Home warranties have a rough reputation. Some are rightfully deserved by shady companies that take every opportunity to avoid paying out a claim.
However, some criticisms aren’t deserved and may happen because many people don’t fully understand their policies and what they do and don’t cover (and who can blame them because, let’s be honest — shopping for a home warranty is pretty boring and often confusing).
That’s where I come in. I’ve researched dozens of home warranty companies, performed in-depth research, scoured customer reviews, and conducted secret shopping to find the best home warranty companies.
Detailed here are the top nine best home warranty companies throughout the country, rated on critical factors such as coverage, customization options, reputation, customer service, affordability, and more, so you can find a plan that gives you your desired coverage at a competitive price.
Here’s how we ranked and reviewed the nation’s top home warranty companies to bring you the most accurate information.
Our team of experts reviewed over 70 home warranty providers to compare plan options, coverage limits, prices, and customer feedback.
We collected over 100 sample quotes from dozens of home warranty companies to give you an accurate look at industry pricing.
Our rating system scores providers based on 6 key factors: coverage options, affordability, customer experience, reputation, claims processes, and availability.
Read our full Home Warranty Review Methodology for more details.
Top 9 Home Warranty Companies
- Liberty Home Shield offers the most comprehensive and unique coverage and add-ons in the industry — with novel options like carpet cleaning and pest control — that I haven’t seen other providers offer.
- If you read anything in the sample contract, read the exclusions. Every company has exclusions and downsides, so consider what your deal breakers are. For example, I wouldn’t choose any company without coverage for my AC unit because I live in Arizona, but this will vary based on your location.
- During my secret shopping, I found the best deals when speaking directly with customer service reps or opting for annual home warranty payments. I recommend reaching out to an agent during your home warranty shopping for the best deal.
My Expert Recommendation
As someone who would rather play it safe rather than end up sorry, my top picks are Liberty Home Guard and Elite Home Warranty. Liberty Home Guard is a standout provider for its incredible customization options, novel coverage, and add-ons, including unique offerings like pest control and carpet cleaning. It also has excellent emergency service, which is super important to me if my washer starts leaking everywhere or my pipes burst.
On the other hand, I recommend Elite Home Warranty if you have high-end appliances because of its FANTASTIC coverage. Some of its plans cover up to $6,000 for appliances and up to $10,000 for systems. Compared to Cinch Home Services, which offers $1,500 in HVAC coverage, this is incredible and gives me the ultimate peace of mind that I won’t be left footing a huge part of the bill.
Home Warranty Companies I Didn’t Include
A home warranty company I purposefully excluded is Landmark Home Warranty, which offers only two home warranty plan options, no appliance-only plan, and is only available in six states. Another exclusion is First Premier Home Warranty because it lacks a workmanship guarantee, only offers two plans, and isn’t accredited by the Better Business Bureau (BBB).
Compare The Highest Rated Home Warranties
| 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 |
$75-$85 |
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 2024. Cost data are updated and monitored continuously.
Our Reviews of the Best Home Warranties
Liberty Home Guard
4.6
Our Rating
Liberty Home Guard is the only company offering an extensive list of over 40 add-on options with unique coverage for things like a central vacuum, pest control, gutter cleaning, spas, and a casita guest unit — all coverage I don’t see regularly offered by other providers. Its customer service also can’t be beaten with a fantastic A rating from the BBB and consistently strong reviews on other reputable third-party review websites. Most providers I researched had average ratings of between two and three stars, so seeing a company with high four-star ratings gave me a lot of peace of mind. Overall, this is a provider I strongly recommend for its above-and-beyond customer service and customization features, as you can select from multiple comprehensive plans and choose from a massive number of unique add-ons like a reverse osmosis water filter or carpet cleaning.
The most disappointing aspect of Liberty Home Guard is its coverage limits, which max out at $2,000, depending on the plan and appliance. Unfortunately, this is below the industry average of $3,000 in coverage. You can even find providers like Elite Home Warranty offering up to $6,000 in coverage (three times what Liberty offers), so if you have luxury or high-end appliances, I recommend looking into other providers with a higher limit to ensure you’re covered. While Liberty offers fantastic add-on options, they’re expensive, with most costing over $14.99 a month. Many other providers, like Elite, offer more affordable add-ons, with an average price of about $5.99 monthly. While Liberty’s unique customization is a plus, you can quickly end up with a costly monthly premium if you’re not careful with how many add-ons you select.
For those with unique home features like pro-series home appliances or a second refrigerator, Liberty is a fantastic choice because of its many add-ons that cover these and a massive number of other home features, like carpet cleaning and pest control — two offerings I’ve never seen another home warranty company provide. I also found its customer service exceptional, with high ratings across the board, a fast claims process, and a user-friendly quote process.
However, I don’t love its lower coverage cap of $2,000, which is insufficient for homes with luxury appliances. If you have a home with high-end appliances, I recommend looking into Elite Home Warranty or American Home Shield for higher-than-average coverage limits to ensure you’re not left footing part of the bill. If you don’t need a higher coverage cap, Liberty is my top pick for its customizable plans, extensive add-on options, and excellent availability.
Liberty Home Guard shines for its unique and highly customizable plans. You can opt for an appliance-only, systems-only, or comprehensive plan, which offers the best of both worlds, on top of extensive add-on options. I’d hands down choose the Total Home Guard plan for peace of mind that both my appliances and home systems are covered, particularly because it was only $10 more than the basic appliance plan when I received the quotes cited here. Lastly, Liberty offered excellent discounts, including two months free if I pay annually, saving me over$100 a year on the policy, which is a great deal.
| Plan | Monthly Cost | Service Fee | Available Discounts |
| Appliance Guard | $47.47 | $125 | 2 months free, $225 off coupon |
| Systems Guard | $52.49 | $125 | 2 months free, $225 off coupon |
| Total Home Guard | $57.49 | $125 | 2 months free, $225 off coupon |
Editor’s Note: The cost data mentioned in this article was sourced for a single-family, two-bedroom home under 5,000 square feet in Phoenix, AZ. The cost data presented was accurate at the time of publication.
Available Add-Ons
Compared to other providers, Liberty has an extraordinary number of available add-ons — more than almost any other provider on the market. Here is its current lineup of add-ons and prices:
- Pool and spa: $19.99/month
- Additional spa: $9.99/month
- Lawn sprinkler system: $9.99/month
- Salt water pool: $23.99/month
- Generator: $19.99/month
- Casita guest unit: $35.99/month
- Sump pump: $8.99/month
- Well pump: $12.99/month
- Septic system pumping: $12.99/month
- Ejector pump: $14.99/month
- Grinder pump: $14.99/month
- Limited roof leak: $11.99/month
- Re-key: $9.99/month
- Gutter cleaning: $14.99/month
- Pest control: $14.99/month
- Carpet cleaning: $19.99/month
- Window washing/cleaning: $19.99/month
- Power washing (exterior flooring): $19.99/month
- Central vacuum: $8.99/month
- Stand alone freezer: $5.99/month
- Water softener: $13.99/month
- Swamp cooler: $14.99/month
- Second refrigerator: $7.99/month
- Trash compactor: $7.49/month
- Ice maker (in-fridge): $3.99/month
- Freestanding ice maker: $14.99/month
- Wine cooler/fridge: $11,99/month
- Water dispenser water line: $4.99/month
- Instant hot water dispenser: $9.99/month
- Reverse osmosis water filter system: $14.99/month
- Lighting fixtures: $7.99/month
- Plumbing fixtures: $7.99/month
- Electronics protection: $19.99/month
- TV mounting (up to 65 inch TVs): $14.99/month
- TV mounting (up to 85 inch TVs): $19.99/month
- Pro-series refrigerator: $14.99/month
- Pro-series standalone freezer: $14.99/month
- Pro-series range/oven/cooktop: $12.99/month
- Pro-series dishwasher: $7.99/month
- Pro-series microwave: $4.99/month
- Pro-series washing machine: $4.99/month
- Pro-series clothes dryer: $4.99/month
While the pricing is higher than average, the unique coverage for home appliances and features like pest control, carpet cleaning, electronics protection, and TV mounting are seldom offered by other providers. I strongly recommend this home warranty company if you want coverage for unique items like a wine cooler or reverse osmosis water filter system.
