Written By David Cusick
Last Updated February 2024
Owning a home in Albert Lea has a lot of great advantages, but there are some downsides. Cold weather and snow can cause problems in a home and lead to wear and tear on systems like your HVAC. A home warranty is a way to protect your savings account from unexpected expenses. With a home warranty in place, your repair costs can be considerably lower and allow you to live in your home with more peace of mind.
The home warranty market is filled with a lot of providers — all with different price points — so the Today's Homeowner team has compiled this guide to help you choose the best home warranty companies in Albert Lea.
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 offers the most trustworthy home warranty for Albert Lea residents. Liberty is a home warranty company with 6 years of experience in the industry, and it has proved to be one of the best providers in the business. 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. The 3 home warranty plans that Liberty offers include differing levels of system and appliance coverage, as well as add-on options.
The plans that Liberty offers to homeowners are Appliance Guard, Systems Guard, and Total Home Guard. Service fees from Liberty are an affordable $75. The coverage caps are also typically around $3,000.
To receive a free quote from Liberty Home Guard, you can fill out this online form or call 866-451-2281. Read more by visiting our Liberty Home Guard full review.
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 offers the best overall home warranty for Albert Lea residents. Choice is a home warranty company with 15 years of experience in the industry, and it has proved to be one of the best providers in the business. 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. The 2 home warranty plans that Choice offers include differing levels of system and appliance coverage, as well as add-on options.
The plans that Choice offers to homeowners are Basic Plan and Total Plan. Service fees from Choice are an affordable $85. The coverage caps are also typically around $3,000.
To receive a free quote from Choice Home Warranty, you can fill out this online form or call 929-400-6164. Read more by visiting our Choice Home Warranty full review.
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 offers the most cost-effective home warranty for Albert Lea residents. Select is a home warranty company with 11 years of experience in the industry, and it has proved to be one of the best providers in the business. 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. The 3 home warranty plans that Select offers include differing levels of system and appliance coverage, as well as add-on options.
The plans that Select offers to homeowners are Bronze Care Plan, Gold Care Plan, and Platinum Care Plan. Service fees from Select are a reasonable $60. The coverage caps are also typically around $2,000.
To receive a free quote from Select Home Warranty, you can fill out this online form or call 888-370-3953. Read more by visiting our Select Home Warranty full review.
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 offers the most customizable home warranty for Albert Lea residents. AHS is a home warranty company with 26 years of experience in the industry, and it has proved to be one of the best providers in the business. 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. The 3 home warranty plans that AHS offers include differing levels of system and appliance coverage, as well as add-on options.
The plans that AHS offers to homeowners are ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, and ShieldPlatinum. Service fees from AHS are customizable and range from $75 to $125. The coverage caps are also typically around $2,500.
To receive a free quote from American Home Shield, you can fill out this online form or call 888-365-2839. Read more by visiting our American Home Shield full review.
ShieldSilver
ShieldGold
ShieldPlatinum
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 offers the home warranty with the best workmanship guarantee for Albert Lea residents. Cinch is a home warranty company with 44 years of experience in the industry, and it has proved to be one of the best providers in the business. 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. The 3 home warranty plans that Cinch offers include differing levels of system and appliance coverage, as well as add-on options.
The plans that Cinch offers to homeowners 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 typically around $1,000-$2,000.
To receive a free quote from Cinch Home Services, you can fill out this online form or call 877-589-0505. Read more by visiting our Cinch Home Services full review.
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 offers the best home warranty with the quickest service for Albert Lea residents. HSC is a home warranty company with 15 years of experience in the industry, and it has proved to be one of the best providers in the business. 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. The 2 home warranty plans that HSC offers include differing levels of system and appliance coverage, as well as add-on options.
The plans that HSC offers to homeowners 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 typically around $2,000.
To receive a free quote from The Home Service Club, you can fill out this online form or call 800-750-9443. Read more by visiting our The Home Service Club full review.
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 | $5,713 |
Heating | $3,809 |
Electrical | $571 |
Toilets | $476 |
Washer/Dryer | $762 |
Plumbing | $571 |
Oven | $1,523 |
Fridge | $571 |
A home warranty is a protection policy that assists Albert Lea homeowners reduce the high costs of household repairs. These plans offer financial coverage to repair or swap out appliances and systems that stop working from normal wear and tear.
