Did you spend a few days stuck at home during a snowstorm last year? Or maybe your electricity went out during a windstorm? New York often experiences extreme weather, and every homeowner will have to deal with how it impacts their home at one point or another.
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Warming up around the fire or talking by candlelight is only romantic for one night. Two days into a power outage or with a blown furnace, you might wish you’d bought a home warranty plan to have your back when things literally get dark. If your dishwasher springs a leak or your air conditioning compressor fails, you can make multiple calls trying to find a plumber or HVAC technician, but it’s much easier to make one call to a home warranty company.
The last thing you want to do when you’re in an emergency is waste time finding a reputable technician to fix the problem. Home warranty providers check references, licensure, and insurance before approving a technician for their network so that you don’t have to spend time finding a professional. After one call to place a claim, they draw on their network of qualified technicians to fix your problem.
Home warranty companies charge either a monthly premium or a full year in advance for their policies. You’ll also pay a service fee each time a service technician comes out on a call. These fees vary, though they’re typically within a competitive range.
I went secret shopping to find the best home warranty company in New York. After applying for quotes online and over the phone, reading online reviews, and speaking directly with customer service representatives, I selected my top picks for each type of home warranty company that could fit your needs.
Today’s Homeowner uses specific review criteria when determining rankings. We analyzed plan options and fees, availability, the claims process, coverage limits, what online reviewers have to say, and more to give you peace of mind when selecting the best home warranty coverage for your home.
Here’s how we ranked and reviewed the nation’s top home warranty companies to bring you the most accurate information. Read our full Home Warranty Review Methodology for more details.
78 companies reviewed
152 quotes collected
6 rating factors
Table of Contents
Top 6 New York Home Warranty Companies
Key Takeaways
- Liberty Home Guard is my top pick because they have a great list of add-ons, superior customer service, and reasonable premiums. They frequently offer a discount on their $125 service fee, which lowers it to around those of competitors, too.
- If you read anything in the sample contract, read the exclusions. There are catches and surprises most of the time, such as how Elite Home Warranty doesn’t provide its full coverage limits for the first 90 days after you buy a policy.
- Add-ons add up fast. Covering a sump pump plus a pool with Liberty Home Guard would increase your monthly premium by $28.98 a month. Think about what is an urgent repair and what you can wait a few days to fix.
My Expert Recommendation
Liberty Home Guard has excellent customer service, from the moment you apply for a quote to when you need to call with a claim.
At Liberty Home Guard, it takes just a few minutes to get a free quote, service representatives have always been pleasant to talk to, and online reviews love their customer service experience and fast claims process. Monthly premiums are within the normal industry range, though not the cheapest. While their $125 service fee is higher than that of competitors such as AFC Home Club or Elite Home Warranty, the representative offered to lower it to just $85 when I spoke with them on the phone.
If you want to cover it all, from the kitchen dishwasher to the basement sump pump, Liberty’s large list of add-ons means you can protect almost any part of your home. And if you do want to add coverage for something not on the list, Liberty will work with you to add it to your policy.
When you file a claim, Liberty guarantees service within 24–48 hours, or you can call someone, and they’ll reimburse you for the repair. They’re also one of the few home warranty companies with an app where you can file claims, track their progress, and see when your service technician will arrive.
When picking add-ons, ask yourself what could break down in your house and possibly be dangerous. Whether it’s a broken air conditioning unit when a senior parent lives with you or a sump pump failure that causes sewage to back up in your basement, pick a plan that covers these items.
New York Home Warranty Companies I Didn’t Include
Unfortunately, every industry has its bad actors. The home warranty industry is no exception. I’d recommend avoiding two home warranty companies in New York: US Home Guard and Service Plus Home Warranty. They’re both known for shady business practices, particularly when marketing and selling policies, and, in some cases, have run afoul of the authorities. I recommend steering clear of both companies.
US Home Guard’s marketing tactics have led to the company’s bad reputation. It’s not often that the Better Business Bureau issues a press release warning consumers about doing business with a company. In this case, they warned consumers about US Home Guard’s confusing and deceptive marketing. Not only does the company send mailers that use scare tactics with subject lines such as “Your home warranty is about to expire!” but it even sends them to homeowners who have never had a home warranty with them.
While operating under a different name, Total Home Protection, Service Plus Home Warranty paid a $400,000 settlement to the Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General in 2021 for deceptive marketing. They changed their name to try to change their reputation, but that doesn’t mean how they operate has changed. Even though I didn’t leave the box checked to receive texts and phone calls when I applied for a quote, the company texted and called multiple times a day for months.
Compare The Highest Rated Home Warranties In New York
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Company
|
Rating
|
Monthly Cost
|
Service Fee
|
Response Time
|
BBB Rating
|
Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Liberty Home Guard
Get Quote
|
$50-$60 | $75 | 12-48 hrs. | NR | Get Quote | |
 American Home Shield
Get Quote
|
$35–$75 | $100–$125 | 24-72 hrs | B | Get Quote | |
 Elite Home Warranty
Get Quote
|
$44.99-$58.99 | $70 | 48 hours | A+ | Get Quote | |
 Choice Home Warranty
Get Quote
|
$46–$55 | $85 | 24-48 hrs. | B | Get Quote | |
 Select Home Warranty
Get Quote
|
$52–$58 | $75-$85 | 24-48 hrs. | B | Get Quote | |
 AFC Home Warranty
Get Quote
|
$38–$62 | $75–$125 | 48 hours | B | Get Quote | |
 First American Home Warranty
Get Quote
|
$72–$87 | $75–$125 | 48 hours | B | Get Quote | |
 2-10 Home Warranty
Our Review
|
$17–$60+ | $65–$100 | 24 hrs | A- | Our Review | |
 Cinch Home Services
Get Quote
|
$28–$68 | $100–$150 | 2–24 hrs | B | Get Quote |
Quote and cost data gathered January 2024. Cost data are updated and monitored continuously.
Our Reviews of the Best Home Warranties in New York
Liberty Home Guard
4.6
Our Rating
If you live in Albany, there’s a 26% chance severe flooding will affect your home over the next 30 years. Homeowners with sump pumps in their basements will want to make sure they keep working; those without one may consider having one installed. If you have a home warranty with Liberty Home Guard, though, a broken sump pump wouldn’t be a problem.
Liberty Home Guard offers 42 different add-ons to customize your policy, the most of any competitor on this list. Whether it’s a sump pump or a pool, they’ll cover it. Additional coverage also adds to your monthly premiums. However, Liberty’s pricing is cheaper than many competitors.
Within 24–48 hours of filing a claim, Liberty guarantees you’ll receive service. It’s one of the few home warranty providers with an app that lets you track your claim and service technician’s progress. If there’s some reason they can’t get someone out to your house within that window, or even if you have a service technician you prefer, you can set up a service call with them on your own. Liberty pays the technician directly, though you’ll need to verify that they’re licensed and insured.
