Best Home Warranty Companies in Alabama (2022)

If you like warm weather and quick access to the ocean, Alabama can be a great place to live. Homeownership in Alabama comes with lots of great perks; however, there are times that owning an Alabama home can be stressful. There are many issues that will come up with systems and appliances in your home that could need repair and replacement. A home warranty is an excellent way to protect your budget and your savings from unexpected home repairs and expenses.

Home warranties are particularly useful in Alabama because of the excessive heat and extreme weather in the area. With summer temperatures sometimes reaching over 100 degrees, a massive amount of strain can be put on your HVAC systems. Cooling your home to comfortable and livable temperatures can cause damages and HVAC breakdowns that are costly and won’t be covered by homeowners insurance.

Alabama also sees a high year-round humidity, which averages around 71% throughout the entire year. High humidity can put additional strain on your air conditioning, as well as your refrigerators and stand-alone freezers. Home warranties serve to cover these systems and appliances, plus much more. Finding the best home warranty for your needs and budget is a crucial part of keeping your home protected and maximizing your peace of mind.

Alabama’s Best Home Warranty Companies in 2022

There are more than 50 home warranty companies in the state of Alabama. Some of these home warranty companies may seem like they are offering a great deal, and then, in reality, their coverage is not all that great. When we compare home warranty companies, we look at things like plan choices, service fees, coverage caps, overall coverage choices, and more. Here is how the top five plans in Alabama ranked.

• Choice Home Warranty: Best Overall

• Select Home Warranty: Most Cost-Effective

• American Home Shield: Best Customizable Plans

• The Home Service Club: Fastest Service

• Liberty Home Guard: Most Trustworthy

Quick Comparison of Home Warranty Providers

Choice Home Warranty

• Our Take: Best Overall

• Average Annual Cost: $504-$639.96

• Response Time: Up to 48 hours

Choice Home Warranty is the best overall home warranty in the state of Alabama. For the last 13 years, Choice Home Warranty has been offering homeowners some of the best warranty coverage on the market. Even after 13 years in the industry, Choice still has a B- rating with the BBB, which is quite high for the home warranty industry. If you are looking for a policy with a simple and straightforward plan and fair coverage limits, Choice is the answer.

Pros and Cons

✓ Simple service contracts and plan pricing

✓ Outstanding customer service

✓ Great coverage options

✓ Coverage for home systems and appliances

X No options for plan customization

Plans and Pricing

Choice Home Warranty offers two plans. The exciting thing about the plans is that they are both comprehensive or combo plans. This means that you will get a mix of system and combo coverage for each. Most companies make you pay extra for a premium plan that would offer this kind of comprehensive coverage. In addition, Choice Home Warranty has plenty of add-on coverage that you can include with your home warranty to cover all areas of your home. The coverage caps are quite high — up to $2,500 — and the service fee is $85.

Here’s a detailed look at Choice Home Warranty’s coverage: 

• Basic Plan ($42/month): The Basic Plan from Choice Home Warranty covers 13 items, which include both home systems and appliances. The plan covers systems like plumbing, heating, and electrical, plus ductwork and water heaters. Appliance coverage includes cooktop exhaust fans, ovens, dishwashers, garbage disposals, and microwaves. This plan also covers ceiling fans, some plumbing fixtures, and garage door openers. This plan includes excellent coverage for one of the lowest prices in the industry.

• Total Plan ($53.33/month): The Total Plan is a more comprehensive option that covers everything in the Basic Plan, plus additional systems appliances, and home systems. It adds on warranties for air conditioning systems, refrigerators, washers, and dryers. The addition of AC coverage makes the Total Plan an outstanding option for Alabamans.

Coverage

In case the plans above aren’t comprehensive enough for you, Choice Home Warranty also has add-on services for additional coverage. You can choose from coverage for:

• Roof leaks (limited coverage)
• Septic tanks (pumping included)
• Septic system maintenance
• Sump pumps
• Well pumps
• Pools and spas
• Second refrigerators
• Stand-alone freezers
• Central vacuum systems

To get a free quote from Choice Home Warranty, fill out this online form or call 929-400-6164.

