By Dan Simms
Updated Jan 10, 2023
By Dan Simms
Updated Jan 10, 2023
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Although homeownership in Texas is worthwhile, the inevitable breakdown of essential home systems can be devastating, especially in the Texas heat. A home warranty can provide Texas homeowners with peace of mind that their finances are protected from the cost of repairing or replacing household appliances and systems when they fail due to normal wear and tear.
House Method’s research team has sorted through the top home warranty providers in Texas to help you find the ideal fit for your home. We’ve gathered custom quotes for major cities, from Dallas to Houston, and pinpointed companies with fair pricing, superior coverage, and transparent contract details.
Home warranties can get pretty pricey, so it’s important to ensure that you get coverage for the things that are likely to break down in your home. Here are some essential features to look for when shopping for a home warranty in Texas
Why Trust House Method
House Method’s Experts collected and analyzed 2000+ critical data points to identify what makes a great home warranty company in the eye of the consumer. Our reviews team used this data to assess over 60 home warranty providers for coverage extent, annual cost, and national availability to provide unbiased reviews so homeowners can confidently navigate key decisions about their homes.
Our experts rated Choice Home Warranty (CHW) a 4.9 out of 5 stars and awarded the company the “best overall” home warranty in Texas. Our experts picked CHW because it’s well-known in the industry for its affordable plans that cover both appliances and systems, which is ideal for Texans looking to protect their refrigerators and air conditioners from the summer heat. We also chose this company because well pumps are an affordable add-on service, so Texans relying on wells for fresh water can get coverage for all of the most crucial items in the area.
Choice has been in business for more than 14 years and maintains a B rating with the Better Business Bureau (BBB). It has remained a leader in the home warranty space for cost-effective premiums under $54 per month and dedication to quality customer service. CHW’s plans are available in 49 states, so transferring your policy is easy if you ever move out of Texas.
Pros
Cons
Though CHW’s coverage only spans two base plans — Basic and Total — both offer combined protection for your home’s essential appliances and systems.
The maximums for many covered systems and appliances reach up to $3,000 per item. The nonadjustable service fee associated with either of Choice’s plans is $85. Most claims are addressed within 24 hours, although some can take up to 48 hours.
Here’s a detailed look a Choice Home Warranty’s coverage:
Alongside its standard coverage, Choice Home Warranty also offers nine optional plan add-ons, including:
Plan | Cost Per Month | Annual Cost | Service Fee |
Basic Plan | $45 | $560 | $85 |
Total Plan | $53.33 | $660 | $85 |
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.
We rated Select Home Warranty (SHW) a 4.8 out of 5 stars and found it to be the most budget-friendly option for Texas homeowners according to our rating methodology. SHW is the most cost-effective home warranty because of its industry-low service fee of $60 which is over $16 under the average, and it offers high coverage caps of $2,000 on items like HVAC.
SHW helps its customers access quality repair work for their home appliances and systems from the start, so repeat servicing is rarely necessary; this is especially important for complex air conditioning systems that see excessive use in Texas. However, the workmanship warranty expires after 30 days. SHW also includes free roof leak coverage with each policy and well-pump coverage is an affordable add-on for any Texan.
Pros
Cons
Select Home Warranty has three plans for its customers to choose from. The Bronze Care option is an appliance plan, whereas the Gold Care level is a systems-only plan. The Platinum Care plan — SHW’s most comprehensive coverage level – is a combo policy with the best overall coverage for Texas homeowners.
Coverage caps from Select Home Warranty are slightly lower than average — in the $200 to $500 range (excluding HVAC)— which is how it’s able to offer such low monthly prices. The service fee from Select Home Warranty is also one of the lowest you’ll find industry-wide at $60 per appointment.
Here’s a detailed look at Select Home Warranty’s coverage:
For up to 30 days after the purchase of your standard coverage, you can add the following additional coverage riders to your SHW policy for $3.33-$8.33 per month:
Plan | Cost Per Month | Annual Cost | Service Fee |
Bronze Care | $44.42 | $479.99 | $60 |
Gold Care | $44.42 | $479.99 | $60 |
Platinum Care | $47.75 | $524.99 | $60 |
To get a free quote from Select Home Warranty, fill out this online form or call 888-370-3953.
For more information, read our Select Home Warranty Review.
American Home Shield (AHS) offers a level of customizability in its home warranty plans that no other provider in Texas can currently compete with. We rated AHS a 4.7 out of 5 stars as the most customizable home warranty in the industry because it gives the policyholder the ability to choose their service fee of $75, $100, or $125 and allows for more flexibility in monthly and annual payment costs.