The company’s large list of add-ons and the ability to choose a service technician make it the best for customization.
Not every homeowner will need additional coverage. For those who don’t need many extras, the 42 options could be overwhelming. And Liberty’s fees for these options are also sometimes higher than competitor’s prices. For example, pool and spa coverage costs $18.00 a month with American Home Shield but $19.99 a month with Liberty.
Every time you file a claim, you’ll pay a service technician to come out to your house. These service call fees add up, and Liberty has one of the higher fees in the business. Its service call fee of $125 is higher than Select Home Warranty or Elite Home Warranty. They also have a low coverage limit, or the maximum a company will pay out for a repair or replacement, of just $2,000 per covered item. If you don’t need the customization options, the higher fees might not be worth it.
With Liberty Home Guard, homeowners get reasonable premiums and fees along with many options for additional coverage. The company promises short wait times, or they’ll let you use your own technician. And I like that customers have visibility into their claims through tracking and updates on its app. Liberty works to meet the needs of all homeowners in search of a great home warranty plan.
Liberty Home Guard sells three home warranty plans. All of them have a 30-day waiting period before coverage begins. The coverage limits are the same under each plan: $2,000 per covered item.
Their Systems Guard plan gives you systems coverage, the Appliance Guard plan provides appliance coverage, and the Total Home Guard plan combines systems and appliance coverage for Liberty’s most comprehensive plan. If you bought a warranty or service plan on new appliances or when you had systems installed, one of these plans could cover the rest.
The Systems Guard Plan provides coverage for home systems such as plumbing systems, heating systems, an air conditioner, ductwork, water heaters, and electrical systems. The Appliance Guard Plan protects all major appliances: clothes washer, clothes dryer, refrigerator, built-in microwave, dishwasher, range/oven/cooktop, garbage disposal, ceiling fans, garage door openers, and exhaust fans.
But if you have no existing service plans or warranties on either your appliances or systems, the Total Home Guard plan gives you the most comprehensive coverage. It combines the coverage of the other two plans so that you can have peace of mind.
When you buy your policy, you can choose monthly or annual payments. If you pay a year in advance, the company will give you two free months. There are benefits to prepaying for more years, too. If you prepay for three years, you get four months free. Current online deals give you $200 off for a full-year plan plus limited roof leak protection. They normally charge a $125 service fee, but when I called and emailed, the representatives offered to reduce it to $85 if I signed up that day.
| Plan | Monthly Cost | Service Fee | Available Discounts |
| Appliance Guard | $49.99 | $125 | One year paid in advance $499.99 (2 months free) |
| Systems Guard | $54.99 | $125 | One year paid in advance $549.99 (2 months free) |
| Total Home Guard | $59.99 | $125 | One year paid in advance $599.99 (2 months free) online, $575 (2 months free) over the phone |
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 Albany, NY. The cost data presented was accurate at the time of writing.
Available Add-Ons
Homeowners with a sump pump, a generator, or a central vacuum can add them onto their policy with Liberty Home Guard. Liberty’s 42 add-ons include:
- Pool and spa: $19.99/month
- Additional spa: $9.99/month
- Lawn sprinkler system: $9.99/month
- Saltwater 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 Stand Alone 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
If you have a unique system or appliance that you don’t see on this list, don’t despair. If you contact LHG with the make and model of any item that’s not on this list, they’ll try to provide you with specialized coverage.
It can be hard to choose from an overwhelming list of add-ons. To help you make the decision, when you’re applying for a quote, the website shows the most popular options in your state. It’s helpful to see what other New York homeowners thought they needed with their homes.
Exclusions
An exclusion is an item or repair that the home warranty provider won’t cover. All companies have them, so they’re not cause for alarm. Liberty Home Guard’s plans exclusions include:
- 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
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 and Elite Home Warranty charge slightly higher than Liberty for their most comprehensive plans, while AFC Home Club is cheaper. Liberty Home Guard runs in the middle of its competitors, using undiscounted prices for its plans.
Its lower score comes from the higher pricing for additional coverage. For example, Elite Home Warranty comes in at $4.08 a month for a central vacuum, whereas Liberty charges $8.99 a month. A sump pump is also $8.99 a month, but it’s $3.33 a month with Select Home Warranty. Both Elite Home Warranty and Select have lower service fees, too. After 30 days, you’ll pay a $50 cancellation fee and only receive a prorated refund. Not all competitors charge a cancellation fee.
To get the best deal, talk to Liberty on the phone. When I’ve called in, they’ve offered me a lower service fee on multiple occasions.
Liberty Home Guard has built a strong reputation for its transparent and helpful service. Instead of auto-renewing your policy, 60 days before it’s up for renewal, the renewals department calls to check if you want to renew. You can cancel before you see a surprise charge hit your credit card or make changes to your policy. If you’re unhappy at any time during your annual policy, they let you cancel and receive a partial refund.
Customer service over the phone is excellent—helpful, friendly, and not pushy. Their well-designed, comprehensive website has most of the information you’d need to know, along with an easy online quote process. Customers can also submit a service request 24/7/365.
Liberty Home Guard is a newer company founded in 2017, but its customers leave rave reviews online. On Trustpilot, Liberty has 4.7 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot and Google. Not only do customers love customer service representatives, but they also praise quick and expedited claims processes for important repairs. They also said that the service technician got the job done right the first time.
While most reviewers had positive experiences with service technicians, Liberty guarantees all workmanship for 60 days after service in case something goes wrong. If someone else needs to come out for the same repair, you won’t pay another service fee.
Some negative reviews clearly come from a misunderstanding about coverage limits and exclusions. If you’re worried, read the fine print in your contract.
| Rating Site | Rating | Number of Reviews |
| BBB | Not Rated*4.5 / 5 stars | 2,488 |
| Trustpilot | 4.7 / 5 stars | 2,909 |
| 4.7 / 5 stars | 10,891 | |
| Yelp | 1.4 / 5 stars | 62 |
Editor’s Note: The ratings provided were accurate at the time of writing.
Note as of April 26, 2024: Recently, the Better Business Bureau shifted LHG’s A+ rating to “NR” (Not Rated). We reached out to a representative from LHG for comment, and they shared this statement: “Despite the BBB’s alert, our customer satisfaction levels remain by far the highest relative to our scale. Last month, we had the lowest percentage of customer cancellation requests in our entire history. On the BBB’s own platform, Liberty Home Guard has achieved a star rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars from nearly 2,500 reviews. For added context, the approximately 480 resolved complaints on Liberty Home Guard’s BBB profile equate to an extremely low fraction of a percentage relative to the size and scale of our total customer base. As we navigate this situation, which we believe will be resolved in time, we want to assure you that we remain committed to our customers and their satisfaction; they are the key stakeholders we orient all our efforts around.”
