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Best Home Warranty Companies of September 2026

Compare leading home warranty plans with strong coverage, fair pricing, and fast service. Find the best plan to protect your home systems and appliances and avoid costly surprises.

American Home Shield

MoneyAtlas

Rating

Limited Time Offer: $150 OFF All Plans*

Home Warranty Plans Starting at $29.99 a Mo.
Covering 2 Million Plus Members for 50+ Years
View Plans
on American Home Shield's site

Choice Home Warranty

MoneyAtlas

Rating

Limited Time: Get $50 Off + 1 Month Free

Covered more than 2,400,000 Homes Nationwide
Rated a Best Home Warranty 6 Years Running
View Plans
on Choice Home Warranty's site

Liberty Home Guard

MoneyAtlas

Rating

Labor, Installation, Removal, Disposal & Haul-Away Included

365-day workmanship guarantee
Locked-in rates on all multi-year purchases
View Plans
on Liberty Home Guard's site

Select Home Warranty

MoneyAtlas

Rating

SALE: $150 OFF + 2 Months Free

Covers single-family, multi-unit, & rental properties
Multi-year discount available
View Plans
on Select Home Warranty's site

First Premier Home Warranty

MoneyAtlas

Rating

$200 off +2 Months & Free Roof Coverage

Coverage for over 2.5 million homes nationwide
Accredited with the Better Business Bureau
View Plans
on First Premier's site

Review Our Top Home Warranties

Learn more about why we chose these home warranty options

American Home Shield

American Home Shield

Limited Time Offer: $150 OFF All Plans*

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In a Nutshell

American Home Shield is the founding company of the home warranty industry, serving homeowners since 1971. They provide comprehensive coverage for major home systems and appliances through three-tiered plans: ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, and ShieldPlatinum. A key feature is the ability to customize your monthly premium by selecting a higher or lower service call fee. Coverage is extensive, protecting older items regardless of age or maintenance history, making it a top choice for owners of aging homes looking for budget protection against breakdowns.

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Why we rate it 5.0/5

Cost4.9

Premium-priced against Select and Choice, but the service-call fee is adjustable against the monthly premium, which lets you tune the total cost to how often you expect to claim.

Coverage5.0

Covers systems and appliances regardless of age or prior maintenance records, which is genuinely rare, though per-item caps can sit well below replacement cost.

Claims & service experience4.7

Direct dispatch is fast when a contractor is available, but denial disputes over pre-existing conditions and improper maintenance are the dominant complaint theme.

Contractor network4.8

A large national network with real depth in metro areas. Scheduling delays and contractor assignment are recurring gripes, particularly at seasonal peaks.

Plan flexibility5.0

Three tiers from ShieldSilver to ShieldPlatinum, optional add-ons, and a choice of service-call fee give more configuration than most competitors offer.

Pros

  • High Limits: Platinum plan offers substantial appliance coverage

  • Experience: They have over fifty years of history

  • Flexibility: Pick a service fee that fits your budget

Cons

  • Price: Monthly premiums are often higher than competitors

  • Service Fees: Service call costs can range up to $125

  • Coverage caps can fall short of replacement cost: per-item limits are set by plan tier, so a cash-out offer on a failed HVAC system can land well below what a new unit actually costs to install.

Choice Home Warranty

Choice Home Warranty

Limited Time: Get $50 Off + 1 Month Free

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In a Nutshell

Choice Home Warranty offers a streamlined approach to home protection with two primary coverage tiers: the Basic Plan and the Total Plan. This simplicity helps homeowners quickly select the right level of protection for their systems and appliances without navigating complex menus. Known for competitive pricing and frequent "first month free" promotions, the company utilizes a vast network of independent technicians to handle claims. Enrollment does not require a home inspection, though coverage typically begins after a mandatory thirty-day waiting period.

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Why we rate it 4.9/5

Cost5.0

Monthly premiums land in the mid-range and undercut American Home Shield, but the $85 service call fee is higher than Select's $75, so a heavy claim year erodes the saving.

Coverage4.8

Two tiers cover the major systems, and unlike Select there is no flat $500 per-item cap. Pre-existing conditions are strictly denied and roof leak protection is an add-on rather than standard.

Claims & service experience4.4

Direct dispatch spares you finding a contractor or paying the full repair upfront. Claim denials and communication during a claim are the dominant complaint theme and have drawn state enforcement attention.

Contractor network4.9

A large network of independent technicians covering all 50 states. Assignment delays and contractor quality are recurring gripes, and the company picks the technician rather than you.

Plan flexibility5.0

Two plans make the decision quick, and add-ons cover pools, septic systems, well pumps and roof leaks. Less configurable than American Home Shield's three tiers and adjustable service fee.

Pros

  • Simplicity: Two clear plans make decision-making easy

  • Promotions: New customers can get a free month & $50 off

  • Access: No inspection is needed to purchase a policy

Cons

  • Exclusions: Pre-existing conditions are strictly denied coverage

Liberty Home Guard

Liberty Home Guard

Labor, Installation, Removal, Disposal & Haul-Away Included

MoneyAtlas

Rating

Read Review

In a Nutshell

Liberty Home Guard offers three flexible home warranty plans — Appliance Guard, Systems Guard, and Total Home Guard — with over 40 optional add-ons for extensive customization. The company distinguishes itself by letting homeowners choose their own technician rather than relying solely on company-dispatched contractors, and backs all repairs with a 60-day workmanship guarantee. Monthly premiums range from roughly $50 to $60, with service call fees between $75 and $125. Coverage limits reach up to $2,000 for most items, though plumbing and electrical are capped at $500.

