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Homeowners go to lengths to ensure that their homes, and the items within them, are protected to the best of their ability. While some homeowners may find themselves weighing the different types of home coverage against one another—for example, homeowners insurance vs. home warranties—the best home protection plans layer these types of coverage together, as each can defend the home in its own way.
A home warranty primarily protects the home’s major systems and appliances from problems related to age and normal wear and tear. If protecting heating and cooling systems isn’t motivation enough, for homeowners with expensive home appliances, warranty companies may offer even more value, allowing them to keep these devices operating at a high level. Considering the role these systems and appliances play in day-to-day life, it’s no surprise that many homeowners decide a home warranty is worth it for the peace of mind this coverage can provide.
But with the many options available to consider, how do homeowners determine which plan and provider is right for them? Covering everything from single-family to mobile home warranty companies, this guide has everything homeowners need to know about the best home warranty companies in Alabama.
- BEST OVERALL: AFC Home Club
- RUNNER-UP: Choice Home Warranty
- BEST ADD-ON COVERAGE: Liberty Home Guard
- BEST COVERAGE LIMITS: American Home Shield
- ALSO CONSIDER: Select Home Warranty
What to Consider When Choosing One of the Best Home Warranty Companies in Alabama
Though the main benefit of a home warranty—peace of mind—may be achievable with just about any home warranty company, the similarities between these companies often end there. Each provider offers its own coverage options, ranging from basic to comprehensive, at a number of different price points—not to mention additional perks available to customers. To compare their many home warranty options, homeowners will want to begin by considering each of the following factors.
Policies and Plans
When it comes to home protection, warranty companies often set different coverage terms, with base policies offered alongside add-on options that homeowners can use to customize or expand the scope of their coverage. Because home warranty plans and policies can vary significantly from one provider to another, homeowners will need to pay close attention to their coverage options with each company before committing to a plan. Otherwise, they could find themselves paying extra to protect the systems and appliances they deem a priority. Alternatively, they may purchase a policy that doesn’t protect all of the home systems and appliances that they wish to cover with a home warranty.
Maximum Coverage Limit
The maximum coverage limit on a home warranty represents the total amount the home warranty company is willing to pay for repairs on covered systems and appliances. If a covered item requires repairs that exceed the maximum coverage limit, homeowners may be required to pay the difference in cost.
Depending on the company, coverage limits may be applied per item or per term, and companies typically set different limits based on the type of repair or service. For instance, repairs on kitchen appliances such as refrigerators are often covered for a higher amount compared with the cost of roof-leak repairs. With these nuances in mind, homeowners will want to make note of each company’s coverage limits, as this factor can directly impact their out-of-pocket costs and the overall value of their policy.
Average Monthly Rate
The total cost of a home warranty primarily depends on two components: monthly rates and service fees. Monthly rates represent the up-front cost of a home warranty. A customer’s rate is determined by several factors, including their home’s size and location as well as the individual coverage options they select.
For this reason, obtaining a quote is the best way for homeowners to see how a home warranty might fit into their household budget. However, homeowners who are just beginning their home warranty search can also use average monthly rates to assess each company’s overall affordability. This may help them narrow down their search to include only companies that offer policies that fit their budget.
Discounts
Many home warranty companies offer discounts customers may be able to use to lower the total cost of their coverage. These discounts can make it easier for homeowners to fit a home warranty into their budget, but discount opportunities can vary significantly between providers.
For instance, some companies may offer discounts to customers who switch from another provider, while others may give discounts to customers who pay up front for an annual or multiyear policy. To get the best deal on their home warranty coverage, homeowners will want to keep an eye out for any discount opportunities that may be available to them.
Service Fee
When homeowners submit a repair request through their home warranty provider, they are required to pay a service fee before any repairs can be scheduled. Service fees are commonplace among home warranty companies, so customers can always expect to pay out of pocket to some degree on any claim they submit.
Depending on the company, though, service fees could be relatively affordable or a bit more expensive, so homeowners will want to add this to their list of factors worth considering. They will also want to be aware that although some companies will allow them to choose from a range of service fee options, opting for a lower fee typically results in homeowners paying a higher rate, so these options should be weighed carefully. In other cases, companies may set the same service fee for every policy, which limits opportunities to adjust these fees to impact up-front costs.
Waiting Period
After committing to a policy, homeowners may be eager to put their home warranty coverage to use. However, home warranties typically begin with a waiting period: a brief window of time between when the policy begins and when the homeowner can first submit a repair request.
Waiting periods are common and typically short at around 30 days, but customers looking to avoid this gap in coverage will want to note that some home warranty companies may be willing to waive the waiting period in certain circumstances. For instance, companies may agree to forgo the waiting period for new customers who already have a policy with a competitor and are looking to switch providers. Other companies may waive the waiting period for homeowners are willing to have their appliances and home systems inspected.
