Older homes typically mean older systems and appliances that are more prone to break down. That means a home warranty can really help keep repair costs from busting your family’s budget.
With a home warranty, you pay a monthly fee in exchange for help covering the cost of repairing or replacing your home’s appliances and systems when they break down. The top home warranties feature flexible plans and fast service, while keeping your monthly price low.
What Are the Best Home Warranty Companies for Older Homes?
Here are our picks for the best home warranty companies for older homes.
Quick Tips When Shopping for Home Warranties for Older Homes
Most home warranties cover older homes in the same way they would any other home. However, you’ll need to keep different things in mind as you shop. We recommend paying close attention to the following when looking at a home warranty for an older house:
- Coverage for pre-existing conditions: A pre-existing condition is a problem with your house that existed before you bought your home warranty plan. Generally, home warranty providers do not cover pre-existing conditions – but different providers have different policies. The best home warranties for older homes will cover pre-existing conditions if you didn’t know about them when you bought the plan.
- Workmanship guarantee: A workmanship guarantee protects you if your issue isn’t resolved the first time a technician comes to your home. If the problem comes back within a certain time frame, the home warranty provider will send someone back out for free. Older homes can have tricky problems, so look for home warranties with long workmanship guarantees.
- Exclusions: Some of the charm of older properties can be in their unique details. You’ll want to make sure your home warranty covers everything you’d like to protect, without excluding key components you’re worried might break down.
We recommend getting a free quote from each of the home warranty providers listed below to be sure that you’re getting a fair price. You can also compare the coverage each offers to see which best fits your home.
Compare the Best Home Warranty Companies for Older Homes
Ready to begin comparing home protection options? The following table shows our our top five recommended home warranty companies and more for people with an older home.
Company | Rating | Monthly Cost | Service Fee | Response Time | BBB Rating | Link |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
$50-$60 |
$75 |
12-48 hrs. |
NR |
VISIT SITE | ||
$35–$75 |
$100–$125 |
24-72 hrs |
B |
VISIT SITE | ||
$44.99-$58.99 |
$70 |
48 hours |
A+ |
VISIT SITE | ||
$46–$55 |
$85 |
24-48 hrs. |
B |
VISIT SITE | ||
$52–$58 |
$60 |
24-48 hrs. |
B |
VISIT SITE | ||
$38–$62 |
$75–$125 |
48 hours |
B |
VISIT SITE | ||
$38–$48 |
$75–$125 |
48 hours |
B |
VISIT SITE | ||
$17–$60+ |
$65–$100 |
2–24 hrs |
A- |
VISIT SITE | ||
$28–$68 |
$100–$150 |
2–24 hrs |
B |
VISIT SITE |
Quote and cost data gathered January 2023. Cost data are updated and monitored continuously.
Liberty Home Guard
4.6
Our Rating
If you have an older home, you might need to customize your home warranty to cover all the unique things that give your property its charm. Liberty Home Guard’s 40 individual add-on options and three plans to choose from make it easier to build a home warranty plan tailored to your home.
Older homes may have a lot of features that aren’t covered under standard home warranty policies. For example, while you can expect almost every home warranty plan to offer some type of coverage for HVAC and air conditioning components, you aren’t likely to find a standalone ice maker or a guest house under standard coverage.
Liberty Home Guard offers more than 40 individual customization options, ranging from components like a water softener to services like re-keying your doors. In our home warranty review, we found that Liberty has the most generous range of optional add-ons in the industry. We also like that you can add coverage for luxury appliances.
The extensive list of coverages for major home systems and appliances as well as services you might need to make the most out of your home makes Liberty Home Guard our top choice for comprehensive coverage.
Liberty Home Guard offers three plan options, with service call fees that vary depending on your location. Plan pricing ranges between $49.99 and $59.99 per month. Let’s take a look at what’s included under each plan option.
- Appliance Guard: The Appliance Guard plan, as the name suggests, offers coverage for common home and kitchen appliances. It includes nine home components, including a clothes dryer, washer, refrigerator, built-in microwave, dishwasher, cooktop, garage door opener, garbage disposal, and exhaust fans.
