Best Homeowner Warranty Companies in 2026

Broad coverage and higher limits · Pricing starts at: $36 per month
Key takeaways
- American Home Shield offers the broadest coverage and higher limits, with plans starting around $36 per month in sample quotes.
- Choice Home Warranty and 2-10 Home Warranty suit budget-conscious buyers, with simpler plan ranges and lower starting prices in sample quotes.
- First American Home Warranty and AFC Home Club stand out for higher payouts and longer workmanship terms, but availability and prices vary by state.
- Every plan has a waiting period, service fee and coverage caps, so read your state-specific contract before you pay.
Quick comparison
| Pick | Great for | Pricing starts at | Free tier | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Broad coverage and higher limits | $36 per month | No | Visit | |
| Budget-friendly combined coverage | $60 per month | No | Visit | |
| Higher payouts and no total cap reported | $77 per month | No | Visit | |
| Coverage in all 50 states | $57 per month | No | Visit | |
| Contractor choice and long workmanship term | $44 per month | No | Visit | |
| Combined plans with a wide service network | $51 per month | No | Visit | |
| Appliance, systems or combined plans | $60 per month | No | Visit | |
| Lower starting prices for systems cover | $27 per month | No | Visit |
The best homeowner warranty companies
We compared eight home warranty companies on plan types, sample monthly prices, service fees, coverage limits and state availability. The best homeowner warranty companies below are service contracts, not homeowners insurance: they cover breakdowns from normal wear and tear, not fire, theft or storm damage. Coverage and prices vary by state, home size and plan, so get a quote for your own address.

American Home Shield is the largest name in this market, and its plans reflect that scale. ShieldSilver covers home systems, ShieldGold adds appliances, and ShieldPlatinum adds extra items and services, including roof-leak cover and video-call help from technicians. Sample quotes put monthly prices from about $36 to $100, with a service fee of $100 or $125 per claim, though your quote will depend on state and home details.
The standout detail is coverage for certain preexisting conditions that other providers exclude, subject to contract terms, plus a $5,000 heating and cooling limit on every tier in published comparisons. The catch is the short workmanship guarantee and the higher cost of the top tier. If your home has ageing systems and you want the broadest cover, American Home Shield is the first quote to get, but compare its top tier against First American before you pay.
- Three plan tiers including systems-only and combined cover
- $5,000 HVAC limit and high term limits reported
- Covers some preexisting conditions
- Monthly prices rise steeply on higher tiers
- Service fee of $100 or $125 per claim
- 30-day workmanship guarantee is short

Choice Home Warranty keeps the choice simple with two combined plans covering systems and appliances together, rather than a long menu of tiers. Sample quotes put monthly prices from about $60 to $68, with a $100 service fee per claim, which makes budgeting straightforward for a typical single-family home. That simplicity suits buyers who do not want to compare six plans to find the right one.
The limits are the trade-off. Coverage is capped at about $3,000 per item in published comparisons, which may fall short on a full system replacement. Choice is also not sold in Washington, and it agreed an $11.8 million settlement with Arizona in early 2026 over coverage claims, while denying wrongdoing. None of that disqualifies the company, but it does mean you should read the contract and confirm cover in writing before signing.
- Two simple combined plans
- $100 service fee
- Lower monthly range than many rivals in sample quotes
- $3,000 per-item limit
- Not sold in Washington
- Past settlements mean the contract deserves close reading

