Our team selected American Home Shield as the best home warranty company in South Dakota for its comprehensive protection, including coverage for items with existing damage. We also recommend Choice Home Warranty for its budget-friendly plans, which bundle system and appliance coverage for less than $70 per month.
South Dakota’s harsh winters can strain heating systems, plumbing, and appliances over time, leading to unexpected and often costly repairs. A home warranty helps cover these expenses and provides access to vetted contractors, especially in rural areas. After reviewing 13 top home warranty providers based on coverage, costs, and customer feedback, we chose the best options for South Dakota homeowners.
Key Takeaways
- American Home Shield is our top home warranty pick for South Dakota homes due to its extensive home protections.
- The average home warranty costs in South Dakota ranges from $49–$78 per month, or $581–$909 per year.
- Our 2025 survey of 2,000 home warranty users nationwide found that 45% of South Dakota residents purchased coverage to protect their heating or furnace systems.
The highest-rated home warranty companies in South Dakota include these:
- American Home Shield: Best for Comprehensive Coverage
- Choice Home Warranty: Best Basic Plan Coverage
- Elite Home Warranty: Best for Customized Coverage
- AFC Home Warranty: Best Technician Flexibility
- Liberty Home Guard: Best Customer Support
Summary of the Best Home Warranty Companies in South Dakota
To identify the best home warranty companies in South Dakota, we analyzed third-party customer reviews, plan options, pricing, and Better Business Bureau (BBB) ratings. The table below highlights key features and compares our top picks for the state.
| Company | Star Rating | BBB Rating | Monthly Cost | Service Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
B | $36–$100 | $100–$125 | ||
B | $60–$68 | $100 | ||
B | $45–$60 | $70 ($150 for after hours and weekends) | ||
B | $44–$82 | $75–$125 | ||
A+ | $57–$68 | $65–$125 |
*We based the pricing information in this table on the averaged costs of sample quotes we pulled for single-family homes over and under 5,000 square feet in all 50 U.S. states. Your pricing may vary depending on your home’s location, size, type, and plan selections.
BBB ratings accurate as of March 2025.
Reviews of the Best Home Warranty Companies in South Dakota
American Home Shield
American Home Shield (AHS) offers comprehensive coverage for major systems and appliances and service call fee flexibility. In addition, AHS covers unique instances other providers typically don’t, such as rust, corrosion, or sediment damage.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Offers flexible service call fees
- Offers up to $5,000 on built-in systems and $4,000 on appliances
- Provides coverage for unknown preexisting conditions and items damaged by rust and corrosion
Cons
- Doesn’t offer an appliance-only coverage plan
- Offers less coverage flexibility than most providers with only a few add-on options
Plans and Pricing
American Home Shield offers three plans: ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, and ShieldPlatinum. We read an American Home Shield sample contract and called the representative to ask about the company’s plans. The representative noted that the company imposes a $5,000 cap per covered system in its systems-only plan, ShieldSilver. ShieldGold adds coverage for appliances, which have a $2,000 coverage limit. ShieldPlatinum also combines system and appliance coverage and increases the appliance limit to $4,000. This plan also adds roof-leak coverage, up to $1,000 in code upgrades, an HVAC tune-up, and air filter discounts.
American Home Shield allows you to pull a quote by calling a representative or using its online tool. When we used the online quote tool, we could choose a service call fee of $100 or $125. The company states that a higher service call fee will result in a lower monthly premium, and vice versa. All plans come with a 30-day workmanship guarantee on any completed repairs the plan covers.
While pulling our quote, we discovered that American Home Shield only offers monthly premium options. Unlike other providers on this list, it doesn’t include an annual premium discount.
