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100

Companies Reviewed

450

8

Quotes Collected
Our team reviewed 100 home warranty providers, collecting and comparing data on monthly costs, service fees, coverages, and more.
Rating Factors
​We’ve gathered hundreds of quotes from home-warranty providers to give readers a clear pricing comparison and show how each company stacks up. We continually update these pages to keep the cost information current.
Our rating system evaluates providers on 23 data points grouped into eight factors: plan options, coverage depth, pricing, trustworthiness, customer service, added benefits, marketing spend, and state availability.

3,000

Homeowners surveyed
We ran several homeowner surveys to learn what real home-warranty customers value most—things like policy features, company transparency, and monthly premium cost.

①

First Premier Home Warranty

Service Fee
$60
Monthly Fee
$35–$45
States Covered
49
*Excludes California
$200 off and 2 months extra, plus free roof coverage
best overall badge 2
best coverage badge 2
fastest service badge 2

9.6

Overall Score

Editor's Choice

American Home Shield

②

Service Fee
$75-$125
Monthly Fee
$40-$90
States Covered
48*
*Excludes Alaska & Hawaii
most reliable badge 2
Get 50% off silver & gold plans

9.1

Overall Score

Select Home Warranty

③

Service Fee
$75-$95
Monthly Fee
$45-$58
States Covered
46*
*Excludes IA, NV, WA, WI
best value badge 2
$150 off a plan of your choice

8.9

Overall Score

Choice Home Warranty

④

Service Fee
$75-$85
Monthly Fee
$45-$55
States Covered
48*
*Excludes CA & WA
$50 off plus 1 month free

8.7

Overall Score

Liberty Home Guard

⑤

Service Fee
$75-$125
Monthly Fee
$40-$60
States Covered
50
100% National Coverage
$200 off, plus 2 free bonus months, gift with purchase.

8.3

Overall Score

Sears Protect

⑥

*Excludes California
Service Fee
$75-$100
Monthly Fee
$50-$70
States Covered
49*
25% discount on repairs during the first 30 days.

8.2

Overall Score

ARW Home

⑦

Service Fee
$65–$95
Monthly Fee
$45–$75
States Covered
50
100% National Coverage
Annual plans up to 35% off.

8.1

Overall Score

Elite Home Warranty

⑧

Service Fee
$75–$100
Monthly Fee
$40–$65
States Covered
46*
*Excludes TX, CA, WA, & WI
$200 off and 1 month free.

8.0

Overall Score

2-10 Home Buyers Warranty

⑨

Service Fee
$85-$125
Monthly Fee
$25-$60
States Covered
47*
*Excludes AK, HI, & OK
Save $50 on their 2 best plans.  Use code LABORDAY50

7.9

Overall Score

Cinch Home Services

⑩

Service Fee
$100-$150
Monthly Fee
$35-$65
States Covered
48*
*Excludes Alaska & Hawaii
Get 2 months free.

7.5

Overall Score

What is a home warranty?

A home warranty is a service contract that helps cover the repair or replacement of home systems and appliances due to normal wear and tear. Unlike homeowners insurance, which protects against disasters and accidents, a home warranty provides coverage for unexpected mechanical breakdowns of essential household items.

 

Common items covered include:

  • Major appliances (refrigerators, dishwashers, ovens, washers, dryers)

  • Home systems (HVAC, plumbing, electrical, water heaters)

A home warranty offers peace of mind by reducing out-of-pocket repair costs when these items fail.

How does a home warranty work?

When a covered appliance or system breaks, you can file a claim with your home warranty provider to arrange for repairs or replacement.

 

Step-by-Step Process:

  1. File a claim online or by phone with your home warranty provider.

  2. A service technician is dispatched to diagnose the issue.

  3. You pay a service fee (typically $60 – $150).

  4. The technician repairs or replaces the item if it’s covered under your plan.

 

If a repair isn’t possible, the company may offer a replacement unit or cash payout, depending on the policy.

