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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:


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.

Company
Best For
BBB Rating
Monthly Cost
Service Fee
Response Time
Best Customer Ratings
A
$49โ€“$59
$65โ€“$125
Up to 48 hours
Best for Comprehensive Coverage
B
$49โ€“$109
$100โ€“$125
Up to 48 hours
Best Value
B-
$44โ€“$47
$60โ€“$75
48-84 hours
Best for Customization
B
$34โ€“$53
$75โ€“$125
24-48 hours
Best For Monthly Cost Service Fee Response Time BBB Rating Link
Liberty Home Guard Liberty Home Guard Best Customer Ratings $49โ€“$59 $65โ€“$125 Up to 48 hours A VISIT SITE
American Home Shield American Home Shield Best for Comprehensive Coverage $49โ€“$109 $100โ€“$125 Up to 48 hours B VISIT SITE
Select Home Warranty Select Home Warranty Best Value $44โ€“$47 $60โ€“$75 48-84 hours B- VISIT SITE
AFC Home Club AFC Home Club Best for Customization $34โ€“$53 $75โ€“$125 24-48 hours B VISIT SITE
Liberty Home Guard
Logo Liberty Home Guard
Best For Best Customer Ratings
Monthly Cost $49โ€“$59
Service Fee $65โ€“$125
Response Time Up to 48 hours
BBB Rating A
VISIT SITE
American Home Shield
Logo American Home Shield
Best For Best for Comprehensive Coverage
Monthly Cost $49โ€“$109
Service Fee $100โ€“$125
Response Time Up to 48 hours
BBB Rating B
VISIT SITE
Select Home Warranty
Logo Select Home Warranty
Best For Best Value
Monthly Cost $44โ€“$47
Service Fee $60โ€“$75
Response Time 48-84 hours
BBB Rating B-
VISIT SITE
AFC Home Club
Logo AFC Home Club
Best For Best for Customization
Monthly Cost $34โ€“$53
Service Fee $75โ€“$125
Response Time 24-48 hours
BBB Rating B
VISIT SITE

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.

Why Trust Us? Our review and rating process for the best home warranty companies
57
Companies Considered
2000
Homeowners Surveyed
57000
Reviews Analyzed
31
Coverages Compared

Home Warranty Company Reviews

American Home Shield

Best for Comprehensive Coverage
4.4 We grade all home warranty companies on the most important factors to homeowners such as coverage, value, trust, transparency, availability, and service. We account for 15 specific data points such as coverage caps, systems and appliances covered, monthly costs, service fees, sample contract availability, response time, claims process, and workmanship guarantee length to then calculate a score, created fully by our Editorial team.

American Home Shield (AHS) offers flexible coverage plans for those who want control over their monthly premium. AHS provides three coverage plans and three service call fees, plus it offers generous coverage caps per covered item. AHS also offers coverage for rust, sediment, and corrosion damage and items with undetectable pre-existing conditions.

Why We Chose American Home Shield

We rated AHS 4.4 out of 5 stars in our review standards. We consider AHS to be the best provider for comprehensive coverage due to its three coverage plans, multiple service call fees, and solid industry reputation. The company is our top pick because it covers several things other companies donโ€™t, such as rust damage and improper installations.

We thoroughly read American Home Shieldโ€™s sample contract and found it applies a $2,000 limit per covered appliance in its ShieldGold plan. It doubles its coverage cap to $4,000 per covered item in the ShieldPlatinum plan.

AHS coverage plans provide extensive coverage; even its basic plan, ShieldSilver, covers your HVAC system. Its multiple service call fees allow you to customize your monthly premium to fit your budget.

Pros and Cons

Pros Upholds solid reputation due to over 50 years serving the home warranty industry Offers additional coverage for electronics Allows you to set your own service call fee Cons Doesnโ€™t allow you to choose your own service provider

Plans and Pricing

AHS offers three plan options: ShieldPlatinumโ„ข, ShieldGoldโ„ข, and ShieldSilverโ„ข. The ShieldSilver plan is American Home Shieldโ€™s most basic plan, covering 14 important home systems. The ShieldGold is its mid-tier plan, covering an additional nine appliances. The ShieldPlatinum plan is its most comprehensive coverage plan, covering 23 essential systems and appliances.

