Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Written By David Cusick
Last Updated April 2024
There are lots of advantages of owning a home, but as your Colonie home ages, you may find yourself needing to update or repair your appliances and systems. A home warranty can help protect you by covering major repairs and replacements on your home’s most important appliances and systems.
The home warranty market has a variety of providers — all with different offerings — so the Today's Homeowner team has compiled this guide to help you find the best home warranty companies in Colonie.
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 Colonie, Liberty Home Guard offers the most trustworthy home warranty. Liberty is a home warranty provider with 6 years of experience in the industry, and it has established itself as one of the best providers in the business. 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. Liberty has 3 simple plans, making the selection process and policy coverage easily comprehensible.
Liberty Home Guard offers 3 plans for Colonie homeowners. The Appliance Guard, Systems Guard, and Total Home Guard are the options they have, which contain a mix of system and appliance coverage. The coverage limits from Liberty are around $3,000. The service fees are an affordable $75, which is cheaper than other providers in the Colonie area.
To get a free quote from Liberty Home Guard, fill out this online form or call 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
In Colonie, Choice Home Warranty offers the best overall home warranty. Choice is a home warranty provider with 15 years of experience in the industry, and it has established itself as one of the best providers in the business. 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. Choice has 2 simple plans, making the selection process and policy coverage easily comprehensible.
Choice Home Warranty offers 2 plans for Colonie homeowners. The Basic Plan and Total Plan are the options they have, which contain a mix of system and appliance coverage. The coverage limits from Choice are around $3,000. The service fees are an affordable $85, which is cheaper than other providers in the Colonie area.
To get a free quote from Choice Home Warranty, fill out this online form or call 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
In Colonie, Select Home Warranty offers the most cost-effective home warranty. Select is a home warranty provider with 11 years of experience in the industry, and it has established itself as one of the best providers in the business. 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. Select has 3 simple plans, making the selection process and policy coverage easily comprehensible.
Select Home Warranty offers 3 plans for Colonie homeowners. The Bronze Care Plan, Gold Care Plan, and Platinum Care Plan are the options they have, which contain a mix of system and appliance coverage. The coverage limits from Select are around $2,000. The service fees are a reasonable $60, which is cheaper than other providers in the Colonie area.
To get a free quote from Select Home Warranty, fill out this online form or call 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
In Colonie, American Home Shield offers the most customizable home warranty. AHS is a home warranty provider with 26 years of experience in the industry, and it has established itself as one of the best providers in the business. 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. AHS has 3 simple plans, making the selection process and policy coverage easily comprehensible.
American Home Shield offers 3 plans for Colonie homeowners. The ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, and ShieldPlatinum are the options they have, which contain a mix of system and appliance coverage. The coverage limits from AHS are around $2,500. The service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $125, which is cheaper than other providers in the Colonie area.
To get a free quote from American Home Shield, fill out this online form or call 888-365-2839. For a more detailed breakdown, read our review of American Home Shield.
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
In Colonie, Cinch Home Services offers the home warranty with the best workmanship guarantee. Cinch is a home warranty provider with 44 years of experience in the industry, and it has established itself as one of the best providers in the business. 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. Cinch has 3 simple plans, making the selection process and policy coverage easily comprehensible.
Cinch Home Services offers 3 plans for Colonie homeowners. The Appliances Plan, Built-in Systems Plan, and Complete Home Plan are the options they have, which contain a mix of system and appliance coverage. The coverage limits from Cinch are around $1,000-$2,000. The service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $150, which is cheaper than other providers in the Colonie area.
To get a free quote from Cinch Home Services, fill out this online form or call 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
In Colonie, The Home Service Club offers the best home warranty with the quickest service. HSC is a home warranty provider with 15 years of experience in the industry, and it has established itself as one of the best providers in the business. 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. HSC has 2 simple plans, making the selection process and policy coverage easily comprehensible.
The Home Service Club offers 2 plans for Colonie homeowners. The Standard Coverage Plan and Comprehensive Coverage Plan are the options they have, which contain a mix of system and appliance coverage. The coverage limits from HSC are around $2,000. The service fees are customizable and range from $65 to $90, which is cheaper than other providers in the Colonie area.
