Written By David Cusick
Last Updated February 2024
With hot summers in Alum Rock, your home systems can go through quite a bit of wear and tear. There’s nothing worse than having your air conditioning go out in the middle of summer. A home warranty is a way to protect your budget from unexpected expenses. With a home warranty in place, your repair costs can be considerably lower and give you some peace of mind.
The home warranty market has 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 Alum Rock.
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 Alum Rock residents. Choice has over 15 years of experience in the home warranty industry, and has provided excellent customer service at an affordable cost to its customers. Choice has established itself as a company with very high coverage caps and simple-to-understand service contracts. It also has great customer service, professional contractors, and lower out-of-pocket costs compared to other home warranties. Choice offers 2 plans for homeowners to choose from.
Choice Home Warranty offers 2 plans for Alum Rock homeowners. The Basic Plan and Total Plan are the options they have, which contain a mix of system and appliance coverage. Choice has coverage caps of around $3,000 for most appliances and systems, but with some plans, the coverage caps can be higher, so make sure to check with the provider. Service fees are an affordable $85.
Read our review of Choice Home Warranty to learn more. To get a free quote from Choice Home Warranty, 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 offers the most cost-effective home warranty for Alum Rock residents. Select has over 11 years of experience in the home warranty industry, and has provided excellent customer service at an affordable cost to its customers. Select has established itself as a company with a highly affordable service fee and free roof coverage upon purchase of a policy plan. It also has an extensive network of highly trained professionals all over the country who are experts in home maintenance. Select offers 3 plans for homeowners to choose from.
Select Home Warranty offers 3 plans for Alum Rock 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. Select has coverage caps of around $2,000 for most appliances and systems, but with some plans, the coverage caps can be higher, so make sure to check with the provider. Service fees are a reasonable $60.
Read our review of Select Home Warranty to learn more. To get a free quote from Select Home Warranty, 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 offers the most customizable home warranty for Alum Rock residents. AHS has over 26 years of experience in the home warranty industry, and has provided excellent customer service at an affordable cost to its customers. AHS has established itself as a company with the ability to customize your plan with the coverages that work specifically for your home. It also has a remarkably low claim denial rate in comparison to other home warranty companies. AHS offers 3 plans for homeowners to choose from.
American Home Shield offers 3 plans for Alum Rock homeowners. The ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, and ShieldPlatinum are the options they have, which contain a mix of system and appliance coverage. AHS has coverage caps of around $2,500 for most appliances and systems, but with some plans, the coverage caps can be higher, so make sure to check with the provider. Service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $125.
Read our review of American Home Shield to learn more. To get a free quote from American Home Shield, 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 offers the best home warranty for appliance coverage for Alum Rock residents. First American has over 39 years of experience in the home warranty industry, and has provided excellent customer service at an affordable cost to its customers. First American has established itself as a company with very affordable and comprehensive appliance coverage. It also 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 offers 2 plans for homeowners to choose from.
First American Home Warranty offers 2 plans for Alum Rock homeowners. The Basic Plan and Premier Plan are the options they have, which contain a mix of system and appliance coverage. First American has coverage caps of around $1,500 for most appliances and systems, but with some plans, the coverage caps can be higher, so make sure to check with the provider. Service fees are a reasonable $85.
Read our review of First American Home Warranty to learn more. To get a free quote from First American Home Warranty, 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 offers the home warranty with the best workmanship guarantee for Alum Rock residents. Cinch has over 44 years of experience in the home warranty industry, and has provided excellent customer service at an affordable cost to its customers. Cinch has established itself as a company with a 180-day workmanship guarantee that ensures your home systems and appliance repairs will be professionally done. It also has a broad range of coverage options that will give homeowners peace of mind. Cinch offers 3 plans for homeowners to choose from.
Cinch Home Services offers 3 plans for Alum Rock 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. Cinch has coverage caps of around $1,000-$2,000 for most appliances and systems, but with some plans, the coverage caps can be higher, so make sure to check with the provider. Service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $150.
Read our review of Cinch Home Services to learn more. To get a free quote from Cinch Home Services, 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 offers the best home warranty with the quickest service for Alum Rock residents. HSC has over 15 years of experience in the home warranty industry, and has provided excellent customer service at an affordable cost to its customers. HSC has established itself as a company with quick coverage where the home warranty goes into effect just ten days after you pay for the plan, instead of the typical 30 days. It also has customer service representatives available 24/7, as well as a 30-day labor guarantee and a 90-day parts guarantee. HSC offers 2 plans for homeowners to choose from.
The Home Service Club offers 2 plans for Alum Rock homeowners. The Standard Coverage Plan and Comprehensive Coverage Plan are the options they have, which contain a mix of system and appliance coverage. HSC has coverage caps of around $2,000 for most appliances and systems, but with some plans, the coverage caps can be higher, so make sure to check with the provider. Service fees are customizable and range from $65 to $90.
