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Best Home Warranty Companies in Alabama

Author Image Written by Dana Getz + 1 other Reviewer Icon Reviewed by Michael Mansueto Updated 04/18/2024

A home warranty plan helps pay for repairs or replacements when aging home systems and appliances fail. Instead of having to find a repairman yourself, the home warranty company also connects you to a network of providers to help solve your problem. Read our guide to learn more about the home warranty companies we recommend for Alabama homeowners.

We compared the best home warranty companies nationwide and determined the top providers in Alabama. We considered coverage options, plan costs, and additional perks before making our recommendations. We recommend Liberty Home Guard as our top pick for Alabama due to its extensive add-on options and excellent customer reviews.

Did You Know?

In the last 30 days, more than 2,500 people bought home warranties from the above providers.

Alabama’s Top 5 Home Warranty Companies

Our highest-rated home warranty companies in Alabama are these providers:

Liberty Home Guard: Best Customer Ratings
American Home Shield: Best Comprehensive Coverage
Elite Home Warranty: Best Flexible Coverage
First American Home Warranty: Best Appliance Coverage

Summary of the Best Home Warranty Companies in Alabama

Monthly Cost in AL Service Fee Response Time BBB Rating Link
Liberty Home Guard Liberty Home Guard $49–$59 $65–$125 Up to 48 hours NR VISIT SITE
American Home Shield American Home Shield $29–$89 $100–$125 Up to 48 hours B VISIT SITE
Elite Home Warranty Elite Home Warranty $44–$58 $70 Up to 48 hours A+ VISIT SITE
Select Home Warranty Select Home Warranty $44–$47 $60–$75 48-84 hours B- VISIT SITE
First American Home Warranty First American Home Warranty $47–$87 $75–$125 4-48 hours B VISIT SITE
Liberty Home Guard
Logo Liberty Home Guard
Monthly Cost in AL $49–$59
Service Fee $65–$125
Response Time Up to 48 hours
BBB Rating NR
VISIT SITE
American Home Shield
Logo American Home Shield
Monthly Cost in AL $29–$89
Service Fee $100–$125
Response Time Up to 48 hours
BBB Rating B
VISIT SITE
Elite Home Warranty
Logo Elite Home Warranty
Monthly Cost in AL $44–$58
Service Fee $70
Response Time Up to 48 hours
BBB Rating A+
VISIT SITE
Select Home Warranty
Logo Select Home Warranty
Monthly Cost in AL $44–$47
Service Fee $60–$75
Response Time 48-84 hours
BBB Rating B-
VISIT SITE
First American Home Warranty
Logo First American Home Warranty
Monthly Cost in AL $47–$87
Service Fee $75–$125
Response Time 4-48 hours
BBB Rating B
VISIT SITE
Company BBB Rating Monthly Cost in AL Service Fee Visit Site
NR $49–$59 $65–$125 VISIT SITE
B $29–$89 $100–$125 VISIT SITE
A+ $44–$58 $70 VISIT SITE
B- $44–$47 $60–$75 VISIT SITE
B $47–$87 $75–$125 VISIT SITE
No results were found.

Note: We based the pricing information in this table and throughout the article on sample quotes we obtained for a 2,048-square-foot, single-family home in Mobile, Alabama. Your pricing may vary depending on your home’s location, size, type, and plan selections.

Why Trust Us? Our review and rating process for the best home warranty companies
57
Companies Considered We carefully considered 57 companies to find the best home warranty providers available.
2000
Homeowners Surveyed We surveyed 2,000 home owners to see what they care about most for home protection.
57000
Reviews Analyzed We went through 57,000 customer reviews of home warranty companies to see what people had to say about each provider.
31
Coverages Compared We compared 31 policies to find the best home warranty offerings on the market.

Reviews of the Best Home Warranty Companies in Alabama

Liberty Home Guard

Best Customer Ratings
4.5 We grade all home warranty companies on the most important factors to homeowners such as coverage, value, trust, transparency, availability, and service. We account for 15 specific data points such as coverage caps, systems and appliances covered, monthly costs, service fees, sample contract availability, response time, claims process, and workmanship guarantee length to then calculate a score, created fully by our Editorial team.

Liberty Home Guard (LHG) is our top provider for Alabama homeowners, offering an extensive list of add-ons and a 60-day workmanship guarantee for repairs. Additionally, LHG provides coverage for working home systems and appliances regardless of age.

