Written By David Cusick
Last Updated April 2024
Homeownership in Austin comes with many benefits, but it also comes with its difficulties. Your home’s appliances and systems will eventually need repairs, and this could mean a burdensome expense. A home warranty in Austin can help lower your out-of-pocket costs by covering repairs or replacements to major home systems and appliances that break down due to normal wear and tear.
The home warranty market is filled with many providers — all with different offerings — so our team at Today's Homeowner has done the research to help you find the best home warranty companies in Austin.
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 for Austin residents. The home warranty company offers 3 plans to policyholders with various options for appliance and system coverage. When you buy a home warranty from Liberty, you will get a seamless complaint process and guaranteed service professionalism upon every repair visit. Liberty Home Guard also 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. Service fees from Liberty are an affordable $75. The coverage caps are also around $3,000.
To get a free quote from Liberty Home Guard, fill out this online form or give them a call at 866-451-2281. For more information on this provider, read our Liberty Home Guard Review.
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 for Austin residents. The home warranty company offers 2 plans to policyholders with various options for appliance and system coverage. When you buy a home warranty from Choice, you will get very high coverage caps and simple-to-understand service contracts. Choice Home Warranty also 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. Service fees from Choice are an affordable $85. The coverage caps are also around $3,000.
To get a free quote from Choice Home Warranty, fill out this online form or give them a call at 929-400-6164. For more information on this provider, read our Choice Home Warranty Review.
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 for Austin residents. The home warranty company offers 3 plans to policyholders with various options for appliance and system coverage. When you buy a home warranty from Select, you will get a highly affordable service fee and free roof coverage upon purchase of a policy plan. Select Home Warranty also 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. Service fees from Select are a reasonable $60. The coverage caps are also around $2,000.
To get a free quote from Select Home Warranty, fill out this online form or give them a call at 888-370-3953. For more information on this provider, read our Select Home Warranty Review.
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 for Austin residents. The home warranty company offers 3 plans to policyholders with various options for appliance and system coverage. When you buy a home warranty from AHS, you will get the ability to customize your plan with the coverages that work specifically for your home. American Home Shield also 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. Service fees from AHS are customizable and range from $75 to $125. The coverage caps are also around $2,500.
To get a free quote from American Home Shield, fill out this online form or give them a call at 888-365-2839. For more information on this provider, read our American Home Shield Review.
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 for Austin residents. The home warranty company offers 2 plans to policyholders with various options for appliance and system coverage. When you buy a home warranty from First American, you will get very affordable and comprehensive appliance coverage. First American Home Warranty 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.
The plans that First American offers to homeowners are Basic Plan and Premier Plan. Service fees from First American are a reasonable $85. The coverage caps are also around $1,500.
To get a free quote from First American Home Warranty, fill out this online form or give them a call at 833-204-7164. For more information on this provider, read our First American Home Warranty Review.
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 for Austin residents. The home warranty company offers 3 plans to policyholders with various options for appliance and system coverage. When you buy a home warranty from Cinch, you will get a 180-day workmanship guarantee that ensures your home systems and appliance repairs will be professionally done. Cinch Home Services also 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. Service fees from Cinch are customizable and range from $75 to $150. The coverage caps are also around $1,000-$2,000.
To get a free quote from Cinch Home Services, fill out this online form or give them a call at 877-589-0505. For more information on this provider, read our Cinch Home Services Review.
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 for Austin residents. The home warranty company offers 2 plans to policyholders with various options for appliance and system coverage. When you buy a home warranty from HSC, you will get quick coverage where the home warranty goes into effect just ten days after you pay for the plan, instead of the typical 30 days. The Home Service Club also 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. Service fees from HSC are customizable and range from $65 to $90. The coverage caps are also around $2,000.
To get a free quote from The Home Service Club, fill out this online form or give them a call at 800-750-9443. For more information on this provider, read our The Home Service Club Review.
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 | $6,560 |
Heating | $4,374 |
Electrical | $656 |
Toilets | $547 |
Washer/Dryer | $875 |
Plumbing | $656 |
Oven | $1,749 |
Fridge | $656 |
A home warranty is a protection policy that assists Austin homeowners in lowering the costs of appliance and system repairs. The plans offer coverage to swap out or fix appliances and systems that stop working due to normal wear and tear.