Here are details on each of American Home Shield’s plans:
- ShieldSilver ($47 per month): Covers 14 home systems, such as HVAC, ductwork, and electrical
- ShieldGold ($67 per month): Covers 14 major systems and nine appliances, including clothes washers, clothes dryers, and refrigerators
- ShieldPlatinum ($97 per month): Includes ShieldGold items plus added benefits including roof-leak coverage and a free HVAC tune-up
- Optional add-ons: Up to six add-ons, including electronics, pools and spas, guest units, septic pumps, and well pumps
Our Experience with American Home Shield
Our American Home Shield tester quickly filed a claim for a bathroom and kitchen floor leak using his smartphone. Within minutes, he received confirmation and a call from a local contractor offering flexible appointment times. The contractor arrived the next day, completed the repair in two hours, and provided helpful advice on mold prevention. Our tester was satisfied with the service and only paid the service fee.
Choice Home Warranty
Choice Home Warranty offers affordable appliance and system coverage, with plans starting under $70 per month. Each plan includes standard coverage limits of $3,000 per item, making it a good option for homeowners who want comprehensive protection without a high cost.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Backs repairs with a 90-day guarantee for parts and a 60-day guarantee for labor
- Offers a $3,000 cap for most covered items
- Provides complete system and appliance coverage for less than $70 per month
Cons
- Doesn’t offer a systems-only or appliance-only plan
- Excludes some key items, including refrigerators, from its lowest plan tier
Plans and Pricing
Choice Home Warranty offers two plans: the Basic Plan and the Total Plan. After reviewing a Choice Home Warranty sample contract, we found that both plans provide coverage for systems and appliances. However, the Basic Plan excludes coverage for key items such as air conditioners, refrigerators, and clothes washers and dryers. To include these appliances, you’ll need to select the Total Plan. However, the Basic Plan may still work for South Dakota homeowners worried more about heating coverage rather than air conditioning.
Each plan comes with a $100 service fee, which is paid directly to the technician after a repair or replacement. Unlike other companies, Choice Home Warranty doesn’t offer flexible service fees, meaning you’ll pay the same $100 fee for any repair. Comparatively, many competitors provide multiple service fee options, allowing you to adjust the rate to better fit your budget.
Here’s a closer look at Choice Home Warranty’s plan options:
- Basic Plan ($60 per month): Covers seven systems and seven appliances, such as heating, ovens, and plumbing
- Total Plan ($68 per month): Covers eight systems and 10 appliances, including air conditioning, clothes washers and dryers, and refrigerators
- Optional add-ons: Up to 10 options, including additional spas, stand-alone freezers, central vacuums, septic systems, sump pumps, and well pumps
Our Experience with Choice Home Warranty
Our Choice Home Warranty tester filed multiple claims with the company. Although contractors were assigned to each claim, the quality and timing of service varied. Some contractors resolved issues quickly, while others needed multiple visits or failed to fix the problem. Appointment scheduling was inconsistent, with wait times ranging from one day to one month, causing frustration. For example, our tester’s tub repair took three appointments but was never resolved, while an air conditioner repair was completed in a single visit.
Elite Home Warranty
Elite Home Warranty is a good option for homeowners who prefer flexible premiums and coverage. It offers three standard plans, a customizable plan option, and 30 add-on options for customized protection.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Includes a 90-day workmanship guarantee for completed repairs
- Lets you build a fully customized plan for tailored protection
- Offers higher coverage limits for high-end appliances
Cons
- Charges a higher service call fee for high-end appliance repairs
- Excludes workmanship guarantee on repairs done with an out-of-network technician
Plans and Cost
When reading through the Elite Home Warranty sample contract, we learned that the company offers a $15,000 annual limit for all plans. This breaks down to a $7,000 claim limit for appliances and $8,000 for systems, which is a higher limit than many providers. However, claim limits vary among coverage items. For example, air conditioners receive up to $4,000 while electrical systems are capped at $2,000.
The company has a standard service call fee of $70. It charges $150 for high-end appliance repairs and service calls after hours or on weekends.
Below are the details of Elite’s coverage plans:
- Elite Appliances ($45 per month): Covers eight essential appliances, including cooktops, clothes washers, and dishwashers
- Elite Systems ($50 per month): Covers eight home systems, such as air conditioning, heating, and electrical systems
- Elite Complete ($60 per month): Combines the Elite Appliances and Elite Systems plans for comprehensive systems and appliance protection.
