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7 best home warranty companies in Alabaster, Alabama

HOMEFRONT

Updated Jun 22, 2024

Get a quote from our top provider, Liberty Home Guard

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Home warranties provide a financial buffer to repair or replace appliances that suddenly fail. For a monthly fee, these policies cover items like refrigerators and AC units when they malfunction with regular wear and tear.

Did you know that the typical life span of an HVAC system is seven to 25 years? Other major systems, such as water heaters, only last an average of six to 12 years. Most appliances last just 20 years or fewer, according to the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors.

If your Alabaster house contains any aging dishwashers, furnaces or other appliances, you'll likely face an untimely breakdown. These top home warranty providers offer robust coverage at reasonable prices.

Alabaster's fiercely hot summers make an air conditioner breakdown pricy and even hazardous. You can have extra peace of mind with a home warranty that has major appliance and system coverage. The national companies below offer top policies and benefits.

Our Top Pick
Provider logo
4.5
Our Rating
  • Extends 60-day workmanship guarantee
  • Holds high customer ratings
  • Offers customization with 38 add-ons
Explore Plans
Provider logo
4.4
Our Rating
  • Covers rust and corrosion damage
  • Offers comprehensive coverage limits
  • Provides flexible service fees
$150 Off Any Plan
Explore Plans
Provider logo
3.8
Our Rating
  • Charges low premiums
  • Includes roof-leak coverage
  • Offers solid HVAC coverage
Explore Plans

Find the best home warranty for you in Alabaster

Here's our list of the best home warranty companies in Alabaster:

2-10 Home Buyers Warranty

2-10 Home Buyers Warranty

4.5/5

Average monthly costs: $22.00 - $80.00

2-10 Home Buyers Warranty pairs its three coverage plans with flexible service call fees. It also offers coverage perks, including an appliance color-match program and an "Even If" service fee guarantee. With this guarantee, 2-10 will refund your service call fee if your covered item can’t be fixed or replaced.

What we like

  • Offers a $25,000 annual coverage cap
  • Pairs plans with a plan-length workmanship guarantee
  • Offers unique perks such as color matching appliance replacements

What we don't like

  • Charges a monthly processing fee if you choose monthly premiums
  • Excludes washer and dryer coverage from most plans
Liberty Home Guard

Liberty Home Guard

4.6/5

Average monthly costs: $49.99 - $59.99

Liberty Home Guard offers 38 different coverage add-ons – the most of any home warranty company we researched. Each covered repair also comes with a 60-day workmanship guarantee.

What we like

  • Holds high ratings among customer service reviews
  • Covers repairs with a 60-day workmanship guarantee
  • Offers an extensive list of 40+ add-on coverages
  • Provides an easy claims process

What we don't like

  • Lacks transparency on service call fee pricing
  • Excludes coverage for known or unknown pre-existing conditions
Elite Home Warranty

Elite Home Warranty

4.4/5

Average monthly costs: $48.98 - $59.99

Elite Home Warranty offers fully customizable plans with 90-day workmanship guarantees. Customers can build a unique coverage solution that meets their needs.

What we like

  • Allows you to choose your technician
  • Extends a 90-day workmanship guarantee
  • Offers more than 25 add-ons

What we don't like

  • Charges higher service fees for high-end appliances
  • Doesn't provide an online quote
  • Limits repair and replacement coverage caps for older items
American Home Shield

American Home Shield

4.4/5

Average monthly costs: $29.99 - $89.99

American Home Shield was one of the first home warranty companies, having been in business since 1971. It provides three base plans and six add-ons.

What we like

  • Offers generous coverage caps
  • Allows customers to build their own plans
  • Provides the option to choose the service fee you want to pay

What we don't like

  • Doesn’t let customers choose their own technician
  • Offers limited add-on options
First American Home Warranty

First American Home Warranty

4.2/5

Average monthly costs: $47.00 - $87.00

First American Home Warranty has comprehensive coverage caps for appliances in each plan. Additionally, First American includes its First American Advantage upgrade in its Essential and Premium plans. This upgrade provides coverage for miscellaneous items, such as appliance knobs and dials.

What we like

  • Allows you to choose your service call fee
  • Doesn’t have a coverage cap on heating, cooling, or ductwork
  • Accepts 24/7 service calls
  • Offers replacement of some covered items that are too damaged to repair

What we don't like

  • Doesn’t let customers choose their own contractor
  • Charges higher for coverage compared to other providers
Cinch Home Services

Cinch Home Services

4.3/5

Average monthly costs: $38.99 - $66.99

Cinch is known for offering unique perks such as homeowners insurance deductible reumbursement and adjustable service fees and premiums.

What we like

  • Offers home insurance deductible of $500
  • Extends a long 180-day workmanship guarantee
  • Provides generous $10,000 aggregate coverage limit

What we don't like

  • Charges high service fees of $100-$150
  • Doesn’t allow customers to choose their own technician
  • Isn’t available in Hawaii or Alaska
Select Home Warranty

Select Home Warranty

3.9/5

Average monthly costs: $44.42 - $47.75

Select Home Warranty plans have low premiums, and each one includes coverage for roof leaks.

What we like

  • Provides low service fees compared to other home warranty providers
  • Includes two extra months of coverage in annual signup
  • Has an appliance-only, systems-only, and combo plan option

What we don't like

  • Has a $75 cancellation fee
  • Low coverage caps

Cost of a home warranty in Alabaster

The typical monthly cost of a home warranty in Alabaster is $41 to $70, around the same as the national average. If you're paying on an annual basis, expect to spend anywhere from $563.62–$927.48 per year. To calculate national cost data, we requested hundreds of quotes for 2,000-square-foot, single-family homes across each state that the providers service.

