The Best Home Appliance Insurance (2023)

Home appliance insurance, also called a “home warranty,” covers your home’s frequently used appliances. In addition, it protects major systems for complete home coverage. Most home warranty providers offer appliance-only plans, which makes them a suitable choice once the manufacturer’s warranties expire on your major appliances. In this guide, we’ll discuss home appliance insurance, how coverage works, and how to find the best home warranty companies for you and your home.

*Ratings are accurate as of May 2023.

When comparing each provider, our team considered available plans, customer service, the number of covered appliances, and response time. We also factored in the total amount of covered appliances before making our recommendations. Our top five home appliance insurance providers are the following:

• American Home Shield: Best for Comprehensive Coverage
• Liberty Home Guard: Best Customer Ratings
• Select Home Warranty: Best Value
• First American Home Warranty: Best Appliance Coverage
• America’s First Choice Home Club: Best for Customization

The table below compares our home appliance insurance picks. Note that you can pay for your home warranty monthly or annually. The table’s cost data is based on our national average. To obtain the national average, our team pulled quotes in more than 20 states from our top six providers using a 2,000-square-foot, single-family home. We highlighted monthly costs in the table for easy comparison.

Below is a detailed overview of the top home appliance insurance providers we analyzed. We called the providers’ customer service departments, interacted with their websites, and read their sample contracts to highlight their benefits and drawbacks. 

Note: We obtained all pricing information below by pulling quotes for a 2,606-square-foot, single-family home in Austin, Texas. Your monthly premiums may vary based on your home’s location, size, type, plan, and add-on selections.

American Home Shield

American Home Shield (AHS) scored 4.7 out of 5 stars in our rating system. It offers comprehensive coverage and high coverage caps. It’s one of the industry’s most experienced home warranty providers and serves all states except Alaska and Hawaii.

AHS’s coverage for appliances is generous compared to other providers. The company will cover up to $2,000 per appliance in the ShieldGold plan. AHS doubles its coverage limit to $4,000 per appliance with the ShieldPlatinum Plan. It also covers unknown preexisting conditions, improper installation, modification, and items damaged by rust and corrosion.

Plans and Coverage

American Home Shield offers three plan options, two of which cover appliances. Unlike other providers, it does not offer an appliance-only plan option. Instead, it bundles appliance coverage with home systems. The ShieldGold and ShieldPlatinum plans offer appliance coverage, such as cooktops, clothes dryers, and doorbells. The ShieldPlatinum plan increases appliance coverage caps and includes roof-leak protection and code violations. 

You can compare the coverage of the ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, and ShieldPlatinum plans in the table below. We pulled all plan information after pulling a quote and reading the company’s sample contract.

Plan Costs

Our team called a representative who stated that American Home Shield allows you to choose from a $100 or $125 service call fee. The higher your service call fee, the lower your annual premium. The representative also mentioned that AHS doesn’t offer an annual premium discount or benefit. Other providers do, so AHS might not be the best fit for you if you need affordable coverage. Here is a pricing breakdown of American Home Shield coverage:

• ShieldSilver: $29.99–$39.99 per month
• ShieldGold: $49.99–$59.99 per month
• ShieldPlatinum: $79.99–$89.99 per month

Learn More: American Home Shield Review
Free Quote: Get your quote from American Home Shield

Liberty Home Guard

Liberty Home Guard (LHG) earned 4.4 out of 5 stars in our rating system. It stands out from its competitors by offering a responsive customer support service through live chat. We used LHG’s live chat feature and found it offers support 24/7. In our experience, a representative connects with you in less than a minute. LHG offers a unique list of additional coverage options, such as sump pump protection and pest control. 

LHG covers up to $2,000 per appliance. You can even elect coverage for pro-series appliances, which other home warranty providers exclude. Additionally, Liberty Home Guard is one of the few providers that offers coverage in all 50 states.

Plans and Coverage

LHG offers three home warranty plans, two of which cover appliances up to $2,000 per item. The Appliance Guard plan covers standard and kitchen appliances only. The Total Home Guard plan bundles covered items from the Appliance and Systems Guard plans. 

You can compare each plan’s coverage in the table below:

Plan Costs

Liberty Home Guard assigns a service call fee that ranges from $65 to $125 based on your home’s size and type, your location, and your plan selections. When we pulled a quote using LHG’s online tool, we found it offers two months of extra coverage when you choose an annual premium. Below is a pricing breakdown for Liberty Home Guard coverage:

• Appliance Guard: $49.99 per month
• Systems Guard: $54.99 per month
• Total Home Guard: $59.99 per month

Learn More: Liberty Home Guard Review
Free Quote: Get your quote from Liberty Home Guard

Select Home Warranty

Select Home Warranty (SHW) offers home protection at an affordable price point. All its plans are less than $50 per month and include $400 roof-leak coverage. Select also offers a low service call fee. For these reasons, the company scored 4.2 out of 5 stars in our rating system. 

