Whether you’re an Ohio native or new to the Buckeye State altogether, a home warranty plan can save you thousands each year on routine and emergency maintenance for your home’s essential appliances and systems.
Like many midwestern states, the climate in Ohio can be pretty unpredictable, especially during transitional seasons like spring and fall. Keeping things like your HVAC system, hot water heater, and ceiling fans in check is especially important in Ohio, where a 70-degree day can drop into below-freezing temperatures overnight.
We’ve evaluated 40+ reputable home warranty companies serving homeowners across the state of Ohio and selected the following five providers for their premier coverage options, competitive pricing, and positive customer feedback.
The table below outlines data for the best home warranty companies on the market. We constantly update these ratings as companies change their policies and prices to give you the most accurate information possible. Continue reading in-depth reviews of several top providers.
Our Top Picks For Ohio Home Warranties
Compare Top Home Warranties Companies in Ohio
The table below outlines data for the best home warranty companies in Ohio and beyond. We constantly update these ratings as companies change their policies and prices to give you the most accurate information possible. Continue reading 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 |
Quote and cost data gathered January 2023. Cost data are updated and monitored continuously.
Watch the video below to understand how home warranties can work for you.
American Home Shield
4.2
Our Rating
We find that American Home Shield offers the best combination of coverage, service and trustworthiness to homeowners in Ohio. This company essentially founded the home warranty industry in 1971, and it remains the largest player in the business to this day, offering coverage in every state except Alaska.
AHS leverages its home protection services with over 50 years of experience and a current customer base of over 1.8 million active policyholders. Moreover, its three plans offer coverage for conditions many other companies don’t, including breakdowns due to rust, corrosion, sediment and insufficient maintenance.
American Home Shield offers three plans for you to choose from. The first, ShieldSilver, covers the most vital home systems like cooling, heating, electrical and plumbing. ShieldGold adds coverage for kitchen appliances as well as washers and dryers. Finally, ShieldPlatinum covers all of the above and adds roof-leak repairs, a free HVAC tune-up and coverage for repair of code violations and any necessary permits.
Along with any of these plans, you can purchase additional coverage for pools and spas, roof-leak repairs, septic pumps, well pumps and guest units of up to 750 sq. ft. American Home Shield also offers an add-on electronics protection plan in partnership with Allstate.
AHS customers can choose their service call fee of $75, $100, or $125. The higher your service call fee, the lower your annual or monthly premium, and vice versa.
Here’s a detailed look at American Home Shield’s coverage:
- ShieldSilver (starting at $25/month): Systems plans like ShieldSilver can help save you from substantial repair expenses. This plan covers 19 systems, including air conditioning, electrical systems, smoke alarms, water heaters, doorbells, garage door openers, heating systems, plumbing, and ductwork.
- ShieldGold (starting at $35/month): ShieldGold is one of the more popular policy choices among AHS customers. This plan covers 23 systems and appliances, including kitchen and laundry appliances, trash compactors, water dispensers, re-keying, and more.
- ShieldPlatinum (starting at $55/month): As the most comprehensive coverage option offered by AHS, this plan covers all items included in ShieldGold plus roof leak repairs, one free HVAC tune-up per year, and construction permit coverage.
| 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 | ✔ | ✔ |
American Home Shield allows you to customize your monthly plan price in relation to your service call fee, an amount paid each time a technician visits your home to diagnose or repair a problem. If you pay a lower monthly cost, you’ll pay more for each service visit and vice versa.
| Plan | $75 Service Fee | $100 Service Fee | $125 Service Fee |
| ShieldSilver | $40 | $30 | $25 |
| ShieldGold | $50 | $40 | $35 |
| ShieldPlatinum | $70 | $60 | $55 |
*Sample prices quoted to our reviews team for a 2,000 sq. ft. home in Columbus, Ohio, with a $75, $100 or $125 service call fee.
Choice Home Warranty
4.1
Our Rating
Choice Home Warranty is another highly recommended option, particularly if your Ohio home is an older one. Like most home warranty providers, Choice Home Warranty doesn’t have an age limit on the homes it covers, nor does it require any kind of inspection to qualify for coverage.
