Home appliance insurance, commonly known as a home warranty, helps homeowners save money when their major household appliances and systems unexpectedly break down. Home warranty insurance policies cover your home systems, appliances, or both. But not every homeowner needs such comprehensive coverage, which is why home appliance insurance has become an increasingly popular option.
What Are the Best Home Appliance Insurance Companies?
The following warranty providers offer the best home appliance insurance:
Compare The Top Home Appliance Warranty Companies
Below is a table we’ve created to help outline specific data points comparing various home warranty companies we found to offer the most robust plans to cover your home appliances. We specifically included a column in this table looking at the “# of appliances covered on the lowest plan” so you can see just how much value you’re getting for each dollar.Continue reading for our specific reviews of each.
Company | Monthly Cost | Service Fee Cost | Avg Annual Coverage Limit | Avg Response Time | Appliances Covered in Lowest Plan |
 | $49.99–$69.99+ | $65–$125 | $2,000 | 12–48 hours | 9 |
 | $60.42–$63.75+ | $60–$75 | $400–$3,000 | 24–48 hours | 8 |
 | $46.83–$54.75+ | $75–$125 | $2,000–$5,000 | 24–72 hours | 10 |
 | $46.83–$54.75+ | $85 | $3,000 | 24–48 hours | 5 |
 | $$50.41–$62.91+ | $95 | $500–$2,000 | 24–48 hours | 10 |
Quote and cost data gathered January 2023 for a 3,000 square foot home in Burnsville, Minnesota. Cost data are updated and monitored continuously.
Choice Home Warranty
4.9
Our Rating
With more than 1.6 million customers in the United States, Choice Home Warranty is an outstanding warranty provider that combines competitive pricing with quality warranty protection.
You want the best and fastest service possible when something breaks in your home. Choice Home Warranty offers excellent 24 to 48 hours response times and low monthly premiums. Choice has great claims acceptance, meaning if the diagnosis is included in your warranty plan, Choice will cover the costs.
Choice Home Warranty offers two plan options that include both home systems and appliances. The Basic Plan and Total Plan provide excellent home appliance insurance and include:
Choice Home Warranty offers two plan options that include both home systems and appliances. The Basic Plan and Total Plan provide excellent home appliance insurance and include:
- Basic Plan (starting at $46.84 per month): This plan covers both systems and appliances and includes your heating system, electrical system, plumbing system, plumbing stoppage, water heater, Whirlpool bathtub, oven/cooktop, dishwasher, built-in microwave, garbage disposal, ductwork, garage door opener, and ceiling/exhaust fans.
- Total Plan (starting at $54.75 per month): The Total plan includes the systems and appliances in the Basic Plan with the addition of your clothes dryer, clothes washer, refrigerator, and air conditioning systems.
You can add up to 12 add-on services to your Choice Home Warranty plan, including protection for your pool, lawn sprinklers, central vacuum and more. These add-on services cost between $3.33 and $15 per month.
Choice Home Warranty offers an excellent coverage cap of up to $3,000 deductible per covered item under the basic warranty plan. For add-ons, Choice offers coverage limits between $250 and $500.
Liberty Home Guard
4.5
Our Rating
Liberty Home Guard (LHG) is one of the most customizable home warranty providers due to its more than 34 add-ons, including luxury appliances and professional-grade equipment. Its wide selection of coverage combined with some of the best customer reviews makes this company a top choice for home appliance insurance.
LHG is one of the few home warranty providers covering luxury appliances like your refrigerator, dishwasher, and washing machine. You can also add home services like pest control, carpet cleaning and pressure washing.
Most home warranty providers offer between 10 and 15 add-on options, but Liberty Home Guard is the most customizable, with more than 34 add-on options. You can add everything from your trash compactor to your hot water dispenser.
Liberty Home Guard has three plan options to cover home appliances, home systems, or a combination. These plans are all within an affordable price range and include the following:
- Appliance Guard (starting at $49.99 per month): This appliance insurance plan covers your clothes dryer, refrigerator, built-in microwave, dishwasher, garbage disposal, range/oven/cooktop, ceiling fans, exhaust fans, and garage door openers.
