Since 2020, our writers and editors person spent thousands of hours researching nan champion location warranty companies. We’ve vetted 22 location warranty providers and evaluated them utilizing complete 15 information points, including coverage, argumentation exclusions and pricing. Based connected this research, we picked nan apical 7 companies successful nan market, which see American Home Shield, Liberty Home Guard and Select Home Warranty.
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Money's Main Takeaways
- Home warranties screen location strategy and appliance malfunctions owed to normal deterioration and tear.
- Home warranty companies typically connection plans for location systems, appliances aliases a operation of both.
- Home warranty companies complaint a work telephone fee.
- Home warranty companies exclude harm from pre-existing conditions.
Why spot us
Our editors and writers reappraisal location warranty companies independently, ensuring our contented is meticulous and guided by editorial integrity. Read nan full methodology to study more.
- Based connected 15+ information points, including coverage, argumentation exclusions and pricing
- 22 location warranty companies evaluated
- 50+ charismatic sources reviewed
Our Top Picks for Best Home Warranty Companies
- Select Home Warranty: Best for Roof Coverage
- American Home Shield: Best for HVAC
- Liberty Home Guard: Best for Optional Add-Ons
- First American Home Warranty: Best Starter Plan
- AFC Home Club: Best Premiums
- Cinch Home Services: Best Systems Plan
- 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty: Best Enhanced Coverage
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Best Home Warranty Company Reviews
Before you start, support successful mind that astir location warranty companies person a waiting period, that is, a definite magnitude of clip you person to hold earlier you tin make a claim. All nan companies reviewed beneath person a 30-day waiting period.
Pros
- Covers tile leaks
- 60-day repair guarantee
- Discounts for multi-year plans
Cons
- Unavailable successful NY, NV, WA and WI
- Low sum caps for galore location services
- Homeowners must supply 3 years of attraction records to guarantee sum connected immoderate systems
HIGHLIGHTS
Why we chose this company: Select Home Warranty plans see tile leak sum and aggregate discount promotions passim nan year.
Select Home Warranty offers immoderate notable discounts, including 2 months of free work if you salary for a afloat twelvemonth upfront, and typical discounts erstwhile you motion up for much than 1 year. The institution besides has occasional promotions that sound disconnected betwixt $100 and $200 for caller sign-ups.
Select has 3 plans: Bronze Care, Gold Care and Platinum Care, which costs betwixt $42 and $55 per month. Bronze Care covers appliances, while Gold Care focuses connected systems. The astir costly plan, Platinum Care, combines some for much broad coverage. Service interest is group astatine $75. In addition, each 3 plans screen tile leak repairs.
Do statement that nan institution whitethorn headdress payouts per strategy aliases appliance astatine $150 if you can’t supply 3 years’ worthy of attraction records. Other than that, HVAC systems are capped astatine $3,000, and appliances, plumbing and electrical astatine $500. Extra sum options are capped astatine $400 for repair aliases replacement.
Select Home Warranty Plans
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*Prices whitethorn alteration depending connected your state. Current quoted prices are valid arsenic of February 2024 for a location successful California.
Read nan afloat Select Home Warranty review
See specifications connected Select's Secure Website >>
Pros
- Largest location warranty work supplier successful nan country
- Highly customizable work plans
- Offers sum for location electronics
Cons
- Repairs are only guaranteed for 30 days
- Plans unavailable successful Alaska
- Roof leak sum unavailable successful Hawaii
HIGHLIGHTS
Why we chose this company: We chose American Home Shield arsenic our champion location warranty for HVAC because it offers free HVAC tune-ups pinch its premium scheme and less restrictions successful sum than astir competitors.
With American Home Shield, clients tin take from 3 broad plans and customize them by adding sum for different systems and appliances, including location electronics and intermezo products.
AHS’ broad plans — ShieldSilver, ShieldGold and ShieldPlatinum — together screen much than 23 location appliances and systems. In addition, its premium plan, ShieldPlatinum, covers up to $1,500 for tile leaks repair, HVAC tune-ups, codification violations and AC refrigerant.
You tin besides adhd sum for different systems and appliances, specified arsenic septic pumps, pools, location electronics, intermezo products and impermanent units.
AHS is much lenient than astir erstwhile it comes to liability limitations. According to its sample contract, sum includes:
- Old items, sloppy of age
- Repairs caused by insufficient maintenance
- Malfunctions owed to rust, corrosion aliases sediment
- Improper installations
- Undetected pre-existing conditions
- Items without attraction records
- Removal of defective items
- Duplicates of nan aforesaid point (or appliance)
Monthly payments alteration depending connected nan authorities and nan selected repair work fee, which tin beryllium customized from $100 aliases $125 per work call.
American Home Shield Plans
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*Prices whitethorn alteration depending connected your state. Current quoted prices are valid arsenic of February 2024 for a location successful California.
Read nan afloat American Home Shield review.
See specifications connected American Home Shield's Secure Website >>
Pros
- Over 20 items of further sum options
- 60-day workmanship guarantee connected repairs
- Overwhelmingly affirmative BBB reviews
Cons
- Relatively debased payout limits
HIGHLIGHTS
Why we chose this company: Liberty Home Guard has nan astir extended database of add-ons successful nan market, including seldom covered items specified arsenic gutter cleaning.
