A home warranty is a way to protect your budget from unexpected home repairs and expenses. With a home warranty in place, your repair costs can be significantly lower and give you some peace of mind.
With a relatively mild climate, Ames is a great place to own a home. However, homeownership comes with its difficulties, like repairing your home's systems and appliances.
Choosing the best home warranties on the market can be a challenge because of the sheer number of options out there. If you are overwhelmed by trying to compare the different options, keep reading for our guide on the top home warranty providers in Ames.
The first step in protecting your home with a home warranty is determining which provider's plan is right for you. Consider the appliances and systems in your home you want coverage for and compare the plans. Plans can vary, so take into consideration the following factors when picking a home warranty company:
Over 10 years of experience
24/7 customer service team
Home inspections aren’t required
90-day repair guarantee
Plans aren’t customizable
Customers can’t choose their own contractor
Not available in Washington
Choice Home Warranty is the best overall home warranty for Ames residents. Choice has established itself as a company with very high coverage caps and simple-to-understand service contracts. It also has great customer service, professional contractors, and lower out-of-pocket costs compared to other home warranties. The home warranty provider offers 2 plans to policyholders, which have various options for appliance and system coverage.
Choice Home Warranty offers 2 plans for Ames homeowners. The Basic Plan and Total Plan are the options they have, which contain a mix of system and appliance coverage. Choice's service fees are an affordable $85, and the coverage limits come out to about $3,000 per covered system or appliance.
For a more detailed breakdown, read our review of Choice Home Warranty. To receive a free quote from Choice Home Warranty, you can fill out this online form or call 929-400-6164.
Low service fees compared to other home warranty providers
Two months of free coverage
Has an appliance-only, systems-only, and combo plan option
90-day repair guarantee
Has a $75 cancellation fee
Low coverage caps
Select Home Warranty offers the most cost-effective home warranty for Ames residents. Select is a home warranty company with 10 years of experience in the industry, and it has become one of the best providers in the business. When you buy a policy from Select, you will get a highly affordable service fee and free roof coverage upon purchase of a policy plan. Select Home Warranty also has an extensive network of highly trained professionals all over the country who are experts in home maintenance. Select has 3 plans for you to choose from.
The 3 plans from Select Home Warranty are Bronze Care Plan, Gold Care Plan, and Platinum Care Plan. Select's service fees are a reasonable $60, and the coverage limits come out to about $2,000 for each covered system or appliance.
To receive a free quote from Select Home Warranty, you can fill out this online form or call 888-370-3953. To read more, visit our review of Select Home Warranty.
The oldest and most trusted company in the industry
Allows customers to build their own plans
Ability to choose the service fee you want to pay
Broad coverage on up to 33 appliances and systems
Doesn’t let customers choose their own technician
Doesn’t provide coverage in Alaska
American Home Shield is the most customizable home warranty in Ames. The 3 policies that AHS offers include differing levels of system and appliance coverage, as well as add-on options. If you're looking for the ability to customize your plan with the coverages that work specifically for your home, AHS is the perfect provider for you. Plus, it has a remarkably low claim denial rate in comparison to other home warranty companies.
The 3 plans from American Home Shield are ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, and ShieldPlatinum. Service fees from AHS are customizable and range from $75 to $125. The coverage caps are also typically around $2,500.
To get a free quote from American Home Shield, fill out this online form or give them a call at 888-365-2839. Read our thorough review of American Home Shield to learn more.
Policy starts in ten days
24/7 customer service support
Generous coverage caps on important systems and appliances
30-labor guarantee and 90-day parts guarantee
Offers utility and home service outside line coverage
Higher service fee of $95
Not accredited by the Better Business Bureau (BBB)
Only 2 plan options
The Home Service Club offers the best home warranty with the quickest service for Ames residents. The home warranty company offers 2 plans to policyholders with various options for appliance and system coverage. When you purchase a policy from HSC, you will get quick coverage where the home warranty goes into effect just ten days after you pay for the plan, instead of the typical 30 days. The Home Service Club also has customer service representatives available 24/7, as well as a 30-day labor guarantee and a 90-day parts guarantee.
