If you own a home, it is likely that at some point you will have to repair or replace your appliances.  Home warranties are special policies that cover home appliances, home systems, or both.

Just like any product, there are similarities and differences in companies and the policies they offer. If you compare prices when shopping for products and services, then read on. We are going to provide you with everything you need to know about home warranties.

Positives and Negatives of Home Warranties

A home warranty can save you thousands of dollars in repairs. This is especially beneficial if you have an older home where appliances and home systems are more likely to develop problems. If you have a newer home you may want to consider if the warranty cost is a good investment for new products and systems.

Warranties are not a catch-all for problems. Problems that existed prior to the policy effective date or caused by improper installation may not be covered.

Warranty coverage is for normal wear and tear. Damage from accidents is usually not covered.

How Pricing Works

The cost of your warranty will vary depending on the company you use, the specific policy you select, the age of your home, if you choose to add extended coverage, and possibly your location.

In addition to the cost of your policy, there is an additional service fee. This will be specified in the contract. The service fee is an amount you pay each time a technician comes out for service.

Home warranty coverage variations must be given careful consideration. Buyer’s guides are an excellent way to comparison shop for coverage on your household appliances.

Comparison Shopping

Coverage is similar to most home warranty companies. It pays to take the time to get quotes from several companies. Read each contract completely to make sure the items you want covered qualify.

One of the biggest mistakes purchasers of home warranties make is failing to read the fine print in the contract. Do not assume all appliances you have are covered. Check for any specific parts of an appliance that are not covered, such as the ice maker on a refrigerator.

A general rule of thumb is that a home warranty will cost you somewhere between $300 to $700 per year. Service fees vary from $75 to $125 and must be paid to the technician. Here are some of the best home warranty companies and their prices.

American Home Shield

American Home Shield was the creator of the home warranty industry in 1971. Consumer Affairs considers it to be the lead company in the industry today, with 1.8 million customers in 49 states.

With more than 45 years of experience and home warranty claims of $2 billion dollars paid since 2014, American Home Shield offers three different plans to fit your needs.

Appliance Plan—Starting Price $29.99 per month, provides coverage for:

• Refrigerators
• Dishwashers
• Clothes Washers
• Ranges, Ovens, and Cooktops
• Clothes Dryers
• Built-In Microwaves
• Free-Standing Ice Makers
• Garage Door Openers
• Trash Compactors

Systems Plan—Starting Price $29.99 per month, provides coverage for:

• Heating with Ductwork
• Electrical
• Water Heaters
• Garbage Disposals
• Air Conditioning
• Ceiling Fans
• Doorbells

Combo Plan—Starting Price $39.99 per month, provides coverage for

• All items listed above under Appliance Plan
• All items listed above under Systems Plan

Optional Add-Ons—Pricing and Service Fee varies depending on the payment option selected; view the sample contract for details

• Electronic Extended Warranty
• Pools and Spas
• Well Pump
• Septic Pump
• Guest Unit—rental units and guest houses less than 750 square feet

Other Considerations

• Consumer Affairs 4 star rating out of a possible 5
• Customize your coverage plan
• Available in 49 states
• Guarantee on workmanship is only 60 days
• Does not cover non-detectable pre-existing conditions
• Coverage not available in Alaska
• More than 1.8 million customers
• Add-on coverage available for Asurion Home electronics
• 15,000 technicians throughout the United States

Their website is user friendly and states you will pay a service fee of $75 to $125 for each in-home visit on their standard plans. Separate service fees apply to optional add-ons.

Cinch Home Services

Cinch Home Services was formerly known at Total Protect Home Warranty. This company has been in business for more than 40 years and services more than 1,000,000 homes per year. In 2022 they earned 18 prestigious Stevie Awards, bringing their three-year total to 24.