Liberty Home Guard stands retired for its database of imaginable add-ons. Customers tin take from complete 40 items to adhd to their sum — nan astir extended database of add-ons successful nan location warranty market.
The database includes items commonly recovered successful different location warranty companies — pools, spas, good pumps, sump pumps, cardinal vacuums — and other, much seldom covered items specified arsenic constricted tile leaks, replacing locks, gutter cleaning, (seed) disease power and electronics protection.
Liberty Home Guard offers 3 types of plans: 1 for appliances, 1 for systems, and 1 that covers both. Liberty covers celebrated systems and appliances specified arsenic aerial conditioning, heating, plumbing, electrical, washing machines, dryers and refrigerators.
Additionally, a realtor portal allows existent property agents to partner pinch Liberty Home Guard truthful that you tin acquisition a location warranty earlier nan closing date. This is peculiarly useful if you want your protection scheme to commencement instantly aft closing your owe deal.
Its per-claim work interest is $90, pinch a payout limit of $2,000 per covered item.
Liberty Home Guard Plans
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| All systems and appliances covered by nan erstwhile plans | Over 40 options including:
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*Prices whitethorn alteration depending connected your state. Current quoted prices are valid arsenic of February 2024 for a single-family location nether 5,000 sq. ft. successful California.
Read nan afloat Liberty Home Guard review.
See specifications connected Liberty Home Guard's Secure Website >>
Pros
- Affordable basal scheme options pinch competitory coverage
- Essential and Premium plans screen improper installations and codification violations
- Premium scheme covers each costs related to refrigerant recharging
Cons
- No systems-only plan
- Limited database of add-ons
- Not disposable successful AK, CT, DE, HI, IL, LA, ME, MI, MN, NH, NY, ND, RI, VI, WI
HIGHLIGHTS
Why we chose this company: First American Home Warranty's starter scheme offers broad basal sum for cardinal appliances and systems, astatine a competitory price.
With First American’s Starter Plan, you get broad sum for 9 costly-to-repair appliances and systems starting from $42 a month.
This basal scheme offers sum for:
- Dishwasher
- Kitchen refrigerator
- Kitchen scope hood
- Built-in microwave oven
- Oven, scope aliases cooktop
- Plumbing (including stoppage, toilet tanks, bowls and mechanisms)
- Electrical systems (plugs, wiring, conduit, fuses, circuit breakers and others)
- Ductwork
- Heating system
Clients who request much broad sum tin take nan company’s Essential aliases Premium Plan.
All plans screen damages caused by deficiency of maintenance, rust, corrosion and chemic aliases sedimentary build-up, which whitethorn beryllium captious if you’re buying an older home. Plans besides characteristic constricted tile leak coverage, which see leaks caused by normal tear and deterioration to tar and gravel, tiles, shingle aliases creation roofs.
Essential and Premium see sum for malfunction owed to improper installations, modifications and erstwhile repairs. It besides covers expenses associated pinch building permits, hauling and nan usage of cranes aliases lifting equipment.
First American lets you take from 3 work interest options: $75, $100 aliases $125. Additionally, astir appliances person a payout limit of up to $3,500 for diagnosis, repairs and replacements pinch nan Starter and Essential Plan. With nan Premium plan, however, nan limit increases up to $7,000.
First American Home Warranty
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*Prices whitethorn alteration depending connected your state. Current quoted prices are valid arsenic of February 2024 for a single-family location nether 4,000 sq. ft. successful California.
Read nan afloat First American Home Warranty review.
See specifications connected First American's Secure Website >>
Pros
- A assortment of further benefits, from discounts to in installments monitoring
- Clients tin take their ain technicians
- Platinum Plan covers microwave ovens, crystal makers and plumbing stoppages
Cons
- One-day play for reporting issues pinch a strategy aliases appliance
- $75 scheme cancellation fee
- System scheme not disposable successful immoderate areas
HIGHLIGHTS
Why we chose this company: AFC Home Club lets you take your ain work contractors and offers affordable premiums, including 2 hybrid plans (that screen some systems and appliances).
AFC Home Club (America’s First Choice) caught our attraction for its affordable premiums. AFC’s plans see a systems plan, an appliances scheme and 2 hybrid plans covering some systems and appliances.
As pinch different location warranty companies, AFC pricing depends connected nan chosen work interest ($75, $100, $125). Monthly premiums for 1 twelvemonth contracts scope from $40 for nan Silver Plan up to $80 for nan astir broad Platinum Plan (depending connected your location).
However, customers tin take betwixt a one-year statement aliases a three-year statement term, redeeming up to 10% per period if they take nan three-year option.
In addition, AFC Home Club has 1 of nan strongest work guarantees successful nan industry: some parts and labour are guaranteed for nan life of nan contract. This intends that you don’t person to salary if you acquisition nan aforesaid problem aft a repair.
AFC Home Club Plans
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*Prices whitethorn alteration depending connected your state. Current quoted prices are valid arsenic of February 2024 for a location successful New York.
