Better Homes And Gardens Home Warranty

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Best Overall

American Home Shield
Best Basic Plan

Choice Home Warranty
Best Discounts

Select Home Warranty
Best Coverage Upgrade

First American Home Warranty
Best Plan Variety

America's 1st Choice Home Club
Best Membership Perks

Cinch Home Services
Best Add-On Options

Liberty Home Guard

A home warranty plan protects you from paying out-of-pocket for unexpected repairs or replacements on home systems and appliances. While you don't expect issues to arise with your dishwasher or HVAC system, you might deal with a breakdown sooner than you expect.

When it comes to shopping for home warranties and choosing the right plan, you'll want to check out the best home warranty companies and consider the different types of plans, pricing, and optional add-ons available.

Our research team has analyzed dozens of home warranty providers, evaluating each on factors such as customer service, coverage options, and cost. In this article, we review the best home warranty companies to help you navigate the different options and find the best plan for you.

7 Best Home Warranty Companies

After in-depth research, here are our top picks for the best home warranty companies:

American Home Shield

American Home Shield, our top-rated pick, has been in business since 1971. They are BBB accredited and receive top marks for their customer service. With their plan cost structure, you can vary the amount of your monthly or yearly premium to have a higher or lower service fee.

Best Overall

American Home Shield

Pros & Cons of American Home Shield

✓ Long tenure in the home warranty industry
✓ Excellent appliance coverage
✓ Extensive network of repair technicians

☓ Most expensive service fee option of $125 is above national average
☓ No roof coverage option
☓ Not available in Alaska

American Home Shield Plans & Pricing

American Home Shield offers three of the best home warranty plans on the market—ShieldSilver™, ShieldGold™, and ShieldPlatinum™. The prices for each plan vary. A representative shared with us that, on average, the plans cost around $20–$65 per month. The service fee will be $75, $100, or $125.

ShieldSilver: Covers 14 major systems, including electrical, plumbing, air conditioning, heating, water heaters, garage door openers, ceiling fans, door bells, and exhaust fans.
ShieldGold: Includes all systems in ShieldSilver plus clothes washers, dryers, refrigerators, ovens, ranges, cooktops, and built-in microwaves. These appliances come with a high coverage cap of $3,000.
ShieldPlatinum: This is the most comprehensive plan. It covers the 23 items from the other two plans plus roof leak repairs, one free HVAC tune-up, increased coverage caps for appliances to $6,000, unlimited coverage for AC refrigerant, and up to $1,000 for extra building ordinance costs.
Optional Add-Ons: Pools, spas, electronics, guest units less than 750 square feet, well pumps, and septic pumps.

"I have been 10 years with AHS. I started when I moved into my new home. As you know equipment will fail over time. Over the years I have had multiple repairs thru AHS from washer, dishwasher, fridge, air conditioning, water heater, well pump etc. They have always stood by their agreement. They even changed out a contractor if the contractor did not look like they could do the job. I am extremely happy with them and will continue to rely on their help when needed. I can recommend them highly."

Kenny V.

Choice Home Warranty

Choice Home Warranty has a low service fee of $85, which can get even lower with discounts. We also like their add-on coverage, which includes limited roof leaks, septic tank pumping, septic system, pool/spa, and more. They also renew contracts and they cover items regardless of their age. They also provide clear, transparent contracts and excellent customer satisfaction.

Best Basic Plan

Choice Home Warranty

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Pros & Cons of Choice Home Warranty

✓ Year-round discounts available
✓ High customer satisfaction ratings
✓ 24/7 technician availability
✓ Offers affordable plans

☓ California and Washington aren't covered
☓ Some essential systems are only covered with a higher-priced plan

Choice Home Warranty Plans & Pricing

Choice Home Warranty offers two plans—a Basic Plan and a Total Plan. When we spoke to a representative, they shared that the average cost is around $29–$42 per month, while the service fee is $85.

Basic Plan: Covers 14 systems and appliances, including ductwork, heating, electrical, plumbing, dishwashers, ovens, cooktops, and built-in microwaves.
Total Plan: Covers all items in the Basic Plan plus clothes washers, clothes dryers, refrigerators, and air conditioning.
Optional Add-Ons: Roof leaks, septic systems, septic tank pumping, well pumps, sump pumps, second refrigerators, stand-alone freezers, central vacuum, pools, and spas.