- Optional add-ons: Up to 30 options including sewer lines, guest houses, well pumps, sump pumps, and generators
Our Experience with Elite Home Warranty
Our Elite Home Warranty tester submitted an online claim for his malfunctioning high-end dishwasher and received a call from a claims specialist within 30 minutes. Although an appointment was scheduled for the next day, the technician found the required parts were unavailable. After the initial visit on Tuesday evening, the technician returned on Monday with the necessary parts and completed the repairs in under an hour.
AFC Home Warranty
AFC Home Warranty stands out for its flexible technician policy, which lets you choose your preferred service provider for repairs. Most home warranty companies don’t offer this benefit, but instead assign you a technician from a pre-approved network. The company also offers an extensive plan-length workmanship guarantee, the longest in this review. This means AFC Home Warranty covers repairs for the plan’s duration, giving you peace of mind knowing any issues will get addressed without additional costs.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Includes a plan-length workmanship guarantee, compared to the industry standard of 30 days
- Lets you choose your own technician
- Provides four coverage plans and two service call fees for better customization
Cons
- Includes a depreciation policy for items five years old or older
- Offers lower system coverage caps than many competitors
Plans and Pricing
AFC Home Warranty offers four plans: Silver, Gold, Platinum, and Diamond. After reviewing the AFC Home Warranty sample contract, we found that the Silver Plan provides appliance-only coverage, while the Gold, Platinum, and Diamond Plans cover both appliances and systems. Coverage limits vary by item, with appliance coverage ranging from $150–$3,000 and system coverage from $150 –$500. However, there are no coverage limits for heating, cooling, and water heaters.
The company offers service call fees of $75 or $125, allowing you to adjust your monthly cost. Choosing the higher service fee will lower your monthly payment, while selecting the lower fee will raise it. You can choose monthly or annual billing and a one-year or three-year contract.
We’ve outlined AFC Home Warranty’s plans below:
- Silver Plan (call for a quote): Covers nine appliances, including cooktops, kitchen refrigerators, and stoves
- Gold Plan ($44 per month): Covers nine appliances and six home systems, including HVAC, heating, and electrical
- Platinum Plan ($51 per month): Covers 10 appliances and nine home systems, such as built-in microwaves, plumbing stoppages, and fans
- Diamond Plan ($82 per month): Includes Platinum Plan coverage, plus electronics and exterior sewer and water lines
- Optional add-ons: Up to eight options, including in-ground pools and spas, roof-leak coverage, stand-alone freezers, well pumps, and septic systems
Our Experience with AFC Home Warranty
Our AFC Home Warranty tester found the online claim process quick and easy, though she experienced some confusion about needing to call in after her submission. She received confirmation emails and texts, but customer service confirmed the process was complete over the phone. After scheduling an appointment, the technician fixed the issue, but the problem returned. A second technician resolved the issue, and while our tester paid the service call fee for the first visit, the second was free. Despite needing two visits, she was satisfied with the service.
Liberty Home Guard
Liberty Home Guard (LHG) offers three coverage plans, a 60-day workmanship guarantee, and more than 40 add-ons. The company also provides accessible customer service via its live-chat feature on its website.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Extends a 60-day workmanship guarantee
- Offers 42 unique optional add-ons, including pest control and gutter cleaning
- Provides two additional months of coverage if you sign up for an annual plan
Cons
- Doesn’t allow plan price or service call fee customization
- Lacks transparency about service call fees during the quote process
Plans and Pricing
Liberty Home Guard offers three service plan options: Appliance Guard, Systems Guard, and Total Home Guard. We read through Liberty Home Guard’s sample contract to get an understanding of what is covered in their plans along with associated service fees. Unlike providers with flexible service call fees, the company 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. Its covered items are subject to a $2,000 coverage cap, except for electrical and plumbing systems. Liberty Home Guard provides a lower $500 coverage limit for these systems. All covered repairs are subject to a 60-day workmanship guarantee, double the industry standard of 30 days.
