Did you spend a few days stuck at home during a nor’easter last year? Or deal with a flooded basement during a rainy summer? A home repair can go from a minor inconvenience to a major problem if it takes too long to solve, which is one reason many homeowners consider buying a home warranty.
Home warranty companies sell plans that cover home systems, appliances, or both. If your dishwasher springs a leak or your air conditioning compressor fails, instead of calling around town to find a plumber or HVAC technician, if you bought a plan, you make one call to a home warranty company.
Home warranty companies check references, licensure, and insurance before approving a technician for their network. After you request service, they draw on a network of qualified technicians to fix your problem. You’ll also pay a service fee each time a service technician comes out on a call, but fees vary.
I went secret shopping to find the best home warranty company in Vermont. I applied for quotes, read online reviews, and spoke with customer service representatives to select my top picks for top home warranty companies.
Today’s Homeowner uses specific review criteria to determine the rankings. Actual factors analyzed include plan availability, options, and fees, claims process, coverage limits, online reviews, and ratings, and more. I want you to have peace of mind when you pick the best home warranty coverage in Vermont for your home.
Here’s how we ranked and reviewed the nation’s top home warranty companies to bring you the most accurate information.
Our team of experts reviewed over 70 home warranty providers to compare plan options, coverage limits, prices, and customer feedback.
We collected over 100 sample quotes from dozens of home warranty companies to give you an accurate look at industry pricing.
Our rating system scores providers based on 6 key factors: coverage options, affordability, customer experience, reputation, claims processes, and availability.
Read our full Home Warranty Review Methodology for more details.
Top 5 Vermont Home Warranty Companies
- Liberty Home Guard is easily a winner in my book. The company sells comprehensive plans, has the largest list of add-ons of any provider on this list, and has excellent customer service.
- Many customer complaints about home warranty companies mention misunderstandings about coverage caps and exclusions. Always read the fine print before buying, and if you know a system or appliance might go out soon, look closely at what protections you have.
- Some home warranty companies deny claims if you can’t provide annual maintenance records from licensed and insured technicians. Elite Home Warranty and AFC Home Club lower or deny coverage if you can’t show them records, so stay away from them unless you have your maintenance paperwork.
My Expert Recommendation
Liberty Home Guard has excellent customer service from the moment you apply for a quote to when you call with a claim. It takes just a few minutes to get a free quote. Service representatives are pleasant to speak with. 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 and Elite Home Warranty, the representative offered to lower it to $85 when we were on the phone.
Thanks to Liberty’s large list of add-ons, you can protect almost any part of your home, and they’ll even work with you to cover something not on their list.
From the time you file a claim, the clock starts ticking. Liberty guarantees service within 24 to 48 hours. If, for whatever reason, they can’t get someone to your house, you can choose your own technician, and Liberty will reimburse you. But if you do get help through the company’s network, you can track your claim and the technician’s progress on the mobile app.
When picking add-ons, ask yourself what could break in your house and cause the most issues. Whether it’s a broken air conditioning unit when a senior parent lives with you, you have life-saving medications that must remain refrigerated, or a sump pump failure that causes sewage to back up in your basement, pick a plan that covers these items.
Vermont Home Warranty Companies I Didn’t Include
Unfortunately, like most industries, the home warranty industry has its bad actors. I recommend dropping two Vermont home warranty companies from consideration. Both have been called out for shady marketing and selling practices and, in some cases, have run afoul of the authorities: US Home Guard and Service Plus Home Warranty.
US Home Guard’s marketing tactics use misleading and deceptive phrases to trick people into buying policies. They’re so bad that the Better Business Bureau (BBB) issued a news release warning consumers about doing business with a company, specifically because of marketing tactics. The company sends mailers that use scare tactics with subject lines such as, “Your home warranty is about to expire!” which urge people to call in and renew. However, they usually send emails to homeowners who never had a home warranty with the company.
Service Plus Home Warranty used to operate as Total Home Protection. Why did they change the name? Possibly to avoid the bad press from having to pay a $400,000 settlement in 2021 to the Pennsylvania Attorney General for deceptive marketing. But a name change doesn’t mean a change in business practices. Even though I specifically unchecked the box on the free quote to receive texts and phone calls, the company texted and called multiple times a day for months.
Compare The Highest-Rated Home Warranties In Vermont
| Company | Rating | Monthly Cost | Service Fee | Response Time | BBB Rating | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
$50-$60 |
$75 |
12-48 hrs. |
NR |
VISIT SITE | |
 |
$35–$75 |
$100–$125 |
24-72 hrs |
B |
VISIT SITE | |
 |
$44.99-$58.99 |
$70 |
48 hours |
A+ |
VISIT SITE | |
 |
$46–$55 |
$85 |
24-48 hrs. |
B |
VISIT SITE | |
 |
$52–$58 |
$75-$85 |
24-48 hrs. |
B |
VISIT SITE | |
 |
$38–$62 |
$75–$125 |
48 hours |
B |
VISIT SITE | |
 |
$38–$48 |
$75–$125 |
48 hours |
B |
VISIT SITE | |
 |
$17–$60+ |
$65–$100 |
2–24 hrs |
A- |
VISIT SITE | |
 |
$28–$68 |
$100–$150 |
2–24 hrs |
B |
VISIT SITE |
Quote and cost data gathered January 2024. Cost data are updated and monitored continuously.
Our Reviews of the Best Home Warranties in Vermont
Liberty Home Guard
4.6
Our Rating
Homeowners in Vermont, particularly in Burlington, Newport, and Montpelier, dealt with flash flooding and a difficult, rainy summer in 2023. If you have a sump pump in your basement, make sure it keeps working. Those without one may consider having one installed. Either way, a broken sump pump wouldn’t be a problem if you bought a home warranty policy with Liberty Home Guard.
Liberty Home Guard sells 42 add-ons to customize any policy. It’s the largest list of any company in the industry. They cover everything from a sump pump to a pool. Added coverage also means higher monthly premiums, so it’s good that Liberty’s pricing is cheaper than many competitors.