- System Guard Plan: The System Guard plan is Liberty’s home systems plan, and covers six major home systems. This plan includes coverage for an air conditioning system, heating system, ductwork, electrical systems, plumbing system, and water heater.
- Total Home Guard: The Total Home Guard plan is Liberty Home Guard’s most comprehensive home warranty plan, and includes coverage for all of the items listed on the two plans above.
Liberty Home Guard currently allows customers to add coverage for any of the following options to all three plans.
- Casita guest unit
- Central vacuum
- Ejector pump
- Grinder pump
- Septic system pumping
- Sump pump
- Well pump
- Electronics protection
- Freestanding ice maker
- Ice maker (fridge)
- Generator
- Instant hot water dispenser
- Reverse osmosis water filter system
- Water dispenser water line
- Lawn sprinkler system
- Lighting fixtures
- Limited roof leak coverage
- Pool
- Saltwater pool
- Spa
- Additional spa
- Plumbing fixture
- Re-key
- Second refrigerator
- Stand-alone freezer
- Swamp cooler
- Trash compactor
- Water softener
- Wine cooler
In addition to adding coverage for extra items found in your home, you can also add coverage for the following home services:
- Carpet cleaning
- Gutter cleaning
- Pest control
- Power washing (exterior flooring)
- TV mounting
- Window washing and cleaning
Luxury appliances (like those with smart home connectivity features) are excluded from standard coverage. However, you can add coverage for these components with the following add-ons:
- Pro Series clothes dryer
- Pro Series dishwasher
- Pro Series microwave
- Pro Series range/oven/cooktop
- Pro Series refrigerator
- Pro Series stand-alone freezer
- Pro Series washing machine
Most individual items included under a Liberty Home Guard home warranty are subject to a coverage cap of $2,000 per item. If it costs more than that to repair or replace that item, you’ll have to cover the difference out of pocket. However, some items (for example your plumbing system) have lower limits of $500.
American Home Shield
4.3
Our Rating
Older home systems and appliances often mean more expensive and more frequent repairs. American Home Shield offers exceptionally generous coverage limits of up to $5,000 for home systems and up to $4,000 per item for appliance coverage that can help cover even big-ticket repairs.
American Home Shield offers some of the most generous coverage caps on the market. This makes it incredibly valuable for people with older homes.
Most home systems include upper coverage limits of $5,000, and a few systems don’t include an upper limit on repairs at all. Appliance coverage limits range from $2,000 to $4,000 per item depending on the plan you select. There is also no specific upper limit on overall aggregate repairs and replacements, which can be another layer of peace of mind for you as the buyer.
AHS offers three policy options, with monthly costs ranging from $49.99 to $109.99 depending on your selected plan and service call fee. Service fees are on the higher end of the typical range — expect to pay between $100 and $125 each time you use your coverage.
The following are AHS’s current home warranty policy choices. Note that all plans include a mix of systems and appliances, which can make it a more appealing choice for anyone looking for general coverage.
- ShieldSilver: The ShieldSilver plan covers an air conditioner, ceiling fans, ductwork, electrical systems, garage door openers, heating units, plumbing system and stoppages, water heater, and a whirlpool bathtub.
- ShieldGold: The ShieldGold plan covers everything found on the ShieldSilver plan plus a built-in microwave, dishwasher, garbage disposal, instant hot and cold water dispensers, oven, range and cooktop, refrigerator, and a clothing dryer and washing machine combo.
- PlatinumShield: The PlatinumShield plan includes all of the coverages found on both the ShieldSilver and ShieldGold plans plus roof leak repair services, an annual tune-up for an HVAC system, and unlimited AC refrigerant.
Like other home warranty providers, American Home Shield allows you to customize coverage with add-on coverage choices. While you won’t find as many options as Liberty Home Guard offers, you can add the following options to any plan:
- Electronics protection plan (not offered in California)
- Guest unit coverage
- Pool or spa
- Septic pump
- Well pump
AHS is notable for its competitive coverage limits, which are higher than those of most competitors. While some systems don’t have upper coverage limits, select systems like your air conditioning have limits of $5,000 per contract term. Appliance limits are $2,000 per unit on the ShieldSilver plan and $4,000 on higher-tier coverage.