Additionally, American Home Shield allows you to add coverage for any of the following appliances and systems:ย Pool/spa, well pump, septic pump, guest unit under 750 square feet, additional electronics coverage

You can expect to payย between $29.99 and $89.99 per month for an American Home Shield plan.

AHS allows you to pull a quote by calling a representative or using its online tool. When we used AHSโ€™s quote tool, it allowed us to choose a service call fee of $100 or $125. AHS states that a higher service call fee will result in a lower monthly premium and vice versa. All AHS plans come with a 30-day workmanship guarantee.

While pulling our quote, we discovered that AHS only offers monthly premium options. It doesnโ€™t include an annual premium like other providers on this list.

Here are details on each of American Home Shieldโ€™s plans:

  • ShieldSilver ($29.99โ€“$39.99 per month): Covers home systems, such as heating, cooling, and electrical
  • ShieldGold ($49.99โ€“$59.99 per month): Covers major systems and appliances, such as air conditioning, roof leaks, and plumbing
  • ShieldPlatinum ($79.99โ€“$89.99 per month): Covers systems and appliances and adds additional benefits, such as $1,500 for roof-leak repairs
  • Optional add-ons: Electronics, pools/spas, guest units, septic pumps, and well pumps. Based on the quote we pulled, we found that AHS offers competitively priced add-ons. For example, septic pump coverage costs an extra $5 per month.

Liberty Home Guard

Best Customer Ratings
4.5 We grade all home warranty companies on the most important factors to homeowners such as coverage, value, trust, transparency, availability, and service. We account for 15 specific data points such as coverage caps, systems and appliances covered, monthly costs, service fees, sample contract availability, response time, claims process, and workmanship guarantee length to then calculate a score, created fully by our Editorial team.

Liberty Home Guard (LHG) is an excellent choice for homeowners who want coverage for unique items outside the typical scope of a home warranty policy. With its 38 add-on options, you can customize coverage to meet your homeโ€™s specific needs. Alongside its extensive add-on coverage, LHG provides a 60-day workmanship guarantee.

Why We Chose Liberty Home Guard

Liberty Home Guard earned 4.5 out of 5 stars in our rating system. It has the best customer ratings of any home warranty provider on this list, holding an A rating* with the BBB and 4.7 out of 5 stars on Google Reviews. We recommend LHG for homeowners with specific coverage needs, as it offers an extensive list of add-ons ranging from pool coverage to water softeners.

Our team spoke with multiple customer representatives to learn how LHG handles customer inquiries. Based on our experiences, it holds up to its stellar ratings, with each representative picking up the phone in under one minute and answering all of our questions thoroughly.

Pros and Cons

Pros Offers 38 add-on options, including saltwater pools, reverse osmosis systems, and lawn sprinkler systems Provides access to customer service representatives via a live-chat feature Extends a 60-day workmanship guarantee Cons Shows inconsistency around assigned service call fees

Plans and Pricing

Liberty Home Guard offers three plan options: Appliance Guard, Systems Guard, and Total Home Guard. Appliance Guard covers essential appliances, such as your clothes washer, clothes dryer, and refrigerator. Systems Guard covers major built-in systems, including your air conditioning, ductwork, and water heater. Total Home Guard combines the coverage of the two other plans, making it LHGโ€™s most comprehensive plan.

Unlike providers with flexible service call fees, LHG assigns a service call fee to your account based on your plan, add-on selections, and location. According to the representative we spoke with, service fees range from $65 to $125.ย 

Below are the monthly prices for LHG plans. Expect to pay between $600 and $720 annually. Per our research, LHG offers two additional months of coverage if you sign up for an annual plan. LHG allows you to pull a quote over the phone or online.

Here are details on LHGโ€™s plans and optional add-on coverage:

  • Appliance Guard ($49.99 per month):ย Covers appliances, such as dishwashers, clothes washers, and dryers
  • Systems Guard ($54.99 per month):ย Covers built-in systems, such as air conditioning, heating, ductwork, and water heater
  • Total Home Guard ($59.99 per month):ย Covers all the items in the Appliance Guard and Systems Guard plans
  • Optional add-ons: Up to 38 options, including pest control, re-key service, gutter cleaning, floor cleaning, and generator coverage. When we pulled our quote, a representative informed us that pest control coverage costs an extra $15 monthly.

