What Does a Home Warranty Cost?

The average cost of a home warranty with our top partner, American Home Shield, is $29–$90 per month. Did you know over 75% of homeowners paid $400 or more for their most expensive system or appliance repair, according to our 2021 survey? For those who own an older home or many appliances and systems, your items can fail unexpectedly and cause a significant expense. A home warranty protects you from the out-of-pocket costs associated with system and appliance repairs or replacements. A home warranty also provides the convenience of connecting you with a trusted service provider when you file a claim. To help you understand the price of comprehensive coverage, we gathered sample quotes from the best home warranty companies.

 

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Home Warranty Costs

A home warranty’s cost varies by location, plan, and service fee. Your annual or monthly premium and service call fee are the two main costs associated with your home warranty policy.

Monthly or Annual Premiums

Your monthly premium is what you pay for maintaining coverage. Most providers alternately allow you to pay for your plan in one lump sum at the beginning of the year for a discount.

Service Call Fees

In addition to your monthly (or annual) premium, you’ll also be responsible for a service call fee. The service call fee is essentially a deductible that you owe after you file a claim when a service technician comes to your home to diagnose an issue with your system or appliance. Many providers give you a few service call fees to choose from, with a higher service call fee decreasing your monthly premium and a lower service call fee increasing it. Across the top providers in the home warranty industry, most service call fees fall between $65 and $150.

Optional Add-Ons

Most plans offer coverage for major appliances, home systems, or a combination of the two. However, companies don’t typically cover guest units, well pumps, sump pumps, and spare refrigerators in their standard plans. If you want coverage for these items and more, you can get it through optional add-ons. Additional coverage items typically cost no more than an extra $10 per month, depending on your plan and the covered items you’d like to include.

 

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Factors Affecting Cost

As we briefly stated above, the price of your home warranty depends on your location, coverage, and service fee. 

• Location: Your property’s location can slightly affect your plan’s cost. For example, a homeowner in New York may pay more for coverage than someone living in South Carolina because New York has a higher cost of living. See how location affects cost by getting a quick, free quote from the home warranty company you’re interested in.
• Plan: Most home warranty companies offer a selection of policies, such as an appliance plan, system plan, and combination plan. Typically, a provider’s appliance plan is the lowest cost, with its system plan costing the same or slightly more. As expected, when you combine coverage, the overall cost increases.
• Add-ons: You can purchase an add-on to protect an item your provider doesn’t cover under its plans for an additional $10–$15 on average per month.
• Service call fee: As we detailed in the previous section, you can adjust how much you pay per month if the provider offers several service fees. For example, American Home Shield offers this flexible fee model. A higher service call fee will decrease your monthly payment, while a lower service call fee will raise your premium.

 

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Home Warranty Costs for Top Providers

With many home warranty providers on the market, a few stand out due to their quality coverage and customer service. Take a look at our top home warranty picks in the table below.*

Provider	Monthly Cost	Service Call Fee
American Home Shield	$29–$90	$100–$125
Liberty Home Guard	$49–$60	$65–$125
First American Home Warranty	$47–$82	$75–$125
America’s 1st Choice Home Club	$38–$62	$75–$125
Select Home Warranty	$44-$48	$60-$75

*Our team gathered the pricing data above and in the provider sections by pulling quotes for a 2,200-square-foot, single-family home in Raleigh, North Carolina. Your pricing may vary based on your home’s size, type, your location, and your plan selections.

 

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American Home Shield

Fast Facts:

• State availability: 48 (all except Alaska and Hawaii)
• Service fee: $100–$125
• Get a quick quote: Visit American Home Shield’s site

American Home Shield (AHS) is among our top providers, establishing itself as a trusted home warranty company by serving homeowners since 1971. The provider offers three coverage plans that protect home systems, appliances, or both. Optional add-ons are even available for customizable protection.

