Unlike homeowners insurance, home warranties cover normal wear and tear, mechanical breakdowns, and aging systems or appliances. These plans can help make homeownership more affordable, but finding the right one is key.
The ideal home warranty company depends on your budget, preferred coverage level, and unique needs. This comparison highlights the best home warranty companies for various needs.
You have many home warranty companies to choose from. Consider these top options:
American Home Shield’s plans cover your home’s major systems and appliances. This coverage is ideal for older homes, since it covers undetectable pre-existing conditions, breakdowns caused by lack of maintenance, or damage from improper installations or modifications.
The company receives excellent reviews for its customer support, and coverage is available anywhere in the U.S. except Alaska, Hawaii, and New York City.
ShieldSilver (base plan): Covers HVAC, electrical systems, and plumbing systems
ShieldGold: Covers everything in ShieldSilver, plus kitchen and laundry appliances, and offers free video chats with live repair techs
ShieldPlatinum: Covers everything in ShieldGold plus roof leak repair and one free HVAC tune-up
Add-ons: Roof leak repair, home electronics, pool and spa, guest unit, septic pump, and well pump
Liberty Home Guard operates in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. It’s a good fit for homeowners who want flexible coverage options with longer contract terms. Within the company’s three bundles, you can choose a yearly plan or one that provides coverage for five years.
Liberty also offers many customization options that allow you to tailor your coverage even more. Plus, it receives excellent customer satisfaction ratings.
Appliance Guard (base plan): Covers kitchen and laundry appliances such as the refrigerator, oven, dishwasher, washer, and dryer
Systems Guard: Covers major home systems, including air conditioning, heating, ductwork, plumbing, and electrical
Total Home Guard: Covers all major home systems and essential appliances
Add-ons: Pool, spa, pumps (sump, well, ejector, grinder), septic system, central vacuum, limited roof leak, lighting fixtures, re-key, gutter cleaning, pest control, carpet cleaning, water softener, electronics, lawn sprinkler system, optional appliances, and more
First American Home Warranty has three primary plan tiers. Its premium bundle includes appliances and items other companies exclude, such as luxury or premium-brand appliances, with up to $7,000 in coverage per appliance. This warranty company also offers multiple add-ons, such as coverage for pool and spa equipment, septic systems, roof leaks, and well pumps.
Starter (base plan): Covers plumbing, electrical, heating, dishwasher, refrigerator, garbage disposal, oven, cooktop, and built-in microwave
Essential: Covers everything in the Starter plan plus laundry appliances, water heater, air conditioning, and garage door opener
Premium: Covers everything in the Essential plan plus luxury appliances, full garage door system, faucets, instant hot water dispenser, and more
Add-ons: Extra refrigeration appliances, pool and spa, roof leak repairs, septic system, well pump, water softener, and HVAC tune-up
Fidelity National Home Warranty is one of the best plan choices for home warranty add-ons. In addition to providing several plans with increasing coverage levels, it offers roughly two dozen ways for homeowners to supplement their home protection.
Standard (base plan): Covers plumbing, HVAC, electrical, kitchen appliances, built-in jetted bathtub, sump pump, toilets, water heater, recirculating hot water pump, smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, telephone wiring, central vacuum system, garage door opener, ceiling fans, trash compactor, pest control, re-key, and more
Standard Plus: Covers everything in the Standard plan plus plumbing system, water heater, heating system, garage door opener, dishwasher, trash compactor, stove, built-in microwave, mismatched systems, and improper installations, repairs, or modifications
Comprehensive Plus: Covers everything in the Standard Plus plan plus a home improvement installation option and an air conditioning/evaporative cooler option
Enhanced Plan: Covers everything in the Comprehensive Plus plan plus a preseason HVAC tune-up option, smart home option, washer and dryer option, and kitchen refrigerator option
Enhanced Plus Plan: Covers everything in the Enhanced plan plus a manufacturer’s warranty items option, water softener/reverse osmosis water filtration system option, additional inaccessible/concrete-encased and external pipe leak coverage option, stoppages due to roots, water heater expansion tank, radiant hot water/steam heat, and code violation/modification
Add-ons: HVAC zone control, tune-ups (preseason HVAC, water heater, and garage door), pool, spa, ornamental fountain motor and pump, laundry appliances, refrigerators, outdoor kitchen, water softener, well pump, septic system, external pipe leak, roof leak repair, subterranean termite treatment, home improvement installation, smart home, emergency lodging, portable AC reimbursement, homeowners insurance deductible coverage, and more
Select Home Warranty offers basic, affordable home warranty plans in 46 states. You won’t need a home inspection to get coverage, and you can try it out risk-free for 30 days without a penalty if you decide to cancel. Select also offers free roof leak coverage with every plan, which many other companies offer only as a paid add-on.