Plans and Coverage

Select Home Warranty offers three plan options, two of which cover home appliances. Its Bronze Care and Platinum Care plans cover appliances such as exhaust fans and washing machines. The Platinum Care plan adds major systems coverage. Based on the fine print we read, Select Home Warranty may not be ideal if you own older appliances. Its $500 coverage limit is the lowest of all providers we list in this article. Consider Select if you are on a tight budget or need roof-leak coverage.

You can compare the coverage of the Bronze Care, Gold Care, and Platinum Care plans in the table below.

Plan Costs

Select Home Warranty pairs each plan with its affordable $75 service call fee. Our team discovered while secret-shopping that Select offers a $60 service call fee if you sign up for a plan over the phone. The Select representative stated it provides two months of extra coverage and a $150 discount if you choose an annual premium plan. Here is a pricing breakdown for Select Home Warranty coverage:

• Bronze Care: $44.42 per month
• Gold Care: $44.42 per month
• Platinum Care: $47.75 per month

Learn More: Select Home Warranty Review
Free Quote: Get a quote from Select Home Warranty

First American Home Warranty

First American Home Warranty is another top scorer in our rating system, earning 4.7 out of 5 stars. First American offers protection plans with a generous coverage cap of $3,500 per covered appliance. Alongside its high appliance limits, First American includes its First American Advantage upgrade in its Essential and Premium plans. This upgrade covers cosmetic defects and additional appliance components. Therefore, we distinguished First American as one of our top picks for affordable appliance protection.

The company is available in 33 states, not including Alaska, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, North Dakota, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Wisconsin.

Plans and Coverage

First American Home Warranty offers three plan options: the Starter Plan, Essential Plan, and Premium Plan. Each plan covers appliances plus a mix of essential systems, including garage-door openers, heating systems and plumbing stoppages.

You can compare the three plans in the table below.

Plan Costs

Similar to American Home Shield, First American provides flexible service call fees. Our team used First American’s quote tool and found you can choose from a $75, $100, or $125 service call fee. Your premium will increase or decrease depending on your selected service call fee. We also noted First American charges a two-dollar processing fee if you choose monthly premiums. It removes the fee with an annual premium.

Here is a pricing breakdown for First American Home Warranty coverage:

• Starter Plan: $47–$62 per month
• Essential Plan: $57–$72 per month
• Premium Plan: $72–87 per month

Learn More: First American Home Warranty Review
Free Quote: Get your quote from First American Home Warranty

America’s First Choice Home Club

We awarded America’s First Choice Home Club (AFC Home Club) 4.5 out of 5 stars. AFC Home Club is an excellent option for homeowners who want control of their policy prices. It offers three service call fees plus solid appliance coverage limits. Additionally, AFC Home Club provides an unlimited workmanship guarantee that lasts the life of your plan. 

Plans and Coverage

AFC Home Club offers four plan options: the Silver Plan, the Systems Plan, the Gold Plan, and the Platinum Plan. Three of the four plans cover major appliances. We read AFC Home Club’s sample contract to see how much coverage it provides to major appliances. We found it covers up to $3,000 per covered appliance. However, AFC Home Club pays up to an appliance’s depreciated value. This means older appliances may receive a lower reimbursement compared to older appliances.

You can compare the coverage of each plan in the table below.

Plan Costs

AFC Home Club allows you to select from its three service call fees, which consist of $75, $100, and $125 options. The higher your service call fee, the lower your annual premium.  According to the quote we pulled on AFC Home Club’s website, the company offers a $50 discount when you choose an annual premium. Here is a pricing breakdown for AFC Home Club coverage:

• Silver Plan: $41.50–$46.83 per month
• Systems Plan: $49.50–$54.83 per month
• Gold Plan: $57.50–$62.83 per month
• Platinum Plan: $62.83–$68.17 per month

Learn More: AFC Home Club Review
Free Quote: Get your quote from AFC Home Club

A home warranty is a solid option to financially protect yourself from unexpected appliance breakdowns. According to InterNACHI, a refrigerator, for example, typically lasts between nine and 13 years. A home warranty provides peace of mind if your appliances are around that age or older.

Liberty Home Guard provides an extended workmanship guarantee on all covered appliances. In addition, First American Home Warranty is a great choice for those who own high-end appliances because the provider offers generous appliance limits.

Our team created a calculator to break down the estimated annual cost of owning a home warranty. Enter your monthly premium, service call fee, and estimated number of claims to see your projected annual cost. It’s best to request a quote directly from one of our recommended providers, as annual costs and service fees vary between them.

What Does Home Appliance Insurance Cover?

Home appliance insurance is similar in name to home insurance. However, they are completely different policies. Home appliance insurance covers the normal wear and tear of appliances and systems. Home insurance covers the structural components of your home, such as your roof. Home insurance also covers perils that home appliance insurance doesn’t cover, such as storm damage. 

According to Arthur Chartrand, of counsel to the National Service Contact Association (NHSCA), home warranties are “contracts of inclusion,” and home insurance plans are “contracts of exclusion.” This means home warranties cover items a provider specifically includes in its sample contract. We recommend reviewing a home warranty’s terms and conditions before choosing a policy.