Benefits and Drawbacks

Check out our benefits and drawbacks for American Home Shield:

Benefits

➕ Comprehensive coverage: American Home Shield covers septic and well pumps in its ShieldGold plan. Most providers offer them as add-ons only.
➕ Extra value: American Home Shield includes roof-leak coverage, increased appliance limits, and code violation coverage in its ShieldPlatinum plan
➕ Generous coverage limits: The company includes a $5,000 coverage limit for all major systems and up to $4,000 per covered appliance.

Drawbacks

➖ More expensive: American Home Shield charges more for its mid-tier and comprehensive plans than other providers.
➖ No appliance-only plan: You must purchase the ShieldGold or ShieldPlatinum plans if you want appliance coverage.

Plans and Coverage

American Home Shield offers three coverage plans that protect systems, major appliances, or both. ShieldSilver covers systems, such as air conditioners and rekey services. ShieldGold adds home appliance coverage, including built-in microwaves. ShieldPlatinum increases appliance limits to $4,000, includes an annual HVAC tune-up discount, and covers refrigerant recapture.

Here is a detailed breakdown of American Home Shield’s coverage options per plan:

Coverage	ShieldSilver	ShieldGold	ShieldPlatinum
Air conditioners	✓	✓	✓
Built-in exhaust/vent/attic fans	✓	✓	✓
Built-in microwave ovens	–	✓	✓
Ceiling fans	✓	✓	✓
Clothes dryers	–	✓	✓
Clothes washers	–	✓	✓
Dishwashers	–	✓	✓
Doorbells and chimes	✓	✓	✓
Ductwork	✓	✓	✓
Faucets and valves	✓	✓	✓
Garage door openers	✓	✓	✓
Garbage disposals	–	✓	✓
Heating units	✓	✓	✓
Instant hot/cold water dispensers	–	✓	✓
Interior electrical lines	✓	✓	✓
Interior plumbing lines	✓	✓	✓
Main breaker and fuse panel box	✓	✓	✓
Ranges/cooktops	–	✓	✓
Refrigerators	–	✓	✓
Roof-leak repairs	–	–	✓
Ovens	–	✓	✓
Toilets	✓	✓	✓
Water heaters	✓	✓	✓
Whirlpool tub motor and components	✓	✓	✓

Plan Pricing

American Home Shield offers two service call fees: $100 and $125 per claim. Unlike some providers, you can choose which fee you’d prefer. Selecting the lower service call fee raises your monthly premium and vice versa.

Below is a pricing breakdown of American Home Shield’s plans:

• ShieldSilver: $29.99–$49.99 per month
• ShieldGold: $49.99–$59.99 per month
• ShieldPlatinum: $79.99–$89.99 per month

Read more: American Home Shield Review

 

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Liberty Home Guard

Fast Facts:

• State availability: 50
• Service fee: $65–$125
• Get a quick quote: Visit Liberty Home Guard’s site

Liberty Home Guard is a solid choice for customers who want more from their home warranty coverage. This service provider has one of the industry’s most extensive lists of optional add-ons. This list even includes coverage for gutter cleaning, pest control, and other services.

Benefits and Drawbacks

Check out our benefits and drawbacks for Liberty Home Guard:

Benefits

➕ Competitive rates: Offers all plans for under $60 per month, which is less than the national average monthly premium we calculated of $61.53.
➕ Optional coverage variety: Offers up to 38 unique additional coverage options, ranging from pro-series appliances to pest control services.
➕ User-friendly claims process: Provides an online portal, a dedicated phone line, and a 24/7 chat tool where you can contact customer service and file a claim.

Drawbacks

➖ Lacks service fee transparency: Won’t disclose your service call fee until you sign up for a plan.
➖ Strict service technician requirements: Requires you to use an in-network technician each time you request service.

Plans and Coverage

Liberty Home Guard offers three home protection plans: Appliance Guard, Systems Guard, and Total Home Guard. The Appliance Guard and System Guard plans cover major appliances and systems, respectively. The Total Home Guard plan bundles both systems and appliances into one comprehensive plan. LHG pairs each covered item with a $2,000 coverage limit, except for add-ons, electrical systems, and plumbing. The company pairs these items with a $500 limit.

