Best Home Warranty Companies in Maryland
Home warranty coverage can help make homeownership less stressful, whether you live near Ocean City’s beaches or in Baltimore. These service contracts cover repair or replacement costs when your major systems or appliances malfunction from regular wear. We’ve researched and compiled the best home warranty companies in Maryland so you can enjoy homeownership without worry.
Maryland’s Top 4 Home Warranty Companies
The highest-rated Maryland home warranty companies include the following:
- American Home Shield: Best Coverage Caps
- 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
Summary of the Best Home Warranty Companies in Maryland
The table below shows how the top home warranty companies in Florida compare. We highlighted the monthly cost, service fee, response time, and BBB rating of each provider to help you decide which is best for you.
| Best For | Monthly Cost | Service Fee | Response Time | BBB Rating | Link | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Liberty Home Guard | | Best Customer Ratings | $49–$59 | $65–$125 | Up to 48 hours | A | VISIT SITE |
| American Home Shield | | Best for Comprehensive Coverage | $49–$109 | $100–$125 | Up to 48 hours | B | VISIT SITE |
| Select Home Warranty |  | Best Value | $44–$47 | $60–$75 | 48-84 hours | B- | VISIT SITE |
| AFC Home Club |  | Best for Customization | $34–$53 | $75–$125 | 24-48 hours | B | VISIT SITE |
| Liberty Home Guard | |
|---|---|
| Logo |
|
| Best For | Best Customer Ratings |
| Monthly Cost | $49–$59 |
| Service Fee | $65–$125 |
| Response Time | Up to 48 hours |
| BBB Rating | A |
| American Home Shield | |
|---|---|
| Logo |
|
| Best For | Best for Comprehensive Coverage |
| Monthly Cost | $49–$109 |
| Service Fee | $100–$125 |
| Response Time | Up to 48 hours |
| BBB Rating | B |
| Select Home Warranty | |
|---|---|
| Logo |
|
| Best For | Best Value |
| Monthly Cost | $44–$47 |
| Service Fee | $60–$75 |
| Response Time | 48-84 hours |
| BBB Rating | B- |
| AFC Home Club | |
|---|---|
| Logo |
|
| Best For | Best for Customization |
| Monthly Cost | $34–$53 |
| Service Fee | $75–$125 |
| Response Time | 24-48 hours |
| BBB Rating | B |
How Much Does a Home Warranty Cost in Maryland?
Our research shows that a Maryland home warranty costs an average of $58 monthly or $696 annually. Due to the large number of home warranty companies available, plan costs can vary significantly. Based on the hundreds of quotes we’ve pulled across all 50 states, we’ve found companies that offer a higher number of covered items tend to charge more. External factors, such as the local rates of service technicians and your home’s size, will also play a role in your home warranty’s cost.
Further, the number of claims you file directly affects how much you’ll pay yearly for a home warranty plan. Use the home warranty cost calculator below to estimate how much you’ll pay annually for a coverage plan.
Factors To Consider Before Buying a Maryland Home Warranty
There are multiple factors to consider to ensure you purchase the best Maryland home warranty for your needs. They consist of the following:
- Coverage options: We suggest accounting for the home appliances and systems you use most frequently. Then, consider the company that offers those items in a coverage plan that fits your budget.
- Fine print: Knowing what a home warranty company excludes from coverage can save you from a denied claim. Take your time and read through the company’s sample contract. Call the company and ask a representative to clarify any sections you don’t understand.
- Service providers: To ensure you choose a reputable home warranty, ask for the license numbers of the technicians your home warranty company uses to fulfill service requests. Montgomery County’s Office of Consumer Protection recommends you verify the license number you obtain from your home warranty provider with the technician before they begin the repair.
Home Warranty Company Reviews
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
AFC Home Club
Best for Customization
Are Home Warranties Worth the Money?
If you have all-new appliances and systems in your home, you might not need a home warranty. However, if your home appliances are older, a home warranty could save you a significant amount of money on costly repairs and replacements.
How Are Home Warranties Regulated in Maryland?
In Maryland, home warranty companies receive partial regulation via the Maryland’s Service Contracts and Consumer Products Guaranty Act of 1987. The Act establishes requirements service contract companies must follow, such as specifying the duration of the contracts they sell to consumers. However, Maryland doesn’t identify a clear governmental body that steps in and enforces the Act. The state recommends filing a complaint with Maryland’s Attorney General if you have an issue with your home warranty company.
