Single-family homes aren’t the only residences that can benefit from home warranty coverage. Condos have plenty of costly appliances and systems that need coverage in case you find yourself in a pinch. We recommend American Home Shield, First American Home Warranty, and AFC Home Warranty as top-tier home warranty providers for condos.
Home warranty coverage differs between single-family homes and condominiums. With condos, repairs are usually split between the HOA and the condo owner. The HOA usually covers common areas, exterior walls, roofs, and amenities. You, as the owner, are responsible for repairs inside of your unit, such as plumbing, appliances, and electrical systems. Because the HOA offers coverage for some repairs, condo warranties typically offer less comprehensive protection than a single-home plan, resulting in lower monthly premiums.
What You Need to Know
- First American Home Warranty is the only provider on this list offering a lower monthly cost specifically for condos.
- Home warranties in the U.S. cost $56 per month on average. Condo plans on this list range from $20–$70 per month.
- Nearly 41% of our 2,000 survey respondents purchased a home warranty plan from American Home Shield, our top provider pick for condos.
Compare Home Warranty Companies for Condos
After reviewing dozens of top-rated home warranty companies offering condo warranties, we picked five that we believe offer the best coverage. We contacted each company to gather custom quotes and confirm service fees for a 793-square-foot condo in Venice, Florida.
The following table compares condo home warranty costs, as well as other key factors you should consider.
| Provider | Our Score (Out of 5) | Service Fee Cost | State Availability | Response Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
$100–$125 | 49 states (ex. AK) | Up to 48 hours | ||
$100–$125 | 35 states | 4–48 hours | ||
$75–$125 | 48 states (ex. CA & HI) | 24-48 hours | ||
$70 ($150 for after hours and weekends) | 47 states (ex. CA, TX, & WI) | Up to 48 hours | ||
$65–$125 | All 50 states | Up to 48 hours |
Our Review of the Best Condo Home Warranty Companies
Below, we break down the most important features of our top five condo home warranty companies.
- American Home Shield: Best Comprehensive Coverage
- First American Home Warranty: Best for High-End Items
- AFC Home Warranty: Best Technician Flexibility
- Elite Home Warranty: Best for Flexible Coverage
- Liberty Home Guard: Best Customer Support
American Home Shield
Monthly Cost: $20–$70
Service Fee: $100–$125
Coverage Overview
- Three plan options: ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, and ShieldPlatinum
- Six add-ons available
- 30-day workmanship guarantee
- Coverage for preexisting conditions
- Condo coverage caps: $50,000 total coverage limit for all plans
- Systems: $5,000
- Appliances: $2,000–$4,000
Keep in Mind
- You usually cannot choose your own service technician with AHS.
- It doesn’t offer an appliance-only plan.
Our Review and Insights
American Home Shield (AHS) is a strong contender due to its comprehensive coverage, including coverage for old or damaged items, and its low premiums for its basic plan. AHS also doesn’t require maintenance records for claims approval. This can be ideal for someone moving into a condo with older appliances.
When gathering quotes for AHS plans, we found no difference between quotes for condos and single-family homes. One of our other top providers, First American Home Warranty, offers lower costs for condo coverage. Below is the cost breakdown of each AHS plan for a condo.
AHS still offers the most affordable basic plan of all the providers on this list. Additionally, people who own multiple condos can get a discount if they want coverage for all their properties.
Note that some companies, such as Elite Home Warranty, offer a more affordable service fee. You also can’t typically pick your own service technician with AHS, which can be a considerable disadvantage if you already have a relationship with a handyman in your area.
Customer Experiences
American Home Shield has 1.96 out of 5 stars out of over 9,000 reviews on the Better Business Bureau (BBB). Many reviewers express frustration over delayed repairs and poor customer service. It’s worth noting, though, that dissatisfied customers tend to be more vocal than satisfied ones.
“This company does not strive to repair or resolve your issue. They give you the runaround, send inexperienced technicians to your home, and pass your call around to different customer service representatives.” —Marilyn T., via BBB in 2024
AHS fares better on Trustpilot, with 3.6 out of 5 stars from over 8,000 reviews. Many reviewers praise AHS technicians for their fast service.