Founded in 1971, AHS is one of the oldest home warranty providers on the market, with more than 50 years dedicated to protecting over two million homes nationwide. Many common coverage options — like heating equipment, plumbing, and electrical systems — aren’t as crucial to cover in TX. This is because the weather is typically warm enough to put minimal strain on boilers, and a lot of the homes in the Lone Star State are new construction and are at much lower risk for issues with plumbing and electrical components. American Home Shield’s customization lets you cover only what you need.
Pros
Cons
American Home Shield has three standard plan options available to Texas homeowners: ShieldSilver (a systems plan), ShieldGold (a basic combo plan), and ShieldPlatinum (a comprehensive combo plan). Any of these plans can be purchased as-is or further customized to better fit your coverage and budget goals.
AHS also allows policyholders to choose a service fee of $75, $100, or $125. The higher your service fee, the lower your monthly or annual premium will be, and vice versa. The monthly premiums listed below are based on the $100 service fee.
Here’s a detailed look at American Home Shield’s coverage with a $100 service fee:
You can maximize your home warranty coverage through AHS with the following plan add-ons:
Plan | Cost Per Month ($75 service fee) | Cost Per Month ($100 service fee) | Cost Per Month ($125 service fee) |
ShieldSilver | $44.27 | $34.27 | $29.27 |
ShieldGold | $54.27 | $44.27 | $39.27 |
ShieldPlatinum | $74.27 | $64.27 | $59.27 |
To get a free quote from American Home Shield, fill out this online form or call 888-365-2839.
For more information, read our American Home Shield Review.
According to our methodology process, our team rated The Home Service Club (HSC) 4.6 out of 5 stars and named it the “quickest coverage” for a Texas home warranty. Along with buyer and seller-specific plan options, HSC doesn’t require an initial home inspection for new members and has a short waiting period of only ten days before your coverage is active. Compared to the 30-day waiting period enforced by competing providers, a policy through HSC can ensure your home systems and appliances are protected even before you move in.
Founded in 2008, HSC is a Texas favorite for its straightforward sign-up process and same-day claim processing. Service calls are addressed within just 12 to 24 hours. Since one of the most commonly reported issues in Texas is air conditioning systems going down, fast service means you can maintain comfort and safety in your home, even in the extreme summer temperatures. Plus, HSC provides plans that cover both systems and appliances, which are crucial in Texas.
Pros
Cons
The Home Service Club has two primary policies for homeowners: the Standard Coverage plan and the Comprehensive Coverage plan. Customers who choose Comprehensive Coverage for their home will be covered for 15 more items than the Standard Coverage plan for just $12 more per month.
HSC’s coverage caps are slightly more generous than the industry average, varying between $500 and $2,500 depending on the item. We noticed that, in turn, its plans are slightly more expensive than competitors. HSC offers three service fee options of $60, $75, or $95, the first two of which are below the industry average. The fee you select will impact your monthly or annual premium.
Here’s a detailed look at The Home Service Club’s coverage:
For extra coverage, HSC customers can add the following ten optional riders to their main policy:
Plan | Cost Per Month | Annual Cost | Service Fee |
Standard Coverage Plan | $50 | $650 | $60-$95 |
Comprehensive Coverage Plan | $62.90 | $800 | $60-$95 |
To get a free quote from The Home Service Club, fill out this online form.
For more information, read our The Home Service Club Review
We awarded Liberty Home Guard (LHG) the “most trustworthy” home warranty company in Texas and rated it a 4.5 out of 5 stars according to our review standards. It takes a lot to gain the trust of thousands of customers in just five short years on the market. LHG is the only top home warranty company with an A rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and a long track record of positive customer testimonials as supporting proof of transparency and trustworthiness. LHG is a bit on the costly side, but the reliability is worth the investment, in our opinion.
Founded in 2017, LHG has continued to impress real customers and other home warranty industry professionals with its strong commitment to customer service and low likelihood of claim denials. Liberty Home Guard is a great option for Texas homeowners who want a reliable service that will provide resolutions quickly. This is crucial when you consider how important air conditioning is to keep your home safe and comfortable in the Texas heat. LHG offers a 60-day workmanship guarantee as well. If the long hot Texas summers keep knocking out your air conditioning, this guarantee can save you money on service fees.
Pros
Cons
Homeowners in Texas can choose one of three plans offered by Liberty Home Guard: Appliance Guard, Systems Guard, and Total Home Guard. Appliance Guard and Systems Guard are appliance-only and systems-only value plans that are available for customers with minimal coverage needs. Total Home Guard, however, is LHG’s comprehensive two-for-one option for homeowners in search of whole-house protection. This provider is well-known for its extensive list of 41+ add-on plan options, with unique extras like coverage for pro-series appliances and window washing.