Choice Home Warranty
4.3
Our Rating
Choice Home Warranty says its claims acceptance rate is 90%, which means that nine out of every 10 times a customer files a claim, they get the repair or replacement covered. When you consider that rejected claims are one of the most common complaints about home warranties, Choice can help ease your mind.
One of the most common frustrations expressed by home warranty customers is that they’ve paid their premiums month after month only to have coverage denied when they finally need to use their benefits. Choice Home Warranty boasts a 90% claims acceptance rate, which means you’re less likely to run into red tape if you encounter a problem with your home’s systems or appliances.
We also like that Choice doesn’t deny coverage for pre-existing conditions. This can be a major benefit if you’re buying an older home without a home inspection or if you aren’t sure of the condition of the systems in the home you’re purchasing. Choice Home Warranty’s workmanship guarantee is a longer-than-average 90 days, and its service fee is also an exceptionally reasonable $85 per visit. These features make Choice an overall well-rounded choice for most types of homes.
Both plan options from Choice Home Warranty cover appliances and systems — though you’ll get a wider range of coverage on the Total Plan. Premium costs range between $46 and $55 per month depending on plan choice, and all Choice plans include a standardized $85 service fee.
- Basic Plan: Choice’s Basic Plan covers a heating system, water heater, electrical system, plumbing system, plumbing stoppages, oven and range combo, built-in microwave, cooktop, dishwasher, garbage disposal, ceiling and exhaust fans, ductwork, garage door opener, and a whirlpool bathtub.
- Total Plan: The Total Plan includes coverage for all items listed on the Basic Plan, plus a clothes washer and dryer set, a refrigerator, and your air conditioning system.
Choice Home Warranty offers the following optional coverage options, which can be added to either plan choice:
- Central vacuum
- Limited roof leak coverage
- Pool and spa
- Second refrigerator
- Septic system
- Septic tank pumping
- Stand-alone freezer
- Sump pump
- Well pump
Choice’s policies include up to $3,000 in coverage for repair and replacement costs on each item under coverage – higher than the industry standard. This does not apply to add-ons, though, which carry coverage limits of $500. Despite these lower add-on protections, Choice’s general coverage limits are higher when compared to most other home warranty providers.
Cinch Home Services
4.1
Our Rating
If you’re renovating your older home, you can make your upgrades last longer by engaging in regular preventative maintenance. For each year that you don’t file an HVAC home warranty claim, Cinch Home Services will provide you with a complimentary $100 credit to put towards HVAC maintenance. This can be the encouragement you need to keep up with maintenance on an older home.
To get a free quote visit Cinch Home Services online.
Home maintenance costs a little bit of money up front, but it can prevent massive repair bills down the road. Unfortunately, it can be difficult for busy homeowners to remember to make time for maintenance.
We like that Cinch Home Services rewards you with an HVAC maintenance credit for each year that you don’t file a claim. If you’re putting a substantial amount of money into restoring a new property, protecting it with one of Cinch’s comprehensive plans can be a smart financial decision.
Cinch Home Services offers three plan tiers: an appliance plan, a system plan, and a combo plan that includes coverage for both types of items. Monthly premiums range in price from $28 to $68 per month in most areas, and service fees range between $100 and $150. This means that Cinch Home Services may be a less affordable option when compared to coverage plans from other providers.
Let’s take a look at what’s included in each plan.
- Appliances Plan: The Appliances Plan covers major home appliances, including a built-in food center, built-in microwave, clothes dryer and washer set, cooktop, dishwasher, freestanding ice maker, range and exhaust hood, refrigerator, trash compactor, and wall oven. It includes 11 items in total.
- Built-in Systems Plan: The Built-in Systems Plan only covers systems. It includes coverage for 17 items, including your air conditioning system, attic fan, ceiling fan, central vacuum, doorbell, electrical system, garbage disposal, garage door opener, heating system, hot and cold water dispenser, plumbing system, smoke detectors, sump pump, water heater, and whirlpool bathtub.
- Complete Home Plan: The Complete Home Plan covers all systems and appliances included in the previous two plans. It also includes a $500 credit you can put towards your homeowner’s insurance deductible in the event that you need to file a claim with your insurer.
