Disclosure: We may earn a commission for quotes accepted by consumers, but this doesn’t affect the authenticity of our review process.
Listed below are our highly vetted and curated list of the best home warranty companies in the market.
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With over 50 years of experience backing this giant, American Home Shield (AHS) makes an appearance in every top home warranty list. Their coverage, plans, and dollar limits seem to be generous and designed keeping homeowner needs in mind. The company has a customer base with a largely positive experience. This factor could be why many customers stay with them for years.
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Choice Home Warranty (CHW) is another industry giant with a nationwide network of 25,000 contractors and over 4.5 million service requests handled in all. Their 24/7 customer service is available to process claims for any of the 1.5 million homes they cover.
The company offers two plans with various optional add-ons available at an extra charge. CHW requires its contractor network to undergo a thorough vetting process and be fully insured and licensed to ensure service quality.
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What makes ServicePlus click and a reason for their presence in the top ten home warranty companies list is their economical pricing. Both their plans’ coverage comprise most of the appliances and systems in a standard home. Their optional add-on range covers what’s left and more.
Similar to the competition, they offer 24/7 customer service. According to their reviews, the company’s representatives do a good job addressing their queries.
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A regular feature on most of the highest-rated home warranty companies list, Select Home Warranty ties with ServicePlus in terms of budget-friendliness. The company’s offerings include three plans, with two plans for appliances and systems and a comprehensive combo plan covering both.
Their optional coverage falls on the higher end of the spectrum compared to other home warranty services. But they run seasonal discounts and offers regularly.
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Liberty Home Guard is a new entrant in the home warranty sector. However, they have quickly become one of the best-rated home warranty companies. They have received positive feedback from reviewers on BBB, praising their customer service and comprehensive coverage at affordable pricing.
They have a survey mechanism that allows customers and technicians to send feedback directly to their executive team. The goal is to help the company fine-tune its operations and address issues efficiently.
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One of the industry pioneers, First American Home Warranty (FAHW) offers two home protection plans with different coverage options. Their add-on range is as per industry standards. The company’s First Class Upgrade deserves a special mention as it increases the coverage limits of the standard plans.
If you compare home warranty companies in terms of affordability, FAHW is one of the top contenders, and that too without any applicable discounts.
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Previously Cross Country Home Services, Cinch Home Services is another industry veteran. They offer specific plans for appliances and systems and a comprehensive combination plan comprising both.
Where they fall short in terms of limited add-on options, they make up for in offering affordable pricing. They offer deductibles ranging from $75-$150 that you can choose from and a 24/7 hotline in case of assistance.
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America’s Preferred Home Warranty offerings are limited in terms of variety. They have standard coverage for major appliances and systems and an option ‘Preferred Upgrade’ to increase the coverage and dollar limits.
They offer multiple deductible options that you can use to adjust your pricing, and their contractual dollar limit is one of the highest in the business. APHW’s customer base also seems highly satisfied with their services judging by their positive reviews.
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2-10 Home Buyers Warranty has been around since 1983 and offers three standard plans of varying coverage levels. They have managed to offer services for over six million homes and have paid more than $500 million in claims.
Backed by two coverage upgrades, multiple special programs, and an extensive range of add-ons, the company is a worthy consideration for homeowners.
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HomeServe USA offers numerous coverage options – service lines, exclusive plans for plumbing, HVAC, electrical lines, and comprehensive packages that include major appliances and systems.
Unlike other home warranty coverage options, HomeServe doesn’t necessarily have any optional add-ons. You have the option of checking out with the coverage option you need.
While HomeServe’s coverage varies drastically for each state, their offerings are unique compared to the standard home warranty options.
*NR or no rating - The company in questions doesn’t have adequate information to be given a proper rating.
**The coverage limit may be higher in some cases.
The home warranty market is saturated with lots of options that claim stellar service and generous coverage, making it hard to figure out the veracity of the same. However, with scammy and substandard companies rising the ranks with overt advertisements, it’s best to distinguish between the honest and the hype. This list is an attempt at just that.
To maintain transparency and for you to take notes, here’s how our methodology works. We consider the following factors while choosing the top home warranty companies -
A home warranty is designed to cover all the major appliances and systems of your home. The covered items will be repaired or replaced for a low service charge. Most home warranty companies offer multiple plans with varying levels of coverage as part of their offerings.
While the coverage of most home warranty companies is more or less the same, a few offer extra benefits by throwing in home maintenance services, including electronics or smart home devices, etc, as part of their coverage.
To cater to all kinds of homeowners, the coverage options of home warranty companies range from basic to comprehensive, with a choice of optional add-ons. Some even offer personalized coverage.
Basic coverage - Common everyday appliances and systems are a part of these plans. This type of coverage is ideal for homeowners having limited items needing financial protection.
Distinctive coverage - A few home warranty companies offer appliance-only and system-only plan options.
Comprehensive/Combination Plans - These plans comprise both appliances and systems and offer increased coverage limits. They inadvertently cost more than the other plan options.