Exclusions
Liberty doesn’t cover the following under any of its plans:
- Flues, vents, chimneys, and exhaust lines
- Electronics, computerized, “smart,” or Internet/enabled components and parts
- Filters associated with any covered items
- Remote receiving and transmitting devices
- Radon and other leak detection monitoring systems
- Fire sprinkler systems
- Lighting
- Solar systems and applications
- Cosmetic defects
- Disposal of appliances, systems, or components
- Cranes or other specialty vehicles required to install, remove, or access your appliances or home systems
- Glass parts
- Noise
- Malfunction due to storms or other acts of God
Some of these exclusions can be covered if you opt for an add-on from Liberty, such as electronics like TV mountings or lighting. However, I found that these are standard exclusions within the industry, so I’m not concerned about them since almost no home warranty providers offer coverage for these.
Editor’s Note: While this article highlights certain exclusions, it is imperative for readers to review their contracts as the mentioned exclusions are not exhaustive, and additional exclusions may apply.
With three monthly plans available, Liberty gives you plenty of options to customize a plan that meets your needs and budget. During my secret shopping, the plans ranged anywhere from $47.47 for the cheapest to $57.49 for the most expensive, which falls into a competitive cost range for the industry. Where this company becomes less affordable is its more costly add-ons, which typically start at $14.99 per month. For comparison, providers like Elite offer a significant number of add-ons for around $5.99 — but this provider doesn’t have the same number of unique add-ons, so keep this in mind when shopping.
Something to note is that Liberty’s sample contract states that it will cover up to “the covered item’s book value,” meaning that Liberty won’t reimburse you the total amount your appliance or system was worth before depreciation. While this isn’t unheard of, it’s certainly not ideal for homeowners.
One of the best aspects of my customer experience with Liberty Home Guard is its mix-and-match quote process. It allowed me to easily customize my quote with different levels of coverage and add-ons so I could find a figure that fit my needs and budget. Its service guarantee is another big win, giving me peace of mind that if anything goes wrong after an appliance or system is serviced by its team, I’m covered.
For an in-depth look at Liberty’s customer portal, watch the following video:
Liberty is my top recommendation if you’re looking for a company that follows through with its claims and has an excellent reputation. During my research, Liberty stood out for its high overall ratings and consistently positive reviews, which typically highlighted above-and-beyond service from agents, an easy claims process, and fast turnaround times after submitting claims — a critical component, as you don’t want to be left waiting for your AC unit to be repaired during a sweltering heat wave or your HVAC system to be replaced during frigid winter temperatures. Negative reviews were minimal, with some pointing out a long claim wait period or additional fees beyond the regular service fee.
Note (As of 2/27): the Better Business Bureau recently shifted LHG’s A+ rating to “NR.” We reached out to a representative from the Better Business Bureau, and they told us, “This business is not currently rated. BBB has recently received numerous complaints against this business and will issue a rating after it has fully evaluated them.” When asked about whether they revoke ratings after an increase in complaints, the rep said, “Yes, if they feel they need to review the complaints first before issuing an accurate rating.” This scenario has happened to LHG twice in the last two years, but each time the BBB has restored its A+ rating after a thorough review.
| Rating Site | Rating | Number of Reviews |
| BBB | NR* | Customer Reviews are not used in the calculation of BBB Rating |
| Trustpilot | 4.7 | 2,363 |
| 4.7 | 9,987 | |
| Yelp | 1.5 | 51 |
*Under review due to recent complaints as of Feb 2024. Previously an “A+” rating. See note below.
Editor’s Note: The ratings provided were accurate at the time of publication.
Liberty Home Guard receives consistent praise for its excellent claims process, and it’s easy to see why. It has an average claim response time of 12 hours and top-notch emergency services for urgent matters like a pipe bursting or your dishwasher leaking everywhere — especially important to note because many companies don’t offer this fast turnaround. Customer reviews consistently pointed out Liberty’s fast and straightforward claim process and quick payouts, making me confident that Liberty deserves a 10 out of 10 for its superior customer service and claim process, along with its user-friendly, convenient claim submission process online.
With coverage in all 50 states and a 24/7 live chat feature, you can easily speak with a Liberty agent at any time. Plus, Liberty’s widespread availability is a reassuring benefit, demonstrating its sustainability as a company.
American Home Shield
4.3
Our Rating
American Home Shield (AHS) offered me multiple discounts during my secret shopping process, a significant bonus as the company’s plans are a little pricier than average. Another massive benefit is its higher-than-average coverage limits of up to $5,000 for home systems, such as your HVAC system. This is much higher than the industry average and ideal for anyone with luxury appliances or concerns about not receiving enough reimbursement for their home systems. I also LOVE that you can receive roof leak protection as either an add-on or if you opt for its premium plan, which is an unusual and standout offering that provides a significant benefit to homeowners as roof leaks are expensive to repair.
This provider has a decent B rating from the Better Business Bureau, but it receives a fair share of complaints, with 6,468 closed over the last year. Compared to other companies I’ve reviewed, this is high and doesn’t reassure me about AHS’s policies, especially when providers like Select Home Warranty have around a third this number of complaints. In addition, American Home Shield has more expensive monthly premiums and service fees. While these higher costs come with better coverage than providers like Liberty Home Guard, it’s still something to consider when weighing your options.
Despite its many complaints, American Home Shield has a high response rate to negative reviews, indicating the company is dedicated to following through with good service. I wouldn’t recommend its more basic plans. Instead, I would opt for its ShieldPlatinum plan for roof leak coverage and better overall coverage, as its ShieldGold plan doesn’t provide basic coverage for items like your stove or refrigerator — two things I certainly don’t want to be left without coverage for as I use them daily.
This BBB-accredited provider offered me multiple discounts during my shopping process, including a 20% same-day sign-up discount. You can pick between $100 or $125 service fees, which are a bit on the higher side but do allow you to pay less each month if you don’t think you’ll need frequent service. While AHS’s coverage is not as affordable as that of other providers, you receive an excellent coverage limit of up to $5,000 for home systems and up to $4,000 for home appliances, which is substantially higher than most providers with coverage limits of $3,000 or less. If you have high-end appliances or systems, I’d definitely recommend looking into American Home Shield.
With three unique plan offerings, homeowners won’t feel limited by American Home Shield’s plan choices, including a major systems plan, a home systems and partial appliance plan, and a comprehensive plan for both. I strongly recommend the ShieldPlatinum plan because it includes roof leak repairs (practically unheard of from home warranties!) and a free HVAC tune-up. Regardless of where you live, your HVAC takes a beating, whether during sweltering summers or frigid winters, so this is a bonus I definitely recommend taking advantage of. You even receive coverage for code violations, modifications, and permits, which home warranties typically don’t cover, leaving you without coverage and footing expensive bills. Lastly, the provider covers older items, no matter their age, and protects you from undetectable preexisting conditions — which many providers like Select Home Warranty don’t protect you from.
| Plan | Monthly Cost | Service Fee | Available Discounts |
| ShieldSilver | $22.49 | $125 | Same-day discount |
| ShieldGold | $37.49 | $125 | Same-day discount |
| ShieldPlatinum | $59.99 | $125 | Same-day discount |
Editor’s Note: The cost data mentioned in this article was sourced for a single-family, two-bedroom home under 5,000 square feet in Phoenix, AZ. The cost data presented was accurate at the time of publication.
Available Add-Ons
American Home Shield offers a more limited number of available add-ons:
- Roof leak repair: $10/month
- Electronics protection plan: $14/month
- Pool & built-in-spa equipment: $18/month
- Guest unit: $15.99/month
- Septic pump: $5/month
- Well pump: $8/month
The standout benefit to note is its roof leak repair add-on, which is EXCELLENT as most providers offer no roof protection. Alternatively, you can get this protection by opting for its ShieldPlatinum plan.
