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Home Warranty

6 best home warranty companies in Albany, New York

Jesus Sanchez Garcia

HOMEFRONT

Updated Jun 22, 2024

Get a quote from our top provider, Liberty Home Guard

Our Methodology

We've ranked the top 6 home warranty companies that operate within 50 miles of Albany. We base our ranking off average customer ratings weighted against the number of reviews. For more information, check out our full methodology.

Companies Selected

A home warranty gives you financial protection if a major home system or appliance suddenly breaks down. For a monthly fee, the warranty company covers repair and replacement costs for items such as HVAC units and refrigerators when they break down from normal wear.

Many key home systems break down before hitting the 10 to 15-year mark. HVAC systems typically last just seven to 25 years. The normal lifespan for water heaters is only six to 12 years, and most major appliances today fail after 20 years, according to the experts at the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors.

If your Albany home contains aging furnaces, dishwashers or other appliances, you'll probably encounter an untimely failure. These top-rated home warranty firms offer robust coverage at fair prices.

Albany gets its fair share of winter storms, which can affect both your roof and heating system. Breakdowns could lead to hefty bills, but with a home warranty, you'll have a robust financial shield and access to a few additional perks.

Our Top Pick

4.5

Our Rating

Extends 60-day workmanship guarantee
Holds high customer ratings
Offers customization with 38 add-ons

Explore Plans

4.4

Our Rating

Covers rust and corrosion damage
Offers comprehensive coverage limits
Provides flexible service fees

Limited Time Offer: 50% Off

Explore Plans

3.8

Our Rating

Charges low premiums
Includes roof-leak coverage
Offers solid HVAC coverage

Explore Plans

Find the best home warranty for you in Albany

Here's our list of the best home warranty companies in Albany:

2-10 Home Buyers Warranty

4.5/5

EXPLORE PLANS

Average monthly costs: $22.00 - $80.00

2-10 offers flexible service fees and perks like an appliance color-match program. Through its "Even If" guarantee, it also refunds service fees if repairing or replacing a covered item isn't possible.

What we like

Offers a $25,000 annual coverage cap
Pairs plans with a plan-length workmanship guarantee
Offers unique perks such as color matching appliance replacements

What we don't like

Charges a monthly processing fee if you choose monthly premiums
Excludes washer and dryer coverage from most plans

Liberty Home Guard

4.6/5

EXPLORE PLANS

Average monthly costs: $49.99 - $59.99

Liberty Home Guard offers 38 different coverage add-ons – the most of any home warranty company we researched. Each covered repair also comes with a 60-day workmanship guarantee.

What we like

Holds high ratings among customer service reviews
Covers repairs with a 60-day workmanship guarantee
Offers an extensive list of 40+ add-on coverages
Provides an easy claims process

What we don't like

Lacks transparency on service call fee pricing
Excludes coverage for known or unknown pre-existing conditions

Elite Home Warranty

4.4/5

EXPLORE PLANS

Average monthly costs: $48.98 - $59.99

Elite lets you fully customize a plan for your exact coverage needs. It also provides an exceptionally long 90-day workmanship guarantee.

What we like

Allows you to choose your technician
Extends a 90-day workmanship guarantee
Offers more than 25 add-ons

What we don't like

Charges higher service fees for high-end appliances
Doesn't provide an online quote
Limits repair and replacement coverage caps for older items

American Home Shield

4.4/5

EXPLORE PLANS

Average monthly costs: $29.99 - $89.99

Founded in 1971, American Home Shield was one of the country's first home warranty companies. Today, it offers three coverage plans and six supplementary add-ons.

What we like

Offers generous coverage caps
Allows customers to build their own plans
Provides the option to choose the service fee you want to pay

What we don't like

Doesn’t let customers choose their own technician
Offers limited add-on options

Cinch Home Services

4.3/5

EXPLORE PLANS

Average monthly costs: $38.99 - $66.99

Cinch has some unique home warranty offerings and coverage perks, including homeowners insurance deductible reimbursement. Just like many other companies, it also offers flexible service fees that give you a greater say in your premium.

What we like

Offers home insurance deductible of $500
Extends a long 180-day workmanship guarantee
Provides generous $10,000 aggregate coverage limit

What we don't like

Charges high service fees of $100-$150
Doesn’t allow customers to choose their own technician
Isn’t available in Hawaii or Alaska

Select Home Warranty

3.9/5

EXPLORE PLANS

Average monthly costs: $44.42 - $47.75

Roof leak repair coverage is a rare perk that Select offers to its customers. It's also a good company to keep on your shortlist if affordable premiums are your top priority.

What we like

Provides low service fees compared to other home warranty providers
Includes two extra months of coverage in annual signup
Has an appliance-only, systems-only, and combo plan option

What we don't like

Has a $75 cancellation fee
Low coverage caps

Cost of a home warranty in Albany

The typical monthly cost of a home warranty in Albany is $41 to $70, in line with the national average. If you're paying on an annual basis, expect to spend anywhere from $563.62–$927.48 per year. To calculate national cost data, we requested hundreds of quotes for 2,000-square-foot, single-family homes across each state that the providers service.

Home warranty coverage

With a home warranty, you'll have extra coverage for home appliances and major systems. However, it's not a substitute for homeowners insurance, and there are some exclusions to coverage. Below, we'll discuss what's generally covered and what's not.