Select Home Warranty

Best Value
4.3 We grade all home warranty companies on the most important factors to homeowners such as coverage, value, trust, transparency, availability, and service. We account for 15 specific data points such as coverage caps, systems and appliances covered, monthly costs, service fees, sample contract availability, response time, claims process, and workmanship guarantee length to then calculate a score, created fully by our Editorial team.

Select Home Warranty provides one of the most cost-effective home warranties in Maryland. This company charges low monthly premiums, service call fees, and includes free roof coverage in each plan. In addition, Select offers generous HVAC coverage within its affordable systems plan, for those who only need HVAC coverage.

Why We Chose Select Home Warranty

Select Home Warranty scored 4.3 out of 5 stars in our review standards. Itโ€™s an affordable home warranty with all plans costing less than $50 per month. Select stands out by offering roof-leak repair coverage in each protection plan. Home warranty companies donโ€™t typically offer roof-leak coverage without an additional fee.

Pros and Cons

Pros Offers lower service call fees compared to other providers Includes complementary two months of coverage for new customers Provides 24/7 customer service Cons Charges a $75 cancellation fee Limits appliance and add-on coverage caps

Plans and Pricing

Customers can choose from Selectโ€™s three affordable plansโ€”Bronze Care, Gold Care, and Platinum Care. Gold Care is for systems, Bronze Care is for appliances, and Platinum Care is for both. Select pairs each plan with a $400 roof-leak repair limit, plus it extends a 30-day workmanship guarantee.

You can get coverage for more areas of your home with Selectโ€™s add-ons, including ones for these items:ย Plumbing fixtures, lighting fixtures, switches and outlets, pool and spa equipment, well pump

Select charges a $60 to $75 service call fee every time you request service.

After reviewing Selectโ€™s sample contract, we found it provides a $3,000 cap for HVAC systems. However, Select limits other covered systems, such as plumbing and electrical, plus appliances, to a $500 coverage cap. Selectโ€™s plans include a 30-day workmanship guarantee.

Select Home Warranty offers monthly and annual premium options. Expect to pay between $533 and $573 annually. According to the quote we pulled, Select offers up to $150 off and two additional months of coverage if you choose an annual premium. It lets you pull a quote by calling or using its online tool.

Here are more details about Select Home Warrantyโ€™s plans:

  • Bronze Care ($44.42 per month):ย Covers appliances, such as clothes washers and dryers,ย garbage disposals, refrigerators, and cooktops
  • Gold Care ($44.42 per month):ย Covers systems, such as air conditioning, heating, plumbing, electrical systems, water heaters, and ductwork
  • Platinum Care ($47.75 per month):ย Covers all the appliances and built-in systems in the Bronze and Gold Care plans, plus garage door openers and ceiling fans
  • Optional add-ons:ย Central vacuums, lawn sprinkler systems, pools,ย septic systems,ย spas, stand-alone freezers, sump pumps, and well pumps. Select Home Warranty also offers low prices for its add-ons. For example, it charges less than $4 monthly for central vacuum coverage.

First American Home Warranty

Best Appliance Coverage
4.6 We grade all home warranty companies on the most important factors to homeowners such as coverage, value, trust, transparency, availability, and service. We account for 15 specific data points such as coverage caps, systems and appliances covered, monthly costs, service fees, sample contract availability, response time, claims process, and workmanship guarantee length to then calculate a score, created fully by our Editorial team.

*(excludingย Alaska,ย Connecticut,ย Delaware,ย Hawaii,ย Illinois, Louisiana, Maine,ย Massachusetts,ย Minnesota,ย New Hampshire,ย New York,ย North Dakota,ย Rhode Island,ย Vermont, andย Wisconsin)

First American Home Warranty is close to American Home Shield in terms of experience with 35 years in the home warranty industry. The company offers three plans, flexible service call fees, and generous appliance and home system coverage caps. In addition, First American bundles the First American Advantage upgrade with its Essential and Premium plans, which covers appliance installation and removal fees.

Why We Chose First American Home Warranty

We rated First American Home Warranty 4.6 out of 5 stars in our review standards. If you own high-end appliances, First American is a solid choice due to its high appliance coverage caps. After reading its sample contract, we found First American pairs each appliance with a $3,500 limit in the Starter and Essential plans, which is higher than other providers. Its Essential and Premium plans offer the First American Advantage upgrade, which protects systems and improperly maintained, modified, or installed appliancesโ€”a rarity in the home warranty business.