- Systems Guard (starting at $54.99 per month): Coverage for this systems plan includes heating, ductwork, plumbing, electrical, and water heaters.
- Total Home Guard (starting at $59.99 per month): This complete home protection plan includes everything in the Appliance Guard and Systems Guard plans.
Liberty Home Guard offers 34 add-ons, including high-end refrigerators, dishwashers, clothes washers, freezers, and clothes dryers. Most add-ons cost between $3.99 per month and $19.99 per month, but most are in the $10 to $15 per month range.
Liberty Home Guard only covers appliance failures due to normal wear and tear and will cover up to $2,000 per item for your home systems and appliances. If the damage is covered by your manufacturer’s warranty or home insurance, it may not be covered.
Select Home Warranty
4.3
Our Rating
Select Home Warranty is an excellent choice for home appliance insurance because every aspect of its coverage is among the best in the business. Offering home warranty coverage for just $2 per day, even the most budget-conscious homeowner can benefit from Select’s home warranty services.
When it comes to value, few warranty providers can compete with Select Home Warranty. Select Home Warranty offers one of the best comprehensive services because of its affordable monthly premiums, $65 to $75 service call fee, 24- to 48-hour response times, and 60-day workmanship guarantee. In addition, Select offers free limited protection against roof leaks, while most home warranty companies only offer this as an add-on.
Select Home Warranty may be slightly more expensive than some of our other top warranty providers, but the low service fees and level of service are worth the extra few dollars a month. Select offers a systems plan, appliance plan, and combination plan that include:
- Gold Care (starting at $60.42 per month): This systems plan covers air conditioning, heating system, plumbing system, electrical system, water heater, and ductwork.
- Bronze Care (starting at $60.42 per month): This home appliance insurance plan includes clothes washer and dryer, garbage disposal, refrigerator, stove/oven, built-in microwave, cooktop, and dishwasher.
- Platinum Care (starting at $63.75 per month): For just a few more dollars each month, you can get all the systems and appliances in the Gold Care and Bronze Care plans covered with the Platinum Care plan.
Homeowners who want additional coverage in their warranty plan should choose Select Home Warranty because it offers some of the most affordable add-on coverage. Each of the nine available add-ons — including your stand-alone freezer, ice maker, and second refrigerator — ranges from $3.33 to $8.33 per month.
Select Home Warranty does not cover home appliance repairs if the damage is caused by misuse, human error, or improper installation. Coverage amounts range from $400 to $3,000 per home system or appliance, but if the damage is covered by the manufacturer or your homeowner’s insurance, it will not be covered by Select.
American Home Shield
4.2
Our Rating
American Home Shield (AHS) is a leading home warranty provider that offers three home appliance plan options. With more than 50 years of experience and some of the most comprehensive coverage available, this home warranty provider is an excellent choice for any homeowner.
American Home Shield is an excellent choice for home appliance insurance, with coverage caps of $2,000 or $4,000 for each appliance and coverage up to $5,000 for your HVAC system. Compared to most home warranty companies with a coverage cap of $2,000 or less, this high coverage amount from AHS is more likely to cover repair or replacement costs.
An American Home Shield home warranty offers excellent home appliances and systems coverage. You can choose a systems plan or a combination plan that covers both:
- ShieldSilver (starting at $49.99 per month): This systems plan covers heating, cooling, electrical and plumbing systems. It does not include home appliances. You can add protection for electronics, pools and spas, roof leaks, and more.
- ShieldGold (starting at $69.99 per month): This comprehensive home appliance plan covers 23 major household systems and appliances, including heating, cooling, electrical and plumbing. This plan differs from ShieldSilver by adding kitchen and laundry appliance coverage.
- ShieldPlatinum (starting at $99.99 per month): Homeowners who want full coverage should choose this plan which includes all 23 major household systems and appliances and roof-leak protection. This includes the systems and appliances included in the ShielSilver and ShieldGold plans with the addition of roof leak repairs, coverage for code violations and permits, free HVAC tune-ups, and unlimited A/C refrigerant.
