Our editorial team is committed to creating independent and objective content focused on helping our readers make informed decisions. To help support these efforts we receive compensation from companies that advertise with us.
The compensation we receive from these companies may impact how and where products appear on this site. This compensation does not influence the recommendations or advice our editorial team provides within our content. We do not include all companies, products or offers that may be available.
Written By David Cusick
Last Updated June 2024
Homeownership in Buffalo comes with lots of benefits, but it also comes with its challenges. Your home’s appliances and systems will eventually need repairs, and this could mean a burdensome expense. A home warranty is a way to protect your budget 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 offerings — so the Today's Homeowner team has compiled this guide to help you choose the best home warranty companies in Buffalo.
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 for Buffalo residents. 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 plans that Liberty offers include options for appliance and system coverage.
Liberty Home Guard offers 3 plans for Buffalo homeowners. The Appliance Guard, Systems Guard, and Total Home Guard are the options they have, which have a mix of system and appliance coverage. The coverage limits from Liberty are about $3,000. The service fees are an affordable $75, which is less than other providers in the Buffalo area.
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 for Buffalo residents. 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 plans that Choice offers include options for appliance and system coverage.
Choice Home Warranty offers 2 plans for Buffalo homeowners. The Basic Plan and Total Plan are the options they have, which have a mix of system and appliance coverage. The coverage limits from Choice are about $3,000. The service fees are an affordable $85, which is less than other providers in the Buffalo area.
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 for Buffalo residents. 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 plans that Select offers include options for appliance and system coverage.
Select Home Warranty offers 3 plans for Buffalo homeowners. The Bronze Care Plan, Gold Care Plan, and Platinum Care Plan are the options they have, which have a mix of system and appliance coverage. The coverage limits from Select are about $2,000. The service fees are a reasonable $60, which is less than other providers in the Buffalo area.
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 for Buffalo residents. 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 plans that AHS offers include options for appliance and system coverage.
American Home Shield offers 3 plans for Buffalo homeowners. The ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, and ShieldPlatinum are the options they have, which have a mix of system and appliance coverage. The coverage limits from AHS are about $2,500. The service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $125, which is less than other providers in the Buffalo area.
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 for Buffalo residents. 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 plans that Cinch offers include options for appliance and system coverage.
Cinch Home Services offers 3 plans for Buffalo homeowners. The Appliances Plan, Built-in Systems Plan, and Complete Home Plan are the options they have, which have a mix of system and appliance coverage. The coverage limits from Cinch are about $1,000-$2,000. The service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $150, which is less than other providers in the Buffalo area.
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 for Buffalo residents. 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 plans that HSC offers include options for appliance and system coverage.
The Home Service Club offers 2 plans for Buffalo homeowners. The Standard Coverage Plan and Comprehensive Coverage Plan are the options they have, which have a mix of system and appliance coverage. The coverage limits from HSC are about $2,000. The service fees are customizable and range from $65 to $90, which is less than other providers in the Buffalo area.
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 | $6,077 |
Heating | $4,051 |
Electrical | $608 |
Toilets | $506 |
Washer/Dryer | $810 |
Plumbing | $608 |
Oven | $1,621 |
Fridge | $608 |
A home warranty is a protection policy that assists Buffalo homeowners lower the high costs of household repairs. These plans provide financial protection to fix or replace appliances and systems that break down from normal wear and tear. Homeowners file a claim and pay a service fee when something breaks. The home warranty company then arranges a contractor to make the fix or replacement. The only time you may pay out-of-pocket is if the repair or replacement costs exceed 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 aging systems. More modern homes with functional appliances probably don’t need a home warranty.
Home warranties cover many household systems and appliances. Covered appliances normally include dryers, washers, garbage disposals, refrigerators, microwaves, dishwashers, and more. Covered systems include plumbing, heating, electrical, and air conditioning. Many home warranty providers also offer additional coverage for locksmiths, central vacuums, roof leaks, and septic systems. Buffalo homeowners should know that most home warranty plans impose a 30-day waiting period before repairs are covered. Additionally, most policies only help pay for repairs and replacements due to normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't include natural disasters, pre-existing conditions, cosmetic issues, or improperly using a system or appliance. Remember to keep up with preventative maintenance to help ensure your next repair or replacement is covered.
Here are some essential home warranty terms to know before signing a contract:
There are several important factors to consider when choosing a home warranty provider:
Home warranty coverage varies, although most plans include protection for AC, electrical, plumbing, heating, and appliances. More extensive plans may also include other things such as pools, well pumps, roof leaks, and spas. Focus on providers with wide-ranging coverage selections including upgraded plans. This flexibility enables you to customize your plan to meet your needs.
With any home warranty claim, you'll pay a service fee, usually falling in the $60 to $100 range, which is paid per service call made. The costs from multiple fees can add up. You may decide to look for providers with more affordable fees to maximize your savings on each claim. Some firms also offer disappearing deductibles if a homeowner doesn't submit claims for repairs for a specified period of time.
A home warranty company's track record provides insight into things such as claim approval rates, timeliness of repairs, contractor quality, and overall customer satisfaction. Use third-party review sites such as Google Reviews, TrustPilot, or the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to research providers. Favorable reviews and ratings indicate a provider known for stellar service.
Home warranty companies keep networks of contractors to handle covered repairs. Bigger networks increase the likelihood of getting qualified technicians to quickly service your home. Ask potential providers how many contractors they have in Buffalo to get a sense of how quickly your repairs could be handled in an emergency.
Home warranty companies might include bonuses such as energy efficiency upgrades, maintenance discounts, and coverage for smart home devices. These can add value beyond basic repair coverage. Additional perks help maximize the usefulness of the home warranty.
Buffalo’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 fails in the middle of July, a home warranty can cover the repairs, saving you from spending a lot of money out of pocket.
A home warranty also can also save you time and energy. Instead of spending hours researching and selecting a repair person to fix your appliance or system, home warranty companies do the hard work for you and send a trusted professional to your door whenever you need them. A home warranty can also offer value in other ways. For example, some plans can be transferred to another owner during a home sale.
One of the main drawbacks of a home warranty is not everything you care about may be covered. It’s important to weigh the different plans and purchase one that covers all the appliances, systems, and add-ons you need.
In addition, if you don’t maintain your home systems or appliances properly, or if they were damaged due to a natural disaster or animal infestation — anything other than normal wear and tear — the home warranty may not cover it.
A home warranty policy costs, on average, around $300 to $600 a year in Buffalo. Our top-rated home warranty providers' most comprehensive coverage options vary from $546 to $840 per year. You can decrease your monthly bill with some companies by choosing a higher service fee. Additionally, it's typically 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 home systems and appliances. Homeowners insurance protects a home in a situation such as a fire or natural disaster. Under a homeowners insurance plan, you will not be able to file a claim if you need a new refrigerator or stove, unless the damage is due to a natural disaster, which isn't that common in Buffalo.
Homebuyers, real estate agents, landlords, home sellers, 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.
A home warranty plan can cover your appliances, systems, or both. Combination plans are beneficial if you need more coverage for your home, but a system- or appliance-only plan can be helpful if you want to save some money.
Home warranty plans usually provide coverage for a year. Many providers let you renew your plan yearly, and some offer month-to-month plans as well.
Usually the one who owns the home pays for the home warranty. In some cases, however, the home seller may buy a home warranty policy and transfer the policy to the buyer. The new homeowner will then need to pay the service fees when using the policy. Since the average home value in Buffalo is $362,096, a home warranty can be an added asset when buying a home.