Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Written By David Cusick
Last Updated April 2024
Owning a home can have a lot of perks, but it can also come with some negatives like maintenance. The older your house’s systems and appliances are, the more you may want to consider getting a home warranty. 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.
The home warranty market is saturated with many providers — all with different plans — so our team at Today's Homeowner has done the research to help you find the best home warranty companies in Texas.
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 Texas, Liberty Home Guard offers the most trustworthy home warranty. Liberty has been in business for more than 6 years, making it a respected company in the industry. Liberty offers 3 plans for homeowners to choose from. When you buy a plan from Liberty, you will get a seamless complaint process and guaranteed service professionalism upon every repair visit. Liberty Home Guard also has a 60-day workmanship guarantee and some of the best customer service in the industry.
There are 3 home warranty plans from Liberty Home Guard: Appliance Guard, Systems Guard, and Total Home Guard. Liberty’s service fees are an affordable $75, and the coverage limits come out to about $3,000 per covered system or appliance.
To receive a free quote from Liberty Home Guard, fill out this online form or give them a call at 866-451-2281. Read our comprehensive review of Liberty Home Guard 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
In Texas, Choice Home Warranty offers the best overall home warranty. Choice has been in business for more than 15 years, making it a respected company in the industry. Choice offers 2 plans for homeowners to choose from. When you buy a plan from Choice, you will get very high coverage caps and simple-to-understand service contracts. Choice Home Warranty also has great customer service, professional contractors, and lower out-of-pocket costs compared to other home warranties.
There are 2 home warranty plans from Choice Home Warranty: Basic Plan and Total Plan. Choice’s service fees are an affordable $85, and the coverage limits come out to about $3,000 per covered system or appliance.
To receive a free quote from Choice Home Warranty, fill out this online form or give them a call at 929-400-6164. Read our comprehensive review of Choice Home Warranty 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
In Texas, Select Home Warranty offers the most cost-effective home warranty. Select has been in business for more than 11 years, making it a respected company in the industry. Select offers 3 plans for homeowners to choose from. When you buy a plan from Select, you will get a highly affordable service fee and free roof coverage upon purchase of a policy plan. Select Home Warranty also has an extensive network of highly trained professionals all over the country who are experts in home maintenance.
There are 3 home warranty plans from Select Home Warranty: Bronze Care Plan, Gold Care Plan, and Platinum Care Plan. Select’s service fees are a reasonable $60, and the coverage limits come out to about $2,000 per covered system or appliance.
To receive a free quote from Select Home Warranty, fill out this online form or give them a call at 888-370-3953. Read our comprehensive review of Select Home Warranty 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
In Texas, American Home Shield offers the most customizable home warranty. AHS has been in business for more than 26 years, making it a respected company in the industry. AHS offers 3 plans for homeowners to choose from. When you buy a plan from AHS, you will get the ability to customize your plan with the coverages that work specifically for your home. American Home Shield also has a remarkably low claim denial rate in comparison to other home warranty companies.
There are 3 home warranty plans from American Home Shield: ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, and ShieldPlatinum. AHS’s service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $125, and the coverage limits come out to about $2,500 per covered system or appliance.
To receive a free quote from American Home Shield, fill out this online form or give them a call at 888-365-2839. Read our comprehensive review of American Home Shield 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
In Texas, First American Home Warranty offers the best home warranty for appliance coverage. First American has been in business for more than 39 years, making it a respected company in the industry. First American offers 2 plans for homeowners to choose from. When you buy a plan from First American, you will get very affordable and comprehensive appliance coverage. First American Home Warranty 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.
There are 2 home warranty plans from First American Home Warranty: Basic Plan and Premier Plan. First American’s service fees are a reasonable $85, and the coverage limits come out to about $1,500 per covered system or appliance.
To receive a free quote from First American Home Warranty, fill out this online form or give them a call at 833-204-7164. Read our comprehensive review of First American Home Warranty 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
In Texas, Cinch Home Services offers the home warranty with the best workmanship guarantee. Cinch has been in business for more than 44 years, making it a respected company in the industry. Cinch offers 3 plans for homeowners to choose from. When you buy a plan from Cinch, you will get a 180-day workmanship guarantee that ensures your home systems and appliance repairs will be professionally done. Cinch Home Services also has a broad range of coverage options that will give homeowners peace of mind.
There are 3 home warranty plans from Cinch Home Services: Appliances Plan, Built-in Systems Plan, and Complete Home Plan. Cinch’s service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $150, and the coverage limits come out to about $1,000-$2,000 per covered system or appliance.
To receive a free quote from Cinch Home Services, fill out this online form or give them a call at 877-589-0505. Read our comprehensive review of Cinch Home Services 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
In Texas, The Home Service Club offers the best home warranty with the quickest service. HSC has been in business for more than 15 years, making it a respected company in the industry. HSC offers 2 plans for homeowners to choose from. When you buy a plan from HSC, you will get quick coverage where the home warranty goes into effect just ten days after you pay for the plan, instead of the typical 30 days. The Home Service Club also has customer service representatives available 24/7, as well as a 30-day labor guarantee and a 90-day parts guarantee.