Founded in 2008, CHW currently provides premier home protection services to over 1.6 million properties nationwide. The company prides itself on excellent customer service, as well as its large nationwide network of more than 15,000 local contractors.
Instead of separate plans covering systems and appliances, Choice Home Warranty instead has a Basic Plan that covers both systems and appliances including electrical and heating systems, plumbing, stoves, cooktops, dishwashers and ductwork. The Total Plan adds coverage for the most expensive systems and appliances to fix, namely air conditioning, refrigerators, washers and dryers.
No matter what plan level you choose, you’ll be covered for up to $3,000 per year in repair or replacement costs for each item covered by Choice. You’ll only be liable for your monthly or annual payment and the $85 service call fee.
With the purchase of either plan, you can also purchase additional coverage for pools and spas, a second refrigerator, stand-alone freezers, central vacuums, well and sump pumps, septic systems, septic tank pumping and limited roof-leak coverage.
Here’s a detailed look at Choice Home Warranty’s coverage:
- The Basic Plan (starting at $48/month): Even as CHW’s lowest coverage option, the Basic Plan still includes 14 home systems and appliances, including heating systems, ductwork, electrical systems, plumbing systems/stoppages, hot water heaters, ovens/ranges/stoves, dishwashers, built-in microwaves, garage door openers, whirlpool bathtubs, and ceiling/exhaust fans.
- The Total Plan (starting at $56/month): For complete home protection, the Total Plan combines all items in the Basic Plan plus coverage for air conditioning systems, refrigerators, clothes washers, and clothes dryers.
| Coverage | Basic Plan | Total Plan |
| Air conditioning system | ✔ | |
| Heating system | ✔ | ✔ |
| Electrical system | ✔ | ✔ |
| Plumbing system | ✔ | ✔ |
| Plumbing stoppages | ✔ | ✔ |
| Water heater | ✔ | ✔ |
| Whirlpool bathtub | ✔ | ✔ |
| Refrigerator | ✔ | |
| Oven/Range/Stove | ✔ | ✔ |
| Cooktop | ✔ | ✔ |
| Dishwasher | ✔ | ✔ |
| Built-in microwave | ✔ | ✔ |
| Garbage disposal | ✔ | ✔ |
| Clothes washer | ✔ | |
| Clothes dryer | ✔ | |
| Ductwork | ✔ | ✔ |
| Garage door opener | ✔ | ✔ |
| Ceiling and exhaust fans | ✔ | ✔ |
The industry average for service call fees is $75. Choice Home Warranty’s service call fee is a little higher than that at $85. However, the company makes up for it with very reasonable monthly prices. If you don’t anticipate needing to make home warranty claims often, this may be a good trade-off.
| Monthly Cost | Annual Cost | |
| Basic Plan | $48 | $545 |
| Total Plan | $56 | $640 |
AFC Home Club
4.2
Our Rating
Since 2009, America’s First Choice (AFC) Home Club has offered homeowners a variety of coverage options to protect their systems and appliances. In addition to a high number of plans and add-ons, AFC Home Club also guarantees all of their technicians’ repairs for the life of your home warranty contract, a time period of up to three years. Since the average industry guarantee is 30 days, this represents a significant advantage over the company’s competitors.
Although most providers offer two or three home warranty plans, AFC Home Club offers four. Its simplest plans are the Systems Plan, which covers home systems and the Silver Plan, which covers home appliances. The Gold Plan covers both, and the Platinum Plan adds coverage for plumbing stoppages, ice makers and built-in microwaves.
