Written By David Cusick
Last Updated February 2024
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 help protect homebuyers and current homeowners by reducing the costs of major repairs and replacements on your home’s most important 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 been in the home warranty industry for about 6 years. Liberty offers a seamless complaint process and guaranteed service professionalism upon every repair visit. Plus, it also has a 60-day workmanship guarantee and some of the best customer service in the industry. Liberty offers 3 plans for you to decide between.
The 3 plans from Liberty Home Guard are Appliance Guard, Systems Guard, and Total Home Guard. Service fees from Liberty are an affordable $75. The coverage caps are also around $3,000.
To receive a free quote from Liberty Home Guard, fill out this online form or call 866-451-2281. Read more by visiting our thorough 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 is the best overall home warranty in Altoona. Choice has been in the home warranty industry for about 15 years. Choice offers very high coverage caps and simple-to-understand service contracts. Plus, it also has great customer service, professional contractors, and lower out-of-pocket costs compared to other home warranties. Choice offers 2 plans for you to decide between.
The 2 plans from Choice Home Warranty are Basic Plan and Total Plan. Service fees from Choice are an affordable $85. The coverage caps are also around $3,000.
To receive a free quote from Choice Home Warranty, fill out this online form or call 929-400-6164. Read more by visiting our thorough 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 is the most cost-effective home warranty in Altoona. Select has been in the home warranty industry for about 11 years. Select offers a highly affordable service fee and free roof coverage upon purchase of a policy plan. Plus, it also has an extensive network of highly trained professionals all over the country who are experts in home maintenance. Select offers 3 plans for you to decide between.
The 3 plans from Select Home Warranty are Bronze Care Plan, Gold Care Plan, and Platinum Care Plan. Service fees from Select are a reasonable $60. The coverage caps are also around $2,000.
To receive a free quote from Select Home Warranty, fill out this online form or call 888-370-3953. Read more by visiting our thorough 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 is the most customizable home warranty in Altoona. AHS has been in the home warranty industry for about 26 years. AHS offers the ability to customize your plan with the coverages that work specifically for your home. Plus, it also has a remarkably low claim denial rate in comparison to other home warranty companies. AHS offers 3 plans for you to decide between.
The 3 plans from American Home Shield are ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, and ShieldPlatinum. Service fees from AHS are customizable and range from $75 to $125. The coverage caps are also around $2,500.
To receive a free quote from American Home Shield, fill out this online form or call 888-365-2839. Read more by visiting our thorough 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 is the best home warranty for appliance coverage in Altoona. First American has been in the home warranty industry for about 39 years. First American offers very affordable and comprehensive appliance coverage. Plus, 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 offers 2 plans for you to decide between.
The 2 plans from First American Home Warranty are Basic Plan and Premier Plan. Service fees from First American are a reasonable $85. The coverage caps are also around $1,500.
To receive a free quote from First American Home Warranty, fill out this online form or call 833-204-7164. Read more by visiting our thorough 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 is the home warranty with the best workmanship guarantee in Altoona. Cinch has been in the home warranty industry for about 44 years. Cinch offers a 180-day workmanship guarantee that ensures your home systems and appliance repairs will be professionally done. Plus, it also has a broad range of coverage options that will give homeowners peace of mind. Cinch offers 3 plans for you to decide between.
The 3 plans from Cinch Home Services are Appliances Plan, Built-in Systems Plan, and Complete Home Plan. Service fees from Cinch are customizable and range from $75 to $150. The coverage caps are also around $1,000-$2,000.
To receive a free quote from Cinch Home Services, fill out this online form or call 877-589-0505. Read more by visiting our thorough 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 is the best home warranty with the quickest service in Altoona. HSC has been in the home warranty industry for about 15 years. HSC offers quick coverage where the home warranty goes into effect just ten days after you pay for the plan, instead of the typical 30 days. Plus, it also has customer service representatives available 24/7, as well as a 30-day labor guarantee and a 90-day parts guarantee. HSC offers 2 plans for you to decide between.