"I've been very pleased with the service thus far. Technicians have been prompt, courteous, and professional."

Gwen

Select Home Warranty

Select Home Warranty has been in business for 7 years. They offer coverage to homeowners in every state except Alaska, and they are our top pick for budget-conscious shoppers. With a service of $75, three levels of plans, and discounts offered regularly, their prices are appealing to homeowners watching their spending.

Best Discounts

Select Home Warranty

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Pros & Cons of Select Home Warranty

✓ Offers free roof leak coverage with plans
✓ No limit to the number of repairs
✓ Repair technicians are available 24/7

☓ Not BBB accredited
☓ Not available in Nevada, New York, Washington, or Wisconsin

Select Home Warranty Plans & Pricing

Select Home Warranty offers three home warranty plans with an average cost of $41–$47 per month and a $75 service call fee. The most comprehensive plan is the Platinum Care Plan, and we consider it the best choice, since it includes 16 major systems and appliances and is only priced $6 more than the other smaller plans.

Bronze Care Plan: Covers eight home appliances, including cooktops, dishwashers, garbage disposals, built-in microwaves, refrigerators, stoves, ovens, clothes washers, and clothes dryers.
Gold Care Plan: Covers six home systems, including air conditioning, ductwork, electrical systems, heating systems, plumbing systems, and water heaters.
Platinum Care Plan: We recommend this plan as the best bang-for-your-buck, as it covers the total 14 items from the other two plans as well as garage door openers, plumbing stoppages, and ceiling fans.
Optional Add-Ons: Central vacuums, lawn sprinkler systems, pools, spas, stand-alone freezers, well pumps, and sump pumps.

"The contractor came to me within 3 hours I filed the claim, fixed my furnace, very polite, quick response time. Highly recommend."

Issac

First American Home Warranty

First American Home Warranty has two plans, add-on coverage, and a $75 service fee. First American also offers unlimited service calls with 24/7 availability. The company isn't as widely available as other providers but it's still one of the best home warranty options in the areas that it does operate.

Best Coverage Upgrade

First American Home Warranty

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Pros & Cons of First American Home Warranty

✓ More than 30 years in business
✓ Accredited by the Better Business Bureau
✓ Add-on coverage available

☓ Not available in 16 states
☓ Difficult cancellation policy

First American Home Warranty Plans & Pricing

First American Home Warranty offers two plans and eight optional add-ons for extra coverage. The price range for standard plans falls around $37–$50 per month and the service call fee is $75 per visit. This provider also offers the First Class Upgrade for an additional $9 per month that adds considerable value to each plan.

Basic Plan: Covers nine appliances, including garbage disposals, dishwashers, oven ranges, cooktops, microwaves, trash compactors, refrigerators, clothes washers, and dryers.
Premier Plan: Covers all of the appliances in the Basic Plan plus plumbing, water heaters, heating, ductwork, electrical, garage door openers, and central vacuum systems.
Optional Add-Ons: Central air conditioning, additional refrigeration, pools, spas, well pumps, septic system, septic tank pumping, HVAC tune-ups, and the First Class Upgrade.
First Class Upgrade: This optional add-on covers parts that aren't typically included in the standard plans such as knobs, dials, and hinges. It also includes coverage for items that were improperly installed, fixing code violations, haul-aways, and lifting equipment if needed for a repair or replacement.

"First American protects me from any of the major problems with my appliances and where I would normally pay, you know, thousands of dollars for new appliances. I rely on my First American home warranty to help me replace them or fix them as needed."

First American Home Warranty customer

Liberty Home Guard

We recommend Liberty Home Guard as the best option in this list of home warranty companies for add-ons because of its 28 additional coverage options. The company also provides fast service within 24 business hours of the time you submit a claim. The company has only been around since 2019 but is quickly establishing itself in the industry with an A+ BBB rating and accreditation as well as a high average of positive home warranty reviews.

