Best Home Warranties for Plumbing (2024)
From slow leaks to broken pipes, plumbing problems are common for homeowners. And if you’ve ever dealt with an issue, you know how quickly repair costs can add up. A home warranty plan with plumbing coverage can make these unexpected fixes much more affordable. In fact, 48% of the 1,000 homeowners we surveyed in 2024 said they bought a home warranty to protect their plumbing.
To help you find the best plumbing coverage, our team reviewed 13 of the most popular home warranty companies. American Home Shield topped our list thanks to its unlimited coverage for most repairs and its protections for plumbing items with existing damage. First American Home Warranty was a close second because it covers clogs up to 125 feet from your home.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through all five of our favorite home warranty providers for plumbing coverage and share some tips on what to look for when shopping.
Comparing Top Home Warranty Companies on Cost and Plumbing Coverage
The table below compares our top home warranty picks with plumbing coverage based on key criteria like monthly costs and coverage caps (i.e., the maximum your company will pay for specific item repairs in a year).
| Provider | Plumbing Coverage Cap | Plumbing Add-On Coverage Caps | Monthly Cost* | Service Fee | Get a Quote |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $500–unlimited | $500–$1,500 | $29–$89 | $100–$125 | VISIT SITE | |
| $500–unlimited | $500–$1,500 | $42–$82 | $100–$125 | VISIT SITE | |
| $3,000 | $250–$500 | $46–$55 | $100 | VISIT SITE | |
| $750–$2,000 | $1,000–$1,500 | $44–$58 | $70 | VISIT SITE | |
| $150–$2,000 | $500 | $27–$61 | $65–$100 | VISIT SITE |
*We requested quotes for each provider using a 1,961-square-foot single-family home in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Our Reviews of the Top Home Warranty Providers for Plumbing
Here’s an in-depth look at our recommended home warranty companies for plumbing coverage.
American Home Shield
First American Home Warranty
Choice Home Warranty
Elite Home Warranty
2-10 Home Buyers Warranty
Which Home Warranty Companies Didn’t Make the List?
While reviewing the best home warranty companies for plumbing, we excluded some providers that have excellent overall coverage but fall short on plumbing. However, they may still be great options for homeowners with specific needs. We’ll go over those companies below.
AFC Home Warranty
AFC Home Warranty offers unlimited coverage for certain major home systems, such as heating and cooling, but sets lower limits for plumbing coverage, with a $500 cap for plumbing systems, $300 for stoppages, and $150 for faucets. Valves and pressure regulators are excluded. However, AFC’s Diamond Plan covers external sewer and water lines, unlike FAHW, which requires an add-on for this additional protection. AFC could be a solid choice for homeowners who want extra exterior line protection without paying for an add-on.
Liberty Home Guard (LHG)
Although Liberty Home Guard offers an extensive add-on catalog of over 40 items, including plumbing options like septic system pumping, its baseline plumbing coverage is limited to $500, which falls well below our top picks. LHG also requires add-ons for certain plumbing items that other providers include in their main coverage plans, such as faucets, showerheads, and pressure regulators. Still, LHG could be a good option for homeowners seeking lower plumbing coverage caps and other unique coverage.
Our Experience Filing a Plumbing-Related Claim
One of our team members recently filed a claim with American Home Shield for a leak affecting his bathroom and kitchen floor. He found the claim process to be simple and quick. Here are the steps he follow:
- Used his smartphone to log into his account
- Selected the appropriate claim icons
- Submitted his claim
He received immediate text and email confirmations, and a local contractor reached out five minutes later to schedule a next-day appointment. The contractor arrived ahead of schedule, completed the repair in two hours, and offered helpful tips for mold prevention.
What Plumbing Parts Are Covered by a Home Warranty?
A home warranty typically covers the core components of your plumbing system, including the following:
- Drain lines
- Pipes
- Sewer lines
- Sink, shower, and toilet components
- Valves
- Water lines
Most companies cover common repairs, such as pipe breaks, leaks, and stoppages within plumbing lines. This includes sewer line and mainline clearing within your home’s foundation, a service that removes blockages in the primary wastewater pipes beneath your home.
Some companies include appliances and other systems under plumbing coverage, such as water heaters and garbage disposals, recognizing their importance to daily household functions. Given that nearly every home relies on a water heater, we prioritized this coverage when selecting our top companies.
In addition to the plumbing coverage included in their main plans, most providers offer add-ons for other plumbing items, such as well pumps and septic tanks. Our survey revealed that 34% of respondents added coverage for septic tank pumping, while 25% opted for well pump coverage.
In the table below, we compare each company’s most comprehensive coverage plans for plumbing side-by-side. Since these providers cover many of the same items, we focused on the coverage caps for key items, as this is an important differentiator.