If you prefer to manage your life digitally, you can download Liberty Home Guard’s app after signing up for coverage. Even though you can still call in to file a claim or use the customer portal on its website, you can track your claim’s progress on the app. You won’t be left shivering in the cold, wondering when your technician will arrive, as you can see their projected arrival time right there.
Liberty’s service fee stays the same whether you need help during business hours, at night, or on the weekend. With some competitors, such as Elite Home Warranty, the service fee is higher for service outside the normal nine-to five. After partnering with Progressive Insurance, Liberty’s technician network has grown, increasing the likelihood you won’t wait long for service.
Liberty Home Guard has 24/7/365 days a year availability by phone, its website, or its app. It operates in all 50 states, which means the company must comply with multiple state regulations. That increases confidence in its ability to serve your needs.
American Home Shield
4.3
Our Rating
Suppose you don’t want to worry whether or not your home warranty company’s coverage limits will be enough to fully replace an item or pay for all of a repair. In that case, American Home Shield has some of the best coverage limits. While other companies like Liberty Home Guard only have coverage limits up to $2,000 to $3,000, AHS will cover up to $4,000 for appliances and $5,000 for HVAC, depending on the plan you pick.
If you invested in top-of-the-line appliances or expensive systems, the lower coverage limits of other home warranty providers would only cover a portion of repairs or replacement. A $2,000 per covered item at Liberty Home Guard doesn’t cover much of the replacement cost of a professional range. But if you bought the ShieldPlatinum plan with AHS, you’d be covered up to $4,000 for appliances.
If you choose the ShieldPlatinum plan, you’ll also get roof leak coverage of up to $1,000 per contract term and a free HVAC tune-up to keep your furnace in tip-top shape. Unlike other competitors, like Elite Home Warranty, service fees don’t increase on nights and weekends. They’re always either $100 to $125 per service call, and you pick which fee when you sign up.
AHS’s 30-day workmanship guarantee is one of the shortest on this list. Both Liberty Home Guard (60 days) and Elite Home Warranty (90 days) will cover repairs longer. But AHS will pay for repairs needed because of normal wear and tear and won’t ask for maintenance records, unlike other home warranty companies.
Unfortunately, AHS has a lot of unfavorable online reviews. Customer service ranks lower than both Elite Home Warranty and Liberty Guard, and my experience when calling has been the same as online reviews. Representatives don’t ask questions about your home, additional coverage you may need, or why you’re shopping. They jump straight to selling the most expensive plan.
While AHS brags about its large network of technicians, that doesn’t guarantee that the technician sent to your house has the experience or expertise needed to complete a repair. Customer complaints often mention inexperienced technicians who couldn’t complete the work in one trip or who charged them extra for repairs. Since $100 to $125 for service fees are higher than some competitors, you don’t want to pay someone to come out for the same repair more than once. And a 30-day workmanship guarantee may not be enough time for you to find out that a technician didn’t do the repair properly.
If your home has older appliances, you won’t need AHS’s higher coverage limits and might not want to pay the higher service fees. However, if you have expensive appliances and systems, you’ll want higher coverage limits. You’ll get the 30-day workmanship guarantee but customer service doesn’t rate highly.
AHS sells three plans to cover either appliances, systems, or both. The ShieldSilver plan is either $89.99 or $79.99 a month and it protects major systems, such as heating, plumbing systems, air conditioning, and electrical systems. If you have warranties on your appliances, systems coverage could protect the other major items in your home.
But if you don’t have appliance warranties, ShieldGold adds coverage for kitchen and laundry appliances to the coverage of ShieldSilver.
With the ShieldPlatinum plan, you get everything in the ShieldGold plan, plus roof coverage and a free HVAC tune-up. It also covers $250 of code violations, necessary permits, and modifications if you need them as part of your repair.
There is an HVAC limit of $5,000 per system with every plan. However, the appliance limit is $2,000 per appliance under the ShieldGold plan, but it increases to $4,000 per appliance with ShieldPlatinum. If you own high-end appliances, ShieldPlatinum is the best plan.
AHS frequently offers a 40% discount off ShieldGold, whether you buy online or when you call. I’ve never seen the other plans reduced. I like that customers do have flexibility with their monthly premiums to adjust them to fit their budget. If it’s important to keep your monthly expenses low, picking a higher service fee leads to a lower monthly premium. For example, selecting the higher $125 service fee lowers the monthly premium for the ShieldGold plan from $66.00 to $66.00.
| Plan | Monthly Cost | Service Fee* | Available Discounts |
| ShieldSilver | $89.99-$79.99 | $100-$125 | No current discount |
| ShieldGold | $66.00- 60.00 | $100-$125 | 40% off on the website |
| ShieldPlatinum | $139.99 – $129.99 | $100-$125 | No current discount |
*If you choose the lower service fee of $100, you pay the higher monthly premium. For example, the $139.99 with the Platinum Plan pairs with the $100 service fee.
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 Albany, NY. The cost data presented was accurate at the time of writing.
Available Add-Ons
If you’re looking for a lot of additional coverage, you might want to look at other home warranty providers. American Home Shield only offers six add-ons.
- Roof leak repair: $10/month
- Electronics protection plan: $14/month
- Pool & built-in-spa equipment: $24/month
- Guest unit: $26.99/month
- Septic pump: $5/month
- Well pump: $8/monthmonth
Exclusions
American Home Shield has a generic exclusions list that gives the company a lot of room to deny claims. Some competitors, like Liberty Home Guard and Select Home Warranty, have more specific exclusions.
- 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 the 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.
American Home Shield’s fees aren’t the most affordable. Its most complete plan can be close to $15 more than its competitor’s most comprehensive offerings, depending on specials offered by competitors. Its service fee is on the high end, too, though you can pick a lower option.
There are no fees for emergency or after-hours calls; the service fee stays the same no matter when you need help. American Home Shield only sells annual contracts, and its amazing coverage limits reset every year if you renew. But since they’re per term, if your HVAC needs a $5,000 repair in the first two months of coverage, if it breaks again four months later, you’ll have to pay for the repair yourself.
It’s easy to get a quote online and to play around with add-ons and service fees. But when you call for help, representatives struggle to answer questions that don’t come from a FAQ list or follow a script. Even when I asked a question differently, they repeated talking points over and over until I became frustrated.
I recommend getting an online quote before you call and talk to someone. Two representatives I spoke to didn’t offer the discount on ShieldGold until I mentioned it, and they would have charged me the full price.
American Home Shield has a Better Business Bureau rating of B and positive reviews of 4.5 out of 5 stars on Google, but customer reviews on Trustpilot and Yelp rank it lower. Customers complain about similar communication difficulties that I had when I called. Those who got their policy with a real estate transaction were unhappy when something broke after closing.
