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Last Updated: February 25, 2025
Although homeownership in Ames has a lot of perks — such as the convenience of city life — there are also downsides. One major headache many homeowners have to deal with inevitably is replacing or repairing their home systems and appliances. A home warranty can offer you the peace of mind you need and protect your savings account from unexpected expenses by covering your home’s major appliances and systems.
Finding the best home warranty on the market can be challenging because of the many options out there. If you're tired of trying to compare them all, keep reading for our guide on the top home warranty companies in Ames.
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
In Ames, Liberty Home Guard offers the most trustworthy home warranty. Liberty has more than 6 years of experience in the home warranty sector, and has provided excellent customer service at an affordable cost to its customers. If you’re looking for a seamless complaint process and guaranteed service professionalism upon every repair visit, this is the home warranty for you. Plus, it has a 60-day workmanship guarantee and some of the best customer service in the industry. Liberty has 3 simple plans, making the selection process quick and easy.
Liberty Home Guard has 3 plans that provide a combination of appliance and system coverage. Liberty 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 $75.
To read more, visit our Liberty Home Guard full review. To receive a free quote from Liberty Home Guard, fill out this online form or give them a call at 866-451-2281.
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
In Ames, Choice Home Warranty offers the best overall home warranty. Choice has more than 15 years of experience in the home warranty sector, and has provided excellent customer service at an affordable cost to its customers. If you’re looking for very high coverage caps and simple-to-understand service contracts, this is the home warranty for you. Plus, it has great customer service, professional contractors, and lower out-of-pocket costs compared to other home warranties. Choice has 2 simple plans, making the selection process quick and easy.
Choice Home Warranty has 2 plans that provide a combination of appliance and system coverage. 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, fill out this online form or give them a call at 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
In Ames, Select Home Warranty offers the most cost-effective home warranty. Select has more than 11 years of experience in the home warranty sector, and has provided excellent customer service at an affordable cost to its customers. If you’re looking for a highly affordable service fee and free roof coverage upon purchase of a policy plan, this is the home warranty for you. Plus, it has an extensive network of highly trained professionals all over the country who are experts in home maintenance. Select has 3 simple plans, making the selection process quick and easy.
Select Home Warranty has 3 plans that provide a combination of appliance and system coverage. 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, fill out this online form or give them a call at 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
In Ames, American Home Shield offers the most customizable home warranty. AHS has more than 26 years of experience in the home warranty sector, and has provided excellent customer service at an affordable cost to its customers. If you’re looking for the ability to customize your plan with the coverages that work specifically for your home, this is the home warranty for you. Plus, it has a remarkably low claim denial rate in comparison to other home warranty companies. AHS has 3 simple plans, making the selection process quick and easy.
American Home Shield has 3 plans that provide a combination of appliance and system coverage. 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, fill out this online form or give them a call at 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
In Ames, First American Home Warranty offers the best home warranty for appliance coverage. First American has more than 39 years of experience in the home warranty sector, and has provided excellent customer service at an affordable cost to its customers. If you’re looking for very affordable and comprehensive appliance coverage, this is the home warranty 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. First American has 2 simple plans, making the selection process quick and easy.
First American Home Warranty has 2 plans that provide a combination of appliance and system coverage. 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, fill out this online form or give them a call at 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
In Ames, Cinch Home Services offers the home warranty with the best workmanship guarantee. Cinch has more than 44 years of experience in the home warranty sector, and has provided excellent customer service at an affordable cost to its customers. If you’re looking for a 180-day workmanship guarantee that ensures your home systems and appliance repairs will be professionally done, this is the home warranty for you. Plus, it has a broad range of coverage options that will give homeowners peace of mind. Cinch has 3 simple plans, making the selection process quick and easy.
Cinch Home Services has 3 plans that provide a combination of appliance and system coverage. 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, fill out this online form or give them a call at 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
In Ames, The Home Service Club offers the best home warranty with the quickest service. HSC has more than 15 years of experience in the home warranty sector, and has provided excellent customer service at an affordable cost to its customers. 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, this is the home warranty 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. HSC has 2 simple plans, making the selection process quick and easy.
The Home Service Club has 2 plans that provide a combination of appliance and system coverage. 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, fill out this online form or give them a call at 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 | $6,089 |
| Heating | $4,059 |
| Electrical | $609 |
| Toilets | $507 |
| Washer/Dryer | $812 |
| Plumbing | $609 |
| Oven | $1,624 |
| Fridge | $609 |
A home warranty is a protection plan that assists Ames homeowners reduce the expenses of appliance and system repairs. The plans offer financial coverage to fix or swap out appliances and systems that break down due to normal wear and tear. When something breaks down, you submit a claim and pay a service fee. The home warranty company 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 exceeds the item's coverage limit. A home warranty provides peace of mind for homeowners by helping them prevent expensive emergency fixes. They're particularly useful for those who own older homes or ones with outdated systems. More modern builds with working fixtures probably don’t require a home warranty.