Key Plumbing Item Coverage Caps by Provider
| Plumbing Coverage | American Home Shield | First American Home Warranty | Choice Home Warranty | Elite Home Warranty | 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Water Heater | Unlimited | Unlimited | $3,000 | $2,000 | $1,250 |
| Toilets | Unlimited | $600 | $3,000 | $750 | $300 |
| Faucets | Unlimited | Unlimited | $3,000 | $750 | $150 |
| Showerheads | Unlimited | Unlimited | $3,000 | $750 | $150 |
| Pressure regulators | Unlimited | Unlimited | $3,000 | $2,000 | $2,000 |
| Jetted tubs tub and components | Unlimited | Unlimited | $3,000 | $750 | 𝗫 |
| Plumbing stoppages | Unlimited | Unlimited | $3,000 | $1,000 | $2,000 |
| Sewer ejector pump (non septic) | $500 | $500 | $3,000 | $1,000 | 𝗫 |
| Waters lines | Unlimited | Unlimited | $3,000 | $2,000 | $2,000 |
| Drain lines | Unlimited | Unlimited | $3,000 | $1,000 | $2,000 |
| Valves | Unlimited | Unlimited | $3,000 | $750 | $2,000 |
| Sump pumps | Unlimited | Unlimited | $500 | $1,000 | $2,000 |
| Well pump | $1,500 | $1,500 | $500 | $1,000 | $500 |
| Septic tank | $500 | $500 | $250 | $1,500 | $500 |
| Septic pumping | $500 | $500 | $500 | $1,500 | 𝗫 |
How Much Does Plumbing Coverage Cost?
Home warranties that include plumbing coverage typically cost $460–$840 per year, depending on the provider and specific coverage options. If you choose add-ons for specialized systems like septic tanks or wells, you can expect to pay $5–$10 per month on top of your base home warranty cost.
A home warranty plan with strong plumbing coverage is essential to protect against potentially expensive repairs, as a common pipe leak or clog can lead to significant damage. For example, fixing a leaky pipe may start at $150, but if left untreated, it could result in thousands of dollars in structural damage.
With a home warranty, you only pay a service fee when a repair person visits your home, and your provider pays the rest (or up to any coverage caps stated in your contract). These service fees are usually lower than emergency plumbing repairs, which can often surpass $500.
While home warranty coverage effectively addresses many common plumbing issues, it’s important to note that it generally excludes major replacements and preexisting conditions, or any issues your items had before starting coverage. We recommend reviewing your plan carefully to understand the specific terms and conditions.
The chart below outlines potential plumbing repair and replacement costs you could face without a home warranty:
| Plumbing Issue | Average Cost for Repair or Replacement* |
|---|---|
| Pressure relief valve replacement | $50–$300 |
| Toilet repair | $100–$300 |
| Shower valve replacement | $125–$500 |
| Sump pump repair | $150–$500 |
| Faucet and fixture replacement | $150–$600 |
| Water heater repair | $150–$750 |
| Pipe leaks repairs | $150–$4,700 |
| Main sewer clog repair | $185–$556 |
| Septic tank repair | $500–$3,000 |
| Main line water leak repair | $600–$4,500 |
| Repairing burst pipes | $1,000–$4,000 |
*Cost data sourced from Angi.
Reading the Fine Print of Your Plumbing Coverage
Home warranty coverage includes various exclusions and limitations you should be aware of to fully understand your policy. For instance, many companies won’t cover damage caused by preexisting conditions or issues resulting from improper maintenance, such as neglecting to clear clogs or service plumbing fixtures.
Below are typical exclusions we found in plumbing warranty coverage:
- Certain drainage issues: Most home warranty plans exclude coverage for drainage issues caused by foreign objects or invasive tree roots, as these are typically considered preventable or external factors rather than internal system failures.
- Clogs beyond a certain distance: Many home warranty providers limit coverage for clogs that occur beyond a certain distance from an access point, typically ranging from 100–125 feet. An access point refers to locations where plumbing systems can be accessed for maintenance or repair, such as cleanouts, drain openings, or sinks.
- Cosmetic items not required for proper use: Home warranties don’t typically cover cosmetic items associated with plumbing systems that are not essential for their proper function. This includes decorative fixtures, trim, and nonfunctional elements that don’t affect the plumbing’s ability to operate. For example, toilet seats are generally considered cosmetic items since they don’t impact the toilet’s functionality.
- Damage caused by freezing: Most home warranty plans exclude coverage for plumbing damage due to freezing temperatures, including broken or leaking pipes resulting from uninsulated or poorly maintained systems.