You can customize your AFC Home Club plan by adding any of the following home features for an additional fee: in-ground pools, stand-alone freezers, ice makers, double ovens, tankless water heaters, hot water dispensers, central vacuums, well pumps or septic systems. Although AFC Home Club has the final say in what contractor will do the work on your home, you have the option to choose your own contractor and request prior approval.
| 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 | ✓ |
As with American Home Shield, AFC Home Club allows you to choose from a service fee of $75, $100 or $125. Accordingly, your monthly charges will vary based on what you choose, allowing an extra level of customization. Prices are lowest for the Silver Plan, which covers home appliances, and highest for the Platinum Plan, which offers the most comprehensive coverage. Here are the prices we received for a $75 service call fee.
| Plan | Monthly Cost | Annual Cost |
| Systems Plan | $50 | $544 |
| Silver Plan | $44 | $465 |
| Gold Plan | $56 | $623 |
| Platinum Plan | $61 | $675 |
Select Home Warranty
4.2
Our Rating
Available in 46 states, including Ohio, Select Home Warranty has been providing affordable home service contracts to homeowners across the country since 2012. If you want the protection of a home warranty but your budget is limited, Select Home Warranty’s reasonably-priced plans may be just what you’re looking for. Although you may not receive as much coverage as with other plans, you’ll still get the basics plus a few extra perks.
Select Home Warranty’s three plans offer varying levels of coverage. The Bronze Care Plan covers appliances, the Gold Care Plan covers major systems, and the Platinum Care Plan covers both. Platinum Care also includes plumbing stoppages, ceiling fans and garage door openers. All three plans come with a $150 discount plus two extra months free for Today’s Homeowner readers.
Should you ever need to open a service request, you’ll only pay a service call fee of $60 — one of the lowest home warranty deductibles you’ll find industry-wide.
Select Home Warranty offers optional coverage for appliances including a second refrigerator, stand-alone freezer, refrigerator ice maker and central vacuum. You can also receive coverage for well pumps, sump pumps and pool and/or spa equipment. Finally, if you have a septic system or lawn sprinkler system, Select Home Warranty will cover these for an additional fee.
Here’s a detailed look at Select’s coverage:
- The Bronze Care Plan (starting at $44/month): With this plan level, you’ll be covered for eight essential home appliances, specifically garbage disposals, dishwashers, clothes washers/dryers, built-in microwaves, ovens/stoves, and refrigerators.
- The Gold Care Plan (starting at $44/month): For coverage concentrated on your major home systems, the Gold Care Plan includes six built-in home systems like air conditioners, ductwork, electrical, heating, plumbing, and water heaters.
- The Platinum Care Plan (starting at $50/month): This deluxe plan level is just $5 more per month and combines the Bronze and Gold Care plans plus coverage for plumbing stoppages and garage door openers.
| Coverage | Bronze Care | Gold Care | Platinum Care |
| Air conditioning and cooling | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Ductwork | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Electrical system | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Heating system | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Plumbing system | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Water heater | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Cooktop | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Dishwasher | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Garbage disposal | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Built-in microwave | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Refrigerator | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Stove/Oven | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Clothes washer | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Clothes dryer | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Garage door opener | ✔ | ||
| Plumbing stoppages | ✔ | ||
| Ceiling fan | ✔ |
Select Home Warranty’s monthly plan prices are on the lower end of the cost spectrum. Additionally, the service fee is the industry standard $75.
| SHW Plan | Monthly Cost | Annual Cost |
| Bronze Care Plan | $44 | $480 |
| Gold Care Plan | $44 | $480 |
| Platinum Care Plan | $50 | $550 |
First American Home Warranty
3.9
Our Rating
Although First American Home Warranty doesn’t have quite the same nationwide reach as the other providers on our list, fortunately, it’s available to homeowners throughout Ohio. The company, which has been in business since 1984, is very clear about its coverage options and limits, and it’s fairly generous when it comes to unknown pre-existing conditions.
The number and details of the home protection plans that First American offers varies by region, but Ohio residents can choose from two different plans. The Basic Plan covers many home appliances, including washers, dryers and refrigerators. The Premier Plan covers all of the above and adds coverage for major systems. To either plan, you can add the company’s special First Class Upgrade, which increases the number of covered items and fixtures as well as extending coverage to improper installations and modifications and some code upgrades.
