A home warranty, also called a residential service contract, doesn’t cover every type of home repair bill, but it comes in handy when a covered appliance or system breaks down from normal wear and tear. An Iowa home warranty could save you hundreds or thousands on home maintenance if you’ve got one at the right time.
We’ve sorted through many home warranty reviews, rates, and plans to help identify the best home warranty companies available to homeowners in Iowa. The following companies offer their service contracts throughout the state and have different levels of coverage depending on what your home needs. Consider your budget and the state of your home’s systems and appliances, and continue reading to find the home warranty that fits you.
Our Top Home Warranty Picks For Iowa
Compare the Best Home Warranty Companies in Iowa
The table below outlines data for the best home warranty companies in Iowa and across the U.S. We constantly update these ratings as companies change their policies and prices to give you the most accurate information possible. Continue reading for in-depth reviews of several top providers.
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
For Iowa homeowners, American Home Shield offers the best and most comprehensive home warranty coverage available. The company’s three plans cover 14 major home systems, nine appliances and additional items. What’s more, you’ll get coverage beyond wear and tear damage. American Home Shield covers items that break down from insufficient maintenance, improper installation or repair, rust, sediment or corrosion. You’ll even be covered in the case of unknown pre-existing conditions.
American Home Shield offers three home warranty plans to customers throughout Iowa. The ShieldSilver plan covers 14 home systems like heating, plumbing and interior electrical lines. The ShieldGold plan covers these major systems as well as nine key appliances, both in the kitchen and elsewhere. The ShieldPlatinum plan covers all these items and adds HVAC tune-ups, roof leaks and code violation upgrades.
| 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 oven | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Garbage disposal | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Instant hot/cold water dispenser | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Clothes washer | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Clothes dryer | ✓ | ✓ |
Along with any of these plans, you can purchase optional coverage for pools/spas, septic pumps, well pumps and guest units of up to 750 sq. ft.
With a home warranty, you’ll pay a set price for every month or year of your service contract, whether you use it or not. This is called a premium. Additionally, every time the provider sends a technician to diagnose or repair a problem, you’ll pay a service call fee, also called a deductible, directly to the technician. However, if the damage is covered by your home warranty, this is all you’ll pay; the provider will cover the remainder of the repair or replacement costs.
American Home Shield allows you to determine your monthly premium based on a service fee of $75, $100 or $125. If you choose a lower deductible, your premium will be higher and vice versa. Here are the prices we were quoted for a home of about 2,000 sq. ft. in Dubuque, IA.
| Plan | $75 Service Fee | $100 Service Fee | $125 Service Fee |
| ShieldSilver | $89.99 | $79.99 | $74.99 |
| ShieldGold | $99.99 | $89.99 | $84.99 |
| ShieldPlatinum | $119.99 | $109.99 | $104.99 |
AFC Home Club
4.2
Our Rating
Not all homes are alike, so not all home warranties should be alike. America’s First Choice (AFC) Home Club offers some of the most customizable protection plans available. With AFC Home Club, you’ll have your choice of four plans. You can also pick from one of three premium-deductible combinations and 11 add-on options. You don’t even need to sign a contract to be eligible for coverage, though you can save money by opting for a one-year or three-year contract.
AFC Home Club’s Systems Plan covers your most important home systems, and its Silver Plan covers home appliances. The Gold Plan covers both and includes ductwork. The Platinum Plan covers all of the above plus built-in microwaves, faucets, ice makers and plumbing stoppages.
| Coverage | Systems Plan | Silver Plan | Gold Plan | Platinum Plan |
| Air conditioning | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Heating | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Water heater | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Electrical system | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Plumbing system | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Ductwork | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Clothes washer | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Clothes dryer | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Kitchen refrigerator | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Oven | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Range | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Dishwasher | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Garbage disposal | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Garage door opener | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Plumbing stoppages | ✓ | |||
| Built-in microwave | ✓ | |||
| Ice maker | ✓ | |||
| Faucets | ✓ |
If you have a tankless water heater, in-ground pool, stand-alone freezer, sump pump, double oven, central vacuum, hot water dispenser, septic system or well pump, you can pay a little extra each month to get these items covered. If you choose the Systems, Silver or Gold Plans, you can also add coverage for an ice maker or microwave, which are only covered by default under the Platinum Plan.