Exclusions
American Home Shield offers more comprehensive coverage than most, particularly with its ShieldGold and ShieldPlatinum plans. Its exclusions are standard, making this an area that wouldn’t dampen my interest in American’s plans:
- Construction or carpentry costs
- Restoration of walls
- Flues, chimneys, venting, and exhaust lines
- Repairs or replacements due to cosmetic defects
- Repairs due to mold
- Appliances not covered under ShieldSilver plan
- Natural disasters
Editor’s Note: While this article highlights certain exclusions, it is imperative for readers to review their contracts as the mentioned exclusions are not exhaustive, and additional exclusions may apply.
Regardless of where you live in the United States, you want the benefit of your home warranty plan to outweigh the cost. Regarding affordability, American Home Shield is slightly more expensive, with higher-than-average monthly premiums and more expensive service fees of $100 and $125. However, its coverage limits are higher than average (for example, Liberty Home Guard only offers up to $2,000 in coverage), but American provides up to $5,000 in coverage on HVAC systems, which is significant considering the HVAC system is heavily used, especially during intense winter or summer weather, and it’s certainly not something you want to be left without. Overall, this provider is a little less affordable than average, but you’re receiving extra protection, which is critical for many homeowners.
American Home Shield offers a strong customer service experience because of its excellent service guarantee and many points of contact after a quote — meaning you’re not left with only one way to communicate with agents while finalizing your home warranty. While some reviews noted miscommunication issues with agents, most were positive about their customer service experience, making this one of the better-reviewed home warranty companies on the market.
This BBB-accredited provider has a solid B rating from the Better Business Bureau but less-than-stellar reviews from other third-party review websites. As a result, its score is lower in this category. While the following ratings aren’t ideal, I recommend taking them with a grain of salt as many customers don’t fully understand what is and isn’t covered in their home warranty policy, leading to complaints from these misunderstandings. Overall, positive reviews praised the company’s excellent coverage. In contrast, negative reviews complained about the company being slow to send out contractors. On the positive side, the provider did respond to negative reviews quickly, with a 24-hour response rate of 98% to negative reviews on Trustpilot.
| Rating Site | Rating | Number of Reviews |
| BBB | B | Customer Reviews are not used in the calculation of BBB Rating |
| Trustpilot | 2.2 | 5,216 |
| 2.8 | 2,379 | |
| Yelp | 1.1 | 1,259 |
Editor’s Note: The ratings provided were accurate at the time of publication.
American Home Shield has a fast, user-friendly claim process that you can start by either calling its 24/7 customer service line or submitting a service ticket online. After the initial point of contact, you can track your home repair history and follow up about the claim through the company’s online portal, making this a pretty easy process.
American Home Shield is available in 49 states — excluding Alaska. This is a strong availability that will provide most U.S. homeowners with coverage and indicates a sustainable business model that is built to last, giving them a perfect score in this category.
Choice Home Warranty
4.3
Our Rating
I like that Choice Home Warranty’s most comprehensive plan is typically less than $50 per month, which is much more affordable than providers like Liberty Home Guard or American Home Shield with plans typically starting around $50 or more. Choice Home Warranty is also repeatedly praised in customer reviews for its high claim acceptance rate and great emergency services — both significant factors you want to see in a home warranty provider because being left without a functioning AC unit in the middle of a heat wave is less than ideal.
I don’t like that Choice Home Warranty has an unresolved lawsuit regarding consumer fraud with the Arizona Attorney General. While I couldn’t find other lawsuits against Choice Home Warranty, this is certainly not the reputation I want to see when researching a company. With that being said, it has a solid B rating with the Better Business Bureau and close to four-star ratings with both Google and Trustpilot (which were calculated from many tens of thousands of reviews).
If you’re most concerned about a strong claim acceptance rate and affordable plans, Choice Home Warranty is a strong option. Other than the lawsuit against it from the Arizona Attorney General, Choice Home Warranty is strongly rated by current and past customers, with many singing its praises for excellent claim acceptance, competent technicians, and a fast turnaround after submitting a claim.
I especially like that the provider offers multiple discounts, including a discount if you pay for the plan annually, which can save you a nice chunk of money each year. Its plans are more affordable than most, with the average quote I received costing about $50 per month — substantially less than providers like First American Home Warranty, which start at $50 per month.
As an Arizona resident, I personally wouldn’t go with Choice’s Basic Plan because it excludes the air conditioning system, clothes dryer, clothes washer, and refrigerator — all appliances that are particularly stressed out during hot summers. The Total Plan is much more comprehensive, including all of these items and others, such as cooktop exhaust fans, garbage disposals, garage door openers, and plumbing stoppages. You can even receive coverage for a whirlpool bathtub through Choice’s plans, which is a more unusual offering in this industry. Overall, Choice offers a strong Total Plan, but I wouldn’t recommend its Basic Plan as it lacks coverage for appliances that most homeowners don’t want to be left without. During my secret shopping, I was offered a discount if I paid for a year of the plan versus monthly payments, which is a nice way to save a chunk of change.
| Plan | Monthly Cost | Service Fee | Available Discounts |
| Basic Plan | $46.83 | $85 | Annual payment, $50 + 1 month free |
| Total Plan | $54.75 | $85 | Annual payment, $50 + 1 month free |
Editor’s Note: The cost data mentioned in this article was sourced for a single-family, two-bedroom home under 5,000 square feet in Phoenix, AZ. The cost data presented was accurate at the time of publication.
Available Add-Ons
Choice Home Warranty offers the following add-ons:
- Central vacuum: $3.33/month
- Limited roof leak: $5.83/month
- Pool: $15/month
- Second refrigerator: $3.33/month
- Septic system: $10/month
- Septic tank pumping: $5.42/month
- Spa: $15/month
- Additional spa: $15/month
- Sprinkler system: $8.33/month
- Standalone freezer: $3.33/month
- Sump pump: $3.33/month
- Well pump: $8.33/month
Overall, these add-ons are pretty standard. While the provider does offer roof leak coverage, it’s more limited than providers like American Home Shield, so if this is a priority for you, I would look to another company, as Choice will only pay up to $500 for access, diagnosis, repair, or roof replacement, which is a drop in the bucket for most roof leak repairs.
Exclusions
Choice Home Warranty excludes:
- Audio or visual equipment
- Internet connection components
- Upgrades or modifications to original systems or appliances
- Pool accessories
- Fireplaces
- Doorbell
- Central vacuum ductwork, accessories, hoses, and blockages
- Portable or above-ground spas and pools
- Acts of God
These are standard exclusions in the industry that don’t give me pause about using Choice Home Warranty’s services. However, I would avoid its Basic Plan, which doesn’t include basic appliances like your washer, dryer, and refrigerator.
Editor’s Note: While this article highlights certain exclusions, it is imperative for readers to review their contracts as the mentioned exclusions are not exhaustive, and additional exclusions may apply.
Choice Home Warranty’s plans are more affordable than most. However, the adage “you get what you pay for” may apply here as Choice’s Basic Plan is extremely lackluster — it doesn’t cover basic appliances like your AC unit, refrigerator, or clothes washer and dryer. Still, its Total Plan is affordable and more comprehensive, so this is a plus for budget-conscious homeowners. Compared to other providers, I would recommend Choice’s Total Plan as you’re receiving coverage for major home systems and appliances, even limited roof leak coverage, which isn’t offered by many providers. Its service fee of $85 is also more affordable than most.
Regarding affordability, Choice really shines for its more affordable add-ons, which are almost all less than $14.99 per month. Compare this to Elite Home Warranty which offers more extensive add-on options, but at a higher $15 to $20 per month cost.
During my secret shopping, my overall customer experience with Choice Home Warranty was smooth. It was easy to secure a quote. However, I would have liked it if Choice’s online quote calculator more clearly broke down each add-on cost, which most other providers offer, so you can budget more effectively. A huge bonus for Choice Home Warranty is that it has a nationwide network of more than 15,000 contractors that are local and pre-screened, so you’re always working with reputable technicians.
