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Reviewed By
| EditorFolks in NYC are known for their fast-paced lifestyles. Upstate residents are known for quaint towns with houses that stretch back more than 150 years. In either case, items and systems in their homes breaking will cost valuable time or money—two things New Yorkers don’t like giving up.
After all, energy-efficient appliances, security systems and air conditioning systems rank near the top of the most important items for homeowners in the Northeast, and they’re not simple fixes.
Luckily, whether they’re in the Big Apple, the Finger Lakes or the Adirondacks, New Yorkers can protect their bank accounts and schedules from costly breakdowns in their homes with a home warranty. We surveyed 1,000 homeowners with home warranties and compared 54 policies to help you decide which are the best home warranty companies in New York. This is what we found.
The Forbes Home team is committed to bringing you independent, unbiased ratings and information. We use data and expert advice to inform all of our content. Plus, our advisory board of licensed professionals fact-checks and reviews our content for accuracy and relevancy. You can read more about our editorial guidelines and the home warranty companies methodology for the ratings below.
Featured Partners
1
Select Home Warranty
Plans Available
3
Response Time
Great
Number of States
46 + District of Columbia
2
Choice Home Warranty
Plans Available
2
Response Time
Excellent
Number of States
49 + District of Columbia
3
American Home Shield
Plans Available
3
Response Time
Excellent
Number of States
48 + District of Columbia
4
AFC Home Warranty
Plans Available
4
Response Time
Excellent
Number Of States
47 excl. WA, HI and CA
Key Takeaways
The home warranty providers AFC Home Warranty, Liberty Home Guard and American Home Shield top our list of the best home warranty companies in New York. AFC Home Warranty scored 4.7 out of 5 stars when reviewed against our research and methodology. AFC has over 30 years of experience in the industry and provides more plan options than the competition, making it our top choice.
We compared the ratings and costs of our top home warranty companies after completing our research and analysis across criteria including service fees, plans and coverage, add-ons covered, years in business and customer reviews and experiences.
| COMPANY | FORBES HOME RATING | BEST FOR | MONTHLY FEE | LEARN MORE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 4.7    | Overall Best | $36.83 - $152.20 | On AFC's Website | |
| 4.7 | Customization | $54.99 | On Liberty Home Guard's Website | |
| 4.5 | Budgeting Homeowners | $39.99 - $89.99 | On American Home Shield's Website | |
| 4.5 | Appliances | $30.99 (varies by plan and state) | On Cinch's Website | |
| 4.3 | Technology and Electronics | $84.99 | Read Forbes' Review |
Best Overall
Best Overall
AFC Home Warranty
Our top pick for the best home warranty New York residents can choose goes to AFC Home Warranty, scoring 4.7 out of 5 stars. We liked that this company has over 30 years of experience providing homeowners with home warranty services for systems and appliances. It also offers four levels of coverage, offering more options than other companies.
The company has over 30 years of experience in the home warranty industry and provides flexible pricing with four separate plans in one- or three-year contracts.
Why We Like It
AFC Home Warranty has four tiers of coverage, and the coverage compounds, meaning each tier is more comprehensive than the last. We also liked that customers can choose from one- or three-year plans, and they can pick their own technicians if they like. There’s a bit of flexibility in the pricing, too, as customers can choose higher service fees for lower monthly payments or vice versa.
What We Don’t Like
Despite the flexible pricing structure, AFC Home Warranty’s rates are a bit higher than the competition. Customers have to ensure that their plan fits their budget for the life of the contract.
Who It’s Best For
AFC Home Warranty is a good fit for just about any New Yorker looking for home warranty coverage. However, we think it’s the best fit for someone who wants a comprehensive plan that doesn’t compromise appliance, system or other household item coverage with each tier. If it’s covered in the basic plan, it’s covered in the others, as well.
Learn more: AFC Home Warranty review
As mentioned, AFC Home Warranty customers have four tiers of coverage that they can choose from. These tiers include the Silver Plan, Gold Plan, Platinum Plan and Diamond Plan.
