The Nerds’ picks for the best home warranties right now
After weeks of comparing companies, I found the best home warranties include Old Republic, American Home Shield, 2-10 Home Buyers and Cinch Home Services.
Researching home warranties doesn’t make for cozy rainy day reading. Marketing language that says one thing and fine print that says the other can make it difficult to know which home warranty is the best fit. So I did the work for you. (And you can go back to your reading chair and hardback book.)
I evaluated the home warranty companies that people research the most on Google and looked at the things that really matter to homeowners: monthly cost, service fees, value for money, what is and isn’t covered, policies that improve or limit coverage, repair guarantees and more.
I cut through the marketing lingo to see which home warranty companies offered the best options for certain homeowners. Here’s my shortlist of home warranties that hold up in key areas, what you need to know about them and who they fit best.
Company | Offers / Discounts | NerdWallet rating | Monthly premiums | Service fees | Plan types | Offers / Discounts | Learn more |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Limited-Time Deal $75 off and 1st month of membership for free | 3.0/5 | About $49 and up | $100 | Comprehensive | Limited-Time Deal $75 off and 1st month of membership for free | Call Choice Home Warranty on Choice Home Warranty's website | |
Best coverage for specific situations | Limited-Time Deal Up To U$150 Off All Plans | 4.5/5 | $20 and up | $100 or $125 | Systems-only and comprehensive | Limited-Time Deal Up To U$150 Off All Plans | Call American Home Shield on American Home Shield's website |
Best payouts  First American Home WarrantyCall First American Home Warranty on First American Home Warranty's website | Limited-Time Deal $100 instant discount | 3.5/5 | $42 and up | $100 or $125 | Comprehensive | Limited-Time Deal $100 instant discount | Call First American Home Warranty on First American Home Warranty's website |
Best savings on repeated repairs | Limited-Time Deal $200 off plus 2 free months of coverage | 2.5/5 | $50 and up | $70–$125 | Appliance-only, systems-only and comprehensive | Limited-Time Deal $200 off plus 2 free months of coverage | Call Liberty Home Guard on Liberty Home Guard's website |
Best prices for monthly budgeting | N/A | 4.5/5 | $35 and up | $65, $85 or $100 per claim. | Appliance-only and comprehensive | N/A | |
Best customer satisfaction reputation | N/A | 5.0/5 | $45 and up | $100 to $125 | Comprehensive | N/A |
Best customer satisfaction reputation: Old Republic Home Protection
Old Republic Home Protection has the highest average customer satisfaction score among the home warranty companies that we rate. That means the company has more happy customers on average than the other companies. It also has a good record of resolving consumer complaints with the Better Business Bureau, which means it responds to reported issues and works to fix them for the customers.
Old Republic is a good option for homeowners who value customer service as much as what their plans cover.
NerdWallet rating: 5 out of 5 stars.
What I like about Old Republic Home Protection
The company’s comprehensive plans start at $47 a month and cover a good number of systems and appliances. This means you’re getting more coverage for your money compared to some home warranty companies.
Old Republic Home Protection also has high coverage limits for HVAC repairs and appliances and doesn’t have specific limits on electrical and plumbing repairs. I also like that HVAC tune-ups are included in the Elite plan
What I don’t like about Old Republic Home Protection
Old Republic Home Protection’s service fees are $100 or $125 per service call. These are on the higher end compared to many home warranty companies.
I don’t like that the company’s repair guarantee is for only 30 days, which is standard but not as long as some home warranty guarantees. And you have to buy a more expensive plan to get Old Republic’s coverage for services such as hauling away systems or appliances and fixing code violations.
Old Republic Home Protection's coverage limits are on the high end compared with competitors, especially for HVAC and appliances.
Best prices for monthly budgeting: 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty
2-10 Home Buyers Warranty plans cost between $29.99 and $69.99 per month, making it the most affordable home warranty company on our list. You can also choose $75, $100 or $125 for your service fee. Your final price depends on the plan and service fee you choose. These prices are the same for all customers.
This is a good option for homeowners who want high coverage limits for HVAC, plumbing and electrical repairs with low monthly fees.
NerdWallet rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars.
What I like about 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty
2-10 Home Buyers Warranty has high coverage limits of $5,000 each for air conditioners, heaters and ductwork. That’s a total of $15,000 toward HVAC repairs. The company also doesn’t limit how much it pays for electrical and plumbing repairs, though it won’t pay more than $50,000 for all repairs within 12 months.
