Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Written By David Cusick
Last Updated February 2024
Homeownership in St. Augustine can be satisfying for many people, but it also comes with its fair share of headaches. Updating your home’s systems and appliances can be an unexpected financial burden for many homeowners. A home warranty is a way to protect your budget from unexpected home repairs and expenses. With a home warranty in place, your repair costs can be considerably lower and allow you to live in your home with more peace of mind.
The home warranty market has many providers — all with different offerings — so our team at Today's Homeowner has done the research to help you choose the best home warranty companies in St. Augustine.
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 St. Augustine residents. Liberty has 3 simple plans, making the selection process and policy coverage easily comprehensible. If you’re looking for a seamless complaint process and guaranteed service professionalism upon every repair visit, this is the plan for you. Plus, 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. Liberty has coverage caps of around $3,000 for most appliances and systems, but some plans may have different coverage caps, so make sure to check with the company. Service fees are an affordable $75.
To get a free quote from Liberty Home Guard, fill out this online form or call 866-451-2281. To read more, visit our thorough review of Liberty Home Guard.
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 St. Augustine residents. Choice has 2 simple plans, making the selection process and policy coverage easily comprehensible. If you’re looking for very high coverage caps and simple-to-understand service contracts, this is the plan for you. Plus, 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. Choice has coverage caps of around $3,000 for most appliances and systems, but some plans may have different coverage caps, so make sure to check with the company. Service fees are an affordable $85.
To get a free quote from Choice Home Warranty, fill out this online form or call 929-400-6164. To read more, visit our thorough review of Choice Home Warranty.
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 St. Augustine residents. Select has 3 simple plans, making the selection process and policy coverage easily comprehensible. If you’re looking for a highly affordable service fee and free roof coverage upon purchase of a policy plan, this is the plan for you. Plus, 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. Select has coverage caps of around $2,000 for most appliances and systems, but some plans may have different coverage caps, so make sure to check with the company. Service fees are a reasonable $60.
To get a free quote from Select Home Warranty, fill out this online form or call 888-370-3953. To read more, visit our thorough review of Select Home Warranty.
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 St. Augustine residents. AHS has 3 simple plans, making the selection process and policy coverage easily comprehensible. If you’re looking for the ability to customize your plan with the coverages that work specifically for your home, this is the plan for you. Plus, 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. AHS has coverage caps of around $2,500 for most appliances and systems, but some plans may have different coverage caps, so make sure to check with the company. Service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $125.
To get a free quote from American Home Shield, fill out this online form or call 888-365-2839. To read more, visit our thorough review of American Home Shield.
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 St. Augustine residents. First American has 2 simple plans, making the selection process and policy coverage easily comprehensible. If you’re looking for very affordable and comprehensive appliance coverage, this is the plan for you. 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.
The plans that First American offers to homeowners are Basic Plan and Premier Plan. First American has coverage caps of around $1,500 for most appliances and systems, but some plans may have different coverage caps, so make sure to check with the company. Service fees are a reasonable $85.
To get a free quote from First American Home Warranty, fill out this online form or call 833-204-7164. To read more, visit our thorough review of First American Home Warranty.
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 St. Augustine residents. Cinch has 3 simple plans, making the selection process and policy coverage easily comprehensible. If you’re looking for a 180-day workmanship guarantee that ensures your home systems and appliance repairs will be professionally done, this is the plan for you. Plus, 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. Cinch has coverage caps of around $1,000-$2,000 for most appliances and systems, but some plans may have different coverage caps, so make sure to check with the company. Service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $150.
To get a free quote from Cinch Home Services, fill out this online form or call 877-589-0505. To read more, visit our thorough review of Cinch Home Services.
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 St. Augustine residents. HSC has 2 simple plans, making the selection process and policy coverage easily comprehensible. 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, this is the plan for you. Plus, 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. HSC has coverage caps of around $2,000 for most appliances and systems, but some plans may have different coverage caps, so make sure to check with the company. Service fees are customizable and range from $65 to $90.
To get a free quote from The Home Service Club, fill out this online form or call 800-750-9443. To read more, visit our thorough review of The Home Service Club.
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 | $6,513 |
| Heating | $4,342 |
| Electrical | $651 |
| Toilets | $543 |
| Washer/Dryer | $868 |
| Plumbing | $651 |
| Oven | $1,737 |
| Fridge | $651 |
A home warranty is a protection plan that helps St. Augustine homeowners cut the expenses of appliance and system repairs. The plans offer financial coverage to fix or swap out appliances and systems that malfunction due to normal wear and tear.