Within 24 to 48 hours of filing a claim, Liberty tries to make sure you’ll receive service. The company has an app that lets you track your claim and service technician’s progress. If there’s some reason they can’t provide service within that window, or even if you have a service technician you prefer to use, you can set up a service call with an independent party on your own. You have to call Liberty to check that they’re licensed and insured, and Liberty will pay the technician directly.
For those who want the basics and don’t need more coverage, 42 options can be overwhelming. Because Liberty’s fees for these options are also sometimes higher than competitors’ prices, you could end up paying $23.88 to $58.92 more a year. For example, while pool and spa coverage costs $18.00 a month with American Home Shield, you’ll pay $19.99 a month with Liberty.
Whenever you file a claim, you’ll pay a service fee to have a technician come to your house. Service fees add up, and Liberty’s service call fee of $125 is higher than Select Home Warranty or Elite Home Warranty. Liberty’s low coverage limit, or the maximum a company will pay out for a repair or replacement, of $2,000 per covered item could leave you having to cover a good chunk of a repair or replacement.
Liberty Home Guard wants you to sleep well at night, knowing that everything in your house has coverage. To accomplish this goal, the company sells the largest list of add-ons on the market. Prices for add-ons can be slightly higher than competitors, but you can find a rider that covers what you need.
If the company can’t complete a service request within 24 to 48 hours, they will let you use your own technician. That’s a quality perk for customers to have visibility into claims through tracking and updates on its app.
Liberty Home Guard sells three home warranty plans. All have a 30-day waiting period before coverage begins. Also, financial caps are the same, $2,000 per covered item.
The Systems Guard Plan covers all major home systems, such as plumbing systems, heating systems, air conditioners, ductwork, water heaters, and electrical systems. It’s perfect if you have warranties on appliances and only need coverage for systems.
The Appliance Guard Plan protects all major appliances: washer, dryer, refrigerator, built-in microwave, dishwasher, range/oven/cooktop, garbage disposal, ceiling fans, garage door openers, and exhaust fans. If you bought a service plan when you had new systems installed, you might only need protection for your appliances.
If you have no existing service plans or warranties on either your appliances or systems, you’ll get the most comprehensive coverage with the Total Home Guard. Liberty’s most expensive plan combines the coverage of the other two options so that you can have peace of mind.
When you buy your policy, you can choose to pay monthly or to pay the full year in advance. If you pay in advance, the company gives you two free months. Prepaying for more years increases the number of months you get free. However, if you’re new to the company, you might want to wait to see how their service is in their area before committing to additional time.
There are no current deals, but in the past, the company has offered $200 off for a full-year plan plus limited roof leak protection. Liberty normally charges a $125 service fee, but when I called for a free quote, 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 Burlington, VT. The cost data presented was accurate at the time of writing.
Available Add-Ons
Homeowners with a sump pump, a central vacuum, or a water softener 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 system or appliance that you don’t see on the list or isn’t included in normal plans, don’t worry. LHG promises that if you contact them with the make and model of that item, they’ll work with you to provide specialized coverage.
Also, I know 42 options are a lot to take in. To help you decide what special coverage you want or need when you apply for a quote, Liberty’s website shows the most popular options in Vermont.
Exclusions
An exclusion is an item or repair that the home warranty provider exempts from covering. Because all companies have them, they’re not a cause for alarm. Liberty Home Guard’s plans exclusions include:
- Cosmetic defects
- Cranes or other specialty vehicles required to install, remove, or access your appliances or home systems
- Disposal of appliances, systems, or components
- Electronics, computerized, “smart,” or internet/enabled components and parts
- Filters associated with any covered items
- Fire sprinkler systems
- Flues, vents, chimneys, and exhaust lines
- Glass parts
- Lighting
- NoiseRemote receiving and transmitting devices
- Radon and other leak detection monitoring systems
- Solar systems and applications
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.
If you buy their plans at full price, Liberty Home Guard costs about what competitors charge. AFC Home Club sells cheaper, comparative options, but Select Home Warranty and Elite Home Warranty have higher-priced plans. However, Elite Home Warranty and Select have lower service fees compared to Liberty’s undiscounted $125 fee. If you anticipate needing many service calls, the other companies could be a cheaper fit for you.
Liberty also scores lower because of the higher pricing for additional coverage. If you want coverage for a central vacuum, you’ll pay $4.91 a month more with Liberty than with Elite. That doesn’t sound like much until you realize it’s an additional $58.92 a year. If you cancel after the first 30 days, you’ll pay a $50 cancellation fee and only receive a prorated refund. Not all competitors charge a cancellation fee, though most prorate your refund.
To get the best deal, skip buying a policy online and talk to Liberty on the phone. When I’d been chatting with a representative and mentioned concerns about cost, I was offered a lower service fee on multiple occasions.
Liberty Home Guard has transparent and helpful service. Instead of auto-renewing your policy, like some competitors do, the renewals department calls to check if you want to renew. Reps give you 60 days to change your mind and cancel before you see a surprise charge hit your credit card. You’ll also be able to make changes to your policy if, for example, you didn’t use the additional coverage you bought and you want to drop it.
If you’re unhappy at any time during your annual policy, Liberty lets you cancel and receive a partial refund. However, you will pay a $50 cancellation fee.
It’s pleasant to talk to Liberty’s customer service representatives on the phone. They’re helpful and friendly. If it’s hard to find the time to call, you can get an easy quote and purchase a policy on their well-designed, comprehensive website. Because you can contact them online, on the app, or by phone, customers can submit a service request 24/7/365.
Liberty Home Guard is a newer company, founded in 2017, but has earned positive reviews in their short time in business. On Trustpilot and Google, they have 4.7 out of 5 stars and a combined 14,281 reviews. Compared to competitors, this is impressive.
Customers love their friendly customer service representatives and praise quick and expedited claims processes for important repairs. Some have said that the customer service representative helped them diagnose issues over the phone. Even though positive experiences with service technicians appear to be the norm, Liberty guarantees all workmanship for 60 days after service in case something goes wrong. This means that if another technician needs to come out for the same repair, you won’t pay another service fee.