Best Add-Ons

Liberty Home Guard

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Pros & Cons of Liberty Home Guard

✓ Can get repairs within 24 hours of submitting a claim
✓ Provides a 60-day workmanship guarantee on repairs
✓ Offers 28 optional add-ons

☓ Not available in California, Illinois, Washington, or Wisconsin
☓ Doesn't cover breakdowns from improper maintenance

Liberty Home Guard Plans & Pricing

We recommend Liberty Home Guard's Total Home Guard plan for those that need the most comprehensive coverage, since it includes both systems and appliances. Pricing from this provider typically ranges from $40–$50 per month based on our sample quotes, with the Appliance Guard plan being the least expensive.

Appliance Guard: Covers nine home appliances, including clothes washers, dryers, refrigerators, built-in microwaves, dishwashers, garbage disposals, and exhaust fans.
Systems Guard: Covers air conditioning, heating, ductwork, plumbing, electrical, and water heaters.
Total Home Guard: Covers all systems and appliances from the other two plans, totaling 15 items. At only $10 more than the cheapest appliance plan, we recommend this as the ideal option for our readers.
Optional Add-Ons: Pools, spas, sump pumps, well pumps, central vacuum, septic system pumping, stand-alone freezers, limited roof leaks, lighting fixtures, re-key, gutter cleaning, pest control, carpet cleaning, water softener, lawn sprinkler systems, electronics protection, swamp coolers, ejector pumps, second refrigerators, trash compactors, ice makers, freestanding ice makers, wine coolers, saltwater pools, generators, plumbing fixtures, grinder pumps, water dispenser water lines, instant hot water dispensers, and reverse osmosis systems.

"I am delighted with Liberty Home Guard, and I just renewed for my third year with my home and 2 rental properties. Needless to say, LHG always backed me up. Overall, the service is rated 99% great from my experience and well worth the money."

Oliver P.

Cinch Home Services

Look to Cinch Home Services for the best 180-day workmanship guarantee with each home warranty plan as well as some unique benefits and customization options. Each plan comes with an air conditioner or water filter credit of up to $25 and a free water sensor delivered to your home after your plan starts.

Best Membership Perks

Cinch Home Services

Pros & Cons of Cinch Home Services

✓ 180-day service guarantee
✓ Offers pricing customization based on preferred service call fee
✓ Includes unique benefits

☓ Minimal add-on options
☓ Not available in Hawaii or Alaska
☓ Higher-than-average service call fee prices

Cinch Home Services Plans & Pricing

Pricing for Cinch varies based on your location, but average costs fall between $40–$80 per month. You can customize the monthly cost by changing your service fee amount to $100, $125, or $150. For a cheaper monthly premium, you can choose the higher service fee. We recommend the Complete Home Plan for the best value and combination of systems and appliances.

Appliances Plan: Covers 12 appliances, including washers, dryers, cooktops, built-in food centers, ranges, refrigerators, trash compactors, dishwashers, and ovens.
Built-in Systems Plan: Covers 16 major systems, including air conditioning, ductwork, ceiling fans, garbage disposals, smoke detectors, plumbing, sump pumps, toilets, and water heaters.
Complete Home Plan: Covers all items in the other two plans, totaling 28 systems and appliances. It also includes a homeowners insurance deductible reimbursement of up to $500 if you ever file a claim with your insurer during your home warranty contract.
Optional Add-Ons: Pools, spas, septic tanks, septic pumping, well pumps, and a premier upgrade that increases coverage limits.

"I am very happy with the sense of security this company provides for me. They are just a phone call or website away to make a claim and are very responsive in a timely manner. My air conditioning unit stopped working during a very hot spell, and I thought I would have to wait a long time, but they found me a company to fix it the very next day! Thank you for everything!"

Ronna W.

America's 1st Choice (AFC) Home Club

AFC Home Club offers some of the best home warranties for variety and customization with four different plan options, including two combo plans. What makes this provider unique is the cancel-anytime option. However, you are required to get annual HVAC maintenance, if you want it covered. Accredited by the Better Business Bureau, America's 1st Choice Home Club has a B rating.

Best Plan Variety

America's 1st Choice (AFC) Home Club

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We rated AFC Home Club as the home warranty company with the best plan variety.

Pros & Cons of AFC Home Club

✓ Can choose your own service technician
✓ Can cancel your plan at anytime
✓ Offers a systems plan, appliances plan, and two combo plans

☓ Doesn't cover pre-existing conditions
☓ Doesn't have a quick claims process

AFC Home Club Plans & Pricing

AFC Home Club is also known for its customizable pricing options based on your payment frequency and preferred service call fee choice of $75, $100, or $125. It sells four different plans that include various coverage with prices typically averaging $43–$60 per month. We recommend the Platinum Plan for the most value and total coverage.

