Find the Best Home Warranty Companies in Buffalo, NY

Home warranty coverage in Buffalo

A home warranty is a service plan that covers household appliances like refrigerators, stoves, and dishwashers, as well as most major systems, including plumbing, electrical and HVAC. If your furnace breaks down in the middle of winter in Buffalo, a home warranty reduces your out-of-pocket cost to your service call fee — usually between $50 and $125 — and pays for the rest for repair or replacement.

Home warranties benefit many Buffalo homeowners. For homeowners living in older neighborhoods like Allentown or Hamlin Park, a home warranty covers older household appliances and systems that stop working from wear and tear and are no longer under manufacturer warranty. Buffalo residents who own rental properties in Kenmore or West Side might purchase a home warranty to protect their investment. New homebuyers purchase a home warranty so they don’t have to worry about expensive, unexpected repairs right after buying a house, and to help them adjust to the added responsibilities of owning a home.

How to get a home warranty in Buffalo

You can purchase a home warranty in Buffalo at any time. Most plans have a one-year contract term and a 30-day waiting period before coverage starts. When purchasing a home warranty, do the following:

1. Determine coverage needs. What appliances of yours are still under manufacturer warranty? What kind of condition are your major systems like your air conditioner, furnace and water heater in? What appliances and systems are old or expensive to replace?
2. Research several home warranty companies. Get quotes and compare plans. Understand what’s covered. A plan might only cover certain parts of an appliance or system.
3. Check coverage limits. Home warranties commonly have a dollar limit per appliance and per system as well as a maximum coverage limit for the contract term. Any expenses over the coverage limits are the responsibility of the homeowner. Make sure to read through each contract thoroughly before choosing a home warranty plan.

For more tips on what to look for in a Buffalo home warranty, check out the Federal Trade Commission guide on warranties.

Buffalo home warranty costs

Home warranties in Buffalo cost between $375 and $1,160 a year. How much your home warranty costs depends on the coverage and service fee you choose. Comprehensive home warranties that cover both appliances and systems cost the most. Home warranties with higher service fees have lower costs.

Any time you request a service technician to come to your home and diagnose and repair a problem, you’ll pay a service call fee in addition to what you already pay monthly for your home warranty. Service call fees are between $50 and $125 per visit.

We asked for quotes from Cinch Home Services, American Home Shield and America's 1st Choice Home Club to see how much it costs for a plan that covers systems and appliances in Buffalo at the time of publishing. Your exact quote might vary.

Here are the quotes:

• Cinch Home Services: The Cinch Complete Home Plan in Buffalo costs $96.99 a month with a $100 service fee. It covers systems and appliances.
• American Home Shield: The American Home Shield Combo Plan in Buffalo costs $84.99 a month with a $100 service fee. The plan covers systems and appliances.
• America's 1st Choice Home Club: The AFC Home Club Platinum Plan in Buffalo costs $47.92 a month with a $100 service fee. It covers systems and appliances.

Buffalo home warranty FAQ

What is a home warranty?

A home warranty covers the cost of repairing and replacing specific household appliances and systems, including refrigerators, water heaters, plumbing, electrical and HVAC. Home warranty plans are available with different levels of coverage and service call fees. Homeowners may choose a plan that only covers appliances, systems or both. Most companies have the option to add additional coverage for items not covered by a plan for an additional fee.

Do I need a home warranty in Buffalo?

If your home appliances or systems are old and no longer covered by manufacturer warranty, you should strongly consider one. It’s expensive to repair or replace your air conditioner, refrigerator, oven or furnace if it breaks down. Having a home warranty saves many Buffalo homeowners money in the long run.

How does a home warranty work?

Homeowners select a home warranty policy, sign a contract — usually for a year — and pay a monthly premium. If an appliance or home system that's covered by your home warranty breaks down, contact the warranty company and make a service request, which starts the claim process.

A service contractor comes to your house and determines if the breakdown is due to normal wear and tear. If so, the contractor repairs or replaces the appliance or system according to the terms of the home warranty plan. You owe the contractor the service call fee, and the home warranty company pays the rest.

What does a home warranty cover?

A home warranty covers most major appliances and household systems, including kitchen appliances, plumbing and electrical systems, and HVAC. Some plans include washers and dryers, central vacuums or water heaters with standard coverage. Home warranty plans typically have options for add-on coverage for items like sump pumps, secondary appliances, and pools and spas.

Are home warranties worth it to Buffalo residents?

A home warranty may pay for itself after just one or two major appliance or system repairs. With one of these service contracts, you don’t have to worry about paying for an expensive repair out of pocket. Home warranties are especially useful if you have an older home or older appliances. As with insurance, however, there is no guarantee you will use it.