Some negative reviews mentioned wait times longer than promised for a service call or that the company just kept sending out technicians rather than paying for a replacement unit. Many customers have had issues with hot water heaters and air conditioning repairs. Other unhappy customers clearly didn’t understand coverage limits and exclusions. That’s why I always recommend reading the fine print in your contract.
| Rating Site | Rating | Number of Reviews |
| BBB | Not Rated*4.48 / 5 stars | 2,468 |
| Trustpilot | 4.7 / 5 stars | 2,810 |
| 4.7 / 5 stars | 11,471 | |
| Yelp | 1.4 / 5 stars | 62 |
Editor’s Note: The ratings provided were accurate at the time of writing.
*Note (as of 6/20/24): 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 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.”
Liberty Home Guard customers can download the company’s app, file a claim, and track their technician’s progress without ever having to speak to a person. You can still ask for service over the phone or through the website’s customer portal, but I love the ability to see in real time when the technician will arrive at your house.
Some competitors, such as Elite Home Warranty, charge a higher service fee outside the normal 9-to-5 or make you call around to find a technician. Liberty’s service fee doesn’t increase if you need help at night or on weekends. A recent partnership with Progressive Insurance expanded Liberty’s technician network, which increases the likelihood you won’t wait long for service.
Liberty Home Guard is available to customers 24/7/365 days a year by phone, website, or app. It sells plans in 50 states, which means the company must comply with multiple state regulations. That should increase your confidence in its ability to serve your needs.
American Home Shield
4.3
Our Rating
If you don’t want to wonder if your home warranty company’s coverage limits will be enough to fully replace an item or pay for 100% of a repair, consider buying a plan from American Home Shield. The company has wonderful coverage limits. While the industry standard limits up to $2,000 to $3,000, depending on the plan, AHS protects up to $4,000 for appliances and $5,000 for HVAC systems.
If you’ve shopped for appliances lately, you know that the lower coverage limits of other home warranty providers would only cover a portion of repairs or replacement. I bought a middle-of-the-road refrigerator in New England last year, and the $2,000 per covered item at Liberty Home Guard would barely cover the replacement cost. However, homeowners with the AHS ShieldPlatinum plan would have coverage up to $4,000 for appliances.
With the ShieldPlatinum plan, homeowners also get roof-leak coverage up to $1,000 per contract term and a free HVAC tune-up to keep their furnace in shape. While last winter was one of the warmest on record, temperatures in February 2023 still dipped to 4 degrees in Burlington. Getting an HVAC tune-up before winter kicks in could keep you warm and toasty on the coldest days.
Unlike other competitors, like Elite Home Warranty, whose service fee jumps to $150 after-hours, American Home Shield’s service fees don’t increase on nights and weekends. They’re always either $100 to $125 per service call, and you can choose which fee you’ll pay when you sign up. And AHS doesn’t exclude repairs needed because of normal wear and tear, nor do they ask for maintenance records, unlike other home warranty companies.
Unfortunately, customer service ranks lower than Elite Home Warranty and Liberty Guard, using Today’s Homeowner’s rating scale. Some online reviews and ratings are quite low, and communication difficulties are often mentioned. My experience when calling has confirmed these online reviews.
When you call for a free quote, customer service representatives don’t ask questions about your home, any additional coverage you may need, or why you’re looking at buying a home warranty. They offer the most expensive plan first and answer questions in a rote fashion.
AHS may have a large network of technicians, but that doesn’t guarantee that the technician sent to your house has the skills needed to complete a repair. Customer complaints often say that the technicians couldn’t complete the work in one trip, charged them extra for repairs, or lacked experience. AHS’ service fees of $100 to $125 are higher than some competitors, so you won’t want to pay someone to come out for the same repair more than once.
What’s more, a 30-day workmanship guarantee may not be enough time for you to find out that a technician didn’t complete the repair properly. AHS’ workmanship guarantee is one of the shortest on this list, and both Liberty Home Guard (60 days) and Elite Home Warranty (90 days) cover repairs longer.
For homes with older appliances, the high coverage limits with AHS won’t be a big selling point. You might not want to pay the higher service fees, either. However, if you have luxury appliances and newer, more expensive systems, you could want higher coverage limits. American Home Shield only has a 30-day workmanship guarantee and has lower ratings for customer service.
AHS sells three plans to cover either appliances, home systems, or both. The ShieldSilver plan is either $49.99 or $39.99 a month, and it protects major home systems, such as heating, plumbing systems, air conditioning systems, and electrical systems. If you have warranties on your appliances, a comprehensive plan could be overkill. Systems coverage could protect the other major items in your home, and the ShieldSilver plan is your best option.
But if you don’t have extended warranties or service plans for your appliances, ShieldGold adds coverage for kitchen and laundry appliances to the coverage of ShieldSilver.
With the ShieldPlatinum plan, you get the appliances and home systems in the ShieldGold plan, plus roof coverage and a free HVAC tune-up. It also covers $250 of code violations and the necessary permits or modifications to bring something to code compliance if you need them as part of your repair. If you live in one of Vermont’s older homes —and even though the average home in Vermont was built in 1975, over 25% of the housing stock was constructed before 1939 — this coverage could save you money.
Coverage caps for HVAC are $5,000 per system with all of AHS’ plans. However, the appliance limit is $2,000 per appliance under the ShieldGold plan, but it increases to $4,000 if you buy the ShieldPlatinum plan. If you own high-end appliances, I’d recommend ShieldPlatinum to make sure the majority of your repair or replacement gets covered.
AHS usually offers a 40% discount off ShieldGold when you buy online or over the phone, but the company doesn’t typically discount other plans. It’s a perk that customers have flexibility with their monthly premiums and can adjust them to fit their budget.
If you need to keep your monthly expenses down, pick a higher service fee. That will lead to a lower monthly premium. For example, selecting the higher $125 service fee lowers the monthly premium for the ShieldGold plan from $69.99 to $59.99.
| Plan | Monthly Cost | Service Fee* | Available Discounts |
| ShieldSilver | $49.99–$39.99 | $100–$125 | No current discount |
| ShieldGold | $69.99–$59.99 | $100–$125 | 40% off on the website |
| ShieldPlatinum | $99.99–$89.99 | $100–$125 | No current discount |
*If you choose the lower service fee of $100, you pay the higher monthly premium. For example, the $99.99 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 Burlington, VT. The cost data presented was accurate at the time of writing.
