Home repair budgets don’t stretch as far in Hawaii as they do in other states. From the Big Island to Honolulu, housing prices are high. With experts suggesting you budget around 1-4% of your home’s purchase price for repairs each year, maintenance costs can quickly add up.
Home warranties are helpful for saving money in any state, but they tend to be more valuable in Hawaii than in many other areas. For most of the year, Hawaiians experience temperatures above 70 degrees, including in the winter. The sustained heat means air conditioners and refrigerators will need to work constantly, which puts them at risk of breakdown.
Unlike homeowners’ insurance, home warranties cover day-to-day repair costs. We’ve identified the best home warranties in Hawaii based on coverage, cost and reputation. These providers offer varying levels of coverage and price points, so take a look at the details and gather some quotes to see which provider best meets your home’s needs.
What Are the Best Home Warranties in Hawaii?
Below is a quick list of the top home warranty providers in the Aloha State:
Hawaii Home Warranties Compared
The table below outlines data for the best home warranty companies on the market. We constantly update these ratings and as these companies change their policies and prices to give you the most accurate information possible. Continue reading for our specific reviews of Hawaii’s top options.
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 |
American Home Shield
4.2
Our Rating
If you want the most comprehensive overall coverage, we find that American Home Shield offers the best home warranty around. In addition to the usual wear and tear damage, American Home Shield also covers damage from rust, corrosion, sediment and insufficient maintenance of your appliances or systems. If the problem is due to improper installation or repair of the appliances, you’re still covered. With more than 50 years in the home warranty industry, American Home Shield still offers the best service contract on the market.
As with many home warranty companies, American Home Shield offers three protection plans. The first, ShieldSilver, covers major systems like heating, cooling, electricity and plumbing. The second, ShieldGold, covers these systems and adds coverage for home appliances like refrigerators, dishwashers and clothes washers and dryers. Finally, ShieldPlatinum covers major systems and appliances, plus roof leaks, HVAC tune-ups and code upgrades.
American Home Shield also offers a few additional coverage options for items that not all homeowners may have. You can purchase coverage for pools/spas, septic pumps, well pumps and guest units of up to 750 sq. ft.
| Coverage | ShieldSilver | ShieldGold | ShieldPlatinum |
| Roof-leak repairs | ✔ | ||
| Air conditioner | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Heating unit | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Ductwork | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Built-in exhaust, vent and attic fans | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Main breaker and fuse panel box | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Doorbells and chimes | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Interior electrical lines | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Ceiling fans | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Garage door openers | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Interior plumbing lines | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Toilets | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Faucets and valves | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Whirlpool tub motor and components | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Water heater | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Refrigerator | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Range/Cooktop | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Oven | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Dishwasher | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Built-in microwave | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Garbage disposal | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Instant hot/cold water dispenser | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Clothes washer | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Clothes dryer | ✔ | ✔ |
Every home warranty requires you to pay a monthly or yearly premium for the length of your service contract. Each time you file a claim, you’ll also pay a deductible or service call fee when a technician comes to your home. These fees are paid directly to the service providers at the time they diagnose or fix the problem.
American Home Shield allows you to customize your service fee with respect to your premium. If you choose a higher deductible, you’ll have a lower premium payment and vice versa. Here’s some sample pricing we were quoted for a 1,400 sq. ft. home in Waianae, HI, on Oahu.
| Plan | $75 Service Fee | $100 Service Fee | $125 Service Fee |
| ShieldSilver | $74.99 | $64.99 | $59.99 |
| ShieldGold | $84.99 | $74.99 | $69.99 |
| ShieldPlatinum | $104.99 | $94.99 | $89.99 |
American Home Shield offers additional coverage for 11 items, including pools, spas, septic systems, well pumps, and more. These add-ons can fit nearly any budget, and many of these covered items cost less than $20 per month. For instance, you can add roof-leak coverage for just $10 per month.
As mentioned, you get unlimited coverage for your home systems – such as your air conditioner or heating system — and either $2,000 per appliance or $4,000 per appliance if you choose ShieldGold or ShieldPlatinum, respectively.
AHS covers damage caused by normal wear and tear and does not cover damage caused by misuse, lack of maintenance, or poor installation. However, American Home Shield will cover preexisting conditions if the damage was not previously discovered.
As mentioned, you get unlimited coverage for your home systems – such as your air conditioner or heating system — and either $2,000 per appliance or $4,000 per appliance if you choose ShieldGold or ShieldPlatinum, respectively.