Others say that when they filed a claim, there weren’t qualified service technicians in their area. Communication issues became problematic when one customer said they wanted to cancel.
Positive reviews talk about AHS paying for large repairs and replacing several major items, such as a new clothes dryer or an air conditioning unit. Based on reviews, AHS has paid out in the past on many claims.
| Rating Site | Rating | Number of Reviews |
| BBB | B,2.11 / 5 stars | 11,108 |
| Trustpilot | 2.1 / 5 stars | 5,297 |
| 4.5 / 5 stars | 33,031 | |
| Yelp | 1.1 / 5 stars | 1,300 |
Editor’s Note: The ratings provided were accurate at the time of writing.
While some competitors like Liberty Home Guard and Select Home Warranty give a response window during which they’ll try to have a technician at your house, AHS doesn’t even say it will try to have a service technician out within a set time frame. Its website and representatives merely say that they’ll set up a service appointment within 24-48 hours after you file a claim. Given that many customers mentioned in their reviews that it took weeks to get something fixed, I find this concerning.
You’ve got two ways to file a claim: online or over the phone. Thanks to their workmanship guarantee, if you have a further problem with an item 30 days after it’s been repaired, AHS doesn’t charge another service fee to send out another technician.
AHS has 17,4500 contractors and 4,500 service technicians in its nationwide network to respond 24/7/365 days a year to claims. It also sells policies nationwide.
Choice Home Warranty
4.3
Our Rating
Choice Home Warranty has extremely reasonable prices that are consistent across the country, making it one of the best choices for budget-conscious buyers in New York. With its comprehensive plan starting at just $55 a month, CHW can even rival industry leaders like Liberty Home Guard. Also, CHW is the only provider on our list to have a guarantee that it will reach out to service providers within four hours of when you submit your claim. Most other providers can only guarantee 12 to 24 hours, and the industry average is 24 to 48 hours, so Choice is well ahead of the curve when it comes to speedy service.
Choice Home Warranty gives me some cause for concern because of a class-action lawsuit filed by the Arizona Attorney General’s Office in 2019. The lawsuit alleges that Choice denied many claims in bad faith, which is a common complaint in the industry. However, getting claims covered is the most important part of a home warranty policy, so New York homeowners should be aware of the company’s past. While recent customer reviews are trending upward, it’s still fair to approach CHW with some caution.
Choice Home Warranty offers some of the best rates on comprehensive coverage in the industry, and its four-hour guarantee gives it the fastest response times on our list. Additionally, its workmanship guarantee covers 90 days for parts and 60 days for labor, which is better than most of its competitors. However, CHW’s legal trouble makes it difficult to recommend the company with full confidence. There have been many customer complaints about Choice denying claims in bad faith, so potential buyers should be aware of that.
Choice Home Warranty only offers two plans, which is disappointing because every other provider on our list offers at least three. Additionally, each plan covers a mix of home appliances and systems, so you can’t just cover one or the other. However, its plans are very affordable and the prices are consistent from state to state. The Total Plan is my top choice because it’s only $8 more than the Basic Plan, but it covers more essentials like refrigerators and air conditioning, which are a must during humid New York summers. If you want the peace of mind of knowing your entire home is covered, it’s well worth the extra money.
| Plan | Monthly Cost | Service Fee | Available Discounts |
| Total Plan | $55 | $100 | $75 off and one month free (online) |
| Basic Plan | $46.67 | $100 | $75 off and one month free (online) |
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 Albany, NY. The cost data presented was accurate at the time of writing.
Available Add-Ons
- Additional Spa: $15.00/month
- Central Vacuum: $3.33/month
- Limited Roof Leak: $5.83/month
- Pool-Spa: $15.00/month
- Second Refrigerator: $3.33/month
- Septic System: $10.00/month
- Septic Tank Pumping: $5.42/month
- Standalone Freezer: $3.33/month
- Sump Pump: $3.33/month
- Well Pump: $8.33/month
Exclusions
The following exclusions apply to all Choice Home Warranty plans:
- Access through roof vents
- Bathtubs
- building or zoning code requirements
- Caulking or grouting
- Costs of locating or accessing cleanouts not found or inaccessible, or of installing cleanouts
- Cost of obtaining permits
- Holding or storage tanks
- Items still under manufacturer warranty
- Jets
- Lines broken, infiltrated, or stopped by roots or foreign objects, even if within the home’s main foundation
- Manufacturer recall
- misuse, abuse, neglect, or physical damage
- Saunas or steam rooms
- Septic tanks
- Shower enclosures and base pans
- Showers
- Sinks
- Solar systems
- Stoppages caused by collapsed, damaged, or broken drains, vents, or sewer lines outside the home’s main foundation
- Toilet lids and seats
- Water filtration/purification systems
- This Agreement doesn’t cover known or unknown pre-existing conditions unless such pre-existing conditions were known or should reasonably have been known by us or a person selling this Agreement on our behalf.
Editor’s Note: While this article highlights certain exclusions, readers should review their contracts. The mentioned exclusions are not exhaustive, and additional exclusions may apply.
Choice Home Warranty has affordable, comprehensive coverage at just $55 a month and consistently low rates throughout the country, making it a solid option for budget-conscious buyers. It also has a $100 service fee, which is on par with the industry average. However, it’s not as affordable as providers like Select Home Warranty, which offers comprehensive plans for under $50 a month. Also, its add-ons can get pricey (up to $15 a month), bringing CHW’s affordability score down to 7.8 out of 10.
Choice Home Warranty ranks in the middle of our list regarding customer experience, mainly because of its impressive workmanship guarantee. CHW’s workmanship guarantee covers 90 days for parts and 60 days for labor, which is much higher than many competitors on our list and the industry standard (30 days), raising Choice’s customer experience score.
However, Choice doesn’t offer flexible service fees, which is inconvenient. Additionally, Choice’s texts, calls, and emails can get annoying after a quote, which hurts its customer experience score. Because of this, we gave Choice Home Warranty an 8.2 out of 10.
Choice Home Warranty’s online reviews are mixed, and it’s no surprise. The company’s class-action lawsuit (noted in the “What I Didn’t Like” section above) hurts its reputation, and many reviews reflect that. However, there are plenty of positive reviews that prove Choice has become more reliable over time.
For example, one Google reviewer said, “I’m a new Choice Warranty customer and just placed my first claim. The website was so easy, the company assigned to the claim scheduled an appointment very quickly, and the technician that did the repair was so friendly, reassuring, and fixed everything! I was so impressed and thankful.”
However, there are plenty of negative reviews as well. One Trustpilot reviewer said, “This is THE WORST home warranty company ever. Their service is awful, they don’t care about their customers, their policies make no sense, and they have zero accountability. I have yet to call them for a repair and not find myself hundreds of dollars out of pocket.”