Choice Home Warranty has a solid B rating with the Better Business Bureau and a considerable number of reviews (nearly 40,000) from Trustpilot, giving it almost four stars — higher than most. Positive reviews highlighted high-quality repairs and replacements, affordable service fees, and an easy claims process. On the negative side, Choice Home Warranty is going through an unresolved consumer fraud lawsuit with the Arizona Attorney General’s Office. While it has paid out some claims to its customers, the case remains ongoing.
| Rating Site | Rating | Number of Reviews |
| BBB | B | Customer Reviews are not used in the calculation of BBB Rating |
| Trustpilot | 3.7 | 38,144 |
| 3.7 | 17,592 | |
| Yelp | 1.1 | 57 |
Editor’s Note: The ratings provided were accurate at the time of publication. Today’s Homeowner is aware of a lawsuit in progress against Choice Home Warranty in Arizona. Our team is monitoring the situation and will adjust our scores if a negative judgment is found against Choice. In the meantime, their score is reflective of the company reputation independent from the lawsuit, though you should review the allegations if you have any further concerns.
Choice Home Warranty has 24/7/365 availability and emergency services, giving it an edge over providers with emergency fees or no emergency services at all — a situation I certainly wouldn’t want to find myself in when dealing with a broken AC unit. The provider has a response time of around 24 to 48 hours, which is a little better than average. You can also contact Choice through multiple venues for its claim process, including over the phone and online, giving you plenty of communication options. As a result, Choice has scored very well in this category due to its ample availability, the many customer reviews praising its claim process, and multiple communication options.
Located in New Jersey, Choice Home Warranty offers nationwide coverage (except California and Washington) and has handled more than three million customer claims, giving me a lot of trust in the sustainability of its business practices.
Select Home Warranty
4.2
Our Rating
Select Home Warranty offers budget-friendly plans with a strong coverage cap of up to $3,000 for HVAC and air conditioning systems — which is SO important for many homeowners in hot areas like Arizona or Florida. Additionally, I like that Select Home Warranty offers a huge number of discounts, including a multi-year coverage discount, along with significantly cheaper service fees of $65 and $75.
I don’t like that Select Home Warranty excludes coverage for unknown preexisting conditions. While this isn’t abnormal, some providers like American Home Shield offer above-and-beyond coverage on preexisting conditions, which protects you if it turns out your appliance had any issues before you signed up for a home warranty. Another drawback is some customers reported getting charged multiple service fees during a home visit if they had multiple claims or repairs needed, which seems unnecessary and like nickeling and diming to me.
If you’re on a budget, Select Home Warranty is worth considering if you need basic coverage for home systems and appliances. I’d skip the Gold Care or Bronze Care plans as they offer very little coverage, but I recommend its Platinum Care plan for more comprehensive coverage at a low cost. Select includes roof leak coverage in its affordable plans, which is a standout feature that most home warranty companies don’t offer — even as an add-on.
On the other hand, I don’t love Select’s more basic coverage, including its exclusion of preexisting conditions. Some customers also reported concerning practices like Select charging multiple service fees for a single visit that covered multiple repairs or claims. This is a practice I haven’t seen from other home warranty providers and something that I definitely don’t care for.
Select Home Warranty offers three standard home warranty plans. I wouldn’t recommend going with its Gold Care or Bronze Care plans as they don’t offer much coverage on their own. However, its Platinum Care plan (which was only a few dollars more per month) offers far more coverage — enough that I would recommend it if you choose Select. I also found its discounts to be exceptional with multiple sales available and a regularly offered $150 off coupon on its website and two months free. Reviews even shared that customers were able to negotiate a lower monthly premium and service fee (which is already $40 to $50 cheaper than most companies) when they spoke with a customer service agent.
| Plan | Monthly Cost | Service Fee | Available Discounts |
| Bronze Care | $44.42 | $75 | $150 off (website), 2 extra months free |
| Gold Care | $44.42 | $75 | $150 off (website), 2 extra months free |
| Platinum Care | $47.75 | $75 | $150 off (website), 2 extra months free |
Editor’s Note: The cost data mentioned in this article was sourced for a single-family, two-bedroom home under 5,000 square feet in Phoenix, AZ. The cost data presented was accurate at the time of publication.
Available Add-Ons
Select Home Warranty has a standard offering of add-on options with overall affordable pricing. I especially like that roof leak coverage is free of charge, and I strongly recommend taking advantage of this unique benefit.
- Central Vacuum: $3.33/mo
- Lawn Sprinkler System: $5.83/mo
- Pool: $8.33/mo
- Roof Leak: $0/mo
- Septic System: $5.83/mo
- Spa: $5.83/mo
- Standalone Freezer: $3.33/mo
- Sump Pump: $3.33/mo
- Well Pump: $3.33/mo
Exclusions
I like Select’s plans because they are particularly comprehensive, especially the Platinum Care plan, which offers coverage for home appliances and systems along with less commonly covered items like plumbing stoppage, cooktops, and garbage disposals.
Here are exclusions not covered by any of Select’s plans:
- Secondary damage (i.e., your home warranty may cover roof damage but won’t cover water damage caused by the leak)
- Incorrect installation or malfunctions due to construction damage or improper wiring
- Issues with systems or appliances related to hazardous or toxic materials (i.e., mold, asbestos, or gas leaks)
- Common areas in condominiums or family homes
- Solar heating systems
- Damage caused by natural disasters and rust
- Defects or damages caused by the foundation and structure of the home
Editor’s Note: While this article highlights certain exclusions, it is imperative for readers to review their contracts as the mentioned exclusions are not exhaustive, and additional exclusions may apply.
Select Home Warranty is one of the best providers for its affordability. Many providers offer plans that start at $80 or more per month, which is double what Select’s $40 per month plan (with discount) starting rate is. You can even choose from much more affordable service options of $65 or $75 — other providers, like American Home Shield, have $100 or $125 service fee options for each visit, which is significantly more expensive. If you have many appliances or systems that need repair in a year, service fees can quickly add up, so this is a huge benefit that keeps Select more affordable than most, especially on top of its more cost-effective premiums.
Compared to other providers, Select has an excellent customer experience, which I appreciated as I went through its user-friendly online interface. Not only was the online quote calculator easy to use, but it listed exactly what is and isn’t included in each plan with a breakdown of each add-on cost. Overall, the process was quick and transparent. I also didn’t feel pressure from the company with excessive follow-up phone calls or emails, which I’ve unfortunately experienced with other providers, such as First American Home Warranty, and find very off-putting.
Select has a B rating from the Better Business Bureau with mixed customer reviews from multiple reputable review websites. Most positive reviews praised the provider’s great customer service, quick service after filing a claim, and easy sign-up process. On the other hand, negative reviews raised issues with claim fulfillment, low reimbursement rates, and technicians who were incompetent or difficult to work with — all things that can definitely impact your experience with this provider. However, the reviews were positive overall, with a solid 3.8 rating from nearly 5,000 reviewers on Trustpilot.
| Rating Site | Rating | Number of Reviews |
| BBB | B | Customer Reviews are not used in the calculation of BBB Rating |
| Trustpilot | 3.8 | 4,678 |
| 3.8 | 19,746 | |
| Yelp | 1.0 | 2 |
Editor’s Note: The ratings provided were accurate at the time of publication.
Select Home Warranty has a standard claim process by which you can submit a claim over the phone with an agent or online through its portal. From there, Select schedules an appointment with a technician to come out and examine the system or appliance in question. Overall, the provider has an average response time of 48 hours for non-emergency claims, which is standard, and I found its response time typical — nothing stands out in an especially good or bad way in this category.
Select Home Warranty is available in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Overall, it’s received strong customer reviews throughout the country, giving me confidence in its ability to take care of customers nationwide.
Elite Home Warranty
4.3
Our Rating
Elite Home Warranty has OUTSTANDING customer satisfaction. This BBB-accredited provider has an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau and strong star ratings from other reputable rating websites. Many home warranty providers have ratings nowhere near this high. For example, American Home Shield has consistently received ratings in the one- and two-star range from the same review websites, giving Elite an obvious advantage in this area.
I don’t like that Elite doesn’t offer emergency services without an additional fee. Since many providers offer emergency services as part of their plans automatically, this is a significant con that plays into my consideration of this provider. Another thing I don’t care for is that Elite excludes commercial-grade appliances, which may be a deal breaker for some homeowners.