Liberty Home Guard’s coverage limits are fair, with most falling around the $1,500 mark. Its required service fee is $75, slightly below the industry average.
Here’s a detailed look at Liberty Home Guard’s coverage:
Liberty Home Guard has the most exhaustive list of optional add-ons compared to any other leading provider, with optional coverage for:
Plan | Cost Per Month | Annual Cost | Service Fee |
Appliance Guard | $64.99 | $700 | $75 |
Systems Guard | $69.99 | $750 | $75 |
Total Home Guard | $74.99 | $800 | $75 |
To get a free quote from Liberty Home Guard, fill out this online form or call 866-451-2281.
Read our Liberty Home Guard review for more information.
Cinch Home Services ranks at 4.4 out of 5 stars in our opinion. It is best known for its lengthy workmanship warranty, which provides outstanding ongoing coverage for damaged appliances or systems after a repair is carried out by the company’s technicians. This means greater peace of mind for your home. The warranty is for 180 days, which is double the industry average of 90 days.
Cinch also has over 40 years of experience in the home warranty industry, making it a trustworthy company. To that end and unlike many other home warranty companies, Cinch covers things like pre-existing conditions, provided they weren’t known about when you sign up for coverage.
Pros
Cons
Cinch offers three different plans: one for appliances, one for home systems, and another for complete home coverage. There are just a handful of add-on options available, but they’re for items commonly found in Texas, like swimming pools and water wells. The service fees average around $125, which is higher than the industry average.
Cinch has high coverage caps — up to $2,000 — and maximum payouts of $10,000 per contract. Plus, Cinch provides up to a $500 homeowners insurance rebate for damages not covered by your contract. In an area where housing booms and rushed construction have led to an increased rate of issues in the home, Cinch’s coverage is one of the best for maintaining peace of mind.
Below is a detailed look at the plans offered by Cinch Home Services:
Cinch falls a bit short based on the number of add-on options you can use to customize your plans. Below is a quick list of all of the items you can include in the above plans for an additional fee per month:
Plan | Cost Per Month ($75 service fee) | Cost Per Month ($100 service fee) | Cost Per Month ($125 service fee) |
Appliances Plan | $50.99 | $44.99 | $27.99 |
Built-in Systems Plan | $57.99 | $51.99 | $32.99 |
Complete Home Plan | $67.99 | $61.99 | $39.99 |
Get a free quote from Cinch by filling out this form or calling 833-743-1056.
Read our in-depth Cinch Home Services review to learn more.
Choosing the best home warranty in Texas can be more challenging if you’re looking for local contractors or coverages specific to Texas homes. We’ve rounded up the top Texas home warranties for each city to help assist you in getting the best protection for your home.
Home Warranty Company | Choice Home Warranty | Select Home Warranty | American Home Shield | The Home Service Club | Liberty Home Guard |
Our Rating | 9.7 | 9.5 | 9.6 | 9.4 | 9.3 |
Best For | Best overall | Most cost-effective plans | Best customizable plans | Quickest service | Most trustworthy |
Average Cost | $45 – $53 | $56 – $62 | $34 – $64 | $50 – $62 | $70 – $80 |
Service Fee | $85 | $60 | $75, $100, or $125 | $60, $75, or $95 | $75 |
Annual Limit | $3,000 per standard item; $250-$500 for add-ons | $500-$3,000 per standard item; $400 for add-ons | Up to $6,000 per standard item; $1,500+ for add-ons | $500-$2,500 per standard item; $500-$2,000+ for add-ons | $2,000-$2,500 per standard item; $250-$500 for add-ons |
Average Response Time | Up to 48 hours | Up to 48 hours | Up to 48 hours | Within 24 hours | Within 24 hours |
State Availability | Not available in WA | Not available in WA, NV, WY, or NM | Not available in Alaska | Available in all 50 states | Not available in WAor WI |
Online Chat / Mobile App | Yes | No | No | No | Yes |
Quote | Get Quote | Get Quote | Get Quote | Get Quote | Get Quote |
A home warranty is a service contract designed to help homeowners protect their finances from the cost of repairing or replacing their home’s system and appliances. So, for example, when your refrigerator breaks down due to normal wear and tear, a home warranty will ensure that you’re only responsible for the service call fee and not the actual cost to fix the fridge.
Home warranties can be purchased at any time for any home, but many of them are customized for specific situations. With a wide range of home styles and ages in Texas, it’s beneficial to be able to pick and choose coverage based on what you need.
Some of the most comprehensive and beneficial warranties are designed for homebuyers and sellers. Home warranties provide peace of mind for homeowners, which can add value to your home during a real estate transaction. However, it’s important to note that a home warranty is different from homeowners insurance.