Claims Process
When a critical home system or appliance breaks down, homeowners are understandably eager to schedule repairs. However, it’s important to note that the methods for submitting claims, the amount of time it takes to process claims, and the process for selecting repair technicians will all depend on the home warranty company.
Homeowners will need to consider each of these elements to choose a company with a claims process they will be prepared to navigate when the time comes for repairs. When in doubt, home warranty reviews can be a good way for homeowners to evaluate the potential customer experience with each provider on their list.
Workmanship Guarantee
When repairs fail to resolve the underlying issue with a covered system or appliance, homeowners often turn to their home warranty company for follow-up work. In this situation, customers could be on the hook to pay a second service fee—unless they are protected under the company’s workmanship guarantee.
Workmanship guarantees protect repairs for a certain period of time, allowing homeowners to schedule additional repairs without increasing their out-of-pocket costs. However, workmanship guarantees can vary significantly in length—some companies may only guarantee repairs for up to 30 days, while others may guarantee them for a year or more—so homeowners will want to make note of this ahead of time.
Our Top Picks
To identify the best home warranty companies, we weighed several factors, including each company’s average costs, coverage options, and any additional membership perks that may appeal to homeowners in Alabama.
Best Overall
AFC Home Club
Why It Made the Cut:
In Alabama, AFC Home Club boasts low monthly rates, lengthy workmanship guarantees, and flexible options that can allow homeowners to take control of their home warranty coverage.
In Alabama, AFC Home Club offers relatively affordable home warranty rates, so although the exact price a homeowner pays for their coverage will depend on several factors, average costs indicate that customers may be able to get a good deal on their warranty by going with this company. In addition to keeping costs low, AFC Home Club can help some customers avoid gaps in their coverage, as it offers to waive its standard 30-day waiting period for any customers who agree to an inspection of their home systems and appliances.
Prospective policyholders will want to note that before AFC Home Club will approve any HVAC repair requests, they will be required to show a maintenance record, completed by a licensed technician, to prove that routine maintenance has been performed on the system within the previous year. This could present an additional out-of-pocket cost, as homeowners will need to schedule annual tune-ups if they want the opportunity to put their HVAC coverage to use. However, routine maintenance can help homeowners keep this critical system in good condition, so this requirement may benefit customers in the long run.
When a home system or appliance is in need of repairs, AFC Home Club customers will find themselves with several options. While they can always select a contractor from the company’s preferred network, homeowners also have the option to choose their own technician. This may appeal to those who already have a trusted handyman in mind for the job. Either way, repairs on covered items will be protected under the company’s workmanship guarantee for the entire length of the customer’s policy, so they shouldn’t need to worry too much about ever being required to pay an additional service fee if there’s an issue with a covered repair.
Specs
- Maximum coverage limit: $3,000
- Average monthly rate: $51
- Service fee: $75 to $125
- Claims process: Online, phone
- Workmanship guarantee: 1 or 3 years
Pros
- Relatively low $51 average monthly rate
- Customer-selected technician option
- Extremely long 1- or 3-year workmanship guarantee
- Waiting period waived with home inspection
Cons
- Annual HVAC maintenance required
Runner-Up
Choice Home Warranty
Why It Made the Cut:
With Choice Home Warranty, Alabama homeowners can reap the rewards of low rates, fast response times, and the welcome opportunity to avoid a waiting period.
Alabama homeowners seeking a quick, reliable claims process might be drawn to Choice Home Warranty. When a repair request is received, the company promises to begin contacting service providers in as few as 4 hours. This is an impressively quick turnaround time, which could allow homeowners to schedule the necessary repairs without further delay.
Despite this perk, Choice’s coverage costs are relatively low, with an average monthly rate of $51—an affordable price in the Alabama market. These low rates come alongside the company’s service fee, which is standardized at $85 across all policies. Although this is not overly expensive, homeowners who are used to choosing their service fee may find the lack of service fee options somewhat limiting. However, choosing a lower service fee typically results in paying a higher rate, so this is not necessarily a bad thing.
Homeowners looking to switch from their current provider may want to strongly consider Choice Home Warranty as a viable option, as the company offers to waive its standard 30-day waiting period for new customers who show proof of coverage with another provider.
Specs
- Maximum coverage limit: $3,000
- Average monthly rate: $51
- Service fee: $85
- Claims process: Online, phone
- Workmanship guarantee: 60 days labor, 90 days parts
Pros
- Relatively low $51 average monthly rate
- Quick claim response within 4 hours of service request
- Waiting period waived for customers with an existing home warranty
Cons
- No service fee flexibility
Best Add-On Coverage
Liberty Home Guard
Why It Made the Cut:
Homeowners in Alabama may be drawn to Liberty Home Guard, where discounted coverage, flexible service fees, and an impressive portfolio of coverage add-on options await.
