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7 best home warranty companies in Pelham, Alabama

HOMEFRONT

Updated Jun 22, 2024

Get a quote from our top provider, Liberty Home Guard

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Consider a home warranty to financially protect your home's essential items. These policies cover the repair or replacement of major household systems and appliances, such as air conditioners and refrigerators, for a monthly fee.

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

With the scorching summer heat in Alabama, air conditioner breakdowns in Pelham are that much more taxing for homeowners. A home warranty from one of the national providers listed below will give you an easy and economical path to the future repairs you might need.

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 Pelham

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

2-10 Home Buyers Warranty

2-10 Home Buyers Warranty

4.5/5

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

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 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

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 is known for its comprehensive appliance coverage caps. With an Essential or Premium plan that has the First American Advantage upgrade, you could also get coverage for miscellaneous components, including 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 Pelham

The typical monthly cost of a home warranty in Pelham ranges from $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 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?

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

The first category of items home warranties cover is kitchen and living appliances. This category includes the following: The second category of covered items under a home warranty is major systems. Not every plan covers the same major systems. However, you can find coverage for any of these items:

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

What items are typically not covered under a home warranty?

Each home warranty has exclusions, or things it will not cover. Your contract will outline each exclusion upfront, so read carefully before you sign. Generally, home warranties won't cover item breakdowns caused by damage outside normal wear and tear. For example, if your air conditioner malfunctions due to a dirty air filter, home warranty companies probably won't cover the repairs since air filter replacement falls under routine maintenance.

    Home warranties also don't cover the following:
  • Acts of nature
  • Preexisting conditions
  • Rust or corrosion damage
  • Hazardous waste
  • Cosmetic damage
  • Improper system or appliance installation

Questions to ask home warranty providers in Pelham

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

What items are covered by my policy?

Determine what appliances and systems you need covered before getting home warranty quotes. This way, you can look for a provider that includes them. Some providers separate appliance and system coverage. Companies might also offer additional coverage, like spa and swimming pool protection, as add-ons. Consider what supplements you might need and how much they'll add to the cost.

How long is my home warranty good for?

Generally, a home warranty plan is valid for 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 deter 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 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 the way a company’s claims process works can be 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 one to two days of filing, though there may be processing delays if you file a claim 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 schedule a consultation with you to inspect and diagnose the problem. Once they get final approval from the warranty company, they'll do the repair work and manage billing on your behalf.

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 person who moves into the home the policy covers. Generally, transferring a home warranty policy to a new homeowner is complimentary, although some companies charge a transfer fee to offset administrative costs. Home warranty companies may also sell separate, special coverage plans that you can easily transfer to prospective homebuyers. Sellers might opt for these plans to raise their home's appeal in a competitive market.

Home warranty contract fine print

To complete your research, we recommend reading the home warranty provider’s detailed terms and sample contract prior to purchasing a plan. Knowing the company’s terms and conditions can help you determine whether 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:

  • Cancellation: Each home warranty company has a cancellation policy in its fine print. Many companies will refund your annual premium in full if you cancel within the first 30 days of enrollment.
  • Workmanship guarantee: Home warranties typically offer workmanship guarantees of at least 30 days. If an in-network technician recently serviced your appliance or system, and you still have issues with it, the company won't charge an additional service call fee for new repairs.
  • Coverage limit: The coverage limit puts a monetary cap on how much the home warranty company will pay per repair. There may be further stipulations, such as an annual coverage limit.
  • Service call fee: Similar to copays at the doctor or pharmacy, you'll have to pay a service call fee each time you file a home warranty claim. Most companies charge from $75 to $125 per claim.
  • Exclusions: Home warranties have both general exclusions and component-specific ones. Even if an appliance 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 Pelham

Average High in July
88°F
Pelham
83°F
National Average
Average Low in January
35°F
Pelham
17°F
National Average
Average Daily Sunlight
70%
Pelham
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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