While most folks associate home warranties with owners that reside in a single-family home, that’s not always the situation. Home warranties are just as important for landlords, offering peace of mind for both the landlord and their renters.
With a home warranty, you have coverage to fall back on when something goes awry with your rental property. This article reviews the best home warranty providers for rental properties to help you choose the best fit for your situation.
Looking for home warranty coverage for your property? Check out these top home warranty companies to find the best provider.
What Are the Best Home Warranty Companies For Rental Properties?
Here are our top picks for home warranty providers:
Quick Tips When Shopping for Rental Property Home Warranties
Before you dive into the search for a home warranty provider for a rental property, it’s crucial to know what to look for. Here are a few quick tips to ensure you choose a well-suited provider:
- Coverage options: Pay attention to each home warranty provider’s coverage options, which all cover items beyond standard homeowners insurance. Most offer appliance coverage, system coverage, or both, but the exact coverage varies based on the plan and provider.
- Coverage limits: Choosing a provider that offers coverage limits that match your needs and expectations is essential. For example, a provider offering higher coverage limits might be a better fit if you have high-end or professional-grade products in your rental home.
- Add-ons: Some providers offer more add-ons than others. Since add-ons are essential for creating a personalized home warranty, pay attention to providers that offer add-ons that specifically match your needs.
- Terms and conditions: While every provider has terms and conditions, look out for exclusions that could be problematic. For example, some providers exclude tankless water heaters from coverage, so if your rental property uses one, that could be an issue.
Compare the Best Rental Property Home Warranty Companies
Here’s a look at the best home warranty companies and how they compare on several factors:
Company | Monthly Cost | Service Fee | Coverage Limit | Response Time | Rating | States Covered |
 | $46.83–$54.75+ | $85 | $3,000 | 24–48 hours | 4.0 | 49 states, excluding WA |
 | $49.99–$99.99 | $75–$125 | $6,000 | 24–72 hours | 4.5 | 50 States |
 | $49.99–$69.99+ | $65–$125 | $2,000 | 12–48 hours | 4.3 | 47 states, excluding NV, WA, and WI |
 | $60.42–$63.75+ | $60–$75 | $3,000 | 24–48 hours | 4.2 | 47 states, excluding NV, WA, and WI |
 | $30.00–$60.00 | $75–$125 | $3,000 | 24–48 hours | 4.3 | 49 states, excluding HI |
 | $39.99–$54.99 | $100–$125 | $2,000 | 24–48 hours | 4.1 | 48 states, excluding AK and HI |
 | $17.00–$60.00 | $65–$100 | $2,500 | 24–48 hours | 4.0 | 42 states, excluding AK, HI, MT, NH, ND, OK, SD, and WY |
 | $36.00–$46.50 | $75–$125 | $3,500 | 24–48 hours | 3.9 | 34 states, excluding AK, CT, DE, HI, IL, LA, ME, MA, MN, NH, NJ, NY, ND, RI, VT, and WI |
* Liberty Home Guard service fees vary based on your location and home and are not determined by higher or lower monthly fees.
Liberty Home Guard
4.5
Our Rating
Liberty Home Guard (LHG) offers affordable coverage to accommodate almost any budget, with three plan tiers starting at $50 per month. And with over 40 optional add-ons available, curating your own personalized coverage plan has never been so easy.
Customizability is essential in a rental property warranty. After all, every home is different, so coverage for issues and breakdowns should vary from one home to the next. While most home warranty providers offer at least a few optional add-ons, Liberty Home Guard far surpasses its competitors.
Liberty Home Guard understands the need for customizable coverage and has an extensive list of add-ons with over 40 options to choose from. Have a pool, well system or septic tank that need coverage? No problem. LHG’s extensive selection of add-ons makes creating a coverage package tailored to your home’s needs much easier.
LHG offers extensive coverage options, each with different inclusions and at different prices. There are three main plans: Appliance Guard, Systems Guard, and Total Home Guard.
- Appliance Guard is the basic coverage package with the most affordable prices of the trio. This plan covers 11 major home appliances, including garage door openers, refrigerators, washing machines, and ovens. Appliance Guard starts at $50 per month.
- Next up is the Systems Guard plan, which covers household systems, including nine major systems: electrical system, heating system, air conditioner, toilets, bathroom exhaust fan, ductwork, plumbing, plumbing stoppages, and water heater. This plan starts at around $55 per month.
- The Total Home Guard package offers comprehensive coverage over the entire home. This plan covers all of the systems and appliances of the previous packages for complete coverage of over 20 household staples. While this plan is slightly pricier than the others at around $60 per month, it offers excellent coverage.