For more information, read our Choice Home Warranty Review.

Select Home Warranty

• Our Take: Most Cost-Effective

• Average Annual Cost: $624-$684

• Response Time: Up to 48 hours

Select Home Warranty is the most cost-effective home warranty plan for Alabama homeowners. With the Select Home Warranty plan, you can purchase the home warranty yet still stay in a good position with your monthly budget. When you look at the wide range of coverage offered from Select Home Warranty, you will quickly see why they are considered a great value. The Select Home Warranty has been on the market for close to ten years, and they are known for their impressive workmanship guarantee and high-quality service professionals. The coverage caps go up to $2,000, and the service fee is just $75.

Pros and Cons

✓ Very affordable

✓ All plans include coverage for roof leaks

✓ Years of experience

✓ Excellent customer service

X Comparatively low coverage caps

Plans and Pricing

Select Home Warranty plans come in three different options. There is a systems plan, an appliance plan, and then a combo plan to choose from. Although the systems plan and appliance plan are great, the combo plan is just a few dollars more and includes all of the impressive coverage of the other two plans. Select Home Warranty also throws in the free roof leak coverage with the purchase of any of their plans.

Here’s a detailed look at Select Home Warranty’s coverage: 

• Bronze Plan ($52/month): The Bronze Plan is an appliance-only plan, so it’s great for customers on a budget who just want their appliances insured. This plan covers major appliances like ovens, refrigerators, washers, dryers, and cooktops. It also includes a warranty for built-in microwaves and garbage disposals.

• Gold Plan ($52/month): The Gold Plan is ideal for homeowners looking to spend as little money as possible by covering home systems but not appliances. This plan includes coverage for several home systems, including plumbing, electrical, heating, and AC units. Plus, you get coverage for ductwork and water heaters.

• Platinum Plan ($57/month): The Platinum Plan is a more comprehensive option that works well for Alabama homeowners looking for the most peace of mind. It includes all of the coverages offered in the previous two plans, plus some additional items, like plumbing stoppages and ceiling fans. The best part about this plan is that it’s only $5 more per month than the other two plans alone.

Coverage

Like many other home warranty companies, Select Home Warranty offers add-on coverage for an additional fee. The additional coverage options include:

• Pools
• Spas
• Septic systems
• Well pumps
• Sump pumps
• Lawn sprinkler systems
• Roof leaks
• Central vacuum systems
• Stand-alone freezers

Select Home Warranty will give you a free quote after filling out this form or calling 888-370-3953.

Read our Select Home Warranty review to learn more.

American Home Shield

• Our Take: Best Customizable Plans

• Average Annual Cost: $419.88-$779.88

• Response Time: Up to 48 hours

American Home Shield has the most customizable plan in the home warranty industry. If your Alabama home has unique features or high-end appliances, the premium coverage from American Home Shield will be something you will want to consider. This company has been offering home warranties to Alabama residents for more than 50 years. Considering the amazing coverage choices they offer and the fair pricing of their plans, it’s not surprising they have survived in the industry for so long. Coverage caps are higher than you’ll find from most competitors, and the service fee ranges from $75 to $150.

Pros and Cons

✓ Long record of experience and success

✓ Customizable plans

✓ High payout rates

✓ Unique options for warranty coverage

X Expensive

Plans and Pricing

There are three American Home Shield plans to choose from. The two comprehensive plan options tend to be the most popular. These plans cover a variety of appliances and systems for ultimate peace of mind. In addition, the American Home Shield plans are known for their great add-on coverage, especially for pools and spas. You can build out an American Home Shield plan to work precisely for your needs. Coverage caps range from $3,000 to unlimited amounts, and you can choose from service fees between $75 and $150. 