I also like that the company covers repairs needed because of rust, corrosion and sediment issues, which some companies don’t cover.
What I don’t like about 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty
2-10 Home Buyers Warranty doesn’t offer some of the more popular add-on options, such as a second refrigerator or standalone freezer. Also, the company guarantees repairs for only 30 days, which is common but not as good as some of its competitors’ guarantees.
2-10 Home Buyers Warranty also charges a $100 fee for each unit when you schedule an HVAC tune-up. This fee only covers the tune-up and is in addition to your monthly plan fee. If the tune-up shows you need a repair, you’ll have to pay a service fee for a different service call.
The company also has lower customer satisfaction scores than most competitors.
2-10 Home Buyers Warranty offers flexible service fee options and guarantees its repairs for the term of a service agreement.
Best value for your money: Cinch Home Services
Cinch Home Services offers different plans in California, which include systems-only, appliance-only and comprehensive plans that offer repair and replacement coverage. This section applies only to plans outside of California. Cinch’s plans for California residents have a different cost and so a different value for your money.
Cinch Home Services easily took this category because it covers the most items at the lowest cost per item. That means your money stretches a little farther with Cinch’s plans than with competitors’ plans.
Cinch is able to offer more value than many other companies because its cheapest plan covers only repairs and not replacements. Because you only pay for repair coverage, the monthly fee is much lower than what most other companies charge while still covering a lot of items.
This is a good option for homeowners who only want coverage to repair systems and appliances without replacement coverage.
NerdWallet rating: 4 out of 5 stars.
What I like about Cinch Home Services
I like Cinch’s Repair Only plan, which costs less than its other plans and pays for only repairs, not replacements of systems or appliances. The Repair Only plan is the only one like it, giving homeowners a choice of less coverage for less money while still covering repairs for major systems and appliances.
Cinch also covers two of most appliances and systems. Got two air conditioning units for your house? Cinch covers both of them without charging you an extra fee.
Additionally, Cinch’s plans start at $27.99 per month, which is a budget-friendly price, and the company has a 180-day repair guarantee.
What I don’t like about Cinch Home Services
Coverage limits are different for each of Cinch’s plans, and the Repair Only plan has relatively low coverage limits. Also, the company’s service fees are at the higher end compared with other companies’ fees. They are $100, $125 or $150 per service call.
I also don’t like that Cinch doesn’t pay to haul away replaced systems or appliances and can replace an item with one that isn’t the same color, type or brand as your old one.
Cinch Home Services guarantees their technicians' repairs for 180 days, which is much longer than their competitors' standard 30-day and 60-day guarantees.
» MORE: The Nerds’ picks for best home warranties for appliances
Best cost per claim: Home Service Club
Home Service Club offers three service fee options: $65, $95 and $125. The company ties with Select Home Warranty for having the lowest service fee option among the companies that we’ve rated. But Home Service Club’s most expensive service fee is lower than Select’s, giving it the best options for service fees.
Home Service Club lets customers choose which service fee they want to pay when they purchase a plan, and a higher the service fee means a lower monthly payment.
This is a good option for homeowners who are comfortable with a higher monthly fee to pay a cheaper service fee when they file claims.
NerdWallet rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars.
What I like about Home Service Club
In addition to good service fee options, Home Service Club’s pricing is mid-range compared with other companies’ prices. Its cheaper plan costs $56.66 a month, and its bigger plan costs $69.16 a month. I also like that the company’s plans cover a good variety of systems and appliances, which means they have good value for your money.
What I don’t like about Home Service Club
Home Service Club’s HVAC, electrical and plumbing repair limits are lower than many competitors’ limits, and how much it pays for appliance repairs depends on which appliance is being fixed. The company’s repair guarantee is only for 30 days for labor and 90 days for parts.
Home Service Club also doesn’t pay to haul away replaced systems or appliances, and it doesn’t cover issues caused by corrosion, rust or sediment.
Additionally, Home Service Club’s average customer satisfaction scores are on the lower end, and the company has a bad record of resolving Better Business Bureau complaints.
Home Service Club's basic plan includes coverage of most major home systems and most commonly covered appliances.
Best payouts: First American Home Warranty
First American dominates this category thanks to no limits on HVAC, electrical and plumbing repairs. But that doesn’t mean it’ll approve every claim. First American also pays up to $3,500 per appliance with its cheaper plans and bumps that up to $7,000 per appliance with its Premium plan.
Additionally, First American covers limited roof leaks and seasonal HVAC tune-ups in its Premium plan, and covers all brands of appliances.
