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Unlike homeowners insurance, which protects you from catastrophic events, home warranties cover everyday wear and tear. When a covered item wears out from normal use, a home warranty provider will send a contractor to repair the item or even replace it for the cost of a service fee.
Homeowners in New York have many options, so we’re here to identify the top home warranty companies at your disposal. We’ve laid out each provider’s plans and pricing structures along with the overall pros and cons. Because the cost of living within the Empire State can vary by zip code, we’ll present quotes from homes with similar square footage in both Brooklyn and Buffalo. Armed with all this information, we’re confident you can find a home warranty in New York to fit your needs and budget.
In this article:
- Best Overall: American Home Shield
- Most Customizable Plan Options: America’s 1st Choice Home Club
- Shortest Waiting Period: The Home Service Club
- Our Verdict
- Frequently Asked Questions
Best Overall: American Home Shield
Quick Take
American Home Shield sits at the top spot on our list based on how comprehensive its coverage is. Its plans apply to undetectable pre-existing conditions, and you don’t need to keep maintenance records on your appliances for them to qualify for coverage. American Home Shield covers 1.8 million homeowners across the nation, and it has a sizable, trusted network of contractors to match its customers’ needs.
Pros and Cons
✓ Covers improper modification and insufficient maintenance
✓ Doesn’t exclude damage due to rust, corrosion or sediment
✓ Has more than 50 years in business
✘ Features expensive plans relative to cost of living in some areas
✘ May not be available in all NY zip codes
Plans and Coverage
American Home Shield offers three plan options to New York homeowners:
- ShieldSilver Plan: Covers 14 home systems like electricity and plumbing.
- ShieldGold Plan: Covers the 14 systems above and adds on nine major appliances including refrigerators and clothes washers.
- ShieldPlatinum: Covers both systems and appliances, plus roof leak repairs, HVAC tune-ups, unlimited A/C refrigerant and code violations.
With American Home Shield, you can add on 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
Home warranties require a monthly or yearly premium for the life of your service contract and a service call fee when you request service from a contractor. American Home Shield allows you to customize your fee with respect to your monthly premium. A higher premium means a lower service call fee and vice versa.
Unfortunately, Brooklyn is one area of the state where American Home Shield does not offer its coverage plans. Here are the quotes we received for a single-family home of around 2,000 sq. ft. in Buffalo, NY.
| Plan | $75 Service Fee | $100 Service Fee | $125 Service Fee |
| ShieldSilver | $119.99 | $109.99 | $104.99 |
| ShieldGold | $129.99 | $119.99 | $114.99 |
| ShieldPlatinum | $149.99 | $129.99 | $134.99 |
Get a Free Quote
To find out how much an American Home Shield plan costs for your home, 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?
Most Customizable Plan Options: America’s First Choice Home Club
Quick Take
With its four plans and long list of additional coverage options, America’s First Choice (AFC) Home Club offers some of the most customizable coverage on the market.
You can even choose your own contractor to complete repairs as long as you receive prior authorization from the company. There’s an option to pay month to month instead of signing a contract, though contracts tend to cost less over the course of time.
Pros and Cons
✓ Locks in rates as long as you renew your contract
✓ Guarantees repairs for the life of the contract
✓ Offers free perks including identity protection and discounted security systems
✘ Doesn’t cover plumbing stoppages outside of premium plan
✘ Charges a $75 cancellation fee
Plans and Coverage
AFC Home Club offers four plans in total, detailed below:
- Systems Plan: Covers major systems such as heating, cooling and plumbing
- Silver Plan: Covers home appliances including garbage disposals, ovens and stoves
- Gold Plan: Covers both systems and appliances plus ductwork
- Platinum Plan: Adds comprehensive coverage for plumbing stoppages, built-in microwaves, faucets and ice makers
If you need more complete home coverage, you can add a tankless water heater, in-ground pool, stand-alone freezer, sump pump, double oven, central vacuum, hot water dispenser, septic system or well pump to your protection plan.
| 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
AFC Home Club allows you to choose from a service fee of $75, $100 or $125, and your premium will be adjusted accordingly. You can also save money by paying annually or purchasing a three-year contract.
However, be aware that prices vary substantially depending upon what part of the state you live in. Here are the prices for a plan with a $100 deductible based on quotes we obtained in our secret shopping process.
| Plan | Monthly Cost | Annual Cost |
| System Plan | $43.17 | $460 |
| Silver Plan | $35.92 | $374 |
| Gold Plan | $50.33 | $546 |
| Platinum Plan | $55.08 | $604 |
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 Utility Coverage: The Home Service Club
Quick Take
Although it’s a newer company, The Home Service Club has a lot to offer. Even its least expensive plan covers some big-ticket appliances, and its more comprehensive plan covers a few things that most companies only sell as add-ons, such as sump pumps and pest control. The Home Service Club is available nationwide, including everywhere in the state of New York.
