premier Plan. The coverage limits from First American are around $1,500. The service fees are a reasonable $85, which is cheaper than other providers in the Altoona area.
To receive a free quote from First American Home Warranty, fill out this online form or call 833-204-7164. Read our First American Home Warranty Review to learn more.
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 is the home warranty with the best workmanship guarantee in Altoona. Cinch has over 44 years of experience in the home warranty industry and in that time has built a impressive network of service professionals nationwide. With a home warranty from Cinch, you can benefit from a 180-day workmanship guarantee that ensures your home systems and appliance repairs will be professionally done. Not to mention, it has a broad range of coverage options that will give homeowners peace of mind. The 3 home warranty plans that Cinch offers include options for appliance and system coverage.
The 3 plans from Cinch Home Services are Appliances Plan, Built-in Systems Plan, and Complete Home Plan. The coverage limits from Cinch are around $1,000-$2,000. The service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $150, which is cheaper than other providers in the Altoona area.
To receive a free quote from Cinch Home Services, fill out this online form or call 877-589-0505. Read our Cinch Home Services Review to learn more.
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 is the best home warranty with the quickest service in Altoona. HSC has over 15 years of experience in the home warranty industry and in that time has built a impressive network of service professionals nationwide. With a home warranty from HSC, you can benefit from quick coverage where the home warranty goes into effect just ten days after you pay for the plan, instead of the typical 30 days. Not to mention, it has customer service representatives available 24/7, as well as a 30-day labor guarantee and a 90-day parts guarantee. The 2 home warranty plans that HSC offers include options for appliance and system coverage.
The 2 plans from The Home Service Club are Standard Coverage Plan and Comprehensive Coverage Plan. The coverage limits from HSC are around $2,000. The service fees are customizable and range from $65 to $90, which is cheaper than other providers in the Altoona area.
To receive a free quote from The Home Service Club, fill out this online form or call 800-750-9443. Read our The Home Service Club Review to learn more.
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 | $5,983 |
| Heating | $3,988 |
| Electrical | $598 |
| Toilets | $499 |
| Washer/Dryer | $798 |
| Plumbing | $598 |
| Oven | $1,595 |
| Fridge | $598 |
A home warranty is a protection plan that helps Altoona homeowners cut the expenses of appliance and system repairs. The plans offer coverage to fix or replace appliances and systems that break down due to normal wear and tear. When something breaks down, you file a claim and pay a service fee. The home warranty provider then finds a contractor to handle the fix or replacement. Homeowners may have out-of-pocket costs only if the cost of repair or replacement goes over the item's coverage limit. A home warranty gives homeowners peace of mind by helping avoid high-priced emergency repairs. The coverage is especially helpful for those living in older houses or houses with fixtures near the end of their life span. However, homeowners with newer homes and functioning appliances may not require a home warranty.
Home warranties cover many household systems and appliances. Common covered appliances include washers, microwaves, dryers, garbage disposals, dishwashers, refrigerators, and others. Covered systems include air conditioning, heating, electrical, and plumbing. Many home warranty plans offer additional coverage for roof leaks, central vacuums, septic systems, and even locksmiths. Most home warranty plans require Altoona homeowners to refrain from making claims for 30 days before the plan will cover repairs. Additionally, policies typically only cover repairs and replacements resulting from normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't cover cosmetic issues, natural disasters, pre-existing conditions, or misuse of a system or appliance. To make sure your next repair or replacement is covered, keep up with preventative maintenance.
Here are some essential home warranty words to know before signing a contract:
When you're deciding on a home warranty provider, there are several key things to take into account:
Home warranty coverage varies widely in the items that are included. Most plans include protection for AC, heating, plumbing, electrical, and appliances. More comprehensive plans also cover other items such as spas, roof leaks, pools, and well pumps. Focus on companies with broad coverage options including upgraded plans. Flexibility like this will help you customize your plan to meet your needs.
You'll pay a service fee, typically $60–100, for each claim filed with your home warranty provider. These fees to accumulate quickly with each claim, so you may look for companies advertising lower service fees to optimize savings on each repair claim. Certain providers may eliminate deductibles after a customer goes a period of time with no claims filed.
A home warranty company's track record gives you insight into things such as claim approval rates, timeliness of repairs, contractor quality, and overall customer satisfaction. Use third-party review sites such as the Better Business Bureau (BBB), TrustPilot, or Google Reviews to research providers. Positive reviews and ratings indicate a provider known for stellar service.
Home warranty providers keep networks of local technicians to handle repairs in your area. Contact potential providers to find out how many repair professionals they have in Altoona and get an idea for how fast your repairs might happen in an emergency situation. Wider networks raise the probability of getting qualified contractors to swiftly service your home.
Home warranty providers sometimes offer extras such as coverage for smart home devices, maintenance discounts, and energy efficiency upgrades. These extras add value beyond repair coverage. Additional perks can maximize the usefulness of your home warranty.
Home warranties are a great way to protect your home systems and appliances from normal wear and tear. With temperatures in Altoona hitting an average high of 59℃F, you may find that certain appliances, like your air conditioning system, get a lot of use. A home warranty can considerably lower out-of-pocket expenses should your HVAC system stop working.
Plus, having a home warranty can save you some time by getting rid of the need to research technicians — most companies will send a trusted professional right to your door to carry out the necessary repair or replacement. Plus, having a home warranty can help make your house more attractive to potential homebuyers should you ever decide to sell in the future. Many home warranty companies will allow you to transfer your plan to a new owner and give them the protection you’ve been receiving.
Home warranties also have some drawbacks. Although it can save you time when the home warranty sends out a service technician who takes care of the repair for you, some homeowners may not like this, and they would rather choose their own contractor. If that’s the case for you, some home warranty companies let you select a contractor.
Another stipulation is that home warranties typically only cover repairs needed due to normal wear and tear. They most likely won’t cover home systems or appliances that have been damaged due to improper maintenance, natural disasters, animal infestations, etc.
A home warranty plan costs, on average, around $300 to $600 a year in Altoona. Our top-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 choosing a higher service fee. Additionally, it's typically cheaper to pay annually rather than monthly.
Home warranties and home insurance differ in what types of damage they cover. Home warranties cover issues related to systems and appliances that need repairs or replacements due to normal wear and tear. A home insurance policy is a different kind of plan that protects an entire home from natural disasters, which can sometimes be a concern in Altoona. It doesn't cover a normal appliance or system damage.
First-time homebuyers, landlords, homeowners, home sellers, and real estate agents 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.
A home warranty plan will cover your appliances, systems, or both. Combination plans are great if you'd like more coverage for your home, but a system- or appliance-only plan can be helpful if you're concerned about one more than the other.
Generally, a home warranty policy offers coverage for a year and can be renewed annually. Some companies may offer month-to-month plans.
Typically, the homeowner pays for the home warranty. In some cases, though, the person who is selling the home 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. Considering that the average home value in Altoona is $301,466, a home warranty can be an added asset when buying a home.
