Home warranty plans are a helpful way to protect one of the largest investments most people will make in their lives — their home. Unlike home insurance — which covers your home in the event of fires or floods — a home warranty covers home appliances or systems when they need replacement or repair. Planning ahead for these unforeseen and potentially costly repairs can save you money in the long-run while protecting the quality of your investments.
To select the best home warranty, a homeowner should consider several factors. Think about your coverage needs, available warranty plans in your area, your monthly budget, and coverage limitations and caps. In this guide, we review 10 of the nation’s best home warranty companies to help you find the perfect plan for your needs.
To select the best home warranty, a homeowner should consider several factors. Think about your coverage needs, available warranty plans in your area, your monthly budget, and coverage limitations and caps. In this guide, we review 10 of the nation’s best home warranty companies to help you find the perfect plan for your needs.
Best Home Warranty Plans in 2021
The experts at Modernize performed competitive market research to create this up-to-date list for homeowners. We explored each home warranty company’s monthly cost, service request fees, coverage plans and limitations, response/repair times (when available), and coverage areas.
Note: Home warranty companies traditionally charge both monthly premiums, as well as service request fees when you are in need of service, as part of their plan.
Note: Home warranty companies traditionally charge both monthly premiums, as well as service request fees when you are in need of service, as part of their plan.
#1
American Home Shield
American Home Shield is a subsidiary of Frontdoor that has been in business for nearly five decades and fulfills more service requests than any other home warranty company. Coverage plans include a systems plan, a systems and appliances plan, and a systems and appliances plan (with roof leak protection). Additionally, AHS covers improper appliance installation, aging appliances, and mismatched systems. After a claim is submitted, a technician will arrive within 48 hours to assess. Note that AHS coverage is not available in Alaska.
- Includes improper installation and repair coverage
- Does not require maintenance records
- Low cost premium options
#2
America's First Choice Home Club
America's First Choice, also known as AFC Home Club, is one of the newer home warranty companies included in this review at just 12-years-old. Despite this, the company has built a strong reputation, providing affordable, flexible, and comprehensive plans. Plans include ShieldSilver, which covers most home systems and minor appliances; ShieldGold, which provides the same protection as the silver plan, plus most appliances; and ShieldPlatinum, which provides the above plus roof leaks. Member add-on benefits include free credit monitoring and identity protection alerts, retail and restaurant savings, and family emergency alerts. After filing a claim, AFC will connect you with a technician in 24–48 hours. AFC stands apart from most competitors by allowing you to choose your own contractor. Note that AFC Home Club is not available in Hawaii.
- Pick your own technician
- Competitive plan selections
- Add-on member benefits
#3
OneGuard
Founded in 1990, OneGuard Home Warranty stands apart from the competition thanks to its offering of coverage for maintenance services, like carpet cleaning, pest control, and window washing. The company is also known for great customer service according to strong online customer reviews. OneGuard offers a standard appliance plan, system plan, and home guard plan that combines both appliance and systems coverage. Homeowners will be contacted within 4 business hours, or 48 hours if on a weekend or holiday. If a second breakdown occurs within 30 days, OneGuard will send a contractor at no additional service fee. Note that OneGuard is only available in Arizona, Nevada, and Texas.
- Provides home maintenance services
- Strong customer service reviews
- Transparent plans and pricing
#4
First American
First American Home Warranty is one of the most reputable home warranty companies. They have been in business for 25 years and serve more than a half-million customers—protecting over 8.6 million homeowners total. One advantage of First American is that they have a fixed service fee, no matter the request. Technicians will typically initiate repair service within 48 hours after a request is made. Upon arrival, they diagnose the issue and provide a timeline for repair or service. Note that coverage does not include repairs or replacements required as a result of missing parts, natural causes, accidents, vandalism, improper installation and more. First American is also not available in 16 states, so be sure your state is on their list.