These negative reviews are concerning, but because of its four-hour guarantee and responsive agents, we brought Choice Home Warranty’s overall company reputation score up to 8.0 out of 10.
| Rating Site | Rating | Number of Reviews |
| BBB | B (not accredited) | 4,516 |
| Trustpilot | 3.8 out of 5 | 45,414 |
| Yelp | 1.0 out of 5 | 393 |
Editor’s Note: The ratings provided were accurate at the time of writing.
Choice Home Warranty scored fairly high on its claims process score, mainly because of its lightning-fast response times and decent coverage limits. Choice is the only company on our list with response times as low as four hours, which is a huge perk when you have a time-sensitive repair. Additionally, CHW has $3,000 coverage limits for all covered items, which is a bit low for home systems (usually $4,000 to $5,000) but exceptionally high for appliances (usually $2,000). Because of its 4-hour guarantee and generous payouts, especially for appliances, we gave Choice 8.6 out of 10 for its claims process score.
Since the Georgia state government prohibited Choice Home Warranty from doing business in the state, CHW’s state count is now 48 (it’s not active in Washington or Georgia). Still, Choice offers coverage in most of the United States, which gives it a perfect availability score according to our review standards.
Select Home Warranty
4.2
Our Rating
A reliable option for New York homeowners on a strict budget, Select Home Warranty sells reasonably priced plans and has one of the lowest service fees in the business. While competitor’s service fees start at $100 and go up to $125, Select Home Warranty only charges a $85 service fee with all its plans and will dispatch a service technician within 24-48 hours.
While the company will send multiple texts after you apply for a quote, after a month of not purchasing a plan, they offered to lower the service fee to just $60 plus give me three months free. It’s worth it to get a quote and then wait to purchase. The basic plan costs just $44 a month with its standard $150 discount. Undiscounted prices aren’t the cheapest, but the company has offered the discount since the beginning of the year.
Select Home Warranty guarantees service technician’s workmanship for up to 90 days, much longer than American Home Shield’s 30-day guarantee. Homeowners get a lot of value when they buy a plan with Select.
No one likes to make multiple calls to fix the same problem. Even with cheap service fees and a great workmanship guarantee, online reviews indicate you could have to call Select several times to get something fixed. A frequent refrain in online reviews is complaints about unqualified technicians and incomplete repairs.
Customers also say that the company didn’t honor its promise to send someone out within 24-48 hours of filing a claim and that it repeatedly denied valid claims. The add-ons list is quite short, with only nine add-ons. Only American Home Shield has a shorter list. While Liberty Home Guard charges a $50 cancellation fee, Select’s cancellation fee is $25 higher after 40 days, at $75 to cancel.
It’s easy to fit Select Home Warranty’s plans into any budget, and its service fees shouldn’t hurt too badly when you need a repair. After a repair, the workmanship guarantee lasts for 90 days, one of the longest guarantees in the business. You’ll get a lot of value if you sign up with Select Home Warranty.
Select Home Warranty sells three warranty plans with different types of coverage. Like many providers, they split their coverage between appliances, systems, and both. If you don’t need appliance coverage, Select’s Gold Care plan covers a home’s systems, such as air conditioning, ductwork, heating, plumbing, and electrical systems.
What if you need to cover your appliances instead? The Bronze Care plan protects your stove, cooktop, oven, refrigerator, dishwasher, clothes washer and dryer, garbage disposal, and built-in microwave. For homeowners who want it all, the Platinum Care plan, Select combines everything in the other two plans to protect both systems and appliances. It also expands coverage to a garage door opener, ceiling fan, and plumbing stoppages.
Select only provides coverage for HVAC, either repair or replacement, up to $3,000, much lower than competitors American Home Shield and Elite Home Warranty. The coverage for appliances, plumbing, and electrical is only $500, which is quite low. Any additional coverage you’ve selected as an add-on, such as a stand-alone freezer, has a coverage limit of $400.
To get two months free and $150 off the total annual fees, pay for a full year in advance. The deal is available online and over the phone. But the two free months aren’t subtracted from your total coverage, they extend your total contract term to 14 months.
| Plan | Monthly Cost* | Service Fee | Available Discounts |
| Bronze Care | $44.92 | $75 | $150 discount on the phone, and two months free if you pay the annual fee up-front. |
| Gold Care | $44.92 | $75 | $150 discount on the phone, and two months free if you pay the annual fee up-front. |
| Platinum Care | $47.75 | $75 | $150 discount on the phone, and two months free if you pay the annual fee up-front. |
*Note: monthly cost figures provided include the discounted rate offered at the time of writing. Select Home Warranty has been running this promotion since the beginning of this year.
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 Albany, NY. The cost data presented was accurate at the time of writing.
Available Add-Ons
Select Home Warranty’s list of nine add-ons to increase your plan’s coverage has far fewer options than Liberty Home Guard or Elite Home Warranty. However, their sump pump coverage is the cheapest, and Select is only one of two home warranty providers that offer septic system coverage (American Home Shield only covers the septic pump, not the whole system).
- Central Vacuum: $3.33/month
- Lawn Sprinkler System: $5.83/month
- Pool: $8.33/month
- Roof Leak: $0/month
- Septic System: $5.83/month
- Spa: $5.83/month
- Standalone Freezer: $3.33/month
- Sump Pump: $3.33/month
- Well Pump: $3.33/month
Exclusions
All contacts with home warranty companies have exclusions for items and home services that aren’t covered. SHW’s contracts exclude preexisting issues or anything you should have reasonably known about. Other exclusions are:
- 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, gas leaks, etc.)
- 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’s discounted plan pricing is within a normal range for the industry, and when you get a discount, it’s the cheapest option reviewed in this article. Without a discount, plan pricing is higher than most competitors.
Only one competitor, Elite Home Warranty, beats Select’s pricing for service call fees — only $75 versus $100 to $125 with competitor’s plans. Its pricing for add-ons is quite low, too.
If you want to cancel your contract with Select Home Warranty, they only give prorated refunds after the first 30 days of coverage, and you have to pay a $75 cancellation fee.
Most representatives I’ve spoken with were polite but pushed hard to close the sale. Some of them sounded bored and impatient when I wanted more information. They didn’t ask questions about what I needed for my home or why I was thinking about buying a home warranty, nor did they try to find the best plan. Select outsources their customer service, which can lead to communication difficulties.
It’s easy to get a quote online, though, and to play around with add-ons and see pricing. And its long workmanship guarantee is a perk if you have older, finicky appliances prone to breaking down often.