AHS’s ShieldPlatinum plan covers nearly all major appliances and systems, but you can add more coverage to your plan. American Home Shield has 10 add-on items available, including protection from limited roof leakage protection to a home warranty for your guest unit.
American Home Shield will only cover home repairs if the failure was caused by normal wear and tear. You cannot make a warranty claim for damage caused by human error, misuse, or negligence. AHS might cover preexisting conditions if the problem was not previously identified.
AHS offers generous, unlimited coverage for air conditioners and heating systems. For home appliances, you’ll receive coverage up to $2,000 or $4,000 if you choose ShieldGold or ShieldPlatinum plans.
AFC Home Club
4.4
Our Rating
With a protection plan from AFC, you don’t have to worry about paying out of pocket if a home system or appliance breaks down. AFC offers two plans that provide excellent protection for your home.
When your household systems and appliances break down, you want a service provider to come to your home as quickly as possible. AFC has a quick response time and often responds to your claims within a few hours, which means a service technician can be at your home within 24 to 48 hours.
In addition to fast response times and excellent service, AFC also offers some of the best coverage limits for add-on items. Whereas most home warranty companies have a $500 coverage cap for add-ons, some add-on appliances — such as dual compressor refrigerators — can receive up to $2,000 for replacement costs.
AFC offers two combo plans that both include appliance coverage. These plans include the following:
- Standard Coverage (starting at $50.41/mo): This affordable appliance insurance plan includes kitchen appliances, clothes washer and dryer, HVAC systems, electrical systems, plumbing systems, and water leaks.
- Comprehensive Coverage (starting at $62.91/mo): This comprehensive appliance and systems plan includes everything in the Standard Coverage plan plus ductwork, gas leaks, sump pumps, fans, instant hot/cold water dispensers, pest control, doorbells, plumbing stoppage coverage, and more.
You can add up to 12 extra household systems and appliances to your AFC warranty, including your water softener, freestanding freezer, additional refrigerator, and built-in refrigerator units with dual compressors.
Each home appliance and system has its own coverage cap, but these limits typically range between $300 and $2,000 per item. For optional coverage, you can expect the coverage limits to be between $500 and $2,000 per item. But should you purchase outside water line coverage, you may get up to $5,000 in warranty coverage.
What Are the Different Types of Home Appliance Protection Plans?
Several types of home protection plans provide similar coverage, but some minor differences make each of them important to understand. In addition, what is covered under one type of home protection plan may not be covered by another, so it’s beneficial to have each type of plan.
- Homeowners insurance policy: Home insurance is often required when you purchase a home because it protects against structural damage to your home, including acts of nature, theft, and vandalism.
- Manufacturer’s warranty: A manufacturer’s warranty covers functional problems with a newly purchased product. These limited protection plans typically insure only one item against factory defects.
- Extended warranty: An extended warranty can often be purchased when you buy a new household kitchen appliance. This type of warranty extends the manufacturer’s warranty and covers the components and parts longer.
- Home warranty policy: A home warranty policy covers the repair costs when your home systems and appliances break down due to normal wear and tear. A home warranty can be renewed year after year and covers a suite of home appliances and/or systems.
How Does Home Appliance Insurance Work?
Coverage for home appliance insurance typically starts 30 days after your first payment. Once the 30-day waiting period has passed, you may file a claim with your home warranty provider.
The claims process is simple and follows the following steps:
- Discover that your home appliance or system has failed.
- Call your warranty provider or submit an online claim.
- Most home warranty providers process and respond to your claim within 24 to 48 hours.
- The provider arranges for a knowledgeable technician to be sent to your home to assess the problem. You pay your service fee at this time.
- The service technician immediately repairs minor problems for which they have the necessary parts.
- If the damage is more significant, new parts are needed, or the item needs to be replaced, the service technician schedules a follow-up appointment. Please note: You may have to pay an additional service fee for the second visit.
- Once the repair or replacement is complete, enjoy your newly functioning system or appliance with peace of mind.
What Do Home Appliance Insurance Policies Cover?