Read nan afloat AFC Home Club review.
See specifications connected AFC Home Club's Secure Website >>
Pros
- Available successful 47 states
- 180-day workmanship guarantee
- Plans see rust and corrosion coverage
- Covers chartless pre-existing conditions
Cons
- Higher deductibles than immoderate competitors, from $100 to $150
- Additional sum options only disposable while getting a quote
HIGHLIGHTS
Why we chose this company: Cinch Home Services’ strategy scheme includes sum for items that different location warranty companies connection arsenic an add-on, specified arsenic sump pumps, h2o dispensers and fume detectors.
Like different contenders successful our list, Cinch Home Services offers 3 warranty plans: 1 for appliances, different for systems and a complete location plan, which covers both.
What stands retired astir Cinch plans is that they see sum for items that different companies see add-ons. For instance, Cinch’s appliance scheme covers freestanding crystal makers and built-in nutrient centers, while its strategy scheme covers sump pumps, doorbells, fume detectors and tankless h2o heaters.
Cinch services are backed pinch a 180-day workmanship guarantee connected activity performed. This is considerably longer than nan 30- and 90-day guarantee astir companies connection (except for AFC Home Club, which offers a work guarantee for nan life of nan contract).
Other benefits see sum for chartless pre-existing conditions and for malfunctions caused by rust and corrosion.
It does person 1 drawback: Cinch has higher work fees than different contenders successful our list, pinch fees starting astatine $100 to $150.
Cinch Home Services Plans
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*Prices whitethorn alteration depending connected your state. Current quoted prices are valid arsenic of February 2024 for a location successful New York.
Read nan afloat Cinch Home Warranty review
See specifications connected Cinch Home Warranty's Secure Website >>
Pros
- Offers up to 65% disconnected successful Whirlpool and GE marque appliances
- Color lucifer for replaced appliances
- $5 monthly discount pinch auto-renewal
Cons
- No sum for car shed doors aliases tile leaks (available arsenic add-on)
- Not disposable successful Hawaii and Alaska
HIGHLIGHTS
Why we chose this company: 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty’s premium scheme covers a wide scope of items that astir location warranty companies don’t, specified arsenic turntable platforms, rotisseries, ceramic cooktops and concrete-encased plumbing.
2-10 Home Buyers Warranty has astir 40 years of acquisition and offers services to each 48 states successful nan contiguous United States.
2-10 HBW offers 3 location warranty plans. Its astir basal plan, Simply Kitchen, includes sum for main room appliances only — specified arsenic refrigerators, cooktops, microwaves, oven, dishwasher and ranges. The mid-tier plan, Complete Home, covers nan aforesaid room appliances on pinch awesome location systems, including aerial conditioning, heating systems, plumbing and electrical.
The Pinnacle Home plan, connected nan different hand, includes sum for appliances and systems positive a wide scope of components, specified as:
- Handles, hinges, clocks, racks, latch assemblies, rotisseries, turntable platforms, solid and ceramic cooktops, self-cleaning mechanisms
- Filters
- Haul distant and disposal fees
- Crane cost
- Attic and bath exhausts fans
- Burglar and occurrence alarms
- Concrete encased and concealed wiring aliases plumbing
- Refrigerant betterment and recharge
- Interior and exterior hose bibbs
Unlike different location warranty companies, 2-10 HBW doesn’t see sum for car shed doorway openers, washers aliases dryers. However, customers tin adhd these to their scheme for an further cost, alongside sum for tile leaks, pools, septic systems, good pumps, h2o softeners, HVAC tune-ups and further refrigerators.
Customers tin besides take to summation appliance and systems sum limits to $5,000 (as opposed to nan modular $2,000) by adding nan Luxury package for an further $6 per month.
All 3 plans travel pinch 2-10 HBW’s Appliance Discounts Program which gives you discounts of up to 65% disconnected connected Whirlpool and GE brands. 2-10 HBW besides offers to lucifer your appliance colour during replacements and a $100 reimbursement if you determine to switch a surgery appliance alternatively of requesting service.
In addition, 2-10 HBW offers a Service Fee Guarantee. This intends that if a petition is not eligible for service, 2-10 HBW will refund your work fee. It besides intends that you don’t person to salary different work interest if nan aforesaid constituent fails aft a service.
2-10 Home Buyers Warranty Plans
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*Prices whitethorn alteration depending connected your state. Current quoted prices are valid arsenic of February 2024 for a location successful California.
Read nan full 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty review.
See specifications connected 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty's Secure Website >>
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Other location warranty companies we considered
We researched a wide array of companies successful bid to find nan champion location warranty. The pursuing are companies that didn’t make nan last cut.
American Residential Warranty
Pros
- Available successful each 50 states
- Offers sum for physics devices
- Lets you take your ain contractor
Cons
- Limited accusation astir sum limits
American Residential Warranty is disposable nationwide and presently offers 3 location warranty plans.
ARW’s Appliance Max scheme covers astir communal room appliances — for illustration cooktops, ranges, microwaves and dishwashers — on pinch apparel dryers and washers. Systems Max covers communal location systems specified arsenic plumbing systems, cardinal location heating and aerial conditioning. ARW’s Total Max bundled scheme covers each systems and appliances, successful summation to car shed doorway openers, humidifiers and ceiling fans.
