Home Warranty in Austin, TX? Discover Relevant Companies
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Best Home Warranty in Austin, TX
Whether you are a long-time resident or just moving to Austin, there is a lot to love about this premier city and the region. It’s an amazing combination of a college town, tech hub, and roots music mecca. With an official motto of “Live Music Capital of the World,” Austin is basically one giant live music venue you can live in. Pretty sweet (until people swarm in from all over for SXSW!)
So, it’s a great place to live, and you want to make the most of the home you are making here. That’s why we wanted to share details about the top home warranty companies serving Austin. A Texas home warranty can make a lot of sense as a way to protect the investment you’ve made in your home. Here are the top 3 home warranty providers for Austin:
So, we’ve established that Austin has a lot going for it. For all of those reasons, along with the natural beauty and moderate climate, Austin is becoming a popular place to live, not just visit and create chaos during SXSW. The popularity of the city is such that during the past decade, Austin has seen growth in population to around 1 million residents. With this growth, the cost of living, especially housing, has also grown.
Here are a few key data points about the current housing market in Austin. If you are living there, these numbers probably won’t surprise you:
Austin’s median rent increased 38% from 2010. This is about the same increase as Nashville. The increase is less than Portland, San Jose, Denver (45-59%); and higher than Dallas, and San Antonio (17-20%).
The median home price is just below $400K
Even with these housing prices, Austin is still a more affordable place to buy a home than San Jose, Portland, and Denver.
Maybe you are new to Austin, or just thinking about taking the plunge and moving to this amazing city. If you are new to the region, here is a comprehensive guide to all that Austin has to offer.
Whether you just got into town or have lived here for generations, let’s take a close look at everything you’ll want to know before you choose a home warranty plan.
Who needs a Home Warranty in Austin?
A home warranty provides a line of defense for breakdowns due to normal wear and tear on your most common home systems and appliances. A home warranty covers appliances and systems for those wear and tear breakdowns your homeowner’s insurance does not. It is a service contract on those specific systems and appliances. Service providers are contracted directly by the home warranty company to assess the problem on covered items and make needed repairs.
Whether you are planning to live in your Austin, Texas home indefinitely or are in the market to sell, a home warranty is a good idea. Let’s look at how a home warranty can save you money, whether you are a longtime homeowner, first-time homebuyer, landlord, or renter.
As a homeowner, you understand the costs associated with maintaining the appliances and systems that keep your home running smoothly. One breakdown can cause hundreds or even thousands of dollars. A home warranty will cost in the mid-hundreds and cover ALL of the most important home appliances and home systems. And even in a hot seller’s market like Austin, having a home warranty as part of the sale can help make for a smooth home selling experience.
Homebuyers should ask their real estate agent about home warranties for their new home. When a purchased home has a warranty, you have that extra peace of mind as you complete the real estate transaction.
Let’s not leave out the equally hot Austin rental market. With a homeownership rate of 45%, that leaves a huge rental market. Whether you are a short or long-term rental landlord, a home warranty can make property management much easier.
The median rent in Austin between 2015 and 2019 was $1,200 and is likely even more today. If you are a renter who has agreed to pay for smaller repairs, you might want to ask your landlord about how a home warranty can benefit both of you.
Top Home Warranty Companies for Austin Homeowners
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Top 3 Home Warranties for Austin (2021)
Choice Home Warranty (Best Home Warranty for Austin)
If you’re looking for a trusted, industry-leading home warranty company, we recommend Choice Home Warranty. They’re a top-rated brand, and right now you can take advantage of their current promotions that get you $50 off plus one month free. Get a free online quote or call a specialist at 929-400-6169 before this offer goes away.
Choice has the best plans at the most competitive prices, along with having among the highest coverage limits of our top picks. That’s why they hit #1 in Austin and in our national rankings.
$50 off plus one free month
Won’t deny coverage on older systems and appliances
Short reservice period for labor on failed repairs
American Home Shield (Editors Choice)
Another great option is American Home Shield which allows you to choose your own service call fee. This means when you contact AHS and they send one of their technicians out to repair a covered item, you can pay a higher service call fee in exchange for a lower monthly premium. Right now they are offering $50 off the plan of your choice. Get a free quote online, or contact a home warranty specialist at 866-464-7521 to find out how the “choose your service fee” option works, and to get that $50 off the plan you choose.
American Home Shield offers the most comprehensive Combo Plan among our top three, with 23 major home systems and appliances covered.
