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Best Home Warranties in Maryland 2025
Our list includes Choice Home Warranty, 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty and Cinch Home Services and more.
Some or all of the mortgage lenders featured on our site are advertising partners of NerdWallet, but this does not influence our evaluations, lender star ratings or the order in which lenders are listed on the page. Our opinions are our own. Here is a list of our partners.
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NerdWallet's content is fact-checked for accuracy, timeliness and relevance. It undergoes a thorough review process involving writers and editors to ensure the information is as clear and complete as possible.
Whitney Vandiver writes for NerdWallet, currently focusing on home services, and has been published in the The Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times, The Seattle Times and The Independent. When she's not writing, she enjoys reading with a hot latte and spending time with her family. She is based in Houston.
Tina Orem is an editor and content strategist at NerdWallet. Prior to becoming an editor and content strategist, she covered small business and taxes at NerdWallet. She has been a financial writer and editor for over 15 years, and she has a degree in finance, as well as a master's degree in journalism and a Master of Business Administration. Previously, she was a financial analyst and director of finance for several public and private companies. Tina's work has appeared in a variety of local and national media outlets.
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The best home warranties in Maryland give homeowners flexible service fee options, competitive premiums, high coverage limits and good heating system coverage. We compared over 180 quotes in Maryland and read through service agreements to determine which home warranty companies offer the best plans for homeowners.
Why trust NerdWallet
We reviewed more than 180 quotes for Maryland.
We read more than 100 pages of service agreement terms.
How we chose the best home warranty companies in Maryland
Although most homeowners want coverage for similar items, each state brings with it a unique set of factors that can make some home warranty plans more relevant than others. Here are a few factors that we considered when choosing which home warranty companies are the best for Maryland homeowners.
Factors we consider
Price. Because monthly premiums and service fees differ by provider and plan, we considered the cost of each company’s cheapest plan, available service fees and customer options for adjusting monthly premiums.
HVAC coverage. With winter temperatures averaging just above freezing, Maryland can give heating systems a good workout. So HVAC coverage is a significant factor when choosing a home warranty. We looked at whether HVAC coverage is included in each company’s cheapest plan, coverage limits for heating systems, which components are covered by the plans and more.
Coverage limits. It doesn’t do much good to buy a plan that covers a lot of systems and appliances but doesn’t pay enough to offset the cost of repairs. We looked at each plan’s coverage limits for major systems and appliances to determine which companies provide good coverage for the money.
Customer satisfaction. We considered factors such as online reviews, third-party consumer review website ratings and accreditation status for each company.
🤓Nerdy Tip
We rated the home warranty companies on this page based on their coverage in Maryland. If a company also offers home warranty plans in several other states, you'll see an overall rating for those offerings as well.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account the type of home warranty being reviewed and the warranty's cost, coverage levels, customer reviews and other features.
We'll match you with home warranty companies based on details like your state, the appliances you want covered, and your budget. No personal information required.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account the type of home warranty being reviewed and the warranty's cost, coverage levels, customer reviews and other features.
We'll match you with home warranty companies based on details like your state, the appliances you want covered, and your budget. No personal information required.
Monthly premiums
The cost is based on quotes gathered in October 2024.
$61.08 and up
Service fees
$75, $100 and $125
per claim
States available
Excludes California, Hawaii and Washington.
48
states and Washington, D.C.
Key facts
AFC Home Warranty guarantees its repairs for the life of a membership, which means you won't pay a service fee if a repair technician has to repair the same issue again at any point as long as you renew your membership.
Pros
No coverage limit for HVAC repairs.
Repair guarantee is for the life of membership and carries over into renewals.
Customers can choose their own technicians if they request approval first.
Pays up to $250 to repair walls if a technician has to cut into them for a plumbing repair.
Available in 48 states.
Cons
Coverage limits for electrical and plumbing repairs is $500.
Low customer satisfaction ratings.
Monthly premiums
The cost is based on quotes gathered in October 2024.
$61.08 and up
Service fees
$75, $100 and $125
per claim
States available
Excludes California, Hawaii and Washington.