Systems Plan: Covers five major home systems, including water heaters, air conditioning, heating, electrical, and plumbing.
Silver Plan: Covers nine items, including garbage disposals, garage door openers, refrigerators, cooktops, stoves, dishwashers, ovens, clothes washers, and dryers.
Gold Plan: Covers the 14 systems and appliances included in the Systems and Silver plans plus ductwork.
Platinum Plan: This plan offers the most complete coverage, which includes everything in the Gold Plan plus plumbing stoppages, faucets, ice makers, and built-in microwaves.
Optional Add-Ons: Pools, spas, central vacuum, standalone freezers, double ovens, ice makers, built-in microwaves, hot water dispensers, septic systems, tankless water heaters, sump pumps, and well pumps.

"It is refreshing when you log onto [the] website, and have NO problems. Everything you need is on one page."

Paul B.

Our Recommendation

During our in-depth research of dozens of home warranty providers, we found that these seven companies consistently offer the top home warranty plans on the market. Although American Home Shield stands out as the 'Best Overall' home warranty company in our review, other companies bring unique benefits to the table. For example, Choice Home Warranty has an impressive Basic Plan and Liberty Home Guard offers an extensive list of add-on options.

Best Home Warranty Provider Comparison

Since quoted prices can vary depending on your home's size and location, we recommend performing your own home warranty comparison by getting a free quote from the best providers.

The table below shows estimated costs and how we rated each company.

What Is a Home Warranty?

A home warranty is an annual contract between a provider and a homeowner, in which the provider agrees to pay for repairs or replacements of certain systems and appliances with some terms and conditions. The homeowner agrees to pay a monthly or annual premium in addition to a service call fee, which is the amount owed out of pocket during a claim to help pay for the on-site technician's labor.

Although homeowners insurance covers damages to your home's structure and contents due to unexpected events, such as natural disasters or theft, it doesn't cover your systems and appliances when they break down due to normal wear and tear. Home warranties were designed to fill that coverage gap.

Purchasing a home warranty is an excellent way to save money on repair or replacement costs when your home's important systems and appliances break or malfunction. Whether you live in a hot area and rely heavily on your air conditioner during the summer, or you're worried about your refrigerator going out without notice, a home warranty can give you the peace of mind you need.

How Much Does a Home Warranty Cost?

In general, home warranty plans can fall between $30 and $80 per month with service call fees typically ranging between $75 and $150. That pricing can vary depending on a few different factors, such as your location and home size. Here are some other factors that can impact your home warranty pricing:

Plan type: The coverage plan you select can affect how much you pay per month. Combo plans that include coverage for both systems and appliances are typically more expensive than plans dedicated to just appliances or just systems.
Service call fee: Companies like American Home Shield and Cinch Home Services offer customizable service call fee options that can change your monthly pricing. For instance, if you choose the highest service call fee option, your plan will be cheaper per month, since you'll pay more out of pocket during a claim.
Payment plan: Many companies, including Liberty Home Guard and AFC Home Club, offer payment plans with discounts or benefits included to help make your contract more affordable. If you're ready to lock into more than one year of coverage, you could save money by signing up for a multi-year policy. Additionally, paying for your plan annually, as opposed to monthly, can lower its overall cost.
Add-ons: If you need to add extra coverage to your home warranty plan, expect to pay more for each additional item. While some items, such as sump pumps and ice makers, are typically only a few dollars extra per month, other items, such as pools and spas, can add $15–$30 per month.

Are Home Warranties Worth It?

A home warranty can often be a worthwhile investment, ensuring that covered items get the repairs they need as soon as they break, regardless of how much money you have in savings.

When it comes to home expenses, there isn't a limit to how much repairs and replacements can cost. We recently conducted a survey of 1,000 U.S. homeowners and found that more than 35% of respondents had spent more than $1,000 on a single home repair and 27% had spent more than $1,000 to replace a single appliance.

If you're looking to avoid high, unexpected costs, a home warranty plan can help you stay prepared for these expenses so that you don't have to pull from your personal savings or max out your credit card to maintain your home's functionality.

