The Best Pool Warranty Providers
Owning a pool has a lot of perks, but it’s an expensive investment. If something goes wrong, repair costs can quickly add up. A home warranty with swimming pool coverage can help take the sting out of these unexpected costs by offering financial help for repairs.
We reviewed 13 leading home warranty companies to find which ones offer the best pool coverage. We chose American Home Shield (AHS) as our top pick because it covers up to $3,000 in pool repairs per year. It also covers pools with existing issues and damage—something most companies don’t do. Our second choice is Choice Home Warranty. Most home warranty providers only offer pool coverage as an add-on to your base plan, and Choice has the cheapest additional cost.
Below, we’ll discuss all five of our companies and answer key questions about how pool warranty coverage works.
Top Home Warranty Companies for Pools
After evaluating 13 home warranty companies, we chose the following five companies as the best options for pool coverage:
- American Home Shield
- Choice Home Warranty
- First American Home Warranty
- Elite Home Warranty
- Cinch Home Services
Comparing Top Home Warranty Companies for Pool Coverage
When comparing home warranty companies that offer pool coverage, we paid special attention to monthly plan costs and service call fees (the cost you pay for each repair visit). Since pool coverage usually isn’t included in base plans, we also looked at the monthly price for pool add-ons and their respective coverage caps. A coverage cap is the max your home warranty provider will pay for that item per year.
The table below shows how our top picks measure up based on these important criteria.To determine pricing, we gathered quotes from each provider for a 2,215-square-foot single-family home in Orlando, Florida.
| Provider | Pool Coverage Cap | Pool Add-On Cost | Monthly Cost | Service Fee | BBB Rating | Get a Quote |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $3,000 | $18 | $29–$89 | $100–$125 | B | VISIT SITE | |
| $3,000 | $15 | $46–$55 | $100 | B | VISIT SITE | |
| $2,500 | $20 | $42–$82 | $100–$125 | B | VISIT SITE | |
| $2,500 | Varies by area | $44–$58 | $70 | B+ | VISIT SITE | |
| $1,500 | $22 | $30–$56 | $100–$150 | B+ | VISIT SITE |
Note: BBB ratings are accurate as of November 2024.
Top-Rated Home Warranty Providers for Pools
Here’s a detailed look at our favorite home warranty providers for pool coverage.
American Home Shield
Choice Home Warranty
First American Home Warranty
Elite Home Warranty
Cinch Home Services
Which Home Warranty Companies Didn’t Make the List?
Some home warranty companies didn’t make our top picks for pool coverage due to their lower coverage caps, but they could still be a good option if you want basic pool protection along with more comprehensive home system coverage.
AFC Home Warranty
AFC Home Warranty offers pool coverage of just $500, which is lower than many other providers we’ve reviewed. However, it stands out by including a plan-length guarantee that covers the cost of any repeat repairs or replacements for as long as your plan remains active. This could make it a good choice for homeowners who want a longer-term guarantee and don’t need extensive pool or spa coverage.
Liberty Home Guard (LHG)
Similar to AFC, Liberty Home Guard limits its pool and spa coverage to $500. However, LHG distinguishes itself with one of the most extensive add-on catalogs we’ve seen, including 40 options for additional appliances, outdoor installations, and home maintenance services. This makes LHG a good fit for homeowners who need less pool coverage but have more specialized coverage needs beyond just appliances and systems.
What Parts of a Pool Are Covered by a Home Warranty?
While pool warranties can help reduce repair costs for common issues, they don’t cover every pool-related breakdown. Most warranties address normal wear and tear but typically exclude problems resulting from neglect, misuse, or improper maintenance. Common pool equipment—such as pumps, heaters, and filtration systems—is often included. However, many don’t cover cosmetic damage like cracks in the pool lining or tiles. Additionally, most home warranty plans don’t cover water chemistry systems, pool liners, or automatic pool cleaning systems.
The table below compares what’s covered in the most comprehensive plans from our top five providers, focusing on key pool equipment and systems.
Key Pool Coverage Caps by Provider
| Pool Coverage | American Home Shield | Choice Home Warranty | First American Home Warranty | Elite Home Warranty | Cinch Home Services |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heating, pumping, and filtration systems | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Pool sweep motor and pump | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Circulation pump motor | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Plumbing pipes and wiring | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Above-ground pool components | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Non-saltwater pools | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Saltwater pools | 𝗫 | 𝗫 | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Spas | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Above-ground pools | 𝗫 | 𝗫 | 𝗫 | ✔ | 𝗫 |
How Much Does Pool Coverage Cost?
A home warranty plan with basic pool coverage costs about $660–$1,100 annually, depending on the company and what’s covered. This includes the base price of a home warranty plan ($480–$820) and an add-on for pool coverage ($180–$280), as most home warranty providers only cover pools as an add-on. This may seem expensive, but a pool warranty can be worth it when faced with the cost of repairing a pump or heater on your own, especially if you have multiple breakdowns in a year.
Remember that you’ll also pay a service call fee each time you need a repair, usually between $80 and $125. This fee covers the visit from a repair technician, so while it’s an extra cost, it’s generally a lot easier to plan for than a big, unexpected repair bill.
Here’s a quick breakdown of typical repair costs for common pool components to help you weigh your options with pool coverage.
| Pool Issue | Average Cost* |
|---|---|
| Gas pool heater repair | $150–$750 |
| Electric pool heater repair | $200–$1,200 |
| Pump motor repair | $250–$650 |
| Pool filter replacement | $250–$2,000 |
| Pump replacement | $700–$1,300 |
*Cost data sourced from Angi
Reading the Fine Print of Your Pool Coverage Plan
Pool warranties usually cover essential parts like pumps, heaters, and filtration systems while leaving out external connections and nonessential accessories. Many plans also exclude things like cleaning equipment, pool covers, and cosmetic features, as well as certain pool types, such as saltwater and portable pools.
