February 2026
Compare top home warranty providers—coverage, cost, and service fees—to find the best plan for your home.
How Home Warranties Work
A home warranty is a service contract that helps pay for the repair or replacement of covered home systems and appliances (like HVAC, plumbing, electrical, water heater, fridge). Instead of using a network of lenders, you pay an annual or monthly premium. When something breaks due to normal wear and tear, you submit a claim and pay a set service fee for a technician visit. If the issue is covered, the provider coordinates repair or replacement up to the plan limits.
Claim Process
Most providers follow the same flow:
- File a claim online or by phone.
- Provider assigns a local contractor (or approves your own, depending on the company/plan).
- You pay the service call fee.
- The contractor diagnoses the issue, and the warranty company decides whether it is covered or not.
- If covered, they repair or replace subject to limits, parts availability, and policy terms.
Coverage Options
Systems plan – HVAC, plumbing, electrical, water heater.
Appliance plan – fridge, oven, dishwasher, washer/dryer.
Combo plan – systems + appliances (most popular).
Add-ons – pool/spa, well pump, septic, roof leaks, additional fridge, etc.
What Home Warranties Are Best For
- Older homes/appliances where breakdown risk is higher
- Budgeting predictability (swap surprise repairs for a known premium + service fee)
- New homeowners who want a safety net during the first year
- Landlords who prefer centralized dispatch and repair coordination
Smart Shopping Tips
- Compare total annual cost: premium + expected service fees (assume 1–2 claims/year for a realistic view).
- Prioritize plans with strong coverage for your highest-risk/most expensive items (HVAC and water heater usually matter most).
- Read the limits: a “covered” item with a low cap can still leave you with a big out-of-pocket bill.
- Check contractor experience and response times—service quality matters as much as coverage.
- Confirm cancellations and renewals: know the refund policy, auto-renew rules, and fee changes at renewal.