Many consumers don’t understand that their home warranty policy probably won’t pay for 100% of any repair or replacement. Coverage limits aren’t clearly disclosed on the quote pages; they’re hidden in the contract’s fine print. It only takes reading through a few reviews for Select Home Warranty to realize that the reviewers either didn’t understand or know about coverage limits.
Neither Select’s FAQs page nor their quote screens talk about their coverage limits. And representatives haven’t mentioned or brought them up when I’ve called for a quote, I’ve had to ask.
Even when some of the repairs fell under the warranty’s coverage, customers were upset that it took a long time to get service. Despite its promise that a service technician will be at your house within 24-48 hours, many complaints say that it took several days. They also say that it was hard and time consuming to cancel, and that the company dragged things out by transferring their call multiple times.
However, Select has a B rating on the Better Business Bureau and a decent score of 3.8 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot, though many positive reviews relate to customer service when buying the policy. My advice before buying is to read the fine print and make sure you understand what you’re getting.
| Rating Site | Rating | Number of Reviews |
| BBB | B, 1.39 / 5 stars | 2,108 |
| Trustpilot | 3.8 / 5 stars | 4,833 |
| 3.8 / 5 stars | 20,074 | |
| Yelp | 1.0 / 5 stars | 9 |
Editor’s Note: The ratings provided were accurate at the time of writing.
There are two ways to submit a service request with Select Home Warranty: through their online customer portal or over the phone. While the company says it’ll contact someone for the repair within the next 24-48 hours, this promise is misleading. When I read “24-48 hours,” I think that’s the timeframe for the repair to take place, but they make no claims about when you’ll actually receive service for regular calls. The window is for when they’ll contact a service provider.
Other competitors have a shorter response window during which they promise to either send someone out or, in the case of Liberty Home Guard, let you pick a service provider. If you had an urgent repair, like your furnace going out during the coldest week in January, I’d be more confident with Liberty Home Guard or Elite Home Warranty. Some online reviews claim that it took over a week after contacting Select for a service technician to perform the repair.
Select Home Warranty sells policies nationwide. You can apply for a quote, purchase a policy, and file claims online or contact them over the phone.
Elite Home Warranty
4.3
Our Rating
Elite Home Warranty’s great customer service, high coverage limits, and long workmanship guarantee have made it the best home warranty provider for customer satisfaction.
The company doesn’t spam your phone with constant calls and texts after you apply for a free quote, unlike Select Home Warranty’s daily texts for over a month. Customer service representatives are patient and friendly when answering questions. They ask exploratory questions to help you pick the best coverage and even give you a direct number to call back.
All repairs by Elite’s service technicians come with 90-day parts, labor, and installation guarantee. While competitors’ workmanship guarantees typically cover parts and labor, it’s unusual for them to include installation. Only AFC Home Club offers a longer guarantee (the life of your relationship with the company). Add-on options increase coverage limits for premium appliances up to $6,000, and other coverage has a limit of $10,000, which is two to three times some competitor’s coverage limits.
If you’re trying to combine reasonable fees and comprehensive coverage, the pricing for Elite’s add-ons could give you pause. Most of their add-ons cost more than competitors. For example, sump pump coverage is $8.33 with Elite but only $3.33 with Select Home Warranty. To cover your pool and spa, you’ll pay an extra $16 a month, which is $1.84 a month more than Select Home Warranty. To find out more, click on an item on their additional coverage list. But remember to divide its coverage by 12 to get the monthly price because they list fees annually.
Competitors don’t charge a higher service fee for service calls at night or on the weekend. But if your dishwasher starts leaking on a Saturday and you really need a service technician immediately, you’ll pay a $150 service fee instead of Elite’s usual $70 service fee. In my experience, appliances and systems rarely break when it’s convenient. If you don’t want to pay the upcharge, you could be living without a dishwasher for a few days before they can send someone out.
Pay close attention to the contract’s fine print, too. Most home warranty companies have a 30-day waiting period, after which full coverage begins. Elite extends its waiting period longer for some of its coverage to begin. Replacement coverage is only available after 90 days, and until those 90 days are up, Elite’s total liability for repairs and parts is only $300. If you haven’t had your water heater or other big-ticket items serviced regularly, Elite could lower its coverage limit to $500 if you file a claim. If the service technician thinks that the item needs repair due to neglect or a lack of maintenance, Elite won’t pay out to its full coverage limit.
Elite Home Warranty is best in customer satisfaction due to excellent service, high coverage limits that appeal to luxury homeowners, and a comprehensive workmanship guarantee. However, pay attention to the reduced coverage limits during the first 90 days of purchasing a contract.
Elite sells three warranty plans: a systems-only plan, an appliances-only plan, and a comprehensive plan that combines the coverage of the other two.
Elite’s coverage limits are higher than the industry standard of $2,000 to $3,000 when you add on coverage. Coverage limits for appliances were the highest I found in my secret shopping — they max out at $6,000, and system payouts are as much as $10,000. American Home Shield comes in next with up to $5,000 on HVAC, which is good, but with one of Elite’s add-ons HVAC coverage increases to $7,000.
The problem is that Elite severely restricts their coverage limits when you first buy a policy. You can find their service agreements online and filter by state. For New York, under every plan they sell, replacement coverage doesn’t kick in for 90 days. It’s limited by exclusions relating to lack of maintenance and repairs, though they increase it over time by 10%. The coverage on other items drops to $500 if a service technician thinks you neglected it or failed to maintain it.
While I was secret shopping, the customer service representative offered $150 off plan pricing if I signed up during our call. You’ll get the best deals with Elite over the phone.
| Plan | Monthly Cost | Service Fee | Available Discounts |
| Elite Appliance | $34.99 | $70 | $150 sign-up, 30-day free trial |
| Elite Systems | $49.99 | $70 | $150 sign-up, 30-day free trial |
| Elite Complete | $59.99 | $70 | $150 sign-up, 30-day free 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 Albany, NY. The cost data presented was accurate at the time of writing.
Available Add-Ons
Elite Home Warranty offers the second-largest list of add-ons after their competitor Liberty Home Guard. Additional coverage options include the following (annual price):
- Annual HVAC maintenance: $299.99
- Attic exhaust fan: $69.99
- Central vacuum: $49.00
- Drainage, sewer, and water service lines: $349.99
- Effluent pump: $99.99
- Ejector pump: $99.99
- Freestanding freezer: $59.99
- Freestanding ice makers: $59.99
- Freestanding spa equipment: $119.99
- Generator: $99.99
- Geothermal heating and cooling systems: $299.99
- Grinder pump: $99.99
- Guest house: $299.99
- Jetted hot tub: $99.99
- Lawn sprinkler system: $99.99
- Lift pump: $99.99
- Limited patching repair: $99.99
- Pool and spa equipment: $199.99
- Pool equipment: $149.99
- Premium appliances: $249.99
- Premium benefits: $199.99
- Premium systems: $299.99
- Premium systems plus: $499.99
- Septic system: $129.99
- Sump pump: $99.99
- Swamp cooler: $149.99
- Water softeners: $99.99
- Water filtration system: $99.99
- Well pump: $99.99
- Wine cooler: $69.99
Exclusions
Elite has a handful of exclusions that apply regardless of how long you’ve had a policy with them:
- Natural disaster-related damages
- Malfunction or damages due to 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’s imperative for readers to review their contracts as the mentioned exclusions are not exhaustive, and additional exclusions may apply.
