If you own or are purchasing an older home soon, you might face some expensive and unexpected repairs. And while many older homes are in great shape, the statistical chance of them needing a repair or replacement is greater than in a new home.
And if you’re like most homeowners, you’d prefer not to pay hundreds to thousands of dollars for home system and appliance repairs/replacements. That’s where getting a home warranty for your older home helps. You get coverage on your major home appliances and systems and protection from unexpected repair costs for an affordable monthly premium.
But, finding the best home warranty companies for your older home can be challenging. So, we researched all the top home warranty companies in the U.S. We thoroughly vetted them, examined their policies, verified their covered items, and ensured they provide the best repair services for older homes.
The Best Home Warranty Companies for Older Homes in 2023
Almost all home warranty companies provide coverage for older homes. And whether you’re purchasing an older home or have owned it for many years, you can get a home warranty policy to protect your appliances and major home systems.
Not every home warranty company nor policy is the same. And finding the best one for your home is crucial. The best ones have comprehensive and affordable plans, great reviews, good customer service, and plenty of optional add-ons.
To help you determine which home warranty company is best for your older home, we put together a list of the top five based on the criteria above:
- Choice Home Warranty – Best overall
- Liberty Home Guard – Most trustworthy
- Select Home Warranty – Most customizations
- American Home Shield – Most affordable plans
- The Home Service Club – Fastest repair service
1. Choice Home Warranty
Choice Home Warranty (CHW) is our top recommendation of home warranty companies for older homes because it offers comprehensive coverage, great customer service, affordable pricing and service fees, various plan options, and plenty of add-on extras. Amongst its plans, owners of older homes can find one that fits their needs the best and add on additional coverage they need.
Choice Home Warranty has been in business for 15 years. One differentiator of CHW is its flat service fee of $85, which is lower than most competitors. CHW’s policies are a top choice for homebuyers, real estate agents, and landlords due to their great reputation, service, and affordable rates.
Choice Home Warranty offers its home warranty plans in all U.S. states besides WA.
Key Highlights
- Easy access to claim service with the 24/7/365 customer service availability
- 90-day guarantee on parts and a 60-day guarantee on labor
- Provides in-network repair contractor to your home within 48 hours of filing a claim
Plans, Cost, and Coverage
Choice Home Warranty has two levels of home warranty policies and optional add-ons:
- The Basic Plan ($45 per month / $560 per year): The most cost-effective plan and protects your 14 essential home systems and appliances, including clothes washers, clothes dryers, toilets, ovens, air conditioning systems, refrigerators, dishwashers, and more.
- The Total Plan ($53.33 per month / $660 per year): Comprehensive policy that covers the repair or replacement of 18 major systems and appliances, including everything in The Basic Plan, HVAC systems, plumbing systems, hot water heaters, cooktops, and dishwashers.
- Optional Add-Ons ($40-$180 per year): Provides coverage for nine add-on systems such as standalone freezers, septic systems, septic tank pumping, well pumps, sump pumps, pools, spas, and limited roof leaks.
- Services Fees: $85
To get a free quote from CHW, call 929-400-6164 or fill out this form.
Read even more about this home warranty company and its policies in our full Choice Home Warranty review.
2. Liberty Home Guard
Liberty Home Guard (LHG) is a top home warranty company for older homes because of its cost-effective plans, comprehensive coverage, and a 60-day guarantee on all repairs. For owners of older homes that may have frequent repairs, they won’t have to pay a ton in service fees, which is a flat $75.
Plus, it has plenty of optional add-ons to help owners of older homes cover all major home appliances and systems. Its customers rank it well – on the Better Business Bureau, they hold an A rating, and on Trustpilot, an average rating of 3.9/5 stars.
LHG’s optional add-ons help homeowners optimize coverage on their older homes. And with the Total Home Guard plan, homeowners can protect every major home appliance and system.
Liberty Home Guard’s home warranties are available to homeowners in 46 states, excluding Washington D.C., IL, WI, WA, and WY.
Key Highlights
- 24/7/365 customer service availability makes filing a claim fast and easy
- Plenty of optional add-ons for older homes
- $75 service fee, lower than the average of the leading companies
Plans, Cost, and Coverage
LHG has three comprehensive plans and optional coverage:
- Appliance Guard ($64.99 per month / $649.99 per year): Covers 11 major home appliances, including garbage disposals, refrigerators, built-in microwaves, ranges/ovens/cooktops, cooktop exhaust fans, clothes washers, clothes dryers, dishwashers, ceiling fans, and more.