You tin besides adhd electronics protection, which covers thing from laptops, gaming consoles and tablets to printers and plasma TVs. Other add-ons see h2o and sewer statement plans.
Read nan afloat American Residential Warranty review.
See specifications connected American Residential Warranty's Secure Website >>
Choice Home Warranty
Pros
- Affordable plans
- Standard work telephone interest of $85.
Cons
- Lacks elasticity successful its sum options.
- The Arizona Attorney General sued CHW for allegedly making mendacious promises to customers.
- Unavailable successful California and Washington.
Choice Home Warranty features 2 plans that screen astir appliances and systems and charges a modular $85 work fee. Choice Home Warranty prices are affordable, pinch plans starting astatine astir $46.
However, nan company’s sum caps are somewhat little than nan competition, and it lacks elasticity connected its sum conditions. In addition, nan institution has a pending authorities action successful Arizona for allegedly making mendacious promises to customers and utilizing bad-faith refusals to debar paying for repairs.
Read nan afloat Choice Home Warranty review
See specifications connected Choice Home Warranty's Secure Website >>
Elite Home Warranty
Pros
- Lets you take your ain technician
- Option to take nary work fee
- High sum caps
Cons
- Limited sum for nan first 90 days
- Not disposable successful California, Florida, Illinois, Texas, Washington aliases Wisconsin
- Few years successful nan industry
With Elite Home Warranty you tin bargain immoderate of its 3 main plans aliases create your ain customized scheme for nan systems and appliances you choose.
Elite is 1 of nan fewer companies that lets you take a $0 work telephone (although that will mean an accrued yearly premium). You tin besides summation nan policy’s maximum sum limits for an further cost. However, speech from nan regular 30-day waiting period, nan institution has a 90-day constricted sum period. During this time, nan institution will screen up to nan magnitude paid successful your agreement.
Elite is disposable successful 46 states and, arsenic of this writing, doesn’t work nan pursuing states: California, Texas, Washington aliases Wisconsin.
See specifications connected Elite Home Warranty's Secure Website >>
ServicePlus Home Warranty
Pros
- Plans screen a operation of some appliances and systems
- Platinum scheme covers 2 AC units and 2 heating systems
- Standard work telephone interest of $75
Cons
- Doesn't connection appliance aliases strategy only plans
- Not accredited by nan BBB
- Must acquisition ServicePlus premium scheme (Platinum) to get sum for AC and heating systems
Founded successful 2016, ServicePlus Home Warranty is simply a reasonably caller location warranty institution that offers 2 different plans. The basal 1 covers a operation of systems and appliances specified arsenic plumbing, electrical and astir room appliances; nan premium 1 covers each that positive A/C and heating systems, washers, dryers and refrigerators. Customers tin besides take complete a twelve add-on options to information retired their coverage. An important drawback, however: ServicePlus doesn’t connection an appliance aliases a systems-only plan, which different competitors successful our database do.
See specifications connected ServicePlus Home Warranty's Secure Website >>
Old Republic Home Protection
Pros
- In business for much than 45 years
- Offers electronics and smart location instrumentality sum plan
- Standard work telephone interest of $75
Cons
- Only disposable successful 32 states
- Covered systems and appliances varies by state
- Kitchen refrigerator and washer/dryer sum disposable for location buyers only
- Does not connection quotes online
With complete 45 years of experience, Old Republic Home Protection services 32 states, including Hawaii. It offers sum for a wide scope of systems and appliances, though covered components alteration by state. Some perks see electronics and smart location instrumentality plans and sum for (seed) disease power treatments successful immoderate locations. Do note, however, that Old Republic Home Protection doesn't let customers to petition quotes aliases use for a location warranty online.
Read nan afloat Old Republic Home Protection review
See specifications connected Old Republic's Secure Website >>
Landmark Home Warranty
Landmark Home Warranty utilized to connection 2 location warranty plans: a systems only scheme and a broad scheme that covers some systems and appliances. However, Landmark has now collaborated pinch American Home Shield, and offers different types of location warranties done that brand.
See specifications connected Landmark Home Warranty's Secure Website >>
Compare nan Best Home Warranty Companies
Company
Best For
Monthly Cost
Service Fee
BBB Rating
Best for Roof Coverage
$45 - $50
$75
B
Best for HVAC
$30 - $90
$100 aliases $125
B
Best for Optional Add-Ons
$60 - $70
$90
A
Best Starter Plan
$42 - $82
$75, $100 aliases $125
B
Best Premiums
$48 - $77
$75, $100 aliases $125
B
Best Systems Plan
$31 - $94
$100, $125 aliases $150
B
Best Enhanced Coverage
$17 - $60
$65, $85 aliases $100
A-
Best Home Warranty Guide
This guideline covers nan basics connected what a location warranty is, nan different types of sum plans they connection and really to find whether that monthly premium is really worthy it. It besides includes important factors to support successful mind arsenic you’re choosing a plan.
- What is simply a location warranty?
- Is a location warranty worthy it?