What does a home warranty cover?

Coverage varies by provider and plan, but most home warranties cover major home appliances and systems.

 

Commonly Covered Items:

✔ Appliances: Refrigerators, dishwashers, ovens, washers, dryers
✔ HVAC Systems: Air conditioning, furnaces, ductwork
✔ Plumbing: Water heaters, leaks, pipes, sump pumps
✔ Electrical: Wiring, circuit breakers, panels

 

What’s NOT Covered?

❌ Structural components (walls, floors, foundations)
❌ Improperly maintained items
❌ Damage from natural disasters
❌ Cosmetic issues (scratches, dents)

 

Always review the contract carefully to understand exclusions and coverage limits.

How much does a home warranty cost?

The cost of a home warranty depends on factors such as coverage level, home size, and location.

 

Average Home Warranty Pricing:

💰 Monthly Cost: $35 – $75
💰 Annual Cost: $400 – $900
💰 Service Fee Per Claim: $60 – $150

 

Additional coverage for pools, septic systems, or roof leaks may increase costs. Choosing a higher service fee can sometimes lower your monthly premium. For a detailed breakdown of cost, visit our full cost guide.

Is a home warranty worth it?

A home warranty can provide significant value depending on your home’s age and financial situation.

 

A Home Warranty is Worth It If:

✔ You own older appliances or systems that may break down soon.
✔ You don’t have an emergency fund for large repairs.
✔ You want predictable repair costs instead of unexpected bills.

 

A Home Warranty May NOT Be Worth It If:

❌ Your home’s appliances and systems are brand new.
❌ You prefer choosing your own repair technician.
❌ You can afford to pay for repairs out of pocket.

 

If your home has aging systems or expensive appliances, a home warranty can save thousands in repair costs.

Isn't a home warranty just homeowners insurance?

No, a home warranty is completely different from homeowners insurance.

 

A home warranty helps pay for repairs and replacements of appliances and home systems due to wear and tear. It covers things like HVAC failures, plumbing leaks, and broken dishwashers.

 

Homeowners insurance, on the other hand, protects against disasters, theft, and structural damage. It covers fires, storms, floods, and break-ins but not normal mechanical failures.

 

Most homeowners have both since they serve different purposes.

How do I file a home warranty claim?

Filing a claim is simple and typically takes only a few minutes.

 

How to File a Claim:

  1. Contact your home warranty provider (online or by phone).

  2. Describe the issue and schedule a technician visit.

  3. Pay the service fee (usually $60 – $150).

  4. A technician inspects and repairs the issue if covered.

  5. If replacement is needed, the provider may offer a new unit or a cash payout.

Most companies respond within 24 – 48 hours, but emergency repairs (like no heat in winter) may be handled faster.

Can I choose my own contractor for repairs?

Most home warranty providers require you to use their network of pre-approved technicians, but some allow homeowners to select their own contractors. Providers that don’t allow this will deny reimbursement if an unauthorized contractor performs the repair.

If choosing your own technician is important, make sure to select a provider that allows it.

Do home warranties cover preexisting conditions?

Most home warranty plans do NOT cover pre-existing conditions, but there are exceptions.

 

How Do Companies Handle Pre-Existing Issues?

✅ Some providers cover issues that were "unknown" before purchasing the plan.
❌ Most do NOT cover items that were already broken when coverage started.

Providers like American Home Shield cover undetectable pre-existing conditions, but many others exclude them entirely.

If your home has older appliances, ask about pre-existing condition policies before buying.

The Home Warranty Guide is America’s most trusted source for straight answers about home warranty plans. We’re homeowners and former insiders who once worked at the very companies we now rate. That mix gives us a unique edge: we know which promises hold up, which ones don’t, and how much protection you really get for your money.

​

Every month we dig through state complaint files, real claim outcomes, and the latest pricing to call out the winners, and the others, plainly and fairly. A good warranty can save you thousands; a bad one just costs you. We’re here to make sure you find the right home warranty. 

 

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