Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Written By David Cusick
Last Updated April 2024
The cost of maintaining a home in Altoona can be costly, especially as your home ages and your appliances and systems have to be updated. A home warranty in Altoona can help bring down your out-of-pocket costs by covering repairs or replacements to major home appliances and systems that break down due to normal wear and tear.
Finding the best protection for your home can be time-consuming, so our team at Today's Homeowner has done the research to help you find the top home warranty companies in Altoona. Read on for our top provider 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 Altoona, Liberty Home Guard offers the most trustworthy home warranty. The 3 plans from Liberty are easy to understand and offer both system and appliance coverage. 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.
There are 3 home warranty plans from Liberty Home Guard: Appliance Guard, Systems Guard, and Total Home Guard. Liberty’s service fees are an affordable $75, and the coverage limits come out to about $3,000 per covered appliance or system.
To read more, visit our Liberty Home Guard Review. 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
In Altoona, Choice Home Warranty offers the best overall home warranty. The 2 plans from Choice are easy to understand and offer both system and appliance coverage. 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.
There are 2 home warranty plans from Choice Home Warranty: Basic Plan and Total Plan. Choice’s service fees are an affordable $85, and the coverage limits come out to about $3,000 per covered appliance or system.
To read more, visit our Choice Home Warranty Review. 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
In Altoona, Select Home Warranty offers the most cost-effective home warranty. The 3 plans from Select are easy to understand and offer both system and appliance coverage. 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.
There are 3 home warranty plans from Select Home Warranty: Bronze Care Plan, Gold Care Plan, and Platinum Care Plan. Select’s service fees are a reasonable $60, and the coverage limits come out to about $2,000 per covered appliance or system.
To read more, visit our Select Home Warranty Review. 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
In Altoona, American Home Shield offers the most customizable home warranty. The 3 plans from AHS are easy to understand and offer both system and appliance coverage. 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.
There are 3 home warranty plans from American Home Shield: ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, and ShieldPlatinum. AHS’s service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $125, and the coverage limits come out to about $2,500 per covered appliance or system.
To read more, visit our American Home Shield Review. 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
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 Altoona, First American Home Warranty offers the best home warranty for appliance coverage. The 2 plans from First American are easy to understand and offer both system and appliance coverage. If you’re looking for very affordable and comprehensive appliance coverage, you’ll want to have this plan on your side. Plus, 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.
There are 2 home warranty plans from First American Home Warranty: Basic Plan and Premier Plan. First American’s service fees are a reasonable $85, and the coverage limits come out to about $1,500 per covered appliance or system.
To read more, visit our First American Home Warranty Review. To get a free quote from First American Home Warranty, fill out this online form or give them a call at 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 Altoona, Cinch Home Services offers the home warranty with the best workmanship guarantee. The 3 plans from Cinch are easy to understand and offer both system and appliance coverage. 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.
There are 3 home warranty plans from Cinch Home Services: Appliances Plan, Built-in Systems Plan, and Complete Home Plan. Cinch’s service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $150, and the coverage limits come out to about $1,000-$2,000 per covered appliance or system.
To read more, visit our Cinch Home Services Review. 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
In Altoona, The Home Service Club offers the best home warranty with the quickest service. The 2 plans from HSC are easy to understand and offer both system and appliance coverage. 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.
There are 2 home warranty plans from The Home Service Club: Standard Coverage Plan and Comprehensive Coverage Plan. HSC’s service fees are customizable and range from $65 to $90, and the coverage limits come out to about $2,000 per covered appliance or system.
To read more, visit our The Home Service Club Review. 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 | $5,742 |
| Heating | $3,828 |
| Electrical | $574 |
| Toilets | $478 |
| Washer/Dryer | $766 |
| Plumbing | $574 |
| Oven | $1,531 |
| Fridge | $574 |
A home warranty is a protection plan that helps Altoona homeowners reduce the high costs of household repairs. These plans provide financial protection to fix or swap out appliances and systems that stop working from normal wear and tear.
