HVAC systems are some of the most expensive systems you’ll ever buy, and they’re responsible for regulating the temperature throughout your entire house. While most appliances in your home cost under $1,000 to replace, HVAC systems can cost upwards of $10,000, so if something malfunctions and you need to replace your heater or air conditioner, that’s a lot of money to drop at once. That’s where home warranties come into play. Instead of draining your savings, you can pay a lower monthly fee to cover your most crucial home systems (like HVAC) and appliances in case a disaster strikes. These home warranty policies always have some risk since there’s a chance that your specific malfunction may not be covered according to your provider’s exclusions, but with the right company and coverage, home warranties can be extremely beneficial.
I’ve researched the best home warranty companies for HVAC and used Today’s Homeowner’s specific review criteria to rank these providers. While secret shopping, I’ve gotten warranty quotes from all companies for a two-bedroom home in Philadelphia, thoroughly reviewed sample contracts, and scoured the internet to find the most accurate customer reviews. I’ve ranked each company according to their plans, coverage, affordability, reputation, customer service, and more. Read on to see what these companies have to offer and how they stack up against the competition.
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 Home Warranty Companies
- While Liberty Home Guard is the most well-rounded home warranty provider in my book, American Home Shield is the best bargain for HVAC-specific coverage. American Home Shield has systems-only plans with $5,000 coverage limits for HVAC that start at just $17.49 a month, which is unbeatable in the industry. Most companies don’t offer anything below $20 or $30 a month at the absolute minimum (and even then, most can’t match AHS’s coverage limits), so no other provider even comes close to AHS’s HVAC coverage.
- Coverage limits are the maximum payout you’ll get when submitting a claim for a covered item, but that doesn’t mean you’re guaranteed to get the entire amount. Even if you do, it may not be enough to cover an entire new heating or air conditioning system, which can cost upwards of $10,000 in some cases. Before purchasing a policy, always read the entire sample contract, especially the exclusions and coverage limits. I can’t stress this enough. There are always catches in the fine print, and home warranty providers will use them to their advantage, so be sure to read carefully.
- Home warranties have a reputation for being scams, and to be completely transparent, there’s always some risk involved with buying a policy. Home warranty contracts are full of legal loopholes that are designed to safeguard the company so they don’t end up paying for repairs that will lose them money. Still, they can be very beneficial to homeowners, especially for pricier home systems like HVAC. If you’re feeling cautious about purchasing a policy, it’s better to wait it out and do your fair share of research first.
My Expert Recommendation
My top choice for an HVAC home warranty is American Home Shield due to its impressive coverage limits. AHS offers $5,000 HVAC limits on all three of their plans, which is an incredible bargain, considering most competitors only go up to $4,000 on their most expensive plan. For only $17.49 a month, you can get $5,000 worth of HVAC coverage with the ShieldSilver plan from American Home Shield. Getting coverage limits like this for such an affordable, systems-only plan is basically unheard of, so this is an extremely cost-effective deal for HVAC coverage. I have my fair share of concerns when it comes to AHS’s reliability, which is why I would choose Liberty Home Guard as an alternate. But, in terms of the coverage limits you get for the money, no one else comes close to American Home Shield.
As a second alternative, I’d choose First American Home Warranty. They’re not available in every state, but they don’t have any predetermined coverage limits for HVAC systems. This means that if one of your HVAC systems malfunctions and they can’t repair it, they’ll replace the whole thing, no matter what it costs. The monthly price is higher, but if you want to make sure you’re covered in case you need a full replacement, First American is the way to go.
Are you curious to learn more about what a home warranty is and how it works? If so, watch the video below from my favorite HVAC home warranty company.
Home Warranty Companies for HVAC I Didn’t Include
I initially wanted to include Select Home Warranty on my list of the best HVAC home warranty providers because they’re normally one of my top choices, but their HVAC coverage limits aren’t as impressive as the competition. Select has very affordable rates, especially for their comprehensive coverage (under $50), but their HVAC limits are only $3,000. This coverage cap isn’t terrible, but many other providers offer up to $4,000 for HVAC coverage. While Select is usually one of my top choices for a home warranty, if you’re looking for the best HVAC coverage, there are better options out there.
Additionally, I didn’t include Choice Home Warranty on my list because they’re currently subject to a class-action lawsuit filed by the Arizona Attorney General’s Office in 2019, and they’re under investigation in New Jersey and Oklahoma for unlicensed activity. They were initially one of my top choices because of their guarantee that they’ll request a service technician within four hours of when you submit a claim, which is extremely helpful for situations where your HVAC systems malfunction and you need a quick fix. Instead, given the circumstances, I recommend that all readers avoid Choice Home Warranty until they resolve their issues.
Be sure to shop around and get multiple quotes from different home warranty providers before purchasing. Many companies have some hidden pricing flexibility, so I always recommend calling a representative first to see if you can get an unadvertised deal.
Compare The Highest Rated Home Warranties for HVAC
| 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 |
$60 |
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 for HVAC
American Home Shield
4.3
Our Rating
My favorite thing about American Home Shield is that all three of their plans cover HVAC with $5,000 coverage limits, meaning that you can spend less than $20 a month and still get better HVAC coverage than most competitors’ top-tier plans (Liberty Home Guard only offers up to $2,000 per item on their comprehensive plan). AHS’s SheildSilver plan is also the most affordable on our list at $17.49, which is a total bargain for a plan that covers all your home’s major systems. They offer $4,000 appliance limits on their ShieldPlatinum plan, so it’s worth the upgrade ($67.49 a month) if you have expensive appliances you want to be covered.
American Home Shield has more negative reviews than much of the competition, and their spotty positive reviews don’t make it easy to determine how well the company performs as a whole. AHS has the lowest customer reputation score on our list, and a lot of that is due to their inconsistent reviews and complaints of denied claims. Additionally, AHS’s prices are inconsistent from state to state, sometimes rising by as much as $40 in expensive areas. Since AHS varies so much in their prices and reviews, they don’t strike me as a particularly reliable company.
American Home Shield ranks second best when it comes to their overall score, but they’re still my number one choice for HVAC coverage because of their high coverage limits. American Home Shield offers $5,000 HVAC limits on all three of their plans, which means you can get your expensive heating and air conditioning systems covered for as low as $17.49 a month with the ShieldSilver plan. If you want to cover more than just your home systems, the ShieldGold plan covers most major home appliances as well for only $30 a month (with AHS’s limited-time promotion), so it’s my top pick for a plan from AHS.