- System Guard ($69.99 per month / $699.99 per year): protects essential home systems like ductwork, heating, air conditioning systems, plumbing, electrical, plumbing stoppages, toilets, and water heaters.
- Total Home Guard ($74.99 per month / $749.99 per year): Includes coverage for all home appliances and systems in the Appliance Guard and System Guard plans.
- Optional Add-Ons: Add-on coverage for items including fixtures, pest control, pool, spa, ejector pump, locksmith, lawn sprinkler system, second refrigerator, water softener, and many more.
- Service Fee: $75
To get a free quote from Liberty Home Guard, fill out this form or call 866-451-2281.
For more information about its plans, read our Liberty Home Guard home warranty review.
3. Select Home Warranty
Select Home Warranty (SHW) is another one of our top picks and is one of the most cost-effective home warranty companies on the market. It has lower service fees than other leading home warranty providers. It holds a solid B rating on the Better Business Bureau and a good Trustpilot rating of 3.8/5 stars.
SHW has three home warranty policies for older homes. For what they include, each of them is very affordable and offers great coverage for major home appliances and systems. It also has several optional add-ons so you can customize your home warranty coverage.
Select Home Warranty opened for business in 2009 and offers its policies in 46 U.S. states; NM, NV, WA, and WY are the exclusions. A key differentiation of Select Home Warranty is its roof leak repairs coverage for occupied living areas of single-family homes (excluding patios) – a plus for older homes with questionable roofs.
Key Highlights
- Low service fees compared with other leading home warranty companies
- 90-day guarantee on repairs
- No transfer fees if you sell your older home and give the policy to the new owners
Plans, Cost, and Coverage
SHW has three home warranty plans with various levels of coverage:
- The Bronze Care Plan ($58 per month / $630 per year): Covers eight major home appliances and systems, including clothes washer, clothes dryer, oven, built-in microwave, cooktop, refrigerator, dishwasher, and garbage disposal.
- The Silver Care Plan ($57.67 per month / $630 per year): Covers all appliances and systems in the Bronze plan, plus six additional, including your ductwork, air conditioning unit, heating system, plumbing system, electrical system, and hot water heater.
- The Gold Care Plan ($62.08 per month / $699.99 per year): Covers all home systems and appliances in the Bronze and Silver Plans plus garage door openers, plumbing stoppages, and ceiling fans.
- Optional Add-Ons ($39.99-$99.95 per year): Additional add-on appliance and system coverage for an extra refrigerator, stand-alone freezer, ice maker, electrical outlets, electrical switches, light fixtures, central vacuum systems, septic systems, well/sump systems, lawn sprinkler systems, spas, pools, and roof leaks.
- Service Fee: ranges from $75 to $125, depending on your state
Get a free quote from Select Home Warranty by filling in this online form or calling 888-370-3953.
For more details about this home warranty company and its plans, read our Select Home Warranty review.
4. American Home Shield
American Home Shield (AHS) is our third pick for best home warranty companies for older homes. With over 45 years of experience and 1.3 million satisfied customers, it is one of the industry’s most favored home warranty companies.
It’s A+ rating on the Better Business Bureau (BBB) proves it. AHS offers three plans that cover up to 33 home appliances and systems. Additionally, American Home Shield has large coverage caps, allowing customers to piecemeal their plans. Owners of older homes can pick and choose their coverage from American Home Shield’s optional add-ons.
Or, to make choosing a plan simpler, they can select the ShieldPlatinum coverage option. This top-tier plan includes everything – air conditioners, heating systems, washers, dryers, roof leaks, and much more.
AHS provides its home warranty policies in every state besides AK.
Key Highlights
- Annual coverage maximums are either $3,000 or $6,000 per appliance, depending on your plan, which is greater than the industry average.
- Enrollment does not require a preliminary property inspection.
- Customers can select three different deductible amounts depending on whether they want better protection or a higher service cost.
Plans, Cost, and Coverage
AHS offers three home warranty plans:
- SheildSilver ($29.27- $44.27 per month / $347.88 – $527.88 per year): Covers 19 home systems, including sump pumps, electrical systems, ductwork, hot water heaters, plumbing, and more.
