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 the cost of maintaining it can be expensive over time, especially if your home in Buffalo is on the older side. A home warranty can help protect you by cutting the costs of major repairs and replacements on your home’s most important appliances and systems.
The home warranty market is filled with many providers — all with different coverage — 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 in Buffalo. Liberty has over 6 years of experience in the home warranty industry and in that time has built a an network of service technicians in the country. The 3 plans that Liberty offers include differing levels of system and appliance coverage, as well as add-on options. 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. The coverage limits from Liberty are around $3,000. The service fees are an affordable $75, which is lower than other providers in the Buffalo area.
Read more by visiting our review of Liberty Home Guard. To receive 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
Choice Home Warranty is the best overall home warranty in Buffalo. Choice has over 15 years of experience in the home warranty industry and in that time has built a an network of service technicians in the country. The 2 plans that Choice offers include differing levels of system and appliance coverage, as well as add-on options. 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. The coverage limits from Choice are around $3,000. The service fees are an affordable $85, which is lower than other providers in the Buffalo area.
Read more by visiting our review of Choice Home Warranty. To receive 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
Select Home Warranty is the most cost-effective home warranty in Buffalo. Select has over 11 years of experience in the home warranty industry and in that time has built a an network of service technicians in the country. The 3 plans that Select offers include differing levels of system and appliance coverage, as well as add-on options. 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. The coverage limits from Select are around $2,000. The service fees are a reasonable $60, which is lower than other providers in the Buffalo area.
Read more by visiting our review of Select Home Warranty. To receive 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
American Home Shield is the most customizable home warranty in Buffalo. AHS has over 26 years of experience in the home warranty industry and in that time has built a an network of service technicians in the country. The 3 plans that AHS offers include differing levels of system and appliance coverage, as well as add-on options. 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. The coverage limits from AHS are around $2,500. The service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $125, which is lower than other providers in the Buffalo area.
Read more by visiting our review of American Home Shield. To receive 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
First American Home Warranty is the best home warranty for appliance coverage in Buffalo. First American has over 39 years of experience in the home warranty industry and in that time has built a an network of service technicians in the country. The 2 plans that First American offers include differing levels of system and appliance coverage, as well as add-on options. 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. The coverage limits from First American are around $1,500. The service fees are a reasonable $85, which is lower than other providers in the Buffalo area.
Read more by visiting our review of First American Home Warranty. To receive 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
Cinch Home Services is the home warranty with the best workmanship guarantee in Buffalo. Cinch has over 44 years of experience in the home warranty industry and in that time has built a an network of service technicians in the country. The 3 plans that Cinch offers include differing levels of system and appliance coverage, as well as add-on options. 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. The coverage limits from Cinch are around $1,000-$2,000. The service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $150, which is lower than other providers in the Buffalo area.
Read more by visiting our review of Cinch Home Services. To receive 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
The Home Service Club is the best home warranty with the quickest service in Buffalo. HSC has over 15 years of experience in the home warranty industry and in that time has built a an network of service technicians in the country. The 2 plans that HSC offers include differing levels of system and appliance coverage, as well as add-on options. 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. The coverage limits from HSC are around $2,000. The service fees are customizable and range from $65 to $90, which is lower than other providers in the Buffalo area.
Read more by visiting our review of The Home Service Club. To receive 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 | $5,872 |
| Heating | $3,914 |
| Electrical | $587 |
| Toilets | $489 |
| Washer/Dryer | $783 |
| Plumbing | $587 |
| Oven | $1,566 |
| Fridge | $587 |
A home warranty is a protection plan that assists Buffalo homeowners in reducing the expenses of appliance and system repairs. The plans provide coverage to replace or fix appliances and systems that malfunction 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 replacement or repair. 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 peace of mind for homeowners by helping them prevent expensive emergency repairs. They're particularly valuable for those who live in older homes or ones with aging systems. More modern builds with working appliances probably don’t need a home warranty.