Below is the list of items that are commonly included in home warranty coverage -
Appliances | Systems | Optional Add-ons |
Built-in Microwave | Air Conditioner/HVAC | Pool/Spa |
Refrigerator | Plumbing | Stand-alone Freezer |
Stove/Oven/Cooktop | Electrical | Second Refrigerator |
Clothes Washer | Central Vacuum | Code Upgrades |
Clothes Dryer | Garage Door | Wine Cooler |
Dishwasher | Garbage Disposal | |
Attic/Ceiling/Exhaust Fans |
A home warranty contract is particular about the extent and nature of its coverage. Specific parts of your covered items may be exempt from coverage, and there is a cap for the amount the company will shell out for a particular item. Another factor for exclusion is the reason for the item’s breakdown.
Pre-existing conditions, willful neglect, misuse, damage due to natural disasters, etc., are grounds for claim denial. We recommend going through the contract in detail to understand the policy.
The claims procedure of a home warranty is relatively simple. We have detailed the process below -
After signing up for a home warranty, you can start placing claims for your covered item after the waiting period.
Your average home warranty costs $300-$500, while the monthly premium can be anywhere between $30-$80, and the deductible price may cost $50-$150.
The following table reflects the amount you are likely to incur if any of the following items break down.
Appliance/ System | Repair Cost | Replacement Cost |
Oven | $130-$650 | $100-$2000 |
Refrigerator | $200 – $400 | <$1000 |
Water Heater | $100-$1000 | $750-$1500 |
Air Conditioning System | $20 – $2900 | $5000 |
Heating System | $80 – $1200 | $3000 – $5000 |
Microwave | $200-$300 | $90-$800 |
Septic system | $200-$1500 | $3000-$10000 |
Washer or Dryer | $130 – $500 | >$1000 |
As you may have noticed, the pricing for home warranties are comparatively negligible to what you may have to spend out of pocket in case of a sudden breakdown.
If you are the owner of an older home and your aging systems and appliances show signs of wear and tear, a home warranty policy can be an essential investment. There’s no way of knowing how well the former owner cared for the appliances for homebuyers.
Therefore, a home warranty might be worth the cost, especially if the home's purchase has already exceeded the budget. Landlords can relax knowing that any potential breakdown of their residential property’s systems can be easily fixed.
However, with all of that said and done, home warranties should only be considered once you carefully read through the service contracts. Once you understand the limitations and exclusions of the policy and there's no room for surprises, you can put it to good use.
Companies like American Home Shield, Choice Home Warranty, and Liberty Home Guard are viable options for this title due to their affordable pricing, comprehensive coverage, and service quality. However, the best home warranty company can mean different things to different people and is a very subjective choice.
Leading home warranty companies like American Home Shield, Choice Home Warranty, ServicePlus Home Warranty, and the other top companies are all worthwhile considerations for seniors.
Yes. You can wait until your plan expires or cancel your existing home warranty contract and switch to another company.
Home warranty companies are regulated on federal and state levels where the former sets the standard and the latter enforces it within their jurisdictions. It is why regulations vary for each state. The Commissioner of Insurance who oversees home warranties in most cases.
Most home warranty programs have a 30-day waiting period after which their coverage kicks in.
Yes, and in most cases, there are no transfer charges.
The average contract term of a home warranty is one year. There are multi-year contracts available as well.
Home repair costs tend to increase as your home ages. Having a home warranty in place is easy to save money on unexpected repairs. There’s also the added benefit of peace of mind as you don’t need to worry about finding and dealing with maintenance specialists.
No. The concept of a home warranty is not a scam. However, there have been some companies that have swindled customers off of their money. Another misconception seems to be claim denials or poor service quality.
These issues can be avoided by running a background check or going through customer reviews can alert you of any fraudulent activities by a company. Read through your contract’s terms and conditions to enhance your chances of a successful claim. You can identify companies with poor service by checking consumer reviews.
Alternatively, you can consider our vetted list of top home warranty companies in the market.
Homeowners insurance protects your home when something unexpected happens – a burglary, natural disaster, etc. In comparison, home warranties offer protection for your home’s major appliances and systems if they break down due to routine wear and tear.
Yes. Home warranty companies cover systems and appliances’ repair and replacement when they break down due to regular wear and tear.
No, they don’t. Builder’s warranty and home insurance will cover any structural issues related to your home.
Most home warranty companies require you to send the cancellation request in writing. You can contact your home warranty’s customer service to check if they follow a different process or find out if other options are available.
No, home warranty providers offer different plans for homeowners and the parties engaged in a real estate transaction.
The major differences between these two are their types of coverage, pricing, and purchase timing. Where homeowners can buy a policy at any time, real estate home warranty plans can only be bought during the selling and purchasing process.
A seller can buy it during the listing period and offer it to the buyer as an incentive. A homebuyer’s warranty can only be bought within 30 days of the property’s purchase. In some cases, realtors gift the buyer a home warranty to sweeten the deal.