Top Home Warranty Companies

A home warranty can best be described as a level of maintenance protection that helps safeguard against the cost of covered repairs or replacements to items like the AC, appliances, garage doors, and more. Depending on the type of service contract you sign with the home warranty company, your choices will determine what is and is not covered.

Despite the TV commercial that shows a warranty company taking care of a zombie apocalypse but not an AC repair, you can rest assured that most warranty companies will take care of your AC.

You should consider a home warranty if:

• You’re buying a home
• You're selling a home
• You have older appliances
• You don't have access to funds for emergency repairs
• You own a rental property

Consult your Realtor as to home warranty options and if you should have one. They'll have recommendations for you as well. (If they don't, refer them here)

The pros at First American Home Warranty have clearly defined how the two are different. From their website:

"Home insurance is usually required by your mortgage lender and protects the structure of your home against risks such as damage from severe weather and theft, secondary damages resulting from some system and appliance failures, as well as protecting you personally from liability in the event that someone is accidentally injured on your property. Each time you make a claim on your home insurance you pay a deductible cost, which is commonly $500 or $1,000."

"Home warranties protect many of the home systems and appliances that you rely on daily. When these systems and appliances inevitably fail over time due to normal wear and tear, a home warranty will pay to repair or replace them. You will pay a service fee each time you request service, which ranges from $50 - $100."

Buying a home is one of the biggest investments you'll ever make and just like you cover your vehicle with insurance to protect against loss, you'll want a home warranty to protect against things going wrong in the home. Maintenance items can often lead to a lot of digging into your pocket. Home warranty companies can help alleviate those expenses.

"Old Republic Home Protection's Home Warranty Plan offers Plan Holders comprehensive protection against the high cost of repair or replacement of their home's major systems and appliances."

The plans available at Old Republic Home Protection typically covers "plumbing, heating and electrical systems as well as appliances including oven/range, water heater, dishwasher, garbage disposal, trash compactor and specialty items such as built-in bathtub whirlpool, and central vacuum systems".

Varying by state, OR also has additional (and optional) coverage that includes swimming pools, spa equipment, your well pump, roofing needs, and more.

Currently, Old Republic is the third largest home warranty company nationwide. They began expanding outside of California in 1995 and now conducts business in the majority of the U.S.

Per their website, "Old Republic Home Protection, we don't want to be just a "one-year warranty company" to our clients - we want to be their home warranty company for a lifetime."

Service requests are available 24/7 via online or by calling 800.972.5985.

"It's inevitable: your home's major appliances and system components will eventually break down and aren’t covered with homeowner insurance. Landmark Home Warranty can help protect your home from these expensive repairs and replacements each year."

Landmark Home Warranty offers coverage for the heating and cooling systems, electrical, plumbing, and major appliances. Landmark has affordable plans starting as low as $35 a month. Serving all budget types, service call fees are paid when you open a claim for a repair or replacement and can be customized.

Service requests are available 24/7 via online or by calling 866.306.2999.

Depending on the coverage you elect with Choice Home Warranty, plans vary based on your:

• Place of residence
• Desired level of protection
• Dwelling size
• Type of home

Homeowners can choose between "total and basic plans" depending on your needs, including the type of plan you elect and additionally the number of appliances you would like included. Optional coverage is available that will add items to your coverage plan, like a pool or septic system.

From their website, "A home warranty is a protection plan that offers coverage for common home repairs. For a simple annual fee, this type of plan offers financial security from unexpected problems with your home appliances and systems."

Service requests are available 24/7 via online or by calling 888-531-5403.

"When a covered breakdown affects your home, instead of paying repair costs out of pocket or diving into your savings account, you’ll be able to fix it for less."

Recipient of the 2017 Home Warranty Awards “Best in Service” Award, Select Home Warranty plans cover many areas of your home, from the most common appliances to central home systems. From water heaters, air conditioners, ovens, and refrigerators, a certified and qualified technician is dispatched to make the repair.

Service requests are available 24/7 via online or by calling 855-267-3532.

American Home Shield is probably one of the most recognized home warranty companies and one of the more costly. With their systems plan, appliances plan, or a combination of the two, AHS charges customers anywhere from $75-$125 in service fees for each item of repair claimed.

Using contractors from their preferred vendors list, you will not have a say in who you choose to complete the repair. You are able to choose if the contractor they have assigned is a no-show for up to 7 days in most cases.

Service requests are available 24/7 via online or by calling 888-682-1043.

No longer available in some states, despite what their map says, HSA Home Warranty "removes the worry and time-consuming task of having to find a service company. When there's a failure, you simply call us and we'll dispatch a qualified home repair professional to take care of you."

As a seller, the benefits of obtaining a home warranty with HSA means there is coverage of repair items while your home is on the market. It also give potential buyers confidence that you've properly cared for the home plus, it helps avoid disputes that may arise from repair items after the home is sold.

Service requests are available 24/7 via online or by calling 800-367-1448.

"Having a Total Protect home warranty means the cost of repairing or replacing your everyday home essentials isn't coming out of your pocket. That, combined with our 180-Day Workmanship Guarantee, our list of 40,000 pre-screened service technicians and our customizable plans means you get the most benefit out of your home warranty plan."

Total Protect offers three plans. The Appliance Plan, Systems Plan, and the Combo Plan which combines the appliances and systems services. There are additional options for the pool and spa available as well.

Service requests are available 24/7 via online or by calling 800-474-4047.

"Home warranties provide valuable coverage and peace of mind; however they do not cover all system and appliance failures. It is important to read the coverage outlined in the contract. Follow these easy steps before placing a service request."

Basic plans from First American can include kitchen appliances, water heaters, plumbing, electrical, heating systems, and more. 'Optional' coverage can include your pool/spa equipment, washer and dryer, air conditioning, well pump, and more items.

Service requests are available 24/7 via online or by calling 800.992.3400.