- Damage from natural disasters: Plumbing damage caused by earthquakes, floods, or severe weather is usually exempt from coverage, since it’s limited to normal wear and tear. In these cases, you would need homeowners insurance.
- Improper maintenance or repair: Damage from a lack of regular maintenance, such as failing to clear drains or service plumbing fixtures, is often excluded from coverage.
- Issues outside your home’s foundation: Depending on the plan, you may not receive coverage for sewer line and mainline clogs that extend beyond your home’s foundation.
- Limited coverage for accessing hidden plumbing: Home warranty plans usually cover the cost of accessing pipes only to a “rough finish.” This means they’ll open a single layer of drywall to reach a covered plumbing issue and patch the wall but won’t provide full cosmetic repairs. Additionally, many plans cap coverage for accessing plumbing behind concrete or masonry, often up to $1,000, making homeowners responsible for any costs that exceed this limit.
How To Choose the Right Plumbing Coverage
When choosing a home warranty plan that includes plumbing coverage, it’s important to assess your specific coverage needs. Think about the plumbing issues you frequently encounter or the areas that require the most attention. For instance, if your sewer line often has problems because of its age, you’ll want a plan that covers preexisting conditions. Keep in mind that many home warranty providers have standard plumbing coverage in their basic plans, which may be enough if you don’t have specialized systems like a well or septic tank.
If you do have these specialized systems, many home warranty providers cover them as add-ons. Keep this in mind as you budget, as you’ll need to pay for a base plan plus any add-on fees. If your biggest concern is plumbing, a systems-only plan may be sufficient. Choose a provider that offers essential plumbing coverage as well as the specific add-ons you may need.
Finally, evaluate each provider’s coverage limits and repair caps. Many home warranty plans set maximum annual limits on plumbing repairs, which means you’ll have to pay out of pocket if you exceed these caps. Choose a provider whose coverage limits align with your needs, protecting you against high-cost repairs without unexpected expenses.
Advice From Real Homeowners
One of the main benefits of plumbing coverage is the peace of mind it provides during emergencies—especially if you need a repair quickly to prevent worse damage.
Isabell D., a homeowner for 20-plus years in Charleston, South Carolina, experienced a plumbing crisis when she couldn’t turn off her water. After shutting off the main water supply, she was faced with finding last-minute plumbing repairs after 8 p.m. on a Saturday. “I didn’t have any water coming into my home at all, so I had to get someone in immediately,” she said. “Since I didn’t have home warranty coverage for plumbing, I had to call around to several plumbing services that could complete repairs that evening.”
Isabell eventually found someone to come out for emergency service, but she paid almost $400. Had she been covered by a home warranty plan, she would have had access to a network of preapproved professionals ready to respond, even after-hours. She also would have only had to pay a service call fee (usually $125 or under).
How We Evaluated Providers on Plumbing Coverage
Here’s an overview of how we researched, scored, and ranked our top home warranty companies that offer plumbing coverage.
Our Rating System
To form our recommendations, we consulted home warranty experts, reviewed various providers, and read their contracts and coverage terms. We also reached out to each company’s customer support team and bought plans from 11 leading providers to test the claims process firsthand. Additionally, we surveyed homeowners who currently use home warranties to understand how and why they select their coverage and gather insights about their personal claims experiences.
Next, we created a detailed scoring system to rank each provider in six categories: coverage (35%), cost (20%), trustworthiness (15%), plan transparency (10%), customer support (10%), and flexibility (10%).
Since plumbing coverage varies by provider, our team also evaluated the following factors to ensure we selected the best options for plumbing protection.
- Plumbing coverage limits: Plumbing coverage should significantly offset repair and replacement costs. We prioritized home warranty providers that offer at least $1,000 in plumbing coverage. This amount generally covers major plumbing components, such as water lines, stoppages, and water heaters. Providers with coverage below this threshold were excluded from our list.
- Plumbing inclusions: We confirmed that each provider covered key plumbing items in its base plan. This included leaks, clogs, sink and shower components, and more. If a company excluded any important plumbing repairs, such as pressure valves, we took it off our list.
- Add-on plumbing options and upgrades: In addition to a base plan, you may need add-ons to cover your plumbing needs. We gave more points to companies that offered add-ons for additional plumbing systems, upgrades to higher coverage limits, or protections for things that are typically excluded, such as preexisting conditions.
- Firsthand claims testing: No amount of research can substitute for real, firsthand experience. To test how reliable companies are, we submitted claims to 11 home warranty providers, including plumbing repair requests. This allowed us to evaluate the overall claims experience, customer support, and technician quality firsthand.
To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our Reviews Team at reviews@thisoldhousereviews.com.