The 2 plans from The Home Service Club are Standard Coverage Plan and Comprehensive Coverage Plan. HSC has coverage caps of around $2,000 for most appliances and systems, but with some plans, the coverage caps can be higher, so make sure to check with the company. Service fees are customizable and range from $65 to $90.
Read our review of The Home Service Club to learn more. To receive a free quote from The Home Service Club, fill out this online form or call 800-750-9443.
Very highly rated among customer service reviews
Covers repairs with a 60-day workmanship guarantee
Extensive list of 20+ add-on coverages
Easy claims process
Isn’t available in 2 states
Won’t cover known or unknown pre-existing conditions
Liberty Home Guard offers the most trustworthy home warranty in Ames. With a home warranty from Liberty, you can benefit from a seamless complaint process and guaranteed service professionalism upon every repair visit. Not to mention, it has a 60-day workmanship guarantee and some of the best customer service in the industry. Liberty offers 3 plans for you to choose from.
The 3 plans from Liberty Home Guard are Appliance Guard, Systems Guard, and Total Home Guard. Liberty has coverage caps of around $3,000 for most appliances and systems, but with some plans, the coverage caps can be higher, so make sure to check with the company. Service fees are an affordable $75.
To read more, visit our review of Liberty Home Guard. To get a free quote from Liberty Home Guard, fill out this online form or give them a call at 866-451-2281.
Five years of industry experience
Fact service with 24/7 customer support
Discounts for paying the annual price
Free roof leak coverage
Limited availability (only offered in 44 states)
Only 1 day to submit repair claim
In Ames, ServicePlus Home Warranty offers the best home warranty for emergency service. ServicePlus has more than 6 years of industry experience and in that time has built a an expansive network of service technicians in the country. The 2 plans from ServicePlus are comprehensive and offer a mix of both system and appliance coverage. ServicePlus has established itself as a company with quick repairs with 24/7 customer support. It also has been expanding its coverage to more and more areas across the country.
The 2 plans from ServicePlus Home Warranty are Gold Plan and Platinum Plan. The coverage limits from ServicePlus are about $1,500. The service fees are an affordable $75, which is less than other providers in the Ames area.
Read our review of ServicePlus Home Warranty to learn more. To receive a free quote from ServicePlus Home Warranty, fill out this online form or give them a call at 478-210-5091.
Established company with a BBB accreditation
Doesn’t have a coverage cap on heating, cooling, or ductwork
24/7 service calls available
Offers replacement of some covered items that are too damaged to repair
Doesn’t let customers choose their own contractor
According to some customer reviews, the technical jargon in contracts is confusing
In Ames, First American Home Warranty offers the best home warranty for appliance coverage. The 2 plans from First American are easily comprehensible and offer both system and appliance coverage. First American offers very affordable and comprehensive appliance coverage. Plus, it also has a unique add-on alongside common ones called the First Class Upgrade, which covers fees associated with the use of lifting equipment, up to $250 per local building permits, haul away services, and appliances and systems that have been insufficiently installed or modified.
First American Home Warranty has 2 plans that provide a mix of system and appliance coverage. The coverage caps from First American are about $1,500. The service fees are a reasonable $85, which is lower than other providers in the Ames area.
To receive a free quote from First American Home Warranty, fill out this online form or give them a call at 833-204-7164. Read more by visiting our First American Home Warranty Review.
Offers home insurance deductible of $500
Extra long 180-day workmanship guarantee
Offers free cancellation in the first 30 days
Charges high service fees of $75-$150
Doesn’t allow customers to choose their own technician
Isn’t available in Hawaii or Alaska
In Ames, Cinch Home Services offers the home warranty with the best workmanship guarantee. Cinch offers a 180-day workmanship guarantee that ensures your home systems and appliance repairs will be professionally done. Plus, it also has a broad range of coverage options that will give homeowners peace of mind. Cinch offers 3 plans for homeowners to decide between.
The 3 plans from Cinch Home Services are Appliances Plan, Built-in Systems Plan, and Complete Home Plan. Cinch's service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $150, and the coverage limits come out to around $1,000-$2,000 per covered appliance or system.