If you have high-end appliances or home systems, Elite is one of the best. Its high coverage limits pay out as much as $10,000 for home systems and $6,000 for appliances, which is FAR better than most providers who offer between $2,000 and $3,000 for coverage caps. Some providers, like Select Home Warranty, even cap out at $500 for some parts of the home, including plumbing and electrical systems. For nearly all homeowners, this wouldn’t cover a complete repair or replacement, so Elite Home Warranty is the best choice for anyone worried about hitting a coverage cap as long as your appliances aren’t commercial grade (which none of its plans cover).
While Elite doesn’t offer emergency services, you can pay an additional fee for these services if the situation arises. Overall, its customer service is absolutely exceptional, with rave reviews, a BBB accreditation, and an A+ rating.
While I was secret shopping, Elite offered me a special 30-day free trial and $150 off if I called to sign up for a plan. This definitely added to my customer satisfaction, along with Elite’s above-and-beyond coverage limits. Elite offers three comprehensive plans with appliances covered up to $6,000 and system payouts as much as $10,000 — which are anywhere from three to five times what most home warranty companies provide, making this a standout offering.
| Plan | Monthly Cost | Service Fee | Available Discounts |
| Elite Appliance | $48.99 | $100 | $150 off on sign-up, 30-day trial |
| Elite Systems | $52.99 | $100 | $150 off on sign-up, 30-day trial |
| Elite Complete | $59.99 | $100 | $150 off on sign-up, 30-day trial |
Editor’s Note: The cost data mentioned in this article was sourced for a single-family, two-bedroom home under 5,000 square feet in Phoenix, AZ. The cost data presented was accurate at the time of publication.
Available Add-Ons
Elite offers one of the most impressive ranges of add-ons (listed below) in the industry. I particularly like that you can add extra coverage for premium appliances and systems. This isn’t a benefit I’ve seen offered by many in this industry, so I’d definitely take advantage of it for your more expensive appliances or systems.
- Attic Exhaust Fan: $69.99/year
- Central Vacuum: $49.00/year
- Effluent Pump: $99.99/year
- Ejector Pump: $99.99/year
- Freestanding Freezer: $59.99/year
- Freestanding Ice Maker: $59.99/year
- Freestanding Spa Equipment: $119.99/year
- Generator: $99.99/year
- Geothermal Heating And Cooling System: $299.99/year
- Grinder Pump: $99.99/year
- Guest House: $299.99/year
- HVAC Annual Maintenance: $299.99/year
- Jetted/Hot Tub: $99.99/year
- Lawn Sprinkler System: $99.99/year
- Lift Pump: $99.99/year
- Limited Roof Leak Repair: $99.99/year
- Pool & Spa Equipment: $199.99/year
- Pool Equipment: $149.99/year
- Premium Appliances: $249.99/year
- Premium Benefits: $199.99/year
- Premium Systems: $299.99/year
- Premium Systems Plus: $499.99/year
- Septic System: $129.99/year
- Service Lines: $349.99/year
- Sump Pump: $99.99/year
- Swamp Cooler: $149.99/year
- Water Filtration System: $99.99/year
- Water Softener: $99.99/year
- Well Pump: $99.99/year
- Wine Cooler: $69.99/year
Exclusions
Elite’s service contracts have exclusions like all providers and its exclusions are standard for the industry:
- Natural disaster-related damages
- Acts of God
- Commercial-grade appliances
- Units in a rental property
- Cosmetic damage
- A lack of maintenance
Editor’s Note: While this article highlights certain exclusions, it is imperative for readers to review their contracts as the mentioned exclusions are not exhaustive, and additional exclusions may apply.
Elite Home Warranty has standard pricing for the industry and offers largely affordable add-on options, with most of its add-ons costing between $15 and $20 per month. Its coverage is much higher than most (up to $6,000 for appliances and up to $10,000 for systems) so you’re getting a much better bang for your buck than with many providers.
While reading customer reviews, I found many customers who praised Elite Home Warranty for not pressuring them into buying a warranty. Instead, the process was educational and helpful to the consumer, rather than a pushy sales ploy. Customers also reported not receiving a huge number of texts and emails following their calls, which they did experience with other providers (I definitely did and it’s always frustrating).
Elite Home Warranty has an OUTSTANDING customer reputation — unlike that of any other home warranty company I’ve researched. I’ve yet to see any other company with over 4.5 stars on every rating site and an A+ rating and accreditation from the Better Business Bureau. The provider has only three complaints on the Better Business Bureau, which is exceptional compared to most providers with thousands of complaints in the last year alone. Positive reviews repeatedly praised the provider for excellent customer service — specifically, an educational customer experience rather than pushy sales tactics. Negative reviews were so few and far between that I can’t summarize them effectively.
| Rating Site | Rating | Number of Reviews |
| BBB | A+ | Customer Reviews are not used in the calculation of BBB Rating |
| Trustpilot | 4.7 | 51 |
| 4.7 | 127 | |
| Yelp | 4.8 | 4 |
Editor’s Note: The ratings provided were accurate at the time of publication.
Elite falls a little short in the claim process because it doesn’t offer emergency services without an extra fee, meaning you’ll be left hanging with a leaking clothes washer or dishwasher without help after hours. For me, this is a potential deal breaker because I want peace of mind when I sign with a home warranty company. However, I like that Elite offers 24/7/365 availability for claims and multiple communication methods for filing claims (the online portal and over the phone).
Elite Home Warranty is available in 47 states — excluding Texas, California, and Washington, and the District of Columbia. Overall, this is solid availability and indicates that Elite provides consistent, nationwide coverage.
AFC Home Warranty
4.3
Our Rating
I’ve picked AFC Home Warranty for best additional benefits because of its unique membership perks including discounts on medical benefits, credit monitoring, insurance, and home security. I’ve never seen benefits like these offered so comprehensively from other providers, so this gives AFC a definite advantage over other companies.
AFC Home Club lacks coverage in some aspects. While its plans have a pretty standard $3,000 coverage cap, some items only receive $150 to $1,000 in coverage, so I strongly recommend reviewing the fine print of your home warranty policy closely. Another drawback is its lack of emergency services. Most nationwide home warranty companies have service on holidays, weekends, and after hours, so you’re not left needing a repair on your HVAC system in the dead of winter when your home’s temperatures are plummeting, but AFC doesn’t.
Overall, I recommend AFC Home Warranty for its great customer service, user-friendly website, and additional benefits like unique discounts I haven’t seen other companies provide. However, if you have high-end or luxury appliances, I wouldn’t recommend this provider because of its fluctuating coverage caps and less-transparent coverage levels, which make it difficult to assess how much a payout will be.
If you choose this provider, I’d go with its Diamond Plan because of its more comprehensive coverage on home systems and appliances and unique coverage on roof leaks and home electronics — something I haven’t seen many companies offer.
AFC Home Warranty provides four plan options:
- Silver Plan (covers the nine most frequently used appliances)
- Gold Plan (15 appliances and systems, including electrical, plumbing, and heating systems)
- Platinum Plan (18 appliances and systems, including a built-in microwave and refrigerator ice maker)
- Diamond Plan (everything the other plans cover, plus electronics including smartphones and exterior water and sewer lines)
Personally, I’d leap at its Diamond Plan because of the exceptional electronics coverage, which is something I haven’t seen most home warranty companies offer, even with add-ons. Roof leak coverage is also included, which, again, isn’t provided by most home warranty companies, even as an add-on, making this a big plus.
| Plan | Monthly Cost | Service Fee | Available Discounts |
| Silver Plan | $35.25 | $125 | Up to $250 off, free roof leak protection |
| Gold Plan | $49.75 | $125 | Up to $250 off, free roof leak protection |
| Platinum Plan | $54.58 | $125 | Up to $250 off, free roof leak protection |
| Diamond Plan | $89.17 | $125 | Up to $250 off, free roof leak protection |
Editor’s Note: The cost data mentioned in this article was sourced for a single-family, two-bedroom home under 5,000 square feet in Phoenix, AZ. The cost data presented was accurate at the time of publication.