Customizability is a major selling point of Liberty Home Guard’s offerings, so it’s no surprise that the company offers an extensive array of optional add-ons. While the company’s tiered plan selection and inclusions are fairly standard, the optional add-ons can take your rental property coverage to the next level.
Liberty Home Guard provides over 40 optional add-ons, including the following:
- Carpet cleaning
- Central vacuum
- Lawn sprinkler system
- Lighting fixtures
- Limited roof leak
- Pest control
- Pool and spa
- Saltwater pool
- Septic system pumping
- Stand-alone freezer
- Sump pump
- Water softener
- Well pump
Liberty Home Guard’s exclusions are fairly standard across the board, with comparable conditions to competitors.
However, coverage limits through Liberty Home Guard warranties are considerably lower than those of some competitors, as plans cap out at $2,000. Compared to some of LHG’s competitors, like American Home Shield (which caps out at $6,000), the coverage limit of Liberty Home Guard warranties is fairly low.
Select Home Warranty
4.2
Our Rating
If value is the name of the game, Select Home Warranty (SHW) might be the perfect fit for your rental property warranty needs. With low service call fees, included roof leak coverage in standard plans, and coverage on many major items, Select Home Warranty offers excellent value wrapped in an affordable package.
When considering a home warranty provider, it’s crucial to consider the value of the coverage based on pricing and inclusions. In terms of value, Select Home Warranty doesn’t disappoint.
It offers excellent coverage at an affordable price, even going as far as including roof leak coverage as a standard option in its plans. Since roof leak coverage is usually an add-on available at a higher cost, this is yet another perk of Select Home Warranty’s coverage.
Aside from roof leak coverage, SHW offers surprisingly low service call fees with a flat rate of $75 per call. On top of that, its plans come in at $50 per month or less, which is highly affordable.
Like many home warranty providers, Select Home Warranty offers several coverage packages to accommodate varying needs and budgets. Its plans come in three tiers: Bronze Care, Gold Care, and Platinum Care:
- The Bronze Care package is the most affordable option, starting at around $45 monthly. The coverage umbrella extends to seven major appliances, including clothes washers, clothes dryers, refrigerators, built-in microwaves, cooktops, ovens, and garbage disposals.
- In the Gold Care plan, customers receive systems coverage encompassing six major systems, including plumbing, ductwork, air conditioning, heating, electrical systems, and water heaters. Plans start at about $45 per month.
- The Platinum Care package offers the best coverage with complete protection on all systems and appliances covered in the Bronze and Gold plans. This plan offers higher coverage limits on certain items like the water heater and air conditioner, starting at about $50 per month.
All three plans come with roof leak coverage, which is usually available only as an add-on for additional charges. The free add-on offers up to $400 in roof-leak coverage.
Although Select Home Warranty doesn’t offer nearly as many optional add-ons as other providers like Liberty Home Guard, customers have a few selections available. Optional add-ons include the following:
- Central vacuums
- Lawn sprinkler systems
- Pools
- Spas
- Stand-alone freezers
- Sump pumps
- Well pumps
Like many home warranty providers, Select Home Warranty outlines a few exclusions in its plans. While most of its exclusions are fairly standard for the industry, a few can be problematic for some landlords. For example, SHW doesn’t offer tankless water heater system coverage, which can pose a problem to landlords with tankless systems in their rentals.
SHW offers solid coverage limits, with higher limits than some competitors. Certain items have higher coverage caps (like HVAC systems, which receive up to $3,000 in coverage). However, coverage limits are somewhat low on certain items, including electrical, plumbing, appliances, and add-ons, which are capped at $500 ($400 for add-ons).
American Home Shield
4.2
Our Rating
If full, comprehensive coverage with high limits is a priority for your rental home warranty needs, American Home Shield (AHS) might be the perfect fit. American Home Shield offers ample protection with limits ranging from $3,000 to $6,000 and coverage on often-excluded items.
Low coverage limits can quickly become a problem when issues arise, as it leaves you to cover the remainder of the repair or replacement bills. Since home-related issues are rarely inexpensive, solid coverage limits are essential.
With an AHS warranty, you’ll receive excellent coverage limit options. The standard base plans come with surprisingly high coverage caps of $3,000, and the numbers only climb from there. The premium plan, ShieldPlatinum, features an impressive coverage limit of $6,000. Although these coverage plans come at a slightly pricier monthly premium, the scope of coverage might be well worth it for your rental property.
Coverage in American Home Shield plans varies based on your coverage option. Like many home warranty providers, AHS offers three tiers of coverage: ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, and ShieldPlatinum:
- The ShieldSilver plan offers basic coverage and extends to various home systems, including doorbells, plumbing systems, air conditioners, and interior electrical lines. This plan costs $40 per month.