You can add extra services and coverage for the following items and systems:
We dove into AFC Home Warranty’s BBB and Trustpilot profiles to learn more about what customers were saying. The crowd was divided, with positive reviews mentioning responsive technicians and the company’s willingness to honor its service contracts and negative reviews mentioning claim denials and lower coverage than customers expected. However, we really liked that AFC answers all of its BBB complaints, which not every home warranty company does.
| PLAN NAME | MONTHLY PREMIUM | SERVICE FEE |
|---|---|---|
Silver Plan | $36.83 – $67.15 | $75 - $125 |
Gold Plan | $51.92 – $85.60 | $75 - $125 |
Platinum Plan | $57.00 – $97.70 | $75 - $125 |
Diamond Plan | $91.58 - $152.20 | $75 - $125 |
Customization
Customization
Liberty Home Guard
Though Liberty Home Guard is a relative newcomer, we really appreciated that its home warranty plans are flexible and customizable. Customers can also choose from a long list of a la carte options, making it our top choice for customizable coverage and earning it 4.7 stars through our rating system.
Liberty Home Guard offers a wide range of additional options for customers to choose from in an a la carte style. Coupled with one of the three base plans, customers can easily and affordably create their perfect plan.
Why We Like It
Through our research, we found we admired Liberty’s large menu of customizable options and relatively comprehensive base plans. We liked that the plans and custom coverage were mostly affordable, as well. We also discovered the company’s 60-day workmanship guarantee and large network of service technicians, providing customers with some peace of mind and fast response times.
What We Don’t Like
Two main issues stood out to us with Liberty Home Guard: The first is that the company can require a home inspection before it will cover a claim. Also, there were a few consumer trust sites with low ratings, which we felt could be something to keep an eye on.
Who It’s Best For
Liberty Home Guard’s ideal customer is a New Yorker who likes to control their coverage. With the menu of a la carte items to choose from and affordable base plans, customers can create a plan that fits their needs perfectly. The response times are a good fit for NY lifestyles, as well.
Learn more: Liberty Home Guard review
Liberty Home Guard offers three coverage tiers, including Appliance Guard, Systems Guard, and Total Home Guard.
You can add extra services and coverage for the following items and systems:
Liberty Home Guard’s reviews lean toward the positive, and it currently holds an A rating with the Better Business Bureau (BBB). Most customers applaud Liberty for its customer service and top-notch technicians. However, the complaints Liberty did have mentioned some slow response times and out-of-pocket costs.
| PLAN NAME | MONTHLY PREMIUM | SERVICE FEE |
|---|---|---|
Systems Guard | $54.99 | $65.00 - $125.00 |
Total Home Guard | $59.99 | $65.00 - $125.00 |
Appliance Guard | $49.99 | $65.00 - $125.00 |
Budgeting Homeowners
Budgeting Homeowners
American Home Shield
We found that American Home Shield’s New York home warranty entry-level plan is incredibly affordable and protects against expensive system breakdowns, earning a 4.5-star rating through our research. It also has other plans with additional coverage options for New York homeowners who need a little more coverage.
American Home Shield’s basic plan is the most affordable option on our list. For around $30 each month, AHS customers can protect their major systems, protecting their investments without an expensive bill each month.
Why We Like It
There were several things about American Home Shield that stood out to us. We liked the affordable pricing the most, but we were also big fans of the company’s 52-year track record and the B rating with the BBB. Also, AHS doesn’t require inspections and customers can choose their own technicians—major upsides to choosing a home warranty from American Home Shield.
What We Don’t Like
The things that turned our noses up were minor. Some consumer trust sites don’t view AHS as fondly as others, as shown by the low ratings. Also, there’s quite a price disparity between the most affordable option and the company’s top-tier plan; $50 each month.
Who It’s Best For
It’s our opinion that American Home Shield is a great choice for thrifty homeowners. The low entry-level price allows customers to protect their home’s appliances with minimal financial commitment each month, making it a great choice for those on a tight budget.
Learn more: American Home Shield review
American Home Shield’s coverage plans include ShieldSilver, ShieldGold and Shield Platinum.