AHS covers damage caused by normal wear and tear and does not cover damage caused by misuse, lack of maintenance, or poor installation. However, American Home Shield will cover preexisting conditions if the damage was not previously discovered.
Choice Home Warranty
4.1
Our Rating
Choice Home Warranty is the best overall home warranty in the state of Hawaii. Choice Home Warranty has one of the most simple and straightforward contracts in the industry. Choice Home Warranty is a great place to start if you like to keep things simple and know exactly what is covered under your plan. With more than 13 years in the industry, Choice Home Warranty has built a great network of service professionals.
Choice Home Warranty is fairly priced and has very high policy limits or caps. Overall it’s hard for other companies to compete with the all-around great package that Choice Home Warranty brings to the table.
Get a free quote from Choice Home Warranty.
There are only two plans offered by the Choice Home Warranty company. However, the unique thing about these plans is that they are both combo or comprehensive plans. This means that you will get a mix of appliance and system coverage as part of the home warranty plan. In addition, Choice is great about offering add-on coverage for things like a pool or a spa. This helps to ensure that your Hawaii home has all the coverage that you need it to have. The coverage caps are excellent from this company, and the service fee is just $85 per claim.
Here’s a detailed look at Choice Home Warranty’s coverage:
- Basic Plan ($42/month): The Basic Plan from Choice Home Warranty is one of the few basic plans in the industry that includes both appliances and home systems. It covers your electrical, plumbing, and heating system, including hot water heaters, HVAC ductwork, and toilets. It also covers ovens, cooktop exhaust fans, dishwashers, microwaves, and garbage disposals. It also includes coverage for garage door openers.
- Total Plan ($53.33/month): The Total Plan is more comprehensive in its coverage, but it also includes both appliances and home systems. This plan will provide protection for everything in the Basic Plan, plus air conditioners — which is crucial in Hawaii — refrigerators, washers, and dryers. This plan is only slightly more expensive than the basic option and includes more of the coverage that’s needed in Hawaii.
The add-on products for additional coverage are rather limited with Choice Home Warranty, but you opt into added protection for:
- Central vacuum
- Limited roof leak
- Septic system
- Septic tank pumping
- Sump pump
- Well pump
- Pool/Spa
- Second refrigerator
- Stand-alone freezer
Choice Home Warranty provides additional coverage for your pool, hot tub, well pump, sump pump, central vacuum, and more. CHW offers good roof leak protection and covers up to $500 to repair holes in your roof.
Choice Home Warranty covers only the cost of repairing home appliances and systems when they fail due to normal wear and tear. If the system or appliance has broken down due to misuse, lack of maintenance, improper installation, or acts of nature, this warranty provider does not cover it.
CHW has a generous coverage cap of $3,000 for all systems and equipment covered under the Basic or Total plans, but add-on items have a coverage cap between $250 and $500 per item. Coverage may differ if you live in California and Georgia, so consult your service contract for the most accurate coverage.
Liberty Home Guard
4.5
Our Rating
Liberty Home Guard is the most trustworthy home warranty in the state of Hawaii. The interesting thing about the Liberty Home Guard company is that they have only been on the market for two years. Even after just two years in the industry, they have managed to earn and maintain an A rating from the BBB. This is almost unheard of in the home warranty industry, and LHG should get some credit for it. In addition to their impressive customer service and reputation, the Liberty Home Guard policy gives homeowners a wide range of remarkable coverages to choose from.
There are three Liberty Home Guard plans. The appliance plan, systems plan, and combo plan are the three basic options. You can choose one of these that fits your budget and then customize the plan with the add-on coverages. Liberty Home Guard has one of the most extensive add-on coverage lists in the home warranty industry. LHG averages around $840 annually, making it one of the more expensive options. Its service fee is $75 per claim.
LHG provides some of the most add-on coverage options in the industry. If the plans above don’t meet your needs, you can supplement them with the below options:
- Pool and spa (no jet or liner coverage)
- Additional spa
- Saltwater pool
- Gutter cleaning
- Floor/carpet cleaning
- Sump pump
- Fixtures
- Water softener
- Trash compactor
- Lawn sprinkler system
- Electronics protection (TVs and computers are separate)
- Swamp cooler
- Ejector pump
- Septic system pumping
- Limited roof leak coverage
- Pest control
- Locksmith
- Free-standing ice maker
- Central vacuum
- Stand-alone freezer
- Re-key
- Second refrigerator
- Wine refrigerator
- Well pump
- TV and PC
- Generator
- Water dispenser (instant hot or cold)
Here’s a detailed look at Liberty Home Guard’s cost options:
- Appliance Guard ($64.99/month): As you might have guessed, the Appliance Guard plan covers appliances only and excludes home systems. With this plan, you’ll get protection for your fridge, oven, dishwasher, cooktop exhaust fans, microwaves, ice maker, garbage disposal, washers, dryers, ceiling fans, and garage door openers. This plan is more expensive than most other appliance-only options, but it covers most major appliances.