Pros and Cons

Pros Provides generous coverage caps for appliances and home systems Includes coverage for items regardless of age Extends over 35 years of experience in the home warranty industry Cons Excludes air conditioning coverage from Starter Plan

Plans and Pricing

First American provides three coverage options: The Starter Plan, Essential Plan, and Premium Plan. The Starter and Essential plans include coverage for a mix of essential systems and appliance, plus a $3,500 coverage limit per appliance. The Premium Plan increases the appliance limit to $7,000 per covered appliance. It also adds coverage for additional home items, such as instant hot water dispensers. It also offers customers the choice of a $75, $100, or $125 service call fee.

If you want more coverage, you have these add-on options:ย Additional refrigeration, central air conditioning system, HVAC tune-up, limited roof-leak, pool and spa equipment, septic system/pumping, water softeners, and well pumps.

First American Home Warranty also offers an annual premium. Annual plan costs range from $540 to $1,040. Unlike other providers that offer annual premiums, First American doesnโ€™t include extra months of coverage or a discount if you choose an annual premium. First American provides an online quote tool or a sales phone line to pull a free quote.

Here are more details about First Americanโ€™s plan coverage:

  • Starter Plan ($47โ€“$62 per month): Coversย built-in microwaves, dishwashers, ductwork, electrical system, heating, plumbing systems, oven/cooktop, plumbing stoppages, refrigerators, and toilet tanks, bowls, and mechanisms
  • Essential Plan ($57โ€“$72 per month):ย Includes everything in the Starter Plan plus air conditioning, ceiling/attic/exhaust fans, clothes washers, clothes dryers, First American Advantage upgrade, garage door openers, trash compactors, and water heaters
  • Premium Plan ($72โ€“$87 per month):ย Covers all items in the Essential Plan plus full garage door systems, instant hot water dispensers, luxury appliances, shower heads and arms, and window air conditioning units
  • Optional add-ons: Additional refrigeration, air conditioning for Starter Plan, HVAC tune-up, limited roof-leak coverage, pool and spa equipment, septic tank systems and pumping, water softeners, and well pumps. First American offers limited roof-leak coverage for less than $9 per month.

What To Expect

First Americanโ€™s online quote tool requires you to enter personal information, such as your name, phone number, email, and home address. You must also enter your homeโ€™s type and the estimated square footage. Once you do, it generates your monthly quote. Although there is extra information you must fill out, we found it simple to adjust our premium based on our chosen service call fee. It also conveniently displays each plan’s coverage options below the price figures.

First Americanโ€™s sizable coverage limits make it a great choice for those who want total home protection. However, it excludes air conditioning coverage from its entry-level Starter plan. You must pay extra to obtain air conditioning coverage. Other providers include it within their basic plans. We would rank First American Home Warranty higher if it covered more states. The company covers the lowest number of states of all the companies in this article.

First American handles claims by sending in-network service contractors to fix your issues. It allows you to use your own if an in-network provider isnโ€™t available near you. One of our team members purchased a plan to test the claims process. He filed a claim for his garage door opener on a Friday and reported First American sent a service technician the following Monday. The technician arrived at his home on Monday and fixed his issue in less than 30 minutes. All he paid was his service call fee.

Our team read dozens of customer reviews. Similar to other home warranty providers, First American holds mixed reviews. A positive theme was how simple it is to file claims. A negative theme involved delays in fulfilling service requests.

AFC Home Club

Best for Customization
4.6 We grade all home warranty companies on the most important factors to homeowners such as coverage, value, trust, transparency, availability, and service. We account for 15 specific data points such as coverage caps, systems and appliances covered, monthly costs, service fees, sample contract availability, response time, claims process, and workmanship guarantee length to then calculate a score, created fully by our Editorial team.

Americaโ€™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 addition, AFC Home Club offers service call fee flexibility, which can raise or lower your monthly premium.