Cinch Home Services allows you to add coverage for any of the following optional add-ons to each plan:
- In-ground pool
- In-ground spa
- Pool and spa combination
- Premier package upgrade (extends coverage to include expenses for code violations, permit changes, and more)
- Well pump
Most appliances include an individual coverage limit of $2,000, which is in line with the industry average. Systems have an overall aggregate coverage limit of $10,000 per year, which is also higher than those of competitors.
First American Home Warranty
4.3
Our Rating
Older homes often mean older appliances that are less likely to be covered under a manufacturer’s warranty. First American Home Warranty covers $3,500 for most major appliances, which is more than most competitors.
Especially for older homes, coverage limits are one of the most important factors when it comes to determining whether or not the home warranty is worth it. First American Home Warranty offers one of the most generous coverage limits for appliances on its basic plan, with up to $3,500 toward covered repairs and replacements per item.
You can find higher limits elsewhere, but they’re a lot more expensive. First American’s appliance plan is available from $45 a month depending on your service fee and location, providing a blend of affordability and protection. In addition to offering generous appliance coverage, First American also includes a mix of systems and appliances in its list of coverages, making it a great low-cost general plan.
First American offers three policy options, with a monthly price of about $45 to $90 depending on your location. Service fees are average, allowing you to select between a $75, $100, or $125 service fee. Let’s take a look at the components included under coverage with each of the company’s three policy options.
- Starter Plan: The Starter Plan is First American’s most affordable policy option, providing a blend of system and appliance coverage. This plan covers your plumbing system, electrical system, heating system, dishwasher, refrigerator, oven, cooktop, and built-in microwave.
- Essential Plan: The Essential Plan covers everything on the Starter Plan, plus your washer, dryer, water heater, air conditioning, exhaust fans, and garage door opener.
- Premium Plan: The Premium Plan includes everything in the Starter and Essential plans plus coverage for high-end smart appliances, garbage disposals, garage door systems, faucets, instant hot water dispensers, trash compactors, window AC units, and mini-split systems. It also includes a few additional benefits like credit for renovations needed to bring parts of your home up to local building codes.
First American currently offers the following additional coverage options to buyers:
- Additional refrigeration unit
- HVAC tune-up
- Limited roof leak
- Pool and spa equipment
- Second pool and spa equipment
- Septic tank pumping and system
- Water softener
- Well pump
While First American’s appliance coverage limits are generous, the same unfortunately cannot be said of the system coverage limits. First American’s plans include coverage for up to $3,500 in repair or replacement costs on appliances but only up to $1,500 for systems. This might make First American a stronger choice for homeowners who will be replacing or upgrading systems but not kitchen appliances in their older homes.
Our Ratings of the Best Home Warranty Providers for Older Homes
The table below summarizes our recommended home warranty service provider choices for older properties.
Ranking Factors | Liberty Home Guard | American Home Shield | Choice Home Warranty | Cinch Home Services | First American Home Warranty |
Plans and Coverage (out of 24) | 24.5 | 22.0 | 21.0 | 20.0 | 17.0 |
Affordability (out of 22.5) | 20.0 | 21.0 | 20.5 | 19.0 | 20.5 |
Customer Experience (out of 18.5) | 14.5 | 12.5 | 14.5 | 14.5 | 15.0 |
Company Reputation (out of 17.5) | 14.5 | 12.0 | 8.0 | 12.5 | 13.5 |
Claims Process (out of 12.5) | 10.5 | 10.5 | 12.5 | 11.5 | 10.5 |
Availability (out of 5) | 5.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 3.0 |
Total Score (out of 100) | 89.0 | 83.0 | 81.5 | 82.5 | 79.5 |
Full Reviews | Liberty Home Guard Review | American Home Shield Review | Choice Home Warranty Review | Cinch Home Services Review | First American Review |
How Much Do the Top-Rated Home Warranties for Older Homes Cost?
The average home warranty cost in the United States is $50 per month. However, the specific cost you’ll pay for your home warranty will vary depending on a multitude of factors related to your policy payments and your home. The following are some of the biggest factors that influence the price of each home warranty.
- Coverage limits: If you’re shopping for a home warranty policy for an older home, you may want to choose one with higher overall coverage limits, as these homes may have more regular repair needs. The higher the monetary payout limit on covered repairs, the higher the monthly cost of home warranty coverage.
