Best Home Warranty Companies in San Antonio

Although home ownership can be an exciting endeavor and a potentially lucrative long-term investment opportunity, it also of course comes with maintenance responsibilities. When it comes to appliances, systems (such as plumbing and electrical) and other equipment one option for managing some or all of that maintenance is to purchase a home warranty.

Such a warranty promises to cover repairs to some or all of those components. In return, you pay a monthly premium, along with a fee (or between $50 and $100, as a rule) for each visit to the home to assess – and then potentially repair or replace – a covered item.

Those expenses may or may not prove to be less than you might have to pay out-of-pocket to repair and replace household components over the years. A home warranty may be best-suited to homeowners who fear the potential for big repair or replacement bills that they’d be hard-pressed to cover – and who prefer to pay a monthly payment that might result in help in covering such a bill down the road.

Each home warranty plan comes with slightly different features and costs, so choosing the right plan for your unique home is imperative. Here are the picks for the best home warranty in San Antonio, TX, so you can determine if and how to buy a home warranty that suits your needs.

Our Top Picks for Home Warranty Companies in San Antonio

• American Home Shield: Best overall
• Choice Home Warranty: Best reviews
• Liberty Home Guard: Best reputation
• The Home Service Club: Best coverage
• First American Home Warranty: Best add-on availability
• Select Home Warranty: Best pricing
• America’s Preferred Home Warranty: Best responsive service

Best Home Warranty in San Antonio Reviews

Why we chose it: The best overall pick in San Antonio is the American Home Shield warranty. American Home Shield is a popular home warranty company that provides comprehensive coverage in a cost-effective way, including a number of helpful discounts.

American Home Shield offers three plans: ShieldSilver, ShieldGold and ShieldPlatinum. ShieldSilver covers 14 major home systems, including all heating and cooling, plumbing and electrical. ShieldGold covers all of the base plan plus nine appliances. Finally, ShieldPlatinum, the most comprehensive of the three plans, provides everything from the other two plans plus roof leak repairs, unlimited A/C refrigerant (just make sure to check out what air conditioning company takes home shield warranty in San Antonio) and coverage for code violations, permits and modifications. It even offers a free HVAC tune-up, putting it in contention for the best home warranty for HVAC.

If all of those options aren’t enough, American Home Shield also provides five add-ons, including roof leaks for the ShieldGold and ShieldSilver plans, home electronics protection, pool and spa, septic pump, well pump and coverage for guest houses and rentals under 750 square feet.

While the add-ons are fewer in number than for some companies, the base plans are already quite extensive — there isn’t much that needs to be added. American Home Shield boasts a 30-day workmanship guarantee, meaning that if issues arise with a repair, a contractor can be sent back free of charge for 30 days following the initial work.

Costs and fees for American Home Shield warranty in San Antonio vary depending on your plan and service fee. ShieldSilver is the most affordable plan, starting at $30 monthly, while ShieldPlatinum ranges from $80 to $100 monthly. Depending on your choice, the service fee can be $75, $100 or $125.

Typically, American Home Shield employs and assigns contractors for you, but it’s possible to authorize your own contractor if they meet all the requirements and are pre-approved by AHS before they begin work. There is no coverage for contractors without pre-approval.

American Home Shield has received more favorable reviews than some competitors. It’s accredited by the Better Business Bureau (BBB), which has given it a B rating. On Google, it averages 4.4 stars out of 5, although on Trustpilot it averages just 1.8 stars out of 5.

American Home Shield tends to be very responsive to customer feedback and requests. Its phone lines and online services are available 24 hours a day, and the company says its typical response time is between 24 and 48 hours.

AARP members looking for a home warranty should inquire about a discount. American Home Shield is the only provider on the list offering discounts for members of that group. If you hold insurance with Allstate, Farmers Insurance or SafeCo, you should also inquire about an American Home Shield discount with your insurance agent.