Appliances Plan—Starting Price $29.99 per month, provides coverage for:

• Clothes Dryers
• Clothes Washers
• Cooktops
• Dishwashers
• Built-In Microwaves
• Build-In Food Centers
• Free Standing Ice Makers
• Ranges
• Range Exhaust Hoods
• Refrigerators
• Built-In Trash Compactors
• Wall Ovens

Built-In Systems—Starting Price $32.99 per month, provides coverage for:

• Air Conditioning and Ductwork
• Attic Fans
• Ceiling Fans
• Central Vacuums
• Door Bells
• Electrical Systems
• Garage Door Openers
• Garbage Disposals
• Heating Systems and Ductwork
• Instant Hot/Cold Water Dispenser
• Plumbing System
• Smoke Detectors
• Sump Pump
• Toilets
• Water Heater
• Built-In Whirlpool/Jetted Tub

Complete Home—Starting Price $39.99 per month, provides coverage for:

• All items listed above under Appliances
• All items listed above under Built-In Systems
• Homeowners Insurance Deductible Reimbursement

Other Considerations

• Workmanship guarantee of 180-days
• Rust and Corrosion coverage
• Unknown pre-existing conditions are covered
• Discounts for new appliances
• User-friendly website
• 24 Prestigious Stevie Awards

This company has excellent customer reviews and is Alexa friendly, providing an easy connection for service.

The Home Service Club

Having earned the Best in Service for 2015, 2016, 2019, and 2020 and the Editor’s Choice for 2018 from HomeWarrantyReviews.com, the Home Service Club is a good option when considering a home warranty.

Pricing is not listed on their website. You must request a customized quote online to obtain the cost of their coverage plans.

Appliance Standard Coverage Plan

• Refrigerators
• Ovens, Ranges, Cooktops
• Dishwasher
• Clothes Washer
• Clothes Dryer
• Freestanding Icemakers
• Built-In Microwave Oven
• Trash Compactor
• Built-In Food Centers

Systems Standard Coverage Plan

• Air Conditioner
• Heating Systems
• Electrical Systems
• Water Heater
• Plumbing Systems
• Garbage Disposal
• Garage Door Opener
• Ceiling Fans

Comprehensive Coverage Plan

• All items listed above under Appliances Standard Coverage
• All items listed above under Systems Standard Coverage
• Plumbing Stoppage
• Ductwork
• Gas Leaks
• Pest Control
• Whirlpool
• Alarm Warning
• Telephone Wiring
• Smoke Detectors
• Exhaust/Attic Fans
• Sump Pump
• Doorbells
• Hot Water Pump
• Hot/Cold Water Dispenser

Optional Add-Ons

• Sprinkler System Line Coverage
• Freestanding Freezer
• Refrigerator Built-In Units With Dual Compressors
• Well Pump
• Water Softener
• Jetted Bathtub
• Roof Coverage
• Pool and Spa Equipment
• Spa and Spa Heater
• Sewage Ejector Pump
• Utility and Home Service Line Coverage

Other Considerations

• Available in 24 states
• com Best in Service and Editors Choice awards
• The plan is transferable to a new homeowner if you sell your property
• Only new and brand name appliances used when replacing
• Coverage for undetectable pre-existing conditions
• Coverage for failure caused by improper installation
• Code violation fees coverage
• Coverage for issues caused by lack of routine maintenance and care
• Coverage for refrigerant reclaim, recapture, and disposal
• Rust and Corrosion coverage
• Coverage for issues caused by misuse
• Permit fees are covered

In addition to standard home coverage, Home Service Club also offers three real estate home warranties, available in basic, standard, and comprehensive coverage.

First American Home Warranty

If you are looking for a company with 30 years of experience, unlimited service calls, and service 24/7 all 365 days a year, you will want to check out First American Home Warranty. They offer two plans plus optional add-ons.

