Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Written By David Cusick
Last Updated April 2024
Austin gives homeowners some great housing options and the opportunity to enjoy the snow in the winter. However, freezing temperatures can do a number on your home’s systems, such as your HVAC. A home warranty can help protect homebuyers and current homeowners by cutting the costs of major repairs and replacements on your home’s most important appliances and systems.
Finding the best home warranty on the market can be time-consuming, as there are so many companies to decide between. That’s why the Today's Homeowner team did the research and compiled a list of the top home warranty companies in Austin 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 Austin. Liberty has been in the home warranty business for around 6 years. If you’re looking for a seamless complaint process and guaranteed service professionalism upon every repair visit, you’ll want to have this plan on your side. 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 and policy coverage easily comprehensible.
Liberty Home Guard has 3 plans that provide a combination of system and appliance coverage. Liberty’s service fees are an affordable $75, and the coverage limits come out to around $3,000 for each covered appliance or system.
Read our review of Liberty Home Guard to learn more. To get 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
Choice Home Warranty is the best overall home warranty in Austin. Choice has been in the home warranty business for around 15 years. If you’re looking for very high coverage caps and simple-to-understand service contracts, you’ll want to have this plan on your side. 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 and policy coverage easily comprehensible.
Choice Home Warranty has 2 plans that provide a combination of system and appliance coverage. Choice’s service fees are an affordable $85, and the coverage limits come out to around $3,000 for each covered appliance or system.
Read our review of Choice Home Warranty to learn more. To get 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
Select Home Warranty is the most cost-effective home warranty in Austin. Select has been in the home warranty business for around 11 years. If you’re looking for a highly affordable service fee and free roof coverage upon purchase of a policy plan, you’ll want to have this plan on your side. 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 and policy coverage easily comprehensible.
Select Home Warranty has 3 plans that provide a combination of system and appliance coverage. Select’s service fees are a reasonable $60, and the coverage limits come out to around $2,000 for each covered appliance or system.
Read our review of Select Home Warranty to learn more. To get 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
American Home Shield is the most customizable home warranty in Austin. AHS has been in the home warranty business for around 26 years. If you’re looking for the ability to customize your plan with the coverages that work specifically for your home, you’ll want to have this plan on your side. 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 and policy coverage easily comprehensible.
American Home Shield has 3 plans that provide a combination of system and appliance coverage. AHS’s service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $125, and the coverage limits come out to around $2,500 for each covered appliance or system.
Read our review of American Home Shield to learn more. To get a free quote from American Home Shield, fill out this online form or give them a call at 888-365-2839.
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 is the home warranty with the best workmanship guarantee in Austin. Cinch has been in the home warranty business for around 44 years. If you’re looking for a 180-day workmanship guarantee that ensures your home systems and appliance repairs will be professionally done, you’ll want to have this plan on your side. 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 and policy coverage easily comprehensible.
Cinch Home Services has 3 plans that provide a combination of system and appliance coverage. Cinch’s service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $150, and the coverage limits come out to around $1,000-$2,000 for each covered appliance or system.
Read our review of Cinch Home Services to learn more. To get 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
The Home Service Club is the best home warranty with the quickest service in Austin. HSC has been in the home warranty business for around 15 years. 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, you’ll want to have this plan on your side. 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 and policy coverage easily comprehensible.
The Home Service Club has 2 plans that provide a combination of system and appliance coverage. HSC’s service fees are customizable and range from $65 to $90, and the coverage limits come out to around $2,000 for each covered appliance or system.
Read our review of The Home Service Club to learn more. To get 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 | $5,834 |
| Heating | $3,889 |
| Electrical | $583 |
| Toilets | $486 |
| Washer/Dryer | $778 |
| Plumbing | $583 |
| Oven | $1,556 |
| Fridge | $583 |
A home warranty is a protection plan that helps Austin homeowners in lowering the costs of appliance and system repairs. The plans offer financial coverage to swap out or repair appliances and systems that malfunction due to normal wear and tear.