Unlike most other companies, American Home Shield covers undetectable preexisting conditions, rust, and corrosion, which is a huge benefit to homeowners. Rust and corrosion can be big problems for outdoor air conditioning units, so you have a better chance of getting your HVAC claims covered because AHS covers those damages. AHS’s mixed reviews are their major downside since it makes it hard to trust a company when there’s so much conflicting information. Still, AHS has some of the highest HVAC coverage limits in the industry, so they’re worth considering if you want the best payouts.
American Home Shield offers three straightforward plans, all of which offer HVAC coverage with $5,000 coverage limits. The ShieldSilver plan starts at only $17.49 in Philadelphia, making it the most affordable HVAC home warranty on our list. However, the Shield Gold plan is $30 a month (with the 40% online discount) and covers most major home systems and appliances, so it’s a great choice if you’re looking to cover more than just HVAC.
The ShieldPlatinum plan is especially pricey at $67.49 a month, but it covers 23 key home systems and appliances. It even includes unlimited AC refrigerant, going above and beyond the norm for HVAC coverage. American Home Shield only offers six add-ons, which is the lowest amount on our list, but considering their affordable rates and coverage limits, they’re still the best home warranty for HVAC.
| Plan | Monthly Cost* | Service Fee** | Available Discounts |
| ShieldSilver | $17.49 | $125 | None offered |
| ShieldGold | $30.00 | $125 | 40% off ShieldGold |
| ShieldPlatinum | $67.49 | $125 | None offered |
*Monthly cost figures provided include a discounted rate offered at the time of writing. AHS has been running this promotion since last year.
**AHS offers two service fee choices: $100 or $125. The monthly costs shown in the table above are for a $125 service fee. Choosing the $100 option will raise your monthly rate.
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 Philadelphia, PA. The cost data presented was accurate at the time of writing.
Available Add-Ons
- Electronics protection plan (all plans): $14/mo
- Guest unit (all plans): $6.99/mo
- Pool and built-in spa equipment (all plans): $18/mo
- Roof leak repair limit (included in the ShieldPlatinum plan but available as an add-on for others): $10/mo
- Septic pump (all plans): $5.00/mo
- Well pump (all plans): $8.00/mo
American Home Shield only offers a few add-ons, but the electronics protection plan is a very rare option. It protects an unlimited amount of smart devices, but it’s pretty expensive at $14/month, so be sure to read a sample contract to see if it would be worth it for your situation.
Exclusions
- Acts beyond our control (earthquake, storms, mud, fire, etc.)
- Flues, chimneys, fireplaces, and exhaust lines
- Hazardous materials
- Improper capacity
- Items covered by other insurance or warranty
- Known preexisting breakdown
- Manufacturer or government recalls
- Misuse or accidental acts
- Multimedia centers
- Outdoor kitchens
- Power and fuel sources
- Routine maintenance
- Smart home systems
- Special systems (radon mitigation systems, gas detection systems, etc.)
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 is the cheapest home warranty provider on our list, but AHS’s prices vary exorbitantly based on your location. The ShieldSilver plan can get as low as $7.49 a month and as high as $67.49 a month in certain areas, depending on AHS’s promotional deals.
For example, on April 9, 2024, when I obtained both quotes, American Home Shield had rates as low as $17.49 in Philadelphia, making them the cheapest home warranty for HVAC on this list. But, in Stamford, CT, that same plan jumped up to $47.49 a month.
Here’s my quote in Philadelphia:
Here’s my quote in Stamford:
Still, in Philadelphia, the ShieldGold plan is a great deal at only $30 a month with AHS’s 40% off promotion, so I highly recommend readers consider that plan. However, if you’re only interested in HVAC coverage, all three plans offer HVAC coverage with $5,000 coverage caps, so the ShieldSilver plan is an even better bargain at $17.49.
Be sure to read the entire American Home Shield sample contract for special notes that may affect your overall rate or payout.
American Home Shield may not have the best customer reviews, but one area where they excel is their response to customer complaints. AHS representatives commented on almost every online complaint I saw during my research, and there were a lot. One of their responses on Google said:
“Thank you for the feedback. We’d like to apologize for not meeting your expectations. Do you still need assistance with an open claim? If so, please email us at socialmedia@ahs.com with your name, full property address, and the claim number. We’ll be happy to investigate this further.”
On Trustpilot, their response is similar:
“I’m so sorry for the problems you’ve been experiencing. Please reach out to us at trustpilot@ahs.com so we can discuss this further.”
Even though AHS’s customers have varying opinions on their performance, these responses show that the company wants their customers to be happy and is willing to make things right. Because of their work to resolve these issues, we gave AHS an 8.4.
American Home Shield has the lowest company reputation score on our list (the only company with a score in the 7s), mainly because of their inconsistent reviews. AHS has the most widely varied reviews out of every company on this list, so it’s hard to gauge how well they actually perform in real circumstances. Customers are split in their experiences.
One reviewer said:
“I’ve been having significant issues with AHS and feel like their services are a scam. I’ve talked to several people, and no one can clearly articulate what my policy does and doesn’t cover and what I can expect to be out of pocket. They also tried to assign an HVAC company to fix my boiler whom I can’t see anything online about — it appears the company doesn’t even exist.”
Another said:
“All they do is take your money and charge you extra in order to send some incompetent technician out that will destroy your appliances instead of fixing them.”
On the other hand, AHS commonly receives praise for its high payouts. One customer said:
“This past year, six major items in my home had issues. Four of the appliances were replaced at no cost to me. The remaining two were costly repairs, of which AHS paid a large amount … Overall, I have no complaints.”
Another said:
“When the stove panel on my stove at my vacation home was discontinued, they provided me a new comparable stove at no cost. I am extremely pleased with the outstanding support I’ve received from this company!”
American Home Shield reviews are hard to follow toward any kind of consensus, but the good and bad tend to balance each other out, so we gave AHS a 7.7.
| Rating Site | Rating | Number of Reviews |
| BBB | B / 2.11 out of 5 stars | 11,108 |
| Trustpilot | 2.1 out of 5 stars | 5,299 |
| 4.5 out of 5 stars | 33,031 | |
| Yelp | 1.1 out of 5 stars | 1,284 |
Editor’s Note: The ratings provided were accurate at the time of writing.