- Systems Guard ($69.99/month): The Systems Guard plan is the other basic option, but this one excludes appliances and just covers home systems. It provides protection for heating, plumbing, electrical, and air conditioning systems. This also includes coverage for components like HVAC ductwork, water heaters, bathroom exhaust fans, and toilets.
- Total Home Guard ($74.99/month): The Total Home Guard plan includes the most coverage and provides the best value from Liberty Home Guard. It’s $5 to $10 more expensive than the other options, and it includes everything in the other plans for total protection.
Select Home Warranty
4.2
Our Rating
The Select Home Warranty is the most cost-effective home warranty plan for Hawaii residents. Homeownership can be expensive, and if your budget does not have much room to spare, it’s a smart idea to consider the overall costs of the plan you invest in. Select Home Warranty offers tremendous value with its home warranty plans. You will be amazed at home much coverage you get for the price offered. With nearly ten years in the home warranty industry, Select Home Warranty has made a name for itself. They are very strict and restrictive about who they choose to come to your home and make a repair. The workmanship from Select Home Warranty stands out as some of the best in the industry.
The Select Home Warranty has a very traditional plan system in place. There are three plans to choose from; one is an appliance plan, one a systems plan, and one a comprehensive plan. The fact that the comprehensive plan is just a few dollars more per month is one of the reasons that many Hawaii homeowners choose this plan. Select Home Warranty gives all Hawaii policyholders free roof leak coverage with the purchase of their plan; however, there is plenty of other add-on options you can attach as well. The annual fee averages around $650, making it one of the more affordable options, and the service fee is well below average at just $60.
Select Home Warranty also provides some add-on options for other things you might want to be covered, including:
- Pool
- Spa
- Septic system
- Well pump
- Sump pump
- Lawn sprinkler system
- Roof leaks
- Central vacuum
- Stand-alone freezer
Here’s a detailed look at Select Home Warranty’s pricing:
- Bronze Plan ($52/month): The Bronze Plan is great for homeowners who only want coverage for their appliances, as it excludes all home systems. It provides protection for refrigerators, ranges, ovens, microwaves, washers, dryers, and garbage disposals. It’s more costly than some other basic appliance plans but provides more value by including all major appliances and maintaining low service call fees.
- Gold Plan ($52/month): The Gold Plan is another basic option from Select Home Warranty, but it covers home systems rather than appliances. You’ll get a warranty for electrical, heating, plumbing, and air conditioning systems, which includes water heaters and HVAC ductwork.
- Platinum Plan ($57/month): The Platinum Plan combines the Bronze and Gold Plan coverages for more comprehensive protection. This plan covers everything in the other two plan options, plus ceiling fans, plumbing blockages, and garage door openers. At just $5 more per month than the other plans, this is a great deal.
AFC Home Club
4.2
Our Rating
Hawaii is a truly unique state, with plenty of unique homes and homeowners. If you’d like a little more customization with your home warranty plan, America’s First Choice (AFC) Home Club may have exactly what you need. With four plans, three deductible choices, and a long list of additional coverage options, you can create a home warranty plan that covers what you have without having to pay for things you don’t need. You can even choose your own contractor, as long as they receive prior authorization before performing repairs.
AFC Home Club’s Systems Plan covers home systems, and the Silver Plan covers major appliances. The Gold Plan covers both systems and appliances, plus ductwork, and the Platinum Plan adds coverage for microwaves, ice makers, faucets and plumbing stoppages.
