Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Written By David Cusick
Last Updated February 2024
Owning a house can have lots of perks, but it can also come with some downsides like maintenance. The older your house’s appliances and systems are, the more you may want to consider getting a home warranty. A home warranty can help protect homebuyers and current homeowners by covering major repairs and replacements on your home’s most important systems and appliances.
Finding the best home warranty on the market can be time-consuming, as there are so many companies to choose from. That’s why our team at Today's Homeowner did the research and put together a list of the top home warranty companies in Birmingham for you.
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 Birmingham. Liberty has about 6 years of experience in the industry and in that time has built a impressive network of service technicians in the country. The 3 plans that Liberty offers include options for appliance and system coverage. With a home warranty from Liberty, you can enjoy 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 plans that Liberty offers to homeowners are Appliance Guard, Systems Guard, and Total Home Guard. Liberty has coverage caps of around $3,000 for most appliances and systems, but some plans may have different coverage caps, so make sure to check with the company. Service fees are an affordable $75.
To get a free quote from Liberty Home Guard, fill out this online form or give them a call at 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 is the best overall home warranty in Birmingham. Choice has about 15 years of experience in the industry and in that time has built a impressive network of service technicians in the country. The 2 plans that Choice offers include options for appliance and system coverage. With a home warranty from Choice, you can enjoy 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 plans that Choice offers to homeowners are Basic Plan and Total Plan. Choice has coverage caps of around $3,000 for most appliances and systems, but some plans may have different coverage caps, so make sure to check with the company. Service fees are an affordable $85.
To get a free quote from Choice Home Warranty, fill out this online form or give them a call at 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 is the most cost-effective home warranty in Birmingham. Select has about 11 years of experience in the industry and in that time has built a impressive network of service technicians in the country. The 3 plans that Select offers include options for appliance and system coverage. With a home warranty from Select, you can enjoy 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 plans that Select offers to homeowners are Bronze Care Plan, Gold Care Plan, and Platinum Care Plan. Select has coverage caps of around $2,000 for most appliances and systems, but some plans may have different coverage caps, so make sure to check with the company. Service fees are a reasonable $60.
To get a free quote from Select Home Warranty, fill out this online form or give them a call at 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 is the most customizable home warranty in Birmingham. AHS has about 26 years of experience in the industry and in that time has built a impressive network of service technicians in the country. The 3 plans that AHS offers include options for appliance and system coverage. With a home warranty from AHS, you can enjoy 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 plans that AHS offers to homeowners are ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, and ShieldPlatinum. AHS has coverage caps of around $2,500 for most appliances and systems, but some plans may have different coverage caps, so make sure to check with the company. Service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $125.
To get a free quote from American Home Shield, fill out this online form or give them a call at 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 is the best home warranty for appliance coverage in Birmingham. First American has about 39 years of experience in the industry and in that time has built a impressive network of service technicians in the country. The 2 plans that First American offers include options for appliance and system coverage. With a home warranty from First American, you can enjoy 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 plans that First American offers to homeowners are Basic Plan and Premier Plan. First American has coverage caps of around $1,500 for most appliances and systems, but some plans may have different coverage caps, so make sure to check with the company. Service fees are a reasonable $85.
To get a free quote from First American Home Warranty, fill out this online form or give them a call at 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 is the home warranty with the best workmanship guarantee in Birmingham. Cinch has about 44 years of experience in the industry and in that time has built a impressive network of service technicians in the country. The 3 plans that Cinch offers include options for appliance and system coverage. With a home warranty from Cinch, you can enjoy 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 plans that Cinch offers to homeowners are 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 some plans may have different coverage caps, so make sure to check with the company. Service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $150.
To get a free quote from Cinch Home Services, fill out this online form or give them a call at 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 is the best home warranty with the quickest service in Birmingham. HSC has about 15 years of experience in the industry and in that time has built a impressive network of service technicians in the country. The 2 plans that HSC offers include options for appliance and system coverage. With a home warranty from HSC, you can enjoy 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 plans that HSC offers to homeowners are Standard Coverage Plan and Comprehensive Coverage Plan. HSC has coverage caps of around $2,000 for most appliances and systems, but some plans may have different coverage caps, so make sure to check with the company. Service fees are customizable and range from $65 to $90.
