Top 5 Cheapest Home Warranty Companies (2023 Cost, Coverage & Reviews)

Are you searching for an affordable home warranty plan? Read our review to learn more about the cheapest home warranty providers and their coverage options. | Photo Credit: Adobe Stock

Home systems and appliances can break when you least expect it, and repairs can cost you thousands of dollars. With the best home warranty plans, your most critical home systems and appliances will be covered should they break down due to normal wear and tear.

Though the average monthly cost for a home warranty is $50 per month, some home warranty providers are significantly more affordable than others. Our most affordable home warranty companies offer plans at around $1.50 per day.

Today’s Homeowner works with an independent reviews team to create evidence-based research that helps our readers make informed decisions. The reviews are always independent. For transparency, we may be compensated if you purchase through a link.

The Best Affordable Home Warranty Companies

Our expert reviewers dove deep into every top home warranty company and have identified the following as the best affordable options:

Best for Customization: Liberty Home Guard

While most home warranty companies offer about 10 add-ons, Liberty Home Guard (LHG) has more than 34, including Pro Series coverage for high-end and professional-grade items. This makes Liberty an excellent choice for homeowners with systems and appliances not normally covered by home warranties.

Why We Chose Liberty Home Guard

Typically, a home warranty covers basic household systems and appliances, but Liberty also offers protection for luxury items and professional appliances, including stand-alone freezers, refrigerators, and clothes dryers.

With Liberty Home Guard, you can add dozens of household items for less than $15 per month. Along with extra home protection for your systems and appliances, you can also add power washing, window cleaning, and pest control.

Learn more: Read our full Liberty Home Guard review.

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Liberty Home Guard Plans, Pricing, and Coverage Options

Liberty Home Guard has three protection plans that cover your home systems, appliances, or both. The items included in the Appliance Guard, Systems Guard, and Total Home Guard include the following:

  • Appliance Guard (starting at $49.99 per month): At less than $1.75 per day, you can protect your clothes dryer, refrigerator, built-in microwave, dishwasher, garbage disposal, range/oven/cooktop, ceiling fans, exhaust fans, and garage door openers.
  • Systems Guard (starting at $54.99 per month): This systems coverage includes heating, ductwork, plumbing, electrical, and water heaters.
  • Total Home Guard (starting at $59.99 per month): If you are on a budget and want complete coverage, this plan is for you. It includes everything in the Appliance Guard and Systems Guard plans.

Optional Add-ons

Liberty Home Guard is known for its extensive list of more than 34 add-ons, including luxury home appliances, professional-grade equipment and home services. Many add-ons cost less than $15 per month, so items like your hot water dispenser, limited roof leak, electronics, and more are protected under warranty.

Exclusions and Coverage Limits

Liberty Home Guard won’t pay for repairing or replacing your home system or appliance if the damage was caused by acts of nature or improper use. If the items are covered by your homeowners insurance policy or manufacturer’s warranty, they may not be covered by your warranty plan. For each item covered under warranty, you will receive coverage up to $2,000.

Get a quote: Visit Liberty Home Guard online or call 866-452-9107 for a free quote.

Best Value: Select Home Warranty

When your major home systems and appliances break down, the last thing you want to do is pay a hefty service fee for a service technician to come to your home. Instead, opt for a home warranty plan from Select Home Warranty, which offers one of the most affordable service call fees.

Why We Chose Select Home Warranty

With Select Home Warranty, the service fee is only $60 to $75 per service request, well below the industry average of $75 to $125. This low service fee makes this home warranty affordable for homeowners on a budget. The company’s monthly premiums are also affordable, with even the most comprehensive plan costing less than $65 per month for coverage of up to $3,000 per item. 

Select is also known for its fast response time of 24 to 48 hours. So not only do you get excellent warranty protection, but you also get a knowledgeable technician who can get to you faster than other home warranty providers.

Learn more: Read our full Select Home Warranty review.

cheapest home warranty company select home warranty review scoring

Select Home Warranty Plans, Pricing, and Coverage Options

Select Home Warranty offers a systems plan, an appliance plan, and a combination plan that all have great coverage for your home. Whereas most home warranty companies offer roof-leak protection as an add-on, Select bundles free roof-leak protection with each of its plans.