Here is a detailed breakdown of Liberty Home Guard’s coverage options per plan:

Coverage	Appliance Guard	Systems Guard	Total Home Guard
Air conditioning	–	✓	✓
Built-in microwave ovens	✓	–	✓
Ceiling and exhaust fans	✓	–	✓
Clothes dryer	✓	–	✓
Clothes washer	✓	–	✓
Dishwashers	✓	–	✓
Ductwork	–	✓	✓
Electrical	–	✓	✓
Garage door openers	✓	–	✓
Garbage disposals	✓	–	✓
Heating	–	✓	✓
Plumbing	–	✓	✓
Ranges/ovens/cooktops	✓	–	✓
Refrigerator with ice maker and display	✓	–	✓
Water heaters	–	✓	✓

Plan Pricing

We called an LHG representative to obtain its service call fee pricing. The representative said the company chooses your fee based on your home’s size, your location, and your coverage plan.

Here is a pricing breakdown for Liberty Home Guard coverage:

• Appliance Guard: $49.99 per month
• Systems Guard: $54.99 per month
• Total Home Guard: $59.99 per month

Read more: Liberty Home Guard Review

 

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America’s First Choice Home Club

Fast Facts:

• State availability: 49 (all except Hawaii)
• Service fee: $75–$125
• Get a quick quote: Visit AFC Home Club’s site

America’s First Choice Home Club (AFC Home Club) offers more coverage plans than many providers, giving customers four options. Each plan protects your systems, appliances, or both, with add-ons available to customize your coverage.

Benefits and Drawbacks

Check out our benefits and drawbacks for AFC Home Club:

Benefits

➕ Adjustable monthly premiums: Allows you to raise or lower your monthly plan costs by choosing from three service call fees.
➕ Contractor options: Is one of the few providers allowing you to select your service provider.
➕ Coverage flexibility: Offers four coverage plans and several add-ons.

Drawbacks

➖ Limited plumbing coverage: Only covers plumbing stoppage coverage in its comprehensive plan.
➖ Strict claims submission requirements: Requires you to submit a claim for a broken item as soon as you discover it.

Plans and Coverage

AFC Home Club allows you to choose from four coverage plans: Silver, Systems, Gold, and Platinum. The Silver Plan covers home appliances, and the Systems Plan covers home systems. The Gold Plan combines system and appliance coverage. The Platinum Plan covers all Gold items, built-in microwaves, faucets, and plumbing stoppages. AFC Home Club pairs appliances with a $3,000 coverage limit per covered item. However, it offers varied system coverage limits depending on the item.

Here is a detailed breakdown of AFC Home Club’s coverage options per plan:

Coverage	Systems Plan	Silver Plan	Gold Plan	Platinum Plan
Air conditioning	✓	–	✓	✓
Built-in microwave	–	–	–	✓
Clothes dryer	–	✓	✓	✓
Clothes washer	–	✓	✓	✓
Dishwasher	–	✓	✓	✓
Ductwork	✓	–	✓	✓
Electrical system	✓	–	✓	✓
Faucets	–	–	–	✓
Garage door opener	–	✓	✓	✓
Garbage disposal	–	✓	✓	✓
Heating system	✓	–	✓	✓
Ice maker	–	–	–	✓
Oven/range/cooktop/stove	–	✓	✓	✓
Plumbing stoppages	–	–	–	✓
Plumbing system	✓	–	✓	✓
Refrigerator	–	✓	✓	✓
Water heater	✓	–	✓	✓

Plan Pricing

Similar to American Home Shield, AFC Home Club provides flexible service call fees. After pulling a quote using its online tool, we found you can select from a $75, $100, and $125 fee.

Here is a pricing breakdown for AFC Home Club coverage:

• Silver Plan: $38.32–$43.67 per month
• Systems Plan: $45.52–$49.88 per month
• Gold Plan: $51.27–$57.00 per month
• Platinum Plan: $57.00–$61.79 per month

Read more: AFC Home Club Review

 

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First American Home Warranty

Fast Facts:

• State availability: 35 (all except Alaska, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Wisconsin)
• Service fee: $75–$125
• Get a quick quote: Visit First American Home Warranty’s site

If you’re a homeowner looking for comprehensive coverage, particularly for your kitchen appliances, First American Home Warranty is a good option. The provider covers a variety of appliances and home systems through its standard plans. It also offers unique customer benefits through its First American Advantage Upgrade.