There are organizations within the home warranty industry that enforce self-regulation. For instance, the Service Contract Industry Council (SCIC) creates regulatory laws that ensure consumer protections are at the forefront.
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.
| 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 |
Note: The annual cost figure generated by our home warranty calculator is not an indication of a company’s actual plan cost, as annual costs and service fees vary based on your plan selections and your home’s size, type, and location.
Expert Takes on Home Warranties
We sourced several experts to answer questions homeowners have about home warranties. These experts are involved in industries that frequently deal with home warranties, such as real estate. Here is what they had to say:
- Are Maryland home warranties worth it for older homes? Dave Bringer, owner and head technician of Bringer Appliance Repair, says, “Older homes need home warranties because their appliances and systems have most likely used their manufacturer’s warranty coverage.”
- How do I know if a Maryland home warranty is trustworthy? Arthur Chartrand, who is of counsel to the National Home Service Contract Association, says, “Look for a company who lists their full name, address, and who their management is.”
- What should I know about the home warranty claims process? David Tully, founder of LPT Realty, recommends the following: “You need to understand how to file a claim to your provider and how quickly you can expect a response from them. Also, get to know the turnaround time they would take for the repairs and replacements.”
Our Conclusion
The This Old House Reviews Team recommends every provider in this article for Maryland residents. We recommend Liberty Home Guard due to its responsive customer service team and a long list of add-on options. American Home Shield provides comprehensive policies with generous coverage caps, and Select Home Warranty is also worth considering due to its budget-friendly plans that include limited roof-leak coverage.
Plan pricing varies based on where you live, the square footage of your home, and the type of coverage you select. Therefore, we recommend getting quotes from three different providers so you can compare coverage and select a plan that falls within your budget.
Life span and repair cost data sourced from InterNACHI and The Home Depot
Other Resources for Residents in Maryland
- Best Homeowners Insurance in Maryland
- Best Solar Companies in Maryland
- Best Moving Companies in Maryland
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I buy a home warranty?
We recommend buying a home warranty when you buy a house (some real estate agents will include one during the closing process), but you can sign up for a home warranty at any time during homeownership.
Are home warranties worth the money?
If you have all-new appliances and systems in your home, you might not need a home warranty. However, if your home appliances are older, a home warranty could save you a significant amount of money on costly repairs and replacements.
What’s the difference between a home warranty and homeowners insurance?
A home warranty covers major systems and appliances that break down due to normal wear and tear, while homeowners insurance protects your home in the event of a fire, natural disaster, or theft.
How Do I Find the Best Home Warranty Company in My Area?
Find in-depth reviews on the best home warranty companies for each state and major U.S. city below.
Our Rating Methodology
We back up our home warranty ratings and recommendations with a detailed rating methodology to score each provider objectively. We conduct research by speaking with company representatives, requesting quotes, analyzing sample contracts, and conducting focus groups and consumer surveys.
We score each provider against our review standards, which include four comparison categories: coverage, value, trust and transparency, and availability and service. We rate each provider across 31 factors within these categories. Each factor is assigned a point value based on its importance to a homeowner, totaling 100 points. We then convert the final scores to a 5-star rating.
Here’s a breakdown of our weighted factors:
- Coverage (40%): We scored coverage based on included home systems and appliances, add-on options, and unique benefits. We also compared coverage caps and policy exclusions.
-
- Additional coverage items
- Annual coverage cap
- Home systems coverage
- Major appliances coverage
- Obstructed wall coverage cap
- Value (30%): We compared the coverage level received to monthly pricing to determine plan value. We considered premium pricing, service fees, and flexibility in customizing plan costs.
-
- Average monthly cost
- Cost flexibility
- Lowest service fee
- Trust and Transparency (16%): We evaluated each company’s reputation using the Better Business Bureau ratings and customer reviews on third-party review sites. We read through plan change policies, workmanship protections, and sample contract availability.
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- Brand reputation
- Policy change flexibility
- Sample contract availability
- Workmanship guarantee length
- Availability and Service (14%): We award higher scores for faster claim processing and response times. We also considered service technician policies, including options to choose your technician.
-
- Claims process
- Guaranteed response time
- Service flexibility
To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our Reviews Team at reviews@thisoldhousereviews.com.
