Best Home Warranty Companies in Maryland (2024)
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Maryland residents know the importance of a working HVAC system during summer and winter. To keep your home fully protected, consider purchasing a home warranty. A home warranty connects you with a reputable service provider when a home system or appliance breaks down due to normal wear and tear, and you’ll only pay a service call fee for covered incidents.
Our team reviewed the best home warranty companies in the United States and outlined our top picks in Maryland. We highlighted each provider’s coverage limits, costs, and additional benefits in our review below.
Top 5 Home Warranty Companies in Maryland
Here is our list of recommended Maryland home warranty companies:
- Liberty Home Guard: Best Add-On Variety
- American Home Shield: Best Coverage
- Select Home Warranty: Best Budget Coverage
- AFC Home Warranty: Best Membership Perks
- First American Home Warranty: Best System Coverage
All pricing information used in this article is based on a single-family home (smaller than 5,000 square feet) in Pasadena, Maryland. Your pricing may vary depending on your home’s size and type, your location, and your plan and add-on coverage options.
Compare Maryland’s Top Home Warranty Companies
Compare our top-recommended home warranty companies for Maryland of 2024 below.
Company | Logo | Star Rating | Monthly Cost | Service Fee | BBB Rating | Link |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
$39.99–$79.99 | $100–$125 | B | VISIT SITE | |||
$49–$60 | $65–$125 | NR | VISIT SITE | |||
$44–$48 | $65–$75 | B | VISIT SITE | |||
$45–$70 | $75–$125 | B | VISIT SITE |
We spent hundreds of hours researching the home warranty industry to rank brands against each other. Here are the best home warranty companies in Maryland according to our rating methodology:
Liberty Home Guard
Best Add-On VarietyNumber of plans: Three
Service call fee: $65–$125
Overview
Liberty Home Guard (LHG) offers three home warranty coverage plans. LHG provides a $2,000 coverage cap per covered item and add-on, plus extends a 60-day workmanship guarantee on completed repairs. In addition, LHG includes coverage for second heating systems and air conditioners in its base plans. You can also customize your coverage with more than 30 unique add-on coverage options.
Liberty Home Guard’s service call fees range from $65 to $125. LHG selects your service call fee based on your home’s type and size, your location, and your coverage and add-on selections.
Plans and Pricing
- Appliance Guard ($49.99 per month): The Appliance Guard covers built-in microwave ovens, ceiling and exhaust fans, clothes washers and dryers, dishwashers, garage-door openers, garbage disposals, ranges, ovens, cooktops, and refrigerators with built-in ice makers.
- Systems Guard ($54.99 per month): The six covered systems in the Systems Guard are water heaters, ductwork, air conditioning, plumbing, and heating and electrical systems. Liberty Home Guard provides additional coverage for a second air conditioner or HVAC system in its standard coverage, while most providers only offer coverage for an extra unit as an add-on.
- Total Home Guard ($59.99 per month): This comprehensive plan combines coverage of everything in the Appliance Guard and Systems Guard plans.
American Home Shield
Best CoverageNumber of plans: Three
Service call fee: $100–$125
Overview
American Home Shield (AHS) is a solid provider for Maryland residents who need comprehensive coverage. AHS provides three coverage plans and two service call fee options. The service call fees range from $100 to $125 per filed claim; you choose your service call fee when you sign up, and the higher your service call fee, the lower your monthly premium.
AHS offers high coverage caps that are great for high-end homes. The ShieldSilver provides a $5,000 limit per covered system. The ShieldGold plans include a $2,000 coverage cap per covered appliance, and ShieldPlatinum bumps that up to $4,000 per major appliance.
Plans and Pricing
- ShieldSilver ($29.99–$49.99 per month): Plan options consist of doorbells and chimes, garage-door openers, ceiling fans, ductwork, attic and built-in exhaust fans, faucets, toilets, whirlpool tub motor components, water heaters, heating units plus interior electrical lines, main breaker, and fuse panel boxes. Covered systems include electrical, plumbing, air conditioning and heating systems, plumbing stoppages, and interior plumbing lines.
- ShieldGold ($49.99–$69.99 per month): The ShieldGold plan covers both major systems and appliances. Covered items include everything in the ShieldSilver plan plus built-in microwaves, clothes washers and dryers, dishwashers, garbage disposals, instant cold and hot water dispensers, ovens, cooktops, ranges, and refrigerators.
- ShieldPlatinum ($79.99–$99.99 per month): The ShieldPlatinum plan includes coverage for all items in the ShieldGold plan plus roof-leak coverage, plumbing system modifications, and an increased coverage cap of $4,000 per covered appliance.
Select Home Warranty
Best Budget CoverageNumber of plans: Three
Service call fee: $75
Overview
Select Home Warranty is a solid choice for Maryland homeowners, who value quick claims processing. Select can process a claim and send a service technician to your home in as little as 12 hours. In addition, Select provides three home warranty coverage plans paired with a $75 service call fee. All Select’s plans include roof-leak repair coverage, up to $400 per incident.
Plans and Pricing
- Bronze Care ($44.42 per month): The Bronze Care plan covers home appliances such as built-in microwaves, clothes washers and dryers, dishwashers, garbage disposals, ovens, refrigerators, and stovetops. Select limits coverage to $500 per covered appliance.
- Gold Care ($44.42 per month): The Gold Care plan covers ductwork, water heaters, and cooling, heating, plumbing, and electrical systems. Select increases its coverage cap for air conditioning and heating systems to $3,000 per filed claim. The remaining home systems are limited to $500 per covered system.
- Platinum Care ($47.75 per month): The Platinum Care plan covers everything in the Bronze Care and Gold Care plans.
