Featured Partners
State availability: 46 + District of Columbia
Sample plan pricing: $44.42 - $47.75 per month
Service call fee: $75 - $100
State availability: 49 + District of Columbia
Sample plan pricing: $46 - $54 per month
Service call fee: $100
State availability: 48 + District of Columbia
Sample plan pricing: $29.99 - $79.99 per month
Service call fee: $75, $100 or $125
You don’t have to spend a fortune on quality home warranty coverage. Several reputable providers offer affordable plans with comprehensive home systems and appliance protection. Compare and contrast the cheapest home warranty companies to find the most worthwhile option for protecting your home and family.
Our picks
First Premier Home Warranty: Cheapest home warranty
Select Home Warranty: Best for value
First American Home Warranty: Best for entry-level coverage
American Residential Warranty: Best for frequent claims
2-10 Home Buyer’s Warranty: Best for kitchen appliances
America’s First Choice Home Club: Best for flexibility
Cinch Home Services: Best for perks
First Premier Home Warranty: Cheapest home warranty
Our rating: 3.8 out of 5
Best-value plan: Premier Plan
Service fee: $75
Monthly fee: $39.99 *
Why we picked First Premier Home Warranty
First Premier Home Warranty offers the most affordable rates we found — $39.99 per month for its Premier Plan. Its $75 service call fee is another big plus for those on a tight budget.
First Premier quickly dispatches local technicians to your home when you need repairs, usually within 24 to 48 hours of your claim. It provides a 60-day workmanship guarantee, which is generous compared to competitors that may offer 30 days or less. We also like that First Premier has 24/7 customer service, available via phone or online.
However, First Premier does have concerning complaints about pushy sales tactics, so be cautious when signing up. While this isn’t a dealbreaker for everyone, it may still make some homeowners uneasy about choosing First Premier.
Who should use First Premier Home Warranty
If your priority is finding the lowest monthly price for a home warranty, you’ll love First Premier. The Premier Plan covers all the basics, including plumbing, water heater, bathtub, oven/range/stove, electrical, dishwasher, garbage disposal and ductwork. Plus, the company’s nationwide availability means you can get protection no matter what state you live in.
Pros and cons of First Premier Home Warranty
Pros
- Quick technician dispatch (24 to 48 hours)
- Low monthly fee relative to the service fee
- Available in all 50 states
Cons
- No sample contract available online
- Only one service fee option available
- Some customers complain about pushiness
* The CNN Underscored team requested quotes from all providers for a 2,100-square-foot home in Dallas.
Our rating: 4.5 out of 5
Best-value plan: Bronze and Gold Care
Service fee: $75
Monthly fee: $44.42
Why we picked Select Home Warranty
We appreciate Select Home Warranty’s robust coverage at reasonable rates — just $44.42 with a $75 service fee. Paying annually earns you two months free and $150 off, adding more value.
Unlike many competitors, Select provides up to $3,000 coverage for HVAC systems and even covers additional freezers and refrigerators. Though not the most affordable option, you get comprehensive protection for household systems and appliances that cheaper options don’t offer.
However, Select has some limitations. You don’t get to pick your technician for repairs without prior consent. Still, for the price, its coverage inclusions make this small trade-off worthwhile for many homeowners.
Who should use Select Home Warranty
Select is excellent if you want the most coverage per dollar spent.
Pros and cons of Select Home Warranty
Pros
- Offers two months free and $150 off if you pay annually
- Covers stand-alone freezers and additional refrigerators
- Covers up to $3,000 for HVAC systems
Cons
- Doesn’t include coverage for tankless water heaters
- Some complaints about misleading claims process
- Only available in 46 states
First American Home Warranty: Best for entry-level coverage
Our rating: 3.8 out of 5
Best-value plan: Essentials Plan
Service fee: $75 - $125
Monthly fee: $50 - $64
Why we picked First American Home Warranty
First American Home Warranty is a solid option for entry-level home warranty coverage. You can choose between three different service fees and monthly costs to find the right balance for your budget. The lower your service fee, the higher the monthly cost, and vice versa.
We also like that First American provides 24/7 customer service online and by phone for convenience. Its 30-day workmanship guarantee and broad eligibility for different home types are also good.
On the downside, First American only operates in 35 states at the time of writing — far fewer than top competitors. It also has common complaints about poor customer service and claims handling.
Who should use First American Home Warranty
First American offers reliable, reasonably priced protection if you don’t need extensive coverage and custom contractor choices. The Essentials plan covers major systems and appliances, including electrical and heating systems, dishwasher and refrigerator, oven and cooktop, built-in microwave, washer and dryer, water heater, AC and garage door opener.