“I was contacted immediately when I put in my service request. The company they sent there immediately was very professional and courteous but must of all got the work done timely. Everything was great. I have nothing but praise for American Home Shield.” —Renna K., via Trustpilot in 2024
First American Home Warranty
Monthly Cost: $37–$68
Service Fee: $125–$175
Coverage Overview
- Three plan options: Starter Plan, Essential Plan, and Premium Plan
- Seven optional add-ons
- 30-day workmanship guarantee
- Condo coverage caps:
- Systems: Unlimited
- Appliances: $3,500–$7,000
- Ductwork: $1,000
Keep in Mind
- It doesn’t cover ACs, washers, or dryers in its lowest plan.
- FAHW is the only provider on this list offering lower monthly prices for condos.
Our Review and Insights
First American Home Warranty (FAHW) offers three condo plan options. When we got another quote for a home (in the same ZIP code), prices jumped to $42, $57, and $77 per month. Even though FAHW offers more affordable condo plans, they aren’t the most budget-friendly home warranty option. AFC Warranty, for example, offers lower-cost plans overall.
Below is our quote for a condo in Venice, Florida. We chose the $125 service fee, which results in a cheaper monthly cost. We appreciate the option to choose how much to pay for the fee.
Customer Experiences
First American Home Warranty has a strong reputation on Trustpilot, with 4.1 out of 5 stars from more than 15,500 reviews. Many reviewers express satisfaction with FAHW’s fast repairs and professional service.
“FAHW handled my claim with professionalism and was able to get the contractor in a timely manner to address the issue. I’ve had FAHW for 5yrs now and will continue to have them as a warranty provider.” —Felix R. via Trustpilot in 2024
However, FAHW has only 1.83 out of 5 stars out of over 1,500 reviews on BBB. Many reviewers express frustration with delayed repairs and denied claims.
“We have been fighting with them for almost 6 months on a claim for an electrical box replacement. They keep denying saying it was an upgrade when the electrician clearly indicated it was a replacement.” —Joseph N. via BBB in 2024
Monthly Cost: $34–$65
Service Fee: $75–$125
Coverage Overview
- Three plan options: Gold, Diamond, Platinum
- Eight optional add-ons
- Free credit monitoring and family emergency services
- Condo coverage caps:
- Appliances: $150–$3,000
- Systems: $150–$1,000 (unlimited for most HVAC)
Keep in Mind
- AFC has a one- to three-year workmanship guarantee (life of the plan).
- It doesn’t cover items with unknown preexisting conditions.
Our Review and Insights
AFC Home Warranty offers three discounted plans (around 20% off) and the longest workmanship guarantee on our list. Most providers offer a guarantee of 30–90 days. This means that if a repair doesn’t hold up within the set number of days, the company will send another technician for free. We like that, unlike most providers, AFC lets you choose your own technician.
A one- to three-year workmanship guarantee ensures repairs will be done properly and that you won’t need to pay extra service fees. We got a custom quote from AFC, but the representative said the company doesn’t offer lower costs for condos. Still, AFC plans are affordable compared to some others on this list.
The quote below is for a condo in Venice, Florida, with a $125 service fee.
Customer Experiences
AFC Home Warranty has 3.44 out of 5 stars from over 200 reviews on BBB. Many positive reviews mention the easy sign-up process and friendly representatives. None of the recent positive reviews covered the actual claims process.
“I called today to change the warranty to a new property. The representative was very informative and told me about new options and went over all pricing. I decided to stay with the existing plan and she took care of all the details. It was very easy.” —Michael S. via BBB in 2024
AFC has 1.8 out of 5 stars from more than 40 reviews on Trustpilot. Many negative reviews mention denied claims and slow repairs.