Read our review of The Home Service Club to learn more. To get a free quote from The Home Service Club, 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 | $7,848 |
Heating | $5,232 |
Electrical | $785 |
Toilets | $654 |
Washer/Dryer | $1,046 |
Plumbing | $785 |
Oven | $2,093 |
Fridge | $785 |
A home warranty is a protection policy that assists Alum Rock homeowners in lowering the costs of appliance and system repairs. The plans provide coverage to swap out or repair appliances and systems that stop working due to normal wear and tear.
When something stops working, you submit a claim and pay a service fee. The home warranty provider then finds a contractor to handle the replacement or fix. Homeowners may have out-of-pocket costs only if the repair or replacement costs exceed the item's coverage limit. A home warranty plan gives homeowners a sense of security because it can help avoid costly emergency repairs. They can be especially helpful for people purchasing older homes or homes with systems near the end of their life span. However, newer homes with modern appliances and fixtures may not require a home warranty.
Home warranties cover your home systems and appliances. Common covered appliances are refrigerators, dishwashers, dryers, microwaves, garbage disposals, washers, and more. Covered systems are usually air conditioning, plumbing, heating, and electrical. Many home warranty providers offer add-on coverage for septic systems, roof leaks, central vacuums, and locksmiths. Alum Rock homeowners should know that most home warranty plans begin with a 30-day waiting period before repairs are covered. What's more, most policies only help pay for repairs and replacements resulting from normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't include pre-existing conditions, cosmetic issues, natural disasters, 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.
There are multiple home warranty terms to learn before signing an agreement, including:
When you're deciding on a home warranty provider, there are several important things to take into account:
Home warranty policies differ significantly in terms of coverage. Most plans provide protection for AC, plumbing, heating, electrical, and appliances. More inclusive options also offer protection for other items such as spas, well pumps, roof leaks, and pools. Focus on providers with wide-ranging coverage selections including upgraded plans. This flexibility enables you to customize your plan to meet your home's needs.
Expect to pay a per-service fee of $60-100 for each home warranty claim. With these per-request costs adding up over time as you file claims, you may want to choose a company with more affordable fees to maximize savings on every claim. Some providers also eliminate deductibles when customers have a claim-free period.
A home warranty company's reputation can provide insight into things such as approval rates, repair timeliness, contractor quality, and customer satisfaction. Browse review platforms such as Google Reviews, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), or TrustPilot to research providers. Positive ratings and feedback indicate a provider known for exceptional service.
Home warranty companies maintain networks of technicians to handle covered repairs. More extensive networks increase the probability of getting qualified technicians to promptly service your home. Contact potential providers to find out how many contractors they have in Alum Rock to get a sense of how quickly your repairs could be handled in an emergency.
Certain home warranty companies provide extras such as energy-efficient upgrades, discounts on maintenance, and protection for smart home devices. These can offer extra value beyond repair coverage. Added perks help improve your home and maximize your home warranty.
Home warranties are an inexpensive way to guard your home systems and appliances from normal wear and tear. With temperatures in Alum Rock hitting an average high of 71℃F, you may find that some appliances, like your A.C., get a lot of use. A home warranty can significantly lower out-of-pocket expenses should your HVAC system break down.
Not only does a home warranty give you some savings, but it also saves you time. If an appliance breaks down, the last thing you want to do is find a technician and schedule a repair. A home warranty handles the research by sending trusted professionals to your door when you need them most. Another added benefit of having a home warranty policy is that it can raise your home’s property 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 have your home warranty with.
There are also some drawbacks to purchasing a home warranty plan, such as the coverage exclusions. For instance, home warranties may not cover systems or appliances that already have a manufacturer's warranty.
Another drawback is that home warranties may not include some repairs, like those needed because of natural disasters. For example, if your HVAC system is damaged from an animal infestation, the affected systems and appliances most likely won’t be covered by the home warranty.
A home warranty in Alum Rock can cost between $30 and $60 a month. The higher-priced plans tend to have higher coverage limits, a lower service fee, and broader coverage. Home warranties are often cheaper when you pay annually instead of monthly. Some providers will also lower 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 kinds of damage each covers. A home warranty helps protect against normal wear and tear to systems and appliances in a home. Homeowners insurance protects your home in case of a situation such as a fire or natural disaster. With homeowners insurance, you won't be able to file a claim should you need a new washing machine or dishwasher, unless the damage is a result of a natural disaster, which isn't that common in Alum Rock.
First-time homebuyers, home sellers, landlords, real estate agents, and homeowners are all eligible for 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 home warranties in Alum Rock include plans with coverage for either appliances or systems as well as combination plans. A combination plan will cover almost all your systems and appliances, including your washing machine, drier, and plumbing. An appliance or system plan will cover only the items mentioned in the policy.
Generally, a home warranty policy 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 home seller may purchase a home warranty and transfer the policy to the buyer. The new homeowner will then be responsible for the service fees when using the policy. Considering that the average home value in Alum Rock is $1,511,364, a home warranty can be an added asset when buying a home.