- The ShieldGold package is pricier than the previous plan, costing around $60 monthly. It offers the same coverage as the ShieldSilver plan plus a few extras, including appliance coverage on items like washing machines, refrigerators, stoves, ovens, built-in microwaves, and refrigerators.
- Lastly, the ShieldPlatinum package covers all 23 home systems and appliances covered by the previous plans. It also covers code upgrades, roof leak repairs, and refrigerant collection. This plan starts higher, with average monthly costs hovering around $90.
Landlords looking for additional coverage can take advantage of American Home Shield’s optional add-ons, which include five options for extra protection:
- Electronics
- Guest unit
- Pool and spa
- Septic Pump
- Well pump
While AHS has exclusions, they’re fairly standard across the board. However, AHS includes coverage on items most providers exclude, such as doorbells, HVAC tune-ups, and hot or cold water dispensers.
American Home Shield offers multiple coverage limits, which allows landlords to select the option that best fits their needs. Coverage caps range from $3,000 to $6,000 — substantially higher than other providers’ limits. The exact coverage limit varies based on the plan, with the ShieldSilver plan carrying $3,000 limits and the ShieldPlatinum featuring $6,000 limits.
Choice Home Warranty
4.1
Our Rating
Choice Home Warranty (CHW) is the best provider to ensure that most warranty claims you have are accepted. Unlike other providers, CHW is less scrutinizing when an appliance, HVAC system, electrical, or plumbing system breaks down. Plus, it has affordable plans and several add-ons to ensure you get the most comprehensive coverage.
When attempting to remedy a problem in a rental unit, the claims process with your warranty provider can throw a wrench into the process. This can cause inconvenient delays and frustration for the tenant and landlord, so choosing a provider with a good claim acceptance rate and a helpful customer service team is essential.
Choice Home Warranty has both aspects, offering solid acceptance rates and excellent customer service. The company assigns multiple case managers to each claim, as this helps eliminate delays and speed up the process to ensure your claim is handled smoothly and efficiently. In addition, customer service representatives are available 24/7, so you can ask questions or open a claim anytime, day or night.
Choice Home Warranty offers coverage in two plans: Basic and Total. The Basic plan offers many of the same things as the Total plan, save for four systems and appliances. Here’s an overview of each plan:
- The Basic plan includes coverage of various appliances and home systems, including heating, electrical, plumbing, plumbing stoppage, water heater, cooktop, oven, garbage disposal, and ductwork. This package comes in at about $47 per month.
- The Total plan includes everything the Basic plan does and covers four additional systems and appliances: washing machine, clothes dryer, refrigerator, and air conditioning system. This plan hovers around $55 per month.
In addition to its standard coverage in its plans, Choice Home Warranty offers multiple optional add-ons. There are nine options available:
- Central vacuum
- Limited roof leak
- Pool and spa
- Second refrigerator
- Stand-alone freezer
- Septic system
- Septic tank pumping
- Sump pump
- Well pump
Exclusions under a Choice Home Warranty plan are on par with the industry. However, it’s worth noting that these plans don’t exclude older homes, so you can still get solid coverage on your rental property, even if it’s older.
Choice Home Warranty offers a flat coverage cap of $3,000, which leans toward the higher end of the spectrum. This coverage limit is available per item on most major systems and appliances, so there’s plenty of coverage to handle many issues that might arise. Many of CHW’s competitors offer lower coverage caps, so this coverage is solid.
AFC Home Club
4.2
Our Rating
AFC offers well-rounded coverage with four tiers to accommodate varying needs and budgets. In addition to these home service tiers, it offers a few extra perks, such as a workmanship guarantee, a customer-selected technician option, and a multi-year policy discount.
While extra benefits might not be necessary for your rental property home warranty, they can be helpful. AFC Home Club offers additional benefits that sweeten the deal.
For example, the provider offers a workmanship guarantee that runs the entire length of the service contract. In addition, customers can select their technicians, so if you have a service provider you know and trust, you can select them to handle the job. And as if that wasn’t enough, AFC Home Club also offers a multi-year policy discount for even better rates.
AFC Home Club offers four coverage tiers: an appliances-only package, a home- systems-only plan, a combined plan, and a premium one. Here’s an overview of each option:
- The Silver Plan is the appliance-only option, covering standard appliances throughout the home, including refrigerators, ranges, and garage door openers. This package starts at around $42 per month.
- The Systems Plan is the systems-only plan and extends to six crucial home systems, including the water heater, AC system, and more. This plan starts at around $48 per month.
- The Gold Plan covers everything in the Silver and Systems Plans for well-rounded coverage on in-home systems and appliances. This package hovers at around $56 per month.
- Lastly, the Platinum Plan covers everything in the Gold plan, plus a few extras. The extra coverage extends to plumbing stoppages, ice makers, faucets, and built-in microwaves. This plan is the priciest at around $60 per month.