The items covered under your service contract may include the following:

  • Gold Care (starting at $60.42 per month): Great for bargain hunters who want full systems coverage, this plan includes air conditioning, heating system, plumbing system, electrical system, water heater, and ductwork.
  • Bronze Care (starting at $60.42 per month): This affordable appliance plan covers your clothes washer and dryer, garbage disposal, refrigerator, stove/oven, built-in microwave, cooktop, and dishwasher.
  • Platinum Care (starting at $63.75 per month): At around $2 per day, you can get the most comprehensive coverage of all your home’s systems and appliances. It covers all the systems and appliances in the Gold Care and Bronze Care plans.

Optional Add-ons

Select offers competitive rates for its warranty services, but its add-on costs are among the cheapest of any home warranty provider. For as little as $3.33 to $8.33 per month, you can add items such as your sump pump, pool, stand-alone freezer, and several other items.

Exclusions and Coverage Limits

Select covers repair costs due to normal wear and tear and does not cover damage due to natural disasters, improper use, improper installation, or manufacturing defects. Depending on the covered item, coverage ranges from $400 to $3,000.

Get a quote: Visit Select Home Warranty online or call 888-370-3956 for a free quote.

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Best Coverage Limits: American Home Shield

American Home Shield (AHS) is a leading home warranty provider, offering superior coverage for all the systems and appliances in your home. With one of the highest coverage limits of any leading home warranty company, a home warranty with AHS is sure to cover the entire cost of repairing your systems and appliances.

Why We Chose American Home Shield

The monthly cost of an AHS home warranty may be more expensive than some other providers, but its value makes it one of the best deals. 

Unlike other home warranty providers with coverage limits of $2,000 or less, your coverage limit with AHS is $3,000 per appliance or $6,000 per appliance, depending on which plan you choose. You also get unlimited system coverage, so you don’t have to worry about the cost of repairs exceeding your coverage caps.

Learn more: Read our full American Home Shield home warranty review.

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American Home Shield Plans, Pricing, and Coverage Options

American Home Shield offers coverage plans for your home systems, appliances, or a combination. The ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, and ShieldPlatinum plans offer the following home warranty coverage:

  • ShieldSilver (starting at $49.99/mo): Most affordable option that includes heating, cooling, electrical and plumbing systems. It does not include home appliances. You can add protection for electronics, pools and spas, roof leaks, and more.
  • ShieldGold (starting at $69.99/mo): Excellent coverage that includes 23 major household systems and appliances, including heating, cooling, electrical, and plumbing. This plan differs from the ShieldSilver plan by adding kitchen and laundry appliances coverage.
  • ShieldPlatinum (starting at $99.99/mo): Most comprehensive coverage of 23 major household systems and appliances, plus free roof-leak protection.

Optional Add-ons

American Home Shield offers additional coverage for 11 items, including pools, spas, septic systems, well pumps, and more. These add-ons can fit nearly any budget, and many of these covered items cost less than $20 per month. For instance, you can add roof-leak coverage for just $10 per month.

Exclusions and Coverage Limits

As mentioned, you get unlimited coverage for your home systems – such as your air conditioner or heating system — and either $3,000 per appliance or $6,000 per appliance if you choose ShieldGold or ShieldPlatinum, respectively.

AHS covers damage caused by normal wear and tear and does not cover damage caused by misuse, lack of maintenance, or poor installation. However, American Home Shield will cover preexisting conditions if the damage was not previously discovered.

Get a quote: Visit American Home Shield online or call 844-529-9298 for a free quote.

Home Warranty Resources

Best Claim Acceptance Rate: Choice Home Warranty

Choice Home Warranty’s affordable pricing for comprehensive warranty coverage makes it one of the best for homeowners on a budget. With more than 1.6 million customers in the United States, this home warranty company is a reputable choice for any homeowner.