Available Add-Ons
If you’re looking for extra coverage, American Home Shield’s small list of add-ons could disappoint. The company sells only six add-ons. They are:
- 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/month
Exclusions
American Home Shield has a generic exclusions list. Some competitors, like Liberty Home Guard and Select Home Warranty, have more specific exclusions that give them less wiggle room to deny claims.
- Construction or carpentry costs
- Restoration of walls
- Flues, chimneys, venting, and exhaust lines
- Repairs or replacements because of cosmetic defects
- Repairs because of 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 monthly premiums are on the higher end. Its most complete plan can be close to $20 more than its competitor’s similar plans, depending on specials. Its service fee is on the high end, too, though you can pick a lower option of $100. Elite Home Warranty, AFC Home Club, and Select Home Warranty all have lower service fees.
What is nice is that there are no fees for emergency or after-hours calls — the service fee stays the same. American Home Shield only lets you buy annual contracts, you can’t pay monthly. It’s amazing coverage limits reset every year if you renew. But since they’re per term, if your HVAC needs a $4,500 repair in the first two months of coverage, if it breaks again four months later, you’ll have to pay $500 for the repair yourself.
There’s no easy way to say it: American Home Shield outsources its customer service. I’ve called for quotes or asked questions multiple times, and the communication skills of the representatives have varied widely. Often, they struggle with answers that aren’t in a script.
I’ve tried rephrasing questions and asking them differently, but some representatives will give unrelated answers that are rehearsed. They repeated talking points over and over while I became frustrated trying to get an actual answer. If you read online reviews, many policyholders mention this becomes an issue when they file a claim, too.
I recommend getting an online quote before you call. Luckily, it’s easy to get a quote on their website and to add and subtract additional coverage to determine how they’ll impact the final price. This online quote will come in handy when you call since two representatives I spoke to didn’t offer the discount on ShieldGold. I had to bring it up, and if I hadn’t they would have charged me full price.
American Home Shield has been in business since 1971, which should give homeowners confidence that the company will be around to service their needs for a year or longer. However, this also means that they’ve had more time to accumulate negative reviews. AHS has a B rating from the BBB. On Google, they’ve received 4.5 out of 5 stars, but on Trustpilot, they have just 2.1 out of 5 stars.
Customers complained that when they called to request service, the representative scheduled a technician to fix the wrong thing. Some have waited over 30 days for a technician. The company promised to reimburse some homeowners for a portion of water heater replacement or other large items for some homeowners and they waited over six weeks for the check to arrive.
A constant refrain is that the outsourced customer service is almost impossible to work with or that there aren’t qualified service technicians in their area. Others had a lot of difficulties when they tried to cancel their plan.
While the company does have some positive reviews, many relate to what it was like to buy a policy. AHS did replace major items, such as a clothes dryer or an air conditioning unit, for some homeowners.
| Rating Site | Rating | Number of Reviews |
| BBB | B,2.1 / 5 stars | 11,035 |
| Trustpilot | 2.1 / 5 stars | 5,363 |
| 4.5 / 5 stars | 33,290 | |
| Yelp | 1.1 / 5 stars | 1,300 |
Editor’s Note: The ratings provided were accurate at the time of writing.
A big downside to AHS’s claims process is the lack of a concrete response time. Competitors like Elite Home Warranty and Liberty Home Guard commit to a service window of 24 to 48 hours. AHS doesn’t promise service within a defined time, only that they will set up a service appointment during the first two days after you file a claim.
Customer service representatives gave vague answers when I asked about the average time for a service technician to be out at my house. They only reiterated that somebody will make an appointment within 24 to 48 hours. Many customers mention in their online reviews that it took weeks for a technician to complete a repair, so I find this lack of transparency concerning.
Homeowners can file claims online or over the phone. Their 30-day workmanship guarantee, which is much shorter than Liberty Home Guard and Elite Home Warranty’s guarantees, means that if an item breaks down again within 30 days of the initial repair, you don’t have to pay another service fee for them to send out a technician.
There are 17,4500 contractors and 4,500 service technicians in American Home Shield’s nationwide network. They respond 24/7/365 days a year to claims. The company sells policies nationwide.
Select Home Warranty
4.2
Our Rating
If you’re looking to get a lot of value from your home warranty for a reasonable price, look no further than Select Home Warranty. The company sells inexpensive policies and has one of the lowest service fees in the business. With a discount, the basic plan costs just $44 a month. Undiscounted prices are much more expensive, but the company has offered the discount since the beginning of the year.
When you place a claim, you’ll only pay $85 for the technician to come out instead of the $100 to $150 that is common with competitors. They also promise to send a service technician within 24 to 48 hours after you call for service.
The company texts, emails, and calls daily after you apply for a quote, which isn’t ideal. However, after I originally applied for a quote, a month went by, and they texted me with an offer to lower the service fee to just $60 a call and give me three months free. While the constant messages are annoying, it’s worth it to sign up for their texts and then wait to buy a policy.
After a technician repairs something under your warranty, Select Home Warranty guarantees their workmanship for up to 90 days. This is much longer than American Home Shield’s 30-day guarantee. Select’s plans and promises offer homeowners a lot of value.
No one likes to have to follow up and call frequently to have the same problem fixed. But, even though Select has cheap service fees and a long workmanship guarantee, reviewers online say that they had to call Select several times to see progress on their claims. There are also a lot of complaints about unqualified technicians and incomplete repairs.
Customers also think that the company denied valid claims and didn’t honor its promise to send someone out within 24 to 48 hours of filing a claim. Select also has a higher cancellation fee, $75, compared to Liberty Home Guard’s $50 fee.
Select Home Warranty has cheap pricing for plans, so their plans fit into any budget. Its service fees are also reasonably priced. After a service technician repairs something, their workmanship guarantee lasts for 90 days. It’s one of the longest guarantees in the business. There is a lot of value in Select Home Warranty’s plans.