Large, established company
Higher plan deductibles with lower service call fee
Short reservice period
Select Home Warranty is the most affordable option in Austin. With the overall cost of living being a bit high in Austin, it is nice to have a plan choice that is a bit more affordable.
The main thing that stands out with Select Home Warranty is the fact that you get free roof coverage with their Total Plan. When purchasing a home warranty, it’s common to see coverage for things like a heating system, washer, or even ductwork; however, roof coverage can be more difficult to find.
Even though Select only offers two basic plans, the plans are affordable, and they are a great option for those that may be new to homeownership.
Free roof coverage for the homeowner
Must file a claim quickly, or it could be denied
Top 5 Best Home Warranties In Austin
We’ve taken a deep dive into data on nearly 70 home warranty companies working throughout the United States. Plan costs and plan options vary, so it’s important to know the details of each provider’s strengths and weaknesses. For residents of Austin, Texas, here is what you need to know about our top five picks for your town.
Why is Choice our top pick for Austin homeowners? Because they provide solid coverage, excellent customer service, all at a reasonable price. Their Combo Plan covers over 18 of your most important home systems and appliances, and they have one of the highest coverage limits – $3,000 for repair or replacement of appliances like your refrigerator, clothes washer and dryer, and dishwasher.
Choice Home Warranty offers excellent coverage at a good price, among the lowest-priced coverage with the highest coverage limits in the industry. These are just a few of the reasons Choice scores an impressive 97.5 out of 100 on our rating scale.
Our research shows that their claim denial rating is among the lowest we’ve found, fully half the industry average. They also score well when it comes to good communication. And while they don’t provide coverage on as many items as some of their competitors, their pricing is more reasonable, and you’ll get coverage on the most important, most potentially costly systems and appliances in your home.
Living in a beautiful Austin, Texas home is a big purchase, one worth protecting. If you are looking for the most comprehensive coverage with our highest rating, AHS is a great option. Their Platinum Plan covers 23 systems and home appliances plus offers roof leak repairs and an HVAC tune-up.
AHS has a unique feature, in that you can choose a higher deductible, also called a service call fee, in exchange for a lower monthly premium. You can choose service fees ranging from $75, $100, or $125.
They have a claim denial rate that is below the industry average, and excellent ratings for workmanship and contractor professionalism. But be aware, AHS is not the least expensive coverage option you have among the top five. Also, if there is a problem with the repair made on a covered item, American Home Shield only offers 30 days for free reservice on those failed repairs. This is well below the industry average of 103 days.
Select offers excellent no-nonsense coverage at an affordable price. But there is more to Select than basic coverage. Here’s what we mean.
With average rainfall in Austin of 34 inches, you might want to take advantage of Select Home Warranty’s roof leak repair coverage, available standard at every level of coverage. Also, if you decide to move or want to cover a different home you own in Austin, you can transfer the service agreement with no penalty.
If you decide to cancel altogether, you’ll be paying the highest rate among our top five picks, at $75. If you cancel within the first 30 days, there is no charge.
For solid home protection from an up-and-coming customer favorite, Liberty Home Guard is a good choice. Their Total Plan covers just fifteen items, which is fewer than other comparable plans. But they also offer standard optional add-on coverage, including pool and spa, septic, sump pumps, central vacuum, and even pest control.
Liberty has excellent ratings from home warranty reviews in communication and workmanship. Our research shows that 36% of respondents mentioned good communication, compared to the industry average of 7%. That’s huge! They are also notable as a home warranty company with an A+ rating with the BBB.
Liberty is a smaller company than others in the top five. Liberty has not been in business for as long as some of the market veterans on our list, having been established in 2017. Smaller and newer, but they are off to a very good start.
Total Home Protection has excellent coverage in a Gold Plan and Platinum Plan. The Gold Plan covers major appliances, along with the plumbing system and permanent sump pumps. Most plans put sump pumps in the optional add-on category. The Platinum Plan all major systems and appliances. It has some nice surprises too, like coverage for up to two air conditioning and heating systems.
THP, like Select Home Warranty, offers roof leak coverage as part of their standard coverage. They also offer lots of optional coverage for things like pool and spa, water softener, septic system, even your central vacuum.
With Total Home Protection, you get our Best in Service Company award-winner for 2021. In our research, they score well above the industry average in areas like communication, contractor professionalism, and the speed of work. They get a 4-star rating on Google Reviews. Overall, THP is a great option for your Austin home.
