When choosing between the best home warranty companies in Colorado, it’s crucial to understand each plan’s terms and conditions, coverage limitations and costs. Whether your Colorado home is located against a Rocky Mountain backdrop or in a busy city like Denver, a home warranty protects you from the repair cost of expensive breakdowns.
More specifically, Colorado homeowners often need coverage for heating system repair and maintenance, given how overworked the system can be in the long, frigid winters. Similarly, water heaters experience a ton of wear in the colder months in CO and can break down more easily than in warmer areas. The high elevation in Colorado can also cause more plumbing blockages, so home warranties that include coverage for these routine plumbing visits are popular in that area.
We consider local needs and more in our review to ensure you get the best home warranty for your purposes. To help you in your search, we provide unbiased information regarding products and services, including reviews of major home warranty companies.
Before recommending providers to readers, our reviews team analyzes the number and quality of available plans. We also research customer service ratings, pricing, state availability and more to arrive at an impartial recommendation for the best providers.
American Home Shield
4.2
Our Rating
The reviews team’s recommended provider for the best home warranty Colorado residents can trust is American Home Shield. The company is available in 49 states and has developed a solid reputation since its founding in 1971.
American Home Shield offers three plans ranging from specialized to comprehensive. ShieldSilver includes coverage for home systems such as plumbing and electrical, as well as items like ceiling fans and garage door openers. ShieldGold includes this coverage as well as adding on large home appliances such as clothes washers and dryers, dishwashers and refrigerators.
ShieldGold covers up to $2,000 for appliance repairs and replacements, depending on the item. ShieldPlatinum covers all items included in both ShieldSilver and ShieldGold, plus coverage for roof-leak repairs, and increases the appliance coverage cap to $4,000.
AHS also offers optional coverage for your additional items around your home, such as a guest unit, well pump, septic pump, electronics, pool and spa.
Here are the details on all three plans:
| Systems and Appliances | ShieldSilver | ShieldGold | ShieldPlatinum |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air conditioners | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Ductwork | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Heating system | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electrical system | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Ceiling fans | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Doorbells | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Garage door openers | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Plumbing system | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Water heaters | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Whirlpool tub motor and components | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rekey | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Air filter discounts | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Built-in microwave ovens | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Clothes washers | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Clothes dryers | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Dishwashers | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Garbage disposal | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Instant hot/cold water dispensers | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Range/oven/cooktop | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Refrigerators | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Roof-leak repairs | Add-on | Add-on | ✓ |
| HVAC tune-up | Add-on | Add-on | ✓ |
| Unlimited A/C Refrigerant | ✓ | ||
| Code violation and permit coverage | ✓ |
American Home Shield offers three service call fee options at $75, $100 and $125 per visit, allowing customers to choose what they pay as a one-time fee each time a technician comes out to assess and repair damaged systems or appliances in the home. Choosing a higher service fee will result in lower monthly premiums, and vice versa. We requested all of our quotes by secret shopping for the same single-family home in Denver.
Take a look at the monthly costs for each plan:
| Plan | $75 Service Fee | $100 Service Fee | $125 Service Fee |
| ShieldSilver | $44.99 | $34.99 | $29.99 |
| ShieldGold | $54.99 | $44.99 | $39.99 |
| ShieldPlatinum | $74.99 | $64.99 | $59.99 |
AFC Home Club
4.2
Our Rating
When you need numerous options from a home warranty provider in Colorado, America’s 1st Choice (AFC) Home Club offers multiple packages. The group provides coverage in 48 states, excluding California and Hawaii, and allows homeowners to select a technician in many cases.
AFC Home Club offers separate levels of coverage with varying degrees of protection for covered items. The Systems Plan covers the basic systems in the home such as air conditioning and ductwork, while the Silver Plan covers large appliances, including refrigerators and dishwashers. AFC Home Club’s Gold Plan combines the coverage of both the Systems and Silver plan for more comprehensive coverage. Finally, the Platinum plan builds on the Gold Plan’s coverage with the additional inclusions for built-in microwaves, ice makers and plumbing stoppages.