When something breaks down, you file a claim and pay a service fee. The home warranty provider then arranges a contractor to handle the replacement or fix. Homeowners may have out-of-pocket costs only if the repair or replacement costs go over the item's coverage limit. A home warranty gives security for homeowners by helping them avoid expensive emergency repairs. They're particularly useful for those who live in older homes or ones with outdated systems. Newer builds with modern appliances probably don’t need a home warranty.
Home warranties cover many home systems and appliances. Warranties usually cover appliances such as microwaves, garbage disposals, refrigerators, dryers, washers, dishwashers, and others. Covered systems include heating, air conditioning, plumbing, and electrical. Many home warranty providers also offer additional coverage for central vacuums, locksmiths, roof leaks, and septic systems. Most home warranty plans require Austin homeowners to wait 30 days before they can use the policy to pay for repairs. Moreover, policies normally only cover repairs and replacements due to normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't cover pre-existing conditions, natural disasters, cosmetic issues, or misusing a system or appliance. To help ensure your next repair or replacement is covered, keep up with preventative maintenance.
Here are some key home warranty words to understand before signing a contract:
There are several important factors to consider when choosing a home warranty provider:
Home warranty coverage differs significantly when it comes to what's covered. Most plans include protection for heating, AC, plumbing, electrical, and appliances. More comprehensive plans also include protection for other items such as well pumps, roof leaks, spas, and pools. Look for providers with flexible coverage choices, including upgraded plans. This allows you to tailor protection to your 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 companies with lower service fees to maximize savings. Some providers also offer disappearing deductibles if a customer doesn't submit any claims in a set timeframe.
A home warranty company's reputation can offer insight into things such as contractor quality, approval rates for claims, speed of repairs, and customer satisfaction. Look at 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 providers 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 Austin and get an idea of how fast your repairs could be handled in an emergency. Larger networks increase the probability of getting qualified contractors to swiftly service your home.
Some home warranty plans offer bonuses such as maintenance discounts, energy efficiency upgrades, and smart home device protection. These perks can add value beyond just repair coverage. Added bonuses can maximize the usefulness of the home warranty.
Austin’s frigid 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 breaks down in the middle of July, a home warranty can cover the needed repairs, preventing you from spending a lot of money out of pocket.
Not only can a home warranty save you money on repairs and replacements, it saves you time too. Instead of needing to vet technicians on your own, home warranty providers do the work for you and send a contractor from their network right to your door when you need them. Another added benefit of having a home warranty plan is that it can increase your home’s real estate value. If you ever decide to sell your home, you may be able to transfer your home warranty plan to the new homebuyer depending on the company you have your home warranty with.
There are also some negatives to getting a home warranty policy, such as the coverage exclusions. For example, home warranties may not cover systems or appliances that already have a manufacturer's warranty.
Another drawback is that home warranties may not include some repairs, such as those needed because of natural disasters. For example, if a tree falls onto your house and damages the roof, the impacted systems and appliances probably won’t be covered by the home warranty.
A home warranty in Austin can cost anywhere from $30 to $60 a month. The higher-priced plans typically have higher coverage limits, a lower service fee, and broader coverage. You can often lower this cost by paying annually instead of monthly. Some companies will also decrease your up-front costs when you opt for a higher service fee.
The difference between a home warranty and homeowner's insurance lies in what kinds of damage each covers. A home warranty plan protects against normal wear and tear to home systems and appliances. Homeowners insurance protects your entire home in case of a situation such as a natural disaster or fire. With homeowners insurance, you will not be able to file a claim should you need a new dryer or stove, unless the damage is due to a natural disaster, which is somewhat common in Austin.
Homebuyers, landlords, real estate agents, homeowners, and home sellers 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.
The different types of home warranties in Austin include plans with coverage for either appliances or systems as well as combination plans. A combination plan covers your systems and appliances, such as your washing machine, drier, and heating and cooling systems. An appliance or system plan will cover only the specific items listed in the contract.
Home warranty plans typically provide coverage for a year. Many providers let you renew your plan annually, and some offer month-to-month options as well.
Usually, the homeowner is the one who is responsible for paying 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 transferred to the new homeowner, who has to pay the service fees. In Austin, where the median home value is $163,452, having the seller pay for the home warranty can save you some money on your new home.