This is a good option for homeowners who are worried about expensive HVAC, electrical or plumbing repairs.
NerdWallet rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars.
What I like about First American Home Warranty
In addition to good coverage limits, First American also offers a decent value with its plans, especially its cheapest option. The company also covers issues caused by rust, corrosion and sediment.
First American also lets you choose between two service fees, which can lower how much you pay each month.
What I don’t like about First American Home Warranty
First American’s pricing is expensive for homeowners in some areas. The cheapest quote I found was for $42.03 per month in La Jolla, California, but the highest quote I found was $172.42 in Oklahoma City. This is one of the most expensive quotes I found for home warranty companies.
First American’s repair guarantee is for only 30 days, which is standard but short compared to some competitors’ guarantees.
And even though it has good customer satisfaction scores on some consumer review websites, it has low customer scores with the Better Business Bureau. The company does have a good record for resolving BBB complaints, though.
Unlike most competitors, First American Home Warranty's most basic warranty covers both systems (plumbing, electrical and heating) and certain appliances.
Best coverage for specific situations: American Home Shield
American Home Shield will pay to haul away systems and appliances it replaces, which can be expensive for homeowners. It also covers problems caused by sediment, rust and corrosion, which many home warranties exclude.
American Home Shield offers seasonal HVAC tune-ups for all customers. You have to pay $100 for each tune-up visit with its ShieldSilver and ShieldGold plans. You’ll get one free tune-up if you buy the ShieldPlatinum plan.
The company also covers multiple refrigerators in its ShieldGold and ShieldPlatinum plans, which most other home warranties charge you extra for. And it covers items when they break down because of improper installation or repair, insufficient maintenance and mismatched HVAC systems.
This is a good option for homeowners who want specific issues covered and high coverage limits.
NerdWallet rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars.
What I like about American Home Shield
American Home Shield’s plans have good coverage limits, covering up to $10,000 for HVAC repairs and up to $5,000 each for electrical and plumbing repairs. Its appliance coverage starts at $2,000 per appliance with the ShieldGold plan and jumps to $4,000 per appliance with the ShieldPlatinum plan.
What I don’t like about American Home Shield
Even though American Home Shield offers low prices in some areas, the company’s prices are expensive in other areas. Additionally, its lowest service fee is $100, which is higher than many home warranty companies’ service fees.
Its repair guarantee is only 30 days, which is standard but not as good as some competitors’ guarantees. The company also has mixed customer satisfaction scores on consumer review websites.
Unlike most plans, the ShieldPlatinum plan includes roof leak coverage. Usually, this coverage is only available as an add-on.
» MORE: NerdWallet’s list of the best home warranties for rental properties
Best savings on repeated repairs: Liberty Home Guard
Liberty Home Guard guarantees that HVAC and appliance repairs it pays for won’t fail for 365 days. This is much longer than the standard 30-day guarantee that many other companies provide.
Liberty guarantees plumbing and electrical repairs for 100 days. Although this is less than the HVAC and appliance guarantee, it’s still much longer than many of its competitors’ guarantees.
This is a good option for homeowners who want a longer repair guarantee without expensive monthly fees.
NerdWallet rating: 2.5 out of 5 stars.
What I like about Liberty Home Guard
Liberty’s pricing is middle of the road, ranging from $54.99 to $74.99 depending on the plan you choose. It covers up to $2,000 per appliance.
Liberty includes HVAC tune-ups in its Systems Guard and Total Home Guard plans. And unlike many of its competitors, Liberty doesn’t charge you an additional service fee to have a technician repair issues they find while performing an HVAC tune-up.
What I don’t like about Liberty Home Guard
Liberty’s coverage limits for electrical and plumbing are on the lower end and change depending on the length of your plan. Shorter plans will get up to $500 but only $250 during the first 100 days. Longer plans will get $750 and only $375 during the first 100 days.
Although Liberty’s lowest service fee is $75, which is lower than several competitors’ fees, how much you pay when filing a claim depends on the length of your contract. You can’t choose your service fee.
Liberty has a few policies that I don’t like as well. It doesn’t repair issues caused by corrosion, rust or sediment, and it says it isn’t responsible for installing replacement items that match your old one’s color, brand or dimensions. It also has mixed customer satisfaction reviews online.
Compared to competitors, Liberty earns more positive customer reviews. On the Better Business Bureau, consumer ratings average about 4.5 stars out of 5, much higher than other top home warranty companies.
