A home warranty is a service contract between you and a provider that covers repair costs on selected major appliances and home systems (such as air conditioning). Home warranties typically cover breakdowns due to routine wear and tear.
The This Old House Reviews Team researched dozens of home warranty companies on a variety of factors, including coverage plans and pricing, to help you find the best home warranty for your home.
Best Home Warranty Companies of 2023
The home warranty companies with the best ratings include the following:
- Liberty Home Guard: Best Customer Ratings (Read more)
- American Home Shield: Best for Comprehensive Coverage (Read more)
- Select Home Warranty: Best Value (Read more)
- America’s First Choice Home Club: Best for Customization (Read more)
- First American Home Warranty: Best Appliance Coverage (Read more)
- Cinch Home Services: Best Additional Perks (Read more)
- 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty: Cheapest Appliance Plan (Read more)
- The Home Service Club: Quickest Coverage (Read more)
- ARW Home: Affordable Service Call Fees (Read more)
Summary of the Best Home Warranty Companies
Liberty Home Guard: Best Customer Ratings
Liberty Home Guard (LHG) earned 87 out of 100 points in our rating system.
$200 Off + 1 Month Free + Free Roof Coverage
American Home Shield: Best for Comprehensive Coverage
American Home Shield (AHS) has a high rating based on our home warranty review methodology with 94 out of 100 available points.
Limited Offer: Get $50 Off!
Select Home Warranty: Best Value
Select Home Warranty scored 89 out of 100 in our review standards, and it offers the best value out of the home warranty companies we reviewed.
Use Code HOUSE25 for $150 Off & 2 Months Free
America’s First Choice Home Club: Best for Customization
America’s First Choice Home Club (AFC Home Club) made it onto our list thanks to its customization options for add-ons and its four distinct plans. In our review standards, the company earned a score of 90 out of 100.
$200 off + free roof leak coverage + lifetime parts and labor guarantee!
First American Home Warranty: Best Appliance Coverage
First American Home Warranty earned 93 out of 100 points in our review standards.
$100 Instant Online Discount
Cinch Home Services: Best Additional Perks
Cinch Home Services (CHS) earned 88 out of 100 points in our review standards.
First Two Months Free on All Plans (Exclusions Apply)
2-10 Home Buyers Warranty: Cheapest Appliance Plan
2-10 Home Buyers Warranty earned 93 out of 100 available points in our rating system.
Learn More: 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty Review
Free Quote: Get your quote from 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty
The Home Service Club: Quickest Coverage
The Home Service Club (HSC) is another solid provider that offers speedy claims processing, unique add-on coverage, and coverage for working systems and appliances regardless of age, make, or model. HSC scored 78 out of 100 points in our review standards.
ARW Home: Affordable Service Call Fees
ARW Home (formerly known as American Residential Warranty) scored 74 out of 100 in our rating system.
Our Conclusion
The best home warranty company for you depends on your unique coverage needs and budget. Your home is one of your most valuable assets—it deserves a reputable warranty provider to help keep your appliances and home systems running smoothly. It’s important to choose a home warranty company that offers excellent customer service, comprehensive coverage for the items you have in your home, and affordable plans and service call fees.
We recommend Liberty Home Guard due to its $2,000 coverage cap per covered item, extensive add-on selections, and its quality customer reputation. If LHG isn’t the perfect fit for you, First American Home Warranty is a top pick for added appliance protection if you have a long list of appliances you want included in coverage. Similarly, American Home Shield is another top recommendation for its generous coverage, flexible contractor options, and customizable service fee.
Before making your final choice, we recommend getting at least three quotes to ensure you find the best price and home protection plan for you. Once you’ve received your personalized quotes, we suggest carefully reading and comparing the service contracts to choose the one that has the best coverage and service for your budget and home.
How To Choose the Best Home Warranty
Use these tips to find the best home warranty for your specific coverage needs:
- Determine your coverage needs: Determine which items in your home you want to protect before deciding on a plan. Many companies have plans that cover appliances only, plans that cover systems only, and plans that cover both systems and appliances.