Pros and cons of First American Home Warranty
Pros
- Includes HVAC tune-up
- Includes roof coverage
- Offers three service/monthly fee options
Cons
- Only available in 35 states, much fewer than other competitors
- Some complaints about poor customer service
- Some complaints about slow service/follow-through
American Residential Home Warranty: Best for frequent claims
Our rating: 4.4 out of 5
Best-value plan: TotalMax
Service fee: $55
Monthly fee: $74.99
Why we picked ARHW
American Residential Home Warranty wowed us with its low $55 service call fee, which saves you money each time a repair is needed. It also covers some unique items, like humidifiers, that other providers exclude and allows for the addition of electronics protection.
Unfortunately, its coverage caps of $1,000 for systems and $500 for appliances may be low depending on your needs.
Who should use ARHW
American Residential Home Warranty is a promising choice for homeowners anticipating multiple repair claims and wanting to minimize service fees. The ability to select your technician is nice, especially if you already know a trusted one.
Pros and cons of American Residential Home Warranty
Pros
- Low service call fee of $55
- Covers items other competitors often don’t, such as humidifier
- High customer satisfaction and trust with an A- Better Business Bureau (BBB)* rating and 4.1 out of 5 grade on Trustpilot
Cons
- Policy cancellation requires written consent
- Home systems cap at $1,000 per and appliances cap at $500 per
* All BBB ratings are accurate as of June 2024.
2-10 Home Buyer’s Warranty: Best for kitchen appliances
Our rating: 4.3 out of 5
Best-value plan: Simply Kitchen
Service fee: $65 - $100
Monthly fee: $27 - $36
Why we picked 2-10 Home Buyer’s Warranty
With its dedicated Simply Kitchen plan, 2-10 Home Buyer’s Warranty offers thorough coverage for one of the most important areas of any home. For under $40/month, all your major kitchen appliances are protected. Its workmanship guarantee lasts the entire service agreement duration, which could be well over 30 to 90 days if you pay annually.
2-10’s drawbacks include concerningly low ratings on Trustpilot (2.1 out of 5).
Who should use 2-10 Home Buyer’s Warranty
2–10 Home Buyer’s Warranty’s remarkable fees for kitchen appliance coverage are hard to beat. It’s perfect if you want to ensure your expensive, critical kitchen appliances like ovens, dishwashers and refrigerators stay in working order.
Pros and cons of 2-10 Home Buyer’s Warranty
Pros
- Available in 48 states and Washington, D.C.
- Workmanship guarantee for the duration of the service agreement
- Customizable plans available
Cons
- Very low rating on Trustpilot and ConsumerAffairs
- Customers not happy with communication or service timeliness
- Doesn’t cover manufactured/mobile homes
Our rating: 4.3 out of 5
Best-value plan: Silver Plan
Service fee: $75 - $125
Monthly fee: $38.92 - $44.25
Why we picked AFC Home Club
With four coverage plans and three customizable service fee options, America’s First Choice Home Club offers plenty of flexibility that many competitors lack. Homeowners can tailor their warranty to their budget and needs. We also like its membership-long workmanship guarantee and the ability to choose your technician.
However, Hawaii residents may be disappointed it doesn’t operate there. And some concerning complaints about fine print and cancellation fees may give pause.
Who should use AFC Home Club
America’s First Choice Home Club is a solid fit if you value flexibility and customization in your warranty plan. Between the choice of four coverage tiers and three service fee structures, you can truly personalize a policy to suit your home and budget. Plus, it covers all home types, from mobile homes to single-family homes.
Pros and cons of America’s First Choice Home Club
Pros
- Offers a workmanship guarantee for as long as you’re a member
- Offers four coverage plans (while most offer three)
- Covers all home types, including mobile homes, condos, single-family homes and multi-family homes
Cons
- $75 cancellation fee may apply
- Not available in California, Hawaii and Washington
- Complaints about sneaky fine print/contract terms
Cinch Home Services: Best for perks
Our rating: 4.3 out of 5
Best-value plan: Appliances Plan
Service fee: $100 - $150
Monthly fee: $38.99 - $48.99
Why we picked Cinch Home Services
Cinch Home Services outshines competitors by including valuable perks many don’t offer. Its 180-day workmanship guarantee is generous compared to the standard 30-day window. Even better, it covers unknown preexisting conditions.
It’s also helpful to know that you may face a fee of $25 if you cancel your contract — regardless of whether it’s before or after the 30-day cancellation threshold.