Best replacements for eco-conscious homeowners: Home Warranty of America
Home Warranty of America has GreenPlus, an add-on option that requires the company to purchase Energy Star-certified models for certain appliances and systems when it replaces one of your items. It applies to dishwashers, refrigerators, washing machines, water heaters and furnaces. This is a one-of-a-kind option that competitors don’t offer.
This is a good option for homeowners who want a chance to upgrade certain appliances or systems to Energy Star models but aren’t ready to shell out the cash yet.
NerdWallet rating: 4 out of 5 stars.
What I like about Home Warranty of America
Home Warranty of America’s plans are the same price for every customer: $48.33 for its cheaper plan and $60.83 for its higher plan. Its plans also offer good value for your money because of how many items it covers for the price.
I also like that its service fees range between $75 and $100, which is a lower range than several other home warranty companies’ fees.
The company also has good coverage limits. This includes $5,000 each for air conditioners, heaters, ductwork, most electrical and most plumbing repairs. It also pays up to $5,000 for most of the appliances it covers. And it covers issues caused by corrosion, sediment and rust on electrical and plumbing repairs.
What I don’t like about Home Warranty of America
Home Warranty of America doesn’t offer HVAC tune-ups and has limited roof leak coverage available only as an add-on item. It will pay to haul off replaced systems or appliances but only if you purchase the OrangePlus add-on package.
When purchasing replacement systems or appliances, Home Warranty of America doesn’t have to match your old item’s dimensions, which means it might not fit where your old one was. And the company doesn’t have to match the old color or brand either if you’re in the first 30 days of your contract.
The company’s repair guarantee is for only 30 days, which is standard for home warranties but not as long as some of its competitors’ guarantees. And it has mixed customer satisfaction reviews on consumer review websites.
Home Warranty of America offers coverage limits of $5,000 each for HVAC, plumbing and electrical system repairs, which is on the higher end compared with competitors.
Also worth a look: Choice Home Warranty
NerdWallet rating: 3 out of 5 stars.
Choice has some good things going for it, but nothing about its coverage or services stands out as superior. That’s why it didn’t win any categories on our list. But as a solid 3-star company, it’s worth your time to compare with the other home warranty companies.
Choice is a solid option for homeowners who want competitive pricing, value for their money and good coverage caps for electrical, plumbing and appliance repairs. The tradeoff is that Choice has lower HVAC limits than most of the other companies on our list, includes a repair guarantee for only 30 days and has service fees that start at $100 per claim.
Choice Home Warranty's coverage limits for electrical, plumbing and appliances are on the high end compared to competitors.
Other companies I considered for the list
These companies offer a variety of coverage and pricing options, but they didn’t win any categories this time around:
» MORE: Do you need a home warranty? How to decide
How much does a home warranty cost in 2026?
On average, a homeowner warranty costs $73 per month, according to NerdWallet’s analysis. How much you’ll actually pay each month depends on several things, including the plan you choose and your location.
You’ll also have to pay a service fee when a technician comes to your home to diagnose a problem with a covered item. This fee can be as high as $200 per visit but averages around $108, according to our data.
Read NerdWallet’s full analysis of the cost of home warranties to learn more about how much you’ll likely pay for one.
Is a home warranty worth it?
A home warranty can be worthwhile if you:
Think you’ll need to repair or replace your home systems or appliances because of everyday wear and tear during your contract term.
Have systems and appliances that aren’t covered by manufacturer warranties.
Are comfortable paying monthly and service fees despite some claims being denied.
If a home warranty pays to repair or replace a qualifying system or appliance, it’ll save you money on that repair. But if your repair claim is denied, you could be out your monthly fees and the cost to repair your item.
How to choose the home warranty that best fits your needs
A home warranty is like a pair of shoes: There are a lot that look the same, but what you hope to get out of it should help you decide which one will be the best fit.
When evaluating home warranty plans, ask yourself:
How much can I afford to pay monthly for a plan?
If I can save money on a contract by paying annually, can I afford to do that?
How much am I comfortable paying for a service call when a technician visits?
Do I want to choose my own service fee? Or am I comfortable going with a company that offers a set service fee?
Which items do I want my plan to cover?
Is an appliance-only or systems-only plan better for my situation than a comprehensive plan?
What coverage limits am I comfortable having for the items I’m most worried about?
Am I comfortable with a 30-day repair guarantee? Or do I want a longer one?
Am I willing to go with a company that has mixed customer satisfaction scores?
