Home Warranty

7 best home warranty companies in Fairhope, Alabama

HOMEFRONT

Updated Jun 22, 2024

Get a quote from our top provider, Liberty Home Guard

Our Methodology

We've ranked the top 7 home warranty companies that operate within 50 miles of Fairhope. We base our ranking off average customer ratings weighted against the number of reviews. For more information, check out our full methodology.

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Fairhope, AL

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A home warranty offers financial protection if a major home system or appliance suddenly breaks down. For a monthly fee, the warranty company covers repair and replacement costs for items like refrigerators and HVAC units when they break down from normal use.

Many key home systems break down before hitting the 10 to 15-year mark. HVAC systems typically last just seven to 25 years. The normal lifespan for water heaters is only six to 12 years, and most major appliances today stop working in under 20 years, say the experts at the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors.

If your Fairhope 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.

Fairhope's fiercely hot summers make an air conditioner failure costly 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 the best plans and benefits.

Our Top Pick

4.5

Our Rating

Extends 60-day workmanship guarantee
Holds high customer ratings
Offers customization with 38 add-ons

Explore Plans

4.4

Our Rating

Covers rust and corrosion damage
Offers comprehensive coverage limits
Provides flexible service fees

$150 Off Any Plan

Explore Plans

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 Fairhope

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

2-10 Home Buyers Warranty

4.5/5

EXPLORE PLANS

Average monthly costs: $22.00 - $80.00

2-10 offers flexible service fees and perks like an appliance color-match program. Through its "Even If" guarantee, it also refunds service fees if repairing or replacing a covered item isn't possible.

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

4.6/5

EXPLORE PLANS

Average monthly costs: $49.99 - $59.99

Liberty Home Guard offers plans with a 60-day workmanship guarantee on completed repairs. Compared to other providers in this piece, it also provides the largest number of coverage add-ons – 38 in total.

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

4.4/5

EXPLORE PLANS

Average monthly costs: $48.98 - $59.99

Elite lets you fully customize a plan for your exact coverage needs. It also provides an exceptionally long 90-day workmanship guarantee.

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

4.4/5

EXPLORE PLANS

Average monthly costs: $29.99 - $89.99

Founded in 1971, American Home Shield was one of the country's first home warranty companies. Today, it offers three coverage plans and six supplementary 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

4.2/5

EXPLORE PLANS

Average monthly costs: $47.00 - $87.00

First American provides generous appliance coverage maximums in every plan. If you add the First American Advantage upgrade, miscellaneous items like appliance knobs and dials could also get protection.

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

4.3/5

EXPLORE PLANS

Average monthly costs: $38.99 - $66.99

Cinch Home Services provides coverage perks other companies don’t, such as a homeowners insurance deductible reimbursement. Like most home warranty companies, Cinch offers flexible service fees that raise or lower your plan premium.

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

3.9/5

EXPLORE PLANS

Average monthly costs: $44.42 - $47.75

Select Home Warranty pairs all plans with roof-leak repair coverage. It also charges low plan premiums.

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 Fairhope

You'll usually pay $41-$70 per month for a home warranty in Fairhope, in line with the national average. Opting for annual payments means paying somewhere around $563.62-$927.48 for the year. To find the average home warranty plan cost, we requested hundreds of quotes using 2,000-square-foot, single-family homes across each state the providers service.

Home warranty coverage

Home warranties cover various home appliances and major systems, but they're not a substitute for homeowners insurance. Below, we'll discuss what's generally included in home warranty coverage and what isn't.

What are the typical items covered under a home warranty?

Clothes dryers
Built-in microwaves
Cooktops
Refrigerators
Dishwashers
Washing machines

Major appliances form the first category of items that home warranties provide coverage for. This includes the following items: 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:

Plumbing
Water heater
Central vacuum
HVAC
Electrical

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 common exclusion is breakdowns caused by damage outside normal wear and tear. For example, the warranty would probably not cover an air conditioner that stopped working because of a dirty air filter, since replacing the filter is a part of routine maintenance. Home warranties also don't cover cosmetic damage, preexisting conditions, acts of nature, rust or corrosion damage, hazardous waste and improper system or appliance installation.

Questions to ask home warranty providers in Fairhope

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

What items does my policy cover?

First, figure out what items need coverage before requesting a home warranty quote. Some providers separate appliance and system coverage, so verify that the company has plans to meet your particular needs. Many companies also sell optional add-ons, covering things like swimming pools and additional refrigeration. Consider whether any add-ons fit your situation.

How long is my home warranty good for?

Generally, a home warranty plan has a duration of 12 months from the coverage effective date, which is 30 days after the initial sign-up date. Home warranty companies put in a 30-day waiting period to prevent customers from filing claims for preexisting conditions. You may extend the 12-month policy term by purchasing a multiyear plan.

What contractors do you work with?

When you're researching home warranty companies, be sure to ask about which service contractors they use. Each repair team must follow specific licensing requirements and standards to get repair approval from the warranty company. If there are no partner contractors in your area, the warranty terms might allow you to select your own repair company. You can verify a contractor's license by searching the Alabama Licensing Board for General Contractors database.

How does your claims approval process work?

Knowledge of your warranty company's claim process can make all the difference between an approval and a denial. If you're facing a covered issue, you can usually file a claim via a phone hotline or through the web. While most claims should have a 24 to 48-hour response time, there might be delays if you filed outside standard business hours. Once the provider receives your claim, someone will examine the details and connect you with an in-network service provider. The contractor will book an appointment with you, diagnose the problem, and then request final approval from the home warranty provider before starting repairs.

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

Most home warranty companies allow you to transfer your policy to a new homeowner if you need to move. Sometimes, transfers are free, and other times, the company will levy a transfer fee for the service. Sellers can also purchase special home warranty plans that are readily transferable to prospective buyers. This is a straightforward way to add appeal to your home to your home in a competitive real estate market and give the buyer additional peace of mind.

Home warranty contract fine print

To finalize your research, we recommend reading the home warranty provider’s fine print and sample contract before purchasing a plan. Knowing the company’s terms and conditions can help you decide if it’s the right one for your needs. It'll also help you stand up for your rights if you need to file a claim. Below are several terms you should look for while reviewing the contract:

Coverage limit: Your home warranty's coverage limit is the cap on how much the company pays per claim. A warranty contract could also have other stipulations, like annual coverage limits.
Cancellation: You'll usually see the warranty company's cancellation policy within the sample contract fine print. Depending on the company, if you cancel within the first 30 days of enrollment, you might receive a full refund of the entire premium.
Service call fee: Whenever you file a claim, the warranty company or repair provider will levy a service call fee between $75 and $125.
Workmanship guarantee: Workmanship guarantees temporarily shield you from additional service call fees if an in-network technician failed to completely fix a covered issue. Most guarantees are 30 days long, though some companies offer longer periods.
Exclusions: Home warranties have both general exclusions and ones specific to components. Even if a device or system is generally covered, your warranty might not cover some specific parts if they become damaged. Read your sample contract carefully to know what's excluded.

Facts about Fairhope

Average High in July

88°F

Fairhope

83°F

National Average

Average Low in January

43°F

Fairhope

17°F

National Average

Average Daily Sunlight

74%

Fairhope

69%

National Average

Our Top Pick

4.5

Our Rating

Extends 60-day workmanship guarantee
Holds high customer ratings
Offers customization with 38 add-ons

Explore Plans

4.4

Our Rating

Covers rust and corrosion damage
Offers comprehensive coverage limits
Provides flexible service fees

$150 Off Any Plan

Explore Plans

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.

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.

7 best home warranty companies in Fairhope, Alabama

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