48
states and Washington, D.C.
Key facts
AFC Home Warranty guarantees its repairs for the life of a membership, which means you won't pay a service fee if a repair technician has to repair the same issue again at any point as long as you renew your membership.
Pros
No coverage limit for HVAC repairs.
Repair guarantee is for the life of membership and carries over into renewals.
Customers can choose their own technicians if they request approval first.
Pays up to $250 to repair walls if a technician has to cut into them for a plumbing repair.
Available in 48 states.
Cons
Coverage limits for electrical and plumbing repairs is $500.
Low customer satisfaction ratings.
NerdWallet rating for national coverage
3.0
NerdWallet rating
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formulas take into account multiple data points for each financial product and service.
NerdWallet rating for Maryland coverage
4.0
NerdWallet rating
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formulas take into account multiple data points for each financial product and service.
HVAC coverage
2.0
NerdWallet rating
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formulas take into account multiple data points for each financial product and service.
Coverage limits
5.0
NerdWallet rating
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formulas take into account multiple data points for each financial product and service.
Premium cost
5.0
NerdWallet rating
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formulas take into account multiple data points for each financial product and service.
Price
$28.91 to $89.50 depending on location.
AFC Home Warranty’s repair guarantee is one of the best we’ve come across — the company won’t charge you a second service fee if an approved repair fails during your service contract. Compared to many of its competitors’ 30-day and 60-day repair guarantees, AFC’s guarantee offers a much longer safety net.
Why a repair guarantee matters.A good home warranty company guarantees its technicians’ repairs; however, many companies only offer 30-day or 60-day guarantees, which means you’ll pay another service fee if an approved repair fails after that time. A longer repair guarantee can translate to more money you could save if repairs fail during your contract.
What we like about AFC Home Warranty
We like AFC Home Warranty’s competitive monthly premiums and its service fee options ($75, $100 and $125). The company also has four plans available and doesn’t limit how much it’ll pay for approved repairs for HVAC systems.
What we don’t like about AFC Home Warranty
We don’t like that AFC limits its coverage to $500 each for plumbing and electrical systems, which is low compared with many competitors’ coverage caps. Additionally, the company’s cheapest plan doesn’t cover heating systems. Moreover, when requesting quotes on AFC’s websites, customers only see the service fee options of $75 and $125; customers who want a quote with a $100 service fee must call the company to get that quote. Lastly, the company has relatively low customer satisfaction scores online.
Best for high coverage limits: First American Home Warranty
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account the type of home warranty being reviewed and the warranty's cost, coverage levels, customer reviews and other features.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account the type of home warranty being reviewed and the warranty's cost, coverage levels, customer reviews and other features.
The Starter plan starts at $42 per month, the company confirms.
$42 and up
Service fees
$100 or $125
per claim
States available
Excludes Alaska, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Rhode Island, Vermont and Wisconsin.
35
states
Key facts
Unlike most competitors, First American Home Warranty's most basic warranty covers both systems (plumbing, electrical and heating) and certain appliances.
Pros
Will pay for some wall damage when accessing repairs.
High coverage limits on electrical and plumbing.
Decent customer satisfaction ratings compared to competitors.
Cons
Coverage limited to 36 states.
Have to use its contractors.
Monthly premiums
The Starter plan starts at $42 per month, the company confirms.
$42 and up
Service fees
$100 or $125
per claim
States available
Excludes Alaska, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Rhode Island, Vermont and Wisconsin.
35
states
Key facts
Unlike most competitors, First American Home Warranty's most basic warranty covers both systems (plumbing, electrical and heating) and certain appliances.
Pros
Will pay for some wall damage when accessing repairs.
High coverage limits on electrical and plumbing.
Decent customer satisfaction ratings compared to competitors.
Cons
Coverage limited to 36 states.
Have to use its contractors.
NerdWallet rating for national coverage
3.0
NerdWallet rating
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formulas take into account multiple data points for each financial product and service.