Why We Chose Liberty Home Guard

Liberty Home Guard earned 4.5 out of 5 stars in our rating system. It has the best customer ratings of any home warranty provider on this list, holding an A rating* with the BBB and 4.7 out of 5 stars on Google Reviews. We recommend LHG for homeowners with specific coverage needs, as it offers an extensive list of add-ons ranging from pool coverage to water softeners.

Our team spoke with multiple customer representatives to learn how LHG handles customer inquiries. Based on our experiences, it holds up to its stellar ratings, with each representative picking up the phone in under one minute and answering all of our questions thoroughly.

Pros and Cons

Pros Guarantees workmanship on repairs for 60 days Provides coverage for second air conditioning units within standard coverage Offers 38 unique add-on coverage options Cons Lacks transparency in quote process for service call fee Requires you to file a claim as soon as you discover an issue

Plans and Pricing

Liberty Home Guard offers three coverage plans: the Appliance Guard, Systems Guard, and Total Home Guard. The Appliance Guard covers appliances, the Systems Guard covers major systems, and the Total Home Guard plan covers both home systems and appliances.

Liberty Home Guard assigns its $65–$125 service call fee based on your home’s size, type, and location, as well as the plan and add-ons you choose.

Below are the monthly prices for LHG plans. Expect to pay between $600 and $720 annually. Per our research, LHG offers two additional months of coverage if you sign up for an annual plan. LHG allows you to pull a quote over the phone or online.

Here are details on LHG’s plans and optional add-on coverage:

  • Appliance Guard: Covers appliances, such as dishwashers, clothes washers, and dryers
  • Systems Guard Covers built-in systems, such as air conditioning, heating, ductwork, and water heater
  • Total Home Guard: Covers all the items in the Appliance Guard and Systems Guard plans
  • Optional add-ons: Up to 38 options, including pest control, re-key service, gutter cleaning, floor cleaning, and generator coverage. When we pulled our quote, a representative informed us that pest control coverage costs an extra $15 monthly.

See a breakdown of LHG plan pricing below:

Plan

Monthly Cost

Service Fee

Coverage Cap

Appliance Guard

$49.99

$65–$125

$2,000

Systems Guard

$54.99

$65–$125

$2,000 (Plumbing & electrical: $500)

Total Home Guard

$59.99

$65–$125

Coverage caps remain the same

American Home Shield

Best for Comprehensive Coverage
4.4 We grade all home warranty companies on the most important factors to homeowners such as coverage, value, trust, transparency, availability, and service. We account for 15 specific data points such as coverage caps, systems and appliances covered, monthly costs, service fees, sample contract availability, response time, claims process, and workmanship guarantee length to then calculate a score, created fully by our Editorial team.

American Home Shield (AHS) has served homeowners with home warranty protection since 1971. In addition to industry experience, AHS provides generous major system and appliance coverage. AHS is one of the few providers that covers items with preexisting conditions, making it a solid provider if you own older home systems and appliances.

Why We Chose American Home Shield

We rated AHS 4.4 out of 5 stars in our review standards. We consider AHS to be the best provider for comprehensive coverage due to its three coverage plans, multiple service call fees, and solid industry reputation. The company covers several things other companies don’t, such as rust damage and improper installations.

We thoroughly read American Home Shield’s sample contract and found it applies a $2,000 limit per covered appliance in its ShieldGold plan. It doubles its coverage cap to $4,000 per covered item in the ShieldPlatinum plan.

AHS coverage plans provide extensive coverage; even its basic plan, ShieldSilver, covers your HVAC system. Its multiple service call fees allow you to customize your monthly premium to fit your budget.

Pros and Cons

Pros Offers customer service 24 hours a day, seven days a week Covers damage due to rust and corrosion Doesn’t require a home inspection before providing coverage Cons Provides fewer options for add-on coverage than most companies Charges more expensive monthly premiums and service fees than other leading providers

Plans and Pricing

The company offers three plans to customers—ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, and ShieldPlatinum—and customizable service fees of $100 or $125. The ShieldSilver covers a variety of systems, and the ShieldGold adds appliance coverage. The ShieldPlatinum bundles system and appliance coverage, plus additional coverage for refrigerant recapture and roof-leak repair.

Plan pricing will vary based on where you live in Alabama, the type of plan you choose, and the service fee you select. The higher your service call fee, the lower your monthly premium.

While pulling our quote, we discovered that AHS only offers monthly premium options. It doesn’t include an annual premium like other providers on this list.