Elite has competitive pricing for its plans. Sometimes, it’s cheaper than other providers. The Elite Complete plan, their most comprehensive option, costs less than American Home Shield’s Platinum Plan. But watch out for extra charges. For example, Elite increases their service fee on nights and weekends even though competitors like AHS and Liberty.
After business hours a service call costs a $150 service fee instead of the normal $70. Elite will also charge a $150 service fee to repair professional-grade home appliances. To get maximum coverage limits, which are a big selling point for Elite, you have to pay extra. To increase your HVAC coverage to $7,000 you’ll pay an extra $299.99 more a year or approximately $25 more a month.
Elite’s website has clear information that educates customers about their plans. There are sample policies you can read to dig into the policy’s coverage and exclusions. Click on the pop-ups for each item to find out what is and isn’t covered within an included home appliance or system. For example, within your dishwasher, the water pump, hoses, and water valves are all covered. With other companies, you can only find this information in their contract’s fine print.
I recommend reading the service agreement. In the fine print, I found coverage limitations during the first 90 days. You’ll also have to wait 90 days for the maximum coverage limits for appliances, HVAC, and more to begin.
You cannot apply for a quote or buy online, you have to talk to someone on the phone. The customer representative jumped straight to selling me the most expensive plan, but he happily answered questions about other plans. He explained why different plans could work for my home; overall, it was a pleasant experience. Lastly, Elite guarantees that service technicians will arrive within 24 to 48 hours after you call or place a claim online.
Elite ranks best for customer satisfaction due, in part, to rave online reviews. Customers love their service, expert technicians, and the company’s coverage. Reviewers who talk about negative experiences with other companies say that it was much better with Elite. Several customers who’ve been with the company for multiple years report they consistently received great service, including when they had to file a claim.
When a misunderstanding in a coverage exclusion — typically, home warranty companies won’t pay to restore a wall if the service technician has to cut into it for a repair — upset a customer, the company covered it, anyway.
Elite has a rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot, an A+ Better Business Bureau rating, and 4.8 out of 5 stars on Google.
| Rating Site | Rating | Number of Reviews |
| BBB | A+ / 4.97/ 5 stars | 379 |
| Trustpilot | 4.7/5 stars | 72 |
| 4.8/5 stars | 153 | |
| Yelp | 4.8/5 stars | 4 |
Editor’s Note: The ratings provided were accurate at the time of writing.
Despite high customer satisfaction ratings, Elite’s scores dip when you get to their claims process. That’s because their $70 service fee jumps to $150 (almost double) if you need service at night or on the weekend. You can file claims 24/7/365, either over the phone or online. However, if you come home from work to a flooded kitchen because your dishwasher sprung a leak, you’ll be waiting for help until the next day or paying extra for service.
After you file a claim, Elite promises a response time of 24 to 48 hours during business hours, much better than Select Home Warranty’s looser promise of help.
Elite Home Warranty is available to file claims 24/7/365, either online or by phone. Elite sells plans in every state except California, Texas, Wisconsin, and Washington, leaving 46 states and Washington, D.C. covered.
AFC Home Warranty
4.3
Our Rating
AFC Home Club outlines everything about their four plans on the Plans and Pricing page of their website. Homeowners can easily determine what each of AFC’s four plans includes. When you click on an item, you’ll get more details about excluded parts and components. For example, click on “clothes washer” to see that their policy doesn’t cover the door or handles.
I appreciate that AFC makes this information easy to find because, often, you can only see this information in a contact’s fine print. You have to read Elite Home Warranty’s agreement to find out that it excludes parts for sealed components of fridges. AFC Home Club makes the exclusions for parts and components easy to find instead of hiding them in the fine print.
One of the best additional benefits of AFC Home Club is picking your own technician. The company doesn’t offer after-hours or weekend service. Instead, you can go with a plumber with whom you might have already had a good experience. If you want to go with your own technician, call AFC’s claims department to verify that they’re licensed and insured. AFC will either pay the technician directly, or you can pay the service provider and request reimbursement from AFC. The choice is up to the technician.
AFC only sells 14 add-ons to increase its plan’s coverage. In comparison, Liberty Home Guard has 42 options, and Elite Home Warranty has 30 add-ons. They also charge more for additional coverage options than competitors. Sump pump coverage costs $35 a month, which is almost four times the $8.99 a month Liberty Home Guard charges. Their options to increase your home warranty coverage aren’t very budget-friendly.
I also don’t like the number of customer complaints that mention poor claim experiences. Customers often misunderstand replacement policies and coverage limits. AFC has sample service contracts available online, so I suggest reading through them before buying a policy.
Due to customer complaints, I’d advise homeowners to read through AFC Home Club’s sample contracts. While their network has no after-hours or weekend service, some homeowners might prefer to pick their own technician for an emergency repair. For many homeowners, choosing a company they know and trust is a great benefit.
AFC Home Club sells four coverage plans. Its top plan has additional coverage that is not offered by any other company. With AFC Home Club, customers have the flexibility to raise or lower their monthly premiums by selecting a higher or lower service fee. If you prefer to pay less monthly, pick the $125 service fee, which knocks over eight dollars off your monthly premium. It works similarly to how choosing a high deductible with a homeowners insurance policy can lower your premium.
AFC’s Silver Plan covers your oven/range, refrigerator, stove, cooktop, dishwasher, garbage disposal, clothes washer and dryer, and garage door opener. Coverage caps are up to $3,000 per membership term per item with all plans.
The Gold Plan adds air conditioning, heating systems, electrical systems, plumbing, water heater, and ductwork to the Silver Plan. The Platinum Plan further adds on exhaust, attic, and ceiling fans, faucets, plumbing stoppages, an ice maker, and a built-in microwave.
AFC Home Club is the only home warranty company with a fourth coverage tier. The Diamond Plan costs approximately $35 more a month than the Platinum Plan, but it offers the best additional benefits. Few home warranties cover both electronics and exterior water and sewer lines.
If you invested in a high-end audiovisual system, the electronics coverage could be a lifesaver. And if you’ve ever come home from vacation to a collapsed exterior sewer line, you know that repairs can cost thousands. The additional benefits of the Diamond Plan might come in handy depending on how old your home is and how much you spend on your electronics.