Bronze Care (base plan): Covers major kitchen and laundry appliances
Gold Care: Covers HVAC system, ductwork, electrical system, plumbing system, and water heater
Platinum Care: Covers HVAC system, ceiling fans, kitchen and laundry appliances, ductwork, electrical system, plumbing stoppage/system, water heater, and garage door opener
Add-ons: Central vacuum, lawn sprinkler system, pool, spa, roof leak, septic system, stand-alone freezer, sump pump, and well pump
Our editorial team analyzed home warranty companies to assess which offer homeowners the best prices, coverage options, customer support, and savings. We examined available plans, service fees and agreements, coverage limits, pricing, and the claims process. During our research, we looked at discounts, specialty or supplemental coverages, and customer service reviews.
A home warranty is a service contract that helps pay replacement or repair costs for appliances and major home systems. You can buy one anytime and choose the coverage level that fits your needs, although it’s common to begin coverage when you buy a home.
After buying a plan, you’ll have a waiting period that typically lasts 30 days. Once the waiting period ends, you can start requesting repairs. Home warranty companies usually charge service call fees — ranging from around $50 to $150 — for each repair visit.
Most home warranties last one year, but some companies offer three- or five-year plans.
A home warranty policy covers appliances, home systems, and other items that stop working due to age, wear and tear, or mechanical issues. While the specific details vary by plan and company, warranties often cover:
HVAC systems
Electrical systems
Plumbing systems
Refrigerators
Dishwashers
Ovens
Washers and dryers
Water heaters
Garbage disposals
Home warranty plans can protect your home’s systems and appliances, but they typically exclude the following:1
Damage covered by homeowners insurance: Home warranties cover wear and tear, mechanical breakdowns, and aging systems and appliances. In contrast, home insurance covers damage caused by natural disasters, theft, or accidents.2
Cosmetic damage: Home warranties don’t cover scratches, dents, chipped paint, or other surface-level imperfections.
Structural issues: Home warranties won’t pay to repair foundation issues such as cracks or settling.
Pre-existing issues or problems that develop during the waiting period: Home warranties typically exclude issues that existed before coverage started or developed during the waiting period.
Damages related to lack of maintenance: Home warranty companies often require service records showing regular maintenance — especially for major home system failures. If a system hasn’t been regularly serviced or maintained, a company may deny your claim.
For additional information about home warranties, see the answers to frequently asked questions below.
There’s no one “best” home warranty, and the best home warranty for you depends on your priorities and coverage needs. While some shoppers prefer only home systems coverage, others want more extensive coverage that includes appliance breakdowns.
Yes. A home warranty may be worth the money — especially if you budget for monthly premiums rather than paying for contractor repairs out of pocket. But home warranties come with exclusions and limitations. For that reason, they might not be worthwhile if you have a newer home with appliances and home systems still under manufacturer warranty.3
Home warranties often contain exclusions, have set coverage caps, and charge a per-visit fee. You also run the risk of paying for coverage you’ll never use.
Yes. You can purchase a home warranty at any time. But claim submission may not be allowed until you’ve completed a waiting period, which usually lasts 30 days.
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