American Home Shield ranks in the middle of our list when it comes to their claims process score. However, AHS’s biggest downfall with their claims process is their customer complaints about denied claims. One Google customer stated:
“I’ve paid this company for 15 years and couldn’t get them to replace a rusted drain pan. Their fix was to put on a temporary putty and patch the hole. I’ve canceled and will be looking for another company.”
Similarly, another customer on Google complained about the claims process in general:
“American Home Shield isn’t worth the money. They take advantage of people who are looking for some level of security in their homes but don’t actually fix anything major. Instead, they delay the process as long as possible, and you end up spending all your time trying to get answers.”
Still, there are plenty of reviews that mention claims being accepted. One Trustpilot reviewer said:
“They’ve always repaired or replaced any issue that I have ever had, no questions asked. Does it take a little while sometimes? Yes. They have to find the right parts for the job or we would be calling back the second the wrong part failed again. They fixed my two HVAC systems multiple times and just completely replaced one of them today.”
AHS’s reviews are extremely scattered, but they have high coverage limits ($5,000 for HVAC and $4,000 for appliances) and an average response time of 48 hours, so we gave American Home Shield an 8.4.
American Home Shield operates in 48 states, so we gave it a perfect availability score according to our review standards.
Liberty Home Guard
4.6
Our Rating
Liberty Home Guard’s main perks are their impressive online reviews and industry-best customer service. Liberty has the highest online reviews I’ve seen from any home warranty company during my research, scoring 4.7 out of 5 stars on both Trustpilot and Google. Choosing a trustworthy company is important, especially in the home warranty industry, where scams are prevalent, so these positive firsthand accounts of Liberty’s performance go a long way toward building trust. Liberty also offers 42 add-ons, which is more than any other competitor I’ve seen. Because of Liberty’s glowing reviews, helpful customer service reps, and customizable home warranty plan options, I feel comfortable saying that I have more confidence in Liberty than almost any other home warranty provider on the market.
I only have a few problems with Liberty Home Guard, but my main one is that all covered items are limited to $2,000. This means that even expensive items like HVAC systems have a $2,000 coverage limit, which is fairly low considering many competitors offer at least $4,000 worth of HVAC coverage. Additionally, Liberty’s plans start at $49.99 a month, which is pretty steep for a basic coverage plan. American Home Shield’s basic plans start at $17.49 a month (depending on where you live) and have higher coverage limits for HVAC systems ($5,000), so Liberty can’t compete with some competitor’s HVAC coverage. Still, their overall reliability and positive customer reviews make them a solid choice.
Liberty Home Guard has the highest overall score of any company on our list, and for good reason. Liberty ranks so highly because of their overwhelmingly positive online reviews, hardworking customer service reps, and reasonable, consistent prices. They also offer more add-ons than any other company in the industry, which is a major benefit for homeowners who want to customize their coverage. Still, the biggest perk for me is their online reviews. Liberty has higher ratings on review sites than any other company on our list, which gives me more confidence in Liberty since most of their customers had a pleasant experience using their services.
On the other hand, Liberty’s biggest downside is their coverage limits. They only offer $2,000 per item, which is fairly low for HVAC coverage. Liberty’s biggest draw is the reliability and customizability of their services, so if you’re looking for the highest coverage limits, I’d look at American Home Shield instead ($5,000 HVAC limits). I recommend readers check out Liberty’s Total Home Guard plan ($59.99) since it’s a great bargain for full home coverage, and it’s only $5 more than the Systems Guard plan. Liberty may not have the best payouts for expensive items like HVAC units, but their overall coverage is the best in the industry, so they’re definitely worth considering.
Liberty Home Guard has the highest plans and coverage score on our list, mainly because they offer more add-on coverage options than any other competitor. Most companies only have around five or ten add-ons each, but Liberty offers 42 add-on options, making it easy to pick and choose what coverage you want. Liberty offers coverage for HVAC systems on two of their plans: the Systems Guard plan and the Total Home Guard plan. Since the Total Home Guard plan is only $5 more than the Systems Guard plan, I recommend readers spend the extra money and get fully comprehensive coverage. All covered items are limited to $2,000, so their HVAC coverage limits aren’t great, but their extensive list of add-ons and straightforward plan options make up for it.
| Plan | Monthly Cost | Service Fee* | Available Discounts |
| Systems Guard | $54.99 | $65 – $125 | $200 off (online)2 free bonus months (with annual billing)Free limited roof leak protection |
| Total Home Guard | $59.99 | $65 – $125 | $200 off (online)2 free bonus months (with annual billing)Free limited roof leak protection |
| Appliance Guard | $49.99 | $65 – $125 | $200 off (online)2 free bonus months (with annual billing)Free limited roof leak protection |
*Liberty Home Guard’s service fees range from $65 to $125 depending on where you live, the service plan you choose, and the promotional deal you get.
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 Philadelphia, PA. The cost data presented was accurate at the time of writing.
Available Add-Ons
The following add-ons are available for all plans:
- Additional spa: $9.99/mo
- Carpet cleaning: $19.99/mo
- Casita guest unit: $35.99/mo
- Central vacuum: $8.99/mo
- Ejector pump: $14.99/mo
- Electronics protection: $19.99/mo
- Freestanding ice maker: $14.99/mo
- Generator: $19.99/mo
- Grinder pump: $14.99/mo
- Gutter cleaning: $14.99/mo
- Ice maker (in-fridge): $3.99/mo
- Instant hot water dispenser: $9.99/mo
- Lawn sprinkler system: $9.99/mo
- Lighting fixtures: $7.99/mo
- Limited roof leak: $11.99/mo
- Pest control: $14.99/mo
- Plumbing fixtures: $7.99/mo
- Pool and spa: $19.99/mo
- Power washing (exterior flooring): $19.99/mo
- Pro-series clothes dryer: $4.99/mo
- Pro-series dishwasher: $7.99/mo
- Pro-series microwave: $4.99/mo
- Pro-series range/oven/cooktop: $12.99/mo
- Pro-series refrigerator: $14.99/mo
- Pro-series stand-alone freezer: $14.99/mo
- Pro-series washing machine: $4.99/mo
- Re-key: $9.99/mo
- Reverse osmosis water filter system: $14.99/mo
- Saltwater pool: $23.99/mo
- Second refrigerator: $7.99/mo
- Septic system pumping: $12.99/mo
- Stand-alone freezer: $5.99/mo
- Sump pump: $8.99/mo
- Swamp cooler: $14.99/mo
- Trash compactor: $7.49/mo
- TV mounting (up to 65-inch TVs): $14.99/mo
- TV mounting (up to 85-inch TVs): $19.99/mo
- Water dispenser water line: $4.99/mo
- Water softener: $13.99/mo
- Well pump: $12.99/mo
- Window washing/cleaning: $19.99/mo
- Wine cooler/fridge: $11.99/mo
It’s important to note that Liberty won’t cover damage from natural disasters or secondary damage from roof leaks (mold, corrosion, etc.) since these damages can affect your HVAC systems’ performance. However, the roof leak coverage will cover the source of the leak if it’s caused by normal wear and tear, like weathering or old age, which can better prevent any subsequent damage to your HVAC systems.