Available Add-Ons
AFC Home Warranty has a standard offering of add-ons with the following prices offered during my secret shopping:
- In-ground pool: $100/month
- Sump pump: $35/month
- Ice maker: $25/month
- Well pump: $50/month
- Electronics coverage (price depends on your specific electronics)
- In-ground pool and spa: $150/month
- Double oven: $25/month
- Hot water dispenser: $25/month
- Built-in microwave: $50/month
- Stand alone freezer: $25/month
- Central vacuum: $25/month
- Septic system: $50/month
- Roof leak (free, worth $25/month)
Exclusions
AFC’s exclusions were standard with nothing notably concerning. Here are features that are excluded from all of AFC’s plans:
- Crane rentals needed to move appliances or systems
- Geothermal heating systems
- Haul-away services
- Light fixtures
- Code violations
- Appliances and systems not properly maintained
- Conditions caused by Acts of God
Editor’s Note: While this article highlights certain exclusions, it is imperative for readers to review their contracts as the mentioned exclusions are not exhaustive, and additional exclusions may apply.
AFC Home Warranty’s Silver Plan is very affordable — I received a quote of $35.25, making it a strong option for homeowners interested in appliance-only coverage. AFC’s most comprehensive plan, the Diamond Plan, is considerably more expensive but includes above-average coverage that gives you extra protection should you need a sudden repair or replacement. I find its Diamond Plan to be exceptional because it covers both home appliances and systems and more unique items like electronics, sewer lines, and exterior water lines. I particularly like the electronics coverage as it covers home entertainment and office electronics, which is especially reassuring for someone like me who uses their home computer for work. Overall, AFC Home Warranty offers affordable to standard-priced plans and excellent coupon options, making it an excellent home warranty for the budget-conscious.
AFC Home Warranty gave me an excellent customer experience during my secret shopping through its user-friendly website, which listed its plans in a well-organized way with transparent pricing for all of its coverage levels, add-ons, and more. I was also impressed with the sales process, which wasn’t pushy — something I’ve experienced with other providers like First American Home Warranty. In addition, AFC Home Warranty has 24/7/365 customer service, so you’re never left without access to an agent if you have an urgent question.
Compared to other home warranty companies, AFC Home Warranty doesn’t have many reviews, particularly next to other providers with thousands of reviews. This provider is BBB-accredited and has been around for 14 years, demonstrating its longevity and reliability. Overall, the company has closed 146 complaints over three years with the Better Business Bureau and regularly responds to complaints and positive reviews. Most positive reviews focused on AFC’s fast turnaround with sending a contractor, good claim reimbursement percentage, and excellent service. The few negative reviews I saw reported frustration over loopholes in the policy and unexpected policy cancellation fees.
| Rating Site | Rating | Number of Reviews |
| BBB | B | Customer Reviews are not used in the calculation of BBB Rating |
| Trustpilot | 3.0 | 24 |
| 3.7 | 1,578 | |
| Yelp | 1.9 | 335 |
Editor’s Note: The ratings provided were accurate at the time of publication.
A major drawback for me regarding AFC’s claims process is that the company doesn’t cover items you don’t properly maintain. For example, before an HVAC system service request is accepted, AFC requires a previous annual maintenance log from a licensed technician to prove you kept up with recommended repairs. Essentially, if you don’t perform recommended maintenance and repairs, you won’t receive coverage, so if you’re not prepared to stay on top of maintenance, I wouldn’t recommend AFC. While this isn’t an unheard-of exclusion, it’s an extra step for each claim process that can quickly cause a headache.
AFC Home Warranty is available in 48 states — excluding Hawaii and California — demonstrating its sustainability and ability to provide reimbursement on a nearly nationwide basis.
First American Home Warranty
4.3
Our Rating
I love that First American Home Warranty covers permit and code violations, HVAC lifting equipment, concrete encasement (should you have appliances or systems under concrete), and improper installations or modifications under its Essential and Premium plans. These are items that are regularly excluded from many home warranty providers’ plans and can often negate your coverage entirely, leaving you with nothing, so the fact that this is a built-in benefit for two out of three of its plans is FANTASTIC.
While First American Home Warranty offers two comprehensive plans, its Essential and Premium plans, its most basic plan (the Starter Plan) is severely lacking. It doesn’t cover air conditioning, clothes washers and dryers, trash compactors, water heaters, garbage disposals, and many other appliances and systems, making it a plan I would recommend skipping — especially because it was only $10 cheaper than the Essential Plan when I was secret shopping (while this may vary based on your location and home, this isn’t a huge savings for the large number of exclusions this plan comes with).
If you’re concerned about your appliances not qualifying for your home warranty coverage because of improper installation or modifications, concrete encasement, or permit and code violations, First American Home Warranty is one of the few companies that will cover you if you opt for its Essential or Premium Plan. Its add-ons are limited but competitively priced, making it an affordable choice even if you opt for a couple of add-ons, which can’t be said for more expensive providers like Elite Home Warranty.
However, I don’t recommend scrimping and choosing this provider’s Starter Plan because of its lackluster coverage (no AC or washer or dryer coverage) and barely lower prices. If it were me, I’d opt for its Essential or Premium plan to get extra protection against improper installation, permit and code violations, and concrete encasement. You even receive two included preseason HVAC tune-ups per year with these plans, which can help your HVAC system maintain a better efficiency level and save you money on repairs (although you’ll be responsible for a service fee for each tune-up, which is a bummer).
First American’s Starter Plan really isn’t worth it for me as an Arizona resident because it excludes air conditioning units, which I imagine is a deal breaker for many other homeowners as well. Plus, it excludes fans, water heaters, washers, and dryers, which are all commonly covered items, so I would skip this plan altogether. Instead, I’d strongly recommend looking into the Essential Plan, which covers all these mentioned exclusions along with a plethora of other appliances, including less commonly covered items like built-in microwaves, kitchen range hoods, and even HVAC lifting equipment that may be necessary for repairing your system. During my secret shopping, I was offered a discount for signing up for an annual plan versus a monthly payment plan and three different service fee options ($75, $100, and $125) which gave me more flexibility when playing around with pricing to find something that suits my budget best.
| Plan | Monthly Cost | Service Fee | Available Discounts |
| Starter Plan | $47 | $100 | Annual discount |
| Essential Plan | $57 | $100 | Annual discount |
| Premium Plan | $72 | $100 | Annual discount |
Editor’s Note: The cost data mentioned in this article was sourced for a single-family, two-bedroom home under 5,000 square feet in Phoenix, AZ. The cost data presented was accurate at the time of publication.
Available Add-Ons
First American Home Warranty has a more limited selection of add-ons, with a notable HVAC tune-up add-on which involves a qualified technician inspecting your heating and cooling system to ensure it’s working at peak performance.
- Extra refrigeration appliances (multiple fridges, $4.17/month per fridge)
- Pool and spa equipment 20.83/month
- Roof leak repairs $8.33/month
- Septic system $7.08/month
- Water softener $7.08/month
- Well pump $7.08/month
- HVAC tune-up $2.08/month
Its First American Advantage perks, which covers unique scenarios like appliance knobs or HVAC removal with a crane, were free with the Essential Plan — a HUGE bonus that most home warranty companies make you pay extra for or don’t offer at all.
Exclusions
First American Home Warranty has standard exclusions with nothing that stood out to me as a red flag during my research:
- Cosmetic damage
- Damage caused by pests
- Acts of God
- Malfunction due to misuse or neglect
- Lack of electrical capacity
Editor’s Note: While this article highlights certain exclusions, it is imperative for readers to review their contracts as the mentioned exclusions are not exhaustive, and additional exclusions may apply.
One of the biggest things that makes First American Home Warranty more affordable than most is its competitive pricing and multiple service fee options. You can choose between a $75, $100, and $125 service fee, which gives you a lot of customization with pricing. For example, the same Essential Plan costs $67, $57, or $52, depending on the service fee you choose, which allows you to save $15 a month or $180 a year if you opt for the more expensive $125 service fee. If you have newer appliances and aren’t as worried about needing many service visits in a year, this is an excellent option and can save you money on your plan. I also want to highlight First American Home Warranty’s fair add-on pricing. During my secret shopping, only one add-on (the pool and spa equipment one) was more than $10 per month. Every other add-on costs less than $10 a month, which is significantly less money per add-on when you compare this to providers like Elite Home Warranty that tend to charge $15 to $20 or more per add-on.