Here are details on each of American Home Shield’s plans:

  • ShieldSilver: Covers home systems, such as heating, cooling, and electrical
  • ShieldGold: Covers major systems and appliances, such as air conditioning, roof leaks, and plumbing
  • ShieldPlatinum: Covers systems and appliances and adds additional benefits, such as $1,500 for roof-leak repairs
  • Optional add-ons: Electronics, pools/spas, guest units, septic pumps, and well pumps. Based on the quote we pulled, we found that AHS offers competitively priced add-ons. For example, septic pump coverage costs an extra $5 per month.

See a breakdown of AHS plan pricing below:

Plan

Monthly Cost

Service Fee

Coverage Cap

ShieldSilver

$29.99–$39.99

$100–$125

$5000

ShieldGold

$49.99–$59.99

$100–$125

Systems: $5,000
Appliances: $2,000

ShieldPlatinum

$79.99–$89.99

$100–$125

Systems: $5,000
Appliances: $4,000

Elite Home Warranty

Best for Flexible Coverage
4.6 We grade all home warranty companies on the most important factors to homeowners such as coverage, value, trust, transparency, availability, and service. We account for 15 specific data points such as coverage caps, systems and appliances covered, monthly costs, service fees, sample contract availability, response time, claims process, and workmanship guarantee length to then calculate a score, created fully by our Editorial team.

We recommend Elite Home Warranty for homeowners who want flexible premiums and coverage. The company offers three base plans with a standard $70 service call fee (a lower service call fee than many providers) and 27 add-on options.

Monthly cost: $44–$58

How We Scored Elite Home Warranty

We rated Elite Home Warranty 4.6 out of 5 stars in our review standards. We awarded high scores for its coverage and add-on variety. We deducted points for only offering one service call fee and limited online options. Here’s how Elite rated in key categories:

  • Coverage (4.6 out of 5): Elite scored high for its three customizable coverage plans and extensive add-on catalog. 
  • Value (4.25 out of 5): We deducted points because the company only offers one service call fee and charges a higher fee for high-end appliances.  
  • Trustworthiness and transparency (4.8 out of 5): Elite scored well for its excellent customer review scores on the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and other third-party sites. 
  • Availability and service (4.5 out of 5): Elite lost points for its limited online services. Unlike other providers, it doesn’t offer an online quote tool.

Pros and Cons

Pros Includes a 90-day workmanship guarantee for completed repairs Offers higher coverage limits for high-end appliances Rolls your service call fee into your annual premium, avoiding a per-claim charge Cons Charges a higher service call fee for high-end appliance repairs Excludes workmanship guarantee on repairs done with an out-of-network technician Requires you to call for a quote

Plans and Cost

When reading through the Elite Home Warranty sample contract, we learned that the company offers a $15,000 annual limit for all plans. This breaks down to a $7,000 claim limit for appliances and $8,000 for systems, which is a higher limit than many providers. However, claim limits vary among coverage items. For example, air conditioners receive up to $4,000 while electrical systems are capped at $2,000.

We recommend reading through the sample contract or getting a quote for full details on coverage caps. 

Below are the details of Elite’s coverage plans:

  • Elite Appliances: The appliance-only plan covers eight essential appliances, including cooktops, clothes washers, and dishwashers. Coverage caps vary by appliance but are subject to a $7,000 term limit. 
  • Elite Systems: This system-only plan covers eight home systems, such as air conditioning, heating, and electrical systems. This plan has an $8,000 annual limit, though coverage caps vary by system.  
  • Elite Complete: The highest plan tier combines the Elite Appliances and Elite Systems plans for comprehensive systems and appliance protection. 

Based on our sample quotes, Elite Home Warranty charges a monthly premium of about $44–$58. The company has a standard service call fee of $70. It charges $150 for high-end appliance repairs and service calls that occur after hours or on the weekend.

More details on Elite’s plans and pricing can be found in the table below:

Plan

Monthly Cost

Service Fee

Coverage Cap

Elite Appliances

$44.49

$70

Varies per Item

Elite Systems

$49.99

$70

Varies per Item

Elite Complete

$58.99

$70

Varies per Item

Elite offers 27 add-on options, one of the largest catalogs we’ve seen from a home warranty company. Based on our research, most providers offer eight to 15 add-ons. Elite’s add-on coverage limits vary by item. There is a $5,000 total limit per term. 