Home warranties protect your home systems and appliances. Common covered appliances are dishwashers, garbage disposals, microwaves, washers, refrigerators, dryers, and more. Covered systems are typically heating, air conditioning, electrical, and plumbing. Many home warranty providers offer add-on coverage for septic systems, locksmiths, central vacuums, and roof leaks. Most home warranty plans require Ames homeowners to refrain from making claims for 30 days before the plan will cover repairs. Additionally, policies normally only cover repairs and replacements resulting from normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't cover cosmetic issues, pre-existing conditions, natural disasters, or misuse of a system or appliance. To help ensure your next repair or replacement is covered, keep up with preventative maintenance.
Here are some essential home warranty words to learn before signing a contract:
When you're deciding on a home warranty provider, there are several important things to take into account:
Home warranty coverage varies widely in the items that are included. Most plans include protection for heating, electrical, AC, plumbing, and appliances. More inclusive options also offer coverage on other items such as well pumps, pools, spas, and roof leaks. Focus on providers with wide-ranging coverage selections including upgraded plans. This flexibility enables you to customize your plan to meet your needs.
Expect to pay a per-service fee of $60-100 for each home warranty claim. With these per-request costs adding up over time as you file claims, you may want to choose a company with more affordable fees to maximize savings. Some providers also do away with deductibles for homeowners who don't file claims in a certain period.
A home warranty provider's rating gives insight into things such as timeliness of repairs, contractor quality, claim approval rates, and overall customer satisfaction. Look at third-party review sites such as TrustPilot, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), or Google Reviews to research providers. Favorable ratings and reviews indicate a provider known for stellar service.
Home warranty providers have networks of professionals that they use to tackle covered repairs. More extensive networks increase the probability of getting qualified contractors to your home quickly. Contact possible providers to find out how many contractors they have in Ames to understand how long repairs might take in an urgent situation.
Some home warranty providers may include perks such as smart home device coverage, energy efficiency upgrades, and reduced maintenance fees. These extras can offer extra value beyond repair coverage. Added bonuses allow you to enhance your home and get the most from your home warranty.
Since temperatures in Ames can be quite cold in the winter, the weather can put a lot of strain on your HVAC system. Getting a home warranty can help homeowners save money if one of these systems or appliances breaks down unexpectedly.
Not only does a home warranty give you some savings, but it also saves you time. If an appliance breaks down, the last thing you want to do is find a contractor and schedule a repair. A home warranty handles this process by sending trusted professionals to your door when you need them most. Another added benefit of having a home warranty policy is that it can raise your home’s real estate value. If you ever decide to sell your house, you may be able to transfer your home warranty plan to the new homebuyer depending on the provider you purchased your home warranty through.
One disadvantage of purchasing a home warranty is that there are often exclusions. For instance, if one of your appliances already has a manufacturer's warranty, it may not be covered under the home warranty, so it’s important to read through the contracts you’re considering thoroughly to get a sense of what is included and what isn’t.
Another thing to bear in mind is that some providers don’t cover pre-existing conditions and may require an inspection before coverage begins. Ask the home warranty company for clarification about it if you need more information or if this is an issue for you.
A home warranty in Ames can cost between $30 and $60 a month. Higher-priced plans tend to have higher coverage limits, a lower service fee, and broader coverage. Home warranties are often cheaper when you pay annually instead of monthly. Some providers will also lower 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 plans cover issues related to systems and appliances that need to be repaired or replaced due to normal wear and tear. A home insurance policy is a larger insurance that protects an entire home from natural disasters, which might not be too much of a concern in Ames. It doesn't cover a normal appliance or system damage.
A home warranty can help homebuyers, homeowners, real estate agents, home sellers, and investors. It can offer peace of mind and savings to anyone involved in homeownership.
The different kinds of home warranties in Ames include plans with coverage for either appliances or systems as well as comprehensive plans. A comprehensive plan covers your home systems and appliances, including your washing machine, drier, and heating and cooling systems. A plan that only covers appliances or systems will cover only the items listed in the contract.
Generally, a home warranty plan lasts for a year and can be renewed annually. Some providers may offer month-to-month options.
Typically, the homeowner is the one who pays the premium and service fees. However, if you have just bought a new home, sometimes the seller is the one who paid for the policy. This can then be given to the new homeowner, who has to pay the service fees. In Ames, where the median value of a home is $245,585, having the seller pay for the home warranty can be a good asset for your new home.
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