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Compare the Cheapest Home Warranty Plans
The average cost for a plan with one of our top-rated cheap home warranty providers is $50 per month, with an average service charge of $93. However, the cost of your home warranty depends on your coverage selections, location and provider.
Compare the best cheap home warranty providers using the table below:
The listings that appear are from companies from which this website may receive compensation, which may impact how, where and in what order products appear. Not all companies, products or offers were reviewed in connection with this listing.
Top 4 Cheapest Home Warranty Providers
After researching more than 30 home warranty providers and secretly shopping for quotes, our team found the following companies to be the cheapest:
- Select Home Warranty: Best for budget shoppers
- American Home Shield: Best for comprehensive coverage
- Liberty Home Guard: Best for add-ons
- Choice Home Warranty: Best value for coverage
The listings that appear are from companies from which this website may receive compensation, which may impact how, where and in what order products appear. Not all companies, products or offers were reviewed in connection with this listing.
Select Home Warranty is our pick for budget shoppers and the cheapest home warranty provider. All three of the company’s plans cost less than $50 per month, which our research showed is 9% less than the average cost of policies from top providers in the industry. In addition to comprehensive coverage for home systems and appliances, Select has roof-leak repair coverage and a 90-day workmanship guarantee on repairs.
Has some of the overall lowest monthly costs in the industry
Provides two months of free roof-leak coverage with new policies
Offers a $3,000 coverage cap for HVAC systems
Most appliances and systems have a $500 coverage limit
Requires maintenance records to approve claims
Select offers three plans to homeowners — one for appliances, one for systems and a comprehensive policy covering both. You also have the option to choose a service call fee of $75 or $100. Our research showed that these fees are lower than the average service call fee range.
We found that Select offers the cheapest overall costs for home warranty coverage and the most affordable comprehensive policy among the providers in this review. However, we discovered that coverage caps for most systems and appliances are lower than those offered by other companies.
Here’s an overview of Select’s plans:
- Bronze Care ($44 per month): This is Select’s appliance-only policy. It covers your garbage disposal, refrigerator, stove, oven, built-in microwave oven, cooktop, dishwasher, clothes washer and dryer.
- Gold Care ($48 per month): Covers major home systems such as your HVAC, plumbing, electrical, water heater and ductwork.
- Platinum Care ($44 per month): Provides coverage for all systems and appliances in your home, which are protected by the Bronze and Gold Care plans, in addition to plumbing stoppages, garage door openers and ceiling fans.
American Home Shield (AHS) offers the least expensive basic home warranty plan from the providers we researched and reviewed, earning it a higher spot on our list of most affordable companies. It offers a base policy with generous coverage limits of up to $4,000 per appliance and $5,000 for HVAC systems. The company also covers damage related to unknown pre-existing conditions, rust, corrosion, improper installation and more without requiring maintenance records.
Offers the cheapest base plan out of providers in this review
Provides unique coverage for code violations, permits and roof leaks
Doesn’t require maintenance records for claims and repairs
Limited add-on coverage options
No appliance-only plan
AHS offers three plans and allows you to choose from two service call fees. The ShieldSilver plan covers major systems, while the ShieldGold and ShieldPlatinum plans provide both systems and appliance coverage.
Our research and secret shopping efforts found that AHS offers the cheapest base-level coverage out of the providers listed in this review. However, its top-tier policy is more expensive than the average cost of comparable plans.
Below is an overview of AHS’s plans:
- ShieldSilver ($23 per month): Provides coverage for air conditioners, heating systems, ductwork, interior electrical lines, main breakers, fuse panel boxes, built-in exhaust and other various house fans, doorbells and garage door openers.
- ShieldGold ($33 per month): Covers all items in the ShieldSilver plan in addition to refrigerators, ranges, cooktops, ovens, dishwashers, built-in microwaves, garbage disposals, instant hot/cold water dispensers, clothes washers and dryers.
- ShieldPlatinum ($95 per month): Includes all systems and appliances covered in the ShieldSilver and ShieldGold plans. You also get one free HVAC tune-up, unlimited AC refrigerant, roof leak coverage and coverage for code violations, permits and modifications.
Liberty Home Guard
Liberty Home Guard (LHG) offers homeowners affordable monthly premiums and an extensive suite of add-on coverages for those who seek to customize their policies. Its unique extra coverages include protection for saltwater pools, guest units, pro-series appliances and more. In addition, LHG offers a 60-day workmanship warranty on all covered repairs. However, the company has a $500 limit for all add-on coverages.
Has more add-on options than any other provider
Provides a mobile app for easy policy management
Offers a 60-day workmanship guarantee
Lacks service fee transparency
Limits each add-on coverage to $500
As is typical in the industry, LHG has a plan for systems and appliances and a comprehensive plan that includes both. When gathering quotes and researching the company, we found that service call fees range from $65 to $125.