First American Home Warranty
Great for: Higher payouts and no total cap reported

First American Home Warranty suits homeowners whose main worry is a big bill, not a small repair. Published comparisons report no total cap on coverage, which sets it apart from rivals that cap payouts per term, and its plans are geared toward higher-value items. Sample quotes put monthly prices from about $77 to $130, with a service fee of $100 or $125 per claim.
That higher price is the obvious catch, and availability is narrower than the nationwide providers, with published comparisons noting it is not sold in some states. If you live in a covered state and own expensive systems or appliances, the extra monthly cost can be justified by the payout room. If your home is newer and your systems are modest, a cheaper plan may cover the realistic risks just as well.
- No total coverage cap reported
- Strong for high-value items
- Three combined plan tiers
- Higher starting prices in sample quotes
- Limited availability in some states
- Service fee of $100 or $125
Liberty Home Guard is useful simply because it is available everywhere, including states where some rivals do not sell. It offers appliance-only, systems-only and combined plans, so buyers can match cover to the home rather than buying a bundle they do not need. Sample quotes put monthly prices from about $57 to $68, with service fees from $65 to $125 depending on the plan chosen.
The per-item limit of about $2,000 is lower than American Home Shield or First American, so a major replacement may leave a gap you pay yourself. Published reviews also show a mixed satisfaction record. Liberty is a strong option when availability is the deciding factor, but compare its caps against a rival that sells in your state before you commit.
- Sold in all 50 states
- Appliance, systems or combined plans
- Service fee options from $65 in sample quotes
- $2,000 per-item limit reported
- Customer satisfaction record is mixed in published reviews
AFC Home Club, also known as AFC Home Warranty, stands out for flexibility. Buyers choose from four tiers, pick a service fee of $75, $100 or $125 per claim, and in many cases can use their own contractor, which matters if you already trust a local technician. The workmanship guarantee lasts for the life of the plan term, longer than the 30 to 90 days many rivals offer.
The limits need attention. Published comparisons report a per-item cap of about $2,000, and preexisting conditions are excluded, unlike American Home Shield's cover for certain cases. AFC is also not sold in California, Hawaii or Washington. If contractor choice and a long guarantee matter more to you than the highest payout, AFC deserves a quote, but check the caps against the cost of replacing your oldest system.
- Four plan tiers
- You can choose your own contractor
- Workmanship guarantee lasts for the plan term
- Not sold in California, Hawaii or Washington
- Per-item limit of about $2,000 reported
- Preexisting conditions excluded