Homeowners submit a claim and pay a service fee when something breaks. The home warranty provider then arranges a contractor to make the fix or replacement. The only time you may pay out-of-pocket is if the cost of the repair or replacement goes over the item's coverage limit. A home warranty gives peace of mind to homeowners, as it helps prevent expensive emergency repairs. Home warranties are especially useful for older construction homes with aging systems. New homes with modern appliances may not need a home warranty.
Home warranties cover your household systems and appliances. Covered appliances typically include microwaves, garbage disposals, dryers, washers, dishwashers, refrigerators, and more. Covered systems include plumbing, heating, air conditioning, and electrical. Many home warranty providers also offer add-on coverage for roof leaks, locksmiths, central vacuums, and septic systems. Albert Lea homeowners should know that most home warranty plans begin with a 30-day waiting period before repairs are covered. Additionally, most policies only address repairs and replacements due to normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't include cosmetic issues, pre-existing conditions, natural disasters, or improperly using a system or appliance. You must keep up with preventative maintenance to help make sure your next repair or replacement is covered.
Here are some essential home warranty terms to learn 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 robust coverage options also cover other items such as spas, roof leaks, well pumps, and pools. Look for a company that offers robust coverage options, including upgraded plans. Flexibility is important when trying to fit a home warranty to your home's specific systems and needs.
Expect to pay a per-service fee of $60-100 for each home warranty claim. As this charge applies to every separate claim, you may want to choose a provider with lower service fees to maximize savings. Some providers also eliminate deductibles when customers have a claim-free period.
A home warranty provider's reputation gives insight into things such as contractor quality, approval rates, repair timeliness, and customer satisfaction. Check review platforms such as the Better Business Bureau (BBB), Google Reviews, or TrustPilot to research providers. Positive ratings and feedback indicate a company known for great service.
Home warranty companies use networks of local repair professionals to manage repairs in a given area. Contact potential providers to learn the number of repair technicians they have in Albert Lea and get an idea of how fast your repairs could be handled in an emergency. More extensive networks raise the probability of getting qualified contractors to swiftly service your home.
Home warranty providers sometimes include perks such as coverage for smart home devices, maintenance discounts, and energy efficiency upgrades. These extras add value beyond basic repair coverage. Additional perks maximize the usefulness of your home warranty.
Albert Lea’s frigid winters can put a strain on a home’s HVAC system. Whether it’s summer or winter, a home warranty will cover your home’s appliances and systems if they need to be repaired or replaced. For example, if your air conditioner breaks down in the middle of July, a home warranty can cover the necessary repairs, saving you from spending unexpected money out of pocket.
Along with saving you money on out-of-pocket expenses, a home warranty can provide you peace of mind and save you the headache of trying to find a qualified repair person to visit your home. Home warranties usually have a network of pre-vetted contractors who can handle any repair issues you may come across. Additionally, having a home warranty can help make your house more attractive to potential homebuyers if you ever decide to sell later. Many home warranty providers will allow you to transfer your plan to a new owner and give them the same protection you’ve been receiving.
One drawback of a home warranty is that there are often exclusions. For example, 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 any contracts you’re considering thoroughly to get a sense of what is included and what isn’t.
Another consideration is that home warranties usually only cover damage from normal wear and tear. They commonly won’t cover systems or appliances that have stopped working due to animal infestations, natural disasters, improper maintenance, etc.
A home warranty in Albert Lea can cost anywhere from $30 to $60 a month. The higher-priced plans typically have higher coverage limits, broader coverage, and a lower service fee. You can often lower this cost by paying annually instead of monthly. Some providers will also lower your up-front costs when you agree to a higher service fee.
The difference between a home warranty and homeowner's insurance lies in what types of damage each covers. A home warranty protects against normal wear and tear to systems and appliances in a home. Homeowners insurance protects your home in a situation such as a fire or natural disaster. With a homeowners insurance plan, you will not be able to file a claim should you need a new washing machine or oven, unless the damage is a result of a natural disaster, which is somewhat common in Albert Lea.
A home warranty plan can help home sellers, homebuyers, homeowners, investors, and real estate agents. It can offer peace of mind to anyone involved with homeownership.
The different home warranties in Albert Lea include plans that cover either appliances or systems as well as combination plans. A combination plan covers many of your home systems and appliances, including your refrigerator, washing machine, and heating and cooling systems. An appliance or system plan will cover only the items mentioned in the contract.
Generally, a home warranty policy offers coverage for a year and can be renewed yearly. Some providers may offer month-to-month options.
Typically, the person who owns the home pays for the home warranty. In some cases, however, the person who is selling the home may buy a home warranty plan 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 Albert Lea is $150,688, a home warranty can save you some money when buying a home.