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What is a home warranty?
A home warranty is a service contract that covers the repair or replacement of major home systems and appliances due to normal wear and tear. It's essential for homeowners seeking financial protection against unexpected breakdowns, offering peace of mind and potentially saving thousands in repair costs.
Key Insights
- Home warranties cover repair costs for major appliances and systems to prevent unexpected expenses.
- When filing claims, homeowners pay only a service fee while warranty companies arrange repairs.
- Choice Home Warranty offers simple plans with $100 fees and up to $3,000 coverage per claim.
- Warranties typically protect heating, AC, electrical, plumbing systems and essential home appliances.
Why a home warranty matters in 2025
A home warranty is especially important in 2025 due to rising repair costs, aging home systems, and increased financial uncertainty for many homeowners. With inflation driving up the price of parts and labor, a single unexpected breakdown, like a failed HVAC or plumbing issue, can quickly strain a household budget. For first-time buyers or those without a robust emergency fund, a home warranty provides a reliable safety net, offering predictable costs and faster access to vetted service professionals. In an era where peace of mind and financial stability matter more than ever, having home protection in place is a smart and timely decision.
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What does a home warranty cover?
Home warranty plans typically offer coverage for:
Home Systems: HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning), electrical systems, plumbing systems, water heaters, and ductwork.
Appliances: Refrigerators, ovens, cooktops, dishwashers, built-in microwaves, washers, dryers, and garbage disposals.
Additional Items: Garage door openers, ceiling fans, and sometimes roof leaks (limited coverage).
Coverage varies by provider and plan, so it's crucial to review the specific terms of your home protection plan.
How does a home warranty claim process work?
Review Your Contract: Ensure the item in question is covered under your home warranty plan.
File a Claim: Contact your home warranty company via phone or online portal.
Schedule Service: The company assigns a licensed contractor to assess the issue.
Diagnosis and Repair: The technician diagnoses the problem and performs the necessary repair or replacement.
Pay Service Fee: You pay a predetermined service fee, typically ranging from $75 to $125.
What do home warranties exclude?
Pre-existing Conditions: Issues known before the warranty start date.
Improper Maintenance: Failures due to lack of maintenance.
Cosmetic Damages: Non-functional issues like scratches or dents.
Secondary Damages: Consequential damages resulting from a covered item’s failure.
Coverage caps may apply, limiting the amount payable per item or per term.
When should you consider a home warranty?
Purchasing an Older Home: Older systems and appliances are more prone to breakdowns.
Limited Emergency Funds: A home warranty can mitigate unexpected repair costs
First-Time Homeowners: Provides a safety net during the initial years of homeownership.
- Landlords: Simplifies maintenance for rental properties.
Our Top 3 Picks
- 1Get full coverage and round-the-clock supportVisit SiteCall732-907-4849732-907-4849
- Best for - Homeowners seeking affordable full-home coverage
- Average annual premium - $562 - $657
- Service requests - 24/7 online and by phone
Get full coverage and round-the-clock supportRead Choice Home Warranty ReviewChoice Home Warranty stands out with its two straightforward plans and uniform $100 service fee. Its Basic Plan covers essential home systems and appliances, while the Total Plan covers air conditioning, refrigerators, and washers. It’s also our top home warranty for plumbing since it covers your entire plumbing system, including your water heater and garbage disposals. It also covers parts of your electrical system that regulate water pressure.
As Jake Hill, CEO of DebtHammer, notes, Choice Home Warranty is "especially helpful for owners of older homes" since it doesn't "deny coverage based on the age of your home's systems or appliances."
Choice Home Warranty offers substantial protection, covering up to $3,000 per successful claim. Plus, you get your first month free if you purchase any single-payment home warranty plan.
Why we chose Choice Home Warranty: Choice Home Warranty's straightforward plan structure and single $100 service fee make it our top option. In addition to its homeowner plans, CHW provides professional coverage for buyers and sellers. It also offers a 30-day trial, so you can try its services risk-free before fully committing.
Client perspective: Irene Smith (53) notes, "My last repair for my garage door was the best experience I’ve had in all the years I've had home warranty service. “ She also adds that the service person was on time, explained the issues, and fixed a major problem in about 15 minutes. “It was quick, professional, and couldn’t have been easier.”
Choice Home Warranty Pros & Cons
PROS
Offers 30-day guarantee on covered repairsFirst month free with purchase of any single payment planEasy online claims processCONS
Limited add-on coveragesNot available in Washington - 2Customizable plans with adjustable service feesVisit SiteCall888-928-2359888-928-2359
- Best for - Customizable plans
- Average annual premium - $500–$700
- Service requests - 24/7 online and by phone
Customizable plans with adjustable service feesRead American Home Shield ReviewOperating since 1971, American Home Shield is the largest and most established company in the US home warranty market, with over two million members.
Tommy Gallagher, former investment banker and founder of Top Mobile Banks, was "impressed with the range of contractors they have available and the quality of service they provide."
Choose from their three customizable plans—ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, and ShieldPlatinum. The ShieldSilver plan only covers 14 major systems, while the ShieldGold plan covers 23.
For additional perks, ShieldPlatinum comes with complete system and appliance coverage. This includes cost-saving add-ons like free HVAC tune-ups, unlimited A/C refrigerant, coverage for roof leaks and code violations, and higher payout caps for repairs and replacements.
Why we chose American Home Shield: They operate in 47 states and Washington DC, and you can customize your plan. American Home Shield automatically covers duplicate items, plus older items with rust or corrosion.
Our experience: We found American Home Shield to be an excellent option for anyone seeking highly customizable plans and access to an extensive network of contractors. We could easily find a plan that suited our needs.
American Home Shield Pros & Cons
PROS
Highly customizable plansIncludes undetectable pre-existing conditionsCovers older items, including rust and corrosionCONS
No guarantee for repair timesNot available in Alaska, New York City, or Hawaii - 3Covers items regardless of ageVisit SiteCall877-278-6977877-278-6977
- Best for - High payout caps
- Average annual premium - $360–$546
- Service requests - 24/7 phone and online claims service No limit on number of service requests
Covers items regardless of ageRead First American Home Warranty ReviewFirst American Home Warranty is an ideal choice for those seeking robust home protection for their systems and appliances. The company has been in business since 1984 and claims it's saved homeowners over $219 million in repair costs.
Coverage comes in the form of two basic plans and a premium plan. First American Home Warranty's best features include that they protect items regardless of age and replace faulty items with brand-new equivalents if they can't repair them.
Why we chose First American Home Warranty: First American Home Warranty offers specialized plans for both real estate professionals and service providers. They also have 24/7 claims service, fully vetted tradespeople, and a transparent application process.
Our experience: We liked First American Home Warranty's response times, which were significantly faster than other companies.
First American Home Warranty Pros & Cons
PROS
24/7 claims serviceFully vetted tradespeopleLow pricing and service feesCONS
Difficult to understand pricing breakdown without a personal quoteTheir app is poorly rated
