Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Written By David Cusick
Last Updated April 2024
Buying a home is a big step for many people, but maintaining it can be costly over time, especially if your home in Altamont is on the older side. A home warranty is a way to protect your bank account from unexpected expenses. With a home warranty in place, your repair costs can be considerably lower and give you some peace of mind.
Finding the best protection for your home can be time-consuming, so our team at Today's Homeowner has compiled this guide to help you find the top home warranty companies in Altamont. Read on for our recommendations.
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 Altamont, Liberty Home Guard offers the most trustworthy home warranty. Liberty has more than 6 years of experience in the home warranty industry, and has provided great customer service at an affordable cost to its customers. The 3 plans that Liberty offers include options for appliance and system coverage. With a home warranty from Liberty, you can benefit from 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.
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 about $3,000.
To read more, visit our review of Liberty Home Guard. To get a free quote from Liberty Home Guard, you can fill out this online form or call 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
In Altamont, Choice Home Warranty offers the best overall home warranty. Choice has more than 15 years of experience in the home warranty industry, and has provided great customer service at an affordable cost to its customers. The 2 plans that Choice offers include options for appliance and system coverage. With a home warranty from Choice, you can benefit from 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.
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 about $3,000.
To read more, visit our review of Choice Home Warranty. To get a free quote from Choice Home Warranty, you can fill out this online form or call 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
In Altamont, Select Home Warranty offers the most cost-effective home warranty. Select has more than 11 years of experience in the home warranty industry, and has provided great customer service at an affordable cost to its customers. The 3 plans that Select offers include options for appliance and system coverage. With a home warranty from Select, you can benefit from 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.
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 about $2,000.
To read more, visit our review of Select Home Warranty. To get a free quote from Select Home Warranty, you can fill out this online form or call 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
In Altamont, American Home Shield offers the most customizable home warranty. AHS has more than 26 years of experience in the home warranty industry, and has provided great customer service at an affordable cost to its customers. The 3 plans that AHS offers include options for appliance and system coverage. With a home warranty from AHS, you can benefit from 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.
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 about $2,500.
To read more, visit our review of American Home Shield. To get a free quote from American Home Shield, you can fill out this online form or call 888-365-2839.
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 Altamont, First American Home Warranty offers the best home warranty for appliance coverage. First American has more than 39 years of experience in the home warranty industry, and has provided great customer service at an affordable cost to its customers. The 2 plans that First American offers include options for appliance and system coverage. With a home warranty from First American, you can benefit from very affordable and comprehensive appliance coverage. Not to mention, it 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.
The plans that First American offers to homeowners are Basic Plan and Premier Plan. Service fees from First American are a reasonable $85. The coverage caps are also typically about $1,500.
To read more, visit our review of First American Home Warranty. To get a free quote from First American Home Warranty, you can fill out this online form or call 833-204-7164.
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 Altamont, Cinch Home Services offers the home warranty with the best workmanship guarantee. Cinch has more than 44 years of experience in the home warranty industry, and has provided great customer service at an affordable cost to its customers. The 3 plans that Cinch offers include options for appliance and system coverage. With a home warranty from Cinch, you can benefit from 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.
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 about $1,000-$2,000.
To read more, visit our review of Cinch Home Services. To get a free quote from Cinch Home Services, you can fill out this online form or call 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
In Altamont, The Home Service Club offers the best home warranty with the quickest service. HSC has more than 15 years of experience in the home warranty industry, and has provided great customer service at an affordable cost to its customers. The 2 plans that HSC offers include options for appliance and system coverage. With a home warranty from HSC, you can benefit from 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.
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 about $2,000.
To read more, visit our review of The Home Service Club. To get a free quote from The Home Service Club, you can fill out this online form or call 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 | $5,841 |
| Heating | $3,894 |
| Electrical | $584 |
| Toilets | $487 |
| Washer/Dryer | $779 |
| Plumbing | $584 |
| Oven | $1,557 |
| Fridge | $584 |
A home warranty is a protection policy that assists Altamont homeowners cut the costs of appliance and system repairs. The plans offer financial coverage to fix or swap out 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 company then arranges a contractor to handle the fix 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 gives peace of mind to homeowners, as it helps prevent costly emergency repairs. Home warranties are especially useful for older houses or those with aging systems. New homes with up-to-date appliances may not need a home warranty.