With either of these plans, you can also add coverage for air conditioning, up to four additional refrigerators, pool and/or spa equipment, pre-season HVAC tune-ups, septic tank pumps and systems and well pumps. Finally, there are optional packages called Plumbing Plus and First Class Plus which raise the coverage caps for repairs to plumbing systems or issues covered by the First Class Upgrade.
| Coverage | Basic Plan | Premier Plan |
| Garbage disposal | ✔ | ✔ |
| Dishwasher | ✔ | ✔ |
| Oven/Range | ✔ | ✔ |
| Cooktop | ✔ | ✔ |
| Microwave | ✔ | ✔ |
| Trash compactor | ✔ | ✔ |
| Refrigerator | ✔ | ✔ |
| Clothes washer and dryer | ✔ | ✔ |
| Plumbing | ✔ | |
| Plumbing stoppages | ✔ | |
| Water heater | ✔ | |
| Heating system | ✔ | |
| Ductwork | ✔ | |
| Electrical system | ✔ | |
| Garage door opener | ✔ | |
| Central vacuum system | ✔ |
Note that with First American Home Warranty, you can also save money in the long run by signing a two-year contract, which will lower your monthly premiums. With any of these options, the service call fee is $85.
| Monthly Cost | Annual Cost | |
| Basic Plan | $38 | $420 |
| Premier Plan | $48.50 | $546 |
Home Warranty Resources
- What is a Home Warranty?
- How Much Do Home Warranties Cost?
- Is a Home Warranty Worth It for You?
- Best Home Warranties in 2023
- Do Your Appliances Need Extended Warranties?
How Much Does a Home Warranty in Ohio Cost?
Standard home warranty coverage in Ohio usually costs between $40-$70 a month, or $480-$840 per year, depending on the plan level you select and whether or not you add any optional coverage items to your policy.
All home warranty providers also instate service call fees, which are a deductible you’ll need to pay out-of-pocket each time a technician is dispatched to your property for a new home service request. Usually ranging between $60-$125, the service call fee covers labor costs and any travel expenses incurred by the contractor.
Keep in mind that you’ll likely only be compensated for repair and replacements under an annual coverage limit for each covered item. Any maintenance expenses that exceed that maximum will be left to you, the homeowner, to pay.
| Overall | $682.79 |
| Single Family | $568.55 |
| Multi Family | $1,035.46 |
| Townhome | $474.78 |
| Condo | $577.84 |
| Duplex | $837.63 |
| Home Over 5,000 sq ft | $1,294.73 |
How Should You Choose the Best Home Warranty in Ohio?
Though we’ve singled out and evaluated a few of the top home warranty providers in Ohio for you, it’s unlikely that all five of these carriers will be an automatic fit. Here are a few additional factors to consider as you decide on a final home warranty service provider:
- Cost vs. Coverage: As you compare companies, it’s important to consider the cost of your plan relative to the amount of coverage disclosed in the contract. Fixating on finding the cheapest home warranty could leave you underinsured if you’re not careful.
- Custom Quotes: Comparison is key to tracking down the best home warranty for you. We recommend shopping around and generating custom quotes with at least three different home warranty companies before settling on one.
- Verified Customer Reviews: The best way to predict your experience with any home warranty company is by stepping into the shoes of a current customer. Testimonials from accredited organizations like the Better Business Bureau (BBB) will offer an honest look into the company’s customer satisfaction rates.
Investing in a home warranty is an especially lucrative decision for some cities in Ohio more than it is for others. Though the collective state of Ohio maintains a cost of living approximately 8% below the national average, cities like Upper Arlington, Columbus, and Cincinnati are among the most expensive to live in state-wide. In other words, home repair services will be costlier for homeowners in these densely populated areas than for those residing along the outskirts of Ohio.
The higher cost of living across Ohio’s metropolitan areas naturally translates into more expensive professional home services, and even more so if you opt to hire your own technician and pay out-of-pocket.
A home warranty saves you thousands of dollars on routine maintenance and surprise breakdowns, but it’ll also spare you any time spent trying to find a qualified local contractor in Ohio with reasonable rates and next-day availability.
What are The Biggest Complaints about Home Warranty Companies in Ohio?
As a home protection product, home warranties are designed to provide homeowners with peace of mind that their finances will never be jeopardized by a sudden appliance or system failure. Still, it requires some due diligence on the customer’s part to ensure that they’ll get the most out of their home warranty.