Exclusions
The following exclusions apply to all of Liberty’s plans:
- Any type of valve or leak
- Chimneys and exhausts
- Damage caused by improper installation
- Damage caused by natural disasters
- Damage caused by pests or mold
- Damage caused by rust or corrosion
- Disposal of old systems or appliances
- Glass parts
- Installation of systems or parts
- Known or unknown preexisting conditions
- Lighting
- Luxury or commercial-grade systems and appliances
- Poorly maintained systems or appliances
- Routine maintenance
- Solar systems
- “Smart” components and parts
These exclusions are standard in the industry and match most of what I found with competitors. However, exclusions for known or unknown preexisting conditions are notorious for allowing providers to deny claims, so be wary of that.
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.
Liberty Home Guard’s plans range from $49.99 to $59.99 a month, which isn’t the cheapest on our list, but it’s also not overly pricey. Liberty’s monthly rates are very consistent throughout the entire country, which means that even if they’re not the cheapest option everywhere, they may be one of the more affordable options in your area. Other companies will sometimes raise their rates by $20 to $30 a month just because they’re in a different state, but Liberty’s rates are the same everywhere, which is a huge perk.
I recommend reading Liberty Home Guard’s sample contract for information on cash reimbursements and replacement parts since this can increase your costs, bringing Liberty’s overall affordability score down to 8.9.
Liberty only has a few drawbacks when it comes to their customer experience, which is why their customer experience score is one of their weaker points. Liberty’s main drawback is their long waiting period (30 to 60 days) for your coverage to begin after you sign a contract. This means that if you have a malfunction in the first month or two, you won’t be covered, and you’ll have to pay out of pocket. Every other company on this list has a waiting period of 30 days, so it’s a shame that Liberty won’t shorten theirs to match them. Liberty also calls potential customers frequently after they put in their information for a quote, which can come across as aggressively “sales-y.” While these issues are common in the home warranty industry, they’re also some of the only downsides that Liberty has, so we gave them a 7.8 out of 10.
Liberty has the highest company reputation score on our list at 9.1, mainly because they have overwhelmingly positive online reviews and industry-best customer service. Liberty consistently receives higher reviews than the competition (4.7/5 stars on Google and Trustpilot), and most reviews mention Liberty’s customer service in some regard because it’s one of the things they do best. One customer on Google said:
“I contacted LHG a total of five times since I purchased my home in 2021. Each experience has been different; however, the customer service has been great. Each issue has been resolved in a timely manner.”
Nearly half the reviews I read mentioned specific customer service representatives by name, giving them a shoutout for their diligence. This level of satisfaction with customer reps is a very clear sign that the employees are helpful despite any claims about the company as a whole. Still, Liberty received some complaints, but not many, especially compared to a lot of competitors.
One customer on Google said:
“(I waited) two weeks just to get their approval on the repair of my dryer, which I was informed they’d only cover $250.00. Then, they tried to sell me a new dryer. Disappointing service.”
This review shows the disappointment that can come from contract exclusions that result in claims getting denied. Still, the good reviews definitely outweigh the bad, so we gave Liberty a 9.1.
| Rating Site | Rating | Number of Reviews |
| BBB | NR* | 2,488 |
| Trustpilot | 4.7 out of 5 stars | 2,940 |
| 4.7 out of 5 stars | 10,921 | |
| Yelp | 1.4 out of 5 stars | 62 |
Editor’s Note: The ratings provided were accurate at the time of writing.
*Note (as of 4/19/2024): Recently the Better Business Bureau shifted LHG’s A+ rating to “NR” (Not Rated). We reached out to a representative from LHG for comment and they shared this statement: “Despite the BBB’s alert, our customer satisfaction levels remain by far the highest relative to our scale. Last month, we had the lowest percentage of customer cancellation requests in our entire history. On the BBB’s own platform, Liberty Home Guard has achieved a star rating of 4.5 out of 5 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 is the only company on our list with a perfect claims process score, mainly because of their fast response times. Liberty’s average response time is 12 hours, which is the fastest on our list. The next closest company is Cinch Home Services, with 24 hours, so if you care about quick repairs, Liberty is definitely the best option. Liberty also offers emergency services, which isn’t uncommon, but they’re crucial for when major systems stop working after hours or on weekends. Liberty also has amazing customer reviews that show how painless their claims process can be, so given all these features, we gave Liberty a 10 out of 10.
Liberty Home Guard is available in all 50 states, so we gave them a perfect score. Nationwide availability is a good sign that the company is reputable and has a wide network of service technicians around the country.
AFC Home Warranty
4.3
Our Rating
AFC Home Club has two main draws: they let members choose their own technicians, and they offer a lifetime workmanship guarantee. Shady technicians are a very big problem in the home warranty industry, especially if they’re willing to gloss over the real issues with your items in order to fast-track their paycheck from your home warranty provider. If you have a local technician you trust, this feature is a huge perk. Additionally, AFC has a lifetime workmanship guarantee, which means that if one of your covered items breaks, AFC will cover the parts and labor for the entirety of your plan if the same component breaks again. Most other companies only offer a 30-day or 60-day guarantee, so AFC’s lifetime guarantee is a big benefit in the long run.
My main issue with AFC Home Club is that they don’t offer emergency services. Every other company on our list offers emergency services, so it’s a pretty big letdown. If you want to make sure you’re covered quickly when you have a sudden malfunction, this is probably a dealbreaker since you’ll have to wait an average response time of 24 to 48 hours for service. Also, I don’t think the Diamond Plan is a very practical option for most homeowners at over $90 a month, so frugal buyers may want to look elsewhere.