- ShieldGold ($39.27 – $54.27 per month / $467.88 – $647.88 per year): Covers 21 home systems, including most in the ShieldSilver plan, plus additions like dishwashers, clothes washers, clothes dryers, and refrigerators.
- ShieldPlatinum ($59.27 – $74.27 per month / $711.88 – $891.88 per year): The top plan that covers 27 home systems and appliances as well as automatic roof leak coverage.
- Service Fee: $75, $100, or $125
You can also get optional add-ons like water backups, sump pump overflow, guest house (750 square feet or less), septic system, well pump, pool, and spa equipment.
To get a free quote from American Home Sheild, fill out this form or call 888-365-2839.
And to learn more about American Home Sheild’s home warranty plans, read our full review.
5. The Home Service Club
The Home Service Club (HSC) is one of the best home warranty companies for older homes because it offers comprehensive coverage for a wide range of home systems and appliances. Plus, HSC provides policies in every U.S. state, which can’t be said for any other home warranty providers.
HSC has the shortest waiting period after enrollment of all home warranty companies, too – just ten days. This allows owners of older homes to get coverage and use their home warranty much sooner than the usual 30-day waiting period from other leading home warranty companies.
The Home Service Club has 11 optional add-ons from which owners of older homes can choose. One notable feature of HSC is its comprehensive roof leak coverage, which also includes attached garages.
Key Highlights
- Free home warranty coverage for homeowners selling their home
- Base plan covers 18 major appliances and home systems which is more than most home warranty companies
- Workmanship guarantee of 30 days on labor and 90 days on parts for all covered repairs
Plans, Cost, and Coverage
The Home Service Club has two home warranty system and appliances plans and optional add-ons:
- Standard Coverage Plan ($50 per month / $650 per year): Covers 18 home systems and appliances like ductwork, electrical systems, HVAC, water heaters, electrical systems, and more.
- Comprehensive Coverage Plan ($62.90 per month / $800 per year): Covers all home systems and appliances in the Standard Coverage Plan plus sewage/water/gas line leaks, telephone wiring, alarm wiring, plumbing stoppages, and 33 other systems and appliances in total.
- Optional Add-Ons ($3.33 to $16.66 per month): Includes coverage for water lines, sewers, gas lines, power lines, sprinkler irrigation systems, well pumps, water softeners, sewage ejector pumps, freestanding freezers, jetted bathtubs, and more.
- Service Fee: $60, $75, or $95
For a free quote from The Home Service Club, fill out its online form or call them at 800-842-9334.
To learn more about this home warranty provider and their two plans, read our review of The Home Service Club.
What is a Home Warranty for Older Homes?
A home warranty is a service contract that covers the repair or replacement of major home appliances and systems. It is different than your homeowner’s insurance policy, which covers the home itself in case of damage from events like fire or a weather disaster.
A home warranty for older homes is no different than one for newer homes. You have an affordable monthly cost or yearly rate that covers home repairs and replacement costs of appliances and home systems such as your dishwasher, clothes washer and dryer, HVAC system, plumbing, electrical, and much more. When something breaks, you file a claim, your home warranty company sends a pre-vetted repair person, they fix or replace the problem, and you pay a small service fee.
The cost of a home warranty is typically much less than what you would pay to repair some major home systems and appliances. You can get a policy at any time to protect yourself from those unexpected repair costs on your older home’s appliances and systems.
Who Needs a Home Warranty on an Older Home?
If you own an older home and are worried about the costs of potential repairs/replacements of major home kitchen appliances and systems, you could benefit from a home warranty policy. Older homes have many wonderful features, such as high ceilings, beautiful woodwork, and charming character. But they also come with potential repair costs that can be expensive. And if you’re not prepared for those costs, they can really add up.
That’s where a home warranty comes in. A home warranty can help offset the cost of unexpected repairs on your older home’s appliances and systems. It can also give you peace of mind knowing that you’re covered if something breaks down. If you’re considering buying an older home or already own one, a home warranty is a great way to protect yourself from those expensive repair bills.
What Does a Home Warranty Cover in an Older Home?
A home warranty for older homes typically covers all the same items as a home warranty for a newer home. This includes major appliances like your toilets, dishwasher, clothes washer, clothes dryer, oven, stove, refrigerator, and microwave. It also covers systems in your home such as your air conditioner, heating system, electrical system, plumbing, and more.
