In January 2026, we surveyed 2,000 home warranty customers nationwide to better understand how homeowners shop for coverage and use their plans. The survey explored why homeowners buy warranties, which systems and appliances they wanted covered, claims satisfaction, and what factors matter most when choosing a plan.
Key Takeaways
- Thirty-one percent of homeowners purchased a home warranty plan to protect older systems and appliances.
- American Home Shield was the most popular provider, chosen by nearly 41% of respondents nationwide.
- Around 69% of respondents chose a combination plan to protect both appliances and systems in their homes.
- Coverage was the most important factor for homeowners when choosing a home warranty company.
Why Do People Buy Home Warranties?
Our survey showed that the primary reason people buy home warranty coverage is for protection against system and appliance failures. More than half of respondents said protecting their home systems was the main reason they bought a home warranty plan, including 31% who purchased coverage for older systems and appliances and 22% who purchased coverage to protect newer systems from future breakdowns.
Nearly 20% of respondents reported buying home warranty coverage after experiencing a costly repair or replacement, suggesting that unexpected expenses can prompt homeowners to seek protection. Additionally, 7% of homeowners purchased a home warranty after a builder or seller warranty expired, highlighting the importance of maintaining coverage during key homeownership transitions.
Finally, one in five respondents received home warranty coverage as part of a home purchase, highlighting the role warranties play in real estate transactions.
| Reason for Buying a Home Warranty | Percent of Survey Respondents |
|---|---|
| To protect older systems or appliances | 31% |
| To protect newer systems from future breakdowns | 22% |
| Coverage was included with a home purchase | 20% |
| For coverage after a costly repair or replacement | 20% |
| Continue coverage after a builder or seller warranty expired | 7% |
What Home Systems and Appliances Do Homeowners Prioritize Most?
Our survey also included questions about popular plan types, coverage priorities, and add-on selections. Around 69% of homeowners chose combination plans that offer whole-home protection with system and appliance coverage. By comparison, only 19% of respondents selected a system-only plan, and 11% opted for appliance-focused coverage.
In terms of individual item coverage, HVAC systems were a top priority for homeowners. About 27% of respondents chose coverage for air conditioning, and 25% added protection for their heating or furnace system. Other commonly covered systems included electrical (19%) and plumbing (12%). For appliances, nearly 51% choose refrigerator coverage, while 23% added protection for their range, oven, or cooktop.
| Most Commonly Covered Systems | Percent of Survey Respondents |
|---|---|
| Air conditioning | 27% |
| Heating or furnace | 25% |
| Electrical system | 19% |
| Plumbing | 12% |
We also asked which add-ons homeowners bought to supplement their base coverage. About 40% of respondents added roof-leak protection, making it the most popular option. The next most common add-ons were water or sewer line coverage outside their home (28%), extra appliance protection (27%), and additional home system coverage (25%). Nearly 24% of homeowners didn’t select any add-ons, suggesting satisfaction with their baseline coverage or budgetary constraints.
How Much Does a Home Warranty Cost?
Typical home warranty costs vary based on several factors, including your location, the plan you choose, and any add-on features. About 23% of respondents said pricing was a key factor when shopping for a home warranty. Our survey showed that monthly home warranty charges, including base plan premiums and optional add-ons, most often fall between $100 and $200, with $200 being reported most frequently. However, only 46% of respondents opted for a monthly premium. Nearly 54% chose an annual plan instead, with average rates around $1,200, though total costs ranged from $500–$1,500 per year.
We also asked about service call fees, which policyholders pay each time a technician visits for a repair or replacement. The most commonly reported service call fee was $75. Overall, reported fees most often fell between $50 and $100, though some respondents reported higher rates. Most home warranty companies offer multiple service fee options, typically between $75 and $125.
Homeowner Insights
- Most home warranty plans cost between $100 and $200 a month, which includes base pricing and optional add-ons. Homeowners also reported paying an average service call fee of $75 per use.
Top Home Warranty Providers
We asked survey participants about their current home warranty provider, and American Home Shield was the most popular choice, selected by 41% of respondents. Choice Home Warranty and First American Home Warranty were the next common selections (10% each). Notably, five of the companies most frequently chosen by homeowners in our survey also appear on our list of top-rated home warranty providers.
| Home Warranty Provider | Percent of Survey Respondents |
|---|---|
| American Home Shield | 41% |
| Choice Home Warranty | 10% |
| First American Home Warranty | 10% |
| Liberty Home Guard | 7% |
| AFC Home Warranty | 4% |
| ARW Home (American Residential Warranty) | 4% |
| HomeServe | 4% |
Provider Satisfaction
Our survey also explored each homeowner’s satisfaction with their current provider and any long-term coverage plans. About 83% of respondents said they were either very satisfied or satisfied with their current plan. Among the 2,000 homeowners surveyed, 88% said they plan to renew their contract when it ends, while 12% don’t plan to renew.
Among homeowners who don’t plan to renew, cost was the most commonly cited reason, with 28% saying their plan is too expensive. Other homeowners said they have had poor claims experiences and or want to switch to a different provider, with each reason cited by 26% of respondents. A smaller share, 18%, reported they no longer need coverage.
Claims Experience and Satisfaction
To gain more insight into the claims experience, we focused our survey on homeowners who have previously filed a claim. Nearly 59% of respondents said they have submitted a claim within the past year, while 42% reported filing a claim within the last five years. According to our survey results, about 49% of recent claims were submitted for a system repair or replacement. Nearly 40% were for appliance-related issues, and 9% involved a covered add-on item.