Home warranty coverage

Home warranties provide coverage for a variety of major systems and home appliances. We'll give you a general overview of the two main coverage categories.

What are the typical items covered under a home warranty?

  • Clothes dryers
  • Cooktops
  • Built-in microwaves
  • Washing machines
  • Refrigerators
  • Dishwashers

The first category of items a home warranty provides coverage for is kitchen and living appliances. This includes the following: When you purchase a home warranty, you're also getting coverage for major home systems. While different plans have unique coverage scopes for this category, the following systems may be covered:

  • Water heater
  • Central vacuum
  • Electrical
  • Plumbing
  • HVAC

What items are typically not covered under a home warranty?

Just like other service contracts, home warranties will not provide coverage for certain items or events. These are called exclusions. One thing that home warranties exclude is damage outside normal wear and tear. For example, the warranty company could reject a claim for an AC breakdown if a dirty air filter is the cause. This is because replacing the air filter is a part of routine maintenance. Home warranties also don't cover cosmetic damage, rust or corrosion damage, preexisting conditions, hazardous waste, acts of nature and improper system or appliance installation.

Questions to ask home warranty providers in Alabaster

Before you purchase a home warranty plan, discuss these crucial questions with each provider you're considering.

What items would my policy cover?

Assess your coverage requirements before requesting a quote from a home warranty company. Once you've determined what items need coverage, confirm that the provider includes them in its plans. Some companies separate systems and appliance coverage into different plans, so ensure you select the right one. Most home warranty companies also sell optional add-ons for things like lawn sprinkler systems and additional refrigeration. Evaluate what add-ons you might need and how much they'll add to the home warranty cost.

How long is my home warranty good for?

Standard home warranty contracts last for 12 months from the coverage effective date, which is usually 30 days after the initial sign-up date. Companies include this 30-day waiting period to prevent customers from filing claims for preexisting conditions. You can get coverage beyond 12 months with a multiyear plan.

What contractors do you work with?

Ask potential home warranty companies about their network of local service contractors. A contractor must have the proper local and state licensing to access the company's network. If there are no in-network contractors near you, the warranty company may let you choose your own. You can verify a contractor's license by searching the Alabama Licensing Board for General Contractors database.

How does your claims approval process work?

Each company's claims process will differ from the others. If a covered issue strikes, you could file a claim via their website or over the phone. Most companies try to address claims within one to two days, though there might be processing delays if you filed outside normal working hours. Once you submit your claim, the warranty company will review it and connect you to an in-network service contractor. The contractor will arrange a visit to diagnose the problem, and then seek final authorization from the warranty company for any necessary repairs.

Can I transfer my policy to the next owner of my home?

If you're selling your home, you may be able to transfer your policy to the new homeowner. Some companies manage the transfer without cost, while others levy a transfer fee. Home warranty companies might also sell separate, special coverage plans that you can easily transfer to prospective homebuyers. Sellers can purchase these plans to enhance their home's appeal in a competitive market.

Home warranty contract fine print

Before you choose a home warranty, examine its terms and conditions to ensure they're aligned with your needs. As you read through the sample contract, focus on these key details and clauses:

  • Exclusions: Be sure to learn more regarding component-specific exclusions in the home warranty company's sample contracts. Some parts of an appliance may not be included even if the appliance itself is typically included under the policy.
  • Cancellation: A home warranty contract should include information on cancellation and refunds. If you cancel within the first 30 days of signup, many companies will offer a complete refund of your annual premium.
  • Service call fee: The service call fee is the amount you'll pay the home warranty company or service provider for every claim. Fees typically vary between $75 and $125 per claim.
  • Coverage limit: Each home warranty has a coverage limit that limits the total dollar amount that the company will pay per claim. There might also be an annual coverage limit or other stipulations.
  • Workmanship guarantee: The workmanship guarantee is the time during which the home warranty company won't charge additional service call fees for a repair if an in-network technician has recently tried to fix the item. The industry standard is 30 days, though some companies offer longer workmanship guarantees.

Facts about Alabaster

Average High in July
88°F
Alabaster
83°F
National Average
Average Low in January
35°F
Alabaster
17°F
National Average
Average Daily Sunlight
70%
Alabaster
69%
National Average
Our Top Pick
Provider logo
4.5
Our Rating
  • Extends 60-day workmanship guarantee
  • Holds high customer ratings
  • Offers customization with 38 add-ons
Explore Plans
Provider logo
4.4
Our Rating
  • Covers rust and corrosion damage
  • Offers comprehensive coverage limits
  • Provides flexible service fees
$150 Off Any Plan
Explore Plans
Provider logo
3.8
Our Rating
  • Charges low premiums
  • Includes roof-leak coverage
  • Offers solid HVAC coverage
Explore Plans

Our methodology for selecting home warranty providers

We review national home warranty providers against our full home warranty methodology. We score warranty providers based on coverage options and limits, price, brand reputation, customer service, extra features and availability.

Contact us at feedback@homefront.usatoday.com if you have questions or feedback on this article

Editorial note: The name “Homefront” refers to the alliance between USA TODAY and Home Solutions that publishes review, comparison, and informational articles designed to help USA TODAY readers make smarter purchasing and investment decisions about their home. Under the alliance, Homefront provides and publishes research and articles about home service and home improvement topics. Homefront has an affiliate disclosure policy. The opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Homefront editorial staff alone (see About Homefront). Homefront adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. The information is believed to be accurate as of the publish date, but always check the provider’s website for the most current information. Go back to top

Our editors may use AI as an input tool to tailor information in local markets. All content goes through a rigorous research and review process led by our team of writers and editors.

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