To get a free quote from The Home Service Club, fill out this online form or give them a call at 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 | $6,844 |
| Heating | $4,562 |
| Electrical | $684 |
| Toilets | $570 |
| Washer/Dryer | $912 |
| Plumbing | $684 |
| Oven | $1,825 |
| Fridge | $684 |
A home warranty is a protection plan that assists Birmingham homeowners in reducing the expenses of appliance and system repairs. The plans provide coverage to swap out or fix appliances and systems that break down due to normal wear and tear.
When something stops working, you submit a claim and pay a service fee. The home warranty provider then arranges a contractor to handle the replacement or repair. Homeowners may have out-of-pocket costs only if the repair or replacement costs go over the item's coverage limit. A home warranty plan gives homeowners a sense of security since it can help avoid costly emergency repairs. They can be especially helpful for buyers of older homes or homes with systems near the end of their life span. However, newer homes with modern appliances and fixtures may not require a home warranty.
Home warranties safeguard both your home systems and appliances. Common appliances covered under a home warranty include dryers, microwaves, washers, garbage disposals, dishwashers, refrigerators, and others. Covered systems include heating, plumbing, air conditioning, and electrical. Many home warranty plans also offer add-on coverage options for septic systems, central vacuums, locksmiths, and even roof leaks. Birmingham should understand that most home warranty plans have a waiting period of 30 days before repair claims will be approved. The majority of policies also only cover repairs and replacements resulting from normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't include cosmetic issues, pre-existing conditions, natural disasters, or improperly using a system or appliance. Stay current with preventative maintenance to ensure your next repair or replacement is covered.
There are a number of home warranty terms to know before signing an agreement, including:
When choosing a home warranty provider, there are several important factors to consider:
Home warranty coverage can have major differences in what's included. Most plans include protection for heating, electrical, AC, plumbing, and appliances. More inclusive options also include protection for other items such as spas, roof leaks, pools, and well pumps. Look for companies with a diverse range of coverage options, including upgraded plans. This helps you tailor protection to your needs.
With any home warranty claim, you'll pay a service fee that can range from $60 to $100, which gets paid per repair request filed. The costs from multiple fees 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 for customers who don't file any claims over a certain timespan.
A home warranty provider's reputation gives insight into things such as contractor quality, repair timeliness, approval rates, and customer satisfaction. Use review platforms such as the Better Business Bureau (BBB), TrustPilot, or Google Reviews to research companies. Good ratings and feedback indicate a provider known for exceptional service.
Home warranty companies have networks of local professionals to handle repairs in your area. Contact potential providers to find out how many repair contractors they have in Birmingham and get an idea for how quickly your repairs could take place in an emergency situation. Larger networks increase the likelihood of getting qualified contractors to quickly service your home.
Home warranty companies may include extras such as energy efficiency upgrades, coverage for smart home devices, and maintenance discounts. These extras can add value beyond just repair coverage. Additional perks can maximize the usefulness of the home warranty.
Birmingham’s cold winters can put a strain on a home’s HVAC system. Whether it’s summer or winter, a home warranty is designed to cover your home’s appliances and systems if they need to be repaired or replaced. For example, if your air conditioner stops working in the middle of July, a home warranty can cover the necessary repairs, preventing 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 technicians by yourself, home warranty companies do the work for you and send pre-screened technicians right to your door when you need them. Plus, 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 companies will allow you to transfer your policy to a new owner and give them the protection you’ve been receiving.
One downside of getting 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 not be covered under the home warranty, so it’s important to read over the contracts you’re considering thoroughly to get a sense of what is included and what isn’t.
Another potential pain point of home warranties is that they don’t cover items that haven’t been properly maintained. This can lead to your repair requests being denied, so it’s important to be sure you follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for maintenance of your home systems and appliances.
A home warranty in Birmingham 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. Home warranties are often cheaper when you pay annually instead of monthly. Some companies will also reduce your up-front costs when you opt for 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 repairs or replacements due to normal wear and tear. A home insurance policy is a larger plan that protects your entire home from natural disasters, which can sometimes be a concern in Birmingham. It doesn't cover a normal appliance or system breakage.
A home warranty can help real estate agents, investors, homebuyers, home sellers, and homeowners. It can offer peace of mind to anyone involved with homeownership.
A home warranty plan can cover your systems, appliances, 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.
Home warranty plans typically offer coverage for a year. Many providers let you renew your plan each year, and some offer month-to-month options as well.
Typically, the one who owns the home pays for the home warranty. In some cases, though, the home seller may purchase 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 Birmingham is $607,910, a home warranty can be an added asset when buying a home.