You can add extra services and coverage for the following items and systems:
We found American Home Shield’s reviews are just as mixed as most of its competition. The positive reviews frequently mentioned the ease of scheduling, quick coverage and excellent contractors. But on the other hand, the negative reviews mentioned poor communication and long wait times before the customer’s problems were fixed. Overall, the company holds a good rating with the BBB as of this writing, but Trustpilot reviews hold it in a less flattering light.
| PLAN NAME | MONTHLY PREMIUM | SERVICE FEE |
|---|---|---|
ShieldSilver | $29.99 - $39.99 | $100 - $125 |
ShieldGold | $49.99 - $59.99 | $100 - $125 |
ShieldPlatinum | $79.99 - $89.99 | $100 - $125 |
Appliances
Appliances
Cinch Home Services
New Yorkers are big on their energy-efficient appliances, and we found that Cinch Home Warranty offers strong appliance warranty coverage. The entry-level package is designed to cover appliances so customers can protect them at affordable rates, scoring a 4.5-star rating with our research.
We chose Cinch Home Services for its affordable monthly rates and its generous appliance coverage at the lowest tier. Customers looking for some extra protection for their expensive appliances will find the entry-level tier to be a good fit.
Why We Like It
Cinch Home Services’ appliance coverage options are top-notch. Even the entry-level plan covers the majority of the appliances in an average home, including the staples like washers, dryers, stoves, ranges, dishwashers and more. The monthly fee for this coverage is affordable. The other two tiers of coverage are also reasonably priced and offer a big more protection throughout the rest of the home.
What We Don’t Like
There are two issues to understand about Cinch. First, while the monthly payments are affordable, the service fees are high. For the lower monthly payment, the service fee will cost homeowners $150 per service request. Second, customers can’t choose their own technicians, which could be a deal breaker for some homeowners.
Who It’s Best For
We feel Cinch Home Services is best for homeowners with expensive, aging appliances. When these devices fail, Cinch will help cover the cost of repair or replacement, meaning homeowners don’t have to compromise on new, lower-quality appliances just to save money.
Learn more: Cinch Home Services review
There are three levels of coverage available to Cinch Home Services customers. These include Home Appliance, Home Systems, and Complete Home.
You can add extra services and coverage for the following items and systems:
We found that Cinch’s reviews were generally mixed, as is the case with most home warranty companies. We liked that the positive reviews focused on knowledgeable customer service representatives as well as strong pricing. However, we also noticed that there were some complaints about claim denials and long waits for service.
| PLAN NAME | MONTHLY PREMIUM | SERVICE FEE |
|---|---|---|
Home Appliance | Starting at $30.99 | $100 - $150 |
Home Systems | Starting at $35.99 | $100 - $150 |
Complete Home | Starting at $44.99 | $100 - $150 |
Technology and Electronics
Technology and Electronics
ARW Home
We couldn’t overlook that ARW Home carries some of the best overall ratings with the major review sites. The Better Business Bureau, Trustpilot and Consumer Affairs reveal above-average ratings, and we think that makes it a great option for New York homeowners—so much so that it earned a 4.3-star rating with us.
When it comes to trust and peace of mind, ARW Home ranks near the top. Most consumer trust sites show stellar ratings from customers, proving that the majority of existing customers enjoy their coverage levels and customer service.
Why We Like It
While we feel like you can’t overvalue great reviews from existing customers, there was more to ARW than just positive feedback. We liked that the company allows customers to choose their own repair technicians, allowing homeowners to choose companies and techs they know and trust. Also, the electronics coverage is a rare and welcomed facet of ARW, which makes it a good fit for today’s modern, tech-savvy homeowners.
What We Don’t Like
Notice we didn’t mention much about affordability? The lower-tier packages are comparable to competitors, but the highest level is a bit more expensive than most of the competition. Also, service fees are a little murky.
Who It’s Best For
ARW Home is a great fit for modern homeowners. Folks with plenty of electronics and devices will appreciate the tech coverage. Homeowners who do their research and want to know they can trust their home warranty company will also appreciate the positive feedback on consumer trust sites.
Learn more: ARW Home review
There are three levels of coverage for homeowners to choose from, including Appliance Max, Systems Max, and Total Max.
You can add extra services and coverage for the following items and systems:
ARW’s trust site profiles showed a fairly even balance of positive and negative reviews, with ratings skewing toward the positive. It has an A rating with the Better Business Bureau as of this writing and carries above-average ratings with the other consumer trust sites. We noticed that many of the positive reviews were often about customer service agents, many of which reviewers mentioned by name. Also, quick response times were customer favorites. But, denied claims and long wait times were certainly mentioned as well.
| PLAN NAME | MONTHLY PREMIUM | SERVICE FEE |
|---|---|---|
Appliance Max | $45.99 | $55 |
Systems Max | $59.99 | $55 |
Total Max | $84.99 | $55 |
On AFC's Website Have you considered AFC Home Warranty?