The 2 plans from The Home Service Club are Standard Coverage Plan and Comprehensive Coverage Plan. Service fees from HSC are customizable and range from $65 to $90. The coverage caps are also around $2,000.
To receive a free quote from The Home Service Club, fill out this online form or call 800-750-9443. Read more by visiting our thorough 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 | $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 reduce the expenses of appliance and system repairs. The plans provide financial coverage to repair or replace appliances and systems that stop working 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 more. Protected systems include electrical, plumbing, heating, and air conditioning. Many home warranty plans offer add-on coverage for roof leaks, septic systems, central vacuums, 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 usually only cover repairs and replacements due to normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't cover cosmetic issues, natural disasters, pre-existing conditions, or misusing a system or appliance. To make sure your next repair or replacement is covered, keep up with preventative maintenance.
Here are some key home warranty terms to know before signing a contract:
There are several key considerations when selecting a home warranty provider:
Home warranty plans vary widely in what they include. Most plans provide protection for electrical, heating, plumbing, AC, and appliances. More inclusive options also include coverage for other items such as well pumps, pools, roof leaks, and spas. Focus on companies with an expansive array of coverage choices including upgraded plans. This flexibility enables you to customize your plan to meet your home's 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 providers with more affordable fees to maximize your savings on each claim. Some providers also offer disappearing deductibles for customers who don't file any claims over a certain timespan.
A home warranty company's reputation can offer insight into things such as approval rates for claims, speed of repairs, contractor quality, and customer satisfaction. Look at third-party review sites such as the Better Business Bureau (BBB), Google Reviews, or TrustPilot to research providers. Good ratings and reviews indicate that a company is known for top-tier service.
Home warranty providers maintain networks of technicians to handle covered repairs. Larger networks improve the probability of getting qualified technicians to service your home ASAP. Ask potential providers how many contractors they have in Altoona to get a sense of how soon your repairs could be handled in an emergency.
Certain home warranty providers offer perks such as energy-efficient upgrades, discounts on maintenance, and protection for smart home devices. These bonuses can provide extra value beyond repair coverage. Extra perks can enhance your home and maximize your home warranty.
Altoona’s cold winters 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, saving you from spending unexpected money out of pocket.
Not only can a home warranty save you money on repairs and replacements, it saves you time as well. Instead of needing to vet contractors yourself, home warranty providers do the work for you and send a contractor from their network right to your door when you need them. In addition, though home warranty companies vary, some providers will let you transfer your warranty if you sell your home. This can make your home more attractive to potential homebuyers and help your home sell faster.
One downside of buying a home warranty is that there are generally exclusions. For example, if you already have a manufacturer's warranty on one of your appliances, it may be excluded from the home warranty, so it’s important to read through the contracts you’re considering thoroughly to understand what is included and what isn’t.
Another downside is that home warranties may exclude some repairs, like those needed because of natural disasters. For example, if a tree falls onto your house and damages the roof, the impacted systems and appliances most likely won’t be covered by the home warranty.
A home warranty costs, on average, about $300 to $600 a year in Altoona. Our top-rated home warranty providers' 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. In addition, it's typically 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 covers normal wear and tear to systems and appliances in a home. Homeowners insurance protects the entire home in case of something such as a fire or natural disaster. With homeowners insurance, you won't be able to file a claim if you need a new dryer or oven, unless the damage is due to a natural disaster, which is somewhat common in Altoona.
Homebuyers, homeowners, real estate agents, home sellers, and landlords are all eligible for home warranty plans. A home warranty can help make your home more appealing to prospective buyers and save you money in the long run.
A home warranty policy will cover your home’s 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 a good idea if you want to save some money.
Generally, a home warranty plan offers coverage for a year and can be renewed yearly. Some companies may offer month-to-month options.
Generally, the homeowner is responsible for paying the premium and service fees. However, when buying a new home, sometimes the seller will pay for the policy. This can then be given to the new homeowner, who has to pay the service fees when using the policy. In Altoona, where the median value of a home is $301,466, having the seller pay for the home warranty can save you some money on your new home.