The company 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 Liberty Home Guard’s plans and optional add-on coverage:
- Appliance Guard ($57 per month): Covers appliances, such as dishwashers, clothes washers, and dryers
- Systems Guard ($62 per month): Covers built-in systems, such as air conditioning, heating, ductwork, and water heater
- Total Home Guard ($68 per month): Covers all the items in the Appliance Guard and Systems Guard plans
- Optional add-ons: Up to 42 options, including pest control, re-key service, gutter cleaning, floor cleaning, and generator coverage
Our Experience with Liberty Home Guard
Our Liberty Home Guard tester used the online quote tool to sign up for service, entering basic details like her name, phone number, email, and home information. She was able to explore pricing options and select a plan that fit her budget, choosing between monthly and annual premiums. Once she made her payment, she received confirmation of her plan, service call fee, and the coverage start date after the 30-day waiting period.
How Much Does a Home Warranty Cost in South Dakota?
In South Dakota, a home warranty typically costs between $49 and $78 per month, or $581 and $909 annually. This aligns with the national average home warranty cost of $47–$82 per month or $564–$984 per year. While costs in South Dakota are comparable to national rates, your actual price can vary depending on your provider and the coverage options.
Several factors affect home warranty pricing in South Dakota. The size of your home plays a role, as larger homes generally incur higher premiums. The level of coverage also impacts costs—basic plans that cover only appliances or systems tend to cost less than comprehensive plans with both. Additionally, service call fees, ranging from $75–$125 per claim, can influence the overall monthly premium.
FAQs About South Dakota Home Warranties
What’s the difference between a manufacturer’s warranty and a home warranty in South Dakota?
When you purchase a new product, like a home appliance, the manufacturer gives you a warranty that protects the item against defects for the first few years of its life. After that, repairs and replacements become your responsibility. A home warranty offers coverage if your systems and appliances break down due to normal wear and tear, and your provider helps cover repair or replacement costs.
Do South Dakota home warranties have coverage caps?
Yes, most home warranty plans outline coverage caps or limits for each item. Home warranty companies typically set a coverage cap, or the maximum amount a provider is willing to pay to repair or replace a covered item. This amount is laid out in the terms and conditions of your home warranty service contract. If a fix costs more than the coverage cap, the homeowner has to pay the remaining amount out-of-pocket.
When will a home warranty provider replace an item instead of repair it?
If a technician can’t repair a covered item or doing so isn’t cost efficient, a home warranty provider may replace it instead. Your provider may not offer a replacement with the same make, model, and color as your previous one, but the item will function the same.
Other Resources for Residents in South Dakota
Our Rating Methodology
We developed a detailed rating methodology to evaluate each home warranty provider. Our approach involved having conversations with company representatives, collecting quotes, analyzing sample contracts, and surveying homeowners. We also tested the sign-up and claims processes for 11 top companies and conducted secret shopping to explore the customer experience.
Based on the data, we scored each provider across six essential categories when selecting a home warranty. Each company was assigned a score out of 100 points, which we converted into a 5-star rating.
Here’s a look at the weighted factors:
- Coverage: We evaluated each provider’s coverage, awarding higher scores to those offering more extensive protection and higher limits. Points were deducted for having long waiting periods or depreciation policies.
- Cost: We analyzed pricing and service fees, giving the most points to providers with competitive pricing and no extra charges or fees.
- Trustworthiness: We reviewed customer ratings on third-party sites, including the BBB and Trustpilot, and gave higher scores to providers with solid reputations and no major legal issues.
- Plan transparency: We assessed each provider’s policy transparency and rewarded providers that provide clear, accessible contract details.
- Customer support: We evaluated customer service based on each provider’s responsiveness and helpfulness, giving higher scores to companies that offer more efficient support.
- Flexibility: We gave more points to companies that offered better plan variety, extensive add-on catalogs, flexible technician options, and customer-friendly cancellation policies.