Whether you need repairs or a new appliance, AFC can help cover the cost of even the most expensive items like HVAC and plumbing. Here’s why we chose it:
Available plans to choose from: Silver Plan, Gold Plan, Platinum Plan, Systems Plan
Three years work guarantee of repairs
Plans include free credit monitoring, family emergency services and discounts on household items, restaurants and more
On AFC's Website 
Regardless of where you live, a home warranty should offer adequate coverage for your needs as well as pricing tiers that fit your budget.
The age of your home, appliances and systems will help determine what type of coverage you need for your home. Again, many new appliances and systems have warranty coverage of their own, so take note.
To determine your home warranty coverage needs, create an inventory of your home’s appliances and systems. Write down the age and condition of each, including whether any of them are still covered by purchase warranties. For your HVAC system, note that you might already have a service plan through your utility company.
We feel the best route is to focus on older appliances that have lived past their original manufacturer’s warranty. If you are not the home’s original owner, note that some existing appliances and systems warranties might not apply to you as the new owner. It pays to read the fine print on everything you’ll want your home warranty to cover for peace of mind.
When reading customer reviews for home warranty companies, we like to look past the number of stars to what those customers are actually saying and look for trends in their reactions. Are reviewers applauding top-notch customer service? That bodes well for your choice of home warranty company.
But you’ll want to look for red flags, such as multiple reviews citing denied claims or unresponsive customer service reps. While reviews should be taken with a grain of salt, it’s important to see what in particular about a home warranty company has people raving or ranting.
The price for peace of mind should notput too much of a strain on your budget. That’s why home warranty programs offer multiple pricing tiers, ranging from basic to premium coverage.
The more you want to be covered by your home warranty, the more you’ll pay for it. But you don’t have to get the highest tier of coverage for every appliance and system in your home. While there are certainly gold-standard coverage options for luxury appliances and high-end systems, there are also very basic coverage packages.
Home warranty plans charge a monthly payment as well as a service fee—the amount you’ll pay when you call to have a professional replace or repair a component. Typically, the higher your monthly payment, the lower your service fee. For example, some very reasonably priced home warranty coverage tiers charge under $50 per month, but you’ll be stuck paying upwards of $100 for every service call. If you have older appliances and systems that seem to act up more frequently, it might be worth it to pay more per month to avoid hefty service fees.
Assess your budget and your level of risk tolerance before choosing a plan. You can likely make changes to your plan at some point, but you might have to wait until it’s time to renew your policy.
Read all contracts carefully before signing, but you’ll especially want to be aware of the fine print on your home warranty contract. Above all, you want to ensure that any and all home appliances and systems that you want coverage for are indeed being covered adequately by the home warranty.
Keep in mind that every home warranty company has its own coverage tiers and policies, so if you are switching to a new company and policy, don’t make any assumptions about coverage.
New York homeowners can expect to pay between $30 and $75 per month, depending on the coverage tier they choose. It averages out to be between $50 and $60 per month. There is a fee charged every time you make a service call, which is usually between $75 and $150; typically the more you pay monthly for your home warranty, the lower the service fee charge.
In total, the annual cost of a home warranty in New York ranges from around $300 for basic coverage of home appliances and systems to well over $1,000 for more comprehensive coverage, which can also include numerous add-on options for appliances and systems not covered in more general warranty options.