Unlike homeowners insurance, which protects the structural integrity of your home, home appliance insurance covers the cost of replacing or repairing your major systems and appliances. Home warranty companies offer three types of plans: System plans, appliance plans, or combo plans that cover a mix of both.
System plans commonly cover the following:
- Cooling system
- Electrical system
- Heating system
- Plumbing system
Appliance plans commonly cover the following:
- Built-in microwave
- Clothes dryer
- Clothes washer
- Dishwasher
- Oven, stove, range
- Refrigerator
Companies that offer comprehensive coverage and high coverage caps, such as American Home Shield and Select Home Warranty, have the best coverage for your home appliances.
| Home Appliance or System | Average Lifespan* | Average Cost to Repair | Average Cost to Replace | Estimated Potential Savings |
| Air conditioner | 15–20 years | $350 | $5,000 | $1,000–$3,000 |
| Built-in microwave | 8 years | $125 | $400 | $200–$500 |
| Clothes washer | 12 years | $300 | $1,000 | $1,000–$2,000 |
| Cooktop/oven/range | 13–15 years | $220 | $750 | $1,000–$2,000 |
| Dishwasher | 12 years | $150 | $1,000 | $1,000–$2,000 |
| Dryer | 13–15 years | $250 | $1,000 | $1,000–$2,000 |
| Furnace | 15–25 years | $250 | $4,000 | $1,000–$3,000 |
| Garage door opener | 10–15 years | $220 | $500 | $200–$500 |
| Garbage disposal | 10 years | $200 | $400 | $200–$500 |
| Refrigerator | 15 years | $300 | $2,000 | $1,000–$2,000 |
| Water heater | 8–12 years | $500 | $1,000 | $1,000 |
* Source: National Association of Certified Home Inspectors
What Home Appliance Insurance Doesn’t Cover
There is a coverage limit for each appliance covered under your home warranty, which is the full amount the home warranty company will cover. This coverage cap often ranges from $400 per appliance to more than $3,000, but the best home warranty companies, like AHS, offer coverage up to $4,000.
As long as your home appliance broke due to normal wear and tear, you will likely be covered by the home warranty. Home appliance warranties generally do not cover malfunctions that result from misuse, human error, or improper installation. However, some providers — like American Home Shield — will cover preexisting conditions if the damage was not previously detected.
How Much Does Home Appliance Insurance Cost?
The average monthly cost of a home warranty is about $50, and several factors influence the cost of your home warrant, including the following:
- Type of plan
- Service call fee
- Number of add-ons
Type of Plan
The more systems and appliances included in your plan, the more expensive it will be. The plans that cover either just your systems or just appliances are usually cheaper than the combo plans. The additional cost for the combo plans is usually only $5 to $15 more per month compared to the basic plans.
Service Call Fee
Each time you file a claim, you pay a service fee to have a technician sent to your home. The average service fee is between $75 and $125, but some warranty providers offer even lower service fees, such as Select Home Warranty, which only charges between $60 and $75 per claim. Typically, the higher your monthly premium, the lower your service fee, and vice versa.
Number of Add-ons
The monthly premium covers basic home systems and appliances, but if you want items like your central vacuum or swimming pool covered, you’ll have to pay an additional monthly fee. Add-ons can cost as little as $3.33 per month.
Is Insurance Worth It For Your Home Appliances?
Home appliance insurance is most worthwhile for new homeowners who own older home systems and appliances. Even if your appliances are less than 10 years old, many homeowners find that home warranty insurance is worthwhile because it provides peace of mind.
If a home appliance fails, you don’t have to spend thousands of dollars on repairing or replacing it if you have a home warranty. Plus, you often don’t have to worry about finding a service technician because your warranty provider will do the work for you.
What Should You Look for When Picking Home Appliance Insurance?
When shopping for home appliance insurance, keep these three factors at the top of your mind.
Generous coverage limits
Larger, essential appliances such as refrigerators and washing machines are the most expensive to replace. We recommend prioritizing providers with coverage limits of at least $1,500 per year per appliance. This way, you’ll be less likely to owe anything out of pocket should a repair or replacement exceed your coverage limit.