- How overmuch does a location warranty cost?
- How to take nan champion location warranty plan
- What does a location warranty cover?
- What a location warranty won’t cover?
- Home warranty vs. location insurance
- How to understand location warranty contracts
- How to record a location warranty claim
- What voids a location warranty?
- Home warranty alternatives
- More astir Home Warranty
- Best Home Warranty Companies FAQs
What is simply a location warranty?
A home warranty is simply a work statement that helps you salary for repairs if and erstwhile awesome family systems aliases appliances break down.
Unlike homeowners insurance, which provides sum for damages caused by earthy disasters, theft aliases accidents, location warranties thief screen nan costs of repairing aliases replacing location systems aliases appliances erstwhile circumstantial parts and components neglect owed to normal deterioration and tear.
How does a location warranty work?
Once a location warranty statement is successful effect, you tin interaction your institution and petition a work for a covered strategy aliases appliance malfunction.
If nan malfunction is listed successful your policy, nan institution will, then, nonstop a qualified contractor successful your area to diagnose and repair nan problem. Depending connected nan situation, immoderate providers whitethorn opt to switch your point instead, up to nan covered magnitude stated successful your contract.
Prior to receiving nan service, you are typically required to salary a work interest aliases deductible ranging from $50 to $150. The nonstop magnitude is decided astatine nan infinitesimal of choosing a argumentation and should beryllium listed successful your contract.
Is a location warranty worthy it?
The pursuing database of factors whitethorn thief you find whether purchasing a location warranty is worthy it:
Yes, a location warranty is worthy it if:
A location warranty mightiness not beryllium worthy it if:
You're purchasing a previously built home, since systems whitethorn beryllium approaching nan extremity of their lifespan (usually 5-10 years)
You're purchasing a newly built home, since new construction usually comes pinch a warranty from nan builder for systems for up to 10 years
The appliances successful your location are presently working, but weren't purchased recently
Your appliances are caller — caller appliances usually travel pinch a manufacturer's warranty, and immoderate in installments cards besides connection extended warranties
You don't cognize mechanics aliases contractors successful your area, aliases don't person bully DIY skills
You person established relationships pinch contractors aliases attraction people, aliases are bully astatine DIY-ing repairs
How overmuch does a location warranty cost?
A home warranty costs anyplace from $300 to $700 annually, aliases betwixt $30 to $80 a month, depending connected nan type of scheme you choose. Typically, systems and appliances-only plans are little priced than all-inclusive plans.
The work fee, which is nan magnitude you work together to salary for each repair visit, besides plays a cardinal domiciled successful location warranty plans pricing. Plans pinch higher work fees will mostly costs little per period than plans that complaint a little work fee.
The astir cost-effective location warranty plans onslaught a equilibrium betwixt price, types of items covered, work interest and payout limits.
Factors that power location warranty costs
Several factors tin impact nan costs of your location warranty policy, including:
- Coverage: The type of location warranty sum you take is nan facet that astir influences your location warranty cost. Systems aliases appliance-only plans mostly costs little than broad plans that screen some awesome systems and appliances. As is to beryllium expected, nan much extended nan coverage, nan higher nan cost. Add-ons tin besides summation your premium.
- Service telephone fee: Another facet that straight affects nan costs of your location warranty argumentation is nan work telephone fee, aliases deductibles. Lower work telephone fees mostly connote higher monthly payments, whereas plans pinch higher work fees costs little per month.
- Home size: Some location warranty companies see nan type of spot and size of your location — that is, nan quadrate footage aliases number of rooms — successful their pricing. Larger homes aliases homes pinch unsocial features mostly require much extended (or customized) coverage, which leads to higher premiums.
- Location: Pricing tin alteration depending connected wherever you unrecorded too, chiefly owed to differences successful costs of living. Companies whitethorn besides facet successful circumstantial biology conditions that impact nan emblematic deterioration and tear of location systems successful your region. These variations often consequence successful higher aliases little premiums.
How to take nan champion location warranty plan
As you browse location warranty companies and plans, support nan pursuing things successful mind earlier signing connected that dotted line.
1. Get different quotes and compare
Get astatine slightest 3 free quotes from different companies and comparison nan pricing and coverage. In summation to nan monthly payment, comparison each company’s work telephone fee. This is nan magnitude you will salary whenever you petition a repair from nan company. Service fees tin scope anyplace from $50 to $150, though astir location warranty companies typically complaint betwixt $75 to $125.
2. Read sample contracts
Identify nan limitations and exclusions successful nan statement and cheque payout limits. Pay typical attraction to nan appliances you already person and really nan policies whitethorn dainty claims connected these successful particular.
3. Evaluate liability limitations
Aside from limiting sum to circumstantial parts and components, location warranties person sum limits aliases caps, which are nan maximum magnitude nan institution will salary for a covered malfunction. Because sum caps alteration wide from institution to company, it’s important you measure them and make judge you take a scheme that includes capable sum for your needs.
4. Check differences successful authorities licensing
Research and reappraisal location warranty regulations to guarantee nan institution is licensed and legally allowed to do business successful your state. The security commissioner aliases Department of Consumer Protection oversees location warranty companies successful galore states. Check retired this State Licensing Guide to find your section regulator.