There are 2 home warranty plans from The Home Service Club: Standard Coverage Plan and Comprehensive Coverage Plan. HSC’s service fees are customizable and range from $65 to $90, and the coverage limits come out to about $2,000 per covered system or appliance.
To receive a free quote from The Home Service Club, fill out this online form or give them a call at 800-750-9443. Read our comprehensive review of The Home Service Club 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 | $5,977 |
| Heating | $3,984 |
| Electrical | $598 |
| Toilets | $498 |
| Washer/Dryer | $797 |
| Plumbing | $598 |
| Oven | $1,594 |
| Fridge | $598 |
A home warranty is a protection policy that assists Texas homeowners in reducing the expenses of appliance and system repairs. The plans offer 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 cost of the repair or replacement goes over the item's coverage limit. A home warranty delivers security for homeowners by helping them prevent expensive emergency fixes. They're particularly valuable for those who live in older homes or ones with aging systems. Newer builds with working appliances probably don’t require a home warranty.
Home warranties cover many household systems and appliances. Common covered appliances include microwaves, garbage disposals, washers, dishwashers, refrigerators, dryers, and others. Covered systems include heating, plumbing, air conditioning, and electrical. Many home warranty plans offer add-on coverage for septic systems, central vacuums, roof leaks, and even locksmiths. Texas homeowners should know that most home warranty policies have a 30-day waiting period before they will cover the cost of any repairs. Additionally, most policies only cover repairs and replacements that result from normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't cover problems such as natural disasters, cosmetic issues, pre-existing conditions, or damage caused by improperly using a system or appliance. Make sure to keep up with preventative maintenance to help ensure that your next repair or replacement is covered by the policy.
Before agreeing to a home warranty contract, you should understand key terms like:
When selecting a home warranty provider, there are several key factors to consider:
Home warranties vary widely in terms of included coverage. Basic policies typically include AC, plumbing, electrical, heating, and appliances, while more comprehensive plans may also cover roof leaks, well pumps, spas, and pools. Look for a provider that offers comprehensive coverage choices, including upgraded plans. You want the flexibility to customize coverage to fit your home's specific systems and needs.
Homeowners should anticipate paying a $60–100 service fee when filing home warranty claims. These per-repair charges can potentially accumulate over time, so some homeowners prefer using providers with lower service fees to maximize savings. Some companies also offer disappearing deductibles when a homeowner goes a defined period without any repair requests.
A home warranty provider's reputation can offer insight into things such as approval rates for claims, speed of repairs, contractor quality, and customer satisfaction. Use third-party review sites such as TrustPilot, Google Reviews, or the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to research providers. Good ratings and reviews indicate that a company is known for top-tier service.
Home warranty companies use networks of local repair professionals to manage repairs in a given area. Reach out to potential businesses to ask how many repair specialists they have in Texas and get an idea of how fast your repairs could be handled in an emergency. More extensive networks increase the probability of getting qualified contractors to quickly service your home.
Certain home warranty providers offer perks such as energy-efficient upgrades, discounts on maintenance, and protection for smart home devices. These bonuses provide extra value beyond repair coverage. Extra perks can enhance your home and maximize your home warranty.
Since temperatures in Texas can be quite cold in the winter, the weather can put a lot of strain on your HVAC system. Getting a home warranty plan can help homeowners save money if one of these systems or appliances breaks unexpectedly.
Plus, having a home warranty can save you some time by getting rid of the need to research repair people — most providers will send a trusted professional right to your door to complete the repair or replacement. A home warranty can also give value in other ways. For instance, some policies can be transferred between owners during a home sale.
There are also some negatives to buying a home warranty policy, like the coverage exclusions. For instance, home warranties may not cover systems or appliances that are already covered under a manufacturer's warranty.
Another stipulation is that home warranties typically only cover repairs needed due to normal wear and tear. They often won’t cover home systems or appliances that have been damaged due to animal infestations, improper maintenance, natural disasters, etc.
A home warranty plan costs, on average, around $300 to $600 a year in Texas. Our high-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 opting for a higher service fee. Additionally, it's usually less expensive to pay annually rather than monthly.
The difference between a home warranty and homeowner's insurance lies in what kinds of damage each covers. A home warranty plan covers normal wear and tear to systems and appliances in a home. A homeowners insurance plan protects a home in case of something such as a natural disaster or fire. With a homeowners insurance plan, you won't be able to file a claim if you need a new washing machine or oven, unless the damage is a result of a natural disaster, which isn't that common in Texas.
Homebuyers, home sellers, landlords, real estate agents, and homeowners can all get home warranty plans. A home warranty can help make your home more attractive to prospective buyers and save you money in the long run.
The different home warranties in Texas include plans with coverage for either appliances or systems as well as combination plans. A combination plan covers your home systems and appliances, including your dishwasher, washing machine, and plumbing. A plan that only covers appliances or systems will cover only the items listed in the policy.
Home warranty plans usually provide coverage for a year. Many companies let you renew your plan annually, and some offer month-to-month options as well.
Typically, the homeowner is responsible for paying the premium and service fees. However, if you have just bought 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. In Texas, where the median value of a home is $284,624, having the seller pay for the home warranty can save you some money on your new home.