“I have had the platinum plan under this company for a couple of years now. I also have a number of add-ons to get superior coverage. Out of all of the claims I have made through them, they have covered ZERO.” —Atar, P. via Trustpilot in 2024
Monthly Cost: $45–$60
Service Fee: $70
Coverage Overview
- Three plan options: Elite Appliances, Elite Systems, and Elite Complete
- 33 optional add-ons
- 90-day workmanship guarantee
- Condo coverage caps:
- Appliances: $500–$3,000
- Systems: $750–$4,000
Keep in Mind
- Elite will not cover claims for air conditioning, heating systems, or water heaters for the first 90 days.
- It charges a $150 copayment fee for service on the weekend, after hours, or for high-end appliances or add-on items.
Our Review and Insights
Elite Home Warranty doesn’t have an online quote tool, so we had to call for condo costs. We were quoted $45, $50, and $60 for plans in Venice, Florida. EHW offers an impressive 33 add-ons. It also has an affordable $70 service fee.
We appreciate Elite’s 90-day workmanship guarantee, which is longer than most providers, with the exception of AFC Home Warranty. Still, it’s important to note that Elite charges a hefty $150 fee for certain appliances and weekend or after-hours services. You also won’t have coverage for your air conditioner, heating system, or water heater within the first 90 days.
Customer Experiences
Elite Home Warranty boasts above-average ratings on Trustpilot and BBB. It has 4.2 out of 5 stars with over 100 reviews on Trustpilot. A large portion of reviewers praise the easy claim process and customer service.
“Great service from beginning to end. We suggested a couple of electrical companies in our area and Elite contacted one of them. They came out the same day. Electricians had to diagnose where the problem was and trace all the outlets & wall switches. Elite paid the hefty diagnosis fee. After a few hours, the problem was solved & everything was fixed!” —Ruth via Trustpilot in 2024
Elite has a star rating of 4.85 out of 5 from over 500 reviews on the BBB. While reviews are generally positive, some mention claim denials.
“I had really high hopes for this warranty company, and had a good experience the first time I used them- but it has gone downhill from there. My policy says that ceiling fans are covered, but they won’t fix a broken switch (even though the policy literally says switches and controls are covered.)” —Drew C. via BBB in 2024
Monthly Cost: $50–$60
Service Fee: $65–$125
Coverage Overview
- Three plan options: Appliance Guard, Systems Guard, and Total Home Guard
- 42 add-ons available
- 60-day workmanship guarantee
- Condo coverage caps:
- Appliances and Systems: $2,000 ($500 for plumbing and electrical)
Keep in Mind
- Some luxury brands, such as KitchenAid, Smeg, and Bosch, are excluded from coverage.
- LHG’s $80 service fee is only available if you sign up over the phone.
Our Review and Insights
Liberty Home Guard (LHG) has a drop-down to choose a condominium for a quote, but the price remains the same when compared to a single-family home quote. While many providers’ basic plans cost between $20 and $34, LHG’s basic plan is $50. You can also only get LHG’s $80 service fee over the phone.
Below is our quote for a condo in Venice, Florida, with the $125 service fee.
Condo owners looking for extra coverage and discounts may appreciate LHG’s 42 add-on options and its $250 discount (advertised online at the time of writing). Annual plans also come with two months of free coverage.
Customer Experiences
Liberty Home Guard has strong ratings from Trustpilot and BBB, indicating customers are generally satisfied with its services. LHG has a rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars from over 5,000 reviews on Trustpilot. Many positive reviews mention service technicians and customer service.
“LHG was very responsive to my issue with a broken dishwasher. They tried to get it repaired but finally replaced it since it was past its life expectancy. The people I talked to LHG were very helpful and responsive, including Nia who made sure that I was happy with the completed installation.” —Curtis U. via Trustpilot in 2024
LHG has a star rating of 4.38 out of 5 from over 2,000 reviews on the BBB. While reviews are generally positive, some mention LHG’s delayed repairs and low reimbursement options.
“The water heater went out five days ago and there’s still no end in sight. When you talk to someone, they send an email to another department which takes another 24 to 48 hours to respond. Still trying to get them to replace my water heater with the same kind as they have only authorized $550 reimbursement when my water heater costs in excess of $1200.” —Susan T. via BBB in 2024
Which Parts of Your Condo Does a Home Warranty Cover?