Select Home Warranty, like many providers, splits their coverage between appliances and systems and a plan that includes both. If you have extended warranties and don’t need appliance coverage, Select’s Gold Care plan covers a home’s systems, such as air conditioning, heating, plumbing, ductwork, and electrical systems.
What if you need to cover your appliances and have service contracts on home systems instead? The Bronze Care plan covers your stove, cooktop, or oven, refrigerator, dishwasher, clothes washer, and dryer, garbage disposal, and built-in microwave. For homeowners with no other coverage, the Platinum Care plan combines everything in the other two plans to protect both systems and appliances. It also expands coverage to include your garage door opener, ceiling fan, and plumbing stoppages.
Select has coverage caps of $3,000 for HVAC, either repair or replacement, which is much lower than competitors American Home Shield and Elite Home Warranty. I don’t know if you’ve priced out a new refrigerator lately, but the coverage for appliances, plumbing, and electrical is only $500, which doesn’t seem in line with current prices for replacements. Add-ons, such as a stand-alone freezer, have a coverage limit of $400.
The online and phone discount is two months free, but you have to pay for a year in advance. This doesn’t mean you’ll only be paying for ten months. Instead, 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 2 months free if you pay the annual fee up-front |
| Gold Care | $44.92 | $75 | $150 discount on the phone and 2 months free if you pay the annual fee up-front |
| Platinum Care | $47.75 | $75 | $150 discount on the phone and 2 months free if you pay the annual fee up-front |
*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 Burlington, VT. The cost data presented was accurate at the time of writing.
Available Add-Ons
Select Home Warranty’s paltry list of nine add-ons is much smaller when compared to the 30-plus options at Liberty Home Guard or Elite Home Warranty. However, Select is only one of two home warranty providers that offer septic system coverage. (Also, be careful: American Home Shield only covers the septic pump, not the whole system). Added coverages include:
- Central vacuum: $3.33/mo
- Lawn sprinkler system: $5.83/mo
- Pool: $8.33/mo
- Roof-leak: $0/mo
- Septic system: $5.83/mo
- Spa: $5.83/mo
- Stand-alone freezer: $3.33/mo
- Sump pump: $3.33/mo
- Well pump: $3.33/mo
Exclusions
All contacts with home warranty companies have exclusions. These are items and home services that the company won’t cover. SHW’s contracts exclude anything you should have reasonably known about or any known pre-existing issues, though I’m not sure how they tell. 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.
When you get a discount, Select’s pricing becomes the cheapest on this list. If they stop offering discounts, pricing will be higher than competitors.
Only one competitor, Elite Home Warranty, charges less for service call fees — $75. Others charge between $100 to $150. Pricing for add-ons is low, too. A septic system is $5.83 a month and not the $50 a month that AFC Home Club charges.
After the first 30 days of coverage, you’ll only get a prorated refund. Plus, you have to pay a $75 cancellation fee.
Read a few online reviews or call the company, and you’ll realize that Select outsourced its customer service. It’s hard to get straight answers to any question that doesn’t fit their scripts. Representatives obviously don’t understand more complicated questions and just repeat talking points. At times, it’s frustrating to talk to them.
While representatives are polite, they push to close a sale. The man I spoke to answered questions in a rush, sounded impatient when I had follow-up questions, and kept asking if I wanted to buy. He showed no interest in my house or my reasons for buying a home warranty.
Given my poor experience over the phone, it’s good that it’s easy to get a quote online. You can play around with add-ons by going back and forth between screens to see how they would impact your pricing. A long workmanship guarantee of 90 days could come in handy if you have older, finicky appliances prone to breaking down often.
Select Home Warranty has been in business since 2012, enough time to accumulate online reviews. Unfortunately, the majority of reviews are negative.
Reviewers on the BBB rated Select 1.33 out of 5 stars. Many reviewers complained that it took a long time to get service, and others didn’t understand coverage limits. Since coverage limits aren’t shown on the quote pages when you’re buying a policy and are hidden in the contract’s fine print, this makes sense.
Neither Select’s quote screens nor their FAQs talk about their coverage limits. I’ve had to ask representatives about coverage limits when I’ve called; they do not volunteer the information.
The careful wording of Select’s service promise may mean that many customers didn’t expect to wait days or weeks for service. When customers called to cancel, they got the runaround, with transferred calls, attempts to convince them to stay, and a lack of transparency.
However, Select has a score of 3.8 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot, though many positive reviews relate to customer service when buying the policy. They fare better on Google, where they’ve received 3.8 out of 5 stars, but few positive reviews relate to the claims experience.
| Rating Site | Rating | Number of Reviews |
| BBB | B, 1.33 / 5 stars | 2,091 |
| Trustpilot | 3.7 / 5 stars | 4,856 |
| 3.8 / 5 stars | 20,008 | |
| Yelp | 1.0 / 5 stars | 9 |
Editor’s Note: The ratings provided were accurate at the time of writing.
Select Home Warranty makes filing claims simple and direct. You can submit your air conditioner outage or ruptured pipe repair requests through its site or via a phone call. For most non-urgent breakdowns, technicians
Select promises to contact someone for a repair within 24 to 48 hours, but I find this statement misleading. While it implies you’ll receive service within that time, it only means they’ll have talked to a service technician or company. They make no promises about when somebody will do the repair, and a lot of online complaints say that it took weeks for someone to show up.
In contrast, competitors like Liberty Home Guard and Elite Home Warranty commit to a shorter response window and will let you pick a service provider to perform the repair if they can’t get there in time. An urgent repair, like a furnace that stops working during Vermont’s cold winters, could wait for weeks to get fixed.
When you need to file a claim, you can contact Select Home Warranty by phone or through their website’s customer portal.
arrive within 48 hours (the industry standard) for diagnosis and repair. That said, some reviewers noted slower response times, and since they only offer two ways to file, I had to rate SHW a lower 7.6/10 in this category. For summer AC failures or roof leaks in the spring, even two days is far too long. Thankfully, Select provides 24/7 emergency assistance on nights and weekends to dispatch help faster. Prioritizing crises for a speedier response gives peace of mind when it matters most.