We’ve highlighted some of Elite’s most attractive add-on options below. View the full list on Elite’s website:

  • Annual maintenance
  • Drainage, sewer, and water service lines
  • Pool and spa equipment
  • Geothermal heating and cooling systems
  • Guest house
  • Septic system

Our Experience with Elite Home Warranty

One of our team members tested the Elite Home Warranty claim process to repair his broken high-end dishwasher. Here’s a summary of his experience:

  • He submitted his claim online and received an Elite claims specialist call within 30 minutes. 
  • He received a next-day appointment for his repair. 
  • The technician arrived on the assigned day but realized the repair would require out-of-stock parts. 
  • After an initial service visit on Tuesday evening, the technician returned with the required parts the following Monday morning.
  • The technician completed the repairs within an hour.

Elite sends in-network technicians to complete its repairs. It backs its coverage with a 90-day workmanship guarantee. If you choose your own repair technician, Elite will pay them for labor at an hourly rate not to exceed the standard hourly rate in your area. You won’t receive any workmanship coverage from Elite if you choose your own technician. However, the local technician should provide their own workmanship guarantee, likely around 30 days.

Select Home Warranty

Best Value
4.3 We grade all home warranty companies on the most important factors to homeowners such as coverage, value, trust, transparency, availability, and service. We account for 15 specific data points such as coverage caps, systems and appliances covered, monthly costs, service fees, sample contract availability, response time, claims process, and workmanship guarantee length to then calculate a score, created fully by our Editorial team.

Select Home Warranty is another company we recommend for Alabama homeowners. Select provides solid HVAC system coverage at an affordable rate. Select prices its plans under $50 per month, and it includes roof-leak repair coverage.

Why We Chose Select Home Warranty

Select Home Warranty scored 4.3 out of 5 stars in our review standards. It’s an affordable home warranty with all plans costing less than $50 per month. Select stands out by offering roof-leak repair coverage in each protection plan. Home warranty companies don’t typically offer roof-leak coverage without an additional fee.

Pros and Cons

Pros Charges low monthly premiums and service call fee Offers free roof-leak repair coverage Provides discounts to customer who purchase several years of coverage Cons Doesn’t allow you to choose your own service provider Limits appliance and select systems coverage caps

Plans and Pricing

Select Home Warranty has plan options similar to those of American Home Shield. Its Bronze Care Plan covers appliances, the Gold Care covers systems, and its Platinum Care Plan protects both home systems and appliances.

In addition to Select’s relatively affordable monthly premiums, the company offers a service fee of $60 – $75 per claim.

After reviewing Select’s sample contract, we found it provides a $3,000 cap for HVAC systems. However, Select limits other covered systems, such as plumbing and electrical, plus appliances, to a $500 coverage cap. Select’s plans include a 30-day workmanship guarantee.

Select Home Warranty offers monthly and annual premium options. Expect to pay between $533 and $573 annually. According to the quote we pulled, Select offers up to $150 off and two additional months of coverage if you choose an annual premium. It lets you pull a quote by calling or using its online tool.

Here are more details about Select Home Warranty’s plans:

  • Bronze Care: Covers appliances, such as clothes washers and dryers, garbage disposals, refrigerators, and cooktops
  • Gold Care: Covers systems, such as air conditioning, heating, plumbing, electrical systems, water heaters, and ductwork
  • Platinum Care: Covers all the appliances and built-in systems in the Bronze and Gold Care plans, plus garage door openers and ceiling fans
  • Optional add-ons: Central vacuums, lawn sprinkler systems, pools, septic systems, spas, stand-alone freezers, sump pumps, and well pumps. Select Home Warranty also offers low prices for its add-ons. For example, it charges less than $4 monthly for central vacuum coverage.

See details on Select Home Warranty plan pricing below:

Plan

Monthly Cost

Service Fee

Coverage Cap

Bronze Care

$44.42

$60–$75

$500

Gold Care

$44.42

$60–$75

$500 (HVAC: $3,000)

Platinum Care

$47.75

$60–$75

Coverage caps remain the same

First American Home Warranty

Best Appliance Coverage
4.6 We grade all home warranty companies on the most important factors to homeowners such as coverage, value, trust, transparency, availability, and service. We account for 15 specific data points such as coverage caps, systems and appliances covered, monthly costs, service fees, sample contract availability, response time, claims process, and workmanship guarantee length to then calculate a score, created fully by our Editorial team.

*(excluding AlaskaConnecticutDelawareHawaiiIllinois, Louisiana, MaineMassachusettsMinnesotaNew HampshireNew YorkNorth DakotaRhode IslandVermont, and Wisconsin)

First American Home Warranty is another reputable option for Alabama homeowners. First American stands out for its comprehensive coverage, value, and plan flexibility. Additionally, First American offers discounts for select new appliance purchases and coverage for working systems and appliances regardless of age.