To get a free quote from Cinch Home Services, you can fill out this online form or call 877-589-0505. Read more by visiting our review of Cinch Home Services.
Many home warranties cover or have options to cover appliances and other expensive repairs, which can save you significant money over time.
Get a free quote from our #1 recommended provider in Ames
A home warranty is a plan that can help homeowners save money on appliance and system repairs and replacements. Working appliances and home systems are what make living in an Ames home comfortable and convenient. When these things start to break down, it can be costly and a headache. Fortunately, with a home warranty plan, an affordable repair is just a phone call away.
When one of your systems or appliances experiences a problem, you file a claim with your service provider. You can do so online or by calling them, and then a contractor will come and fix the problem. At this point, you will also pay your service fee. Once the contractor fixes the issue, they will handle it at no cost to you. The only time an Ames homeowner may have out-of-pocket costs is if the repair or replacement is above the item's coverage cap.
A home warranty in Ames usually covers the main systems and appliances in the home. The appliances typically covered under a home warranty plan are the dryer, microwave, refrigerator, oven, dishwasher, washing machine, and more. System coverage typically includes plumbing, electrical systems, air conditioning, water heaters, heating systems, and more. The add-on coverage options can include spa, pool, septic system, roof leak, and sometimes even things like locksmith or pest control.
A home warranty will only help you with repairs and replacements due to normal wear and tear. If you don't take care of your appliances or systems and follow preventative maintenance guidelines, the home warranty will not cover it. Things like pre-existing conditions, lack of maintenance, cosmetic damages, and misuse are not included in a home warranty policy.
Ames's cold winters can put a strain on a home's HVAC system. Whether it's summer or winter, a home warranty is designed to cover your home's appliances and systems in the event they need to be repaired or replaced. For example, if your air conditioner stops working in the middle of July, a home warranty can cover the needed repairs, saving you from spending unexpected money out of pocket.
A home warranty can also provide value in other ways. For instance, some policies can be transferred to another owner during a home sale.
One disadvantage of getting a home warranty is that there are usually exclusions. For instance, if one of your appliances already has a manufacturer's warranty, it may not be included in the home warranty, so it's important to read over the contracts you're considering thoroughly to get a sense of what is included and what isn't. Another pain point of home warranties is that they don't cover systems or appliances that have been improperly maintained. This can lead to your repair requests being denied, so it's important to carefully follow the manufacturer's guidelines for maintenance of your home systems and appliances.
A home warranty can help with some of a homeowner's maintenance concerns, but ultimately, it's up to you to determine if investing in one is a good move for you and your family. Be sure to do your research and read through any home warranty contracts that you're considering getting to understand what repairs will and will not be covered under your contract.
Hopefully, you now feel as though you can choose the best home warranty for your Ames home. When it comes to home warranty company choices in Ames, the best overall is Choice Home Warranty. Its comprehensive coverage, affordable pricing, and easy to understand plans make it a great home warranty for Ames homeowners.
The top home warranty company in Ames is Choice Home Warranty. Choice Home Warranty an expansive network of experienced service technicians and a respected reputation in the Ames area.
A home warranty is a type of service contract that provides homeowners extra coverage for their household systems and appliances. These include refrigerators, garbage disposals, washing machines, dryers, dishwashers, electrical systems, heating and cooling systems, sump pumps, water heaters, and plumbing, among others. Some policies also provide coverage for garage door openers, roofs, ceiling fans, and pools. A home warranty can help you save money if these appliances and systems break down unexpectedly.
Most home warranty policies have a 30-day waiting period before you can make service requests, but some may let you file sooner so be sure to check with the company about this.
A home warranty plan can cost on average anywhere from about $300 to $800 a year in Ames. Our high-rated home warranty providers' most comprehensive coverage options vary from $546 to $840 per year. You can get a lower monthly payment with some companies by opting for a higher service fee. Additionally, it's usually less expensive to pay annually rather than monthly. For example, the warranty might cost $50 a month or $570 for 13 months. In this example, opting for the annual plan over monthly payments saves you $80. The key is to compare plans to determine what the best price is.