How you answer these questions will cut some companies from your list and bring others to the top. When it comes to home warranties, I say go with your gut. You know what you want out of a home warranty more than a salesperson on the phone.
What to know before buying a home warranty
Reading the coverage and exclusions information in your contract is one of the most impactful things you can do to avoid costly misunderstandings in the future. You have a right to read your contract before purchasing a plan, and it’s important to understand that home warranties:
Always have exclusions to coverage, no matter what their sales pitches say. Read your contract carefully before purchasing a plan — especially anything listed as an exclusion or limit of liability. For example, a company might cover air conditioning systems but exclude certain parts or components, such as coils. Other companies cover plumbing repairs but won’t pay to clear all plumbing stoppages or repair certain types of leaks.
Are not a type of insurance. Even though some companies call their service fees deductibles, home warranties do not work the same way as insurance policies. They differ in what they cover and how they pay for repairs or replacements. A home warranty is not a supplement for homeowners insurance.
Limit how much they pay. If the cost of a repair or replacement goes beyond a limit stated in your contract, you’ll have to pay the difference. For example, if the bill for a repair is $2,000 and the limit is $1,500, you’re required to cover $500. This is in addition to your monthly premium and service fee.
Can deny your claim for several reasons. Examples include if you had work performed on a covered item without approval or you modified the system or appliance.
May not pay enough to cover the full cost of replacing a covered item. Home warranties often depreciate the value of items as they age, so you’ll likely have to pay at least some money to replace an item, even if it’s covered by the contract.
Frequently asked questions
How do I decide which home warranty company to choose?
When choosing a home warranty, think about your budget, the items you want to cover and the types of repairs you might need. Then compare companies and their plans. Calculate the monthly or annual cost of plans you like and include the cost of service fees when budgeting for a home warranty.
And be sure to read the fine print — search for a company's sample contract in Google and read what exclusions and limits of services are listed. These are items and situations a company won't pay for.
Which type of home warranty plan should I get?
Many companies offer comprehensive plans that cover major systems like HVAC and plumbing and appliances. Some companies have plans that cover only systems or only appliances.
Look for a plan that includes the items you want to cover without adding extra items that you don't need to cover.
Which home warranty company is top-rated or best?
The best home warranty is the one that fits your budget and covers the items you want covered. NerdWallet considers several factors when rating home warranties, including price, types of repairs and flexible service fees, to highlight the best features of each company that we review. Even though a company might be listed as best for a certain feature, that doesn’t mean it’s the best for you. Compare companies to see which one offers the most for your situation.
Which home warranty company is most reputable?
The best way to research a home warranty company's reputation is to look at two types of websites.
Consumer review websites such as Better Business Bureau and Trustpilot share customer reviews and ratings so you can read about other homeowners' experiences. When looking at consumer reviews, pay attention to which part of the process homeowners are reviewing. For example, if a company only has five star reviews from people who had a good experience purchasing a plan but haven't used it yet, don't assume their rating applies to their full experience.
You can also search Google for any lawsuits against a home warranty company to learn if companies have been accused of not following through with their contracts.
Do I need a home warranty if I have homeowners insurance?
A home warranty and homeowners insurance are different types of coverage, so they apply in different situations. You can have both at the same time. But you don’t have to have a home warranty in the same way that a mortgage company requires you to have homeowners insurance. Purchasing a home warranty is your choice, not a requirement.
Methodology
How we chose the best home warranty companies
Our team of home warranty experts follows an objective and robust methodology to rate companies and pick the best.
11
companies reviewed
11
companies reviewed
We reviewed 13 home warranty companies and 31 plans — including the top companies by market share and search volume.
8
features assessed
8
features assessed
Each company and plan is evaluated across six weighted categories, including pricing, coverage types, coverage limits, work choice, work warranties and customer ratings.
450+
data points analyzed
450+
data points analyzed
Our team tracks and reassesses 609 data points annually, including plan prices for multiple states, work warranty coverages, service fees and more.
Star rating categories
We evaluate six categories and carefully weigh how each factor impacts your experience.
5.0
Overall score
NerdWallet reviewed 11 home warranty companies. We included the top companies by market share and online search volume. Some home warranty companies are NerdWallet partners, but this did not influence our selection of the winner.
We evaluate 8 features and more than 450 data points for each home warranty company. Depending on the category, these include coverage type, coverage limits, types of plans and more.
The stars represent ratings from poor (one star) to excellent (five stars). Ratings are rounded to the nearest half-star. Read more about our ratings methodologies for home warranty companies and our editorial guidelines.