San Antonians have bought American Home Shield plans for over 50 years. The plans are well-rounded, and American Home Shield ranks as a home warranty company with reasonable cost, extensive coverage and a good customer service team.

Why we chose it: Choice Home Warranty is another popular mainstay on the home warranty market — and for good reason. This company earned the best reviews due to its generally positive reception from customers and critics alike. It’s one of the best-rated home warranty companies available in San Antonio.

With a 3.6 rating out of 5 on Google and a 3.8 out of 5 on Trustpilot, Choice ranks high. Many customers rave about fast response times, good customer service and prompt reimbursements. Choice can be reached 24 hours a day and responds within 48 hours.

One point of caution, however, is that Choice scores on the low end with the Better Business Bureau. It’s unaccredited with the BBB and has earned only a C rating with the organization. Choice Home Warranty reviews have been positive overall, and customers are generally satisfied.

Choice’s basic plan costs $46.67 in San Antonio, while the total plan costs $55.00 per month. The service fee is always $85 per claim, regardless of the actual amount of repair required. Add-ons to the plans cost between $40 to $180.

Choice’s basic plan covers heating, electrical, plumbing, water heater, whirlpool bathtub, oven, range and stove, cooktop, dishwasher, built-in microwave, garbage disposal, ductwork, garage door opener and ceiling and exhaust fans.

The total plan adds coverage for air conditioning, a fridge and a washer/dryer. If you choose to go with Choice, you may prefer the total plan, as air conditioning is of course a must in San Antonio.

You can also add on pool and spa coverage, well pump, sump pump, central vac, limited roof leak, septic system, septic tank pumping, second fridge and standalone freezer.

Choice Home Warranty also has a 60-day workmanship and a 90-day parts guarantee.

Why we chose it: Liberty Home Guard is a reliable and safe home warranty provider that has garnered a certain brand loyalty – which is rare in this industry.

Like Choice, Liberty Home Guard also has stellar reviews: 4.7 out of 5 on Google; an A- rating on the Better Business Bureau website, although it isn’t currently accredited with the BBB, and a 3.7 out of 5 on Trustpilot.

Liberty’s monthly fee depends on the size and type of your home, along with your location. The price of the Total Home Guard plan, which offers the most expansive coverage, ranges from about $70 to $80. The range for only the Appliance Guard or System Guard plans is about $58 to $70.

The service fee for each visits ranges between about $80 to $125. While that’s a higher price point than some other companies, at least at the high end of the range, it arguably shouldn’t be a reason to reject Liberty Home Guard out of hand.

Liberty offers three main plans. The first is the Appliance Guard, which strictly covers appliances, including washers and dryers, refrigerators, dishwashers, garbage disposals and more.

The Systems Guard plan covers only major systems, including air conditioning, heating, ductwork, plumbing, electrical and water heaters. The third plan, Total Home Guard, is simply both plans combined.

Although these plans are extensive and comprehensive in their coverage, you will need to spring for the Total Home Guard plan if you wish to have appliance repairs and major home systems covered together.

One of the best features of Liberty Home Guard is its extensive add-on list, which outdoes that of most other warranty companies and makes their plans very customizable. Examples of the company’s 40 add-ons include coverage for pools and spas, sump pumps, well pumps, septic system pumping, central vacuums, limited roof leaks, lighting fixtures and water softeners.

Under certain circumstances, Liberty allows you to choose your contractors, provides a 60-day workmanship guarantee and doesn’t require a home inspection. With a claimed response time of between 24 and 48 hours, and coupons and promotions available directly on their website, Liberty Home Guard promises to be a steady choice with a fine reputation.

Why we chose it: The choice for the best coverage overall is the Home Service Club.

The company’s standard coverage includes all the main appliances, such as refrigerator, dishwasher, washer and dryer and more, as well as the main major systems, like air conditioning, heating, electrical, plumbing, etc.