- Request multiple quotes: Request quotes from at least three providers before making your final decision. Timothy Meenan, JD, who serves as executive director and general counsel for the Service Contract Industry Council (SCIC), recommends that homeowners shop around because there may be another provider with similar coverage at a lower price. He noted that providers are competitive and “trying to do things better, faster, cheaper, and give more consumer choice.”
- Read sample contracts: Comparing contract details for several home warranty providers is a great way to determine which home warranty is best for your needs. All home warranty companies provide a sample contract, which details home warranty coverage limits, exclusions, and the provider’s claims process.
Are Home Warranties Worth It?
Home warranties are worth it if you aren’t financially prepared for unpredictable repairs and replacements for your most-used appliances and home systems. When we surveyed 1,000 homeowners in 2021, we found that more than 74% of respondents had spent at least $400 on a home repair, and 27% of these homeowners spent more than $1,000 on a repair. Home warranties can help defray these expenses and give you peace of mind. According to House Method’s analysis of the average cost of a home warranty in every state, the annual price of a plan generally falls in the range of $600–$800 no matter where you live, making it likely that you will come out ahead if you unexpectedly need to repair or replace a major system or appliance.
However, if you have a significant financial nest egg set aside for home repairs or your appliances and systems are protected by manufacturers’ or installation warranties, a home warranty isn’t going to be worth it for you. Home warranty contracts stipulate that any item currently covered by another warranty is not covered.
Learn More: Are Home Warranties Worth It?
How Do Home Warranties Work?
When a home system or major appliance breaks down due to normal wear and tear, you can call your home warranty company to file a claim or submit a service request online. Your company will respond to your service request within a specified timeframe, which is typically less than 48 hours. If a contractor can’t be located within this time frame, the company may allow you to choose an approved contractor of your choice.
After the company responds to your request, it will forward your claim to an approved contractor who will schedule with you directly. At this initial visit, the technician will access, diagnose, and determine whether the malfunction is the result of a covered issue. Minor repairs will typically be completed during this initial visit if the claim is approved, while other repairs or replacements may require an additional visit to order the necessary parts.
It’s typical for home warranty companies to offer at least a 30-day workmanship guarantee after they’ve completed a covered repair. This guarantee means your contractor will assess the issue and provide service without an additional service charge if the item breaks down again after the initial repair.
Learn More: How Does A Home Warranty Work?
How Much Does a Home Warranty Cost?
A home warranty typically costs $465 to $760 per year, according to quotes we’ve requested from providers across the nation. It’s important to factor in service fees when determining the price of your home warranty. These charges are an added cost each time your home needs repairs and replacements. The range of service call fees typically falls within $65 to $125.
According to our research on more than 57 home warranty companies, only 12 home warranty companies allow you to choose your own service call fee. Lower service fees can make your monthly fees more expensive, which is an important consideration if you plan on making several service requests throughout your home warranty term. However, if you choose a higher service fee, your monthly cost will likely be lower. Just remember that when you choose a high service fee, you’ll pay more for a technician’s visit.
Learn More: How Much Does a Home Warranty Cost?
More Home Warranty Information
Frequently Asked Questions About Home Warranties
How Do I Find the Best Home Warranty Company in My State?
Find in-depth reviews on the best home warranty companies for each state below.
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Related Resources
We’ve done extensive research on the best home warranty companies across the country and have compiled easy-to-digest guides and comparisons:
More on Home Warranties
- How Much Does a Home Warranty Cost?
- How Does a Home Warranty Work?
- Home Warranty vs. Home Insurance
- Residential Service Contract
- Cheapest Home Warranty Companies
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Our Rating Methodology
The This Old House Reviews Team backs up our home warranty ratings and recommendations with a detailed rating methodology to objectively score each provider. We conduct research by speaking with company representatives, requesting quotes, analyzing sample contracts from each company, and conducting focus groups and consumer surveys. We then score each provider against our review standards for coverage, value, trustworthiness and transparency, availability, and customer service to arrive at a final score out of 100.
To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our Reviews Team at reviews@thisoldhousereviews.com.