Some home warranty companies will also offer additional coverage for things like pools, spas, guest houses, septic systems, roof leaks, etc. If you have any of these items in your older home, be sure to ask about coverage and for a sample contract when you are shopping for a home warranty company. Note that no home warranty policy covers pre-existing conditions or normal wear and tear.
Every home warranty company offers two to three plans that cover different appliances and systems. So, please read up on each plan from every home warranty company to determine precisely which appliances and systems they cover.
How Much Does a Home Warranty Cost for an Older Home?
The best home warranty companies for older homes typically charge between $25 and $60 per month for their base plans. While the price may go up depending on the size of your home, age, and location, it is still much cheaper than what you would pay to repair or replace a major appliance or system out-of-pocket.
Some home warranty companies also offer annual plans that can save you even more money. For example, Choice Home Warranty charges $349 per year for their yearly plan, which is just $29 per month. If you have multiple properties, like a rental or vacation home, some companies will give you a discount for holding multiple home warranties with them.
The best way to get an accurate quote for your home is to contact at least three of the home warranty companies we recommended above and give them some basic information about your home. They will then be able to provide you with a customized quote for coverage.
How Does a Home Warranty for Older Homes Work?
If something goes wrong with a covered appliance or system, you will contact the home warranty company, they will send out a technician to diagnose and fix the breakdown. If the appliance or system can’t be repaired, the home warranty company will replace it. Sometimes, you may have to pay a service fee (and/or a deductible) when you make a claim. Service fees typically range from $50 to $100.
Here is the complete process of how a home warranty will work for your older home:
Get a Home Warranty
The first step is to purchase a home warranty policy that best fits your needs. You can buy a home warranty policy from the companies we recommended above. If you’re buying an older home, the best time to get one is when you close.
But, if you already live in an older home, you can still get one even if you’ve lived there for several years.
Something Breaks in Your Older Home
Let’s face it – homes are more susceptible to breaking down as they age. That means if you have an older home, you’re more likely to need a costly repair in the near future.
You Contact the Warranty Provider & File a Claim
If something in your home breaks and it’s covered by your home warranty policy, you must contact the home warranty company to file a claim. Then the home warranty company will send out a technician to fix the problem.
They Fix Your Issue, and You Pay a Service Fee
A certified technician will come out to your home and diagnose the problem. If possible, the service provider will repair it on the spot. If they can’t fix it, they will replace it.
For their services, you will have to pay a service call fee. Service fees typically range from $50 to $100 but vary depending on the home warranty company and plan.
Know Your Policy Limits and Coverage Limits
Every home warranty policy limits how much they will pay per appliance or system and per year. These are called coverage caps, varying depending on the home warranty company and plan.
For example, some home warranty companies may limit their coverage to $1,500 per year for a dishwasher, while others may cover up to $800.
Final Thoughts
A home warranty is a great way to protect your home – no matter how old it is. If you own an older home, you will need a home warranty company that covers older homes. And, if you want complete coverage for everything in your home, you should get an all-inclusive or whole home protection plan.
All five home warranty companies we recommend in this guide cover older homes. They all offer all-inclusive or whole home protection plans. Our top pick would have to be Choice Home Warranty. Its basic plan covers major systems and appliances, making it a no-brainer. So, if you are looking for the best home warranty company for your older home, you should definitely check out our top five recommendations.
Just be sure to read the fine print and understand what is and is not covered under your home warranty policy. That way, you will know exactly what is covered and what is not. And you can make an informed decision about whether or not a home warranty is right for you.
FAQs About Home Warranties for Older Homes
Should I Get a Home Warranty on my Older Home?
A home warranty is not required, but having one in place is a good idea, especially if you own an older home. If you’re not handy or don’t have the money saved up to pay for expensive repairs, a home warranty is a no-brainer.
Unless you recently completely renovated your older home, it will have older home systems and appliances. The older some systems (like electrical, plumbing, roofs, septic systems, etc.) are, the more likely they will break down.
A home warranty for your older home will give you peace of mind knowing that if something goes wrong with your appliances or home systems, you won’t have to pay an arm and a leg to fix it.
Does a Home Warranty Cover Everything in Older Homes?