AFC Home Warranty
Best Membership PerksNumber of plans: Four
Service call fee: $75–$125
Overview
AFC Home Warranty provides customizable plans and three service call fee options. Additionally, AFC offers security perks, such as identity protection and free credit monitoring, and extends a workmanship guarantee for the length of your plan.
Plans and Pricing
- Silver Plan ($38.58–$43.50 per month): This plan protects appliances, including clothes washers and dryers, dishwashers, garage-door openers, garbage disposals, ovens, ranges, stovetops, and refrigerators. AFC provides a $3,000 limit per covered appliance.
- Systems Plan ($41.83–$46.75 per month): This plan protects major systems, such as ductwork, air conditioning, electrical, plumbing, and heating systems, plus water heaters. AFC’s coverage caps for systems vary; ductwork is limited to $150, whereas electrical systems are limited to $500.
- Gold Plan ($53.33–$58.25 per month): The Gold Plan covers all Silver Plan and Systems Plan items.
- Platinum Plan ($58.25–$63.17 per month): The Platinum Plan covers everything in the Gold Plan, including built-in microwaves, faucets, ice makers, and plumbing stoppages.
First American Home Warranty
Best System CoverageNumber of plans: Three
Service call fee: $75–$125
Overview
First American Home Warranty is another reputable provider with comprehensive coverage options. It covers working systems and appliances regardless of age, and its 30-day workmanship guarantee applies to all covered repairs.
First American offers three home warranty plans: the Starter Plan, Essential Plan, and Premium Plan. First American allows you to choose from a $75, $100, or $125 service call fee. It bundles the First American Advantage Upgrade add-on within its Essential and Premium plans. This upgrade covers building permits, code upgrades, improper installations and modifications, refrigerant recapture and removal, and disposal of appliances, systems, and components after service.
Plans and Pricing
- Starter Plan ($47–$62 per month): The Starter Plan covers major appliances and systems, including built-in microwaves, cooktops, dishwashers, ductwork, electrical systems, heating systems, kitchen range hoods, ovens, plumbing systems, plumbing stoppages, refrigerators, toilet tanks, bowls, and mechanisms. It includes a $3,500 coverage cap per covered appliance.
- Essential Plan ($57–$72 per month): The Essential Plan covers the items listed in the Starter Plan plus air conditioning, ceiling, attic, and exhaust fans, clothes washers, clothes dryers, the First American Advantage add-on, garage-door openers, trash compactors, and water heaters. This plan also includes a $3,500 coverage limit per covered appliance. It provides an unlimited coverage cap for select systems, including HVAC, plumbing, electrical, and ductwork systems. However, First American caps water heaters at $1,500 per filed claim.
- Premium Plan ($72–$87 per month): The Premium Plan includes coverage for items listed in the Essential Plan plus central vacuum systems, faucets, full garage door systems, instant hot water dispensers, luxury appliances, shower heads, shower arms, and window AC units.
Home Warranty Regulations in Maryland
As of 2010, the Maryland Service Contracts and Consumer Products Guaranty Act protects consumers who purchase goods or services for household use worth $10 or more. The Act outlines general requirements for what a service provider must include in its service contracts, such as specifying the contract duration, purchase price, and coverage limitations.
If you already have a policy and believe the company has not honored its contract, you can file a consumer complaint with the Maryland Attorney General.
In addition to limited government oversight, home warranties are self-regulated by trade associations. For example, The National Home Service Contract Association (NHSCA) is a nonprofit industry trade organization consisting of member companies that follow a code of ethics regarding sound business practices.
Our Recommendation
An appliance or home system can malfunction when you least expect it. A home warranty offers convenience and financial protection, as it will send vetted professionals to your home after you file a claim for a covered breakdown.
American Home Shield is our top recommendation due to its unmatched coverage limits which are great for a home with high-end appliances. Liberty Home Guard is another solid choice for Maryland homeowners who want to enjoy the peace of mind of having an extended workmanship guarantee. First American Home Warranty provides additional coverage for miscellaneous fees home warranties typically don’t cover.
We recommend requesting quotes from at least three providers to compare coverage limits and exclusions, as well as plan costs.
Maryland Home Warranty Companies FAQ
Do home warranties cover everything in my home?
Home warranties cover the majority of major home systems and appliances in your home. Most providers cover clothes washers and dryers, cooktops and stoves, dishwashers, plumbing systems, HVAC systems, refrigerators, central vacuum, electrical systems, and air conditioning. The specific items covered depend on which provider and coverage options you select.
What is the difference between a home warranty and homeowners insurance?
Home warranties protect your home’s systems and appliances from breakdowns caused by normal wear and tear. Homeowners insurance policies cover incidents that damage your property and belongings within it. Incidents include theft, fire, flooding, and storm damage. Having both policies in place can save you from significant out-of-pocket replacement costs.
Do home warranty companies cover rust and corrosion damage?
Rust and corrosion coverage is a condition many home warranty companies don’t cover due to extra costs. Rust and corrosion also fall into preventive maintenance issues, which isn’t covered by standard home warranties. However, a few providers, such as American Home Shield and Cinch Home Services, do offer rust and corrosion damage coverage.
How much does a home warranty cost in Maryland?
A home warranty policy in Maryland costs an average of $53.53 per month. Your monthly premium will vary depending on which provider you choose, your home’s location, and your selected plan.
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 our analysis of customer reviews and interviews with industry experts. Our in-depth methodology outlines our review process to provide transparent information about the companies we review.
We determined that the following factors are the most important when comparing home warranty companies: available plans, plan coverage, price range, industry reputation, customer support, and additional features. Our research supported that plan coverage, customer service, and industry reputation should carry the most weight. While important, the other factors should not have as much influence when choosing a home warranty provider.