Here’s a detailed look at American Home Shield’s coverage:

• ShieldSilver ($39.99/month): This is one of American Home Guard’s basic plans, which includes home systems but excludes all appliances. It covers your heating system, plumbing system, electrical system, and AC system. You’ll also get coverage for certain system components, like water heaters, ductwork, garage door openers, and smoke alarms. The price is very affordable based on the coverage you get.

• ShieldGold ($49.99/month): ShieldGold is the entry-level home warranty for home systems and home appliances. It includes coverage for all systems and components in the ShieldSilver plan, plus a warranty for refrigerators, cooktops, ovens, microwaves (built-in only), dishwashers, clothes washers, dryers, and garbage disposals. This option is one step up from the ShieldSilver plan, and the added coverage only costs an extra $10 per month.

• ShieldPlatinum ($64.99/month): The ShieldPlatinum plan is for any homeowner who wants more comprehensive coverage for maximum peace of mind. This plan covers everything in ShieldSilver and ShieldGold, plus it includes a free tune-up for your AC system, roof leak repair, and coverage for permits and code violations. This plan also comes with higher coverage caps to save you the most money over time.

Coverage

For customers who want even more coverage options, AHS also provides add-on services if you’re willing to pay a bit extra. These include:

• Electronic extended warranty
• Pool and spas
• Well pump
• Septic pump
• Guest unit
• PC and TV coverage

To get a free quote from American Home Shield, you can fill out this form or call 888-365-2839.

To read more, visit our American Home Shield review.

The Home Service Club

• Our Take: Fastest Service

• Average Annual Cost: $600-$756

• Response Time: Within 24 hours

The Home Service Club has been serving the home warranty industry since 2008, so it has plenty of experience with providing quality care to customers. This is often the go-to home warranty company choice for homeowners who need coverage to kick in quickly, like in the case of first-time homebuyers or sellers. The Home Service Club maintains generally positive reviews from customers, and it has an excellent selection of coverage options and add-on products.

Pros and Cons

✓ Minimal time before coverage kicks in

✓ Great coverage options

✓ Many years of experience and success

✓ Great customer service

X More expensive than many other options

Plans and Pricing

The Home Service Club offers two plans, one for Standard Coverage and the other for Comprehensive Coverage. The Standard Plan includes protection for both appliances and home systems, making it somewhat unique in the industry. The Comprehensive plan protects everything in the Standard option and adds much more to the coverage. The coverage caps from The Home Service Club can be as low as $500 or reach up to $2,500, making them about average in most cases. You can customize your service fee between $65 and $125.

Here’s a detailed look at The Home Service Club’s coverage:

• Standard Coverage Plan ($50/month): The Standard Plan includes coverage for 18 different appliances and home systems. You’ll get protection for your electrical system, air conditioning system, plumbing leaks, water heaters, refrigerators, stoves, dishwashers, trash compactors, ceiling fans, central vacuum systems, and more.

• Comprehensive Coverage Plan ($63/month): The Comprehensive Plan is the more comprehensive option, as the name suggests. It includes protection for everything in the Standard Plan, plus sump pumps, pest control, plumbing stoppages, gas leaks, attic fans, whole-home exhaust systems, doorbells, and more. This plan has some of the most unique coverage options in the industry, so it’s a great option if you’re looking for total peace of mind.

Coverage

The comprehensive plan includes most appliances and systems that you might want covered, but you can customize your coverage using the add-on services below:

• Water softeners
• Roof damage (limited)
• Pools (excluding jets and liners)
• Spas
• Stand-alone freezers
• Built-in refrigerators
• Sprinkler systems
• Utility line coverage package (includes outside sewer lines, water lines, gas lines, sprinkler systems, grinder pumps, and outside electric lines)
• Jetted bathtub
• Well pump
• Sewer ejector pump

If you’re ready to get a free quote from The Home Service Club, you can fill out this contact form or call HSC at 800-842-9334.

For more information on this company, you can check out our complete Home Service Club review.