What to look for when choosing a home warranty in Austin
It comes down to the right combination of price and coverage. Whether you rent or own, you are putting a lot of your hard-earned dollars into your Austin home. To choose the right home warranty, you’ll want to understand the cost and the specifics of coverage for major appliances and major systems that you can expect in a good home warranty.
And whether you are getting a warranty for your primary residence or for a rental property, you should be looking for the most comprehensive coverage on the most important systems and appliances in your home, for the best price.
Austin has, in recent years, experienced severe weather that has put a strain on the power grid, leading to outages and surges that can hard on systems, especially HVAC systems, along with home appliances. So there are a lot of considerations when thinking about home warranty coverage on your Austin home.
With that in mind, here are some details about cost and coverage for Austin home warranty providers
Home Warranty Coverage in Austin
Is a home warranty for your Austin, Texas home worth it? When the option is spending thousands on needed repairs or replacement of an air conditioner to combat the grueling summer heat, or to replace a refrigerator that decides to stop working the week you invited your boss to dinner, a home warranty is definitely worth it.
One great thing about home warranty coverage is that there are plenty of options. But before digging into the variety, let’s cover the basics. Coverage comes in three main varieties. The most basic plans are Appliance Plans and Systems Plans. You can also get coverage on both with a Combo Plan. Combo Plans the most popular option, since it covers more of your home’s most important appliances and systems, and does not cost much more than the more limited Appliance or Systems coverage. Some companies offer just two plans, one covering appliances that they may call a Gold Plan, and one that covers everything they might call a Total or Platinum Plan.
You should look for a plan that covers the appliances and systems you rely on the most. In the kitchen, think refrigerator, dishwasher, range/stove/cooktop, built-in microwave, and garbage disposal. Make sure the clothes washer and dryer are covered. Basic systems coverage should include heating system, air conditioning, ductwork, hot water heater, plumbing system, plumbing stoppages, and electrical system.
Beyond that, many providers also cover smaller items like garage door openers, exhaust and ceiling fans, and whirlpool baths. Plans like AHW will also add things like a trash compactor, stand-alone freezer, and instant hot water dispensers to their Platinum Combo Plan.
Most companies offer optional add-on coverage for things like your pool and spa, stand-alone ice makers, well pumps, sump pumps, and septic system pumps.
Be sure to review the specifics of any plan to make sure the items most important to your Austin home are covered.
Cost of Home Warranties in Austin
You want to get the most bang for your buck when you purchase a home warranty. That’s why it’s important to understand the full cost of a home warranty plan. When it comes to home warranty cost, there are two main components: the monthly premium and the service call fee, sometimes called a deductible.
For your Austin home, a Combo Plan will range from $53 a month for a Choice Total Plan to $70 per month for Liberty’s Platinum Plan. That works out to $636 a year for Choice, or $840 for Liberty Home Guard.
Service fees are the other cost. When you make a service request to your home warranty provider, they send a service technician to your home to assess the situation and make repairs when the repair is approved. The Service fee ranges from $60 for Select Home Warranty, up to $125 with American Home Shield. Note: AHS has service call fees as low as $75, but you can get a reduced premium with the higher service fee.
Below is a breakdown of the average cost of the top five home warranty providers Combo Plans.
Another cost consideration is the coverage limits. If you are paying out of pocket for having repairs made or replacements of covered systems and appliances installed, that will be frustrating. Fortunately, coverage limits on all five of our top picks are solid.
For the highest coverage limits, our top two providers offer up to $3,000 per year on covered appliances. AHW and Liberty offer appliance coverage limits of up to $2,500 and Select offers up to $2,000.
When you consider that the cost of home repairs can easily go into the thousands for just one repair, having a home warranty protection plan is like having an extended warranty on all your most important systems and appliances — all for hundreds instead of thousands of dollars a year.
Key Considerations for Austin Residents
With housing prices on the rise in Austin, you want to protect that investment. A home warranty is a great way to do that, providing a way to repair or replace covered items without dipping into your savings to do it. The pricing on a home warranty plan is what you would expect to pay for just one major repair project, but it covers almost all of your most crucial systems and appliances.
As a major hub in the southwestern United States, Austin has low precipitation but lots of sun, and when it’s windy, that wind will kick up the dust storms. This affects air quality, but can also cause wear and tear on outdoor systems like air conditioning and even pools and spas.
The best home warranty companies have plans that will help protect you from the kind of wear and tear damage not covered under a homeowners insurance policy.
There are many things to consider as you make a purchasing decision on a home warranty for your Austin home. We hope this review made your job a lot simpler!
Top Home Warranty Companies Reviewed