Who should use Cinch Home Services
If you want coverage that goes above and beyond, you’ll enjoy Cinch Home Services. The ability to file claims for unknown preexisting problems and a generous workmanship guarantee provide reassuring protection.
Pros and cons of Cinch Home Services
Pros
- Workmanship guarantee for 180 days
- Covers unknown preexisting issues, unlike many competitors
- Three service/monthly fee options
Cons
- High service call fees compared to others on this list
- Contract cancellation fees apply regardless of before or after the threshold
Our picks at a glance
To help you quickly compare our top home warranty provider picks, we’ve created an at-a-glance table highlighting key details like state availability, best-value plan, and monthly quotes we got for a typical U.S. home.
|
Our score (out of 5 stars)
|
State availability
|
Best-value plan
|
Monthly fee*
|
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| First Premier | 3.8 |
50 |
Premier Plan |
$44.99 |
| Select | 4.5 |
50 |
Bronze and Gold Care |
$44.42 |
| First American | 3.8 |
35 states (not available in AK, CT, DE, HI, IL, LA, ME, MA, MN, NH, NY, ND, RI, VT, WI) |
Essentials Plan |
$50 - $64 |
| ARW | 4.4 |
50 |
TotalMax |
$74.99 |
| 2-10 Home | 4.3 |
48 (not available in AK and HI) |
Simply Kitchen |
$27 - $36 |
| AFC Home Club | 4.3 |
47 (not available in CA, HI and WA) |
Silver Plan |
$38.82 - $44.25 |
| Cinch | 4.3 |
50 |
Appliances Plan |
$38.99 - $48.99 |
*Prices gathered in February 2024 for a 2100-square-foot home in Dallas.
What didn’t make the cut
- Home Warranty Inc.: Boasts an A+ BBB grade, but is unavailable in five major states (NY, WA, CA, AZ, OR) and doesn’t cover major home types like mobile homes, condos and townhomes.
- American Home Shield: 24/7 service request and phone availability and lets you choose your technician, but cancellation after 30 days may incur a whole month’s fee.
- Home Service Club: Offers 30- to 90-day workmanship guarantee and nationwide availability with technician choice freedom, but has concerning BBB complaint pattern and high $45 contract cancellation fees.
Benefits of a home warranty
- Peace of mind: Get protection against unexpected repair and replacement costs for covered items.
- Savings: Service fees are often less than the total cost of a repair or replacement — saving you thousands over paying full price.
- Convenience: The provider finds and schedules certified technicians to make repairs.
- Coverage breadth: Plans often include major home systems and appliances, such as HVAC, plumbing, washer/dryer, electrical systems and garbage disposals.
- Resale value: Home warranties can add value for buyers and help sell a home faster if coverage can transfer to new owners.
How does a home warranty work?
A home warranty is a contract that covers replacements and repairs for your home’s systems and appliances. Every time you file a claim, you pay a service fee to have a technician assess the issue. From there, your provider covers the remaining cost of the repair or replacement. However, each provider covers different things, so reviewing policies thoroughly before signing any contracts is essential.
What does a home warranty cover?
Typical home warranty coverage includes major home systems like:
- Air conditioning
- Appliances like washer/dryer
- Electrical systems
- Heating systems
- Plumbing systems
Sometimes, it’ll cover pools, spas and roof leak repairs. Specific coverage, limitations and exclusions can vary widely by provider.
How to choose a cheap home warranty company
When looking for cheap home warranty companies, compare plans in detail to find the best value for your unique needs. Consider factors like pricing structure, coverage scope, contract terms, company reputation and the claims process.
Understanding home warranty pricing factors
- Service fees: The per-service call fee you pay for a repair visit will average around $75 but can range from $50 to $150
- Coverage limits: Your plan will likely have caps on how much it covers per repair or appliance (low limits can leave you paying a lot out-of-pocket)
- Exclusions: Many plans exclude certain brands, systems or entire home components like roofing
- Reputation: Go with a reputable provider known for reasonable claims handling
- Contract terms: You may be able to get a better deal if you sign a longer contract (e.g., annually instead of monthly)
Potential savings with a home warranty
Home warranties can potentially save you thousands of dollars in unexpected repair and replacement costs. It provides valuable peace of mind against expensive breakdowns, especially for older home systems and appliances with expired manufacturer warranties.
For example, if your AC unit stops working, a home warranty would cover a $5,000+ replacement for a small monthly fee and service fee, saving you several thousand dollars. Costs like this can add up over time for major home systems and appliances.
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:
