Best Home Warranty Companies in Massachusetts

American Home Shield (AHS) stands out from other competitors because of its high coverage caps, flexible service call fees, and responsive customer support. One drawback of AHS is its limited add-on options. If you prioritize additional coverage outside typical systems and appliances, AHS may not be the best choice for you.

Benefits

➕ Flexible pricing structure: You can choose your own service call fee with American Home Shield, which offers more flexibility than other providers.

➕ Comprehensive coverage: Unlike other providers, AHS covers issues such as unknown preexisting conditions, items affected by rust and corrosion, and improper modification and installation.

➕ Excellent roof-leak protection: You can get up to $1,500 per claim in roof-leak coverage with the ShieldPlatinum plan.

Drawbacks

➖ Limited contractor flexibility: AHS will choose your contractor. You can only select a contractor if AHS cannot find one near you.

➖ Fewer add-ons: AHS offers five add-on options, which is fewer than other home warranty providers.

American Home Shield (AHS) offers three plan options: ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, and ShieldPlatinum. Plans are $360–$894 annually with service fees of $100 or $125 per visit. Below is a coverage and pricing breakdown for AHS plans:

• ShieldSilver ($29.99–$39.99 per month): This plan protects major systems, such as air conditioning, heating units, ductwork, built-in exhaust fans, vents, attic fans, main breakers, and fuse panel boxes. It also covers doorbells, chimes, interior electrical lines, ceiling fans, garage-door openers, interior plumbing lines, toilets, faucets, and valves, whirlpool tub motors and components, and water heaters.
• ShieldGold ($49.99–$64.50 per month): This plan covers everything in the ShieldSilver plan plus up to $2,000 of coverage for major appliances, including refrigerators, ranges, cooktops, ovens, dishwashers, built-in microwaves, garbage disposals, instant hot/cold water dispensers, washers, and dryers.
• ShieldPlatinum ($68.99–$74.50 per month): This plan protects everything in the ShieldGold plan and raises the coverage cap for appliances to $4,000. It also covers up to $1,500 for roof leaks and provides a discounted annual HVAC tune-up, unlimited AC refrigerant, and up to $1,000 in code upgrades.
• Add-ons: Add-ons include the Electronics Protection Plan and guest unit, pool or spa, septic system and pump, and well pump coverage.

American Home Shield lists your plan’s coverage caps and exclusions in your service contract. Here are a few items we pulled from the sample service contract:

• Appliances: Appliances are covered up to $2,000 with the ShieldGold plan and up to $5,000 with the ShieldPlatinum plan.
• Air conditioning, heating, HVAC: AHS will cover up to $5,000 for units with up to 5-ton capacity. However, it will only pay up to $1,500 for geothermal, water source heat pumps, glycol, hot water, or steam circulating systems.
• Plumbing: AHS covers up to $5,000 for accessible plumbing systems, but it will only pay $1,000 for systems in obstructed walls, ceilings, and floors.
• Roof leaks: AHS covers up to $1,500 for roof leaks, but it excludes all metal roofs and items that penetrate the roof, such as skylights and roof-mounted installations, including solar panels, gutters, and downspouts.
• General exclusions: AHS excludes routine maintenance, repair of cosmetic defects, malfunctions due to missing components, parts, or equipment, lack of capacity, and improperly sized systems.

American Home Shield holds a B rating* and accreditation with the Better Business Bureau (BBB). We read over 800 positive and negative reviews and listened to dozens of customer service calls to understand how AHS handles its customer service.

Overall, customers gave positive marks on the quality of repairs done for their home items and the customer service they received. However, there were some complaints about slow response time and miscommunication.

*BBB rating is accurate as of July 2023.

We chose Liberty Home Guard (LHG) because it’s a great option for homeowners who want more unique coverage from their home warranty. LHG’s extensive list of add-on options expands your protection for potential home repairs to include items such as pools, spas, water softeners, plumbing fixtures, and pest control.

Benefits

➕ Unique coverage: LHG offers provides 38 add-on options, such as pool coverage

➕ Customer service chat: LHG has 24/7 live-chat feature built into their website to easily connect you with a representative if you have questions or concerns

➕ Workmanship guarantee: LHG re-services all completed repairs and replacements within 60 days at no additional charge

Drawbacks

➖ Cloudy service call fees: LHG excludes its service call fee pricing when you pull a quote

➖ Workmanship guarantee limits: LHG excludes its workmanship guarantee on repairs made by service providers outside its network

Liberty Home Guard (LHG) offers three coverage plans: Appliance Guard, Systems Guard, and Total Home Guard. Plans typically cost $600–$720 annually with service fees of $65–$125 per visit. Based on our conversation with a representative, LHG will assign a service fee to your account. It considers the location of your home, plan selection, and any additional coverage options you select when choosing your service call fee. Additionally, you can ask a representative about your service call fee during the quote process or review your assigned fee via your online portal after you sign up. Here is a coverage and pricing breakdown for LHG plans:

• Appliance Guard ($49.99 per month): Covers home appliances, including your clothes washer, clothes dryer, refrigerator with ice maker and display, built-in microwave oven, dishwasher, garbage disposal, range, oven, cooktop, ceiling and exhaust fans, and garage door openers
• Systems Guard ($54.99 per month): Covers home systems, such as your air conditioning system, heating system, ductwork, plumbing system, electrical system, and water heater
• Total Home Guard ($59.99 per month): Bundles the coverage of the appliance and systems plans into one comprehensive package
• Add-ons: Liberty Home Guard offers up to 38 additional coverage options, including carpet cleaning, guest units, gutter cleaning, lawn sprinkler systems, pro-series appliances, saltwater pools, and reverse osmosis systems. You can add any add-on to the plan options above

Liberty Home Guard lists its coverage caps and exclusions in its fine print. A few to note include the following:

• Appliances: Up to $2,000 per item
• Major systems: Up to $2,000 per item
• Electrical and plumbing: $500 per item and $250 within the first 90 days of your policy
• Add-ons: $500 per item $250 within the first 90 days of your policy

Liberty Home Guard excludes preexisting conditions or damage that results from improper installation or modification.

Liberty Home Guard holds an A+ rating from the BBB. Through our research, we found that LHG customers enjoyed the claims experience due to its user-friendliness and quick over-the-phone service. One negative is that some customers noted LHG does not cover labor costs when a technician completes a repair.

We chose Select Home Warranty due to its unique inclusion of roof-leak protection with every coverage plan. Its base plans offer basic coverage for your home systems and appliances at an affordable price point. However, its coverage caps are significantly lower than many other home warranty providers.

Benefits

➕ Roof-leak coverage: All of Select’s plans include up to $400 in roof-leak coverage

➕ Generous HVAC coverage: Select provides a $3,000 coverage cap for air conditioning and heating systems

➕ Annual discounts: Select provides two extra months of coverage when you pay annually

Drawbacks

➖ Low coverage caps: Select limits appliances to $500 per claim–lower than other competitors

➖ Fewer add-ons: Select provides limited add-on options compared to other providers

➖ Service call fee per claim: Select charges a service call fee per filed claim, meaning you could be charged twice if you have multiple issues to address during a technician’s visit

Select Home Warranty offers three protection plans: Bronze Care, Gold Care, and Platinum Care. Its standout feature is the inclusion of limited roof-leak coverage. Select covers up to $400 with all plan tiers. Plans cost between $533–$573 annually, with a service fee of $60–$75 per claim. A Select representative we spoke with stated Select will grant you a lower service call fee if you sign-up over the phone.

More than 50% of the Trustpilot reviews we read rated Select Home Warranty four stars or higher. Many reviewers appreciated how easy it was to sign up for coverage. One customer mentioned that Select’s representative explained its coverage clearly and concisely. However, other customer reviews we read lamented Select’s inconsistent customer service. Down below is a coverage and pricing breakdown for Select’s protection plans:

• Bronze Care ($44.42 per month): Includes coverage for your home’s appliances, including your clothes washer, clothes dryer, garbage disposal, refrigerator, stove, oven, built-in microwave oven, cooktop, and dishwasher
• Gold Care ($44.42 per month): Protects built-in systems, such as your air conditioning system, heating system, plumbing system, electrical system, water heater, and ductwork
• Platinum Care ($47.75 per month): Covers everything in the Bronze Care and Gold Care plans, plus garage door openers and ceiling fans
• Add-ons: Central vacuum, lawn sprinkler system, pool, septic system, spa, stand-alone freezer, sump pump, well pump

Select Home Warranty’s coverage caps are lower for appliances and select systems. We outlined notable coverage caps below:

• Appliances: Covered up to $500 per appliance
• Air conditioning, heating, and HVAC: Covered up to $3,000 per plan term
• Electrical and plumbing: Covered up to $500 per covered item
• Roof-leak coverage and other add-ons: Up to $400 per covered item
• General exclusions: Only covers systems and appliances in a single-family dwelling, individual condominium units, townhouses, and modular homes. Monthly premiums may vary. It only covers systems and appliances properly and permanently installed and located within the living area of the home. Excludes coverage for systems or appliances in commercial properties or residential properties used for business purposes. Also excludes preexisting conditions

Select Home Warranty holds a B- BBB rating. We looked through more than 1,000 Google and Trustpilot Reviews from existing customers. We found many customers enjoyed Select’s knowledgeable service providers. Others, however, disliked the difficulty to connect with a representative when filing a claim or making changes to their home warranty plan.

We chose America’s 1st Choice Home Club (AFC Home Club) for its plan variety, lengthy workmanship guarantee, and suite of additional benefits that come with any tier of plan coverage.

Benefits

➕ Plan customization: AFC offers customizable plans via four coverage plans and three service call fee options

➕ Long repair guarantee: AFC provides a workmanship guarantee that extends the life of your plan per completed repair

➕ Additional protection: Includes security perks such as identity protection and free credit monitoring services

Drawbacks

➖ Coverage limitations: Doesn’t cover items with preexisting conditions

➖ Restricted coverage caps: AFC limits reimbursement for covered items older than five years to their depreciated value

America’s 1st Choice Home Club (AFC Home Club) offers four plan options. Plans cost between $435 and $649 annually with services fees of $75–$125 per claim. Additionally, AFC Home Club provides an extensive workmanship guarantee and additional membership perks. Down below is a coverage and pricing breakdown for AFC protection plans:

• Silver Plan ($36.25–$40.55 per month): Covers essential appliances, such as your clothes washer and dryer, kitchen refrigerator, oven, range, cooktop, stove, dishwasher, garbage disposal, and garage door opener
• Systems Plan ($43.17–$48.55 per month): Covers your water heater, air conditioning system, heating system, electrical system, plumbing system, and ductwork.
• Gold Plan ($50–$51.95 per month): Combines the coverage of the two basic plans into one comprehensive package
• Platinum Plan ($51.95–$54.13 per month): Includes all the items in the Gold Plan plus coverage for built-in microwaves, faucets, ice makers, and plumbing stoppages
• Add-ons: Built-in microwave, central vacuum, double oven, electronic coverage, hot water dispenser, ice maker, in-ground pool, septic system, stand-alone freezer, sump pump, tankless water heater, and well pump

Note: Our quote did not include ductwork in the Systems Plan. When we reached out to the provider for clarification, a representative informed us that this confusion resulted from a clerical error. However, all plans that cover systems will also cover ductwork.

In general, AFC Home Club’s offers similar coverage terms compared to other home warranty providers. Here are a few key limitations and exclusions to consider:

• Appliances: Up to $3,000 per covered item
• Systems: Prorated coverage based on the depreciated value of systems five years or older
• Add-ons: Varies by item (e.g., $500 for pool and spa equipment, sump pump, and well pump, but $200 for central vacuums)
• General exclusions: Malfunction or improper operation due to rust or corrosion, collapsed ductwork, known or unknown preexisting conditions, routine maintenance, cosmetic defects, and secondary damage caused by an uncovered item

AFC Home Club holds a B rating* from the BBB. We reviewed hundreds of customer reviews on the BBB website and Google Reviews to determine that AFC Home Club has an overall positive rating from existing customers.

Positive reviews mention AFC Home Club’s friendly and knowledgeable customer service representatives and relatively short hold times. The biggest complaints customer reviews shared was coverage claims being denied due to technicalities. We recommend you review your service contract and plan options carefully with any provider before signing up.

We chose Cinch Home Services as a great choice for homeowners who don’t mind paying slightly higher service call fees for flexible monthly prices and a multitude of additional benefits. One of these additional benefits is a $25 air conditioner or refrigerator filter credit to encourage routine maintenance.

Benefits

➕ Extensive coverage: Cinch provides coverage for unknown preexisting conditions, as well as rust and corrosion damage

➕ Unique benefits:  Cinch includes rare extra perks in the Complete Plan, such as a homeowners deductible reimbursement of up to $500

➕ Quick service connections: Cinch attempts to find a service technician within two hours if you file a claim during normal business hours. If you file a claim after hours, Cinch will attempt to find one within 24 hours

Drawbacks

➖ No roof-leak repair: Excludes roof-leak coverage

➖ Limited additional options: Cinch provides a limited selection of add-ons compared to other providers

Cinch Home Services offers three standard plans and a customizable service call fee model, which allows you to adjust your monthly or yearly premium to suit your needs. Plans cost $480–$768 annually with service fees of $100, $125, or $150 per claim.

All Cinch plans also come with a 180-day workmanship guarantee. This provides roughly a six-month window to re-service a covered item if it malfunctions again without an additional service charge. Down below is a coverage and pricing breakdown for Cinch Home Services plans:

• Appliances Plan ($39.99–$48.99 per month): Covers your clothes washer, clothes dryer, cooktop, dishwasher, built-in food center, freestanding ice maker, built-in microwave, range, range exhaust hood, refrigerator, built-in trash compactor, and wall oven. It also comes with a $25 air conditioner or refrigerator filter credit. Cinch includes this credit in each coverage plan
• Built-in Systems Plan ($44.99–$57.99 per month): Covers your air conditioning including ductwork, heating including ductwork, attic fans, ceiling fans, central vacuum, doorbell, electrical system, garage door openers, garbage disposal, instant hot/cold water dispenser, plumbing system, smoke detectors, sump pump, toilets, water heater, and whirlpool/jetted tub
• Complete Home Plan ($54.99–$63.99 per month): Covers all the items in the Appliances and Built-in Systems plans. It also includes a homeowners insurance deductible reimbursement of up to $500
• Add-ons: Pool, pool with spa, Premier Upgrade Package, septic tank/pumping, spa, well pump

Cinch Home Services makes its coverage caps simple by stating that the entire plan is capped at $10,000 per calendar year. All covered items must be properly maintained and in working order, and they must also be “domestic grade.”

In general, Cinch’s plans only cover mechanical components, which can exclude certain items, such as oven racks. When you read through the sample contract, examples of uncovered items are listed in each covered item’s section.

Cinch Home Services is accredited by the BBB and holds a B rating*. Our research involved reading more than 3,000 combined reviews from BBB and Trustpilot. Many Cinch customers gave positive reviews to the company’s comprehensive coverage for items that typically aren’t covered by most home warranty providers. Inconsistent customer service experiences was a common customer complaint.