5. Gauge a company's reputation
When evaluating a location warranty company’s reputation, it’s important to do a broad hunt for its sanction online. Make judge to publication customer reviews and, especially, beryllium connected nan lookout for immoderate grounds of caller ineligible action taken against nan company.
What does a location warranty cover?
Generally, location warranty companies connection sum for nan aforesaid array of location systems and appliances. Some companies besides connection optional sum options that you tin see for an other fee.
Companies usage a wide scope of names for their different plans — Gold, Platinum, Bronze, Basic, Premier, etc. — but astir plans autumn into 3 basal categories: a systems plan, an appliances scheme and a hybrid aliases combo plan, which covers both.
Below is simply a database of communal items that astir location warranties cover:
Most Common Home Systems Covered:
Most Common Home Appliances Covered
Most Common Add-On Coverage
Heating and aerial conditioning (HVAC system)
Refrigerators
Pools and inground spas
Plumbing systems
Laundry machines (clothes washer, dryers)
Septic strategy / septic tanks pumping
Electrical systems
Ranges, stoves, ovens & cooktops
Well pumps
Water heaters
Built-in microwave ovens
Sump pumps
Ductwork
Garbage disposals
Ceiling fans
Doorbells
Garage doorway opener
Smoke detectors
Central vacuums
Dishwashers
Stand-alone freezer aliases 2nd refrigerator
Ceiling fans and exhausts
Trash compactors
Lawn sprinkler system
What a location warranty won’t cover?
Most location warranty companies exclude harm from pre-existing conditions (known aliases unknown) your strategy mightiness have. They whitethorn besides limit sum to circumstantial parts of your systems and appliances. These exclusions are typically listed successful nan good print, which is why it’s important you publication complete immoderate contracts carefully.
Companies are besides not liable for malfunctions caused by acts of quality specified arsenic fire, flood, earthquakes aliases storms. (The second are covered by homeowners security aliases flood security policies.)
Other items and events that whitethorn not beryllium covered include:
- Cosmetic issues, specified arsenic scratches aliases dents
- Appliances pinch progressive shaper warranties
- Components for illustration ray fixtures, knobs, handles aliases hinges
- Structural parts of your home, specified arsenic doors, windows, chimneys aliases floors
- Breakdowns caused by deficiency of attraction aliases improper installation
- Removal aliases replacement of damages caused by mildew, mold, rot aliases fungus
- Malfunction resulting from rust, corrosion, toxic materials
- Items pinch altered serial numbers
- Damage caused by animals aliases insect infestation
Home warranty vs. location insurance
The main quality betwixt a location warranty and homeowners security is what each 1 covers and nether what circumstances. Below are immoderate cardinal differences:
Home warranty
Home insurance
A location warranty covers nan costs of repairing aliases replacing systems and appliances aft breakdowns, malfunctions and normal deterioration and tear.
Homeowners insurance covers expenses if your location aliases individual spot are damaged by perils for illustration fires and theft.
A location warranty is optional and is mostly paid annually aliases monthly.
Homeowners security is required by lenders arsenic portion of nan owe process and is paid annually.
A location warranty tin supplement your homeowners security argumentation and thief you find a qualified work contractor successful your area to execute repairs and installations.
Home security whitethorn supply liability sum for accidents that hap successful nan property.
How to understand location warranty contracts
Before signing up pinch a peculiar location warranty provider, return nan clip to understand nan contract. Below are 3 main points to review:
- Check what items are covered: Although astir location warranty companies screen akin items, location tin beryllium important variations connected their plans. It’s important you publication nan good people and corroborate that nan institution provides sum for nan items you want to protect.
- Understand sum caps: Generally, location warranty companies database sum caps for peculiar systems and appliances. Coverage caps are nan maximum magnitude nan institution will salary to repair aliases switch a covered point per statement term.
- Find what’s not covered: Keep an oculus retired connected nan components aliases events that are not covered. Most providers database circumstantial limitations and exclusions connected their contracts. For instance, immoderate companies whitethorn screen tile repairs but exclude metallic roofs and roof-mounted installations from their coverage.
Questions to inquire your location warranty provider
If aft reviewing nan sample statement you person questions astir sum aliases nan location warranty plan, make judge to inquire nan provider. These are immoderate bully questions to ask:
- Is location a waiting play earlier sum begins?
- What is nan work interest (or deductible)?
- Can I take my ain work contractor to execute repairs?
- Is location a limit connected really galore times I tin petition a service?
- Are location immoderate cancellation fees aliases penalties?
- What are nan sum caps aliases maximum payouts per point aliases statement term?
- Are pre-existing conditions covered?
- Can I customize my sum aft purchasing a location warranty plan?
- What is nan argumentation connected replacements versus repairs?
How to record a location warranty claim
The process of filing a location warranty claim tin alteration from institution to company. However, it could mostly see nan pursuing steps:
1. Request a service: Most location warranty companies require that you notify a malfunction arsenic soon arsenic it happens. You tin typically do this by calling their customer work number aliases submitting a declare online, if nan institution has an online portal.