When something stops working, you file a claim and pay a service fee. The home warranty provider then arranges a contractor to handle the replacement or repair. Homeowners may have out-of-pocket costs only if the cost of the repair or replacement goes over the item's coverage limit. A home warranty delivers security for homeowners by helping them avoid expensive emergency fixes. They're particularly valuable for those who own older homes or ones with outdated systems. Newer builds with working appliances probably don’t need a home warranty.
Home warranties protect your home systems and appliances. Common appliances covered include dryers, garbage disposals, dishwashers, microwaves, washers, refrigerators, and more. Included systems are typically plumbing, heating, electrical, and air conditioning. Many home warranty providers offer add-on coverage for septic systems, roof leaks, locksmiths, and central vacuums. Austin homeowners should know that most home warranty plans impose 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 cosmetic issues, natural disasters, pre-existing conditions, or misusing a system or appliance. You must keep up with preventative maintenance to help ensure your next repair or replacement is covered.
There are several home warranty terms to learn before signing an agreement, including:
There are several important factors to consider when selecting a home warranty provider:
Home warranty policies vary widely in what they include. Most plans cover AC, heating, electrical, plumbing, and appliances. More inclusive options also extend protection to other items such as pools, well pumps, spas, and roof leaks. Look for providers with varied coverage options, including upgraded plans. This helps you tailor protection to your home's needs.
With any home warranty claim, you'll pay a service fee that can range from $60 to $100, which gets paid per repair request filed. These per-claim charges can add up. You may decide to look for providers with lower service fees to maximize your savings on each claim. Some providers 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 insight into things such as repair timeliness, approval rates, contractor quality, and customer service. Use review platforms such as TrustPilot, Google Reviews, or the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to research providers. Positive ratings and feedback indicate a company known for exceptional service.
Home warranty companies keep networks of technicians to handle covered repairs. More extensive networks increase the likelihood of getting qualified technicians to service your home ASAP. Ask potential providers how many contractors they have in Austin to get a sense of how soon your repairs could happen in an emergency.
Some home warranty plans include bonuses such as maintenance discounts, energy efficiency upgrades, and smart home device protection. These add value beyond repair coverage. Added bonuses can maximize the usefulness of the home warranty.
Since temperatures in Austin can easily reach 100 degrees, the extreme weather can put a lot of strain on your air conditioner. Buying a home warranty plan can help homeowners save money if one of these systems or appliances stops working all of a sudden.
A home warranty also can also save you time and energy. Instead of spending hours finding and choosing a technician to fix your appliance or system, home warranty companies do the hard work for you and send a trusted professional to your door whenever you need them. Another good thing about having a home warranty is when you’re selling your home, you can most likely transfer your home warranty policy to the new owners. This can make your house more attractive to potential homebuyers and help your home sell faster.
There are also some drawbacks to purchasing a home warranty plan, such as the coverage exclusions. For example, home warranties may not cover home systems or appliances that already have a manufacturer's warranty.
Another stipulation is that home warranties typically only cover damage from normal wear and tear. They commonly won’t cover systems or appliances that need repairs or replacements due to natural disasters, animal infestations, improper maintenance, etc.
A home warranty in Austin can cost anywhere from $30 to $60 a month. The higher-priced plans usually have higher coverage limits, a lower service fee, and broader coverage. You can often lower this cost by paying annually instead of monthly. Some providers will also decrease your up-front costs when you opt for 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 covers 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 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 due to a natural disaster, which can be a threat in Austin.
A home warranty policy can help home sellers, investors, real estate agents, homebuyers, and homeowners. It can offer peace of mind to anyone involved with homeownership.
A home warranty plan will cover your systems, appliances, or both. Combination plans are beneficial if you need more coverage for your home, but a system- or appliance-only plan can be useful 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.
Generally, the homeowner is the one who pays 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 transferred to the new homeowner, who will pay the service fees when using the policy. In Austin, where the median home value is $554,561, having the seller pay for the home warranty can save you some money on your new home.