With Liberty Home Guard, homeowners may be able to design their ideal home warranty, as the company boasts more than 40 add-on coverage options homeowners can use to customize or expand the scope of their policy. In Alabama, the most popular add-ons include coverage for pools and spas, lawn sprinkler systems, stand-alone freezers, and septic system pumping services. Alongside this list of coverage options, Liberty Home Guard also gives customers multiple service fee options, including fees as low as $60. This low service fee option may allow homeowners to reduce the out-of-pocket costs associated with submitting a repair request.
As they compare home warranty options, prospective customers may note that Liberty Home Guard’s maximum coverage limit sits at $2,000, which is fairly low for a home warranty. However, it’s important to recognize that this limit is applied per item, not per term, so customers can request repairs on multiple systems and appliances as long as the individual repairs do not exceed this amount.
Liberty Home Guard customers also have several payment options to consider, which may make it easier to budget for a home warranty. Although monthly payments are common, homeowners who choose to pay up front for an annual or multiyear policy will be rewarded with additional months of coverage at no extra cost. For example, customers who pay for an annual policy in full will receive 14 months of coverage for the price of 12. This adds more value to a policy with Liberty Home Guard, allowing homeowners to save on the cost of their coverage over time.
Specs
- Maximum coverage limit: $2,000 (per item)
- Average monthly rate: $55
- Service fee: $60 to $125
- Claims process: Online, phone
- Workmanship guarantee: 60 days
Pros
- Wide variety of service add-ons
- Low $60 minimum service fee
- 2 months of free coverage with annual payment
Cons
- Relatively low $2,000 coverage limit per item
Best Coverage Limits
American Home Shield
Why It Made the Cut:
From high coverage limits to standard coverage on pre-existing conditions, rust, corrosion, and sediment, American Home Shield is an option worth considering for Alabama homeowners.
American Home Shield’s standard coverage includes protection on items that are not typically covered by a home warranty, including certain pre-existing conditions (if problems can’t be detected visually or by a simple mechanical test) as well as issues due to rust, corrosion, and sediment damage. These standard coverage inclusions create more opportunities for homeowners to put their home warranty to use and get more value out of their policy.
It’s worth mentioning that with American Home Shield, repairs are only covered under a 30-day workmanship guarantee, which is a fairly short period of time. This may not be a deal-breaker, though, especially when the company’s positive attributes are taken into account. Having a shorter guarantee does make it imperative for homeowners to check the quality of covered repairs, flagging any potential issues before the window of opportunity closes.
Based on average quotes, American Home Shield’s coverage costs may be somewhat high in the Alabama market, with an average rate of $83. However, homeowners could wind up paying more or less than this amount depending on the specific coverage options they select. It’s also important to note that this higher cost may be due in part to the company’s high coverage limits. American Home Shield sets an impressively high $5,000 coverage cap on HVAC repairs, regardless of which policy tier a homeowner selects. This could allow homeowners to cover more expensive repairs without increasing their out-of-pocket costs.
Specs
- Maximum coverage limit: $5,000 (for HVAC repairs)
- Average monthly rate: $83
- Service fee: $100 or $125
- Claims process: Online, phone
- Workmanship guarantee: 30 days
Pros
- Relatively high $5,000 coverage limit on HVAC repairs
- Coverage for unknown pre-existing conditions included
- Rust, corrosion, and sediment coverage included
Cons
- Somewhat high $83 average monthly rate
- Relatively short 30-day workmanship guarantee
Also Consider
Select Home Warranty
Why It Made the Cut:
With Select Home Warranty, Alabama homeowners may be able to secure reliable home warranty coverage at an affordable price thanks to the company’s frequent discount opportunities.
Select Home Warranty gives homeowners ample opportunities to reduce the cost of their home warranty coverage, consistently running promotional discounts for new customers. While the exact size of these discounts may vary, they are often very generous, and homeowners can typically find the exact terms of these discount opportunities on the company’s website. Customers can also save by choosing to pay in full for an annual or multiyear policy. By paying up front, homeowners can receive 2 additional months of coverage free of charge, lowering their monthly rate and potentially saving them more money on their home warranty coverage.
When they need to submit a repair request, Select Home Warranty customers can do so via email or through the company’s convenient online portal. However, it’s worth noting that Select Home Warranty does not accept claims over the phone. Even so, homeowners who prefer digital and online platforms may appreciate the company’s straightforward approach to submitting claims. Once a claim is received, Select Home Warranty states that it could take up to 4 days to process, though it’s important to bear in mind that this response time specifically refers to claims submitted on weekends or holidays, so those submitted during regular business hours are likely to be processed at a much faster rate.