2. Coordinate repairs: Once your declare is approved, nan warranty supplier will typically schedule an assignment pinch a work technician. If your statement states that you tin take your own, you whitethorn schedule a sojourn pinch an authorized contractor directly.
3. Pay nan work telephone fee: Depending connected your location warranty policy, you whitethorn person to salary a work telephone interest aliases deductible upon requesting a service. This interest should beryllium already specified successful your contract.
What to do if your location warranty declare is denied
A denied location warranty declare tin beryllium frustrating, but earlier you determine to salary for repairs retired of pocket, return nan clip to understand nan reasons for nan denial. Here are immoderate steps you tin return if your location warranty declare is denied:
1. Review nan denial letter: Your location warranty institution should nonstop you a written notification pinch nan reasons for nan denial. Identify them and reappraisal your location warranty statement to corroborate whether your declare is so covered aliases not. If you person capable accusation to judge that your declare should beryllium covered, see making an appeal.
2. Gather documentation: Maintenance records, photos and pre-inspection archiving whitethorn beryllium adjuvant to reside your denial. You whitethorn besides petition a transcript of nan company’s inspection report. This measurement you tin cognize nan specifics of nan test and look for a 2nd sentiment pinch an independent contractor.
3. File an appeal: Once you cod each nan applicable documentation, scope retired to nan institution and talk nan denial. Ask for explanation connected nan reasons down nan determination and inquire for nan process for filing an entreaty aliases caller claim. During this process, support a grounds of each communications pinch nan company, including names, dates and specifications of nan conversations.
If your efforts to resoluteness nan rumor pinch nan institution are unsuccessful and your denial appears to beryllium successful usurpation of nan position successful your contract, see filing a title pinch a user protection agency successful your authorities aliases user organizations for illustration nan Better Business Bureau.
What voids a location warranty?
Each location warranty supplier has its ain group of rules regarding nan factors that could void your location warranty for a circumstantial strategy aliases appliance. In immoderate instances, a location warranty declare whitethorn beryllium denied for nan pursuing reasons:
- Unauthorized repairs aliases modifications, whether by utilizing an unapproved contractor (licensed aliases not) aliases attempting to do nan repairs yourself
- Improper attraction aliases installation
- Home betterment projects
- Pre-existing conditions
- Failing to support your location up to building codes
- Misplacing ownership documentation
The “proper maintenance” grey area
Sometimes location warranty sum is contingent connected nan “proper maintenance” of systems and appliances. This intends location warranty repairs won’t beryllium covered if nan malfunction was caused by a nonaccomplishment to travel nan manufacturer’s attraction specifications. However, companies often don’t supply clear guidelines arsenic to what constitutes due regular maintenance.
Some contracts springiness actual examples specified as:
- Changing filters
- Flushing nan h2o heater
- Sanitizing your h2o filter
- Keeping due refrigerant levels
- Cleaning coils
However, sum will yet dangle connected whether nan location warranty’s work technicians determine location was due maintenance.
TIP: If you bargain a location warranty, return pictures and archive that attraction of nan appliances is being routinely performed.
How do I cancel my location warranty?
The cancellation process tin alteration from 1 institution to another, nevertheless location are immoderate wide steps you tin follow:
- Review your contract: Check nan cancellation argumentation of your statement and immoderate fees that whitethorn apply. Most companies complaint a cancellation interest that tin scope from $25 to $75, aliases 10% of nan fees you person yet to pay. This intends you whitethorn person a prorated refund. However, companies typically supply a afloat refund if you cancel wrong nan first 30 days of purchase.
- Contact nan location warranty company: Call aliases email your location warranty supplier and fto them cognize you intend to cancel your policy. A institution typical whitethorn beryllium capable to guideline you done nan specifics. In immoderate cases, you whitethorn request to nonstop a written announcement of termination, which you should nonstop via registered station aliases courier if possible, to make search easier.
- Cancel your payment: If your payments are automatically charged to a in installments paper aliases slope account, make judge to cancel nan automated costs pinch nan corresponding institution.
- Follow up: It whitethorn beryllium a bully thought to petition a written confirmation of nan cancellation straight from nan company.
Keep successful mind that moreover though astir location warranty contracts are valid for 1 twelvemonth (unless you enroll successful a multi-year plan), your location warranty scheme whitethorn auto-renew if you enroll successful automated payments. If that’s your case, make judge to cancel nan scheme and automatic costs astatine slightest 2 weeks earlier nan renewal date.
Home warranty alternatives
Home warranties person limitations and exclusions that headdress payout amounts and/or limit sum to circumstantial parts, which tin still time off immoderate of your valuable appliances without sum if they malfunction.
They besides complaint work fees whenever you taxable a claim, successful summation to charging a monthly aliases yearly amount.
There are, however, different alternatives to thief you screen unforeseen repairs to your location appliances aliases equipment:
Existing warranties
Many appliances travel pinch manufacturer's warranties that screen defects and malfunctions for a circumstantial play of time. Before purchasing a location warranty plan, cheque if your appliances are still covered nether nan shaper (or nan retailer if you purchased individual coverage) and whether it’s imaginable to widen its coverage.