Overall, my customer experience with First American Home Warranty was solid. I found its website easy to use, with transparent pricing for all of its plans, service fees, and add-ons during my secret shopping — an important feature when comparing prices and shopping around for the best home warranty plan. The biggest negative was follow-up calls, which felt excessive and pushy.
Positive reviews highlighted the company providing fair payouts, fast response times, and competent technicians. In contrast, negative reviews pointed out long wait times for service and not hearing back from customer service after leaving multiple messages, which conflicts with what I read in many positive reviews. I recommend considering the low one-star rating from Yelp with caution as it had a very small number of reviews (416) compared to the Trustpilot 4.1 star rating created from 13,600 reviews.
| Rating Site | Rating | Number of Reviews |
| BBB | B- | Customer Reviews are not used in the calculation of BBB Rating |
| Trustpilot | 4.1 | 13,600 |
| 2.8 | 2,485 | |
| Yelp | 1.0 | 416 |
Editor’s Note: The ratings provided were accurate at the time of publication.
First American Home Warranty has 24/7/365 customer service and multiple ways to open a claim, giving it a solid footing in this category. Where it falls short is the average 48-hour response time, which can feel like forever when your dishwasher is leaking or your heater is broken down mid-winter. However, the claim process itself is simple, with a user-friendly online portal where you can submit claims and see the progress of your current claims.
First American Home Warranty scores lower in this category than most because its availability is limited to 35 states. Current exclusions include:
- Alaska
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Hawaii
- Iowa
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Massachusetts
- Minnesota
- New Hampshire
- New York
- North Dakota
- Rhode Island
- Vermont
- Wisconsin
2-10 Home Warranty
4.3
Our Rating
2-10 Home Warranty has standard coverage up to $2,000 for heating, air conditioning and heat pump, plumbing, and electrical, BUT you can opt for a luxury package in some zip codes that raises this coverage up to $5,000, which is above and beyond what most providers offer and on par with one of my preferred home warranty companies, Elite Home Warranty, which offers up to $6,000 in appliance coverage with some plans. 2-10 Home Warranty also has an excellent workmanship guarantee, which covers you with one year of insurance if there are defects in workmanship and materials.
2-10 Home Warranty only offers washer and dryer coverage with its most expensive plans, so two out of three of its plans don’t cover washers and dryers, which is typically included in most home warranties. While you can pay to have coverage for your washer and dryer added to those two plans, I find this to be a frustrating exclusion.
2-10 Home Warranty is an affordable home warranty provider with a strong workmanship guarantee behind its repairs — although it’s important to keep in mind that you need to stay on top of renewing your contract. If you don’t renew it, you’ll only be covered for the rest of the current service agreement period. While I don’t recommend its Simply Kitchen or Complete Home plans because they lack washer and dryer protection, the Pinnacle Home plan offers ample coverage for most homeowners with no abnormal exclusions I could find.
Another bonus of working with 2-10 Home Warranty is that it offers multiple discounts, a referral program through which you can earn Amazon gift cards, and an appliance replacement offer if you’d rather upgrade or get a new appliance early. Overall, I’m not the biggest fan of some of its plans, but it does have a solid claims process, wide availability, and affordable pricing that makes it a good option for many homeowners.
A huge con to 2-10 Home Warranty plans is that you have to pay an additional fee for washer and dryer coverage unless you opt for the most expensive plan. Washers and dryers are standard appliances in many households that most providers like Liberty Home Guard cover in all or most of its plans, so this is a definite con to weigh as you’re making your home warranty decision.
| Plan | Monthly Cost | Service Fee | Available Discounts |
| Simply Kitchen | $35 | $100 | Appliance replacement offer, referral program, appliance discount program |
| Complete Home | $57 | $100 | Appliance replacement offer, referral program, appliance discount program |
| Pinnacle Home | $72 | $100 | Appliance replacement offer, referral program, appliance discount program |
Editor’s Note: The cost data mentioned in this article was sourced for a single-family, two-bedroom home under 5,000 square feet in Phoenix, AZ. The cost data presented was accurate at the time of publication.
Available Add-Ons
2-10 Home Warranty offers fewer add-ons than most home warranty providers, but I like that roof leak coverage is offered along with additional refrigerator coverage for anyone with a wine cooler, extra fridge, or freezer:
- Additional refrigerator, wine cooler, or freezer: $5/month
- Additional spa: $15/month
- Limited roof leak: $8/month
- Septic system: $4/month
- Garage door opener: $3/month
- Pool equipment: $18/month
- Saltwater pool: $30/month
- Spa equipment: $18/month
- Standalone freezer: 4/month
- Water softener: $8/month
- Well pump: $6/month
- Pre-season HVAC tune-up: $3/month
- Washer and dryer: $4/month
Exclusions
I don’t like that 2-10 Home Warranty excludes convenience technology components (such as mobile apps, digital tools, or smart appliance features) of washers and dryers as this is a more uncommon exclusion in the industry. However, 2-10’s other exclusions are typical:
- Damage due to acts of God
- Cosmetic defects
- Central vacuum systems
- Costs to clean equipment or systems
Editor’s Note: While this article highlights certain exclusions, it is imperative for readers to review their contracts as the mentioned exclusions are not exhaustive, and additional exclusions may apply.
Across providers, the average price of a home warranty per month is around $85 without add-ons. Compared to this industry average, a 2-10 Home Warranty is much more affordable, with its most expensive plan costing around $72 and its least expensive plan costing a mere $35. These are phenomenal rates and come with standard coverage of up to $2,000. You can even opt for 2-10’s luxury package, which increases these coverage limits to up to $5,000 for your appliances, heating, cooling, plumbing, and electrical systems — very impressive coverage. However, this luxury offer is only available with certain plans and in some zip codes.
On the negative side, I read some reviews that revealed the company adds a 9.5% service fee to monthly plans, which can quickly increase the seemingly affordable monthly costs.
My customer experience with 2-10 was less than ideal because I tried using their online quote calculator during a time when its entire website was being made over. As a result, I couldn’t access the online quote tool at all and ran into multiple issues while using the website. Still, 2-10 usually has a user-friendly interface for its quote process and many points of contact after a quote, giving you plenty of options for communicating with the provider. In addition, I like that 2-10 offers a 30-day money-back guarantee for extra peace of mind that you can back out if you find the plan or service lacking in any way.
This BBB-accredited provider has an interesting mix of online reviews with a strong A rating from the Better Business Bureau and a 4.2 rating from Google but poor one-star ratings from Trustpilot and Yelp. While Trustpilot has such a small number of reviews that I feel comfortable disregarding its score, Yelp has over 1,300 reviews, giving its rating more weight. Negative reviews pointed out this provider’s long response times, poor customer service, and frustration about not hearing back during emergency requests — something I certainly don’t want to deal with. However, positive reviews praised this company’s professional technicians, great coverage, and good pricing.
| Rating Site | Rating | Number of Reviews |
| BBB | A | Customer Reviews are not used in the calculation of BBB Rating |
| Trustpilot | 1.0 | 10 |
| 4.2 | 6,462 | |
| Yelp | 1.1 | 1,323 |
Editor’s Note: The ratings provided were accurate at the time of publication.
2-10 Home Warranty offers a standard claims process for the industry. You can contact it through its online portal or customer service phone number, and then an agent will schedule a contractor to come out and diagnose the problem before 2-10 fulfills coverage under your service agreement. A nice bonus of working with 2-10 is its large network of independent contractors that are monitored by 2-10 for customer satisfaction and performance and vetted to ensure they carry the right license and insurance, which is one less step you have to worry about. The only reason this provider scores a little lower in this category is because of its average 48-hour response time. While reading reviews on this company, multiple negative reviews complained about long wait times, even during emergency situations, which is definitely less than ideal. With that said, 2-10 Home Warranty’s websites claim to pay 97.5% of claims, which is an excellent statistic demonstrating strong follow-through with its plans.
2-10 Home Warranty has solid availability with coverage available in 47 states and Washington, D.C. But it doesn’t offer coverage in Alaska, Oklahoma, or Hawaii, so homeowners in these parts are out of luck.