Select Home Warranty sells policies in Vermont and the rest of the country. It’s easy to apply for a quote, purchase a policy, or file claims online or over the phone.
Elite Home Warranty
4.3
Our Rating
Elite Home Warranty’s friendly and helpful customer service, high coverage limits, and 90-day workmanship guarantee have made it the best home warranty provider for customer satisfaction. Its online reviews and ratings are higher than every other company on this list.
Unlike Select Home Warranty, which texted and called daily for over a month after I applied for a quote, Elite doesn’t spam you after you talk to them. Customer service representatives ask exploratory questions to help you pick the best coverage and will even give you a direct number to call back if you say you need more time to think about it.
All repairs through your policy come with a 90-day parts, labor, and installation guarantee. Competitor workmanship guarantees typically cover parts and labor. This is the only workmanship guarantee to include installation.
Only AFC Home Club offers a longer guarantee, but it’s contingent on still having a contract with the company. Lastly, 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 better than some competitors’ coverage caps.
Elite isn’t inexpensive. Pricing for their add-ons is typically higher than those of competitors. For example, while you’ll only pay $3.33 for sump pump coverage with Select Home Warranty, it’s $8.33 a month added on to an Elite policy. That may not sound like much, but it adds up to a $60-a-year difference.
Then there’s the problem of service fees. Many competitors don’t charge a higher service fee for service calls after business hours. If your dishwasher starts leaking on a Saturday and you really need a service technician immediately, Elite’s $70 fee increases to $150. Because I’ve never had breakdowns happen at a convenient time, this could become an issue.
I’d suggest carefully reading the contract’s fine print. Most home warranty companies have a 30-day waiting period, but after that, full coverage begins. However, Elite extends its waiting period longer. Replacement coverage is only available after 90 days, and during that 90 days, Elite’s total liability for repairs and parts is only $300.
Elite also isn’t a great choice if you don’t keep service records. Without proof that you’ve had your water heater or other big-ticket items serviced regularly, Elite could lower its coverage limit to $500. If the service technician concludes 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 scores high for customer satisfaction due to excellent service, high coverage limits that appeal to homeowners with expensive systems and appliances, and a comprehensive workmanship guarantee. However, homeowners should pay attention to the reduced coverage limits during the first 90 days of a contract.
Elite sells three warranty plans: a systems plan, an appliances plan, and a third-tier comprehensive plan that combines the coverage of the other plans. Every plan has a 90-day workmanship guarantee. If you had your dishwasher serviced and it breaks again two months later, you won’t pay another service fee.
When you add on premium appliances, premium systems, or premium benefits plans, Elite’s coverage limits jump far above the industry standard of $2,000 to $3,000. Coverage limits for appliances can be as high as $6,000, and systems payouts can go up to $10,000. Only American Home Shield comes close, with $5,000 in HVAC protection, but these coverage limits cost extra.
The problem with Elite’s plans is that they severely restrict coverage limits when you first buy a policy. Most companies have a 30-day waiting period, but with Elite, you wait as long as 90 days for full coverage to begin. To find out more, go to their service agreements and filter by state. Replacement coverage doesn’t kick in for 90 days for Vermont residents.
Elite also lowers their coverage limits because of a lack of maintenance and repairs. The coverage on some items drops to $500 if a service technician says that you neglected it or failed to maintain it. This is frustrating because unless you have service records, you can’t contest the technician’s finding.
While I was calling for a free quote, the customer service representative offered $150 off plan pricing if I signed up during our call.
| 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 Burlington, VT. The cost data presented was accurate at the time of writing.
Available Add-Ons
Elite Home Warranty has the second-largest menu of add-ons after their competitor, Liberty Home Guard. The annual price for additional coverage options and your choices are:
- Free alarm system (ADT): $64.99
- 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
- Trash compactor: $59.99
- Water softeners: $99.99
- Water filtration system: $99.99
- Water heater annual maintenance: $149.99
- 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 or which policy you buy:
- 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, which can be cheaper than other providers. Their most comprehensive option costs less than American Home Shield’s Platinum Plan. But surprise price increases lower their affordability rating. For example, Elite increases its service fee on nights and weekends even though competitors like AHS and Liberty do not. This information isn’t readily available on their website, either.
After business hours, you’ll pay $150 for a service call instead of their normal $70 fee. Elite also charges a $150 service fee if you have professional-grade home appliances. Maximum coverage limits are a big selling point for Elite, but you have to pay extra. To get HVAC coverage of $7,000, you’ll pay an extra $299.99 more a year or approximately $25 more a month.
It’s not always a pleasant experience to call for quotes or information about warranty plans, and some competitors can be quite pushy. However, Elite’s representative answered questions about each plan and explained where each plan could meet my home’s needs. While she started trying to sell the most expensive plan, when I said I was on a budget, she spent time working with me for the right combination of price and coverage.
I’m glad that their phone service is excellent since you can’t buy a policy online; only apply for a free quote. I don’t think this is great since many customers prefer not to deal with the hassle of calling. Even still, the website has clear information about its plans’ inclusions and add-ons, and it provides sample policies by state.
To find out what is and isn’t covered within an item, click on the item. A pop-up appears that drills down into the parts and components within the item. For example, within your built-in microwave, Elite won’t cover the turntable but will fix the control board, transformer, and other parts.
I recommend reading the service agreement. It was where I found coverage limitations during the first 90 days, which weren’t disclosed on the website. You also have to wait 90 days for the maximum coverage limits for appliances, HVAC, and more to apply. But you won’t have to wait for service — Elite guarantees that service technicians will arrive within 24 to 48 hours after you call or place a claim online.
Elite can thank its customers, in part, for its ranking as best in customer satisfaction. It ranks the highest in online reviews of any warranty company on this list. It has a BBB rating of A+, and BBB reviewers gave them a 4.97 out of 5 stars rating. Customers praise quick turnarounds for service, talk about how a replacement dishwasher arrived quickly, and overwhelmingly praise their professional service technicians.