The comprehensive plan includes all of that and adds coverage for plumbing stoppages, ductwork, gas leaks, pest control, whirlpool coverage, alarm wiring, telephone wiring, smoke detectors, exhaust and attic fans, a sump pump, doorbells, hot water pumps and hot and cold water dispensers.

Prices are reasonable for what is offered. Fees range between about $45and $60 per month, and  service calls cost $65, $95 or $125.

The Home Service Club also offers a competitive range of add-ons. These include coverage for utility and service lines, roof leaks, pools and spas, spa heaters, sewage ejector pumps, well pumps, water softeners, jetted bathtubs, built-in fridges with dual compressors, freestanding freezers, sprinkler system and home irrigation system line coverage.

The company also ranks high for technician choice. Unlike some other warranty companies, you can choose your own contractor if you get advance approval for the provider and the contractor meets all requirements. With a 4.8 out of 5 average rating for customer reviews on Google, customers appear pleased with the service they are receiving.

That said, one point of potential concern lies with the Better Business Bureau. The Home Service Club isn’t accredited by the BBB, and has a mediocre C rating with the group.

Home Service Club takes service requests 24/7, but has no specific guaranteed response time. No home inspection is needed. An unusual and welcome feature is the company’s short waiting period after you sign up; it takes only 10 days for service to go into effect.

With so many add-on options, a comprehensive plan and a short waiting period, Home Service Club is one of the best home warranty companies available in San Antonio.

Why we chose it: The choice for the best add-on availability is First American Home Warranty. Pricing is fairly comparable to the market as a whole. Basic coverage is $420 per year and comprehensive coverage is $550, with a $75 fee for service calls.

The basic plan coverage includes a dishwasher, kitchen range hood, trash compactor, oven, range and cooktop, built-in microwave, kitchen fridge, washer and dryer and fans.

The premier plan includes all of that coverage, plus electrical, a central air vacuum, a garage door opener, a water heater, plumbing, plumbing stoppages, heating and ductwork.

The add-on coverage is where First American Home Warranty really shines. Supplementary optional items include coverage for additional refrigerators, pool and spa, well pumps, a septic tank system and pumping and an HVAC tune-up.

Since First American’s exclusions under their plans can be extensive, there’s also a first class upgrade that adds more comprehensive coverage of appliances and systems that are ready included. This enhancement may also allow you to select your own contractor with pre-approval.

The reputation of First American Home Warranty review is decent, though not quite as good as the best-regarded warranty companies. The company scores a 3.3 out of 5 rating on Google and 3.7 out of 5 on Trustpilot. The Better Business Bureau rating for First American home warranty in San Antonio is a respectable B.

Many reviews express approval for First American’s speedy responses, which the company says come within 48 hours of comments being made.

Finally, the company provides discounts for those who have military service.

Why we chose it: The most competitive pricing choice is Select Home Warranty, which is the most affordable and cost-effective option overall.

The pricing for Select’s Bronze Care and Gold Care packages are $479.99 each a year, or $44 a month. The Platinum Care package costs $524/year or $47 a month. Paying for a full year of service means you qualify for an additional two free months of coverage – which essentially reduces the costs for coverage to about $38 (Bronze and Gold) or $40 (Platinum).

The service fee is an industry low of $65, although sometimes the charge is (a still-modest) $75.

Low price points wouldn’t count for much if the plans themselves didn’t deliver decent coverage and garner decent user reviews. Fortunately, Select’s plans appear to deliver on both counts.

The Gold Care plan covers major systems, including heating and cooling, plumbing, electrical, water heater and ductwork. The Bronze Care plan covers appliances, including a washer and dryer, garbage disposal, fridge, stove/oven, cooktop, built-in microwave and dishwasher.

Finally, the Platinum Care plan combines all of the Gold and Bronze coverage with that for the garage door opener and ceiling fan, and for plumbing stoppages. While this coverage falls a little short of top-of-the-line packages with some other companies, it hits all the essentials and gets the job done.

