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, but the cost of maintaining it can be expensive over time, especially if your home in Alamo is on the older side. A home warranty is a way to protect your savings account from unexpected expenses. With a home warranty in place, your repair costs can be significantly lower and give you some peace of mind.
Finding the best warranty for your home can be difficult, so our team at Today's Homeowner has done the research to help you find the best home warranty companies in Alamo. 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 Alamo, Liberty Home Guard is the most trustworthy home warranty. Liberty has 3 plans for you to decide between. 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.
Liberty Home Guard has 3 plans that offer a mix of system and appliance coverage. The coverage caps from Liberty are around $3,000. The service fees are an affordable $75, which is cheaper than other providers in the Alamo area.
To get a free quote from Liberty Home Guard, you can fill out this online form or call 866-451-2281. Read our review of Liberty Home Guard to learn more.
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 Alamo, Choice Home Warranty is the best overall home warranty. Choice has 2 plans for you to decide between. 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.
Choice Home Warranty has 2 plans that offer a mix of system and appliance coverage. The coverage caps from Choice are around $3,000. The service fees are an affordable $85, which is cheaper than other providers in the Alamo area.
To get a free quote from Choice Home Warranty, you can fill out this online form or call 929-400-6164. Read our review of Choice Home Warranty to learn more.
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 Alamo, Select Home Warranty is the most cost-effective home warranty. Select has 3 plans for you to decide between. 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.
Select Home Warranty has 3 plans that offer a mix of system and appliance coverage. The coverage caps from Select are around $2,000. The service fees are a reasonable $60, which is cheaper than other providers in the Alamo area.
To get a free quote from Select Home Warranty, you can fill out this online form or call 888-370-3953. Read our review of Select Home Warranty to learn more.
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 Alamo, American Home Shield is the most customizable home warranty. AHS has 3 plans for you to decide between. 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.
American Home Shield has 3 plans that offer a mix of system and appliance coverage. The coverage caps 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 Alamo area.
To get a free quote from American Home Shield, you can fill out this online form or call 888-365-2839. Read our review of American Home Shield to learn more.
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 Alamo, First American Home Warranty is the best home warranty for appliance coverage. First American has 2 plans for you to decide between. 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.
First American Home Warranty has 2 plans that offer a mix of system and appliance coverage. The coverage caps from First American are around $1,500. The service fees are a reasonable $85, which is cheaper than other providers in the Alamo area.
To get a free quote from First American Home Warranty, you can fill out this online form or call 833-204-7164. Read our review of First American Home Warranty to learn more.
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 Alamo, Cinch Home Services is the home warranty with the best workmanship guarantee. Cinch has 3 plans for you to decide between. 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.
Cinch Home Services has 3 plans that offer a mix of system and appliance coverage. The coverage caps 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 Alamo area.
To get a free quote from Cinch Home Services, you can fill out this online form or call 877-589-0505. Read our review of Cinch Home Services to learn more.
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 Alamo, The Home Service Club is the best home warranty with the quickest service. HSC has 2 plans for you to decide between. 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 Home Service Club has 2 plans that offer a mix of system and appliance coverage. The coverage caps 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 Alamo area.
To get a free quote from The Home Service Club, you can fill out this online form or call 800-750-9443. Read our review of The Home Service Club to learn more.
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 | $5,512 |
| Heating | $3,675 |
| Electrical | $551 |
| Toilets | $459 |
| Washer/Dryer | $735 |
| Plumbing | $551 |
| Oven | $1,470 |
| Fridge | $551 |
A home warranty is a protection policy that assists Alamo homeowners reduce the costs of appliance and system repairs. The plans offer financial coverage to repair or swap out appliances and systems that break down due to normal wear and tear.
When something breaks down, you file a claim and pay a service fee. The home warranty provider then arranges a contractor to handle the repair or replacement. Homeowners may have out-of-pocket costs only if the cost of repair or replacement goes over the item's coverage limit. A home warranty delivers security for homeowners by helping them avoid expensive emergency repairs. They're particularly valuable for those who own older homes or ones with aging systems. Newer builds with working fixtures probably don’t require a home warranty.