Why We Chose AFC Home Club

AFC Home Club earned a 4.6 out of 5-star rating in our review standards. Along with its flexible service call fee model, the variety of plans offered by AFC Home Club is ideal for homeowners who want a personalized home warranty package and pricing. AFC Home Club also offers a lengthy workmanship guarantee and additional membership perks. Other providers donโ€™t include membership perks within their plans.

Pros and Cons

Pros Adds security perks, including identity protection, credit monitoring, and Emergency Alert Network service Guarantees parts and labor for your membershipโ€™s duration Pairs appliances with a $3,000 coverage cap Cons Charges $75 for canceling after the first 30 days Excludes coverage for unknown preexisting conditions Requires claims be submitted immediately after noticing a system or appliance problem

Plans and Pricing

AFC Home Club offers a portfolio of four plan options: a Platinum Plan, a Gold Plan, a Silver Plan, and a Systems Plan. AFC Home Club allows you to choose a $75, $100, or $125 service call fee. The lower service call fee raises your monthly premium and vice versa.

Our team called AFC Home Club to ask about its coverage caps. A representative stated that HVAC systems, such as heating and air conditioning, have an unlimited coverage cap, except for thermostats. It limits thermostats to $80.ย 

The representative added that AFC Home Club covers up to $3,000 for appliances. However, the fine print states that the company only pays up to an itemโ€™s depreciated value if itโ€™s older than five years. It covers all repairs and replacements with a plan-length workmanship guarantee.

AFC Home Club offers annual premiums alongside monthly premiums. Expect to pay between $398 and $630 annually for AFC Home Club coverage. The company includes a $50 annual discount if you choose a yearly payment plan. You can pull a quote using its online tool or call a sales representative.

Here are details on each plan offered by AFC Home Club:

  • Silver Plan ($38.00โ€“$42.83 per month):ย Covers appliances, such as clothes washer, clothes dryer, garbage disposal, and dishwasher
  • Systems Plan ($45.25โ€“$50.08 per month):ย Covers systems, such as air conditioning, heating, water heaters, and plumbing
  • Gold Plan ($52.50โ€“$57.33 per month):ย Covers both appliances and systems, such as electrical, ductwork, oven, range, plumbing stoppages, and garage door openers
  • Platinum Plan ($57.33โ€“$62.17 per month):ย Covers all items and systems included with the Gold Plan, plus a built-in microwave and ice maker
  • Optional add-ons:ย Double oven, electronic coverage, hot water dispenser, sump pump, septic system, central vacuum, pool, spa, stand-alone freezer, and roof-leak repair. Based on the quote we pulled, in-ground pool coverage costs $9 per month.

What To Expect

AFC Home Club provides an easy-to-use quote tool. Where it differs from most providers, however, is its cost page. Unlike other providers, AFC Home Club requires clicking on each plan to select your desired service call fee. If you wish to compare the prices of the other plans, you must click on the โ€œBack To Plansโ€ button. Although obtaining a quote is straightforward, comparing plan prices isnโ€™t as efficient as other providers.

We consider AFC Home Clubโ€™s unlimited workmanship guarantee its best feature. The peace of mind its workmanship guarantee provides makes it a solid choice for those who own older appliances or systems. Additionally, AFC Home Club is one of the few providers that allows you to choose your contractor. However, its mixed coverage limits for home systems lower its value from a coverage standpoint.

Our team read dozens of customer reviews to understand how AFC Home Club handles customer service. We found mixed reviews. Several customers appreciated AFC Home Clubโ€™s speedy claims processing. Others disliked the depreciation valuation AFC places on covered items.


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

$50โ€“$200

$1,300โ€“$2,800

Microwave

$50โ€“$400

$60โ€“$2,000

Dishwasher

$50โ€“$500

$400โ€“$3,000

Exhaust Fans

$16โ€“$300

$250โ€“$950

Electric Range

$100โ€“$500

$230โ€“$3,000

Gas Range

$100โ€“$500

$230โ€“$3,000

Dryer

$100โ€“$400

$450โ€“$2,300

Oven

$100โ€“$430

$400โ€“$3,000

Washer

$50โ€“$450

$400โ€“$2,300

Freezer

$90โ€“$500

$160โ€“$2,900

Refrigerator

$40โ€“$350

$200โ€“$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


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.

Whatโ€™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, whileย homeowners insuranceย 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.


Infographic showing time and effort put into this article's research

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. 
    • 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.