When something breaks down, you file a claim and pay a service fee. The home warranty company then finds a contractor to handle the repair or replacement. Homeowners may have out-of-pocket costs only if the repair or replacement goes over the item's coverage limit. A home warranty plan gives homeowners peace of mind because it can help avoid expensive 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 safeguard your home systems and appliances. Common appliances covered under a home warranty include garbage disposals, dryers, dishwashers, microwaves, washers, refrigerators, and more. Covered systems include air conditioning, plumbing, electrical, and heating. Many home warranty plans also offer add-on coverage options for septic systems, central vacuums, locksmiths, and even roof leaks. It's important for St. Augustine homeowners to know that most home warranty policies have a 30-day waiting period before they can be used to cover repairs. Additionally, policies typically only cover repairs and replacements that result from normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't cover things like cosmetic issues, natural disasters, pre-existing conditions, or damage caused by improperly using a system or appliance. It's important to keep up with preventative maintenance to help ensure that your next repair or replacement is covered by your policy.
Home warranties use several terms that you'll want to learn before signing a contract, such as:
When you're deciding on a home warranty provider, there are several important things to take into account:
Home warranty coverage differs significantly when it comes to what's covered. Most plans provide coverage for electrical, heating, plumbing, AC, and appliances. More comprehensive plans also offer coverage on other items such as well pumps, roof leaks, spas, and pools. Focus on companies with broad coverage options including upgraded plans. This flexibility enables you to customize protection for your home's 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 company with more affordable fees to maximize savings on every claim. Some companies also eliminate deductibles when customers have a claim-free period.
A home warranty company's reputation can offer insight into things such as approval rates for claims, contractor quality, speed of repairs, and customer satisfaction. Look at third-party review sites such as Google Reviews, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), or TrustPilot to research providers. Good ratings and reviews indicate that a provider is known for quality service.
Home warranty companies use networks of local repair technicians to manage repairs in a given area. Contact potential companies to ask how many repair specialists they have in St. Augustine and get an idea of how quickly your repairs could be handled in an emergency. Bigger networks raise the likelihood of getting qualified contractors to swiftly service your home.
Some home warranty plans offer bonuses such as smart home device protection, energy efficiency upgrades, and maintenance discounts. These can add value beyond repair coverage. Extra bonuses maximize the usefulness of the home warranty.
Home warranties are a great way to guard your home systems and appliances from normal wear and tear. With temperatures in St. Augustine hitting an average high of 79℃F, you may find that some appliances, like your A.C., get a lot of use. A home warranty can significantly decrease out-of-pocket expenses should your HVAC system stop working.
Not only can a home warranty save you some money on repairs and replacements, it saves you time as well. Instead of having to vet service technicians on your own, home warranty companies do the work for you and send pre-screened technicians right to your door when you need them. Another benefit of having a home warranty is when you’re selling your home, you can most likely transfer your home warranty policy to the new owners. It can make your home more attractive to potential homebuyers and may help your home sell faster.
As for the drawbacks of home warranties, system and appliance coverage varies by provider, so it’s important to review what each plan covers and excludes in the contract.
Another thing to take into consideration is that some companies don’t cover pre-existing issues and may require an inspection before your coverage can start. Ask the home warranty provider for clarification about these things if you need more information or if this is a problem for you.
A home warranty policy costs, on average, about $300 to $600 a year in St. Augustine. Our high-rated home warranty companies' most comprehensive coverage options vary from $546 to $840 per year. You can lower your monthly bill with some companies by choosing a higher service fee. In addition, it's typically less expensive to pay annually rather than monthly.
Home warranties and home insurance differ in what types of damage they cover. Home warranty policies cover problems with home systems and appliances that need to be repaired or replaced due to normal wear and tear. A home insurance policy is a different insurance that protects your entire home from natural disasters, which might not be too much of a concern in St. Augustine. It doesn't cover a normal appliance or system breakage.
Homebuyers, real estate agents, home sellers, homeowners, and landlords 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 St. Augustine include plans with coverage for either appliances or systems as well as comprehensive plans. A comprehensive plan will cover almost all your home systems and appliances, such as your dishwasher, washing machine, and HVAC. An appliance or system plan will cover only the items mentioned in the contract.
Home warranty plans usually last a year. Many providers let you renew your plan annually, and some offer month-to-month plans as well.
Usually the homeowner pays for the home warranty. In some cases, though, the one selling the home may buy a home warranty 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 St. Augustine is $457,971, a home warranty can be an added asset when buying a home.