Pros and Cons
✓ Covers refrigerator, washer and dryer, even in basic plan
✓ Has lots of add-on coverage options for home protection
✓ Offers one month of free coverage when you choose to make an annual payment
✘ Has less experience than other service providers in this review, being founded in 2017
✘ Does not provide sample contracts online
Plans and Coverage
The Home Service Club’s Standard Plan covers repair and replacement of both systems and appliances, including plumbing, air conditioning, washers and dryers. The Comprehensive Plan adds coverage for water and gas leaks, as well as a number of other home appliances.
The long list of additional coverage options includes an array of coverages, including:
- Roof coverage
- Pool equipment
- Jetted bathtubs
- Spa and spa heaters
- Sewage ejector pumps
- Refrigerator dual compressors
- Freestanding freezers
- Water softeners
- Well pumps
- Plumbing
- Sprinklers
- Service lines
Also, if you have multiples of the same appliances, you can purchase coverage for an additional fridge, dishwasher, water heater, oven/range/cooktop, microwave or freezer.
| Standard Plan | Comprehensive Plan | |
| Air conditioning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm wiring | ✓ | |
| Ceiling fans | ✓ | ✓ |
| Central vacuum | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dishwasher | ✓ | ✓ |
| Doorbell | ✓ | |
| Dryer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Ductwork | ✓ | |
| Electrical system | ✓ | ✓ |
| Food center | ✓ | ✓ |
| Garage door opener | ✓ | ✓ |
| Garbage disposal | ✓ | ✓ |
| Trash compactor | ✓ | ✓ |
| Gas leak | ✓ | |
| Heating system | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hot water pump | ✓ | |
| Refrigerator ice maker | ✓ | ✓ |
| Microwave | ✓ | ✓ |
| Oven/stove/cooktop | ✓ | ✓ |
| Pest control | ✓ | |
| Plumbing system | ✓ | ✓ |
| Plumbing stoppage | ✓ | |
| Refrigerator | ✓ | ✓ |
| Smoke detector | ✓ | |
| Sump pump | ✓ | |
| Telephone wiring | ✓ | |
| Washer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hot water dispenser | ✓ | |
| Water heater | ✓ | ✓ |
| Water leak | ✓ | |
| Whirlpool | ✓ |
Cost
Supposedly, The Home Service Club allows you to select a service fee of $65, $95, or $125 and adjust your premium accordingly. However, the quote we were offered did not specify a service fee or offer an option to choose your deductible. The prices for plans were the same in both Buffalo and Brooklyn.
| Plan | Monthly Cost | Annual Cost |
| Standard Plan | $50.41 | $574.95 |
| Comprehensive Plan | $62.91 | $724.95 |
Get a Free Quote
Call The Home Service Club at 800-842-9334 or fill out this easy contact form for a free quote.
Our Verdict
We find American Home Shield to be the best home warranty provider in New York. The company offers the broadest coverage of any provider on our list and has been serving home since since 1971. The company also provides customizable service call fees and three plans to choose from, giving homeowners options for plans to suit their individual needs.
Of course, this comprehensive coverage comes with a higher price tag and doesn’t cover every area of New York, so we also recommend The Home Service Club as a more value-friendly option. Before choosing a provider, we recommend comparing at least three quotes to ensure you find the best coverage for your home.
Frequently Asked Questions About New York Home Warranties
How much does a home warranty cost in New York?
The cost of a home warranty in New York varies. According to quotes we received while secret shopping, a monthly premium in upstate New York typically ranges from $30-$60, while the premium for a plan in New York City is likely to be $50-$75 a month. However, rates vary from company to company, so it’s best to get two to three quotes to select your best price.
What doesn’t a home warranty cover?
Typically, home service contracts only apply to breakdowns that happen due to wear and tear on a covered item. Unless otherwise stated, the following conditions usually aren’t covered:
- Pre-existing conditions
- Damage due to accidents or neglect
- Improper repairs or modifications to the item
- Manufacturer’s defects
- Rust, corrosion and sediment
- Mold and mildew
- Intentional damage
Do I need a home warranty if I’m not currently buying or selling a house?
Although home warranties most often come up in real estate transactions, appliances and systems can break down and wear out at any time, even when you’re not buying or selling a house. Whether it’s a systems or appliances plan or a combo plan, a home warranty can grant you peace of mind and protect your wallet from unexpected costs.
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.
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