Liberty Home Guard

• Our Take: Most Trustworthy

• Average Annual Cost: $779.88-$899.88

• Response Time: Within 24 hours

Liberty Home Guard is the most trustworthy home warranty company in the state of Alabama. The interesting thing about this is that Liberty Home Guard has only been on the market for a few years. In that time, the Liberty Home Guard warranty has earned a BBB rating of A, something very few other home warranty companies have done. In addition to their impressive customer service, Liberty Home Guard has impressive systems in place to get your quick and reliable service. The annual coverage caps top out at $2,500, and the service call fee is only $60.

Pros and Cons

✓ Overwhelmingly positive customer reviews

✓ A rating with the BBB

✓ Streamlined claims process

✓ Workmanship guarantee included for peace of mind

X Expensive

Plans and Pricing

Liberty Home Guard has three plans to choose from. There is a systems plan, appliance plan, and combo plan. This is very similar to the Select Home Warranty plan choices, where the combo plan combines the system and appliance options. However, one of the things that really makes Liberty Home Guard stand out is the large list of add-on coverage options. If you have any unique features to your home that you would like to see covered as part of the plan, the Liberty Home Guard home warranty is an ideal choice.

Here’s a detailed look at Liberty Home Guard’s coverage: 

• Appliance Guard ($64.99/month): The Appliance Guard plan covers most major appliances and some minor ones, but it excludes all home systems. You’ll get coverage for refrigerators, clothes dryers, washers, dishwashers, ovens, microwaves, and garbage disposals. It also includes coverage for ice makers, cooktop exhaust fans, garage door openers, and ceiling fans.

• Systems Guard ($69.99/month): The Systems Guard plan is for customers who don’t care about covering appliances but want their home systems under warranty. The Systems Guard plan includes coverage for heating, plumbing, air conditioning, and electrical systems, plus smaller systems and components like water heaters, ductwork, toilets, and bathroom exhaust fans.

• Total Home Guard ($74.99/month): As you might have guessed, the Total Home Guard plan covers everything included in the other two plans, for just $5 or $10 more per month. As one of the most comprehensive home warranties available in Alabama, this is an outstanding deal and the most popular option among homeowners who choose Liberty Home Guard.

Coverage

One of the most appealing aspects of going with LHG is the extent of the add-on products available to supplement the already comprehensive plans. You can choose additional coverage for:

• Pool and spa
• Additional spa
• Saltwater pool
• Gutter cleaning
• Floor/carpet cleaning
• Sump pump
• Fixtures
• Water softener
• Trash compactor
• Lawn sprinkler system
• Electronics protection
• Swamp cooler
• Ejector pump
• Septic system pumping
• Limited roof leak
• Pest control
• Locksmith
• Free-standing ice maker
• Central vacuum
• Stand-alone freezer
• Re-key
• Second refrigerator
• Wine refrigerator
• Well pump
• TV and PC
• Generator
• Water dispenser 

To get a free quote from Liberty Home Guard, fill out this online form or call 866-451-2281.

To learn more information, visit our Liberty Home Guard review.

Home Warranties in Alabama Cities

How Much Does a Home Warranty in Alabama Cost?

The home warranty cost in Alabama will range in price from $35 a month to over $80 a month. You can choose coverage as broad or narrow as you would like to be able to fit in your home warranty budget. The more add-on or optional coverage that you choose, the higher the pricing is going to be for your plan. Additional factors that affect your price include your chosen service fee, the company you select, and more. The average service fee is around $85 but can range from $60 to $150. A normal coverage cap range is from $100 all the way up to $1,500 for an individually covered item.

Compare the Best Home Warranty Companies in Alabama

Final Thoughts

At this point, you should have a pretty good idea as to which home warranty is going to be the best fit for your home. There are plenty of great choices out there, but Choice Home Warranty stands out as the best option for Alabama homeowners. Taking into consideration the time that Choice has been in the industry, its impressive coverage options, and the ability to get a knowledgeable customer service representative on the phone, this is a home warranty that is worth considering. Still, you won’t make a mistake choosing any of the top five options on this list, and it makes quite a bit of sense to get a few quotes to ensure you are choosing the right policy.