Why We Chose Choice Home Warranty

Instead of having separate plans for systems and appliances, Choice Home Warranty’s two plans are combination plans. That means you can cover your major appliances and systems at a price that most companies charge for just one system or appliance plan.

Choice’s value goes beyond its low monthly payments. With $3,000 in coverage for your HVAC system, a 30-day workmanship guarantee, and inexpensive add-on coverage, this home warranty plan is one of the best deals on the market.

Learn more: Read our full Choice Home Warranty review.

cheapest home warranty company choice home warranty review scoring

Choice Home Warranty Plans, Pricing, and Coverage Options

Choice Home Warranty has two combination plans that cover appliances and major home systems. The Basic Plan and Total Plan include the following:

  • Basic Plan (starting at $46.84/mo): Excellent full coverage for a low price. It includes your heating system, electrical system, plumbing system, plumbing stoppage, water heater, Whirlpool bathtub, oven/cooktop, dishwasher, built-in microwave, garbage disposal, ductwork, garage door opener, and ceiling/exhaust fans.
  • Total Plan (starting at $54.75/mo): This bargain comprehensive plan includes all the systems and appliances in the Basic Plan but adds your clothes dryer, clothes washer, refrigerator, and air conditioning system.

Optional Add-ons

Choice Home Warranty offers great add-on coverage for less than $15 per month per covered item. These 12 add-ons include limited roof leak repairs, septic tanks, pools, spas, and central vacuum.

Exclusions and Coverage Limits

Like most home warranty companies, Choice Home Warranty only covers damage due to normal wear and tear. If your system or appliance has been damaged by improper use, lack of maintenance or improper installation, you may not get coverage.

Under the Basic Plan and Total Plan, you receive coverage up to $3,000 for your household systems and appliances. Coverage amounts for add-ons range from $250 to $500.

Get a quote: Visit Choice Home Warranty online or call 929-400-6165 for a free quote.

Find the Best Home Warranties for You

Best Workmanship Guarantee: 2-10 Home Warranty

If you are like many homeowners and want the lowest home warranty cost, 2-10 Home Warranty should be at the top of your list. 2-10 offers the lowest monthly premium for kitchen appliances and excellent rates for full warranty coverage. Plus, its workmanship guarantee spans the entire length of the contract.

Why We Chose 2-10 Home Warranty

If you want a home warranty to cover your kitchen and appliances, 2-10 Home Warranty is for you. This warranty plan starts at just $17 per month, making it the cheapest home appliance plan available.

If you want to pay a lower monthly premium, you can increase the service call fee to $100. However, many homeowners find it worth paying a higher monthly payment for a low service fee of $65.

Learn more: Read our full 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty review. 

2-10 Home Warranty Plans, Pricing, and Coverage Options

2-10 Home Warranty offers excellent coverage for your entire home and the cheapest coverage for all your kitchen appliances. Each plan from 2-10 includes the following:

  • Simply Kitchen (starting at $17/mo): This is the cheapest kitchen coverage available and covers your built-in microwave, dishwasher, range, oven, cooktop, and refrigerator with an ice maker.
  • Complete Home (starting at $46/mo): Coverage for this affordable plan includes heating systems, cooling systems, built-in microwave, dishwasher, range, oven, cooktop and refrigerator with an ice maker, plumbing systems, and electrical systems.
  • Pinnacle Home (starting at $60/mo): Ideal for homeowners on a budget who want complete home coverage, this plan includes everything in the Simply Kitchen and Complete Home plans. This plan has Supreme coverage that includes items not always covered under a home warranty, such as appliance fixtures and HVAC filters.

Optional Add-ons

2-10 currently offers several add-on products that can be added to any of the above plans. Each of these costs less than $18 per month, but things like your wine cooler and septic system can also be covered for as little as $4 per month.

2-10 Home Warranty is known for its real estate plans and has provided warranty coverage for more than six million homes over the past 40 years. Real estate agents and homeowners looking to sell their homes should check out 2-10’s plans to attract potential buyers.

Exclusions and Coverage Limits

The maximum warranty coverage is $25,000 per policy period, but each item covered by the warranty has its own deductible of $500 to $2,500. The Pinnacle Home plan covers many appliance fixtures, but they are not included in the Simply Kitchen or Complete Home plans.