To include even more customization, add-on coverage is available for sump pumps, septic systems, hot water dispensers, pool and spa, standalone freezer and tankless water heater.
| Systems and appliances | Systems Plan | Silver Plan | Gold Plan | Platinum Plan |
| Air conditioning and cooler | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Heating systems | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Electrical systems | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Plumbing system | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Water heater | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Ductwork | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Clothes dryer | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Clothes washer | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Refrigerator | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Oven | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Range | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Dishwasher | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Garbage disposal | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Garage door opener | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Built-in microwave | ✓ | |||
| Plumbing stoppages | ✓ | |||
| Ice maker | ✓ |
AFC Home Club offers fairly consistent prices across plans, with a $16 spread from the most inexpensive plans to the most comprehensive Platinum Plan. The company’s service fee is $75 for all plan types.
| Plan | Cost |
| Systems Plan | $43.18 |
| Silver Plan | $43.18 |
| Gold Plan | $52.27 |
| Platinum Plan | $59.09 |
Select Home Warranty
4.2
Our Rating
Budget shoppers can find great value and comprehensive care by purchasing a Select Home Warranty protection plan, which offers affordable plans, a variety of eight add-ons and free roof-leak coverage for policyholders.
Select Home Warranty offers three different packages for home protection, with Bronze Care focusing on home appliances such as garbage disposals and cooktops, Gold Care covering systems such as plumbing and electrical, and Platinum Care combining both coverage plans and adding plumbing stoppages and ceiling fans. In addition, each plan includes free roof-leak coverage, which is an uncommon offering across home warranty companies.
For add-on coverage, the company has options for septic system, stand-alone freezer, sump pump, well pump, central vacuum, lawn sprinkler system, pool and spa.
| System or Appliance | Bronze Care | Gold Care | Platinum Care |
| Clothes washer | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Garbage disposal | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Refrigerator | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Stove/oven | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Built-in microwave | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Cooktop | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Dishwasher | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Clothes dryer | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Air conditioning system | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Central heating | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Plumbing system | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Electrical system | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Water heaters | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Ductwork | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Plumbing stoppage | ✓ | ||
| Ceiling fan | ✓ |
Select Home Warranty is widely acclaimed for its exceptionally low-cost plans, with each of the Colorado quotes we received at less than $40, lower than the national average for home warranty plans. The service call fee for the company can range between $75 and $100, depending on your contract’s length.
| Plan | Cost |
| Bronze Care | $35.83 |
| Gold Care | $35.83 |
| Platinum Care | $37.50 |
Home Warranty Resources
- What is a Home Warranty?
- How Much Do Home Warranties Cost?
- Is a Home Warranty Worth It for You?
- Best Home Warranties in 2023
- Do Your Appliances Need Extended Warranties?
How to Choose the Best Home Warranty in Colorado
Now that you have the top five choices in mind, it’s time to narrow down the choices to the best one for your home. As you can see, we compared things like coverage choices, pricing, overall time in the industry, and more. However, when you narrow down your final plan choices, coverage caps, exclusions, and workmanship guarantees are three critical things to focus on.
Watch Out for Low Coverage Caps
The coverage cap or coverage limit is how much of a repair or replacement cost the home warranty plan will pay out in the course of a year. Some home warranties come with a $500 cap, and others will have a $3000 cap. Choose something that matches the age and quality of your systems and appliances.
Beware of Coverage Exclusions
All home warranty companies have exclusions; however, some will have more than others. Things like window air conditioners or non-built-in microwaves are often excluded. Always make sure to check the fine print of the policy.
Consider the Workmanship Guarantee
When you pay a service fee to have a technician come to your home and fix an issue, you expect the issue to be fixed for good. However, if the issue comes back after a week or so, you will want to ensure that the home warranty plan covers all costs; this is considered the workmanship guarantee.
In addition to the general things you should consider above, there are some specific coverage options you might want to make sure you take advantage of living in Colorado. For example, Colorado homeowners are well-acquainted with the long, cold winters. Temperatures average below-freezing from November through March and can still be in the 50s in the middle of the summer. The frigid weather puts a ton of strain on your heating system and water heater, so most Colorado residents seek out home warranties that cover these items.
As mentioned above, the high altitude in Colorado can take a toll on your home’s plumbing. The average height above sea level in CO is 6,800 feet. At this altitude, waste pipes can get clogged more easily, leading to frequent plumbing blockages. If you live in a populated area like Denver, clogs can be even more prevalent. As such, it’s a good idea to get a home warranty that has an add-on option for plumbing stoppages, which often isn’t included in general plumbing system coverage.
