Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Written By David Cusick
Last Updated February 2024
There are many perks of owning a home, but as your Fort Payne home gets older, you may need to factor in the cost of updating your appliances and systems. A home warranty is a way to protect your savings account from unexpected home repairs and expenses. With a home warranty in place, your repair costs can be significantly lower and give you some peace of mind.
The home warranty market is saturated with many providers — all with different price points — so our team at Today's Homeowner has compiled this guide to help you find the best home warranty companies in Fort Payne.
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 offers the most trustworthy home warranty for Fort Payne residents. Liberty has 3 plans for homeowners to choose from. 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 Home Guard offers 3 plans for Fort Payne 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 caps from Liberty are about $3,000. The service fees are an affordable $75, which is less than other providers in the Fort Payne area.
To get a free quote from Liberty Home Guard, you can fill out this online form or call 866-451-2281. Read our thorough 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
Choice Home Warranty offers the best overall home warranty for Fort Payne residents. Choice has 2 plans for homeowners to choose from. 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 Home Warranty offers 2 plans for Fort Payne homeowners. The Basic Plan and Total Plan are the options they have, which contain a mix of system and appliance coverage. The coverage caps from Choice are about $3,000. The service fees are an affordable $85, which is less than other providers in the Fort Payne area.
To get a free quote from Choice Home Warranty, you can fill out this online form or call 929-400-6164. Read our thorough 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
Select Home Warranty offers the most cost-effective home warranty for Fort Payne residents. Select has 3 plans for homeowners to choose from. 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 Home Warranty offers 3 plans for Fort Payne 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 caps from Select are about $2,000. The service fees are a reasonable $60, which is less than other providers in the Fort Payne area.
To get a free quote from Select Home Warranty, you can fill out this online form or call 888-370-3953. Read our thorough 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
American Home Shield offers the most customizable home warranty for Fort Payne residents. AHS has 3 plans for homeowners to choose from. 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.
American Home Shield offers 3 plans for Fort Payne homeowners. The ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, and ShieldPlatinum are the options they have, which contain a mix of system and appliance coverage. The coverage caps from AHS are about $2,500. The service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $125, which is less than other providers in the Fort Payne area.
To get a free quote from American Home Shield, you can fill out this online form or call 888-365-2839. Read our thorough 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
First American Home Warranty offers the best home warranty for appliance coverage for Fort Payne residents. First American has 2 plans for homeowners to choose from. With a home warranty from First American, you can enjoy 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 offers 2 plans for Fort Payne homeowners. The Basic Plan and Premier Plan are the options they have, which contain a mix of system and appliance coverage. The coverage caps from First American are about $1,500. The service fees are a reasonable $85, which is less than other providers in the Fort Payne 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 thorough 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
Cinch Home Services offers the home warranty with the best workmanship guarantee for Fort Payne residents. Cinch has 3 plans for homeowners to choose from. 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 Home Services offers 3 plans for Fort Payne 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 caps from Cinch are about $1,000-$2,000. The service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $150, which is less than other providers in the Fort Payne area.
To get a free quote from Cinch Home Services, you can fill out this online form or call 877-589-0505. Read our thorough 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
The Home Service Club offers the best home warranty with the quickest service for Fort Payne residents. HSC has 2 plans for homeowners to choose from. 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.
The Home Service Club offers 2 plans for Fort Payne 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 caps from HSC are about $2,000. The service fees are customizable and range from $65 to $90, which is less than other providers in the Fort Payne 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 thorough 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 | $5,618 |
| Heating | $3,746 |
| Electrical | $562 |
| Toilets | $468 |
| Washer/Dryer | $749 |
| Plumbing | $562 |
| Oven | $1,498 |
| Fridge | $562 |
A home warranty is a protection plan that helps Fort Payne homeowners lower the high costs of household repairs. These plans provide financial coverage to repair 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 company then arranges a contractor to make the repair or replacement. The only time you may pay out-of-pocket is if the repair or replacement costs go over the item's coverage limit. A home warranty gives homeowners reassurance by helping avoid high-priced emergency repairs. The coverage is especially helpful for buyers of older houses or houses with fixtures near the end of their life span. However, homeowners with newer homes and working appliances might not need a home warranty.