AFC Home Club stands tall among competitors because they let members choose their own service technicians. If you have a favorite local contractor, this service is invaluable. It’s a rare perk that goes a long way toward ensuring trustworthy repairs. Speaking of trustworthy repairs, AFC offers a lifetime workmanship guarantee, which gives you more peace of mind knowing that your repairs are guaranteed to last for the entire length of your contract. Once they fix an item, if it breaks again, they’ll fix it for free. Most competitors only offer 30 or 60-day guarantees, so this is a big win for AFC Home Club.
AFC only has one major downside, and that’s that they don’t offer emergency services. Every other provider on our list offers emergency services, and in some cases, these services can be crucial. If you can’t wait for AFC to take action, you may need to pay out of pocket to get your item fixed immediately so it doesn’t cause any more damage to your home. This will cost you extra, so be sure to factor that into your expenses when considering a plan from AFC. Still, the Platinum Plan is a great bargain for comprehensive coverage at just under $60 a month, so if you’re not sure where to begin looking for a plan, I’d recommend you start there.
AFC Home Club offers four plans instead of the usual three, giving homeowners more options to cover their items. The Silver Plan is the only one that doesn’t cover HVAC systems, so I wouldn’t recommend it if you specifically need HVAC coverage. Additionally, the Diamond Plan costs over $90 a month, and it doesn’t cover much more than the Platinum Plan, so I wouldn’t recommend it for most homeowners. However, the Platinum Plan ($59.33) is my top choice from AFC Home Club, offering comprehensive coverage for 18 major appliances and home systems.
| Plan | Monthly Cost* | Service Fee** | Available Discounts |
| Diamond Plan | $93.92 | $75 – $125 | $100 off plus free roof leak protection applied at checkout |
| Platinum Plan | $59.33 | $75 – $125 | $100 off plus free roof leak protection applied at checkout |
| Gold Plan | $54.08 | $75 – $125 | $100 off plus free roof leak protection applied at checkout |
| Silver Plan | $38.33 | $75 – $125 | $100 off plus free roof leak protection applied at checkout |
*Monthly cost figures provided include the discounted rate offered at the time of writing. AFC Home Club has been running this promotion since last year.
**AFC Home Club offers three service fee choices: $75, $100, or $125, which you get to choose between during your quote process. The prices shown in the table above are for a $125 service fee. Choosing the $100 or $75 options will raise your monthly rate.
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 Philadelphia, PA. The cost data presented was accurate at the time of writing.
Available Add-Ons
AFC Home Club offers the following add-ons for all plans. Note that the company’s add-ons are priced annually.
- Built-in microwave: $50/year
- Central vacuum: $25/year
- Double oven: $25/year
- Hot water dispenser: $25/year
- Ice maker: $25/year
- In-ground pool: $100/year
- In-ground pool and spa: $150/year
- Roof leak: $0 (this is a limited-time promotion, but it’s typically $25/yr)
- Septic system: $50/year
- Stand-alone freezer: $25/year
- Sump pump: $35/year
- Well pump: $50/year
The exterior septic system coverage is particularly beneficial since not many companies offer outdoor coverage. Damage can affect more than just your home’s interior, so it makes sense to cover your exterior pipes whenever possible.
Exclusions
- Accidents
- Acts of God
- Chemical or sedimentary build-up
- Collapsed ductwork
- Cosmetic defects or routine maintenance
- Electrical shorts or power surges
- Electronic or computerized energy management
- Failure due to excessive or inadequate water pressure
- Failure to clean or maintain as specified by the equipment manufacturer
- Fire, freezing, or electrical failure
- Hazardous or toxic materials
- Known or unknown preexisting conditions
- Lighting and application management systems
- Lightning, mud, or earthquake damage
- Missing parts
- Misuse or abuse
- Pest damage
- Repairs related to costs of construction, carpentry, or other incidental costs
- Rust or corrosion
- Structural changes
- Storms
- Secondary damage from a noncovered item
- Upgrades, components, or parts required due to incompatibility with the replacement system
- Water damage
It’s important to note that AFC Home Club doesn’t cover damage from failing to clean or maintain your items. This can be a problem for your HVAC systems if you’re not regularly changing filters and making sure that things are running smoothly, so this exclusion could come back to bite you if you’re not on top of things.
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 has the second-highest affordability score on our list, mainly because of their reasonable rates (Diamond plan excluded) and multiple service fee options. Overall, AFC has very reasonable rates for their plans, generally staying around $5 under what industry leaders like Liberty Home Guard charge. They also offer three service fee rates, the lowest of which is $75, making it easy for homeowners to control how expensive their deductibles are. However, AFC’s monthly premiums change based on location, so there may be more affordable options depending on what city you live in. Additionally, the Diamond plan is overly priced at $93.92 a month, bringing AFC’s score down to 9.1.
Non-emergency services outside of normal business hours may cost you additional fees, so be sure to read the entire AFC Home Club sample contract to learn all the details about your plan.
AFC Home Club has the highest customer experience score on our list, mainly because they allow customers to choose their own technicians. Unsatisfactory technicians are one of the most common complaints in the home warranty business, so choosing a local technician you know and trust eliminates that problem and can help give you peace of mind during repairs. Customers also praised AFC for how simple the claims process was. One customer said:
“I was able to find my own local repair technician, and that helped the process considerably. I submitted the paperwork to receive reimbursement and was approved the same day.”
Another said:
“I’ve been with the company for three years and was very pleased with how they handled my claim. They were courteous, informative, and processed my claim expeditiously.”
AFC’s average response time is 24 to 48 hours, which is about average, so it brought their score down to 9.2.
AFC Home Club has much fewer reviews than the competition, and while that’s not inherently a bad sign, it doesn’t reflect well on their popularity. For example, AFC only has 24 Trustpilot reviews, but every other company on our list has thousands (even tens of thousands). Still, their scores aren’t bad, just very mixed.
Customers typically praise AFC for the ability to choose their provider, with one customer saying, “The ability to choose my own technician is very important to me. I know by doing so, I get the caliber of person that I always have dealt with for the maintenance of my equipment.”
Another said:
“I’ve been with AFC Home Club since 2019 and really appreciate their quick responses. The flexibility they provide to go through a technician of your choice or have them find you one is very helpful.”
However, most complaints were about denied claims. One customer on Google said:
“Every service request we’ve done has either been denied or had minimal pay on it. Absolutely ridiculous!”
Another customer said:
“They will give you all the assurance in the world when signing up, but when things go breaking down and you need their help, they will give you the lowest possible approval! It really defeats the purpose of having a home warranty!”