Basic Plan—Starting Cost $25.00 per month, coverage includes:

• Kitchen Refrigerator
• Clothes Washer
• Clothes Dryer
• Dishwasher
• Oven, Range, Cooktop
• Built-In Microwave
• Garbage Disposal
• Trash Compactor
• Instant Hot Water Dispenser
• Ceiling Fans
• Attic and Exhaust Fans

Premier Plan—Starting Cost $39.50 per month, coverage includes:

• Everything in the Basic Plan
• Heating System
• Plumbing System
• Plumbing Stoppages
• Electrical System
• Ductwork
• Water Heater
• Toilet Tanks and Bowls
• Sump Pump
• Whirlpool Bath Motor and Pump
• Garage Door Openers
• Central Vacuum Systems
• Ceiling Fans
• Attic and Exhaust Fans

Optional Add-Ons—Pricing as shown below

• Pool and Spa Equipment for saltwater or chlorine pools—$15 per month
• Central Air Conditioning including refrigerant recharging—$9 per month
• Additional Refrigeration up to 4 additional units covered—$4 per month
• Well Pump, limited to one pump per home—$7 per month
• First Class Upgrade includes up to 13 additional services and 30 items—$9 per month

Other Considerations

• Service available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year
• Protection guarantee—if it can not be repaired, they will replace
• Unlimited service calls
• Rated 4.0 out of 5 based on 5,143 reviews on TrustPilot

All pricing is based on a single-family residential home that is less than 5,000 square feet. You may contact the company for a personalized quote on homes larger than 5,000 square feet, multiple units, townhouses, condominiums, and guest houses.

Making Your Selection

Looking at the four companies shown above you can see why it is important to take your time and evaluate all the options available. Read the contracts and pricing carefully to make sure the items you want to be warranted are included in the contract.

Here are some tips for making your selection:

1. Comparison Shop—obtain quotes from several companies to get the most coverage at the best price
2. Read the warranty carefully—watch for loopholes such as coverage on only specific components of an appliance or overage only under certain circumstances
3. What is the Service Fee—include this cost in your comparison
4. How Easy is the Claims Process—How do you file a claim, what is the turn-around time for a technician to visit, how do you check the status of a claim
5. Can you easily navigate their website for additional information?

A home warranty is a service contract that covers the repair or replacement of many of the major systems and appliances in your home. It offers peace of mind to homeowners, protecting them from unexpected and potentially costly repairs. A home warranty pays for the repair or replacement of covered items when they break down due to normal wear and tear. In addition, home warranties are often transferable, so they can increase the value of your home when you decide to sell. By providing reliable protection in the case of unexpected repairs, a home warranty can help protect your family and budget.

Benefits of a Home Warranty:

1. Protects Against Unexpected Expenses: A home warranty will cover the cost of repair or replacement if something goes wrong with your major appliance or system. This can help protect you against expensive, unexpected repairs.

2. Provides Peace of Mind: Knowing that you are covered in the case of an unforeseen breakdown can bring peace of mind and reduce stress.

3. Transferable Coverage: If you decide to sell your home, a home warranty can add value by transferring coverage to the new homeowner.

4. Flexible Plans: Home warranties offer flexible plans that let you customize coverage to suit your needs and budget.

5. Quality Service: Home warranties are backed by reputable companies with trained professionals who will provide quality service when needed.

If you are looking for reliable protection in the case of unexpected repairs, a home warranty may be right for you. It can provide peace of mind and financial security while protecting your family and budget.

For more information on home warranties, contact a reputable provider to discuss your options today. With the right coverage, you’ll be glad you did.

How to Choose the Right Home Warranty Plan for You

When choosing the right home warranty plan for you, there are a few key factors to consider.

First, figure out what type of coverage you need. You’ll want to choose a plan that covers all of your major systems and appliances. Make sure it also includes any additional items you might need in the future, such as a pool or hot tub.

Next, compare different plans. You’ll want to evaluate the plan’s coverage limits and deductibles to determine if they fit your needs and budget. Additionally, take into consideration the company’s reputation and customer service ratings when selecting a provider.

Finally, make sure you’re familiar with the specific terms and conditions of your chosen plan. Pay attention to any exclusions or special requirements, such as annual maintenance or restrictions on who can perform repairs.

By taking the time to research and compare home warranty plans, you’ll be able to choose one that fits your needs and budget perfectly. With the right home warranty plan, you’ll be able to enjoy peace of mind knowing that your major systems and appliances are covered.