However, home warranties can add value beyond just financial savings and budgeting. They can also help connect you to quality contractors and technicians in your area as quickly as possible when you have a breakdown. The last thing you want is to be stuck without air conditioning for multiple days in the hottest months of the year just because you can't find a reputable technician to fix your HVAC unit in a timely manner.

The Benefits of a Home Warranty

Home warranties protect your home appliances and systems from everyday wear and tear. There are three different types of warranties typically available: an appliances plan, a systems plan, and a combo plan. The best providers also offer optional add-ons such as coverage for sump pumps, septic systems, pools, spas, roof leaks, second refrigerators, and more.

A home warranty covers major appliances and systems that are properly maintained and do not usually require a home inspection. Best of all, they can be purchased at any time, so home sellers, home buyers, and new homeowners can all benefit from them.

Typical items covered by home warranties include:

Home Appliances: Refrigerators, stoves, dishwashers, microwaves, clothes washers, and clothes dryers
Electrical Systems: Interior wires and electrical lines
Plumbing Systems: Drains, valves, and water lines
HVAC Systems: Air conditioning and heating

How Do Home Warranty Protection Plans Work?

When you have a plan, typically you'll receive coverage within 30 days, but some plans take longer to go into effect. The process is easy and, best of all, can save you hundreds (even thousands) if you have a breakdown.

Here's what you can expect from your the best home warranty companies:

When a covered system or appliance breaks, you submit a claim through the home warranty company's online system or by phone.
The home warranty company will process the claim and send a qualified technician to your home.
You'll pay a one-time service fee, as determined by your home warranty agreement.
The technician will diagnose the problem and determine the best plan for repairing or replacing.

Frequently Asked Questions about Home Warranties

Do home warranties cover pre-existing conditions?

Generally speaking, no. If you buy your coverage while your systems or appliances are in good working condition and are properly maintained, most home warranty providers will cover future repairs. Always make sure you read your contract to fully understand your specific coverage.

What should I look for in a home warranty provider?

Factors to consider when you're choosing the best home warranty company for you and your home include what type of coverage you want, how much you want to pay per month, technician network, customer service availability, and the terms and conditions. We also recommend reading each home warranty company's reviews from existing customers to get a sense of the provider's overall customer satisfaction.

What is not covered in a home warranty?

You might be surprised to learn that some parts of your appliances or systems are not covered in your home warranty service contract. For example, air conditioner filters are typically not covered by your warranty protection plan. The following isn't covered either: poorly-maintained systems or appliances, breakdowns or failures that occur due to natural hazards, theft, or other crimes.

Which is the best home warranty provider in my state?

This depends. Not all of these top-rated home warranty companies are available in all states. Make sure when you're shopping for a warranty plan, you check the company's coverage service areas.

Home Warranty Rating Methodology

The Home Service Research Team at Better Homes & Gardens strives to provide unbiased and objective reviews to readers by compiling relevant information on home warranty companies and rating the providers on a variety of factors.

Here's what our review process looks like:

We examine each provider's website to determine plan details, coverage, customer service offerings, and other benefits. We also speak with company representatives to get more insight on plan details.
We read sample contracts from each home warranty company to analyze and compare coverage details, limits, and exclusions.
We read at least 100 third-party customer reviews for each home warranty company to determine the real-life benefits and drawbacks of each provider.
We gather cost information for a variety of home warranty plans in different states by completing online quote forms and speaking with sales representatives to simulate the quote process.
We revisit each company's offerings on a seasonal basis, ensuring that we include the most up-to-date information in our reviews.

We also created a 100-point rating system to score companies based on objective factors, such as plan options, coverage, and customer service:

Factor	What we consider
Plan Options	The number and type of plan options offered to customers
Coverage	The types of items included in a policy
Cost	How much each plan costs and the service fee options
Company Reputation	How the company is perceived through Better Business Bureau (BBB) ratings and a company's years in business
Customer Service	The customer service team's availability, what guarantees are offered, and what customer communication channels are provided (online customer portals, quote forms, etc.)
Unique Benefits	Factors that make the customer experience more seamless, such as allowing customers to choose their own contractor

Overall, the Home Service Research Team has reviewed over 70 home warranty companies to select the top-rated providers in the industry.