Current discounts online and over the phone include $250 off the total cost and roof leak coverage included.
| Plan | Monthly Cost | Service Fee* | Available Discounts |
| Silver Plan | $51.83 or$43.50 | $75 or $125 | $250 off, roof leak coverage included |
| Gold Plan | $69.67 or$61.33 | $75 or 125 | $250 off, roof leak coverage included |
| Platinum Plan | $75.67 or$67.33 | $75 or 125 | $250 off, roof leak coverage included |
| Diamond Plan | $110.25 or$101.92 | $75 or 125 | $250 off, roof leak coverage included |
*If you choose the lower service fee of $75, you pay the higher monthly premium. For example, the $65.33 with the Platinum Plan pairs with the $75 service fee.
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 Albany, NY. The cost data presented was accurate at the time of writing.
Available Add-Ons
The monthly fees for some additional coverage with AFC Home Club can be six to ten times higher than those of companies such as American Home Shield.
- In-ground pool: $100/month
- In-ground pool and spa: $150/month
- Sump pump: $35/month
- Ice maker: $25/month
- Well pump: $50/month
- Electronics coverage (price depends on your specific electronics)
- Double oven: $25/month
- Hot water dispenser: $25/month
- Built-in microwave: $50/month
- Standalone freezer: $25/month
- Central vacuum: $25/month
- Septic system: $50/month
- Roof leak (free, worth $25/month)
Exclusions
All of AFC Home Club’s plans exclude the following:
- Crane rentals needed to move appliances or systems
- Geothermal heating systems
- Haul-away services
- Light fixtures
- Code violations
- Appliances and systems not properly maintained
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.
The exclusion for code violations is unlikely to be an issue if you live in a newer home. But if you live in a house in one of Albany’s older neighborhoods, with older electrical or plumbing grandfathered in for home buyers, coverage for repairs might not include the cost to bring them up to code.
Also, sometimes, AFC will request that you supply them with maintenance records before they approve repairs. For example, they ask for an annual maintenance record from a licensed technician before approving HVAC repairs. If AFC sends out a technician who recommends a repair, and you choose not to have it done, you forfeit any future coverage on the item. If you have no maintenance records, AFC Home Club isn’t your best choice for a home warranty provider.
AFC Home Club’s plans fall within the range of everyone else on this list. The Diamond Plan is one of the more expensive, but you’d only need it if you have luxury electronics or want protection for your water and sewer lines.
Their higher service fee of $125 is higher than all competitors — but you can lower it by choosing a higher monthly premium. AFC also occasionally offers on special weekends. They’ve offered discounts when I called on President’s Day or a holiday weekend.
AFC’s website has a clear layout that makes it easy to shop and find information. You can investigate each plan’s coverage and excluded items by clicking on them, and FAQs answer many common questions. When I called for a quote, the customer service representative chatted politely rather than pushing to close the sale.
AFC Home Club has variable online reviews depending on the review site. They have a respectable B rating on the Better Business Bureau, though customers rate them just 2.43 out of 5 stars. On Trustpilot, customers have rated them 3 out of 5 stars, and Google reviews are 3.7 out of 5 stars. Elite Home Warranty and Liberty Home Guard both rate higher.
Reviewers who’ve had policies with AFC for years are happy with what they call consistently great service. Some handled their claim entirely online, while others appreciated the friendly service representatives who helped them through the claims process.
Homeowners who thought the company had denied valid claims have left angry reviews. Others had an unqualified service technician come out for the repair so it required multiple visits for the item to get fixed.
| Rating Site | Rating | Number of Reviews |
| BBB | B/2.38 / 5 stars | 155 |
| Trustpilot | 3 / 5 stars | 24 |
| 3.7 / 5 stars | 1,610 | |
| Yelp | 1.9 / 5 stars | 339 |
Editor’s Note: The ratings provided were accurate at the time of writing.
AFC Home Club accepts service requests online or by phone. Online reviewers had good things to say about the claims process. After they filed a claim, AFC Home Club regularly updated them on technicians’ anticipated arrival times. You’re not left shivering in the cold, wondering when help will show up.
Within 24-48 hours of filing a claim, a technician will contact you directly to make an appointment. I like that you can talk to the service technician to make the appointment rather than go through the home warranty company and be at the mercy of their scheduling.
AFC Home Club isn’t sold in every state in America; it only operates in 48 states. It doesn’t sell policies in California and Hawaii. The company is available to answer questions and help with claims online and by phone.
Calculate the Cost of a New York Home Warranty
If you’re curious about what a home warranty in New York might cost you, answer a few questions in our Home Warranty Cost Calculator to get an estimate.
| 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 |
New York Home Warranty Regulations
Home warranty companies operate under government supervision, though they’re less regulated than homeowners insurance. They fall under “property and casualty” insurance at both the state and federal levels.
In-depth research will help you find the best pick when you’re shopping for a provider in New York. Take the time to comb through genuine customer reviews online, make a pros and cons list that includes your priorities for coverage, or ask friends for their experiences. Steer clear of companies who lack an established track record in your area — if it seems too good to be true, it might be. You’ll have greater confidence in choosing a home warranty if you’ve evaluated your options.
Homeowners who have an issue with their home warranty company can file a consumer complaint with the Department of State or the New York State Attorney General.
Editor’s Note: While this article highlights certain regulations, readers should do their own research, as the regulations mentioned are not exhaustive.
New York Home Warranty News
Thoroughly investigate any home warranty company with whom you decide to do business. A man in Buffalo bought a policy from First Premier Home Warranty but had many difficulties getting coverage for a broken furnace. When a local news station investigated, they found that the number and address for the company went to a storefront in New York City, not in upstate New York as the company’s representative claimed.
Do your research, look at online reviews, and verify that any company you’re working with is legitimate to avoid issues and scams.
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Frequently Asked Questions
A home warranty plan can prevent unwelcome surprises in the form of high repair costs for your home systems and appliances. Instead of racking up a credit card bill for a furnace repair, you pay an affordable monthly premium that you can put in your budget while setting aside some money monthly for service fees.
The average cost of a comprehensive home warranty plan in New York is $69.01 a month. Your total cost for a home warranty varies depending on the additional coverage you add to your core plan and, with some providers, the service fee you select. I recommend steering clear of both companies.
If you’re trying to save money on your home warranty in New York, carefully pick the add-ons you truly need. Additional coverage adds up fast, and a premium that starts at $50 a month can quickly get to over $100 a month. Also, ask yourself how much coverage you really need; maybe a cheaper systems plan would be enough coverage.
A home warranty is worth it for New York homeowners when you need peace of mind during a winter snowstorm or if you’re worried about your elderly parents at home during a heat wave. If your furnace or air conditioning goes out, you don’t have to comparison shop and try to find a provider; you call your home warranty company instead.