Home warranties safeguard both your home systems and appliances. Common appliances covered under a home warranty include garbage disposals, dryers, microwaves, dishwashers, refrigerators, washers, and others. Covered systems include heating, air conditioning, plumbing, and electrical. Many home warranties also offer add-on coverage options for septic systems, central vacuums, locksmiths, and even roof leaks. Fort Payne homeowners should know that most home warranty plans begin with a 30-day waiting period before repairs are covered. Additionally, most policies only address repairs and replacements due to normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't include natural disasters, pre-existing conditions, cosmetic issues, or improperly using a system or appliance. Remember to keep up with preventative maintenance to help make sure your next repair or replacement is covered.
Home warranties use several terms that you'll want to know before signing a contract, such as:
There are several important factors to consider when choosing a home warranty provider:
Home warranty plans vary widely in what they include. Most plans provide protection for plumbing, electrical, AC, heating, and appliances. More inclusive options also extend protection to other items such as spas, pools, roof leaks, and well pumps. Look for a company 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.
Expect to pay a per-service fee of $60-100 for each home warranty claim. As this charge applies to every separate claim, some homeowners prefer to choose a provider with more affordable fees to maximize savings. Some providers also remove deductibles for homeowners who don't file claims in a certain period.
A home warranty provider's rating gives you 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 Google Reviews, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), or TrustPilot to research companies. Favorable reviews and ratings indicate a company known for stellar service.
Home warranty companies keep networks of technicians to handle covered repairs. Bigger networks improve the probability of getting qualified technicians to quickly service your home. Contact potential providers to find out how many contractors they have in Fort Payne to get a sense of how soon your repairs could happen in an emergency.
Some home warranty plans offer bonuses such as maintenance discounts, smart home device protection, and energy efficiency upgrades. These perks add value beyond repair coverage. Extra bonuses help maximize the usefulness of your home warranty.
Home warranties are a great way to guard your home systems and appliances from normal wear and tear. With temperatures in Fort Payne hitting an average high of 68℃F, you may find that some appliances, such as your air conditioning system, get a lot of use. A home warranty can significantly bring down out-of-pocket expenses should your HVAC system stop working.
As well as saving you money on out-of-pocket expenses, a home warranty can offer you peace of mind and save you the pain of trying to find a qualified contractor to visit your home. Home warranties usually come with a network of pre-vetted contractors who can handle any repair problems you may have. A home warranty can also yield value in other ways. For instance, some plans can be transferred between owners when you sell your home.
There are also some negatives to purchasing a home warranty policy, such as the coverage exclusions. For example, home warranties may not cover home systems or appliances that already have a manufacturer's warranty.
Another thing to take into consideration is that some providers don’t cover pre-existing damage and may require an inspection before your coverage can start. Ask the home warranty provider for clarification about it if you aren’t sure or if this is an issue for you.
A home warranty plan costs, on average, about $300 to $600 a year in Fort Payne. Our high-rated home warranty providers' most comprehensive coverage options vary from $546 to $840 per year. You can decrease your monthly bill with some companies by choosing a higher service fee. Additionally, it's usually cheaper to pay annually rather than monthly.
Home warranties and home insurance differ in what types of damage they cover. Home warranty policies cover issues with home systems and appliances that need repairs or replacements due to normal wear and tear. A home insurance policy is a different plan that protects the entire home from natural disasters, which can sometimes be a concern in Fort Payne. It doesn't cover a normal appliance or system breakage.
First-time homebuyers, homeowners, home sellers, landlords, and real estate agents can all get home warranty plans. A home warranty can help make your home more appealing to prospective buyers and save you money in the long run.
The different types of home warranties in Fort Payne include plans with coverage for either appliances or systems as well as comprehensive plans. A comprehensive plan will cover many of your systems and appliances, such as your refrigerator, washing machine, and plumbing. A plan that only covers appliances or systems will cover only the items mentioned in the plan.
Home warranty plans typically offer coverage for a year. Many companies let you renew your plan yearly, and some offer month-to-month options as well.
In general, 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 will pay for the policy. This can then be given to the new homeowner, who has to pay the service fees. In Fort Payne, where the median value of a home is $183,732, having the seller pay for the home warranty can save you some money on your new home.
