Best home warranties for condos: 2024 guide

When your fridge suddenly stops working, or your AC goes kaput on the hottest day of the year, the last thing you want to worry about is how you’ll pay for the repairs. A condo warranty is handy in these scenarios — protecting your budget when inevitable breakdowns happen due to normal wear and tear.

After reviewing the best condo warranty providers, Select Home Warranty came out on top for its comprehensive coverage and attractive monthly fees. American Residential Warranty also impressed us with its low service fee, making frequent claims more budget-friendly. Keep reading to see our full list of top picks for 2024.

Note: All sample quotes were obtained for a 1,500-square-foot condo in Boston in May 2024.

Why we picked Select Home Warranty?

Select Home Warranty distinguishes itself from the competition by offering three cost-effective warranty plans for condo owners, a generous 90-day workmanship guarantee and coverage for roof leaks. Roof leak coverage is a unique perk that isn’t always available from other providers. Some HOAs and insurance policies won’t cover roof leaks caused by normal wear, so this is very helpful for condo owners.

While Select Home Warranty offers plenty of benefits, it doesn’t cover preexisting conditions. You may need to provide maintenance records and pictures to qualify for a repair or replacement. If you already have an issue, consider a provider like American Home Shield, which covers preexisting problems.

Who should use Select Home Warranty

Select Home Warranty is perfect for condo owners wanting comprehensive, low-cost appliance and system coverage.

Pros and cons of Select Home Warranty

Pros

Cons

Why we picked American Residential Warranty

American Residential Warranty’s lower-than-average $55 service fee stood out to us. It’s an excellent choice for condo owners with older appliances and systems that could break at any time.

Customers can choose plans with minimal coverage, focusing on specific areas like kitchen appliances or the HVAC system. This flexibility lets condo owners tailor coverage to their unique needs and budgets.

However, we don’t love that American Residential Warranty requires a written cancellation from customers. This is inconvenient compared to online cancellation options from most other warranty companies.

Who should use American Residential Warranty

American Residential Warranty is excellent for condo owners who expect to file multiple claims. It benefits those living in older units with appliances and systems needing frequent repairs or replacements.

Pros and cons of American Residential Warranty

Pros

Cons

Why we picked 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty?

Compared to its competitors, 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty offers cheap coverage for kitchen appliances. For example, while American Residential Warranty charges nearly $50 per month for similar coverage, 2-10’s Simply Kitchen plan starts at just $27 per month.

2-10 Home Buyers Warranty’s generous workmanship guarantee lasts the duration of the service agreement — much longer than most competitors’ guarantees. This “Even-If” guarantee also includes coverage for a service technician if your warranty does not cover the item.

It’s worth noting that washer and dryer coverage isn’t included in the Simply Kitchen or Complete Home plans. To get coverage for these appliances, you must purchase the most expensive plan, Pinnacle Home.

Who should use 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty

2-10 Home Buyers Warranty is ideal for condo owners who want to focus their coverage on kitchen appliances. If you have an older oven, refrigerator or dishwasher, its budget-friendly Simply Kitchen plan can protect your bank account against costly breakdowns.

Pros and cons of 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty

Pros

Cons

Why we picked AFC Home Warranty

We appreciate America’s First Choice (AFC) Home Warranty for its flexibility and convenience. With 24/7 service, the ability to choose a preferred technician and an unlimited workmanship guarantee, AFC gives condo owners ultimate control over their home protection experience.

Unfortunately, AFC’s service call fee and monthly fees are higher by around $25 than those of competitors like Select Home Warranty. While customers get more flexibility and convenience, they’ll pay way more for these benefits. Also, AFC may refuse to cover breakdowns if they’re not reported right away. This can be a drawback for condo owners who don’t immediately realize when a problem occurs.

Who should use AFC Home Warranty

Condo owners willing to invest in flexibility and convenience may appreciate AFC Home Warranty. If you want to choose your technician and are committed to submitting claims as soon as breakdowns happen, AFC could be the right choice.

Pros and cons of America’s First Choice (AFC) Home Warranty

Pros

Cons

Why we picked American Home Shield

American Home Shield sets itself apart by offering coverage for preexisting conditions and breakdowns caused by lack of maintenance. If your appliances or systems had issues before you purchased the warranty, you may still be eligible for coverage. The warranty may pay for repairs and replacements even if you don’t have maintenance records for a broken item.

On the downside, American Home Shield only has six add-on options. This makes it tough for condo owners to tailor home protection to their needs. The price is also steep, especially considering the lack of customization options. For example, if customers want appliance coverage, they’ll have to buy the most expensive plan, as there’s no appliance-only plan.

Who should use American Home Shield

American Home Shield is a promising choice for condo owners who want extensive coverage, including protection for preexisting conditions, and are willing to pay a premium.

Pros and cons of American Home Shield

Pros

Cons

Why we picked Cinch Home Services

Unique perk offerings make Cinch Home Services stand out from the competition. Customers get a $25 credit toward AC or refrigerator filters — a benefit many warranty providers don’t offer. This proactive approach to maintenance helps keep systems and appliances in top shape. Plus, with 24/7 mobile app access, customers can easily request service and track claims without waiting on hold.

During our hands-on experience with Cinch, we were pleased with the user-friendly sign-up process and the affordability of its plans. It even covers atypical appliance parts like doors, knobs and drawers.

One thing to keep in mind, though, is Cinch’s service fees are on the higher end. These fees add up if you need to make several claims, even though the monthly plans are reasonably priced.

Who should use Cinch Home Services

Cinch Home Services might be the perfect match for condo owners wanting a home warranty plan with unique benefits and a commitment to proactive maintenance.

Pros and cons of Cinch Home Services

Pros

Cons

Why we picked The Home Service Club?

The Home Service Club covers all 50 states and Washington, D.C., making it a convenient choice for condo owners nationwide. A standout feature is it doesn’t require a home inspection to get a warranty. This means customers can get coverage easily and quickly. Also, it doesn’t discriminate based on the age of appliances. Even if you have older items, your plan can still cover them.

Home Service Club’s sign-up process is simple. We could add coverage for items like jetted bathtubs, water softeners and freestanding freezers at economical rates. This is a big plus for condo owners with specific needs.

But it’s worth mentioning that Home Service Club charges a $45 contract cancellation fee, regardless of the reason for canceling. Customers should also know that the company has faced criticism regarding claim denials, slow contractor service and delayed company responses. Though these experiences may not reflect everyone’s interactions with the company, they’re still important to keep in mind when deciding on a home warranty provider.

Who should use The Home Service Club

Condo owners who need wallet-friendly add-on coverage for specific (and sometimes unusual) items may find Home Service Club appealing.

Pros and cons of The Home Service Club

Pros

Cons

* Better Business Bureau (BBB) ratings are accurate as of July 2024.

Our picks at a glance

Comparing home warranty companies can be overwhelming. To help, we’ve summarized key information about our top picks in the table below. You’ll find our ratings, average monthly costs, service fees and coverage limits for each provider.

*Prices gathered in May 2024 for a 1,500-square-foot home in Boston, Massachusetts.

What didn’t make the cut

Benefits of getting a home warranty for your condo

How do I choose the best home warranty for my condo?

Methodology

To determine the rankings for Best Home Warranty Companies, the CNN Underscored editorial team analyzed 21 companies, with each company’s star rating determined by a variety of metrics and subcategories, including:

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