Best Home Warranty Companies of 2026: Plans, Pricing & Coverage Compared
Quick Answer
Most home warranties cost $50-62/month for comprehensive coverage. A home warranty pays for itself the first time you avoid a $2,000+ repair bill on your HVAC, water heater, or plumbing system.
As a team of licensed contractors, we see the aftermath of unexpected home system failures every day. A water heater that bursts on a Saturday night. An AC compressor that dies during a heat wave. A sewer line that backs up into the basement. These repairs cost thousands — and they always seem to happen at the worst possible time.
A home warranty won't prevent these failures, but it can turn a $4,000 emergency into a $100 service call. Here's our honest comparison of the top home warranty companies, based on what we see from the contractor side of the business.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Company | Monthly Cost | Service Fee | Coverage Limit | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| American Home Shield | $20-75/mo | $100-125 | $50,000/year | Overall coverage |
| Choice Home Warranty | $49+/mo | $100 | $3,000/item | Sprinkler coverage |
| Select Home Warranty | $45+/mo | $75-100 | Varies by plan | Budget-friendly |
| First American | $42+/mo | $100-125 | $5,000/trade | High coverage limits |
| Liberty Home Guard | $50+/mo | $70-125 | Varies | Plan variety |
| Old Republic | $45+/mo | $100-125 | Varies | Customer satisfaction |
American Home Shield — Best Overall Coverage
Monthly cost: $20-75 depending on plan and location
Service fee: $100 or $125 per visit
Coverage limit: $50,000 total per agreement year
American Home Shield is the largest and longest-running home warranty company in the US, with over 50 years in business. They cover the most items, have the highest total coverage limits, and operate the largest contractor network — which means faster response times in most markets.
Plans:
- ShieldSilver: Covers 19 major home systems (HVAC, plumbing, electrical) — no appliances. Best if your appliances are newer.
- ShieldGold: Covers 28 systems + appliances. The most popular choice. Includes video chat with repair experts at no extra cost.
- ShieldPlatinum: 29 items including roof leak repair, unlimited AC refrigerant, and a free HVAC tune-up. The premium option.
What contractors think: AHS pays their contractors reasonably well and has a well-organized dispatch system. They're one of the easier warranty companies to work with from the service provider side, which means you're more likely to get quality contractors who actually want to do the work.
Pros: Highest coverage limits ($50,000/year, $5,000/HVAC), covers items regardless of age, no home inspection required, 30-day workmanship guarantee
Cons: More expensive than competitors, $100-125 service fee is on the higher end, some plans exclude appliances
Choice Home Warranty — Best for Add-On Coverage
Monthly cost: Starting around $49/month
Service fee: $100 per visit
Coverage limit: $3,000 per covered item
Choice Home Warranty stands out for covering items many competitors don't — including sprinkler systems. They offer a straightforward two-plan structure that keeps things simple.
Plans:
- Basic Plan: Covers major systems — HVAC, electrical, plumbing, water heater
- Total Plan: Adds appliance coverage — refrigerator, dishwasher, washer/dryer, oven
Pros: Covers sprinkler systems (unique), simple plan structure, 24/7 claim filing, available in all 50 states
Cons: Lower per-item coverage limits ($3,000 vs AHS's $5,000), doesn't cover as many items as AHS
Select Home Warranty — Best Budget Option
Monthly cost: Starting around $45/month
Service fee: $75-100 per visit
Select Home Warranty offers some of the lowest service fees in the industry at $75 per visit, making it a good choice for homeowners on a budget. Their plans are straightforward and competitively priced.
Plans:
- Bronze Care: Systems only — HVAC, plumbing, electrical, water heater
- Gold Care: Appliances only — refrigerator, dishwasher, washer, dryer, oven
- Platinum Care: Comprehensive — both systems and appliances
Pros: Lower service fees ($75 option), competitive monthly premiums, three plan tiers for flexibility
Cons: Newer company with smaller contractor network, not available in every state
First American Home Warranty — Highest Per-Item Limits
Monthly cost: Starting around $42/month
Service fee: $100 or $125 per visit
Coverage limit: $5,000 per trade
First American stands out because even their basic plan covers both systems and appliances — most competitors make you pay extra for that. Their $5,000 per-trade limit is among the highest in the industry.
What contractors think: First American has a solid reputation among service providers. They pay on time and don't nickel-and-dime on covered repairs.
Pros: Basic plan includes both systems AND appliances, high per-trade limits, will pay for wall damage when accessing repairs, straightforward claims process
Cons: Only one plan tier (less flexibility), not the cheapest monthly premium
Liberty Home Guard — Most Plan Options
Monthly cost: Starting around $50/month
Service fee: $70-125 (you choose)
Liberty Home Guard earns consistently high customer satisfaction ratings. They offer flexible service fee options — choose a lower monthly premium with a higher service fee, or vice versa.
Pros: Highest customer satisfaction ratings (4.5/5 on BBB), flexible service fee options, covers pool/spa and well pump as add-ons
Cons: On the more expensive side, newer company (less track record)
Old Republic Home Protection — Best Customer Satisfaction
Monthly cost: Starting around $45/month
Service fee: $100-125 per visit
Old Republic is a subsidiary of Old Republic International, a Fortune 500 company. They've been in the home warranty business for decades and have a strong reputation, particularly in the real estate industry where agents frequently recommend them.
Pros: Backed by Fortune 500 parent company, strong reputation in real estate transactions, comprehensive coverage
Cons: Not available in all states, can be harder to get quotes online (primarily works through real estate agents)
Is a Home Warranty Worth It?
Here's the math. A comprehensive home warranty costs roughly $600-900/year. Here's what common repairs cost without one:
| Repair | Typical Cost Without Warranty | Your Cost With Warranty |
|---|---|---|
| Water heater replacement | $1,200 – $5,400 | $100 service fee |
| AC compressor replacement | $1,500 – $3,000 | $100 service fee |
| Furnace replacement | $2,500 – $6,000 | $100 service fee |
| Drain line repair | $150 – $500 | $100 service fee |
| Slab leak repair | $2,000 – $6,000 | $100 service fee |
| Whole house repipe | $4,000 – $15,000 | $100 service fee* |
*Subject to coverage limits and plan terms. Whole-house repipe may exceed per-trade limits.
A home warranty makes the most sense if:
- Your home is 10+ years old with original systems and appliances
- You live in a hard water area like Fresno, Phoenix, or Las Vegas where plumbing components fail faster
- You want budget predictability — a fixed monthly cost instead of surprise $3,000+ repair bills
- You're buying or selling a home (home warranties are commonly offered in real estate transactions)
A home warranty might not be worth it if:
- Your home is newer (under 5 years) with manufacturer warranties still active
- You have a substantial emergency fund and prefer self-insuring
- You already have a trusted contractor (like a service agreement with a local plumber)
What Home Warranties Typically Cover
Usually covered:
- HVAC systems (heating and cooling)
- Plumbing system and stoppages
- Water heater (tank and tankless)
- Electrical system
- Kitchen appliances (refrigerator, dishwasher, oven, garbage disposal)
- Washer and dryer
- Garage door opener
- Ceiling fans
Usually NOT covered:
- Pre-existing conditions (known issues before coverage starts)
- Cosmetic damage
- Items under manufacturer warranty
- Outdoor plumbing and sprinklers (except Choice Home Warranty)
- Septic systems (sometimes available as add-on)
- Well pumps (sometimes available as add-on)
- Roof (except AHS ShieldPlatinum)