Landlords seeking extra coverage for unique features in their rental properties might find it among AFC Home Club’s optional add-on selections, including:
- Central vacuum
- Double oven
- Electronics
- Hot water dispenser
- Pool or spa
- Roof leak repair
- Second refrigerator
- Septic system
- Stand-alone freezer
- Sump pump
- Well pump
Exclusions under AFC Home Club warranties are on par with those of competitors. For example, the provider doesn’t offer coverage for known deficiencies or defects, pre-existing conditions, or long-term failures. This isn’t surprising, as it’s standard for the industry.
Aside from exclusions, AFC Home Club offers decent coverage limits ranging from $1,000 to $3,000. While coverage limits aren’t as high as those of some competitors, they still offer plenty of leeway for various household complications.
Our Ratings of the Best Home Warranty Providers for Rental Properties
As you consider a home warranty provider for your rental properties, it doesn’t hurt to compare your options in a few key sectors, including affordability, availability, and customer experience. The chart below offers an overview of our rating in each sector, plus an overall score for each provider.
| Ranking Factors | Liberty Home Guard | Select Home Warranty | American Home Shield | Choice Home Warranty | AFC Home Club |
| Plans and Coverage (out of 24) | 24.5 | 20.0 | 22.0 | 21.0 | 21.0 |
| Affordability (out of 22.5) | 20.0 | 22.5 | 21.0 | 20.5 | 20.5 |
| Customer Experience (out of 18.5) | 14.5 | 15.0 | 12.5 | 14.5 | 17 |
| Company Reputation (out of 17.5) | 14.5 | 12.5 | 12.0 | 8.0 | 12.5 |
| Claims Process (out of 12.5) | 10.5 | 9.5 | 10.5 | 12.5 | 8.0 |
| Availability (out of 5) | 5.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| Total Score (out of 100) | 89.0 | 84.5 | 83.0 | 79.5 | 84.0 |
How Much Do the Top-Rated Home Warranties for Rental Properties Cost?
The best home warranties for rental properties are generally in the same cost range, with most falling between $45 and $80. The cost of a home warranty hinges on a few factors, including the following:
- Coverage inclusions: Generally, the more inclusions in the warranty plan, the pricier it is. Of course, this isn’t the case with every provider, but for the most part, the plans with the most coverage are the priciest.
- Coverage limit: Most providers offer multiple plans with varying coverage caps, and the higher the coverage cap, the higher the monthly fee.
- Service fees: Although some providers offer flat service fees, others offer multiple fee options. Generally, if you choose a higher service fee, your monthly cost will be lower, but if you choose a lower service fee, your monthly cost will be higher.
The image below offers a quick overview of each provider and its average monthly costs to help you better understand the cost variation from one to the next.
What Do the Top-Rated Home Warranties for Rental Properties Cover?
Although most top-rated home warranty providers for rental properties cover many of the same things, the exact scope of coverage varies from one provider to the next. In some cases, coverage may vary based on location, as certain areas may require different types of coverage than others.
It’s essential to pay attention to the type of coverage each provider offers based on the location of your rental property, as this will ensure you get the best coverage based on factors specific to your situation. The table below offers a quick comparison of coverage across our top five provider picks.
So, What is the Best Home Warranty for Rental Properties?
Ultimately, the best home warranty for a rental property hinges on factors specific to the situation. You’ll need to consider things like your budget, expectations, and location before selecting a provider, as these considerations will help in finding the perfect fit.
Of course, there are a few providers that stand out from the rest, like Liberty Home Guard, Select Home Warranty, and American Home Shield, but in the end, the best fit for your situation depends on you.
FAQs About Best Home Warranties for Rental Properties
Home warranties can be confusing, especially when they’re not for your home but for a rental property. Below are a few commonly asked questions and answers to clear up confusion.
What coverage is typically included in a home warranty program?
The coverage in a home warranty program varies based on the provider and plan you choose. Generally, you can choose from appliance coverage, systems, coverage, or both, but availability varies based on the provider and plan.
What is the difference between a home warranty and an extended warranty?
A home warranty typically covers various household items like home systems or appliances. On the other hand, an extended warranty usually applies to a singular covered item, like a manufacturer’s extended warranty on an air conditioning unit. Essentially, the home warranty covers multiple items, while an extended warranty usually only covers one.
How can I find a home warranty for my rental property?
Most warranty providers offer services in the lower 48 states, so you’ll have options if you live in any of those states. However, we recommend doing a quick search with your state and the type of coverage you’re looking for to find an appropriate choice. For example, you could search “Washington home warranties.”
Methodology: How We Rank Home Warranty 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 home 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.