Extended warranties
Many retailers fto you acquisition extended warranties for brand-new appliances straight from them. It whitethorn beryllium worthy considering adding this type of protection if you’re readying connected buying appliances immoderate clip soon. Although not an nonstop substitute for location warranties, these extended warranties tin thief you screen unexpected malfunctions, successful immoderate cases for up to 3 years.
We’ve reviewed immoderate options, specified as:
- Home Depot extended warranty
- Costco appliance protection
- Maytag appliance warranty
- Samsung appliance warranty
Build an emergency fund
Instead of paying a monthly interest to a company, you could besides group that money speech arsenic an emergency fund to screen repair services, attraction costs aliases different unexpected expenses arsenic they arise.
Provide regular maintenance
Performing and scheduling regular attraction connected your appliances, plumbing and HVAC systems tin thief you widen their usable life and forestall malfunctions that tin originate from improper usage aliases deficiency of maintenance.
More astir location warranties
- Do you request a location warranty?
- 8 Reasons Your Home Warranty Claim Might Be Denied
- What Does a Home Warranty Cover?
- HVAC Repair Costs Are Soaring. Can Home Warranties Help?
Best Home Warranty Companies FAQs
How agelong do location warranties last?
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Home warranties typically past 1 year, though you tin often take nan word length. Many location warranty companies connection yearly and multi-year plans arsenic options.
How soon tin you usage a location warranty aft purchase?
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In astir cases, your statement won’t beryllium effective until 31 days aft nan day of purchase. If a strategy aliases appliance successful your location were to break down during nan 30-day waiting period, it’s imaginable that you won’t beryllium capable to taxable a work petition aliases that only portion of nan repair would beryllium covered. If you bargain your location warranty arsenic portion of a existent property transaction, your sum should commencement connected nan time of closing.
Do I request a location warranty if I person homeowners insurance?
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While not required, a location warranty tin activity successful tandem pinch your homeowners insurance, since they screen chopped aspects of homeownership.
Homeowners security chiefly covers structural harm caused by perils specified arsenic earthy disasters, fire, theft aliases vandalism, whereas a location warranty covers nan repair aliases replacement of your home’s awesome systems and appliances owed to normal deterioration and tear.
Do location warranties protect brand-new systems and appliances?
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If you’ve conscionable installed caller appliances aliases bought a brand-new home, you’re astir apt already protected by a constricted manufacturer’s warranty. However, since a location warranty won’t screen thing that’s already covered nether different type of warranty, you mightiness want to consult pinch a master arsenic to whether you really request to acquisition a location warranty plan.
How are location warranty companies regulated?
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Although location warranty companies aren’t regulated by a circumstantial authorities agency, companies must abide by wide authorities user protection laws. There are besides third-party organizations, for illustration nan National Home Service Contract Association, that delineate circumstantial guidelines for personnel location work statement providers to follow.
When successful uncertainty astir nan opinionated of a peculiar location warranty company, cheque pinch your state’s user protection office.
How We Chose nan Best Home Warranty Companies of 2024
Since we first started reviewing location warranty companies successful 2020, we’ve spent complete a 1000 hours researching nan apical providers successful nan country, thoroughly vetting 22 different location warranty companies.
Our methodology focuses connected 4 cardinal factors: transparency successful services offered, claims processing, costs and value of customer service.
We cautiously analyzed sample contracts from our apical contenders and evaluated them connected criteria specified arsenic statement terms, types of malfunctions aliases failures covered, payout limits, cost-efficiency and work fees. We besides analyzed and compared their plans, sum limitations and pricing.
We compared them utilizing nan pursuing factors:
Services offered. We compared companies’ offerings and sum caps to find nan ones that offered nan champion worth and covered nan astir systems and appliances.
Claims processing. We preferred companies that offered aggregate ways to record a declare and speedy consequence times. Each institution we selected has emblematic consequence times of 48 hours aliases little and different channels to taxable a claim, specified arsenic complete nan telephone aliases online.
Cost. We contacted companies to get quotes whenever prices weren’t openly disclosed connected their websites utilizing New York and California addresses.
Availability: We focused connected companies offering nationwide services aliases that were disposable successful astatine slightest 30 states.
Legal actions: We evaluated whether these companies person pending aliases caller regulatory aliases ineligible actions to measure their estimation and bully standing.
Customer service. We checked each company’s opinionated pinch nan Better Business Bureau (BBB), including their legalization (or deficiency thereof), standing and reviews. In our list, we only included companies who, if they were registered pinch nan BBB, had a standing of B aliases higher.
Note that BBB ratings return into relationship factors specified arsenic number of complaints, clip successful business, transparent business practices, licensing and immoderate authorities actions against a business to find really a peculiar business is “likely to interact pinch its customers.” A business tin person a standing from A+ to F.
Summary of Money’s Best Home Warranty Companies of February 2024
- Select Home Warranty: Best for Roof Coverage
- American Home Shield: Best for HVAC
- Liberty Home Guard: Most Optional Add-Ons
- First American Home Warranty: Best Starter Plan
- AFC Home Club: Best Premiums
- Cinch Home Services: Best Systems Plan
- 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty: Best Enhanced Coverage