Home Warranty

7 best home warranty companies in Tuscaloosa, 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 Tuscaloosa. 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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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 HVAC units and refrigerators when they break down from normal wear and tear.

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 go kaput in under 20 years, according to the experts at the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors.

If your Tuscaloosa 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.

Tuscaloosa's fiercely hot summers make an air conditioner failure pricy and even dangerous. You can have extra peace of mind with a home warranty that has major system and appliance coverage. The national providers below offer top policies and perks.

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 Tuscaloosa

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

2-10 Home Buyers Warranty

4.5/5

EXPLORE PLANS

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

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 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

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 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

4.3/5

EXPLORE PLANS

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

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 Tuscaloosa

The average cost of a home warranty in Tuscaloosa is in line with the national average, ranging from $40.91 to $77.05 per month. If you prefer to pay an annual premium, expect to pay between $563.62 and $927.43 per year. To calculate national averages, we requested hundreds of quotes using 2,000-square-foot, single-family homes across each state the providers service.

Home warranty coverage

Home warranties protect a variety of major systems and home appliances. We'll lay out a general overview of the two main coverage categories.

What are the typical items covered under a home warranty?

Clothes dryers
Cooktops
Washing machines
Built-in microwaves
Dishwashers
Refrigerators

The first category of items home warranties cover is kitchen appliances and household items. This category includes the following: The second coverage category is major systems, which often consist of the following:

Water heater
Electrical
Plumbing
Central vacuum
HVAC

What items are typically not covered under a home warranty?

Just like other service contracts, home warranties do not cover certain items or events. These are called exclusions. One thing that home warranties don't cover is damage outside normal wear and tear. For example, the warranty company could deny 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. Additionally, home warranties won't cover hazardous waste, cosmetic damage, rust or corrosion damage, improper system or appliance installation, preexisting conditions and acts of nature.

Questions to ask home warranty providers in Tuscaloosa

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

What items will my policy cover?

First, determine 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. Most home warranty companies also sell optional add-ons for things like swimming pools and well pumps. 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 are valid for 12 months from the coverage effective date, which is usually 30 days after the initial sign-up date. Companies have this 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?

Be sure to ask about the warranty provider's network of licensed service contractors. Companies will usually have strict licensing requirements and other standards for a contractor to get repair approval. If there are no partner contractors near where you live, the company might 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?

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 over the phone or through the web. While most claims should have a one to two-day turnaround, there might be delays if you filed outside standard business hours. If the home warranty company grants initial approval to your claim, they'll match you with 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 do the repair work and handle billing on your behalf.

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

If you need to move, most home warranty contracts contain a clause allowing you to transfer the policy to the new homeowner. Some companies handle the transfer for free, though others levy a transfer fee. 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

Before finalizing a home warranty, we strongly recommend reading a sample contract. Learning more about the company's terms and conditions will help you determine the best fit. It'll also help you be a better advocate for yourself if you need to file a claim. Keep an eye out for these key terms and clauses in your research:

Workmanship guarantee: Most workmanship guarantees last for 30 days from a warranty repair, though some companies offer longer guarantee periods. If you have more issues with an appliance that an in-network technician recently attempted to repair for you, the home warranty company won't charge an extra service call fee for a new claim.
Coverage limit: The coverage limit puts a monetary cap on how much the home warranty company will pay per repair. There may be additional 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.
Cancellation: You'll typically find the warranty company's cancellation policy inside 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.
Exclusions: Home warranties have both general exclusions and component-specific ones. 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 Tuscaloosa

Average High in July

89°F

Tuscaloosa

83°F

National Average

Average Low in January

34°F

Tuscaloosa

17°F

National Average

Average Daily Sunlight

70%

Tuscaloosa

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 Tuscaloosa, Alabama

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