In order to see if a home warranty is worth it for your New York home, you’ll need to calculate your home warranty costs—both monthly and by service fee—and compare it to the common costs of home repairs you may expect. To help, we’ve detailed some common home repairs and their costs below.
| ITEM | AVERAGE REPAIR COST | AVERAGE REPLACE COST |
|---|---|---|
| Air conditioner | $100-$650 | $2,500-$5,000 |
| Furnace | $300-$1,200 | $2,800-$6,800 |
| Electrical panel | $75 - $200 hourly to hire an electrician | $1,300 average panel replacement cost |
| Plumbing | $170 an hour to hire a plumber | $3,000 and $16,000 (depending upon home size) |
| Roofs | $150 - $1,500 | $6,700 to $11,500 |
| Dishwasher | $100 - $300 | $970 |
| Refrigerator | $200 - $400 | $800 - $12,000 |
| Oven | $125 - $425 | $2,800 |
| Stove | $125 - $425 | $2,800 |
| Washer/dryer | $100 - $475 | $1,200 - $3,700 |
The New York State Department of Financial Services (NYDFS) oversees home warranty policies within the state, recognizing them as insurance. This means that home warranty companies operating in New York are required not to just adhere to the pertinent laws and regulations outlined by the NYDFS but also deliver an annual financial report to the NYDFS to ensure consumer protection and fair practices. Homeowners can also file contractual complaints against a home warranty company via the NYDFS.
We recommend that homeowners and potential buyers check with the department’s current regulations for up-to-date and accurate information regarding New York’s home warranty regulations before signing on the dotted line.
Find the top ranked home warranty company in your area
Home warranties can protect you against unexpected expenses. Click on your state today to find out more.
If you live in New York and are considering a home warranty plan, choosing one tailored to the state is important. These plans provide valuable protection against the cost of unpredictable issues with your property. Forbes Home’s home warranty survey gathered insights from 1,000 participants and provides valuable insights for making well-informed decisions about home warranty plans and selecting the best home warranty company.
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Home insurance policies are required by lenders, but home warranty plans are not. The only time one might be a requirement is during a real estate transaction where the home buyer might insist the seller include one in the price. But that’s it.
However, it’s important to note that New York sees some legitimately extreme temperatures, though not for long stretches of time. Heat can reach well over 100 degrees in the summer, and the temperatures can drop below zero in the winter. This can put a lot of strain and wear on appliances and systems. Roofs can also be affected, as can sump pumps and other items around a home. A home warranty policy can protect the homeowner from these expensive problems.
Best Home Warranty Companies By State
To determine the home warranty companies ranking, the Forbes Home editorial team analyzed 54 companies, with each company’s star rating determined by evaluating a variety of metrics and subcategories, including years of experience, signup and restrictions, plan pricing, fees and discounts, coverage features, property coverage, customer reviews and support and nationwide availability.
You can find out more about how Forbes Home rates home warranty companies on our detailed methodology page.
All figures and facts were accurate at the time of first publication.
Home warranties typically cover the cost of both labor and parts for the repair or replacement of major home systems and equipment. However, your home warranty’s coverage depends on the plan or level you choose when you first signed up. Be sure to read all home warranty options carefully before choosing a plan to ensure that you’ve got the coverage you need.
Keep in mind that while it might at first make sense to choose a more inexpensive coverage tier so you can save money per month, you might spend more money in the long run when something goes wrong with an appliance or system.
Like in other parts of the country, New York sees its fair share of home warranty claims for the failure of home appliances and systems, particularly air conditioning or HVAC systems. As New York often has cold winters followed by hot summers, it’s not surprising that heating and cooling systems can be put to the test.
And since these systems have a funny way of breaking down in the season you need them most, it can be quite pricey to hire a professional to service it, particularly when demand is high for tune-ups and service appointments. That’s why a home warranty can be a smart move for New York homeowners.
If a home warranty is not honored and you think it should be, you can sue the home warranty provider for breach of contract. If you win, you have the opportunity to be reimbursed for repair and replacement costs in addition to any legal fees. If the court rules in favor of the defendant (the warranty company), then you are responsible for all out-of-pocket costs, including legal fees.
Tom spent 20 years running his own contracting company, working as a building mechanic and operating as a carpenter. Now he creates solar, home security, moving and home warranty content content for industry professionals and average homeowners.
Barbara has written professionally for more than two decades. In the past five years, she has specialized in creating real estate and home improvement content. Besides writing for Forbes Home, she contributes to Apartment Therapy, Angi, The Spruce and more.
Kristin is a deputy editor at Forbes Home and has nearly a decade of professional experience as a writer and editor. She's previously worked at sites like Talking Points Memo, Insider, Delish, Angi and HomeAdvisor. She has a passion for lifestyle topics and has extensive experience researching and reporting on topics that will help make your house a home.
