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7 best home warranty companies in Huntsville, Alabama

HOMEFRONT

Updated Jun 22, 2024

Get a quote from our top provider, Liberty Home Guard

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A home warranty gives you 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 HVAC units and refrigerators when they break down from normal use.

Many crucial home components start having issues before hitting the 10 to 15-year mark, according to the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors. HVAC systems typically malfunction after just seven to 25 years. Water heaters normally last six to 12 years, and most appliances today stop working after about 20 years.

If your Huntsville home contains aging dishwashers, furnaces or the like, you'll likely encounter a surprise breakdown. These leading home warranty firms provide robust coverage at fair prices.

Huntsville's wet, cool weather strains HVAC systems and roofs, so we recommend a home warranty to protect yourself from sudden breakdown repair costs. The providers we suggest provide strong coverage options and even a few added perks.

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 Huntsville

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

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 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

Elite Home Warranty

4.4/5

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

American Home Shield

4.4/5

Average monthly costs: $29.99 - $89.99

An industry veteran, American Home Shield has been in business since 1971. It provides three coverage plans and six optional 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 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 Huntsville

The typical monthly cost of a home warranty in Huntsville is $41 to $70, in line with 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 protect various home appliances and major systems, but they're not a substitute for homeowners insurance. Below, we'll outline what's generally covered in a home warranty and what isn't.

What are the typical items covered under a home warranty?

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

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

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

What items are typically not covered under a home warranty?

Home warranties, similar to other service contracts, have coverage exclusions. One common exclusion is breakdowns caused by damage outside of normal wear and tear. For example, the warranty would probably not cover an air conditioner malfunctioning due to a dirty air filter, since replacing the filter is a part of routine maintenance. Home warranties also don't cover preexisting conditions, hazardous waste, acts of nature, improper system or appliance installation, rust or corrosion damage and cosmetic damage.

Questions to ask home warranty providers in Huntsville

Ask each home warranty provider these questions before you purchase a plan.

What items does my policy cover?

Before asking a home warranty provider for a quote, write down the specific systems and appliances that you need covered. Then, confirm the company has plans meeting your needs. Some providers separate appliance and system coverage into different plans. Also, many home warranty companies offer optional coverage, such as for additional refrigeration or sump pumps. Consider purchasing add-ons if you need protection for specific items.

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 implement this 30-day waiting period to prevent customers from filing claims for preexisting conditions. A home warranty may last longer than 12 months if you purchase a multiyear plan.

What contractors do you work with?

When you're researching home warranty providers, 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 pick 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?

Understanding how a company’s claims process works often makes the difference between an approved claim and a denied one. Home warranty providers typically accept claims via an online portal or a round-the-clock support line. Typical response times are within 24 to 48 hours of filing, though there may be processing delays if you file outside normal business hours. If the home warranty company grants initial approval to your claim, they'll connect you to a service contractor from their network. The contractor will arrange a meeting with you to examine the appliance firsthand. Once they get final approval from the warranty company, they'll proceed to make repairs and manage billing on your behalf.

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

Most home warranty companies will let you 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 easily transferred to prospective buyers. This is a straightforward way to make your home more attractive to your home in a competitive real estate market and offer the buyer added confidence.

Home warranty contract fine print

Before committing to a home warranty, we strongly recommend reviewing a sample contract. Learning more about the company's terms and conditions will help you make an informed decision. It'll also help you stand up for your rights if you need to file a claim. Keep an eye out for these key terms and clauses in your research:

  • Service call fee: Each time you file a claim, the home warranty or repair company will levy a service call fee. These fees typically range between $75 and $125.
  • 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.
  • Workmanship guarantee: Home warranties typically offer workmanship guarantees of at least 30 days. If an in-network technician attempted to fix your appliance or system, and you keep experiencing issues with it, the company won't assess an additional service call fee for new repairs.
  • Exclusions: Even if a system is covered under your home warranty, it may still have applicable exclusions for specific parts. A sample contract should itemize these exclusions.
  • Cancellation: Companies typically outline how they process cancellations in their fine print. Many providers will refund the entire plan premium if you cancel within the first 30 days of sign-up.

Facts about Huntsville

Average High in July
87°F
Huntsville
83°F
National Average
Average Low in January
32°F
Huntsville
17°F
National Average
Average Daily Sunlight
67%
Huntsville
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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