Our research also determined that two of LHG’s plans fall below the overall average cost of a policy, making it a budget-friendly and affordable provider for many homeowners. Another benefit is that it provides more than 40 add-on options, ideal for those looking to customize their coverage.
Here’s an overview of LHG’s plans:
- Appliance Guard ($50 per month): As the name suggests, this plan covers your home’s major appliances, such as your clothes washer, dryer, kitchen refrigerator, built-in microwave oven, dishwasher, garbage disposal, range, oven, cooktop, ceiling fans, exhaust fans and garage door openers.
- Systems Guard ($55 per month): A systems-only plan that provides protection for your air conditioning, heating, ductwork, plumbing, electrical and water heaters.
- Total Home Guard ($60 per month): This policy combines the coverage offered by the Appliance and Systems Guard plans, providing comprehensive protection for your home.
Choice Home Warranty earned our recognition for offering some of the cheapest plans and the best value for coverage out of the providers we ranked and reviewed. All plans come with a flat-rate $100 service fee and one free month of coverage for all new policies. While its 30-day workmanship guarantee isn’t as lengthy as that of other providers in this review, it includes a $3,000 coverage limit on most systems and appliances.
Includes one free month of coverage with all new policies
Offers a $3,000 coverage limit on most systems and appliances
Provides a 60-day workmanship guarantee on covered repairs
Only offers two policy options
No choice of service call fee
Choice is the only provider in this review that offers just two policy options, both of which are comprehensive plans that cover systems and appliances. In addition, the company offers 10 add-on options to enhance your coverage.
Both of Choice’s policies are around or below the average cost of a home warranty policy, which our research showed is $55 per month. The company also extends a flat-rate service fee of $100 for all plans, which may not appeal to homeowners who value having options.
Here’s a quick rundown of its plans:
- Basic Plan ($47 per month): Provides coverage for your heating, electrical and plumbing systems. It also covers plumbing stoppages, water heaters, whirlpool bathtubs, ovens, ranges, stoves, cooktops, dishwashers, built-in microwave ovens, garbage disposals, ductwork garage door openers, ceiling fans and exhaust fans.
- Total Plan ($55 per month): This covers all components protected through the Basic Plan plus your air conditioning system, refrigerator, washer and dryer.
Note that Choice Home Warranty is currently subject to pending legal action in Arizona. However, this is not uncommon across the industry. Eleven out of the 27 national home warranty companies we’ve researched have had lawsuits filed against them in the past.
We reached out to Choice Home Warranty about the above-mentioned litigation and received the following response from Jim Mostofi, the company’s CEO: “There is no merit to the 5-year-old litigation brought by the former attorney general in Arizona. Choice Home Warranty is the most comprehensive and cost-effective home warranty in the US and our position will be vindicated when the matter is finally decided on the merits.”
Best Home Warranty Companies by State
Use our tool below to search for your state’s best home warranty company.
Factors That Affect Home Warranty Cost
It is important to consider factors other than cost before deciding on a home warranty plan. Here are five factors to research before choosing a home warranty provider:
- Coverage: Each home warranty plan covers different appliances and systems. What are the appliances and systems in your home you are most afraid of breaking down? Is it your water heater or your air conditioning system? Then, ensure you will have coverage with the plans you’re comparing. Some companies only offer certain appliances and systems as optional add-ons, meaning you would have to pay more for coverage.
- Service fee: The service fee or deductible is the amount you have to pay when a broken system or appliance needs repair or replacement. Service fees range from $65 to more than $100 per repair visit. While homeowners typically spend more on premiums than service fees, if a provider has a large disparity in deductibles among similarly priced plans, look for a home warranty with a cheaper service fee.
- Coverage limits: Most home warranty companies set coverage limits or the annual amount a provider will pay to cover a particular system or appliance. For example, a company might have a $5,000 coverage limit on all electrical systems repairs. We recommend you research coverage limits before purchasing a plan. You can usually find coverage caps in sample contracts on the provider’s website.
- Reputation: You can learn about a company’s reputation by reviewing sites like the Better Business Bureau (BBB), Trustpilot and Yelp. These sites often have aggregated scores for companies based on customer ratings and can help you identify common themes among reviews of satisfied and dissatisfied homeowners.
- Claims process: Consider whether it’s easy to submit a claim with the home warranty companies you’re considering and how quickly a representative will get back to you. Some home warranty companies will get back to you quicker than others. You can learn more about the claims process by reading online customer reviews.
How Much Can You Save with a Home Warranty?
A home warranty can help make the cost of home maintenance more manageable and predictable. With a home warranty, you’ll pay a standard rate each month, and when you need a technician to come to your home, you’ll only need to pay the agreed-upon service fee.