NerdWallet rating for Maryland coverage
3.5
NerdWallet rating
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formulas take into account multiple data points for each financial product and service.
HVAC coverage
4.0
NerdWallet rating
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formulas take into account multiple data points for each financial product and service.
Coverage limits
5.0
NerdWallet rating
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formulas take into account multiple data points for each financial product and service.
Premium cost
3.0
NerdWallet rating
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formulas take into account multiple data points for each financial product and service.
Price
$60 to $100 depending on plan.
First American Home Warranty is our pick for the best company with high coverage limits. Unlike many competitors that cap their coverage for specific repairs, First American doesn’t limit how much it’ll pay for approved repairs for HVAC, electrical and plumbing repairs. The company also pays up to $3,500 for approved appliance repairs — this jumps to $7,000 with the most expensive plan.
Why high cover limits matter. A home warranty’s coverage limits are the maximum a company will pay for approved repairs. That translates to how much it’ll cover before you have to pay out of pocket for a repair. The higher the limit, the more money you could save.
What we like about First American Home Warranty
On top of no coverage limits for certain repairs, First American lets customers choose between two service fees ($100 and $125) and three comprehensive coverage plans. It also includes heating system coverage in its cheapest plan.
What we don’t like about First American Home Warranty
First American doesn’t have an appliance-only or systems-only plan, which means you might have to buy more coverage than you want. Additionally, First American’s online customer satisfaction ratings are lower than we like, according to Trustpilot and the Better Business Bureau.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account the type of home warranty being reviewed and the warranty's cost, coverage levels, customer reviews and other features.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account the type of home warranty being reviewed and the warranty's cost, coverage levels, customer reviews and other features.
CHW's basic plan starts at $46.67 per month, the company confirms.
About $49 and up
Service fees
$100
per claim
States available
Excludes Washington.
49
states, and Washington, D.C.
Key facts
Choice Home Warranty's coverage limits for electrical, plumbing and appliances are on the high end compared to competitors.
Pros
Will pay for wall damage caused by performing repairs.
High coverage limits on electrical and plumbing.
Coverage in most states.
Cons
Have to use its contractors.
Low customer satisfaction ratings.
Monthly premiums
CHW's basic plan starts at $46.67 per month, the company confirms.
About $49 and up
Service fees
$100
per claim
States available
Excludes Washington.
49
states, and Washington, D.C.
Key facts
Choice Home Warranty's coverage limits for electrical, plumbing and appliances are on the high end compared to competitors.
Pros
Will pay for wall damage caused by performing repairs.
High coverage limits on electrical and plumbing.
Coverage in most states.
Cons
Have to use its contractors.
Low customer satisfaction ratings.
NerdWallet rating for national coverage
3.5
NerdWallet rating
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formulas take into account multiple data points for each financial product and service.
NerdWallet rating for Maryland coverage
3.5
NerdWallet rating
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formulas take into account multiple data points for each financial product and service.
HVAC coverage
3.0
NerdWallet rating
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formulas take into account multiple data points for each financial product and service.
Coverage limits
5.0
NerdWallet rating
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formulas take into account multiple data points for each financial product and service.
Premium cost
4.0
NerdWallet rating
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formulas take into account multiple data points for each financial product and service.
Price
$46.83 to $54.75 depending on plan.
Our pick for the best basic plan coverage is Choice Home Warranty’s Basic Plan, which covers most major items except an air conditioning system, a refrigerator and a washer and dryer set. Choice’s Basic Plan covers more items than most of its competitors’ cheapest comprehensive plans.
Why basic plan coverage matters.If you want to go with a basic plan, you’ll want to get the most for your money. Some companies offer minimal coverage to encourage you to purchase a more expensive plan, but some basic plans offer a breadth of coverage with decent coverage limits.
What we like about Choice Home Warranty
Choice Home Warranty pays up to $3,000 each for approved repairs for HVAC, appliance, electric and plumbing systems, making its Basic Plan a bit more competitive as a lowest-tier option. Its plans are simple as well, adding a few major items for less than $10 a month if you want to go with the company’s more expensive option.
What we don’t like about Choice Home Warranty
Choice Home Warranty only has one service fee option at $100 per claim, which doesn’t give customers flexibility in their monthly premium amounts. The company’s repair guarantee is for only 30 days, and it has mixed customer satisfaction ratings online.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account the type of home warranty being reviewed and the warranty's cost, coverage levels, customer reviews and other features.
We'll match you with home warranty companies based on details like your state, the appliances you want covered, and your budget. No personal information required.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account the type of home warranty being reviewed and the warranty's cost, coverage levels, customer reviews and other features.
We'll match you with home warranty companies based on details like your state, the appliances you want covered, and your budget. No personal information required.
Monthly premiums
This cost is based on quotes gathered in September 2024.
$45 and up
Service fees
$100 to $125
per claim
States available
Excludes Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming.
25
states, and Washington, D.C.
Key facts
Old Republic Home Protection's coverage limits are on the high end compared with competitors, especially for HVAC and appliances.
Pros
High coverage limits on HVAC, electrical and appliances.
May be able to choose your own contractor.
Decent customer satisfaction ratings compared to competitors.
Cons
If they have to put a hole in the wall, wall repair is only for a rough finish, no texture or paint.
Monthly premiums
This cost is based on quotes gathered in September 2024.
$45 and up
Service fees
$100 to $125
per claim
States available
Excludes Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming.
25
states, and Washington, D.C.
Key facts
Old Republic Home Protection's coverage limits are on the high end compared with competitors, especially for HVAC and appliances.
Pros
High coverage limits on HVAC, electrical and appliances.
May be able to choose your own contractor.
Decent customer satisfaction ratings compared to competitors.
Cons
If they have to put a hole in the wall, wall repair is only for a rough finish, no texture or paint.
NerdWallet rating for national coverage
3.5
NerdWallet rating
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formulas take into account multiple data points for each financial product and service.
NerdWallet rating for Maryland coverage
3.5
NerdWallet rating
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formulas take into account multiple data points for each financial product and service.
HVAC coverage
3.0
NerdWallet rating
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formulas take into account multiple data points for each financial product and service.
Coverage limits
5.0
NerdWallet rating
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formulas take into account multiple data points for each financial product and service.
Premium cost
3.0
NerdWallet rating
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formulas take into account multiple data points for each financial product and service.
Price
$55 to $90 depending on plan.
Among the companies that made our list, Old Republic Home Protection has the average best customer satisfaction rating. Positive online reviews include mentions of efficient and helpful technicians and quick appointment scheduling.
Why customer satisfaction matters.Filing a home warranty claim might involve several people, including customer service representatives and third-party technicians. Using a home warranty provider that has a good reputation for customer satisfaction increases your chances of having a good experience if you need to file a home warranty claim.
What we like about Old Republic Home Protection
Old Republic’s coverage pays up to $6,500 each for heating and air conditioning systems, which is higher than many competitors’ limits. The company also includes heating system coverage in its cheapest plan. Old Republic also has two service fee options of $100 and $125, doesn’t cap its coverage for approved repairs of electrical systems, and covers up to $7,000 in appliance repairs with some plans.The company has good online customer satisfaction scores.
What we don’t like about Old Republic Home Protection
We don’t like that Old Republic’s cheapest service fee option is $100, which is more expensive than some of its competitors’ fees. The company’s repair guarantee is for 30 days (shorter than some of its competitors’ guarantees) and caps its coverage for toilet repairs to $600.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account the type of home warranty being reviewed and the warranty's cost, coverage levels, customer reviews and other features.
We'll match you with home warranty companies based on details like your state, the appliances you want covered, and your budget. No personal information required.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account the type of home warranty being reviewed and the warranty's cost, coverage levels, customer reviews and other features.
We'll match you with home warranty companies based on details like your state, the appliances you want covered, and your budget. No personal information required.
Monthly premiums
This cost is based on quotes gathered in September 2024.
$35 and up
Service fees
$65, $85 or $100 per claim.