No, a home warranty does not cover everything in your older home. Every home warranty company has different plans and coverage. So, you will need to look at the policy to determine exactly what systems and appliances it covers.
As a general rule of thumb, most home warranty companies will cover major appliances such as your refrigerator, oven, dishwasher, washer, and dryer. They will also protect home systems such as your air conditioner, heating system, ductwork, electrical system, plumbing system, etc.
Some home warranty companies will also offer additional coverage for things like pools, spas, guest houses, plumbing stoppages, septic systems, roof leaks, etc. So, if you want complete coverage for your older home, you can get a policy that covers nearly everything.
Home warranties don’t cover things such as fires, theft, flooding, storm damage, etc. That’s what your home insurance covers.
Are There Home Warranties for Older Homes?
Yes, there are home warranty companies that will cover older homes. But not all home warranty companies do. So, if you own an older home, you will need a home warranty company that offers coverage for older homes. All five home warranty companies we recommend in this guide cover older homes.
One of the best things about home warranties is that they can be tailored to your specific needs. So, if you only want coverage for your major appliances, you can get a policy that only covers those items. Or, if you want coverage on only the home systems, like the HVAC, plumbing, electrical, etc., you can purchase a policy just for that.
What is typically covered under a home warranty?
Home warranty plans will cover most major home appliances and systems. This can include your HVAC, electrical, plumbing, water heater, washer and dryer, oven, refrigerator, dishwasher, standalone freezer, garage door openers, roof leaks, ductwork, built-in microwave, etc.
Most home warranty companies also offer additional coverage for things like pools, spas, guest houses, plumbing stoppages, PCs, TVs, septic systems, sewage ejector pumps, extra appliances, etc. So, if you want complete coverage for your home – no matter how old it is – you can get a policy that covers everything you need.
What Plans Are Offered Under a Home Warranty?
Most home warranty companies will offer different coverage plans to choose from. The best home warranty companies have two or three coverage plans, along with a la carte optional add-ons. Here are the most common home warranty plans:
- Appliances Only Plan: This plan covers your significant appliances, like your fridge, oven, dishwasher, etc.
- System Only Plan: This plan covers your home systems, like your HVAC, electrical system, plumbing, etc.
- Combo Plan: As the name suggests, this plan combines the appliances and systems plans. It covers both your appliances and home systems.
Some home warranty companies will also offer an all-inclusive or whole home protection plan. These plans will cover everything in your home – from your appliances and home systems to your pool, spa, guest house, septic system, etc. So, if you want complete coverage for everything in your home – no matter how old it is – you should get an all-inclusive or whole home protection plan.
Today's Homeowner Home Warranty Ranking Methodology
At Today's Homeowner, transparency and trust are our most important values for the reader.
To create this rating system, our team spent hours researching over 60 companies, analyzing 2500+ key data points, getting the thoughts and opinions of 1000+ homeowners, and speaking to home warranty company representatives directly. We also dug into the fine print on each company’s service agreement to ensure no detail was left out.
We developed an objective home warranty review and rating methodology to score each home warranty company based on several criteria. We used a five-point scale with a point index ranging from 0.00 to 1.00. The minimum awardable value is 0.0, whereas 1.00 is the maximum. These numeric points are translated into star ratings, using whole star increments between one and five.
Here is a quick breakdown of our five core scoring categories:
- Coverage (0.4): This category evaluates the scope of protection offered by a home warranty provider. We clearly distinguished between limited or broad coverage to help homeowners identify their own home protection needs. We also factor in claim turnaround times, average waiting period lengths, plan types, annual coverage limits, policy exclusions, etc.
- Cost (0.3): This category considers what home warranty companies charge homeowners monthly, annual, and out-of-pocket. We urge homeowners also to consider the cost-to-value ratio of a home warranty plan.
- Transparency and Trustworthiness (0.15): This category evaluates home warranty providers based on pending or past legal action, hidden fees, lack of information readily available on the website, exclusions, and more. We consider how upfront a company is to its potential policyholders, which says a lot about its products and services.
- Customer Support and Satisfaction (.09): This category evaluates the efficacy of a home warranty company’s effort to provide supportive guidance to inquiring customers and how policyholders are satisfied with the assistance they receive.
- Customization (.06): This category evaluates the ability of homeowners to adjust and choose their policy details, such as pricing variation, optional add-ons, and the number of plans available.