Positive Claims Experiences
An overwhelming 90% of homeowners reported that their home warranty provider approved their claim. Nearly half of respondents said their repairs were resolved within one week or less, while another 29% reported resolution timelines of 2–3 weeks.
Regarding outcomes, 44% of policyholders received a repair, while 39% had an item fully replaced. An additional 15% were issued a cash payout instead of a repair or replacement. Overall, nearly 89% of respondents said they were very satisfied or satisfied with the outcome of their most recent claim, while 7% reported feeling neutral about their claim resolution.
Negative Claims Experiences
For the remaining claims experiences, nearly 4% were denied, and another 6% were still pending at the time of the survey. Among denied claims, the most common reasons were preexisting conditions and items not covered under the plan, each cited by nearly 29% of respondents. Other reasons included repair costs exceeding coverage limits (20%) and items disqualified due to lack of maintenance (13%).
Even among approved claims, a small share of homeowners reported dissatisfaction. About 2% said they were dissatisfied, and another 2% said they were very dissatisfied with their claim outcome.
Homeowner Insights
- While overall satisfaction with claims outcomes remains high, cost and claims experiences influence policy renewal decisions. Homeowners who don’t plan to renew coverage most often cited pricing concerns, dissatisfaction with claims outcomes, or plans to switch providers.
Regional Insights on Home Warranty
Home warranty experiences vary widely by region, shaping how homeowners obtain coverage, prioritize systems, and evaluate claim outcomes. Our survey data highlights several distinct regional trends across the country.
Midwest homeowners typically purchased home warranties to protect heating and furnace systems, which were a top priority in the region. Claim denials were split between items not being covered and repair costs exceeding coverage limits. Claims were resolved through a balanced mix of repairs and replacements, closely aligning with national outcomes.
Northeast homeowners placed the greatest importance on heating and furnace coverage and were more likely to purchase add-ons like roof-leak protection, septic, sewer, and additional appliance coverage. Among homeowners who don’t plan to renew their plan, switching to another provider was cited more often than cost. Most claims were resolved through replacements, and preexisting conditions were the leading cause of denials, contributing to higher dissatisfaction.
The South had the largest share of newer construction homes. Air conditioning coverage was the top system priority, followed by electrical systems. While renewal intent remained strong, homeowners who don’t plan to renew most often cited poor claims experiences, with cost playing a secondary role.
Respondents in the West were nearly evenly split between owning older homes and new homeowners, with properties under 20 years old making up a slightly larger share. Air conditioning was the top system priority, and roof-leak protection and additional appliance coverage stood out among add-ons. Among non-renewers, switching providers was the most common reason, followed by cost concerns and a perceived lack of need for coverage.
Common Trends in the Home Warranty Industry
Our survey highlighted several consistent patterns in how homeowners purchase, use, and evaluate home warranty coverage. Compared with our 2025 survey, the 2026 results reflect gradual shifts in homeowner expectations, particularly around preventive protection, add-on decision-making, and perceptions about the claims process.
Home Warranties Help with Future Planning
Home warranties have long been linked to older homes and aging systems, but our 2026 survey shows that homeowners are using coverage more broadly. While most respondents live in pre-owned homes, results were nearly evenly split between homes under 20 years old and those over 20 years old. Many homeowners also said they purchased coverage to protect newer systems, suggesting that warranties are increasingly seen as a way to plan for future repairs and avoid unexpected costs, not just to fix aging items.
Add-Ons Cover Items Homeowners Worry About Most
When homeowners choose add-ons, they focus on areas where they feel extra protection is most needed. Rather than adding everything available, many respondents selected coverage for items they viewed as higher risk or less likely to be included in a standard plan. At the same time, nearly one in four homeowners skipped add-ons altogether, suggesting that expanded coverage is often a thoughtful choice based on personal needs and budget.
Most Claims Result in Repairs or Replacements
Filing a claim remains central to the home warranty experience, with many homeowners reporting recent system- or appliance-related claims. For most respondents, claims followed expected resolution paths, typically resulting in a repair or replacement. These outcomes suggest that, for the majority of homeowners, the claims process functions as intended and provides value when issues occur.
Denied Claims Matter
Only a small number of homeowners reported having a claim denied, but those experiences still shape how coverage is viewed. When denials occurred, they were most often due to coverage limitations, preexisting conditions, or repair costs exceeding plan limits. This highlights the importance of clear coverage details, since even infrequent denials can influence satisfaction and renewal decisions.
Is a Home Warranty Worth It?
A home warranty is a worthwhile investment for many homeowners, particularly those looking to manage the cost of unexpected repairs. While owners of older homes continue to benefit from coverage for aging systems and appliances, our survey shows that homeowners in newer and pre-owned homes alike are using warranties to plan ahead and reduce future repair risk. Air conditioning and heating systems remained the most important coverage priorities, followed by electrical and plumbing systems.
Claims outcomes were largely positive among surveyed homeowners. About 90% of claims were approved, with most issues resolved through a repair or replacement. These outcomes contributed to strong overall satisfaction, with more than 83% of respondents reporting they were satisfied or very satisfied with their home warranty plan. For homeowners seeking predictability and protection against costly system and appliance failures, a home warranty can offer peace of mind and a valuable financial safety net.
Our Survey Methodology
In January 2026, we surveyed 2,000 homeowners nationwide using Pollfish to learn more about the consumer home warranty market. Respondents included current home warranty plan holders who had filed a claim within the past five years, representing a range of ages, genders, and home types. The survey explored why homeowners purchase warranties, what features mattered most when shopping, and general satisfaction levels. We also gathered data on each respondent’s preferred provider, coverage priorities, plan choices, and monthly costs.