How to Choose the Best Home Warranty in Alabama

Narrowing down the list of the top five home warranties in Alabama to the top five is a great start; however, now it is time to choose just one for your home warranty needs. When you are trying to compare one home warranty to another, it makes sense to consider things like service fees, coverage caps, and plan options. 

• Service Fees: A service fee is the price you pay when you need a repair completed at your home. When a service technician is dispatched, you pay a service fee, and then the rest of the repair is covered under your warranty. If you happen to have many breakdowns in one year, the service fee costs can add up. 
• Coverage Caps: The caps on coverage are essential to pay attention to. Some policies stop covering things once you spend more than $500 or $1000 on a particular appliance or system. Look for coverage caps closer to $2000 or $3000. 
• Plan Options: Some home warranty companies only offer two plans to choose from, and others will have four or five, find something that matches your specific needs and aligns with the appliances and systems in your home.

Home warranties are helpful for all homeowners, but they’re particularly useful for Alabamans. One of the reasons home warranties are so popular is the weather, which is hot and humid. Summer temperatures average in the 80s through most of the summer and reach into the 90s at the peak of warm weather. Most Alabama homeowners run their air conditioners from April through October, and the excessive use can cause damages and breakdowns that are covered by most home warranty options.

Similarly, many home warranties cover ceiling fans, either as a part of their normal plans or as add-on options. Ceiling fans not only help alleviate the need for some AC usage in the spring and fall, but they also help cooled air feel more comfortable. Again, constant use in the hot months can cause damages that can be costly to repair or replace.

Given the excessive heat for long stretches of time in Alabama, swimming pools are common in some parts of the Yellowhammer State. Home warranties typically have pool equipment as add-on coverage options, meaning you can choose that option if you want to insure your pool equipment or protect yourself from high maintenance costs.

What is a Home Warranty?

A home warranty is like homeowners insurance for damages that don’t occur due to catastrophes. A home warranty will typically either cover appliances or home systems, and many plan options cover both. Some home warranties have add-on coverages for unique items and customizable protection plans, which typically isn’t offered at all in homeowners policies.

Home warranties require a monthly payment for access to the coverage, plus a service fee if you ever file a claim and need an inspection or some kind of repair or replacement. Most claims are filed online, just like homeowners insurance claims, and your home warranty provider will often send dedicated service technicians to fix the issues that are covered by your plan.

Home Warranty vs. Homeowners Insurance

While home warranties and homeowners insurance are similar in that they provide coverage for items in your home, they differ when it comes to most aspects. First, homeowners insurance only kicks in when you experience a catastrophe, like a fallen tree, a fire, or a vehicle hitting your home. Home warranties cover things like normal system failure for electrical, plumbing, heating, and cooling systems.

Second, the things in your home that are covered differ between homeowners insurance and home warranties. Insurance usually covers your entire home generally, like in the case of fire damage. Home warranties include coverage for individual system issues and components. Some things covered by warranties and not insurance include roof leaks, plumbing blockages, electrical malfunction, appliances, pools, spas, and much more.

Finally, homeowners insurance includes a deductible, which is a specific amount you pay out of pocket before coverage kicks in. Home warranties don’t have a deductible and instead charge a much smaller service fee for each claim. Home warranties also have significantly lower annual maximum payouts, but they cost far less than homeowners insurance.

How Does a Home Warranty in Alabama Work?

Once you choose a home warranty plan and make a payment, your coverage will typically kick in 10 to 90 days later. Once you’re fully covered, any issue in your home that is included in your home warranty can be reported to your home warranty provider. The entire process is quick and painless:

• Identify an issue in your home that is covered in your home warranty
• Notify your provider to request service, usually via the company’s website or a phone call; some providers have online chats and mobile apps to make the experience even easier
• Your home warranty company will send a service provider to inspect the issue and either repair or replace the damaged appliance or home system component
• You pay a nominal service fee, averaging around $85, rather than the cost of the repair or replacement

What does a Home Warranty Cover?