Despite any complaints, AFC has average ratings on review sites, and the ability to choose your own technician is a huge perk, so we gave them a score of 8.3.
| Rating Site | Rating | Number of Reviews |
| BBB | B / 2.4 out of 5 stars | 158 |
| Trustpilot | 3.0 out of 5 stars | 24 |
| 3.7 out of 5 stars | 1,610 | |
| Yelp | 1.9 out of 5 stars | 339 |
Editor’s Note: The ratings provided were accurate at the time of writing.
AFC Home Club has the lowest claims process score on our list (by a lot), mainly because they don’t offer emergency services. Every other provider on our list provides emergency services, so it’s very inconvenient that AFC doesn’t. It may not be a total dealbreaker to some, but emergency services can be crucial when a major home system breaks, especially HVAC. Still, they offer a lifetime workmanship guarantee and have high coverage limits, so their claims process is otherwise very straightforward. However, because they don’t offer emergency services, we gave AFC Home Club a 6.8 — no one wants to be without AC or heating for a few days during extreme weather.
AFC Home Club operates in 49 states. According to our review standards, they earn a perfect availability score.
First American Home Warranty
4.3
Our Rating
First American Home Warranty is one of my top choices for HVAC coverage because they don’t have any pre-set coverage caps for built-in systems. I talked with a First American representative over the phone, and he confirmed that there aren’t any predetermined coverage limits for HVAC systems, as shown in the protection guarantee in the image below. This means that if one of your HVAC systems malfunctions, they’ll try to repair it, and if they can’t, they’ll replace the whole system at no charge. This is a huge perk that no other home warranty provider on our list offers. They don’t have a dollar limit on refrigerant replacement either, so their HVAC coverage is definitely some of the best in the industry. In addition to their HVAC coverage limits, First American covers up to $3,500 per appliance in its plans, which is significantly higher than the industry average of $2,000. They also offer specific coverage for luxury appliances, so I highly recommend First American for homeowners who want high coverage limits for expensive items.
My main complaint is that First American doesn’t have nationwide availability, so you won’t be able to get coverage if you live in certain states. Also, their average response time is 48 hours, so if timely repairs are important to you, Liberty Home Guard is a much better option. Finally, First American has fairly standard exclusions, but there have been some instances where they’ve kept customers from getting major systems replaced.WREG News Channel 3 covered a story where First American wouldn’t fix a woman’s heater, leaving her without heat for months. Fortunately, First American corrected their mistake and fixed her heater within a few days. Still, this is a cautionary tale that shows you should do your due diligence when choosing a home warranty provider.
First American Home Warranty ranks second best in its overall score, making them my top alternative to Liberty Home Guard when it comes to everyday coverage. They’re also my top alternative to American Home Shield for HVAC-specific coverage because they don’t have any predetermined coverage caps for HVAC systems. This means that if they can’t repair your system, they’ll replace it for free, regardless of how much it costs. This is a massive perk, one that no other company can match because they all have specific coverage caps.
Additionally, First American’s appliance coverage limit of $3,500 makes it one of the best home appliance insurance companies in the industry. You can get these coverage limits even on their most affordable plans, so it’s a very good value for the money. The Premium plan isn’t very practical for homeowners who just want coverage for the most important home systems and appliances, so I recommend readers check out the Essential plan instead. It covers all major appliances and systems for less than $50 a month, which makes it one of the most economical comprehensive plans on our list.
First American Home Warranty offers three standard plans, but they all have a mixture of appliances and home system coverage, so you can’t just cover HVAC without also covering some appliances. Still, they offer HVAC coverage on the Essential and Premium plans, giving you two affordable options to get full HVAC coverage with no coverage limits. First American also has flexible service fees of $75, $100, or $125, which gives you more control over your monthly rate. The Premium plan is overkill for most homeowners, so I recommend the Essential plan for those who want affordable HVAC coverage.
| Plan | Monthly Cost | Service Fee* | Available Discounts |
| Starter Plan | $40.00 | $125 | $200 off online orders with promo code: SPRING24 |
| Essential Plan | $49.00 | $125 | $200 off online orders with promo code: SPRING24 |
| Premium Plan | $62.00 | $125 | $200 off online orders with promo code: SPRING24 |
*First American Home warranty offers three service fee choices: $75, $100, and $125. The monthly costs shown in the table above are for a $125 service fee. Choosing the $100 or $75 options will raise your monthly rate.
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 Philadelphia, PA. The cost data presented was accurate at the time of writing.
Available Add-Ons
- Additional refrigeration: $4.17/mo
- Additional refrigeration 2: $4.17/mo
- Additional refrigeration 3: $4.17/mo
- Central air conditioning (electric): $8.33/mo
- First American advantage: $0.00/mo (only for Essential and Premium plans)
- HVAC tune-up: $2.08/mo
- Limited roof leak: $8.33/mo
- Pool/spa equipment: $20.83/mo
- Pool/spa equipment 2: $20.83/mo
- Septic tank pumping/system: $7.08/mo
- Water softener: $7.08/mo
- Well pump: $7.08/mo
The add-on I find most useful is the HVAC tune-up coverage. It’s very affordable at $2.08 a month, which is a small price to pay to keep your heating and cooling systems running well throughout the year. It can also help prevent any malfunctions down the road, so it’s a solid investment for homeowners who are serious about their HVAC coverage.
Exclusions
First American Home Warranty has the following notable exclusions:
- Chimneys
- Collapsed or broken lines
- Cosmetic defects
- Damage from pests
- Damage from weather, theft, or smoke
- Glass doors
- Knobs
- Low-voltage electrical systems
- Plumbing stoppages caused by foreign objects
- Roots
- Rotisseries
- Solar systems
- Space heaters
- Water heater storage tanks
However, First American covers some of these exclusions (like knobs and dials) in their Essential and Premium plans.
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.
Even though they’re not the cheapest option on our list, First American has the highest score on our list for overall affordability because of their reasonable everyday prices and flexible service fees. The Essential plan is an especially good deal because it covers all major appliances and systems for $49 a month (less than Liberty’s Total Home Guard plan). But, the Premium Plan is a bit overpriced, in my opinion, since it costs $13 more to cover items that aren’t as important to most homeowners (as shown in the image below). First American also offers three service fee options as low as $75, which is more affordable than most competitors. However, First American won’t reimburse you for services performed without prior approval, so that could add to your overall cost. Be sure to read the entire First American sample contract to learn the terms and conditions before buying. You can compare the rates and coverage options below.