Repairing or replacing larger appliances and systems in your home, like air conditioning and heating units, refrigerators, stoves and more, can cost thousands of dollars out-of-pocket. A home warranty offers peace of mind that you won’t have to pay the full cost of repair expenses if an issue arises.
Home Warranty Cost Calculator
We developed a calculator that analyzes the anticipated yearly costs of owning a home warranty. To determine your projected annual expenses, input your monthly premium, service call fee and estimated number of claims. While our calculator can estimate pricing, we recommend getting quotes from our top providers directly, as exact prices vary by plan, location and home size.
Home Warranty Cost Calculator
Your Annual Cost Estimate
The results are estimates based on the information you provide and may not reflect the actual pricing of your quote.
To determine home warranty costs, MarketWatch Guides mystery shopped quotes for each plan type from 28 different home warranty providers. The results are estimates based on the information you provide and may not reflect the actual pricing of your quote.
How To Save Money With a Home Warranty
If you’re looking for ways to save on your home warranty coverage, consider the following tips while searching for a policy that suits your needs:
- Choose a higher service fee: While you’ll pay more if you need repairs on your systems or appliances, a higher service fee can lower your monthly payments.
- Compare quotes from multiple providers: Gathering quotes from each provider we featured in this review allows you to compare costs and coverages between companies, making it easier to find your home’s best rate and coverage.
- Look for discounts and promotions: Many home warranty providers offer occasional promotions and may provide free months of coverage, waived policy fees or a discounted rate for new customers. Ask a customer service representative about any discounts or promotions applicable to your home.
- Only choose essential coverages: Ask yourself which systems and appliances you’re most concerned about covering. Choosing coverage that only protects the essentials and avoiding unnecessary add-ons can help keep your costs low.
How To Find an Affordable Home Warranty Company
The following tips can help ensure you find an affordable home warranty company that offers the coverage your home needs:
- Check out local companies: You may live in an area serviced by local or regional home warranty companies. A quick internet search can help you determine whether it’s worth your time to check out a local provider.
- Compare coverage to cost: Cheaper doesn’t necessarily mean better regarding a home warranty. Compare costs to the coverage offered by each company to determine whether a policy provides you with the best value.
- Get multiple quotes: Comparing quotes from various home warranty providers can help ensure you receive a competitive rate.
- Research and read real customer reviews: Testimonials can help shed light on the strengths and weaknesses of a home warranty company. While you might find the provider with the cheapest rate the most appealing, an affordable rate may not be worth it if the service a company provides is subpar.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Cheapest Home Warranties
For the majority of homeowners, a home warranty is worth the cost. A home warranty can provide financial stability if your systems or appliances break down unexpectedly. It also gives you peace of mind that you are covered, even when your home systems and appliances run fine.
Home warranty coverage costs around $300 to $600 per year. Based on our picks for cheap home warranties, the average price of a plan is $55 per month, with an average service charge of $93. However, pricing can vary based on your state or the size of your home. For more accurate pricing, getting a free quote from most providers takes only a few minutes.
The cheapest home warranty providers on our list are Select Home Warranty and American Home Shield. Select’s plans range from $44 to $48, while American Home Shield’s plans range from $23 to $95.
Methodology: Our System for Rating Home Warranty Companies
We at the MarketWatch Guides team have developed a comprehensive rating system to evaluate home warranty providers based on objective criteria. Our researchers assess each company by directly communicating with representatives, reviewing sample contracts and analyzing consumer feedback. Additionally, we have conducted surveys and focus groups to gather valuable homeowner insights.
We assign scores to each provider based on the data collected, focusing on key factors such as pricing, coverage, trustworthiness, and customer experience. Below is the breakdown of how we score home warranty companies.
- Pricing (30%): We analyze home warranty pricing about overall value by considering monthly plan costs, average service fees, upcharges for after-hour and weekend repairs, and how companies handle depreciation. We also consider customer responses to our latest home warranty survey about pricing and general satisfaction.
- Coverage (30%): Companies that offer transferable plans, have high coverage limits and have shorter waiting periods score highly in this category. We also take into account each provider’s individual coverage limits, repair requirements and coverage exemptions for major systems and appliances.
- Trustworthiness (20%): We consider factors such as years in business, company size, Better Business Bureau (BBB) and Trustpilot ratings, and service guarantees in this rating category. We also analyze whether or not a company has any active or past lawsuits against it.
- Customer Experience (20%): The more streamlined a provider’s customer experience is, the higher it scores in this category. We look at the availability of online sample contracts, available plan information, online quote tools, claims response times, cancellation policies and more. We also consider responses centered around general and claims satisfaction in our latest survey.
Our review methodology for home warranty companies is intended to provide a thorough overview of the best providers nationwide. To learn more, you can read our full home warranty methodology.