We’ve combed through a list of low ratings specifically from homeowners in Ohio and paired recurring customer issues with our advice on avoiding these pitfalls:
- Frequent claim denials: Overall, denied claims are one of the most common customer complaints in the home warranty category. Unfortunately, most are from homeowners who misunderstood the coverage terms of their contract and filed a claim for an excluded item. Before signing up, we urge you to carefully review the fine print of your potential provider’s sample policy to ensure you’re in agreement with its inclusions, exclusions, and other policy details.
- Distant customer service: Flaky customer service can be incredibly frustrating. Another reason why we highly recommend Choice Home Warranty to our readers is because it ensures that its customers won’t ever be passed between different representatives. When you sign up with Choice, you’ll be matched with one agent who will be your primary point of contact throughout your membership.
- Hidden fees: A number of customers based in Ohio were dissatisfied with the repeat service call fees they were charged when requesting service for the same appliance. We recommend prioritizing a provider, like any of the five above, with a workmanship warranty on all repairs or replacements.
Our Verdict on the Best Home Warranty Companies in Ohio
Many homeowners wonder if a home warranty is worth it, particularly if they aren’t in the process of buying or selling a home. Although new home buyers and sellers in the process of a real estate transaction often receive the most peace of mind from a home warranty, these contracts can provide the same benefits to a homeowner at any stage of ownership. Knowing you won’t have to pay full price to repair or replace a covered appliance or system means that’s one less thing to worry about.
With the right home warranty plan, homeowners from Cincinnati to Cleveland can receive top-notch coverage at a price that suits their needs and budget. When it comes to overall comprehensiveness of coverage options, quality of customer service and length of time in the industry, American Home Shield takes our top spot.
However, we recognize that no one plan or company is best for everyone, so the other four providers on our list are also excellent options. We also recommend that you gather at least three quotes before making your decision.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ohio Home Warranties
How much does a home warranty cost in Ohio?
Home warranties in Ohio cost about the same as the national average. That is, about $30–$60 per month or $360–$720 a year. The cost of a home warranty plan is determined by how many items it covers as well as the overall coverage caps. In some cases, it may vary by cost of living in your area as well. For example, since Columbus is the most expensive city in Ohio, a home warranty may cost a little more there.
How long does a home warranty last?
Most home warranty providers offer contracts that last for 12 months. However, some companies might offer a free month or two extra and others might offer you a price break if you sign up for multiple years at a time.
Will a home warranty cover my 20-year-old air conditioner?
Of course, you’ll want to read the terms of any home warranty very carefully before signing it, but most companies offer at least one plan that covers central air conditioning. Additionally, most don’t put age limits on appliances or systems as long as they’re in good working order when the contract begins. However, many companies don’t cover window AC units, so make sure you know what you’re signing up for.
What doesn’t a home warranty cover?
Home Warranty Rating Methodology
To help consumers like you choose the best home warranty companies for your home, we dive deep into every top-rated home warranty company and rate them based on six factors. Once we research a company and have gathered all our data, we use the following scoring system to grade each home warranty company on a 100-point scale. We then convert the score to a 5-star rating.
- Plans + Coverage Options (24 Possible Points): Since every customer has different needs and a different budget, we award more points to providers that offer more plans and greater flexibility.
- Affordability (22.5 Possible Points): Affordability is an important factor because many homeowners choose home warranties to avoid high payments for home appliance repairs. This category evaluates each company based on the cost of its plans and additional services, service call fees and cancellation terms.
- Customer Experience (18.5 Possible Points): Your experience as a customer is important, including the support you receive when contacting your home warranty provider. We gauge overall support by looking at customer reviews, conducting homeowner surveys and analyzing the quotes process.
- Company Reputation (17.5 Possible Points): A company’s reputation is a combination of reviews from customers and reputable organizations like the BBB. We also take into account the years of experience a company has, how satisfied its employees are and any past or pending lawsuits.
- Claims Process (12.5 Possible Points): In this category, we look at the overall claims process, including how easy it is to file a claim and a company’s response time.
- Availability (5 Possible Points): Availability refers to how many states and locations a company serves.