Home warranty coverage depends on the company you choose, the plan you select, add-on coverage you pay extra for, and some other factors. Generally speaking, home warranties include coverage for either home appliances or home systems, and many plans incorporate both appliances and systems for total peace of mind.

Some of the most common exclusions in home warranty coverage include:

• Heating systems
• Plumbing systems (including blockages)
• Electrical systems
• Septic systems (including pumping)
• Well pumps
• Air conditioning systems
• Ductwork
• Refrigerators
• Ovens
• Stoves
• Microwaves
• Washers
• Dryers
• Cooktop range hoods
• Roof leaks
• And more

Some common add-on products include:

• Pools and spas
• Outdoor water lines, like sprinkler systems
• Outdoor electrical lines
• Sewer lines
• Ice makers
• And more

Some companies have plans and add-on products that include unique offerings, like coverage for pest control, window cleaning, and more.

What is Not Covered by a Home Warranty?

Again, what is not included in your home warranty coverage will depend on your provider, your plan, and your add-on coverage options. Most home warranties don’t include coverage for pre-existing conditions, like ongoing roof leaks or known plumbing issues, damages due to neglect, intentional breakage, and lack of proper maintenance, and cosmetic repairs, like power washing and painting.

Biggest Complaints about Home Warranty Companies in Alabama

Most homeowners in Alabama are pleased with their home warranties and find that they are worth the investment. However, there are some complaints about plans and providers that pop up from time to time.

Most often, homeowners in Alabama use home warranties to cover HVAC and air conditioning issues, as this equipment is most likely to fail, given the excessive heat in the summer months. Some residents complain that air conditioning system issues aren’t covered even after getting a home warranty, mostly because the problem is determined to have stemmed from a lack of service.

Another common complaint about home warranties in Alabama is that the pool coverage isn’t adequate for the issues that pop up most commonly. These issues stem from not reading coverage agreements carefully, so it’s important to review your agreement — especially the parts that matter to you most — before signing anything.

Are home warranties worth it?

It only takes one or two repairs to your home to realize that a home warranty is well worth the money you pay. Think about having your washing machine and your dryer go down at the same time — an unfortunately common occurrence, since most homeowners buy both together. The quote to fix them averages around $900. Similarly, the average cost for a service call from a plumber or an HVAC technician is around $300, and certain repairs and replacement costs can easily reach over $1,000.

Once you consider the potential charges for service calls, it’s easy to justify paying an average of $680 per year for a home warranty. With coverage from one of these plans, you’ll pay just $85 on average per service call rather than the thousands you might pay without a home warranty.

Not every homeowner will benefit equally from a home warranty, but they’re worth the investment for most. Even homebuyers who purchase new properties can sometimes find that there are issues with builders’ appliances or materials that lead to costly charges just after moving in. Older homes can also use home protection, as they gradually become more and more likely to experience breakdowns and problems.

House Method Home Warranty Ranking Methodology

At House Method, transparency and trust are our most important values for the reader. We’ve done the homework for you and have researched over 50 home warranty companies so you can have the information you need to make the best choice for your home. 

Our team spent hours on the phone speaking to representatives from each home warranty company to get information right from the source. We also dug into the fine print on each company’s service agreement to ensure no detail was left out.

To make the most of our research, we developed an objective rating system to score each home warranty company based on the following criteria:

• Plans: Do they provide a variety of plan options? We looked at the number of plans each company offered and the flexibility of adjusting the plan.
• Prices: How reasonable are the monthly and service fees compared to the industry average? We compared the costs of each company to competitors.
• Coverage: How many items are covered in each plan? We looked at the number of items each company covers. We dig into all service contracts available to get all the details.
• Customer service: How is the customer experience when calling the providers? Based on our phone calls, we judged each company’s customer service.
• Trust: What do customers rate the company? We looked into what customers are saying about their experience with the company.
• Nationwide availability: How many states does the company cover? We found the number of states covered by each company.
• Unique perks: Does the company offer discounts or cover special items? We looked for perks offered by each company that set them apart from the competition.