States available
Did not disclose.
Key facts
2-10 Home Buyers Warranty offers flexible service fee options and guarantees its repairs for the term of a service agreement.
Pros
Decent coverage limits.
Has add-on option to increase coverage limits up to $25,000 total in claim coverage.
Cons
Won't pay for damage when accessing covered items.
Low customer satisfaction ratings.
Can't choose your own technicians.
Monthly premiums
This cost is based on quotes gathered in September 2024.
$35 and up
Service fees
$65, $85 or $100 per claim.
States available
Did not disclose.
Key facts
2-10 Home Buyers Warranty offers flexible service fee options and guarantees its repairs for the term of a service agreement.
Pros
Decent coverage limits.
Has add-on option to increase coverage limits up to $25,000 total in claim coverage.
Cons
Won't pay for damage when accessing covered items.
Low customer satisfaction ratings.
Can't choose your own technicians.
NerdWallet rating for national coverage
2.5
NerdWallet rating
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formulas take into account multiple data points for each financial product and service.
NerdWallet rating for Maryland coverage
4.0
NerdWallet rating
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formulas take into account multiple data points for each financial product and service.
HVAC coverage
1.0
NerdWallet rating
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formulas take into account multiple data points for each financial product and service.
Coverage limits
5.0
NerdWallet rating
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formulas take into account multiple data points for each financial product and service.
Premium cost
5.0
NerdWallet rating
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formulas take into account multiple data points for each financial product and service.
Price
$35 to $69 depending on plan.
The cheapest service fee options among the companies on our list goes to 2-10 Home Buyers. With a base fee of $85, customers can “buy down” the service fee to $65 by paying a higher monthly premium or “save up” and go with a $100 service fee and cheaper monthly premium.
Why flexible service fees matter.Flexible service fees give you more control over when you pay more money: monthly or when you need a repair.
What we like about 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty
In addition to its competitive monthly premiums and flexible service fees, 2-10 offers a repair guarantee for the length of your service agreement. It also has $2,000 coverage limits for plumbing, electrical and HVAC systems, which are decent compared with its competitors’ coverage limits.
What we don’t like about 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty
We don’t like that you’ll have to buy a more expensive plan to cover a heating system, and its cheapest plan — for appliances only — doesn’t cover a lot of items compared to similar plans offered by competitors. The company’s online reviews for customer satisfaction could also use improvement.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account the type of home warranty being reviewed and the warranty's cost, coverage levels, customer reviews and other features.
We'll match you with home warranty companies based on details like your state, the appliances you want covered, and your budget. No personal information required.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account the type of home warranty being reviewed and the warranty's cost, coverage levels, customer reviews and other features.
We'll match you with home warranty companies based on details like your state, the appliances you want covered, and your budget. No personal information required.
Monthly premiums
This cost is based on quotes gathered in September 2024.
$31 and up
Service fees
$100, $125 or $150
per claim
States available
Excludes Alaska and Hawaii.
48
states, and Washington, D.C.
Key facts
Cinch Home Services guarantees their technicians' repairs for 180 days, which is much longer than their competitors' standard 30-day and 60-day guarantees.
Pros
Will pay for wall damage when accessing covered items.
High coverage limit.
Decent customer satisfaction ratings.
Coverage is available in 48 states.
Cons
Coverage limit is aggregated for all claims.
Can't choose your own contractor.
Monthly premiums
This cost is based on quotes gathered in September 2024.
$31 and up
Service fees
$100, $125 or $150
per claim
States available
Excludes Alaska and Hawaii.
48
states, and Washington, D.C.
Key facts
Cinch Home Services guarantees their technicians' repairs for 180 days, which is much longer than their competitors' standard 30-day and 60-day guarantees.
Pros
Will pay for wall damage when accessing covered items.
High coverage limit.
Decent customer satisfaction ratings.
Coverage is available in 48 states.
Cons
Coverage limit is aggregated for all claims.
Can't choose your own contractor.