These great scores carry on to other review sites, where customers have rated them 4.8 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot and 4.8 out of 5 stars on Google. Read a few reviews, and you’ll see that the company’s excellent and quick claims process frequently receives kudos. Some homeowners had policies with competitors and have found their experience to be much better with Elite.
Most negative reviews stem from misunderstandings about coverage exclusions. While it’s typical that home warranties won’t cover 100% of every repair, part, or component, not all homeowners are aware of this fact. But in one case, when the customer was extremely upset about an exclusion, Elite covered the repair anyway.
It’s easy to see why Elite rates so highly for customer satisfaction and reputation.
| Rating Site | Rating | Number of Reviews |
| BBB | A+ / 4.97/ 5 stars | 407 |
| Trustpilot | 4.8/5 stars | 87 |
| 4.7/5 stars | 174 | |
| Yelp | 4.8/5 stars | 4 |
Editor’s Note: The ratings provided were accurate at the time of writing.
Despite receiving high marks for customer satisfaction, Elite rates lower when it comes to their claims process. Their $70 service fee jumps to $150 (almost double) if you request service at night or on the weekend. To pay the cheaper fee, you’ll have to be home during the day to let a technician into your house. Given that 28.4% of Vermonters are older than 60, for many retirees, this won’t be a problem.
Elite accepts claims 24/7/365, either over the phone or online. However, if you come home from work to a flooded laundry room because your clothes washer has sprung a leak, you’ll be waiting for help or paying extra for service. After you file a claim, Elite tries to respond within 24 to 48 hours during business hours, much better than Select Home Warranty’s looser promise of help.
Customers with Elite Home Warranty can file claims 24/7/365, either online or by phone. Elite sells plans in every state except California, Texas, Wisconsin, and Washington, so homeowners in Vermont can buy a policy.
AFC Home Warranty
4.3
Our Rating
AFC Home Club offers some of the best additional benefits in the business by selling a fourth plan tier. It is the only home warranty company with an extra offering. You can find out everything you need to know about their plans on the plans and pricing page of their website.
AFC doesn’t hide anything in the fine print. Not only do you get a list of all the home systems and appliances included in their plans, you can click on each item and drill into the details. Within an appliance like a refrigerator, it’s common for home warranty providers to exclude components, such as the ice maker. Many homeowners won’t find this out until they file a claim.
However, AFC’s website clearly discloses details about excluded parts and components. For example, click on “kitchen refrigerator” to find out that their policy doesn’t cover water lines, ice crushers, or beverage dispensers. I like the transparency about their coverage.
Another additional benefit to choosing AFC Home Club is the ability to pick your own technician for a service call. Because the company doesn’t offer after-hours or weekend service, homeowners can go with a plumber with whom they might have already had a positive experience if they need service after business hours. It’s important to note that you have to call AFC’s claims department to verify that they’re licensed and insured, or AFC may deny the claim. AFC will either pay the technician directly if that’s what the technician wants, or you can pay the service provider and request reimbursement from AFC.
While Liberty Home Guard has 42 options to increase your coverage, and Elite Home Warranty has 33 options, AFC only sells 14 add-ons. This small list could lead to coverage gaps. Their added coverage also costs more than competitor’s offerings.
To add on sump pump coverage, you’ll pay an additional $35 a month, which is a lot more than the $8.99 a month Liberty Home Guard charges. Their options to increase your home warranty coverage aren’t extensive and definitely aren’t budget-friendly.
The number of customer complaints that mention poor claim experiences isn’t reassuring. Since customers often misunderstand replacement policies and coverage limits, read a sample policy before buying. AFC has sample service contracts available online.
Many customer complaints relate to misunderstandings about coverage and exclusions. I’d advise homeowners to read through AFC Home Club’s sample contracts before buying a policy. Their network has no after-hours or weekend service. However, some homeowners might prefer to pick a technician they know and trust for an emergency repair. Their fourth-tier coverage plan sells benefits not included by competitors in their plans.
AFC Home Club sells four home warranty plans. Its top plan has additional coverage that any other company doesn’t offer. With AFC Home Club, customers have the flexibility in how much they’ll pay for their monthly premiums. You can raise or lower your premiums by selecting a higher or lower service fee.
Pick the $125 service fee to knock as much as eight dollars off your monthly premium. It’s similar to how choosing a high deductible with a homeowners insurance policy can lower your premium. Every plan has a coverage cap of$3,000 per membership term per item with all plans.
AFC’s Silver Plan covers your oven/range, stove, cooktop, dishwasher, refrigerator, garbage disposal, clothes washer, and dryer, and garage door opener.
The Gold Plan increases the Silver Plan’s coverage to include air conditioning, heating systems, electrical systems, plumbing, water heater, and ductwork. The Platinum Plan further expands coverage to include exhaust, attic, and ceiling fans, faucets, plumbing stoppages, an ice maker, and a built-in microwave.
The only home warranty company with a fourth coverage tier, the Diamond Plan also gives homeowners unusual coverage options. For around $35 more a month than the Platinum Plan, your warranty will cover both electronics and exterior water and sewer lines.
Electronics coverage can save significant money for homeowners who invested in a luxury audiovisual system. The Diamond Plan also benefits homeowners who experience a collapsed exterior sewer line, an expensive line to repair.
AFC offers no current discounts online. In the past, they’ve offered $250 off the cost of an annual policy cost and roof-leak coverage.
| Plan | Monthly Cost | Service Fee | Available Discounts |
| Silver Plan | $43.50 or $51.83 | $75 or $125 | $250 off, roof-leak coverage included |
| Gold Plan | $51.92 or $57 | $75 or 125 | $250 off, roof-leak coverage included |
| Platinum Plan | $57 or $62 | $75 or 125 | $250 off, roof-leak coverage included |
| Diamond Plan | $91.58 or $96.58 | $75 or 125 | $250 off, roof-leak coverage included |
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 Burlington, VT. The cost data presented was accurate at the time of writing.
Available Add-Ons
The monthly fees for some add-ons with AFC Home Club can be six to 10 times higher than those of their competitors. If you really want additional coverage, American Home Shield or Liberty Home Guard price their options much cheaper.