In general, home warranty companies provide a variety of plans: systems plans, appliances plans, combo plans, and build-your-own plans.

Systems plans cover:

• Air conditioning
• Ductwork
• Electrical system
• Plumbing system
• Heating system
• Water heaters

Appliances plans cover:

• Built-in microwave
• Clothes washer/dryer
• Garbage disposals
• Refrigerator
• Other important appliances

Combo plans cover:

• A combination of both systems and appliances

Build-your-own plans cover:

• Whatever systems and/or appliances the homeowners decide need coverage

How Much Does Home Appliance Insurance Cost?

Based on our research, the average cost for basic to comprehensive home warranty coverage ranges from $644 to $737. Pricing for a home warranty will depend on the company, the coverage you choose, and where you live.

While the monthly premium is usually the most expensive factor when buying a home appliance warranty, there are other costs, such as the following:

• Service call fee: You pay this fee when a service technician comes to your house to inspect a broken system or appliance. Most service fees range between $75–$125.
• Enrollment fees: Check with your potential home warranty provider to determine if they require a one-time enrollment fee upon signing up.
• Cancellation fee: If you cancel before a contract expires, you should expect to pay an early termination fee. Timothy Meenan, JD, who serves as executive director and general counsel for the Service Contract Industry Council, stated that reputable providers include a 30-day free cancellation period when you sign up. However, most providers charge a cancellation fee if you cancel after 30 days. The average cancellation fee for customers who cancel after 30 days of coverage is $75, but it can range between $25–$90, depending on the company.

We recommend getting quotes from several providers to negotiate prices and get the best deal. We also recommend asking about current home warranty offers and promotions, as some companies will offer free coverage for a couple of months.

Annual Home Warranty Cost Calculator

Our team created a calculator to break down the estimated annual cost of owning a home warranty. Enter your monthly premium, service call fee, and estimated number of claims to see your projected annual cost. It’s best to request a quote directly from one of our recommended providers, as annual costs and service fees vary between them.

Lifespan and repair cost data sourced from InterNACHI and Home Depot

How Does Home Appliance Insurance Work?

Customers can file a claim on covered systems and appliances after a standard waiting period (usually 30 days after signing a contract). The home warranty company typically takes 24 to 48 hours to approve a claim and send a contractor to your home. The time of day you file a claim also determines how soon a provider answers your service request. If the provider covers your issue per its terms and conditions, you are only responsible for paying a service call fee when the technician arrives at your home. 

What To Consider When Buying Home Appliance Insurance

Consider costs, coverage, claims processes, and customer service when purchasing home appliance insurance. We break down each of these factors below.

• Think about the coverage you need—Evaluate which items in your home need the most protection. Do you have only a few aging appliances that need protection? Do you need comprehensive coverage for both systems and appliances? Once you know which items you want to be covered, compare plans and choose an option that provides the coverage you need.
• Determine the coverage limits in your policy—Home warranty companies will set coverage limits on certain items and require homeowners to pay the remaining cost once a repair reaches the limit. For example, if there’s a $2,500 limit on air conditioning and heating for the contract term, customers are responsible for paying any costs that exceed that amount. According to Bailey Moran, Chief Operating Officer of Austin TX Realty, reading your sample contract ensures you know exactly how much coverage you have for an item.
• Figure out how the claims process works—Most home warranty providers will approve claims within 24 hours and send a contractor to inspect your appliance or system within 48 hours. However, this isn’t a guarantee among all companies, and some providers will wait as long as four days to send a contractor to help you. We recommend reading customer reviews to determine if a provider offers solid claims processing.
• Read trusted, third-party reviews—It’s a good idea to read trusted customer reviews from sites like the Better Business Bureau (BBB) before signing up for a home warranty. This gives you another perspective from consumers who have held policies with the company you’re considering. Arthur Chartrand suggests choosing a provider that is a member of the NHSCA because the organization requires companies to adhere to fair business practices.

When To Buy a Home Warranty

While consumers often purchase home warranties during real estate transactions, they can be bought anytime during homeownership. This is important for homeowners to note if they live in older homes with aging appliances. The assistance for financial support during sudden breakdowns helps policyholders protect their budgets.

One of the best times to buy home appliance insurance is when you notice your equipment is beginning to age—not after it starts experiencing problems.

Here are the average life expectancy ranges for the most common home appliances:

• Clothes washer and dryer: 5–15 years
• Dishwasher: 9 years
• Freezer: 10–20 years
• Oven: 10–18 years
• Range: 15–17 years
• Refrigerator: 9–13 years

Note: Appliance life expectancy figures sourced from InterNACHI

Whether you own older or high-end appliances, a home warranty protects your essential items for a minimal monthly fee. We recommend Liberty Home Guard due to its lengthy workmanship guarantee and focus on customer service. First American Home Warranty is a solid choice because of its comprehensive appliance limits. Finally, consider American Home Shield for its rust, corrosion, and sediment damage coverage. We suggest pulling quotes from three providers to compare plan costs and options. 

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 on a 5-point rating scale. 

To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our Reviews Team at reviews@thisoldhousereviews.com.