Finally, many Colorado homeowners have spas to stay warm and enjoy the outdoors even in the dead of winter. Pool and spa coverage is often not covered in home warranty plans, but you might want to consider choosing a plan with spa coverage as an add-on. These fixtures are likely to be put under a lot of stress in the cold Colorado winter, and breakdowns can be quite costly.
Our Verdict
A home warranty can give homeowners peace of mind that they won’t be left with hefty bills when their home needs attention. For a small service fee or deductible, your Colorado home warranty can help you to repair or replace the systems and appliances that you rely on.
Our top choice for a reliable, affordable home warranty is American Home Shield, taking first place in our research for Colorado homeowners. However, we recommend getting three quotes from among the providers on this list to compare rates and choose your best option.
Frequently Asked Questions About Colorado Home Warranties
How does a home warranty in Colorado work?
Obtaining a home warranty and the associated coverage is simple. You find the home warranty company that works for you, you choose the plan and optional add-ons you want, pay for your plan, and then wait for coverage to kick in. The coverage will typically begin 30 to 90 days after you choose your plan.
For Colorado homeowners, when an issue comes up with a covered appliance or system, it is very easy to file a claim. The process is as follows:
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- Identify an issue in your home that is covered by your home warranty plan or add-on options
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- File a claim to request service. Most home warranty providers have an online portal system where a service request can be submitted.
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- The claim is then processed, and a homeowner will pay a service fee to schedule the repair for their home.
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- A service technician will typically come out within 24 to 72 hours and should only cost a homeowner the price of the service fee. Most service fees range in price from around $60 to $150.
Are home warranty plans worth it in Colorado?
Home warranty plans are worth it for Colorado homeowners hoping to avoid paying for costly repairs out of pocket. No one ever plans to have an emergency with their home appliances or systems, but with a home warranty, it’s possible to be protected against expensive repairs and replacements.
Will home warranty plans replace HVAC systems?
Certain home warranty plans can replace HVAC systems, depending on their coverage caps and terms and conditions. We recommend American Home Shield for the most comprehensive HVAC coverage.
What does a home warranty Cover?
A home warranty plan offers coverage on your home’s major appliances and systems. Coverage from a home warranty plan will be limited to appliances, systems, and then some add-on coverage options. The appliances typically covered under a home warranty plan are the washing machine, dryer, oven, refrigerator, dishwasher, microwave, and more. System coverage typically includes heating systems, plumbing, water heaters, air conditioning, electrical systems, and more. The add-on coverages can include pool, spa, roof leak, septic system, and sometimes even things like locksmith or pest control.
What is not covered by a home warranty?
Colorado homeowners should know that a home warranty plan is in place just to protect against normal wear. Home warranties do not cover things like cosmetic issues, pre-existing conditions, natural disasters, or misuse of a system or appliance. You must keep up with preventative maintenance on your home systems and appliances to ensure that your next repair or replacement-related issue will be covered.
How much does a home warranty cost?
In our research of the top home warranty companies, our reviews team found that home warranties in Colorado typically cost between $300 and $500 annually. In most cases, the higher the cost, the higher the amount of coverage.
Home Warranty Rating Methodology
To help you find the best home warranty, our reviews team researched numerous home warranty companies, analyzing their coverage plans, pricing and customer service, among other factors:
- Coverage: Home warranty companies that provide extensive coverage and protect important systems and appliances, including your air conditioning, refrigerator and heating, scored higher than companies with minimal coverage.
- Plan variety: A provider with more coverage plans allows for more flexibility among customers. In general, most home warranty companies provide an appliances-only plan, systems-only plan and combination plan.
- Pricing: We scored providers based on their monthly plan prices and service call fees compared to the industry average pricing. Companies with more affordable coverage received more points than companies with more expensive plans.
- State availability: Where you live will determine what companies are available in your area. Home warranty companies that covered more states received more points than companies with a limited state availability.
- Trustworthiness: There are some home warranty companies that are scams and don’t follow through on their service agreements. We rated companies based on their years of experience, ratings on the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and customer reviews.
To keep our data current, our team regularly updates the data points for each company to ensure their coverage offerings, pricing and availability are accurate.