Cinch Home Services
4.1
Our Rating
Cinch Home Services has a 180-day workmanship guarantee, which is above average. While not as strong as 2-10 Home Warranty’s one-year workmanship warranty, this is still an excellent offering to take advantage of. Another benefit is its coverage for appliance components, such as knobs, doors, and drawers, that usually isn’t included or costs more as an add-on.
While I’m glad Cinch’s Premier Upgrade Package provides extra coverage for code upgrades, permits, and more, some providers, like 2-10 Home Warranty, include this free of extra charge with its plans. The $12.50 I was quoted for the Premier Upgrade Package quickly makes Cinch’s plans less affordable, especially when looking at its pricier spa, pool with spa, and pool with heater included add-ons, which are all above $20 per month on their own. This quickly shifts Cinch’s plans from more affordable to average priced at best.
With its Complete Home plan, a massive bonus is Cinch’s homeowners insurance deductible reimbursement of up to $500, meaning Cinch will reimburse you up to $500 when you pay a deductible on a covered homeowners insurance claim. I haven’t seen another provider offer this benefit, so it’s a unique offering in the industry. I also like Cinch’s workmanship guarantee of 180 days, which is above average for the industry and reassures me that if any material or workmanship defects occur after a repair or replacement I’m covered.
However, Cinch has some serious drawbacks. For starters, you have to pay an additional fee if you want code upgrades, permits, and other features covered, which some providers like 2-10 Home Warranty cover automatically. Another huge con is its low coverage caps. A coverage cap is the largest amount of money a provider will reimburse you for or pay toward a repair or replacement. Unfortunately, Cinch has a limit of $1,500 for the HVAC system, which is completely inadequate, in my opinion. The average cost of an HVAC replacement is $7,500, so that $1,500 is just a drop in the bucket.
Cinch’s weakest point is its plans and coverage. While it offers clear-cut plans ( an appliance, built-in systems, or a combination of these two) they’re not as comprehensive as I’d like them to be. Its coverage limits are below average, with up to $1,500 for HVAC unit repairs, a $2,000 limit for kitchen or laundry equipment, and a maximum of $1,000 for your water heater. These numbers are below the industry average of $2,000 to $3,000, which is especially worrisome considering few HVAC repairs or replacements will be covered by $1,500. Another con is its expensive service fee options of $100, $125, or $150, as most providers offer at least one service fee option below $100.
| Plan | Monthly Cost | Service Fee | Available Discounts |
| Appliances | $39.32 | $125 | $150 off promo code, discounts on new appliances, first 2 months free |
| Built-in Systems | $44.32 | $125 | $150 off promo code, discounts on new appliances, first 2 months free |
| Complete Home | $53.32 | $125 | $150 off promo code, discounts on new appliances, first 2 months free |
Editor’s Note: The cost data mentioned in this article was sourced for a single-family, two-bedroom home under 5,000 square feet in Phoenix, AZ. The cost data presented was accurate at the time of publication.
Available Add-Ons
Cinch has a limited number of add-ons — several of which are above $20 per month, a significant amount that quickly makes its plans less affordable:
- Pool (heater included): $22/month
- Spa (heater included): $22/month
- Pool with spa (heater included): $22/month
- Septic tank/pumping: $4.58/month
- Well pump: $12.50/month
- Premier upgrade package: $12.50/month
Exclusions
Cinch’s exclusions (listed below) are industry standard, though I do want to point out that Cinch is one of the few providers on this list without any option for roof leak coverage (whether as a built-in plan benefit or an add-on). While this isn’t unusual in the industry, many of my top recommendations include this coverage which is key for preventing expensive water damage repairs later.
- Roof leaks
- Windows
- Improper installation
- Walls
- Gables
- Attics
- Fireplaces
- Appliances or systems outside the house
- Pre-existing conditions
- Secondary damages
- Incidental costs
- Structural components
- Minor systems and appliances (i.e. your home theater system, air purifier, or electric kettle)
- Damage or malfunction caused by acts of God
Editor’s Note: While this article highlights certain exclusions, it is imperative for readers to review their contracts as the mentioned exclusions are not exhaustive, and additional exclusions may apply.
Cinch Home Services stands out for its affordable pricing. However, it should be noted that the appliances and built-in systems plans are more affordable than most because they only cover half of what many homeowners are looking for in terms of coverage. Still, its Complete Home plan, which covers both appliances and home systems is a great deal, with the quote I received coming in at $53.32 per month (about $34 less per month than average). Some of Cinch’s plans cover unique items like ranges, freestanding ice makers, wall ovens, built-in trash compactors, smoke detectors, and even whirlpool or jetted tubs, depending on the plan you select.
Cinch Home Services has a helpful 24/7 mobile app and customer service phone line, making it easy to contact it on holidays and weekends because we’ve all been there when the dishwasher breaks down at the most inconvenient time. One of the drawbacks of working with Cinch is the very persistent follow-up. While I appreciate a company following up with me when I’ve submitted a request for a quote, it’s tiresome to receive numerous calls or emails in one day and not something most of us enjoy being on the receiving end of.
Cinch is a BBB-accredited company with solid ratings from multiple reputable rating sites, including a B+ rating from the Better Business Bureau and a 3.7 rating from Trustpilot. I was concerned to see that some negative reviews pointed out not hearing back from customer service for weeks. But many positive reviews recounted amazing customer service with quick service, good results, and a user-friendly sign-up and claims process. Compared to other providers, Cinch stacks up pretty well, with no notable red flags in this area.
| Rating Site | Rating | Number of Reviews |
| BBB | B+ | Customer Reviews are not used in the calculation of BBB Rating |
| Trustpilot | 3.7 | 3,041 |
| 3.0 | 2,500 | |
| Yelp | 1.0 | 6 |
Editor’s Note: The ratings provided were accurate at the time of publication.
Cinch has a nearly perfect claims process score from us for its excellent response time (often less than 24 hours) and many ways to contact the company, regardless of the time of day, weekday, holiday, or weekend. Many customers praised the quick turnaround and claim process, making this a strong plus in Cinch’s favor.
Cinch Home Services has excellent availability with coverage in 48 states — excluding Alaska and Hawaii. Overall, this is standout coverage that demonstrates a sustainable business model.
Calculate the Cost of Home Warranty
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| Appliance | Average Repair Cost | Average Replacement Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Dehumidifier | $50–$200 | $1,300–$2,800 |
| Microwave | $50–$400 | $60–$2,000 |
| Dishwasher | $50–$500 | $400–$3,000 |
| Exhaust Fans | $16–$300 | $250–$950 |
| Electric Range | $100–$500 | $230–$3,000 |
| Gas Range | $100–$500 | $230–$3,000 |
| Dryer | $100–$400 | $450–$2,300 |
| Oven | $100–$430 | $400–$3,000 |
| Washer | $50–$450 | $400–$2,300 |
| Freezer | $90–$500 | $160–$2,900 |
| Refrigerator | $40–$350 | $200–$5,000 |
FAQs
Do You Need a Home Warranty?
While not legally required in the United States, home warranties provide significant peace of mind that you’re financially protected should your appliances or home systems, like your HVAC system, break down. These repairs and replacements can be hugely expensive, with the average cost to replace an HVAC system costing around $7,500, which is something most homeowners can’t afford without going into debt. A home warranty helps you avoid financial strain when the worst happens.
How Much Does a Home Warranty Cost?
The average cost of a home warranty is $1,020 per year, although this can range depending on the company, plan, and add-on coverage you choose. For more information, read our article on home warranty cost for a deep dive into what will affect a home warranty’s cost.
How To Save Money When Shopping for Home Warranties?
The best way to save money when shopping for home warranties is by shopping around with multiple brands, comparing prices, asking customer service agents about available discounts, and checking the company’s website for current offers.
Is a Home Warranty Worth It?
Yes, for most homeowners, a home warranty is worth it because it protects you from the financial burden of sudden appliance or home system repairs or replacement (which can easily cost hundreds or thousands of dollars). Home warranties are worth it for most individuals unless you have an ample home emergency fund that can cover multiple, large replacement costs at once or a new home with appliances and systems protected under a manufacturer’s warranty.
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