Homeowners insurance is a general policy that covers your entire home in case of a natural disaster or catastrophe. Most of the time, a large amount of damage needs to be done before the policy will kick in. On the other hand, a home warranty covers individual systems and appliances. It’s not a general policy, so claims can be made much more often.
When your home warranty is in place, you can simply file a claim when you need to use it. Most modern home warranty companies have an online portal system that allows you to submit the details of your request and check on the progress. The home warranty company will assign your issue to a local repair person or contractor. Homeowners will pay a service fee to have the issue looked at and repaired, which average around $76.50, and should be the only out-of-pocket expense.
The process is broken down and simplified below:
One of the most common complaints among home warranty customers is related to claim denials. More often than not, these claim denials are usually due to misunderstood exclusions. Your claim can also be denied if you don’t abide by the time limits for filing a claim, pay your monthly or annual premiums on time, or have proper documentation of pre-existing conditions if required by your provider.
Unfortunately, these claim denials have brought about some instances of disputes and lawsuits for home warranty companies. One such lawsuit — Richardson v. American Home Shield of Texas — found that AC service was denied because the damage was caused by a lack of maintenance. A third-party contractor later found that the damage was, in fact, caused by old age, meaning AHS misrepresented — or misunderstood — the issue at hand.
An article from a local news company — KHOU 11 in Houston, TX, — uncovered similar issues with other home warranty companies. In some instances, water heater replacement and repair were denied, despite the item being covered. Problems are commonly reported to be from a lack of maintenance or old age, and coverage is denied.
As far as home warranties in Texas go, some of the best options will include coverage for air conditioners and refrigerators, in particular, and will have add-on options for well pumps. Total appliance and system coverage is great, but the extreme heat in TX is likely to put the most stress on your AC and fridge, making those two items the most likely to benefit from warranty coverage. Many TX residents also rely on well water, so well pump add-ons are popular in the area.
Generally speaking, home warranties won’t always save you money. If you’re like some TX residents and are moving into new construction — like in Houston, Austin, and other major cities going through a housing boom — then a warranty might not be worth it for you.
However, many homeowners do benefit from home warranties in Texas, especially if systems and appliances are older and are just barely holding up against the hot Texas summers. According to a survey done by CNBC, 56% of Americans don’t have the savings to cover a $1,000 emergency expense. That means that home warranties not only provide savings but also provide peace of mind that is hard to come by when it comes to home maintenance.
Michael Stimpson, owner and manager of Snowflake Air, agrees that “home warranties can be a good investment, especially if you have older systems and appliances.”
With that being said, finding the best home warranty for your Texas home will require some homework on your end. We urge you to read the fine print in any home warranty contract that piques your interest before you sign up. A firm grasp on what is and isn’t covered by a reputable provider is the only way to ensure you’re getting your money’s worth of coverage. It’s also never a bad idea to skim verified customer reviews for home warranties in Texas to get a holistic idea of how companies have followed through from the consumer’s point of view.
The best home warranty company in Texas is Choice Home Warranty. Choice offers a great mix of affordability, comprehensive coverage options, and impressive customer service. In addition, Choice is known for taking on homes that have older appliances or systems. With more than 14 years in the industry, Choice Home Warranty does a phenomenal job of helping Texas homeowners keep their homes in excellent condition.
A home warranty will cover repair and replacement costs for systems and appliances in a home as they stop working due to age-related breakdowns. Home warranties will not cover instances where an item was intentionally broken, not routinely maintained, or failing due to a pre-existing condition.
Home warranties aren’t a requirement for most Texas homeowners in the same way home insurance is, but they’re still a wise investment if you’re looking for full-scale home protection. A homeowners insurance policy might cover you for damage caused by more perilous events such as hurricanes, tornadoes, fires, etc. Still, it won’t protect your home from predictable deterioration over time like home warranties do.
A home warranty company will cover replacement costs depending on the limits of your plan. You may have more money to put towards your home warranty replacement costs with higher limits. Most plans would cover replacements and repairs, especially if the issue was created due to normal wear and tear.
At House Method, transparency and trust are our most important values for the reader.
To create this rating system, our team spent hours researching over 60 companies, analyzing 2500+ key data points, getting the thoughts and opinions of 1000+ homeowners, and speaking to home warranty company representatives directly. We also dug into the fine print on each company’s service agreement to ensure no detail was left out.
We developed an objective home warranty review and rating methodology to score each home warranty company based on several criteria. We used a five-point scale with a point index ranging from 0.00 to 1.00. The minimum awardable value is 0.0, whereas 1.00 is the maximum. These numeric points are translated into star ratings, using whole star increments between one and five.
Here is a quick breakdown of our five core scoring categories:
Additional Home Warranties to Consider
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