You can add coverage for microwaves or ice makers to the Systems, Silver or Gold Plans for a small extra monthly fee. You can also purchase optional coverage for a tankless water heater, in-ground pool, stand-alone freezer, sump pump, double oven, central vacuum, hot water dispenser, septic system or well pump. If you pay monthly, you can add total electronics coverage for $24.99 a month, too.
| Systems Plan | Silver Plan | Gold Plan | Platinum Plan | |
| Air conditioning | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Heating | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Water heater | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Electrical system | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Plumbing system | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Ductwork | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Clothes dryer | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Clothes washer | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Kitchen refrigerator | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Oven | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Range | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Dishwasher | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Garbage disposal | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Garage door opener | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Built-in microwave | ✓ | |||
| Ice maker | ✓ | |||
| Plumbing stoppages | ✓ | |||
| Faucets | ✓ |
As with American Home Shield, AFC Home Club offers service fees of $75, $100 or $125. The following quotes apply to a fee of $100 and a one-year contract. You can lower these prices further by choosing a higher service call fee or a longer contract.
| Plan | Monthly Cost | Annual Cost |
| System Plan | $52.50 | $560 |
| Silver Plan | $43.75 | $455 |
| Gold Plan | $61.25 | $665 |
| Platinum Plan | $67.08 | $735 |
More Home Warranty Resources
- What is a Home Warranty?
- How Much Do Home Warranties Cost?
- Is a Home Warranty Worth It for You?
- Best Home Warranties in 2023
- Do Your Appliances Need Extended Warranties?
How to Choose the Best Home Warranty in Hawaii
These top five home warranty plan options in Hawaii are quite strong. It doesn’t matter if you have a new or old home; you can take advantage of this impressive coverage. The hard part now becomes narrowing down which one is specifically best for your needs. Three things to look for in the overall plan are coverage caps or limits, cancellation fees, and the BBB rating.
- Coverage Caps: Each appliance or system in your home warranty coverage will have a coverage cap or policy limit. For some plans, this will be around $500, and for others, it will be $3000. If you have a higher coverage cap, it could help with replacement costs as well.
- Cancellation Fees: Most home warranties have a cancellation fee associated with the plan. Typically $75 is the early cancellation fee, but this is a good thing to look into before you sign up for the plan.
- BBB Rating: The BBB rating indicates how the home warranty company is doing when it comes to customer service and reliability. It is good to check into the BBB ratings but don’t take these as the only way to choose a plan.
The above criteria are crucial to consider no matter where you live, and there are some additional things to think about when choosing a home warranty in Hawaii, specifically.
First, most Hawaiians want coverage for their air conditioning systems, as cooling equipment is under constant stress from the high year-round temperatures in the area. Condensers and blower motors are more likely to break down and fail when they’re overworked, so a warranty that covers these items can be particularly valuable.
Another thing you might specifically want to look for coverage for is your refrigerator. Just like with your AC system, your fridge will battle the high temperatures and high summer humidity and will be more prone to breaking down and needing service. A home warranty that covers refrigerators is often well worth the investment, given that repair and replacement costs can reach into the thousands.
How Much Does a Home Warranty in Hawaii Cost?
The average home warranty cost in Hawaii will range in price from around $40 a month to more than $70 per month. The difference in cost typically has to do with plan choices and add-on coverage. The more comprehensive your policy is, the more it is going to cost you. Add-on coverage can bump up your annual costs as well. The average service fee is around $85 per claim, although this is typically your only out-of-pocket cost.
| Overall | $736.76 |
| Single Family | $643.51 |
| Multi Family | $1,032.03 |
| Townhome | $612.33 |
| Condo | $612.33 |
| Duplex | $886.03 |
| Home Over 5,000 sq ft | $1,232.50 |
| Home Under 5,000 sq ft | $661.13 |
How Does a Home Warranty in Hawaii Work?
Securing a home warranty is a relatively straightforward process. You just need to choose the best home warranty provider for your needs, select the plan that covers what you want to be covered and suits your budget, pay for the plan, and wait for coverage to kick in. In most cases, your coverage will begin within 10 to 90 days.
Once you have coverage, the process for getting an issue in your home fixed is as follows:
- Find an issue with an appliance or home system that is covered by your home warranty
- File a claim to request service, which involves filling out a claim form on your provider’s website or app or calling the service line
- Your home warranty company hires a service provider based on your claim
- You wait for the technician to come to your home to fix the problem
- You pay a service fee, which usually is around $85, rather than the entire cost of the repair or replacement.
What Does a Home Warranty Cover?
All home warranty companies and plans cover different items and damages, so it’s impossible to say with certainty what your service contract will include. Most home warranty plans cover systems, appliances, or a combination of the two.