First American Home Warranty has an average customer experience score. Most customers were happy with their overall experience, but First American’s claim response times and phone wait times were especially troublesome. One customer said:
“We are in the midst of waiting on our HVAC to be fixed. It’s now been out for 7-10 days. It took 2-3 days to get a call back from anyone.”
Another said:
“I wait on hold for an hour every time I call, no one follows up with me, and no one resolves anything. Everyone has me running in circles.”
Complaints like these are common in the industry, but considering all of them, we gave First American an 8.1 out of 10.
First American Home Warranty is second only to Liberty Home Guard on our list for company reputation. Besides Liberty, First American is the only company to score higher than a four on Trustpilot, which is quite a feat. Most customers praised First American for their consistent quality service. One customer said:
“We have had first American home warranty for seven years now. They have completely replaced our furnace and made electrical updates (for the safety of our home). They’ve come out numerous times to repair our refrigerator and dishwasher. We have always been very happy with the service.”
Another said:
“I’ve been with First American for five years now and have never had any issues. Each and every time I have contacted them with a question or concern, it was addressed. I always received professional and courteous representatives who were kind and able to assist me. I honestly have not had any problems with First American, and (I) hope that continues.”
Many other top reviews were similar. However, several complaints mentioned poor communication, claim denials, and negligent representatives. Another customer said:
“My refrigerator has been broken since September 2023 and it is now January 2024. It is absolute hell dealing with their representatives, since I have called them more than a dozen times and they never take any action.”
Taking all the good and bad into account, we gave First American an overall score of 8.9.
| Rating Site | Rating | Number of Reviews |
| BBB | B / 1.77 out of 5 stars | 1,871 |
| Trustpilot | 4.1 out of 5 stars | 13,854 |
| 2.8 out of 5 stars | 2,633 | |
| Yelp | 1.1 out of 5 stars | 1,907 |
Editor’s Note: The ratings provided were accurate at the time of writing.
First American has an average response time of around 48 hours, which is one of the longest waits on our list. In contrast, Liberty Home Guard has an average response time of 12 hours, so 48 hours is a bit behind the curve. Still, First American offers convenient ways to submit claims online or over the phone 24/7, and they have $3,500 coverage limits for appliances, so they have excellent payouts if you need a full replacement for your covered items. Considering all these factors, we gave First American Home Warranty an 8.4.
First American Home Warranty is only available in 34 states (not available in AK, CT, DE, HI, IL, LA, ME, MA, MN, NH, NJ, NY, ND, RI, VT, or WI). Depending on where you live, this could be a dealbreaker. Since their availability isn’t as good as the rest of the competition, we gave First American a 6 out of 10.
Cinch Home Services
4.1
Our Rating
My favorite features from Cinch Home Services are their $10,000 annual coverage caps and their unknown preexisting condition coverage. Unlike most providers in the industry that set individual coverage caps for items, Cinch uses one annual coverage cap for all of your covered items. As long as you stay within the $10,000 range, this is a big benefit because you could have the entirety of your replacements paid for. Also, Cinch covers unknown preexisting conditions, which is one less thing you have to worry about during the claims process. Unknown preexisting conditions are a common exclusion in the industry, so it’s nice to have them covered. Cinch also has a 180-day workmanship guarantee and a B+ Better Business Bureau rating, which are an added plus to their coverage and payouts.
My biggest problem with Cinch is their service fees. Cinch’s service fee options range from $100 to $150, which is almost double what some other companies charge. Also, Cinch doesn’t offer many promotional deals, making it nearly impossible to lower your rate. Lastly, Cinch only offers six add-ons, which may be a dealbreaker if you want to customize your coverage beyond their plan options. Still, the Complete Home plan covers plenty of systems and home appliances, so the lack of add-ons should just be a minor inconvenience for most homeowners.
Cinch doesn’t have a very high overall score when stacked up against the competition, but they’re one of the most unique home warranty providers on our list. Their $10,000 annual coverage limits are very rare, and they could work to your benefit if you only have a few claims in a year, leaving more money to use per claim than if Cinch were to adopt individual coverage limits. Likewise, Cinch’s unknown preexisting condition coverage (along with rust and corrosion coverage) gives you fewer exclusions to worry about, so your claims process is easier than a lot of competitors.
Cinch also has plenty of benefits for homeowners who end up not making any claims within their year contract. They’ll provide one free air conditioning and/or heating system maintenance visit for up to $100 in the event that you have no claims of any type during your first year. In other words, you actually get rewarded for not having any claims. No other company on our list offers a benefit like that. While they do have expensive service fees of up to $150, that’s a small price to pay in order to get these unique features that only Cinch offers.
Cinch Home Services has the worst plans and coverage score on our list, but it’s mainly because of their lack of add-ons and expensive service fees. The plans themselves are straightforward and reasonably priced. Still, Cinch is the only provider on our list with service fees as high as $150, which is a lot considering most competitors top out at $125. Choosing a high service fee can help lower your monthly rate, but those deductibles add up quickly. Likewise, choosing a cheaper service fee option can raise your monthly rate by more than $10 a month, so it can get pricey no matter which way you choose. Also, Cinch only offers six add-ons, which is the lowest amount on our list, so we gave them a 6.7 for their plans and coverage.
| Plan | Monthly Cost | Service Fee* | Available Discounts |
| Appliances | $44.99 | $150 | Choose monthly billing and get your first two months free (online) |
| Built-in Systems | $49.99 | $150 | Choose monthly billing and get your first two months free (online) |
| Complete Home | $60.99 | $150 | Choose monthly billing and get your first two months free (online) |
*Cinch Home Services offers three service fee choices: $100, $125, or $150, which you get to choose between during your quote process. The prices shown in the table above are for a $150 service fee. Choosing the $125 or $100 options will raise your monthly rate.
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 Philadelphia, PA. The cost data presented was accurate at the time of writing.
Available Add-Ons
Cinch Home Services offers the following add-ons for all its plans:
- Pool (heater included): $22.00/mo
- Pool with spa (heater included): $22.00/mo
- Premier upgrade package: $12.50/mo
- Septic tank/pumping: $4.58/mo
- Spa (heater included): $22.00/mo
- Well pump: $12.50/mo
The premier upgrade package is a unique option that provides additional coverage for permits, code upgrades, and more. No other company on this list offers it, and while it is pricey, it may be worth looking into if you’re worried about keeping your appliances up to code.
