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What do you do if a major system or appliance in your home is no longer under a manufacturer’s warranty and breaks down due to normal wear and tear? If you have a home warranty, you simply file a service request with your provider, and they’ll send a contractor to diagnose and repair the problem for a service fee. If the problem falls under your warranty terms, the company will pay for the cost of the repair or replacement.
Homeowners across the Gem State have a number of choices when it comes to home warranty companies, so we’re here to provide some guidance. After researching each provider’s cost, coverage, and reputation, we’ve identified the three best home warranties in Idaho.
In this article:
- Best Overall: American Home Shield
- Most Customizable Plan Options: America’s 1st Choice Home Club
- Best for Value Shoppers: Select Home Warranty
- Our Verdict
- Frequently Asked Questions
Best Overall: American Home Shield
Quick Take
American Home Shield, a nationwide home warranty provider with over 50 years in business, earns first place on our list thanks to its highly comprehensive coverage plans.
Each of its service contracts comes with protection not just against wear-and-tear damage but also damage resulting from improper repair or maintenance. Most home warranty companies exclude damage from rust, sediment, and corrosion damage, but American Home Shield also covers these conditions.
Pros and Cons
✓ Covers types of damage other providers don’t, such as rust and corrosion damage
✓ Has been in business since 1971, creating a solid reputation in the home warranty industry
✓ Provides generous coverage caps
✘ Offers a costlier premium plan than any providers on this list
✘ Does not offer coverage available for standalone freezers
Plans and Coverage
American Home Shield offers three plans: a systems plan and two combo plans:
- ShieldSilver: This plan covers your most important home systems like electricity, plumbing, heating and cooling.
- ShieldGold: AHS’s next plan covers the systems above plus major appliances like refrigerators, dishwashers, and clothes dryers.
- ShieldPlatinum: The final plan covers all of the items above plus extras such as A/C refrigerant, code upgrades and HVAC tune-ups.
You can also purchase additional coverage for items outside and around the home with any of these plans. This includes optional 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 | ✔ | ✔ |
Cost
Every home warranty plan requires you to pay a premium for every month or year of your contract. This price is the same no matter how often you file a claim. However, you’ll also have to pay a deductible, also called a service call fee, every time a contractor visits your home to diagnose or repair a problem.
American Home Shield allows you to customize this fee with regard to your monthly premium. If you pay a lower deductible, you’ll pay a higher premium and vice versa.
Thus, the amount you pay every month will depend on how comprehensive your American Home Shield plan is and the service fee you choose. Here are the prices we received when secret shopping for an average single-family home of about 2,000 sq. ft. in Boise, ID.
| Plan | $75 Service Fee | $100 Service Fee | $125 Service Fee |
| ShieldSilver | $39.99 | $29.99 | $24.99 |
| ShieldGold | $49.99 | $39.99 | $34.99 |
| ShieldPlatinum | $69.99 | $59.99 | $54.99 |
Get a Free Quote
To find out how much an American Home Shield plan will cost you, call 844-529-9298 or fill out this quick online form.
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?
Best Most Customizable Plan Options: America’s First Choice Home Club
Quick Take
If you haven’t yet seen a plan that takes your specific needs into account, try customizing your warranty with America’s First Choice (AFC) Home Club’s many options. You’ll have your choice of four plans, three service fees and a number of additional coverage options. You can choose between paying month-to-month or signing a contract for one or more years. Note that repairs are guaranteed for the length of the contract, which could be up to three years.
Pros and Cons
✓ Keeps prices intact for as long as you renew your contract
✓ Lets you choose your own service contractors with prior authorization
✓ Doesn’t require contract for month-to-month payment
✘ Doesn’t cover microwaves and plumbing stoppages outside of premium plan
✘ Has a $75 cancellation fee
Plans and Coverage
You’ll receive the most basic coverage with AFC Home Club’s Systems Plan, which covers only home systems, or the Silver Plan, which only covers appliances. The Gold Plan covers both plus ductwork, and the Platinum Plan adds on coverage for plumbing stoppages, microwaves, ice makers and faucets.