NerdWallet rating for national coverage
4.5
NerdWallet rating
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formulas take into account multiple data points for each financial product and service.
NerdWallet rating for Maryland coverage
4.5
NerdWallet rating
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formulas take into account multiple data points for each financial product and service.
HVAC coverage
2.0
NerdWallet rating
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formulas take into account multiple data points for each financial product and service.
Coverage limits
5.0
NerdWallet rating
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formulas take into account multiple data points for each financial product and service.
Premium cost
5.0
NerdWallet rating
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formulas take into account multiple data points for each financial product and service.
Price
$38.99 to $66.99 depending on plan.
Unlike most of its competitors, Cinch Home Services doesn’t limit how much it pays for certain types of approved repairs. Instead, the company has a $10,000-aggregate limit, and it’ll pay for all approved repairs until you hit that limit. Many home warranty companies have aggregate limits but will cap how much they pay toward specific repairs, such as for HVAC systems. With an aggregate-only cap, you are likely to get more coverage for approved repairs that cost more than what another company might agree to pay toward that repair.
Why an aggregate-only coverage limit matters.An aggregate coverage limit can give customers more room to cover more expensive repairs compared to coverage limits for individual types of repairs. If an aggregate-only plan pays more toward an expensive repair than other coverage limit plans, that means less money you have to pay out of pocket for the repair.
What we like about Cinch Home Services
Cinch Home Services has three plans and three service fee options at $100, $125 and $150, giving customers options for coverage and cost. Cinch also has a repair guarantee of 180 days to save you from paying another service fee if an approved repair fails.
What we don’t like about Cinch Home Services
Although it only has an aggregate coverage limit, the coverage cap is lower than some competitors’ aggregate limits — for example, 2-10 Home Buyers’s aggregate coverage limit is $25,000. The company’s three service fee options are higher than many of its competitors’ service fees, and it doesn’t cover heating systems in its cheapest plan, which is for appliances only. Cinch’s customer satisfaction reviews are also mixed.
Our research shows that the average cost in Maryland for a home warranty is $60.09 per month plus service fees. When comparing home warranty costs in Maryland, we requested quotes from four zip codes across Maryland for the companies we considered for this review. We compared over 180 quotes for home warranty coverage in Maryland. Here are the highlights of what we found:
Average cost for a home warranty in Maryland: $60.09 per month.
Cheapest quote: $28.91 per month.
Most expensive quote: $100.00 per month.
Average cost of cheapest plan: $43.90 per month.
Average cost of highest plan: $77.04 per month.
Median cost of cheapest plan: $46.04 per month.
Median cost of highest plan: $69.00 per month.
Buying a home warranty in Maryland
The best home warranty for Maryland homeowners depends on several factors. Most homeowners need to consider their budgets, which items they want covered, how much they can afford in service fees for each technician visit and what coverage limits they’re comfortable with.
You pay a monthly premium and a service fee. You'll pay a premium every month but only a service fee when a technician visits your home. Not all companies charge service fees in Maryland, but they can be as high as $150 per service call.
Home warranties don't cover every repair. Similar to how homeowners insurance excludes certain repairs, homeowners warranties don't pay to fix everything. Your service contract should clearly outline what isn't covered by your plan, and some companies might have coverage specific to Maryland.
Most home warranty plans typically cover appliances and systems. Comprehensive coverage usually covers a mix of certain appliances and major systems, but which items are covered vary by plan. Some companies offer appliance-only and systems-only plans for more limited but specific coverage.
Home warranties usually don’t cover natural disaster damage in Maryland. It’s uncommon for home warranty companies to repair covered items that experience weather-related damage, such as appliances affected by floods. This is usually covered by homeowners insurance and clearly stated in home warranty agreements as an exclusion.
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.
Methodology
NerdWallet's Home Services team evaluated home warranties across several factors, including cost, covered items, coverage limits, customer ratings, ability to choose your own technician and warranty on work completed. Because costs can vary by location, it's best to get quotes from multiple companies before making a decision. Read more about how NerdWallet rates state-level home warranties.