Why We Chose First American Home Warranty

We rated First American Home Warranty 4.6 out of 5 stars in our review standards. If you own high-end appliances, First American is a solid choice due to its high appliance coverage caps. After reading its sample contract, we found First American pairs each appliance with a $3,500 limit in the Starter and Essential plans, which is higher than other providers. Its Essential and Premium plans offer the First American Advantage upgrade, which protects systems and improperly maintained, modified, or installed appliances—a rarity in the home warranty business.

Pros and Cons

Pros Increases appliance coverage caps to $7,000 per appliance in Premium Plan Provides unlimited coverage cap for heating, plumbing, and electrical systems Includes First American Advantage add-on in Essential and Premium plans, which covers miscellaneous fees Cons Excludes clothes washer and dryer coverage in Starter Plan Offers air conditioning coverage as an add-on in Starter Plan

Plans and Pricing

First American provides three coverage options for homeowners. The Starter Plan and Essential Plan pair a $3,500 coverage cap per appliance. They also cover home systems and appliances. The Premium Plan covers all items listed in the Starter and Essential plans, and it adds coverage for shower heads and luxury appliances. It offers customers the choice of a $75, $100, or $125 service call fee.

First American Home Warranty also offers an annual premium. Annual plan costs range from $540 to $1,040. Unlike other providers that offer annual premiums, First American doesn’t include extra months of coverage or a discount if you choose an annual premium. First American provides an online quote tool or a sales phone line to pull a free quote.

Here are more details about First American’s plan coverage:

  • Starter Plan: Covers built-in microwaves, dishwashers, ductwork, electrical system, heating, plumbing systems, oven/cooktop, plumbing stoppages, refrigerators, and toilet tanks, bowls, and mechanisms
  • Essential Plan: Includes everything in the Starter Plan plus air conditioning, ceiling/attic/exhaust fans, clothes washers, clothes dryers, First American Advantage upgrade, garage door openers, trash compactors, and water heaters
  • Premium Plan: Covers all items in the Essential Plan plus full garage door systems, instant hot water dispensers, luxury appliances, shower heads and arms, and window air conditioning units
  • Optional add-ons: Additional refrigeration, air conditioning for Starter Plan, HVAC tune-up, limited roof-leak coverage, pool and spa equipment, septic tank systems and pumping, water softeners, and well pumps. First American offers limited roof-leak coverage for less than $9 per month.

See a breakdown of First American plan pricing below:

Plan

Monthly Cost

Service Fee

Coverage Cap

Starter Plan

$47–$62

$75–$125

Systems: Unlimited

Appliances: $3,500

Essential Plan

$57–$72

$75–$125

Systems: Unlimited (Water heaters: $1,000)

Appliances: $3,500

Premium Plan

$72–$87

$75–$125

Systems: Remain the same Appliances: $7,000

What To Expect

First American’s online quote tool requires you to enter personal information, such as your name, phone number, email, and home address. You must also enter your home’s type and the estimated square footage. Once you do, it generates your monthly quote. Although there is extra information you must fill out, we found it simple to adjust our premium based on our chosen service call fee. It also conveniently displays each plan’s coverage options below the price figures.

First American’s sizable coverage limits make it a great choice for those who want total home protection. However, it excludes air conditioning coverage from its entry-level Starter plan. You must pay extra to obtain air conditioning coverage. Other providers include it within their basic plans. We would rank First American Home Warranty higher if it covered more states. The company covers the lowest number of states of all the companies in this article.

First American handles claims by sending in-network service contractors to fix your issues. It allows you to use your own if an in-network provider isn’t available near you. One of our team members purchased a plan to test the claims process. He filed a claim for his garage door opener on a Friday and reported First American sent a service technician the following Monday. The technician arrived at his home on Monday and fixed his issue in less than 30 minutes. All he paid was his service call fee.

Our team read dozens of customer reviews. Similar to other home warranty providers, First American holds mixed reviews. A positive theme was how simple it is to file claims. A negative theme involved delays in fulfilling service requests.


Annual Home Warranty Cost Calculator

Our team created a calculator to break down the estimated annual cost of owning a home warranty. Enter your monthly premium, service call fee, and estimated number of claims to see your projected annual cost. It’s best to request a quote directly from one of our recommended providers, as annual costs and service fees vary between them.