Add-on options include a tankless water heater, in-ground pool, stand-alone freezer, sump pump, double oven, central vacuum, hot water dispenser, septic system, or well pump with this home warranty company. If you choose the Systems, Silver or Gold Plans, you can also add an ice maker or microwave coverage.
| 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 | ✓ |
Cost
With AFC Home Club home warranty coverage, you can choose from a service call fee of $75, $100 or $125. If you anticipate needing to request service frequently, it might be a good idea to choose a lower service fee with a higher monthly or yearly premium. Here are the premium costs for a plan with a $100 service fee in Boise.
| Plan | Monthly Cost | Annual Cost |
| System Plan | $50.67 | $540 |
| Silver Plan | $42.17 | $439 |
| Gold Plan | $59.08 | $641 |
| Platinum Plan | $64.67 | $709 |
Get a Free Quote
Enter your contact information in this easy form or call 877-755-1115 to get a free quote from AFC Home Club.
Best for Value Shoppers: Select Home Warranty
Quick Take
Finally, Select Home Warranty is an excellent choice if you want the peace of mind of home warranty service but are on a limited budget. You’ll receive similar protection from expensive repairs at a reasonable price since even the combo plan is under $50 a month. You can receive two full months of free coverage if you pay annually, including limited roof leak coverage with all plans.
Pros and Cons
✓ Offers two months free with annual payment
✓ Provides free roof leak coverage
✓ Has add-on coverage for sprinkler systems
✘ Offers lower coverage caps than competitors in this review
✘ Requires you to cancel auto-renew in writing
Plans and Coverage
Select Home Warranty’s three plans include a Bronze Care plan that covers appliances and a Gold Care plan that covers systems. The Platinum Care plan covers both, plus garage door openers, ceiling fans and plumbing stoppages.
Optional coverage is also available for a lawn sprinkler system, central vacuum, pool, septic system, spa, stand-alone freezer, sump pump or well pump.
| Coverage | Bronze Care | Gold Care | Platinum Care |
| Limited roof leak | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Air conditioning and cooling | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Ductwork | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Electrical system | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Heating system | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Plumbing system | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Water heater | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Cooktop | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Dishwasher | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Garbage disposal | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Built-in microwave | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Refrigerator | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Stove/Oven | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Clothes washer | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Clothes dryer | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Garage door opener | ✔ | ||
| Plumbing stoppages | ✔ | ||
| Ceiling fan | ✔ |
Cost
Select Home Warranty offers a relatively low service fee of $75 with each of its plans.
| Plan | Monthly Cost | Yearly Cost |
| Platinum Care | $41.67 | $449.99 |
| Gold Care | $41.67 | $449.99 |
| Bronze Care | $46.08 | $499.99 |
Get a Free Quote
For a free quote from Select Home Warranty, fill out this simple online form or call 888-370-3956.
Our Verdict
Overall, American Home Shield earns our top recommendation based on the company’s long standing reputation as well as the comprehensiveness of its plans. You’ll protect your home from breakdowns of covered items due to more conditions than simply wear and tear. As a result, rates run slightly higher than competitors, but the extra coverage is worth the cost increase for many homes.
However, that doesn’t mean American Home Shield is right for all homeowners and all budgets. Before you choose a provider, it’s important to check out home warranty reviews and compare quotes. Fortunately, all three providers on our list offer free quotes and sample contracts online, and we recommend getting at least three quotes for your home before making your decision.
Frequently Asked Questions About Idaho Warranties
How much does a home warranty cost in Idaho?
The cost of your Idaho home warranty depends on how comprehensive the plan is and the coverage limits that come with it. Overall, home warranties tend to cost between $30 and $75 a month with a service fee between $75 and $100.
If I have homeowners’ insurance, do I need a home warranty?
You may still need a home warranty, even if you have homeowners insurance. Homeowners insurance and home warranties protect your budget in different ways. Home insurance covers worst-case scenarios like catastrophic weather, fire and theft. However, it won’t pay for repairs or replacements when the systems or appliances in your home break down due to normal wear and tear.
Do I need a home warranty if I’m buying a new home?
If you live in a newly manufactured home, your systems and appliances may still be covered by manufacturer’s warranties. These apply to specific branded items and usually only cover repair and replacement if the problem is a defect in manufacturing. However, if your appliances are no longer under a manufacturer’s warranty, you can benefit from a home warranty.
How long does a home warranty last?
Typically, a home warranty contract lasts for 12 months. However, some companies give you the option to sign a longer contract, usually in exchange for a lower rate. A few may offer month-to-month protection without requiring a contract at all, but the monthly rate will likely be substantially higher than if you signed a contract.
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.
Find the Best Home Warranty Providers in Other States