A home warranty plan covers most basic systems and appliances in a condo, such as ovens or heating systems. However, home warranties do not cover repairs or replacements for common areas, roofs, exterior walls, or shared amenities.
We researched common system and appliance issues in condos to determine which home warranty coverage matters most. Criterium Engineers, a leading consulting engineering firm, evaluates more than 15,000 buildings each year, many of which are condos. Its team found more problems in new condo buildings than in older condos, with many units having issues with plumbing, HVAC systems, and ductwork.
Here is a list of crucial condo components that our top home warranty providers cover with their most comprehensive plans (lower-tier plans also cover some components):
- Ductwork
- Heating systems
- HVAC systems
- Ovens
- Plumbing
Cost of Condo Coverage
Condo home warranty coverage from providers on our list costs between $20 and $70 per month. Many providers will also let you choose to pay annual premiums instead. Keep in mind that spending money on premiums can save you thousands of dollars of out-of-pocket expenses.
Below are the average costs of repairs or replacements for appliances or systems commonly found in condominiums.
| Appliance/System | Average Repair Cost* | Average Replacement Cost* |
|---|---|---|
| Heating system | $350 | $2,550 |
| Air conditioning | $290 | $2,500 |
| Kitchen appliances | $288 | $875 |
| Plumbing | $175 | $750 |
| Garbage disposal | $93 | $349 |
*Cost data from Blue Ribbon Home Warranty
Reading the Fine Print of Your Condo Coverage Plan
Your home warranty plan’s fine print will break down important coverage exclusions. Reading the fine print before purchasing a plan helps avoid surprises or claim denials.
Common Exclusions in Fine Print
- Some home warranty providers won’t allow you to choose your own service contractor.
- Each system or appliance usually has a maximum coverage cap.
- Many plans won’t cover preexisting conditions.
- Some providers limit coverage for the first 30–90 days.
- Several providers won’t cover appliances they consider “luxuries,” such as KitchenAid, Smeg, or Bosch.
This isn’t an exhaustive list of potential exclusions. Read your condo’s home warranty plan before signing the paperwork to confirm any potential exclusions or fees.
How To Choose the Right Home Warranty Company
Generally, conducting your own research for personalized quotes and meticulously reading the fine print are the best ways to find the right home warranty company. Below are three tips to help guarantee you’re choosing the right home warranty company for your condo.
- Write down every system and appliance you need coverage for. Compare this list to each warranty plan’s coverage options. Remember, some companies have a wide range of add-ons to consider on top of the standard plan.
- Read the fine print of your top companies. Are there any deal-breaker exclusions? Does the company allow you to choose your own service technician? Do they charge fees for luxury appliances or after-hours services?
- Confirm your budget. Then, see which plan best suits you. Each home warranty company charges a monthly fee and a service fee per repair. Once you have your top company, make sure you can afford the costs long-term.
How We Evaluated Home Warranty Providers on Condo Coverage
Below is an outline of our research methodology and scoring criteria that we used to choose top home warranty providers that offer condo coverage.
Our Rating System
To gain an accurate and well-rounded understanding of condo home warranty plans, we researched top companies, spoke with industry experts, combed through service contracts, secret-shopped providers, surveyed thousands of customers, and interviewed real home warranty owners.
Using this research, our team developed a detailed methodology to score each company on six categories: coverage (35%), cost (20%), trustworthiness (15%), plan transparency (10%), customer support (10%), and flexibility (10%).
When analyzing home warranty plans for condo owners, we considered these key factors:
- Price: We considered home warranty providers that offer condo coverage at a low monthly cost. If the plan cost more than $70 per month, we didn’t consider it. We also gave higher scores to providers with lower service fees.
- Coverage: Condos have systems and appliances found in most single-story homes. Home warranty plans with a wide range of coverage and add-on options were ranked higher than others.
- Customer service: Coverage and price mean nothing if a company’s customer service is poor. We awarded providers with high ratings on third-party reviewer websites, such as Trustpilot.