Cinch Home Services
Great for: Combined plans with a wide service network
Cinch Home Services keeps its range to three combined plans, which suits buyers who want systems and appliances covered together without choosing between separate bundles. Sample quotes put monthly prices from about $51 to $68, with service fees from $100 to $150 per claim, and published comparisons report a term limit of $10,000. That combination works well for homes where both systems and appliances are ageing together.
The lack of a single-category plan is a limitation if you only need one side covered, since you pay for the bundle either way. Service fees at the top of the range are also higher than the $65 to $100 options some rivals offer. Check availability for your ZIP code first, then compare the total yearly cost, including likely service fees, rather than the monthly price alone.
- Three combined plans
- Term limit of $10,000 reported
- Service fee options from $100 to $150
- No appliance-only or systems-only plan in the main range
- Higher service fees on some options
- Availability varies by ZIP code
Select Home Warranty offers appliance-only, systems-only and combined plans, which gives buyers more control than a combined-only provider. Sample quotes put monthly prices around $60 to $64, with service fees from $65 to $200 depending on the option chosen, so the cheapest monthly price is not always the cheapest claim. That range lets a buyer trade a lower monthly payment for a higher fee per visit, or the reverse.
Coverage limits are modest in published comparisons, with about $3,000 for heating and cooling and about $500 for appliances. Those caps may be enough for repairs, but they fall short on full replacements. Select suits homes with newer systems where a repair, not a replacement, is the likely claim, and buyers should choose the service fee carefully based on how often they expect to call.
- Three plan types to match the home
- Service fee options from $65 to $200
- Straightforward plan structure
- HVAC limit of about $3,000 and appliance limit of about $500 reported
- Higher service fee options raise claim costs
2-10 Home Warranty is the budget entry in this guide, with sample quotes starting around $27 per month and service fees of $65, $85 or $100 per claim. It offers systems and combined plans, and published comparisons report a $5,000 heating and cooling limit within a $50,000 term limit, which is competitive for the price. For a buyer whose main goal is affordable systems cover, it is hard to beat on starting price alone.
The usual cautions apply. Starting prices reflect sample quotes for a typical home, and your quote may be higher depending on state, home size and plan. Coverage details, waiting periods and exclusions still need a contract read. If 2-10 sells in your state and its limits cover your oldest systems, it is a sensible low-cost starting point, with American Home Shield as the broader, pricier comparison.
- Low starting prices in sample quotes
- Systems and combined plans
- Service fee options from $65 to $100
- Term limit of $50,000 with a $5,000 HVAC limit in published comparisons
- Availability and prices vary by state
How we picked these
We compared official plan pages, sample quotes and published 2026 comparisons from review sites that collected thousands of quotes nationwide, and we kept only companies that sell home warranty plans in the United States in October 2026. We favoured a mix of nationwide providers, budget options and higher-payout plans, and we used sample monthly prices rather than a single quote, since real prices vary by state and home. We did not claim hands-on claims experience, and we wrote See website nowhere in this guide because sample prices were available, though your own quote remains the final figure.
What to check before you buy
First, read the contract for your state, not just the sales page. Check the waiting period, which is usually 30 days, the service fee per claim, the per-item and term limits, and the exclusions for preexisting conditions, improper maintenance and items still under a manufacturer warranty. A plan that looks cheap can become expensive if the limit on your furnace or air conditioner is lower than a replacement cost.
Next, get quotes from at least three companies for the same home and compare the yearly total, including likely service fees. Ask if you can choose your own contractor, how long repairs are guaranteed, and how claims are filed, since a slow claims process matters when heating fails in winter. Finally, remember that a home warranty is not homeowners insurance and does not replace it: it covers wear-and-tear breakdowns, while insurance covers sudden damage such as fire and theft. This guide is general information only, not insurance advice, and coverage and prices vary by state and provider.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best home warranty company?
American Home Shield is the strongest overall pick in published 2026 comparisons for broad coverage and higher limits, while Choice Home Warranty suits budget buyers and First American suits owners of high-value items. The best company for you depends on your state, your home's age and which systems are oldest.
How much does a home warranty cost per month?
Sample quotes in 2026 put most plans from about $27 to $130 per month, depending on company, plan tier, state and home size, plus a service fee of $65 to $150 per claim. Your own quote is the only reliable figure, so compare at least three companies for the same address.
What does a home warranty cover?
A home warranty covers breakdowns from normal wear and tear on systems such as heating, cooling, plumbing and electrical, and on appliances, depending on the plan. It usually excludes preexisting conditions, cosmetic damage, routine maintenance and items under a manufacturer warranty, and every plan has payout limits.
Is a home warranty the same as homeowners insurance?
No. A home warranty is a service contract for wear-and-tear breakdowns, while homeowners insurance covers sudden damage such as fire, wind and theft, plus liability. Most homeowners need insurance regardless, and a warranty is an optional extra for repair costs.
Which home warranty company is best for HVAC?
American Home Shield and First American rank highly for heating and cooling in published comparisons, with American Home Shield offering a $5,000 HVAC limit on every tier. Check the exact HVAC components, limits and maintenance requirements in your contract, since cover for refrigerant, ductwork and controls varies.
How long is the waiting period before I can claim?
Most companies apply a 30-day waiting period after purchase before you can file a claim, though plans bought with a home sale usually start at closing. Some companies shorten the wait with proof of prior continuous cover, so ask about that option if you are switching providers.
Sources
- https://www.ahs.com
- https://www.choicehomewarranty.com
- https://homewarranty.firstam.com
- https://www.libertyhomeguard.com
- https://www.afchomeclub.com
- https://www.cinchhomeservices.com
- https://www.selecthomewarranty.com
- https://www.2-10.com
- https://www.thisoldhouse.com/home-finances/home-warranty-california
- https://www.mymillennialguide.com/best-home-warranties/
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