Homeowners file 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 exceeds the item's coverage limit. A home warranty policy gives homeowners a sense of security and can help avoid expensive emergency repairs. They can be especially helpful for people purchasing older homes or homes with appliances 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 safeguard your home systems and appliances. Common covered appliances include dryers, garbage disposals, dishwashers, refrigerators, microwaves, washers, and others. Covered systems include plumbing, air conditioning, electrical, and heating. Many home warranty plans also offer add-on coverage options for locksmiths, septic systems, central vacuums, and even roof leaks. Most home warranty plans require Altoona homeowners to wait 30 days before the plan will cover repairs. Additionally, policies usually only cover repairs and replacements due to normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't cover cosmetic issues, natural disasters, pre-existing conditions, or misusing a system or appliance. To make sure your next repair or replacement is covered, keep up with preventative maintenance.
Before signing a home warranty contract, you should learn key terms like:
There are several key factors to consider when selecting a home warranty provider:
Home warranty coverage differs significantly when it comes to what's covered. Most plans include protection for plumbing, electrical, AC, heating, and appliances. More inclusive options also include protection for other items such as spas, pools, well pumps, and roof leaks. Look for companies with a diverse range of coverage options, including upgraded plans. This allows you to customize your plan to your home's needs.
You'll pay a service fee, typically $60–100, for each claim filed with your home warranty provider. These per-claim charges can quickly add up, so you may look for companies advertising lower service fees to optimize savings on each repair claim. Certain companies may waive deductibles if homeowners don't submit any claims within a set period of time.
A home warranty company's reputation provides insights into factors such as claim approval rates, contractor expertise, repair speed, and customer satisfaction. Check review sites like TrustPilot, Google Reviews, or the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to learn more about providers. Good reviews and ratings suggest a company known for delivering quality service.
Home warranty businesses have networks of local professionals to handle repairs in your area. Reach out to potential providers to learn how many repair contractors they have in Altoona and get an idea for how fast your repairs might happen in an emergency situation. Wider networks improve the probability of getting qualified contractors to promptly service your home.
Certain home warranty providers include extras such as discounts on maintenance, protection for smart home devices, and energy-efficient upgrades. These bonuses can offer extra value beyond repair coverage. Extra perks enhance your home and help maximize your home warranty.
Since temperatures in Altoona can be quite cold in the winter, the weather can put a lot of strain on your HVAC system. Getting a home warranty plan can help homeowners save money if one of these systems or appliances stops working all of a sudden.
Not only does a home warranty provide some financial relief, but it also saves you time. If an appliance breaks, the last thing you want to do is find a contractor and schedule a repair. A home warranty handles this process by sending trusted professionals to your door when you need them most. 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 purchased your home warranty through.
As for the negatives of home warranties, system and appliance coverage varies by company, so it’s important to read what each policy covers and excludes in the contract.
In addition, if you don’t maintain your home systems or appliances properly, or if they need repairs or replacements 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 Altoona. Our top-rated home warranty providers' 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 cheaper 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 helps protect against normal wear and tear to home systems and appliances. Homeowners insurance protects your home in case of a situation such as a fire or natural disaster. With a homeowners insurance plan, you won't be able to file a claim should you need a new washing machine or oven, unless the damage is due to a natural disaster, which is somewhat common in Altoona.
First-time homebuyers, real estate agents, homeowners, landlords, and home sellers 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.
The different kinds of home warranties in Altoona include plans with coverage for either appliances or systems as well as combination plans. A combination plan will cover many of your systems and appliances, including your dishwasher, washing machine, and plumbing. A plan that only covers appliances or systems will cover only the specific items mentioned in the contract.
Generally, a home warranty lasts for a year and can be renewed annually. Some providers may offer month-to-month options.
Typically, the homeowner is responsible for paying for the home warranty. In some cases, though, the person who is selling the home may buy a home warranty policy and transfer the policy to the buyer. The new homeowner will then be responsible for the service fees when using the policy. Since the average home value in Altoona is $134,685, a home warranty can be an added asset when buying a home.