Home warranties protect your home systems and appliances. Common covered appliances are dishwashers, washers, dryers, garbage disposals, microwaves, refrigerators, and more. Covered systems are typically plumbing, heating, air conditioning, and electrical. Many home warranty providers offer add-on coverage for septic systems, locksmiths, roof leaks, and central vacuums. Buffalo homeowners should know that most home warranty plans have a 30-day waiting period before repairs are covered. What's more, most policies only cover the cost of repairs and replacements due to normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't include cosmetic issues, natural disasters, pre-existing conditions, or misuse of a system or appliance. You must keep up with preventative maintenance to help make sure your next repair or replacement is covered.
Here are some key home warranty words to understand before signing a contract:
When selecting a home warranty provider, there are several key factors to consider:
Home warranty coverage varies, although most plans include protection for heating, plumbing, AC, electrical, and appliances. More extensive plans may also cover other things such as spas, well pumps, roof leaks, and pools. Look for providers with an array of coverage options, such as upgraded plans. Flexibility helps you tailor your protection for your needs.
With any home warranty claim, you'll pay a service fee that can range from $60 to $100, which is paid per service call made. The costs from multiple fees can add up. You may decide to look for companies with lower service 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 provider's reputation provides insights into factors such as contractor expertise, claim approval rates, repair speed, and customer satisfaction. Look at review sites like the Better Business Bureau (BBB), TrustPilot, or Google Reviews to learn more about companies. Good reviews and ratings suggest a company known for quality service.
Home warranty companies use networks of local repair professionals to manage repairs in a given area. Contact potential companies to ask how many repair professionals they have in Buffalo and get an idea of how quickly your repairs could be handled in an emergency. Larger networks increase the probability of getting qualified contractors to swiftly service your home.
Home warranty companies may offer perks such as maintenance discounts, coverage for smart home devices, and energy efficiency upgrades. These add value beyond basic repair coverage. Added perks can maximize the usefulness of the home warranty.
Since temperatures in Buffalo 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 breaks all of a sudden.
A home warranty also can also save you time and energy. Instead of spending hours researching and selecting a contractor to fix your appliance or system, home warranty providers do the hard work for you and send a trusted professional to your door whenever you need them. Additionally, having a home warranty can help make your house more attractive to potential homebuyers if you ever decide to sell in the future. Many home warranty providers will allow you to transfer your plan to a new owner and give them the protection you’ve been receiving.
Home warranties also have some cons. Though it can be convenient that the home warranty sends out a repair technician who carries out the repair for you, some homeowners may not like this, and they may want to select their own contractor. If that’s important to you, some home warranty plans let you select a contractor.
Another pain point of home warranties is that they don’t cover items that haven’t been properly maintained. This can lead to your claims being denied, so it’s important to carefully follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for maintenance of your home systems and appliances.
A home warranty in Buffalo can cost anywhere from $30 to $60 a month. Higher-priced plans typically have higher coverage limits, broader coverage, and a lower service fee. This cost is often lower if you pay annually instead of monthly. Some companies will also decrease your up-front costs when you agree to a higher service fee.
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 systems and appliances in a home. Homeowners insurance protects the entire home in case of something such as a natural disaster or fire. With a homeowners insurance plan, you will not be able to file a claim if you need a new dryer or air conditioner, unless the damage is a result of a natural disaster, which isn't that common in Buffalo.
A home warranty policy can help home sellers, homeowners, real estate agents, homebuyers, and investors. It can provide peace of mind and savings to anyone involved in homeownership.
A home warranty plan 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 useful if you want to save some money.
Home warranty plans typically last a year. Many providers let you renew your plan each year, and some offer month-to-month options as well.
Usually the homeowner pays for the home warranty. In some cases, though, the home seller may buy a home warranty plan 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 Buffalo is $180,619, a home warranty can save you some money when buying a home.