Benefits and Drawbacks

Check out our list of benefits and drawbacks for First American Home Warranty:

Benefits

➕ Appliance discount access: Offers new appliance discounts if you’re in the market for a new washing machine or kitchen refrigerator.
➕ Clear fine print: Provides a simple-to-read service contract online that clearly outlines its coverage terms and exclusions.
➕ Flexible coverage: Allows you to choose from three coverage plans and three service fees to customize your coverage and monthly premium.

Drawbacks

➖ Limited state availability: Only covers up to 35 states, much lower than many top home warranty providers.
➖ Short workmanship guarantee: Covers completed repairs up to the industry standard of 30 days. Other companies offer double the workmanship length or more.

Plans and Coverage

First American offers three coverage plans: Starter, Essential, and Premium. The Starter and Essential plans protect various essential systems and appliances. First American includes a $3,500 appliance cap per covered appliance. The Premium Plan adds additional coverage and increases its appliance limit to $7,000 per covered appliance.

Here is a detailed breakdown of First American Home Warranty’s coverage options per plan:

Coverage	Starter Plan	Essential Plan	Premium Plan
Air conditioning	–	✓	✓
Built-in microwave	✓	–	✓
Ceiling/attic/exhaust fans	–	✓	✓
Central vacuum system	–	–	✓
Clothes dryer	–	✓	✓
Clothes washer	–	✓	✓
Dishwasher	✓	✓	✓
Ductwork	✓	✓	✓
Electrical systems	✓	✓	✓
Faucets	–	–	✓
Garage door opener	–	✓	✓
Garbage disposal	–	–	✓
Heating system	✓	✓	✓
Instant hot water dispenser	–	–	✓
Kitchen range hood	✓	✓	✓
Luxury appliance	–	–	✓
Oven/range/cooktop	✓	✓	✓
Plumbing	✓	✓	✓
Plumbing stoppages	✓	✓	✓
Refrigerator	✓	✓	✓
Shower head/shower arm	–	–	✓
Toilet tank/bowl/mechanisms	✓	✓	✓
Trash compactor	–	✓	✓
Water heaters	–	✓	✓
Window AC unit	–	–	✓

Plan Pricing

First American allows you to choose from a $75, $100, or $125 service call fee when you sign up. Below is a pricing breakdown for First American Home Warranty coverage:

• Starter Plan: $47–$62 per month
• Essential Plan: $57–$72 per month
• Premium Plan: $72–$87 per month

Read more: First American Home Warranty Review

 

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Select Home Warranty

Fast Facts:

• State availability: 47 (all except Nevada, Washington, and Wisconsin)
• Service fee: $75
• Get a quick quote: Visit Select Home Warranty’s site

Select Home Warranty provides basic appliance and systems coverage at an affordable rate. It offers appliance-only, systems-only, and combination plans. The company pairs each plan with a low $75 service call fee. We spoke with a Select representative, who said it offers a lower $60 service fee if you sign up for a plan over the phone.

Benefits and Drawbacks

Check out our list of benefits and drawbacks for Select Home Warranty:

Benefits

➕ Plan discounts: Offers a discount when you sign up for an annual coverage plan.
➕ Includes extra coverage: Adds $400 roof-leak repair coverage to each coverage plan.
➕ Contractor flexibility: Allows you to choose your service provider if you have a preferred option.

Drawbacks

➖ Low coverage limits: Provides low coverage limits for most of its covered items.
➖ Limited service fee flexibility: Only offers one service call fee as standard. Other providers let you choose your service fee.

Plans and Coverage

Select offers three protection plans: Bronze Care, Gold Care, and Platinum Care. The Bronze Care plan protects major appliances, and the Gold Care plan includes systems coverage. The Platinum plan bundles the Bronze and Gold Care plans into one coverage plan. Select covers up to $3,000 per air conditioning or heating system claim. However, the company provides a much lower $500 limit per claim on all other covered items. We suggest Select Home Warranty only if you wish to keep your home warranty spending at a minimum or you only need basic HVAC system coverage.