ApplianceAverage Repair CostAverage Replacement Cost

Dehumidifier

$50–$200

$1,300–$2,800

Microwave

$50–$400

$60–$2,000

Dishwasher

$50–$500

$400–$3,000

Exhaust Fans

$16–$300

$250–$950

Electric Range

$100–$500

$230–$3,000

Gas Range

$100–$500

$230–$3,000

Dryer

$100–$400

$450–$2,300

Oven

$100–$430

$400–$3,000

Washer

$50–$450

$400–$2,300

Freezer

$90–$500

$160–$2,900

Refrigerator

$40–$350

$200–$5,000

Note: The annual cost figure generated by our home warranty calculator is not an indication of a company’s actual plan cost, as annual costs and service fees vary based on your plan selections and your home’s size, type, and location.


What Does a Home Warranty Cover?

A home warranty covers major home systems, such as your water heater, electrical, and plumbing, and appliances like refrigerators and ovens. Most companies offer three plan options: one for systems, one for appliances, and one for comprehensive coverage that protects both.

Home warranty companies also provide add-on coverage for items like septic tanks and pools to help you create a plan that works for your specific home.


Who Pays for a Home Warranty?

The customer pays a monthly or yearly premium for protection and a service fee every time they file a claim for a repair. The home warranty company will pay the cost of labor and parts for the repair.

However, it’s important to read the fine print in your contract because many companies have coverage caps, which means the company will pay only a certain amount for the repair or replacement, leaving the rest of the cost to be paid for by the customer.


Why Should You Purchase a Home Warranty?

You should purchase a home warranty for a variety of reasons. One compelling reason is that an essential system or appliance can break down unexpectedly; home warranties connect you to a vetted service technician who can fix your issue with minimal downtime. Home warranties also charge a minimal monthly cost, whereas replacing a broken system or appliance can cost hundreds or thousands of dollars. Although your situation may be unique, having a home warranty can minimize the stress of dealing with breakdowns.


Our Conclusion

While there are a variety of home warranty companies available in Alabama, we recommend Liberty Home Guard due to its extensive list of add-on coverage options. Another recommended provider is American Home Shield since it provides flexible and comprehensive coverage. Our final recommendation is First American Home Warranty due to its generous appliance limits.

If you’re still on the fence about buying a home warranty, consider getting quotes from at least three providers to compare coverage options and costs.


Other Resources for Residents in Alabama


Frequently Asked Questions

Can you get a home warranty for a mobile home in Alabama?

Yes, most companies will offer protection for mobile homes. Your mobile home comes with many of the same systems and appliances as single-family homes, which means they require the same sort of protection. All three of the companies we reviewed offer mobile home warranty coverage.

How long does it take for a home warranty to fix my issue?

Your home warranty provider’s response time may vary, but providers typically address a claim within 48 business hours.


How Do I Find the Best Home Warranty Company in My Area?

Find in-depth reviews on the best home warranty companies for top cities in Alabama below:


Our Rating Methodology

We back up our home warranty ratings and recommendations with a detailed rating methodology to score each provider objectively. We conduct research by speaking with company representatives, requesting quotes, analyzing sample contracts, and conducting focus groups and consumer surveys. 

We score each provider against our review standards, which include four comparison categories: coverage, value, trust and transparency, and availability and service. We rate each provider across 31 factors within these categories. Each factor is assigned a point value based on its importance to a homeowner, totaling 100 points. We then convert the final scores to a 5-star rating. 

Here’s a breakdown of our weighted factors:

  • Coverage (40%): We scored coverage based on included home systems and appliances, add-on options, and unique benefits. We also compared coverage caps and policy exclusions.
    • Additional coverage items
    • Annual coverage cap
    • Home systems coverage
    • Major appliances coverage
    • Obstructed wall coverage cap
  • Value (30%): We compared the coverage level received to monthly pricing to determine plan value. We considered premium pricing, service fees, and flexibility in customizing plan costs.
    • Average monthly cost
    • Cost flexibility
    • Lowest service fee
  • Trust and Transparency (16%): We evaluated each company’s reputation using the Better Business Bureau ratings and customer reviews on third-party review sites. We read through plan change policies, workmanship protections, and sample contract availability.
    • Brand reputation
    • Policy change flexibility
    • Sample contract availability
    • Workmanship guarantee length
  • Availability and Service (14%): We award higher scores for faster claim processing and response times. We also considered service technician policies, including options to choose your technician.
    • Claims process
    • Guaranteed response time
    • Service flexibility

To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our Reviews Team at reviews@thisoldhousereviews.com.