Exclusions
Cinch Home Services has the following exclusions on all its plans:
- Abuse
- Accidents
- Acts of God
- Animal, pet, and/or pest damage
- Casualty
- Fire
- Flood, smoke, earthquake, or freeze damage
- Improper installation
- Insurrection and riots
- lightning strikes
- Missing parts
- Misuse and/or neglect
- Mold, mildew, mycotoxins, fungus, bacteria, virus, condensation, and/or wet or dry rot
- Nuclear explosion, reaction, radiation, or radioactive contamination
- Power failure
- Power surge
- Structural and/or property damage
- Vandalism or intentional destruction of property
- War and acts of terrorism
It’s important to note that this home warranty policy doesn’t cover damage caused by mold and mildew. These damages can affect outdoor AC units and prevent you from getting your HVAC claims covered. Since central AC units are outside in the elements, it’s always a good idea to check for exclusions that mention weather, rust, corrosion, or related damages.
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.
Cinch Home Services has the worst affordability score on our list (tied with American Home Shield), mainly due to their high service fees. Cinch’s service fees are the most expensive on our list, ranging from $100 to $150. However, you can choose between them, which is a plus. Lowering your service fee to $100 will raise your monthly rate, but the $150 option is the most expensive deductible on our list, so it can get expensive either way. Cinch’s rates also vary greatly depending on your location, so even though they look reasonable in the chart above, they may be more expensive in your area. Still, Cinch has very affordable monthly rates in most areas, so we gave them an 8.7.
Cinch Home Services has the lowest customer experience score on our list (tied with Liberty Home Guard), but this number doesn’t describe the full picture. While it’s true that Cinch has a lot of complaints about their customer service, there are just as many reviews that give glowing recommendations. Many reviews mention specific agents by name and thank them for their helpfulness.
For example, one customer on Google left an initial review that said:
“I’ve been with this company for years for my rental. The one time I actually need help with a big claim, they screw me with a big bill in the end. No longer will I use their services.”
But then, they updated their review later to say:
“I received a call from Wendy Dunn from customer relations. She was extremely helpful in getting more back from my replacement. I give her 5 stars for explaining limits and her kindness and compassion. This really helped a lot.”
Another customer said:
“I recently had my 40 year old furnace die on me. While working with the service technician had its challenges, Cinch customer service, and Evan Fields, my customer rep, in particular, pulled out the stops and got everything taken care of.”
Cinch’s general customer service could use improvement, but their helpful agents, like Wendy Dunn and Evan Fields, redeemed the company’s performance, so we gave them a 7.8.
Cinch earned a B+ with the Better Business Bureau, giving them the highest BBB score on our list. Their online customer reviews aren’t very particularly impressive, but many customers praised Cinch’s timely responses and payouts. One Google customer said:
“My appointment was scheduled in a very timely manner. We had to wait for parts to be ordered. Once it was determined that the dryer was not repairable, I was given a replacement or buy-out option. I chose buy-out. The check arrived in about a week.”
Another said:
“I am happy to say we are 2 for 2 with Cinch: two successful repair/replace service requests. In both cases, the service technicians were professional and respectful of my time.”
On the other hand, most of the complaints were about claim denials, incompetent technicians, and long wait times. One customer said:
“It is a complete scam. They took my monthly payment for months, and the one time I needed to use the service they took my $150 deductable and sent someone who didn’t know how to fix a simple leak.”
Despite any complaints, many reviewers were able to get their issues resolved by reaching out to the customer relations team. One customer edited their review, saying:
“After posting my initial review, Ms. Wendy from Customer Relations reached out to assist with my issues. She was very professional and very helpful. She allowed me to pick my own company to provide the services that I needed. After providing her the quote/total for my repairs, she reimbursed me the total with no problem.”
While their online reviews aren’t very impressive, Cinch works to resolve customer complaints, so we gave them an 8.3.
| Rating Site | Rating | Number of Reviews |
| BBB | B+ / 1.12 out of 5 stars | 1,555 |
| Trustpilot | 3.8 out of 5 stars | 3,138 |
| 3. 1out of 5 stars | 2,695 | |
| Yelp | 1.0 out of 5 stars | 5 |
Editor’s Note: The ratings provided were accurate at the time of writing.
Cinch Home Services has the second-highest claims process score on our list, mainly because Cinch has a $10,000 annual coverage limit instead of using individual item limits (with limited exceptions for certain items). This means that if you need a replacement for your central air system that costs $8,000, you would potentially be covered for that replacement with $2,000 left to use within your contract year. Of course, this depends on whether Cinch approves your claim and the amount for replacement, so it’s not foolproof. Additionally, Cinch has a fast 24-hour response time, 24/7 availability, and fee-free emergency services, all of which help get your claims settled quickly and efficiently. However, Cinch does have some exclusions for HVAC systems. They don’t cover gas systems, including ammonia systems and chilled water systems, and they have $1,500 coverage limits for geothermal or water source systems. Considering these exclusions, we gave Cinch a 9.2.
Cinch Home Services is available in the 48 continental United States, which means we gave the company a perfect availability score.
Calculate the Cost of HVAC Home Warranty
If you’re trying to figure out how much a home warranty will cost, Today’s Homeowner created a handy cost calculator to help you. Enter your monthly cost, service call fee, and expected number of claims below to estimate your annual home warranty cost.
| 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 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Do You Need a Home Warranty for HVAC?
You don’t necessarily need a home warranty to protect your HVAC system, but it can be beneficial, depending on your financial situation. Home warranty policies aren’t foolproof, but they can help alleviate some of the pressure on large expenses like HVAC repairs.
How Much Does a Home Warranty Cost for HVAC?
The average cost of a home warranty for HVAC is $58.70 a month, not including service fees. To find out more about the costs associated with home warranties, check out our home warranty cost guide.
How Can You Save Money When Shopping for Home Warranties for HVAC?
If you’re only concerned with covering your HVAC system, I don’t recommend paying for comprehensive coverage you don’t need. Adding in extra covered items will only raise your rate, so pick a plan that fits your needs without going overboard (and be sure to shop the online deals) in order to get the best price.
Is a Home Warranty Worth It for HVAC?
A home warranty is worth it for HVAC because heating and air conditioning systems are some of the most expensive systems in your home to replace, so paying out of pocket for repairs isn’t ideal. It can be difficult to know for sure if home warranties are worth it for your specific circumstances, but if you don’t have any money saved in case of a malfunction, you may benefit from a home warranty policy.
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