- Service fee: Some home warranty coverage providers allow you to choose between multiple service fee options. Selecting a higher service fee will decrease your monthly premium and vice versa.
- Items included under coverage: The more items covered under a home warranty plan, the higher the likelihood that the home warranty provider will offer a payout. This increases the pricing on plans with many included coverages.
Pricing also varies significantly depending on the company you buy your policy from. The chart below summarizes pricing for all our top home warranty providers for older homes.
What Do the Top-Rated Home Warranties for Older Homes Cover?
Our top-rated home warranties for older homes provide coverage for a range of systems and appliances commonly found in older properties. While specific coverage may vary among different warranty providers, here are some examples of items that you’ll usually want to ensure are covered when shopping for a home warranty.
- Plumbing systems: This includes pipes, faucets, toilets, showerheads, and the hot water heater. Repairs or replacements may be covered in case of leaks, blockages, or malfunctions.
- Electrical systems: Coverage may extend to the electrical wiring, circuit breakers, outlets, and light fixtures. If there are electrical faults or failures, the warranty may cover repairs or replacements.
- Heating and cooling systems: This typically covers central heating systems, furnaces, air conditioning units, heat pumps, and ductwork. If these systems experience malfunctions, the warranty may provide repair or replacement services.
- Appliances: The warranty may include coverage for essential appliances like refrigerators, dishwashers, ovens, stoves, and washers/dryers. These appliances are only covered for breakdowns if they occur due to normal use.
- Water heaters: Coverage may include repairs or replacements for water heaters in case of malfunctions or failures.
So, What is the Best Home Warranty for Older Homes?
The best home warranty for an older property can vary depending on specific details of the property and when it was last remodeled. If you’re buying a historic home with older systems and appliances, American Home Shield’s generous coverage limits could be the right option for your needs. If you’re purchasing a home that you don’t know the condition of, Choice Home Warranty’s coverage for unknown pre-existing conditions could be a crucial protection.
Consulting with local real estate agents well-versed in historic property sales can help you narrow down the perfect home warranty for your property. Your agent, buyer, or realtor may have insight or advice that makes your search simple.
FAQs About Home Warranties for Older Homes
Are home warranties worth it on older homes?
Home warranties may be especially valuable when purchased for older homes, which are more likely to need repairs or replacements in the future. The specific value of a home warranty policy will vary depending on the coverage limits and terms of the policy, as well as any cancellation and service fees.
How long do most home warranties last?
Most home warranties have initial terms of 12 months. You may be able to purchase coverage for multiple years at a time when you enroll and claim a discount.
Can I use home warranty money towards a new roof?
No, a home warranty will not help you pay for the cost of a new roof. While some policies do provide limited coverage for roof leaks, none will help completely replace a roof.
Do home warranties cover slab leaks?
A slab leak occurs when there is a leak in the water supply or drainage pipes that are located beneath the concrete foundation of a home. Most home warranties don’t cover slab leaks because they don’t cover the structure of your home’s dwelling.
Is there a difference between homeowners insurance and home warranty?
Yes, there is a difference between home insurance and a home warranty. Homeowners insurance is a type of insurance policy that compensates you for damage done to the physical structure of your home by a sudden disaster, like a fire or storm.
Home warranties only cover damage resulting from normal use of appliances and systems. They don’t cover the structure of your house or any other structures on your property (like a tool shed). Home warranties also include a per-use service fee instead of an annual deductible like home insurance policies.
Is a home warranty a requirement?
While some real estate agents may recommend a home warranty when buying an older home, there is no requirement that says you must have a home warranty. Home warranties are also not required in the same way that most mortgage lenders require that you maintain homeowners insurance coverage.
Methodology: How We Rank Home Warranty Companies for Older Homes
At Today’s Homeowner, we strive to bring you the most transparent, accurate information for your home improvement projects. Our home warranty company ratings for older homes 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. For older homes, we pay particularly close attention to coverage limits and policies around pre-existing conditions.
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 that cover older homes 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. That’s especially relevant to older homes.
- 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. That makes it more likely to cover your older home.
We monitor company data on an ongoing basis to keep rankings and information up to date.