2-10 Home Warranty does not cover the cost of repair or replacement of home systems if the damage is covered by your home insurance or manufacturer’s warranty. The warranty covers normal wear and tear, so 2-10 Home Warranty does not cover damage caused by misuse or acts of nature.

Get a quote: Visit 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty or call 855-498-4719 for a free quote.

Which Low-Cost Home Warranty Company Is the Best?

Because every person’s needs are unique, there is no one cheap home warranty company that is best for every homeowner. Instead, you should evaluate your needs and determine the most important features and items. Each of the warranty providers on our list offers affordable rates, low service fees, and excellent coverage caps, so consider your budget and what you want to be covered.

For example, if you are a home buyer, you may be interested in a complete home warranty plan from Choice Home Warranty because you may not know the current state of your home systems and appliances. But if you just replaced all your home systems, you may instead opt for systems-only coverage from Select Home Warranty.

Compare the Most Affordable Home Warranties

Here’s how our recommendations for the most affordable home warranties stack up against each other.

CompanyMonthly Cost*Service Fee CostAverage Annual Coverage LimitNo. of Items Covered in Least Expensive Plan
Liberty Home Guard$49.99–$69.99+$65–$125
$2,000
15
Select Home Warranty$60.42–$63.75+$60–$75
$400–$3,000
8
American Home Shield$49.99–$99.99+$75–$125
$3,000–$6,000
13
Choice Home Warranty$46.83–$54.75$85
$3,000
14
2-10 Home Warranty$17.00–$60.00+$65–$100
$500–$2,500
10

* Cost data gathered for this table were collected in December 2022. Your quote may vary depending on current rates and your location.

What Should You Look For in a Cheap Home Warranty?

Although home warranties protect your major household appliances and systems, not all cheap home warranty plans can match premier plans. When researching cheap home warranties, it’s important to keep the following in mind:

  • Systems and appliances included
  • Service call fees
  • Coverage limits and exclusions

Systems and Appliances Included

As a general rule, the cheaper the home warranty plan, the fewer home systems and appliances included. When you choose less expensive plans, the plans often include fewer items but may not offer comprehensive coverage for included items. 

2-10 Home Warranty is an excellent example of this. Under its Simply Kitchen and Complete Home Plans, you pay less but don’t get coverage for appliance fixtures and some components. But if you upgrade to the Pinnacle Home plan, you’ll find that the coverage is much more comprehensive and includes significantly more items.

Service Call Fees

Many homeowners see the low monthly payment as a benefit when choosing a cheap home warranty, but are surprised when they have to pay more than $100 every time they file a claim. Typically, the lower the monthly cost of your home warranty, the higher the service call fee. 

When looking for cheap home warranty contracts, pay attention to service fees. While some companies, such as American Home Shield, let you choose your service fees, other companies use tiered fees that vary depending on the service provided.

Coverage Limits and Exclusions

Coverage limits and exclusions for your home warranty policy can be found in the fine print of your service contract. Your home warranty doesn’t cover everything, and some cheap home warranties may have more exclusions. However, some warranty providers, such as 2-10 Home Warranty, offer comprehensive coverage despite their low monthly rates.

Coverage limits, also called coverage caps, indicate the maximum amount your home warranty provider will cover. The best home warranty providers, such as Choice Home Warranty, have coverage limits of up to $3,000 per system or appliance. Others, such as American Home Shield, go beyond that and offer unlimited coverage for home systems.

How Can You Save Money When Purchasing a Home Warranty?

Most home warranty plans cost an affordable $50 per month or less, but there are many ways in which you can save money as you purchase a home warranty. The best way to buy a home warranty on a budget is to:

  • Talk to a home warranty company representative.
  • Choose a basic plan.
  • Avoid too many add-ons.

Choose a Basic Plan

All of our cheapest home warranty companies have multiple plans to choose from, and the easiest way to get the lowest price is to choose the cheapest plan. While the simplest plan may not cover everything, it will protect your expensive home systems.