- 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
AFC Home Club excludes the following in all of its plans:
- 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 probably won’t be an issue if you live in a newer home. However, 25% of Vermont’s homes were built before 1939. Homes with older electrical or plumbing that aren’t up to code might have had those issues grandfathered in for home buyers, but coverage for repairs might not include the cost to bring them up to code.
AFC discloses that they might request maintenance records before they approve repairs, and online reviews back this up. Many homeowners were upset that the company wanted an annual maintenance record from a licensed technician before approving HVAC repairs. If a technician sent by AFC recommends a repair that you choose not to have done, you forfeit any future coverage on the item. Homeowners who haven’t kept maintenance records might not want to buy a policy from AFC Home Club.
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.
AFC Home Club’s plans fall within the normal range for home warranty providers. While the Diamond Plan is one of the more expensive, you’d only need it if you have luxury electronics or want to have coverage for your water and sewer lines. Cheaper plans could meet your needs.
The service fee of $125 is higher than all competitors, and if you want cheaper monthly premiums, you’ll have to pick that option. However, you can lower it by choosing a higher monthly premium. AFC also occasionally offers discounts and deals on holiday weekends.
AFC’s website is easy to navigate. I could find answers to many of my questions within a few clicks. You can dive deeper into each plan’s coverage and excluded items by clicking on them and reading the information in the pop-up box. Their FAQs answer many common questions, though at a basic level.
Getting a quote over the phone was painless, and the customer service representative chatted and was laid back rather than pushing to close the sale.
AFC Home Club has mixed online reviews. Like many home warranty companies, customer satisfaction is heavily dependent on the local service technicians. They have a respectable B rating from the BBB, though customers only give them 1.97 stars out of 5.
Customers complain that the company wanted to see service records before approving a repair, that there weren’t any service providers in their area and AFC wanted them to call around themselves, or that the company didn’t call them back when they filed a claim. Issues with water heaters and coverage are a common thread through reviews.
Reviewers on Google are happier with AFC’s warranties. Some have had policies with AFC for years. They praise the company for consistently great service. Several had repairs performed quickly and thought the service technicians were both competent and professional.
| Rating Site | Rating | Number of Reviews |
| BBB | B1.97 / 5 stars | 132 |
| Trustpilot | 3 / 5 stars | 24 |
| 3.8 / 5 stars | 1,629 |
Editor’s Note: The ratings provided were accurate at the time of writing.
Homeowners who need to file a claim with AFC Home Club can do it online or over the phone. Most reviewers speak positively of their claims experience. According to them, AFC gave them regular updates on the technician’s anticipated arrival times and their claim’s progress. You’re not left shivering in the middle of a cold Vermont winter, wondering when help will show up.
Within 24 to 48 hours of filing a claim, a technician will reach out to make an appointment. While I like that you have some control over when the technician comes out to your house — rather than getting stuck with a time the home warranty company picked — I wish that AFC had a stronger promise to deliver service within a short timeframe.
AFC Home Club operates in 47 states, including Vermont. It doesn’t sell plans in California, Hawaii, or Washington. If you have questions or need help, you can reach them online or by phone.
Calculate the Cost of a Vermont Home Warranty
If you want to get a rough idea of what a home warranty in Vermont might cost, try using our home warranty calculator. It will give you a ballpark of what you can expect to pay.
| 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 |
Vermont Home Warranty Regulations
Homeowners who have an issue with their home warranty company in Vermont can reach out to the Vermont Department of Financial Regulation. Under Statue 4247-4256, the state requires service contractors to fulfill their promises. Service contract organizations must register with the Department and provide a 20-day refund period. The statute prohibits misleading advertising or other statements. Also, some home warranties fall under “property and casualty” insurance at both the state and federal levels.
While homeowners have some protections against bad actors in the industry, in-depth research will help you find the best home warranty provider in Vermont. Read customer reviews online about the experiences of nearby residents.
It’s also a good idea to ask friends about their experiences. Make a list of your priorities for coverage and shop with it in front of you. Finally, steer clear of companies that aren’t established in your area. If it seems too good to be true, it might be, and new companies are unlikely to have a large service network. You’ll have higher confidence when you buy a home warranty if you’ve evaluated your options.
Editor’s Note: While this article highlights certain regulations, it is vital for readers to do their own research, as the mentioned regulations are not exhaustive.
Vermont Home Warranty News
Recently, a local credit union warned its members about fraudulent mailers worded in such a way as to imply the warranty company has a relationship with the credit union. These postcards warn homeowners that their warranty is about to expire, urge them to call immediately, and have vouchers for a renewal fee attached.
Needless to say, the credit union has no relationship with the home warranty company. They tell members that the company likely takes names and addresses from public records. If you receive something similar in the mail, check with your bank or mortgage company to verify if the company and service are legitimate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do You Need a Home Warranty in Vermont?
I think homeowners in Vermont need a home warranty for several reasons. It puts a company a phone call away to solve appliance and home systems issues and can save you time and money. Instead of reading online reviews, calling for estimates, and trying to arrange for service when your refrigerator breaks down, you place a claim, and they handle the rest. You’ll know how much it’ll cost you before the technician shows up, and that monthly premium and service fee could be recouped in just one service call.
How Much Does a Home Warranty Cost in Vermont?
The average cost of a comprehensive home warranty plan in Vermont is $71.96 a month. Your total cost for a home warranty will vary if you pick a comprehensive plan or a systems-only plan and if you add on coverage.
How To Save Money When Shopping for Home Warranties In Vermont?
To save money on your home warranty, be selective when picking add-ons and ask yourself if you can afford a higher service fee every once in a while. Add-ons can increase a monthly premium that starts at $50 a month and can grow to more than $100 a month. If you can afford a higher service fee occasionally, several companies offer the option to pay a lower monthly premium if you select a higher service fee.
Is a Home Warranty Worth It for Vermont Homeowners?
A home warranty is worth it for Vermont homeowners who want fast, easy service when something breaks in their house. During a heavy spring rain or if you are stuck at home during a nor’easter, knowing you can call a home warranty company to get a sump pump or furnace fixed gives you peace of mind.