- Affordable plans
- Fixed service fee rate
- Covers improper installation/maintenance
#5
Choice Home Warranty
Choice Home Warranty has been in business since 2008 and prides itself on great customer service through its network of 15,000+ independent contractors. Since its founding, it has provided service to over one million homes. Choice Home Warranty plans include their Basic Plan, which covers most appliances and systems, excluding A/C, refrigerator, and washer/dryer; and the Total Plan, which covers appliances that the Basic Plan excludes. Like most home warranty companies, Choice does not cover pre-existing damage to appliances and systems. The company has one of the fastest service response times, initiating service within 4 hours of a claim request, guarantees labor within 30 days, and parts within 90 days. Choice is not available in California or Washington state.
- Lowest monthly premiums
- Fast response time
- Free repairs within 90 days of service
#6
Cinch Home Services
Cinch Home Services has been providing home warranty coverage for over 40 years. This company is a popular choice due to its coverage of pre-existing conditions and damage resulting from rust and corrosion, which is not common among other plans. Cinch offers an appliances plan, a systems plan, and a complete-home plan that combines coverages from the appliances and systems plans. There are several add-ons available, including coverage for spas, pools, septic tanks, and well pumps. Depending on the time a claim is submitted, Cinch attempts to refer homeowners to a service professional within 2 hours. If a claim is submitted on a weekend or outside of normal business hours, the company’s window extends to 24 hours. Cinch home warranty coverage is not available in Alaska or Hawaii.
- 180-day workmanship guarantee
- Protection for pre-existing conditions
- 2-hour response time
#7
Landmark
Landmark Home Warranty is a Frontdoor, Inc. brand that has been in operation for over 16 years and provides coverage to more than 70,000 homeowners each year. The home warranty company includes 3 plan options. Their Home Systems Plan includes HVAC, electrical, and basic systems. Their Total Protection Plan adds refrigerator, washer, dryer, oven, and dishwasher coverage. Landmark does not specifically state in what amount of time they will respond to a claim for contract service, so be sure to ask a representative before purchasing. This home warranty coverage is currently available in Arizona, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Texas, and Utah.
- "Homeowner Dashboard" available
- Pest and termite control included
- 30-day workmanship guarantee
#8
Sears Home Warranty
Conducting more than 7 million repairs per year, Sears is known for its appliance and home repair services, home improvement and auto service. Sears offers top-rated home warranties and is one of the most transparent home warranty companies included in this list, thanks to detailing contracts, prices, and coverages on its website. Sears offers an Appliance Plan, which covers most appliances, and a Systems Plan, which covers most home systems. Their Whole-Home Plan offers all of the above at a discounted rate. Appliances are replaced with a base model. After a claim is submitted, a technician in your area will set up an appointment within 48 hours. Sears Home Warranty is not available in Alaska.
- Transparent costs and coverage
- Wide range of discounts
- 180-day workmanship guarantee
#9
Liberty Home Guard
Liberty Home Guard is the newest company in our home warranty review, having been founded in 2019. The company offers coverage plans to homeowners, realtors, and technicians, and does not require a home inspection. Liberty offers a Appliance Guard Plan, which covers major appliances plus garage doors; a Systems Guard Plan, which covers electrical, HVAC, and plumbing; and a Total Home Guard Plan, which covers all of the above. This home warranty company expects to initiate service within 48 hours of a homeowner’s claim being made. Coverage is not available in California, Illinois, Washington, Wisconsin, or Wyoming.
- A+ rating from the BBB
- Offers add-on coverage
- User-friendly website
#10
Fidelity
Fidelity Home Warranty started in 1974 and quickly became one of the nation’s fastest-growing home warranty companies. Fidelity offers four different coverage plans. The Base Plan covers most appliances and systems, excluding washer/dryer and refrigerator. Premium plans include coverage for events such as code modifications or labor costs on manufacturer’s warranty items. Fidelity service technicians will be contacted within 3 hours during normal business hours and within 48 hours on weekends after a claim is made. Coverage is only available in certain states, so make sure your state is on the list.
- Affordable coverage rates
- Fast response time
- All service providers are insured