Reasonable service fees
Every home warranty provider charges an up-front deductible each time you request service for a new issue. Depending on the provider, service fees can range anywhere from $60 to $125. These can add up quickly if you have to submit multiple claims in a year. We suggest finding a home appliance insurance plan with a service fee around the industry average of $76.
Realistic exclusions
As you scan sample contracts, you’ll find that most providers exclude coverage for nonessential appliance features.
So, What Is the Best Company for Home Appliance Insurance?
Because every homeowner has unique needs for their home appliance insurance, no one provider is best for everyone. The most important step when choosing a home warranty is determining your priorities.
If comprehensive home appliance coverage is your top priority, you should choose Select Home Warranty, Liberty Home Guard, or American Home Shield. Each of these warranty providers offers excellent home appliance insurance coverage, high coverage caps, and affordable monthly rates.
Select Home Warranty and Liberty Home Guard are known for their quick response times, which can come in handy when a home appliance breaks. If you own luxury appliances that are not normally covered, consider Liberty Home Guard, as you can easily add these upgrades to your plan.
FAQs About Best Home Appliance Insurance Companies
Do I need a home warranty if I have an extended warranty?
An extended warranty extends a manufacturer’s warranty so that the warranty lasts longer. However, an extended warranty will not cover repairing or replacing your home appliance when it breaks down due to normal wear and tear.
Is a home warranty the same as home insurance?
Often a mandatory condition of your mortgage, home insurance covers structural repair costs due to natural disasters, theft, or vandalism. A home warranty is an optional policy that helps cover the costs of general breakdowns from wear and tear to your home’s systems or appliances.
What’s the difference between a home warranty and a manufacturer’s warranty?
Although similar, a home warranty and a manufacturer’s warranty provide different types of coverage. A home warranty covers the cost of repairing home systems and appliances when they break down from normal wear and tear. A manufacturer’s warranty comes from the factory and covers repairs and replacements needed when a new product doesn’t work as it should.
Methodology: How We Ranked Home Appliance Companies
At Today’s Homeowner, we strive to bring you the most transparent, accurate information for your home improvement projects. Our home warranty company ratings emphasize what matters most to you — whether you’re looking for low-cost coverage, a hassle-free repair process, 24/7 assistance, or all of the above.
Our ratings are based on publicly available information about each company, secret shopping online and over the phone, customer-review analysis, and discussions with real estate professionals and repair contractors.
A company can earn a maximum of 100 points across six categories converted to a five-star scale. We researched more than 60 home warranty providers to develop the following formula:
- Plans and Coverage (24 points): A home warranty provider can earn the maximum point value in this category if it offers multiple robust plans that cover all basic systems and appliances and optional add-on coverage. We give bonus points to companies that cover uncommon items, such as electronics and roof leaks.
- Affordability (22.5 points): When evaluating costs, we not only consider monthly plan prices, but we also take into account the cost of add-on coverage, service fees, and whether companies offer free cancellation periods or money-back guarantees. If a provider allows potential customers to view sample contracts before getting a quote, that transparency earns more points in this category.
- Customer Experience (18.5 points): A home warranty company must give its customers ample support when they experience issues. We gauge overall support by looking at customer reviews and conducting homeowner surveys. We also go through the quotes process with each company and take meticulous notes about the friendliness of salespeople, how detailed each quote is, and how often the provider contacts us after giving a quote.
- Company Reputation (17.5 points): In this category, we look at a combination of customer reviews and reputable organizations such as the Better Business Bureau (BBB). We also consider the years of company experience, how satisfied its employees are, and whether it has been hit with any consumer rights violations or lawsuits.
- Claims Process (12.5 points): We score providers highly when they offer short response times, multiple ways to file claims, and around-the-clock availability. Companies can earn bonus points if they have a good reputation for quick and easy claims processing.
- Availability (5 points): Providers that serve more areas can have experience dealing with a wider range of homeowner headaches. A company earns the maximum points in this category if it offers services in most U.S. states.
We monitor company data on an ongoing basis to keep rankings and information up to date.