To get a free quote from The Home Service Club, fill out this online form or call 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 | $6,208 |
| Heating | $4,139 |
| Electrical | $621 |
| Toilets | $517 |
| Washer/Dryer | $828 |
| Plumbing | $621 |
| Oven | $1,655 |
| Fridge | $621 |
A home warranty is a protection plan that assists Colonie homeowners reduce the costs of appliance and system repairs. The plans provide coverage to repair or swap out appliances and systems that stop working due to normal wear and tear.
When something breaks down, you submit a claim and pay a service fee. The home warranty company then arranges a contractor to handle the repair or replacement. Homeowners may have out-of-pocket costs only if the repair or replacement goes over the item's coverage limit. A home warranty plan gives homeowners peace of mind because it can help avoid expensive 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 appliances and fixtures in good condition may not require a home warranty.
Home warranties cover your home systems and appliances. Common covered appliances are washers, dryers, garbage disposals, microwaves, refrigerators, dishwashers, and more. Included systems are typically electrical, air conditioning, heating, and plumbing. Many home warranty providers offer add-on coverage for septic systems, roof leaks, central vacuums, and locksmiths. Colonie homeowners should know that most home warranty plans begin with a 30-day waiting period before repairs are covered. What's more, most policies only help pay for repairs and replacements due to normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't include pre-existing conditions, natural disasters, cosmetic issues, or misuse of a system or appliance. Remember to keep up with preventative maintenance to help ensure your next repair or replacement is covered.
Here are some key home warranty terms to learn before signing a contract:
When selecting a home warranty provider, there are several important factors to consider:
Home warranty policies differ significantly in terms of coverage. Most plans cover plumbing, electrical, AC, heating, and appliances. More inclusive options also extend protection to other items such as roof leaks, well pumps, pools, and spas. Look for providers with a diverse range of coverage options, including upgraded plans. This helps you customize your plan to your home's 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 company with more affordable fees to maximize savings on every claim. Some companies also do away with deductibles if a customer goes a period of time without filing any claims.
A home warranty provider's reputation can offer insight into things such as speed of repairs, contractor quality, approval rates for claims, and customer satisfaction. Use third-party review sites such as Google Reviews, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), or TrustPilot to research companies. Good ratings and reviews indicate that a provider is known for quality service.
Home warranty businesses keep networks of local technicians to handle repairs in your area. Reach out to potential providers to ask how many repair technicians they have in Colonie and get an idea for how fast your repairs could take place in an emergency situation. Wider networks increase the chances of getting qualified contractors to swiftly service your home.
Some home warranty companies include perks such as energy efficiency upgrades, reduced maintenance fees, and smart home device coverage. These can offer extra value beyond repair coverage. Added bonuses allow you to enhance your home and get the most from your warranty policy.
Colonie’s frigid winters can put a strain on a home’s HVAC system. Whether it’s summer or winter, a home warranty can help 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 needed repairs, saving you from spending a lot of money out of pocket.
In addition, having a home warranty can save you time by eliminating the need to research service technicians — most companies will send a trusted professional right to your door to complete the necessary repair or replacement. Another benefit of having a home warranty is while selling your home, you can most likely transfer your home warranty plan to the new owners. It can make your home more attractive to potential homebuyers and may help your house sell faster.
Home warranties also have some drawbacks. While it can be convenient that the home warranty sends out a service technician who carries out the repair for you, some people may not like this, and they would prefer to select a contractor themselves. If that’s the case for you, some home warranty companies allow you to choose a contractor.
Another pain point of home warranties is that they don’t cover systems or appliances that haven’t been properly maintained. This can lead to your claims being denied, so it’s important to make sure you follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for maintenance of your home systems and appliances.
A home warranty costs, on average, around $300 to $600 a year in Colonie. Our top-rated home warranty companies' 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 often less expensive to pay annually rather than monthly.
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 home systems and appliances. A homeowners insurance plan protects your 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 is somewhat common in Colonie.
First-time homebuyers, home sellers, landlords, homeowners, and real estate agents are all eligible for 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 will cover your appliances, systems, or both. Combination plans are great if you need more coverage for your home, but a system- or appliance-only plan can be useful if you want to save some money.
Home warranty plans usually last a year. Many providers let you renew your plan yearly, and some offer month-to-month plans as well.
Usually, the homeowner is the one who pays the premium and service fees. However, when buying a new home, sometimes the seller will pay for the policy. This can then be transferred to the new homeowner, who has to pay the service fees. In Colonie, where the median value of a home is $287,942, having the seller pay for the home warranty can save you some money on your new home.