What are the typical items covered under a home warranty?

Refrigerators
Washing machines
Cooktops
Clothes dryers
Built-in microwaves
Dishwashers

The first category of items a home warranty provides coverage for is kitchen appliances and household items. This consists of the following: When you purchase a home warranty, you're also getting coverage for major home systems. While different plans have unique coverage scopes for this category, the following systems may be included:

Electrical
HVAC
Water heater
Plumbing
Central vacuum

What items are typically not covered under a home warranty?

As with many other service contracts, home warranties won't cover certain appliances or components. These are called exclusions. Generally, home warranties don't cover item breakdowns caused by damage outside of normal wear and tear. For example, if your air conditioner malfunctions due to a dirty air filter, home warranty companies probably won't cover the repairs since air filter replacement falls under routine maintenance. Home warranties also don't cover cosmetic damage, improper system or appliance installation, acts of nature, rust or corrosion damage, hazardous waste and preexisting conditions.

Questions to ask home warranty providers in Albany

Before purchasing a home warranty coverage plan, we recommend asking providers the following questions.

What items will my policy cover?

First, determine what items need coverage before requesting a home warranty quote. Some providers separate appliance and system coverage, so verify that the company has plans to meet your particular needs. Many companies also sell optional add-ons, covering things like wells and septic tank pumping. Consider whether any add-ons fit your situation.

How long is my home warranty good for?

Generally, a home warranty plan lasts for 12 months from the coverage effective date, which is 30 days after the initial sign-up date. Home warranty companies include a 30-day waiting period to prevent customers from filing claims for preexisting conditions. A home warranty may last longer than 12 months if you purchase a multiyear plan.

What contractors do you work with?

Be sure to ask about the warranty provider's network of licensed service contractors. Companies will usually have strict licensing requirements and other standards for a contractor to get repair approval. If there are no partner contractors near where you live, the company might let you choose your own. You can verify a contractor's license by searching your local or county government database.

How does your claims approval process work?

Knowledge of your warranty company's claim process can make all the difference between an approval and a denial. If you're facing a covered issue, you can usually file a claim via a phone hotline or online. While most claims should have a one to two-day turnaround, there might be delays if you file outside standard business hours. Once the provider receives your claim, someone will review it and connect you with an in-network service provider. The contractor will schedule a visit, diagnose the problem, and then request final approval from the home warranty provider before starting repairs.

Can I transfer my policy to the next owner of my home?

If you're selling your home, you may be able to transfer your policy to the new homeowner. Some companies will handle the transfer without cost, while others charge a transfer fee. Home warranty companies might also sell separate, special coverage plans that you can easily transfer to prospective homebuyers. Sellers can purchase these plans to enhance their home's appeal in a competitive market.

Home warranty contract fine print

Before you choose a home warranty, carefully read its terms and conditions to ensure they're aligned with your needs. As you read through the sample contract, focus on these key details and clauses:

Exclusions: Home warranties have both general exclusions and ones specific to components. Even if an appliance or system is generally covered, your warranty might not cover some specific parts if they suffer damage. Read your sample contract carefully to be aware of what is not covered.
Cancellation: Companies typically outline how they process cancellations in their fine print. Many providers will refund the entire plan premium if you cancel within the first 30 days of sign-up.
Coverage limit: The coverage limit puts a monetary cap on how much the home warranty company will pay per repair. There may be further stipulations, such as an annual coverage limit.
Service call fee: Each time you file a claim, the home warranty or repair company will levy a service call fee. These fees usually run from $75 to $125.
Workmanship guarantee: Workmanship guarantees temporarily protect you from additional service call fees if an in-network technician doesn't adequately address a covered issue. Most guarantees are 30 days long, but some companies offer longer periods.

Facts about Albany

Average High in July

78°F

Albany

83°F

National Average

Average Low in January

15°F

Albany

17°F

National Average

Average Daily Sunlight

59%

Albany

69%

National Average

Our Top Pick

4.5

Our Rating

Extends 60-day workmanship guarantee
Holds high customer ratings
Offers customization with 38 add-ons

Explore Plans

4.4

Our Rating

Covers rust and corrosion damage
Offers comprehensive coverage limits
Provides flexible service fees

Limited Time Offer: 50% Off

Explore Plans

3.8

Our Rating

Charges low premiums
Includes roof-leak coverage
Offers solid HVAC coverage

Explore Plans

Our methodology for selecting home warranty providers

We review national home warranty providers against our full home warranty methodology. We score warranty providers based on coverage options and limits, price, brand reputation, customer service, extra features and availability.

Editorial note: The name “Homefront” refers to the alliance between USA TODAY and Home Solutions that publishes review, comparison, and informational articles designed to help USA TODAY readers make smarter purchasing and investment decisions about their home. Under the alliance, Homefront provides and publishes research and articles about home service and home improvement topics. Homefront has an affiliate disclosure policy. The opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Homefront editorial staff alone (see About Homefront). Homefront adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. The information is believed to be accurate as of the publish date, but always check the provider’s website for the most current information. Go back to top

Our editors may use AI as an input tool to tailor information in local markets. All content goes through a rigorous research and review process led by our team of writers and editors.

6 best home warranty companies in Albany, New York