Talk to a Home Warranty Company Representative

You can easily obtain free quotes online and proceed with those rates, but you may miss out on additional savings if you don’t speak with a home warranty representative. If you provide your phone number when submitting your quote, you’ll likely get a phone call from a representative. 

Always pick up the phone, talk to them about your rate options, and ask them directly if they can offer you a better rate. They may not always be able to lower your rate, but it certainly doesn’t hurt to ask.

Avoid Too Many Add-ons

Even though many add-ons cost less than $15 per month, this can quickly add up. If you add just two $10 add-ons to a plan that costs $45, you will have already increased your monthly payment to $65. As you shop for home warranties, only add the household items you need.

Are Cheap Home Warranties Worth It?

Any home warranty is better than none at all, and even the cheapest home warranty plans can provide home protection, great coverage limits, and, most importantly, peace of mind. When you choose a home warranty plan, our top warranty providers ensure that your household items are protected and that a service provider will be at your home quickly if a system fails.

When you choose a plan from American Home Shield, Liberty Home Guard, or one of the other providers on our list, you’ll get the home protection you need to avoid paying thousands of dollars when an old appliance or system breaks down.

FAQs About Cheapest Home Warranties

Is buying a home warranty cost-effective?

A home warranty can be cost-effective and save you thousands of dollars in home repairs. The best way to get the most out of your home warranty is to file a claim every time a home system or appliance breaks down.

Who pays for a home warranty?

Anyone can purchase a home warranty, but home warranties are often paid by homebuyers, sellers, real estate agents, and rental property owners. If you buy the home warranty yourself, you pay the monthly premiums. If the home seller or real estate agent bought the policy as a gift, you’re responsible for paying the service fees for each claim.

Can you negotiate a home warranty?

You can negotiate a home warranty, especially if you are buying a home. The seller may offer a home warranty as part of the purchase, or you can work with your real estate agent to arrange annual coverage.

Methodology: How We Rank Home Warranty Companies

At Today’s Homeowner, we strive to bring you the most transparent, accurate information for your home improvement projects. Our home warranty company ratings emphasize what matters most to you—whether you’re looking for low-cost coverage, a hassle-free repair process, 24/7 assistance, or all of the above.

Our ratings are based on publicly available information about each company, secret shopping online and over the phone, customer-review analysis, and discussions with real estate professionals and repair contractors.

A company can earn a maximum of 100 points across six categories converted to a five-star scale. We researched more than 60 home warranty providers to develop the following formula:

methodology for the cheapest home warranty companies
  • Plans and Coverage (24 points): A home warranty provider can earn the maximum point value in this category if it offers multiple robust plans that cover all basic systems and appliances and optional add-on coverage. We give bonus points to companies that cover uncommon items, such as electronics and roof leaks.
  • Affordability (22.5 points): When evaluating costs, we not only consider monthly plan prices, but we also take into account the cost of add-on coverage, service fees, and whether companies offer free cancellation periods or money-back guarantees. If a provider allows potential customers to view sample contracts before getting a quote, that transparency earns more points in this category.
  • Customer Experience (18.5 points): A home warranty company must give its customers ample support when they experience issues. We gauge overall support by looking at customer reviews and conducting homeowner surveys. We also go through the quotes process with each company and take meticulous notes about the friendliness of salespeople, how detailed each quote is, and how often the provider contacts us after giving a quote. 
  • Company Reputation (17.5 points): In this category, we look at a combination of customer reviews and reputable organizations such as the Better Business Bureau (BBB). We also consider the years of company experience, how satisfied its employees are, and whether it has been hit with any consumer rights violations or lawsuits. 
  • Claims Process (12.5 points): We score providers highly when they offer short response times, multiple ways to file claims, and around-the-clock availability. Companies can earn bonus points if they have a good reputation for quick and easy claims processing.
  • Availability (5 points): Providers that serve more areas can have experience dealing with a wider range of homeowner headaches. A company earns the maximum points in this category if it offers services in most U.S. states.

We monitor company data on an ongoing basis to keep rankings and information up to date.

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