Read Review →

Pros

  • Extensive customization: Over 40 add-on options let you tailor coverage to your specific home, from pool equipment to standalone freezers

  • Technician flexibility: Choose your own licensed contractor or use the company's network — a rare option among home warranty providers

  • Workmanship guarantee: All repairs are backed by a 60-day guarantee, giving homeowners recourse if a fix fails shortly after service

Cons

  • Age restrictions: Reports indicate items over 15 years old may be excluded or receive reduced payouts, which is not prominently disclosed upfront

  • Not BBB accredited: The company is not accredited by the Better Business Bureau and has unresolved complaint history, which may concern trust-conscious buyers

  • Cancellation fees: Customers report administrative fees that significantly reduce refunds when canceling prepaid multi-year plans

What Is A Home Warranty?

A home warranty can be a smart way to limit surprise repair costs for covered home systems and appliances. If you understand what’s included, what’s excluded, and what you’ll pay when something breaks. Unlike homeowners' insurance (which covers specific damage events), a home warranty is a service contract that helps pay for repairs or replacements due to normal wear and tear, subject to contract limits. The guide below shows you how to pick the right home warranty. Always verify coverage caps, exclusions, service fees, and the provider’s latest terms before you enroll.

How Home Warranties Work

You pay a monthly or annual premium. When a covered item fails, you file a claim and pay a service fee (sometimes called a trade call fee). The provider assigns a technician from its network. If the failure is covered, the plan pays for the repair or replacement up to the stated limits. If the issue is excluded (e.g., pre-existing conditions, improper installation, lack of maintenance, code upgrades), you may pay out of pocket.

Pros

  • Budget-friendly protection for common breakdowns

  • Convenient dispatch - one call to coordinate repairs

  • Can be useful for older systems/appliances or first-time homeowners

Cons

  • Coverage is not automatic; exclusions and documentation can limit claims

  • Service fees apply per visit, and caps can be lower than the full replacement cost

  • Repair timelines depend on contractor availability and parts

Types of Home Warranties

TypeWhat It CoversBest For
Combo Plan (Systems + Appliances)Major home systems and core appliancesMost homeowners who want broad, one-plan coverage
Systems-Only PlanHVAC, plumbing, electrical, water heater (varies by plan)Older homes where system failures are the biggest cost risk
Appliances-Only PlanKitchen + laundry appliances (varies by plan)Newer systems, but aging appliances you want protected

Key Features to Compare

  • Coverage Scope: Systems (HVAC, plumbing, electrical) vs appliances, or a combo plan.
  • Service Fee: A lower fee usually means a higher premium (and vice versa).
  • Coverage Caps: Per-item, per-claim, and annual maximums—especially for HVAC and plumbing.
  • Exclusions & Conditions: Pre-existing issues, maintenance requirements, improper installation, rust/corrosion, code upgrades, and “access” costs.
  • Claims Process: 24/7 claims, response time commitments, and contractor network quality.
  • Add-Ons: Pool/spa, well pump, septic, roof leaks, second fridge, high-end appliances.

Five-Step Selection Framework

  1. Inventory Your Risk: Age/condition of HVAC, water heater, major appliances, and plumbing.
  2. Pick Coverage Type: Systems-only, appliances-only, or combo based on what’s most likely to fail.
  3. Choose Your Cost Structure: Set a service fee you’re comfortable paying per repair visit.
  4. Confirm Terms: Coverage caps, exclusions, waiting period, and cancellation/refund policy.
  5. Plan for Claims: Save model/serial numbers, maintenance records, and set alerts for renewals.

Smart Usage Tips

  • File claims early and don’t keep running a failing system, risking denial for “continued operation.”
  • Know your caps before you buy; HVAC and plumbing limits drive real value.
  • Keep basic maintenance receipts (tune-ups, filter changes) to reduce disputes.
  • Ask upfront about code upgrades, access charges, and disposal—these can be out-of-pocket.

Best Home Warranty Companies and How to Choose

The best home warranty company depends on your home's age, which systems and appliances you most want covered, and how much you are willing to pay per service call. Well-known national providers like American Home Shield, Liberty Home Guard, and Choice Home Warranty offer broad combo plans, while others compete on lower service fees or specific add-ons such as pool, septic, or roof-leak coverage. Because pricing and coverage caps vary widely, the company with the lowest monthly premium is not always the best value once you compare per-item caps, exclusions, and service-fee options. Read the sample contract, check the claims' reputation, and get quotes from two or three providers before you enroll.

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Scoring Factors

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Plan Types Compared

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Features Compared

Our Methodology

How we pick the best home warranties

Plans are scored on what they actually cover, the real cost per repair, and how reliably claims get paid.

Coverage & Caps

Which systems and appliances are included, and the per-item, per-claim, and annual limits that decide how much a breakdown actually pays out.

Cost & Service Fee

The monthly or annual premium together with the per-visit service fee, since a low premium with a high service fee can cost more overall.

Exclusions & Claims

Pre-existing and maintenance exclusions, waiting periods, and how fast and fairly the provider approves and pays claims.

Network & Service

The size and quality of the contractor network, response-time commitments, and the provider's overall claims reputation.

FAQs