AFC Home Club lets you choose from a service call fee of $75, $100 or $125. You can also choose between a one-year contract, a three-year contract, or month-to-month payments only. The following prices apply to a one-year contract with a service fee of $100.
| Plan | Monthly Cost | Annual Cost |
| Systems Plan | $40.50 | $432 |
| Silver Plan | $33.75 | $351 |
| Gold Plan | $47.25 | $513 |
| Platinum Plan | $51.75 | $567 |
Select Home Warranty
4.2
Our Rating
Select Home Warranty rounds out our list with its highly affordable pricing structure. Its three plans make it easy to protect your budget from expensive repairs resulting from normal wear and tear to your home. The company’s customer service representatives can chat with you directly on the website to help you find the best plan for your home. All of Select Home Warranty’s plans come with free roof leak coverage, and it’s the only company on our list that will cover lawn sprinkler systems.
Select Home Warranty’s Bronze and Gold Care plans come with the same premium price. Bronze Care applies to home appliances while Gold Care applies to home systems. The Platinum Care plan covers both systems and appliances, plus garage door openers, ceiling fans and plumbing stoppages.
| Coverage | Bronze Care | Gold Care | Platinum Care |
| Limited roof leak | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Air conditioning | ✓ | ✓ | |
| 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 openers | ✓ | ||
| Plumbing stoppages | ✓ | ||
| Ceiling fans | ✓ |
With any of these plans, you can also purchase coverage for a lawn sprinkler system, central vacuum, pool, septic system, spa, stand-alone freezer, sump pump or well pump.
Select Home Warranty also offers a relatively low service fee of $75 with all its plans, and annual payment comes with an extra two months of free coverage.
| Plan | Monthly Cost | Annual Cost |
| Bronze Care Plan | $41.67 | $449.99 |
| Gold Care Plan | $41.67 | $449.99 |
| Platinum Care Plan | $46.08 | $499.99 |
Additional 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?
Our Verdict
Overall, we find that American Home Shield offers the best combination of value and comprehensive coverage. While it is a more expensive option, you’ll be covered in case of breakdowns from more than just wear and tear damage.
American Home Shield is also the longest-running provider on our list, having essentially created the home warranty industry in 1971, so you’ll have the peace of mind of knowing that the company isn’t going anywhere.
However, American Home Shield may not fit in your budget, and all of the other options on our list also provide impressive home warranty coverage. Each of these companies offers sample contracts and free instant quotes online, so you can quickly find out who offers the best coverage for you.
Frequently Asked Questions About Iowa Home Warranties
How much does a home warranty cost in Iowa?
Nationwide, home warranties tend to cost between $30 and $75 a month or $360 and $900 a year. Iowa home warranty costs fall on the lower end of the national average, at about $35-$55 a month. However, this range can vary even within the state. A homeowner in Des Moines may pay a different rate than one in Cedar Rapids, so be sure to gather some personalized quotes when doing your research.
What’s the difference between a home warranty and homeowners insurance?
Homeowners insurance covers your home and possessions from catastrophic events, like extreme weather events, fire, earthquakes or robbery. However, home warranties cover the types of breakdowns from years of using a vital system or appliance. Hopefully, you’ll never have to use your homeowners’ insurance. You’re far more likely to use a home warranty as covered items wear out in the course of everyday use.
What are some typical home warranty exclusions?
Unless otherwise specified, home warranties apply only to wear and tear damage to a covered item, so cosmetic defects, accidental or intentional damage and damage resulting from neglecting the item are excluded from home warranty contracts. Additionally, not every part of a covered item falls under your warranty terms. Usually, things like knobs, dials and grills are excluded. Always read the terms of the contract very carefully to know what is and isn’t covered.
Do I need a home warranty if I’m not buying a home?
Although home buyers and sellers are most often the customers for a home warranty, homeowners can benefit from these contracts at any stage of ownership. You don’t have to be involved in a real estate transaction to protect your budget from large repair bills.
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.