Home warranties cover many household systems and appliances. Covered appliances normally include dryers, dishwashers, washers, garbage disposals, refrigerators, microwaves, and others. Covered systems include air conditioning, electrical, plumbing, and heating. Many home warranty companies also offer additional coverage for locksmiths, septic systems, central vacuums, and roof leaks. Alamo should understand that most home warranty plans have a waiting period of 30 days before repair claims will be approved. Most policies also only cover repairs and replacements due to normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't include cosmetic issues, pre-existing conditions, natural disasters, or misuse of a system or appliance. Stay current with preventative maintenance to help guarantee your next repair or replacement is covered.
Home warranty contracts use several terms that you'll want to know before signing, such as:
There are several key factors to consider when choosing a home warranty provider:
Home warranty coverage varies, although most plans provide coverage for heating, AC, plumbing, electrical, and appliances. More comprehensive options may also provide protection for extra things such as pools, spas, well pumps, and roof leaks. Look for a provider that offers comprehensive coverage choices, including upgraded plans. Flexibility is important when trying to fit a home warranty to your home's specific systems and needs.
You'll pay a service fee, typically $60–100, for each claim filed with your home warranty provider. These fees to accumulate quickly with each claim, so you may look for companies advertising lower service fees to optimize savings on each repair claim. Certain providers may waive deductibles when a homeowner submits no claims in a defined period.
A home warranty company's reputation gives insight into things such as claim approval rates, contractor quality, timeliness of repairs, and overall customer satisfaction. Look at third-party review sites such as TrustPilot, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), or Google Reviews to research companies. Positive reviews and ratings indicate a provider known for stellar service.
Home warranty companies use networks of local repair technicians to manage repairs in a given area. Reach out to potential providers to learn the number of repair professionals they have in Alamo and get an idea of how quickly your repairs could be handled in an emergency. More extensive networks improve the probability of getting qualified contractors to promptly service your home.
Some home warranty companies may include perks such as energy efficiency upgrades, reduced maintenance fees, and smart home device coverage. These can provide extra value beyond repair coverage. Extra bonuses help you enhance your home and get the most from your home warranty.
Temperatures in Alamo can get quite high in the summer, which means your air conditioner is likely to get a lot of use. As a homeowner in Alamo, one benefit of having a home warranty is that these home systems and major appliances can be covered in the event they need to be repaired or replaced.
Not to mention, having a home warranty can save you some time by removing the need to research contractors — most providers will send a trusted professional right to your door to complete the necessary repair or replacement. Plus, having a home warranty can make your house more appealing to potential homebuyers should you ever decide to sell later. Many home warranty providers will allow you to transfer your plan to a new owner and give them the protection you’ve been getting.
One of the main drawbacks of home warranties is not everything may be covered. It’s important to compare the different plans and select one that covers all the appliances, systems, and add-ons you need.
Another downside is that home warranties may exclude some repairs, such as those needed because of natural disasters. For example, if your HVAC system is damaged from an animal infestation, the impacted systems and appliances most likely won’t be covered by the home warranty.
A home warranty policy costs, on average, around $300 to $600 a year in Alamo. Our high-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. In addition, it's often cheaper to pay annually rather than monthly.
Home warranties and home insurance differ in what sorts of damage they cover. Home warranty policies cover issues related to home systems and appliances that need to be repaired or replaced due to normal wear and tear. A home insurance policy is a larger plan that protects your entire home from natural disasters, which can be a concern in Alamo. It doesn't cover a normal appliance or system damage.
Homebuyers, landlords, real estate agents, home sellers, and homeowners can all get home warranty plans. A home warranty can help make your house more attractive to prospective buyers and save you money in the long run.
A home warranty plan will cover your home’s systems, appliances, or both. Combination plans are beneficial if you'd like more coverage for your home, but a system- or appliance-only plan can be a good idea if you're concerned about one more than the other.
Generally, a home warranty plan offers coverage for a year and can be renewed yearly. Some companies may offer month-to-month plans.
Typically, the homeowner is responsible for paying for the home warranty. In some cases, though, the one selling the home may purchase 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 Alamo is $155,072, a home warranty can save you some money when buying a home.