More impressive than the base plans are the add-ons. Plumbing and lighting fixtures, pools and spas (in-ground set-ups only), well pumps, sump pumps, septic systems, central vacuum, second refrigerators, stand-alone freezers, lawn sprinkler systems and built-in refrigerator ice makers are all offered a la carte, allowing you to build a customizable plan based on your needs. Limited roof leak repairs are free for new joiners — just be sure to include them in the add-on process.

You may choose your own contractor if they pass the vetting process, which allows further flexibility. If you opt for Select’s own technicians, the company says it responds to calls for service by sending a technician within 48 hours.

Reviews of Select come in at a respectable average of 4.0 out of 5 on Google and 3.5 out of 5 on Trustpilot. The company isn’t accredited with the Better Business Bureau, and manages only a middling B- rating with the organization.

In addition to that bonus of two additional months free for every twelve for which you pay, you can usually get a $100 to $200 additional discount. That further adds to the cost-effectiveness of Select’s plans.

Since it costs only a few dollars more per month, the more comprehensive Platinum package represents the best value among the company’s three plan options.

Why we chose it: The choice for the best, most responsive service is America’s Preferred Home Warranty. The company has built a strong rapport with its customer base, earning it an average rating on Google of 4.1 out of 5, with customers praising its responsiveness and rapid work. Based on those reviews, America’s Preferred seems often to take the time to reply to reviews, reach out to customers and provide fine customer service.

This company only has one plan. It comes with two payment options — either $54.92/month with a $50 deductible or $50.75/month with a $100 deductible.

The plan’s appliance coverage comprises a dishwasher, range, fridge, washer/dryer, water heater, attic and exhaust fans, garbage disposal, built-in microwave and humidifier. The systems covered are heating and central air, septic, electrical, plumbing, plumbing stoppages, exterior water and sewer line, sump pump, roof leak repair, and ductwork.

Add-on options include coverage for additional fridges, pool/spa (premium and saltwater), gas fireplace, sprinkler system, termite control and water softener.

America’s Preferred allows you to choose your own contractor, an option that not all warranty companies allow. It has earned a decent 3.26 out of 5 customer rating and an overall (excellent) A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau, with which the company is accredited. However, the company fares less well on Trustpilot, where it garners just 1.4 out of 5 stars.

Many negative reviews on Trustpilot complain that certain issues weren’t covered by the company.

America’s Preferred replies to almost all customers and has resolved many complaints. Furthermore, the list of what isn’t covered is clear and easy to locate on the website.

One additional – and all but unique – facet of America’s Preferred is its customer loyalty program. Customers can join it at no cost to access exclusive deals and discounts at over 260 retailers.

Other companies we considered

First Premier Home Warranty

First Premier Home Warranty is a fairly new company, as it only opened in 2020. Though this is a promising choice, you may prefer a more established provider.

Cinch Home Warranty

Cinch Home Warranty is a reliable company with many good reviews. In particular, it offers some unique perks and a stellar 180-day workmanship guarantee you can’t find from any other company. However, its prices are comparatively high, and the coverage is fairly standard.

ServicePlus Home Warranty

ServicePlus Home Warranty is another promising new company, founded in 2016. Although ServicePlus offers good discounts early on and has comprehensive coverage options, their coverage caps are lower than the industry standard.

Home Warranty of America

Home Warranty of America has been in business for almost 30 years and provides service in all 50 states. The coverage is merely average for the price point.

Complete Appliance Protection

Complete Appliance Protection is well-known for its high level of customer satisfaction and stellar A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau. However, the coverage is limited and mostly focused on appliances with little coverage for major systems.

Best Home Warranty Providers in San Antonio Guide

What is a home warranty plan?

A home warranty plan is a contract that promises to cover the cost of maintenance and repairs to your home for a pre-agreed upon fee for a set period of time, usually one year. Some home warranty plans provide a certified contractor, while others allow you the freedom to choose your own.