Here is a detailed breakdown of Select Home Warranty’s coverage options per plan:

Coverage	Bronze Care	Gold Care	Platinum Care
AC/cooling	–	✓	✓
Built-in microwave	✓	–	✓
Ceiling fan	–	–	✓
Clothes dryer	✓	–	✓
Clothes washer	✓	–	✓
Cooktop	✓	–	✓
Dishwasher	✓	–	✓
Ductwork	–	✓	✓
Electrical system	–	✓	✓
Garage door openers	–	–	✓
Garbage disposal	✓	–	✓
Heating system	–	✓	✓
Plumbing stoppages	–	–	✓
Plumbing system	–	✓	✓
Refrigerator	✓	–	✓
Stove/oven	✓	–	✓
Water heater	–	✓	✓

Plan Pricing

Select Home Warranty offers a standard $75 service call fee per claim, lower than other providers’ service fees. Below is a pricing breakdown for Select Home Warranty coverage:

• Bronze Care: $44.42 per month
• Gold Care: $44.42 per month
• Platinum Care: $47.75

Read more: Select Home Warranty Review

 

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Is a Home Warranty Worth the Cost?

The cost of a home protection plan is worth it for many homeowners, especially those with older houses or with limited knowledge of systems, appliances, and local technicians. With a quality service contract, the provider covers the cost of repairing or replacing their items while also putting them in touch with a trusted contractor.

Home warranty plans usually don’t make sense for new construction home buyers. Since the systems and appliances are new, they should operate smoothly. Additionally, manufacturer’s warranties likely cover these items.

 

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How to Read Your Home Warranty Fine Print

It’s difficult to know which home warranty provider fits your needs since they all seemingly offer the same coverage. Reputable providers readily display their home warranty contracts online. We suggest reading them thoroughly to understand the extent of a provider’s coverage options. Doing so also allows you to confirm the provider covers the items you need protection for.

Here are a few of the most important contract sections to read before buying a home warranty:

• Covered items and components: Ensure the provider covers the items you need and includes core component coverage. If a company only covers a limited number of core components, look elsewhere.
• Exclusions and limitations: Knowing a company’s exclusions and limitations can help you avoid a denied claim.
• Claims process: Understand how long a provider processes its service requests. Pay attention to the time frame it sends technicians to your home. Most companies won’t answer claims outside normal business hours until the following business day.
• Cancellation: Be aware of your cancellation period so you don’t pay any unnecessary fees if you decide to cancel your coverage.

 

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Our Recommendation

A home warranty is a helpful investment for many homeowners. If you want a comprehensive plan from a trusted provider, we recommend American Home Shield. For those who need unique add-on options, consider Liberty Home Guard. Finally, AFC Home Club provides solid peace of mind via its unlimited workmanship guarantee. These providers and others give you the convenience and peace of mind that come with protecting your major systems and appliances.

In addition, we suggest requesting quotes from at least three companies to compare coverage options, costs, and customer service.

 

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How We Chose the Top Home Warranty Providers

Our team reviewed and researched dozens of home warranty providers, thoroughly analyzed sample agreements, and identified customer pain points based on analysis of customer reviews and interviews with industry experts. Our in-depth methodology guides our review process to provide transparent information about the companies we review.

During this process, we determined that the most critical aspects of a home warranty company include available service plans and add-ons, depth of coverage, plan cost, industry reputation, customer support infrastructure, and additional features. We also focused on the ability to choose your own contractor, upgrade your coverage package, transfer your plan to another owner, and cover roof leaks, high-end appliance brands, ceiling and exhaust fans, and faucets and fixtures.

Our research supported that plan coverage should carry the most weight, with customer support as the second-most important factor. Industry reputation, plan availability, and additional features were rated equally. We determined that price range, while worth considering, should not be the primary basis for choosing a home warranty provider for your home’s needs.