Homeowners who choose Select Home Warranty will also receive additional coverage to help cover the cost of patching roof leaks. While this type of coverage is often only available as an extra add-on with other providers, Select Home Warranty includes limited roof-leak coverage in all its plans, helping homeowners keep costs low while literally protecting the roof over their heads.
Specs
- Maximum coverage limit: $3,000
- Average monthly rate: $62
- Service fee: $75 to $100
- Claims process: Online, email
- Workmanship guarantee: 60 days
Pros
- Free limited roof-leak coverage with every policy
- 2 months of free coverage with annual payment
- Frequent promotional discounts
Cons
- Relatively slow claim response of up to 96 hours after receiving service request
- No phone option for submitting claims
Our Verdict
We gave the award for Best Overall to AFC Home Club due to the company’s low rates, lengthy workmanship guarantees, and flexible options for homeowners to take control of their home warranty coverage. The Runner-Up award goes to Choice Home Warranty because of its affordable rates and quick claims response time, among other factors.
How We Chose the Best Home Warranty Companies in Alabama
To identify the best home warranty companies in Alabama, we considered several factors, beginning with each company’s coverage. Both standard coverage and add-on coverage options were taken into account, and we paid close attention to any types of coverage that may particularly appeal to homeowners in Alabama.
Cost considerations were also important, so we looked at each company’s average monthly rates, service fees, and potential discount opportunities to quantify the total cost of coverage. Finally, customer experience factors, such as average claims response times and selection options for technicians, were also considered to understand the experience homeowners may be able to expect with each provider.
Before You Choose One of the Best Home Warranty Companies in Alabama
Before committing to a policy, homeowners will want to consider how a home warranty fits into their larger home protection plan. Alongside home warranties and home insurance, companies offering extended warranties, such as electronic warranty companies, furniture warranty companies, and roof warranty companies, present other options for homeowners to potentially incorporate into their plan. It may also be worthwhile to check for current manufacturer’s warranties on any specific appliances that a homeowner wishes to protect in case of malfunction.
Homeowners will also need to consider the specific types of coverage they’re after. For example, are they looking for the best home warranty for older homes or a home warranty better suited for new constructions? Do they need the best home warranty for pre-existing conditions or the best home warranty for septic systems? Understanding these priorities can make it easier for homeowners to choose the home warranty policy that is right for them.
Cost of Opting for One of the Best Home Warranty Companies in Alabama
To understand their home warranty costs, homeowners need to make note of several factors, including their monthly rate, service fee, and any applicable discount opportunities. The specific price a homeowner pays for their coverage will depend on the size and location of their home as well as the specific coverage options they select. These may include extra services that customers wish to purchase to expand the coverage of their home warranty. Such options can give homeowners more opportunities to apply their home warranty—and may increase the overall value of their policy—but they come at an additional cost.
Home warranty costs can also vary between providers, but on average, homeowners around the country pay around $600 per year for this type of coverage. Based on the average monthly rates listed for the top home warranty companies in Alabama, residents may find that prices exceed the national average. With that in mind, Alabama homeowners may want to request quotes and compare rates between multiple providers, considering how those costs might fit into their household budget.
The Advantages of Opting for One of the Best Home Warranty Companies in Alabama
There are many reasons homeowners might decide that a home warranty is worth it for them. This type of coverage can provide invaluable peace of mind for the homeowners who opt for it. But in addition to this sense of comfort, the best home warranties in Alabama can also provide a few tangible benefits, including:
- Lengthy workmanship guarantees—in some cases, up to 3 years—that ensure customers can request follow-up work on covered repairs without paying additional fee;
- Competitive rates and generous discounts to help Alabama homeowners budget for home warranty coverage; and
- Robust standard coverage, including protection against pre-existing conditions, and flexible add-on options to customize a home warranty policy.
FAQs
With the many home warranty service companies available to consider, homeowners who take the time to do their research will be the best prepared to navigate the home warranty search. To begin, prospective policyholders can review these frequently asked questions and their answers.
Q. How long are most home warranties?
Though many homeowners can make monthly payments on their home warranty coverage, a standard home warranty policy will often run for 12 months. Some companies also offer multiyear policies.
Q. Will a home warranty protect my items from tornadoes?
No, it won’t. Home warranties cover issues related to age and normal wear and tear. Unlike a home warranty, insurance companies help homeowners protect against structural damage or loss of property resulting from specific perils, such as damage from fire, tornadoes, theft, or vandalism. This is a key distinction for homeowners to understand when comparing homeowners insurance vs. home warranty coverage, and tornado damage is often covered by a standard homeowners insurance policy.
Q. How much does a home warranty cost in Alabama?
Based on the providers included on this list, home warranty costs in Alabama average around $60 per month, though the exact cost of coverage may vary from one company to another.