Home warranties cover your household systems and appliances. Warranties usually cover appliances such as washers, dryers, garbage disposals, refrigerators, dishwashers, microwaves, and more. Covered systems include plumbing, heating, electrical, and air conditioning. Many home warranty providers also offer add-on coverage for central vacuums, roof leaks, locksmiths, and septic systems. It's important for Altamont homeowners to understand most home warranty plans have a 30-day waiting period before repairs are covered. Most policies also only cover repairs and replacements due to normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't include pre-existing conditions, cosmetic issues, natural disasters, or misuse of a system or appliance. Be diligent about completing preventative maintenance to ensure your next repair or replacement is covered.
Here are some essential home warranty words to know before signing a contract:
When selecting a home warranty provider, there are several key factors to consider:
Home warranty coverage varies widely in the items that are included. Most plans include protection for electrical, heating, AC, plumbing, and appliances. More inclusive options also include protection for other items such as spas, roof leaks, pools, and well pumps. Look for providers with flexible coverage choices, including upgraded plans. This helps you customize your plan to your home's 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 when a homeowner goes a defined period without any repair requests.
A home warranty company's reputation provides insights into factors such as claim approval rates, contractor expertise, repair speed, and customer satisfaction. Look at review sites like Google Reviews, TrustPilot, or the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to learn more about companies. Positive reviews and ratings suggest a company known for providing quality service.
Home warranty businesses maintain networks of local professionals to handle repairs in your area. Reach out to potential providers to learn how many repair technicians they have in Altamont and get an idea for how fast your repairs could take place in an emergency situation. Wider networks increase the likelihood of getting qualified contractors to swiftly service your home.
Some home warranty companies include perks such as smart home device coverage, energy efficiency upgrades, and reduced maintenance fees. These can provide extra value beyond repair coverage. Added bonuses let you enhance your home and get the most from your home warranty.
Since temperatures in Altamont can be quite cold in the winter, the weather can put a lot of strain on your HVAC system. Buying a home warranty can help homeowners save money if one of these systems or appliances stops working suddenly.
Not only can a home warranty save you some money on repairs and replacements, it saves you time as well. Instead of needing to vet contractors by yourself, home warranty companies do the work for you and send a contractor from their network right to your door when you need them. A home warranty can also offer value in other ways. For instance, some policies can be transferred to another owner during a home sale.
One downside of a home warranty is that there are generally exclusions. For example, if one of your appliances already has a manufacturer's warranty, it may not be included in the home warranty, so it’s important to read over the contracts you’re considering carefully to get a sense of what is included and what isn’t.
Another potential pain point of home warranties is that they don’t cover items that have been improperly maintained. This can lead to your claims being denied, so it’s important to be sure you follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for maintenance of your home systems and appliances.
A home warranty in Altamont can cost between $30 and $60 a month. The higher-priced plans tend to have broader coverage, a lower service fee, and higher coverage limits. This cost is often lower if you pay annually instead of monthly. Some providers will also lower 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 protects against normal wear and tear to home systems and appliances. Homeowners insurance protects your home in a situation such as a natural disaster or fire. With homeowners insurance, you won't be able to file a claim should you need a new refrigerator or air conditioner, unless the damage is a result of a natural disaster, which isn't that common in Altamont.
A home warranty can help homeowners, investors, home sellers, real estate agents, and homebuyers. It can offer peace of mind and savings to anyone involved with homeownership.
A home warranty can cover your home’s systems, appliances, or both. Combination plans are great if you'd like more coverage for your home, but a system- or appliance-only plan can be a good idea if you want to save some money.
Generally, a home warranty offers coverage for a year and can be renewed yearly. Some providers may offer month-to-month options.
Typically, 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 given to the new homeowner, who will pay the service fees. In Altamont, where the median home value is $237,923, having the seller pay for the home warranty can save you some money on your new home.