If you have a plan that covers major home appliances, chances are you’ll have protection for your refrigerator, oven, dishwasher, microwave, garbage disposal, clothes dryer, washer, and more. If you have a plan that covers systems, some common items include plumbing, heating, cooling, and electrical systems. Some also include minor systems, like smoke alarms, garage door openers, and more.
In addition to the above coverages, most home warranty providers also have add-on options for coverage. Some common add-on products include pools, spas, sprinkler systems, second refrigerators, and more.
What Isn’t Covered by a Home Warranty?
Again, every company and every plan is different, so there’s no definitive way to say what your plan will and won’t cover. However, most home warranties exclude pre-existing problems with your home, cosmetic repairs, damages caused intentionally, and damages that result from a lack of maintenance. You should always read your service contract carefully for exclusions so that you’re not caught off guard with out-of-pocket costs that are higher than expected.
Biggest Complaints about Home Warranty Companies in Hawaii
The majority of homeowners who purchase home warranties in Hawaii are pleased with the coverage and service they receive, but there are some complaints that show up more often in customer reviews.
One of the most common issues we see in Hawaii is customers complaining that items they believe should be covered are denied coverage. One reason this happens is that customers aren’t always aware of coverage limitations. Most home warranties come with coverage caps, and some have exclusions, even for covered items. This problem most often arises with air conditioning in Hawaii, where damage from a lack of proper maintenance is often denied. You should always read your service contract completely before signing anything.
On the other hand, some home warranty companies deny coverage against their service contracts as a means to save money. Unfortunately, this can happen with less reputable home warranty providers. It’s important to choose a reliable company for your home warranty needs to avoid this and similar issues.
Our Verdict
Overall, we think American Home Shield is your best bet for home warranty coverage. The company covers more conditions and types of damage than its competitors. It has longevity in the industry and excellent customer service to make it worth the price. With fewer exclusions, your money will go farther in terms of covered repairs or replacements.
However, American Home Shield may not be right for every Hawaiian homeowner. If that’s the case for you, check out one of the other companies on our list, all of which get our recommendation. Each of the companies in this review provide free online quotes and sample contracts, so you can get the information you need to make your choice with just a few clicks.
Frequently Asked Questions About Hawaii Home Warranties
How much does a home warranty cost in Hawaii?
Nationwide, a typical home warranty costs between $30 and $75 per month. However, since the cost of living in Hawaii is generally higher, home warranty premiums will also be higher. You’re more likely to pay in the range of $40 to $80 a month, plus any applicable service fees.
Will a home warranty pay to replace my refrigerator?
If you have a home warranty and a covered item breaks down due to wear and tear, your provider will first send a technician to try to repair the problem. If repairs aren’t possible, the company will either send a replacement or cover replacement costs in cash. While you will get the covered item replaced, be aware that it may not be the color or brand you want, and the cash will likely be less than retail value for the item.
How does a home warranty provide peace of mind if I’m buying a home?
Although home repairs are never fun to pay for, they can be especially troublesome for homebuyers just moving into a new place. However, your budget will be protected from breakdowns of covered items due to wear and tear with a real estate home warranty. If the problem falls under the terms of your warranty, you’ll only be responsible for the cost of service fees.
Will a home warranty pay to replace my roof?
Because partial roof replacement is a very expensive undertaking, home warranties don’t cover this feature. However, some home warranties will cover roof leaks, typically those over the inhabited parts of your home. In this instance, a leak over the living room would be covered, whereas a leak over a lanai would not.
Home Warranty Rating Methodology
To help you find the best home warranty, our reviews team researched numerous home warranty companies, analyzing their coverage plans, pricing and customer service, among other factors:
- Coverage: Home warranty companies that provide extensive coverage and protect important systems and appliances, including your air conditioning, refrigerator and heating, scored higher than companies with minimal coverage.
- Plan variety: A provider with more coverage plans allows for more flexibility among customers. In general, most home warranty companies provide an appliances-only plan, systems-only plan and combination plan.
- Pricing: We scored providers based on their monthly plan prices and service call fees compared to the industry average pricing. Companies with more affordable coverage received more points than companies with more expensive plans.
- State availability: Where you live will determine what companies are available in your area. Home warranty companies that covered more states received more points than companies with a limited state availability.
- Trustworthiness: There are some home warranty companies that are scams and don’t follow through on their service agreements. We rated companies based on their years of experience, ratings on the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and customer reviews.
To keep our data current, our team regularly updates the data points for each company to ensure their coverage offerings, pricing and availability are accurate.