Something commonly misunderstood by homeowners is the distinction between a home warranty and home insurance. Homeowner’s insurance covers you in the event of an emergency, such as theft or significant damage to your home. Most mortgage companies require you to have homeowner’s insurance.

By contrast, a home warranty covers repairs and (at least partial) replacement of your home’s major systems and appliances due to normal wear and tear. The company and plan option you select will determine your coverage, fees and limits.

How do home warranties work?

When you sign a home warranty contract, you can typically elect to pay either annually or month-to-month. If you need to file a claim, a contractor will be sent to your home, and you will pay a service fee, normally $75 to $150. The contractor and warranty company will determine whether to service, repair or replace the problematic appliance or system. Most home warranty companies explain how to file a home warranty claim on a website.

Note that home warranty companies only cover what is stipulated in the warranty’s conditions. Sometimes certain parts within a major system or appliance aren’t covered. Be careful to review the specifics of what is covered to avoid disappointment.

Also, be aware that companies often reserve the right not to repair an older system or appliance. Instead, they may elect to reimburse you for the depreciated value of the failed unit. And that amount may fall well short of the actual cost of replacement – and replacement by a new item, in particular.

How to pick home warranty coverage

Knowing the best home warranty option in San Antonio requires a little legwork, since every homeowner’s priorities differ. Here are a few questions to guide you when assessing any home warranty company.

How well does it meet your needs?

Take stock of the major systems and appliances in your home. Review each home warranty company’s offerings and ensure the systems and appliances you most want to be covered are included.

Consider fees and possible charges for extra coverage

Home warranty companies vary not only in their plan payments but in the (non-refundable) fee you’ll need to pay whenever you request service to an appliance or system.In addition, some companies have deductibles – amounts that you need to pay every year before coverage kicks in.

If plans do not match the items you’d want covered under a warranty, you’ll need to decide the value of paying for add-on coverage. Options that could cost you include covering pools, central vacuum systems, extra fridges and standalone freezers.

Be careful not to reject companies with higher plan costs out of hand, only to find that the coverage add-ons you’d want to add to “cheaper” companies might meet or exceed any difference in monthly plan costs.

How We Chose the Best Home Warranty in San Antonio

Coverage

When you make the investment in a home warranty plan, you want the security of knowing you’re covered. One of the most important aspects of each home warranty company examined was how extensive the coverage was and whether it would meet the needs of the average San Antonian.

Add-ons

Special consideration was given to companies with extensive add-on choices at good prices.

Reviews

Social proof matters. Customer reviews and formal publications gave an understanding of each company’s customer service, quality of work and general effectiveness. Our analysis focused on reviews left with Google, Trustpilot and the Better Business Bureau.

Special offers

Many of the best home warranty companies in San Antonio offer discounts or special pricing to certain groups of people or new customers, which was taken into account when making this list. Some companies on the list offer significant sign-up discounts, such as $200 off the first year and two months free. Others offer discounts to veterans, AARP members and more. These discounts can be significant so be sure to check with your provider.

Freedom to choose technicians

You’re not alone if you value choice regarding your service provider. The flexibility of technician choice was determined, and factored into our choices.

Response times

When there’s a serious issue in your home, it needs to be handled quickly. The promised response times, as indicated by the companies themselves, helped us to determine the best home warranty companies.

Costs and service fees

Finally, one of the most important considerations in choosing the best home warranty companies in San Antonio is cost-effectiveness. The chosen companies have various price points to suit your budget and provide as much service for the price as possible.

Summary of Best Home Warranty Companies in San Antonio of 2022

• American Home Shield: Best overall
• Choice Home Warranty: Best reviews
• Liberty Home Guard: Best reputation
• The Home Service Club: Best coverage
• First American Home Warranty: Best add-on availability
• Select Home Warranty: Best pricing
• America’s Preferred Home Warranty: Best responsive service