Below are some of the most common exclusions in pool warranty plans.
- Advanced heating systems and fuel components: Equipment like heat pumps and fuel storage tanks (used for storing gas or oil) are typically excluded due to their specialized nature and high repair or replacement costs, which fall outside standard coverage.
- Consumable and nonessential items: Items such as pool vacuums, robotic cleaners, pool water treatments, pool covers, and liners are often excluded because they either require frequent replacement or are deemed nonessential or cosmetic.
- Damage caused by natural disasters: Home warranties with pool coverage generally don’t cover damage from weather events like storms or floods, as this is typically covered under homeowners insurance. For example, damage from a fallen tree or flooding would be covered by an insurance policy but not a home warranty.
- Decorative features: Waterfalls, fountains, and other aesthetic additions are generally not covered, as they’re considered optional upgrades meant for decoration rather than for essential pool functions.
- Preexisting and installation issues: Most plans exclude preexisting conditions, damage caused by improper installation, and unauthorized modifications (changes made by the homeowner without professional oversight), as these are viewed as homeowner responsibilities.
- Specialized pools and spas: Providers vary in their coverage of saltwater pools while other types of pools—such as portable and above-ground pools—are typically excluded since they’re not permanent.
- Structural and plumbing components: Features like underground pipes, wiring, fill lines, valves, and liners are typically excluded because they are either considered nonessential or fall under the homeowner’s responsibility for routine maintenance and repair.
How To Choose the Right Home Warranty for Pool Coverage
When picking pool coverage, it’s important to choose a home warranty provider that covers the right type of pool and spa for you. Chlorine and freshwater pools are more commonly included in plans, while saltwater pools can be harder to find coverage for. Some providers will cover both pools and spas, but they might require them to share equipment like pumps and filtration systems.
Many pool repairs can easily run over $1,000, so look for a plan with coverage limits of at least $1,500. Remember that even with a home warranty, your company may not cover the full cost of larger repairs. In that case, going for higher coverage limits is a smart move to keep your out-of-pocket expenses as low as possible.
Pool add-ons often come with higher fees compared to other coverage, so it’s important to set a budget ahead of time. You’ll need to cover both the base plan and the extra pool add-on. Don’t forget to factor in service call fees, which you’ll pay each time a repair person visits your pool. Many providers let you choose your service call fee, but choosing a lower fee will raise your monthly plan cost. To make sure you’re getting the best deal, get quotes from a few different companies and compare the monthly rates and add-on costs.
Advice From Real Homeowners
Owning a pool is a big investment, and while builder warranties cover some minor issues, they often leave homeowners unprepared for long-term repair costs. We spoke with two pool owners in South Carolina who’ve so far relied on their builder’s warranties for small repairs.
Shena B. from Charleston, who has owned a chlorine pool for two years, said her warranty covered a broken pool light but she hasn’t had any major issues. “I wish I’d been better prepared for all the upfront legwork, like land surveys and permits,” she said. “It’s also worth knowing how much time you’ll need to dedicate to cleaning and maintaining chemical balance.”
Mark K., a homeowner from Summerville who’s had a pool for three years, said he chose a saltwater pool because it requires much less maintenance and less money for chemicals. Like Shena, he hasn’t faced any big repairs yet. “We will be looking to take on expenses as they happen,” Mark said, explaining that he was budgeting like he would for car maintenance.
Though neither Shena nor Mark has dealt with major pump or heater repairs yet, that could change over time. If you don’t opt for a home warranty, it’s a good idea to keep a reserve fund like Mark in case any expensive breakdowns happen later on.
How We Evaluated Home Warranty Providers on Pool Coverage
We evaluated several key factors to recommend the best home warranty companies for pool coverage. Here’s an overview of our process.
Our Rating System
We spoke with home warranty experts, reviewed providers’ plans, and gathered customer feedback. To get a feel for the claims process, we contacted each company’s support team and even bought plans from 11 top providers. We also surveyed home warranty customers to find out why they picked certain plans and get a sense of their personal experiences with claims.
We used all of this research to create a detailed rating methodology and ranked each company in six categories: coverage (35%), cost (20%), trustworthiness (15%), plan transparency (10%), customer support (10%), and flexibility (10%). We focused on the following factors specific to pools:
- Covered pool types and components: Our team checked which types of pools and pool components are covered under each plan. This includes freshwater, saltwater, and above-ground pools, as well as essential pool components like pumps, filtration systems, heaters, and motors. Any providers with too many exclusions of key items didn’t make our list.
- Pool coverage limits: One big pool repair can easily cost over $1,000. As such, we focused on pool warranty plans that offer at least $1,500 in coverage for common repairs, with higher limits being preferable to cover more costly repairs like pump or heater replacements. We excluded any providers that offered coverage of $1,000 or lower.
- Add-on options for multiple pools or spas: Some providers offer bundled coverage for pools and spas, while others require you to purchase separate add-ons for each item. We paid special attention to providers offering flexibility in their add-on options so you can cover all your pool equipment without paying for coverage you don’t need.
- Our firsthand claims testing: Reading customer reviews can give you a good idea of a home warranty provider’s reputation, but we took it a step further by testing providers ourselves. Our team signed up with 11 different companies to get a firsthand look at important factors like customer support and the claims process. This helped us better understand how each provider operates so you can make a more informed decision.
To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our team at reviews@thisoldhousereviews.com.