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Best Home Warranty Company in 2026: 8 Companies Compared

Best Home Warranty Company in 2026: 8 Companies Compared
American Home Shield logo
First choiceAmerican Home Shield

Broad combined coverage · Starting price: See website

Go to American Home Shield
Choice Home Warranty logo
Second choiceChoice Home Warranty
Visit
Liberty Home Guard logo
Third choiceLiberty Home Guard
Visit

How we put this together: we compare official feature and pricing pages, app store listings, privacy policies and public user reviews. Prices change, so check the provider's site before you pay.

Key takeaways

  • The best home warranty company for you depends on your home age, your systems and appliances, and the coverage caps in the actual contract, not on the headline monthly price alone.
  • American Home Shield suits buyers who want broad combined coverage, while Choice Home Warranty suits buyers who want a simpler two-plan choice.
  • Liberty Home Guard and Cinch Home Services offer more plan shapes, which helps if you only need appliances, only systems, or a combined plan.
  • Every plan has limits, exclusions and a service fee per visit, so read the sample contract for your state before you pay.
  • A home warranty is a service contract, not home insurance. It does not replace insurance, and it does not cover pre-existing problems or routine maintenance in most cases.

Quick comparison

NameWho it suitsStarting priceFree option
American Home ShieldBroad combined coverageSee websiteNoVisit
Choice Home WarrantySimple two-plan choiceSee websiteNoVisit
Liberty Home GuardFlexible plan shapesSee websiteNoVisit
First American Home WarrantyHigher-end homes and systemsSee websiteNoVisit
Cinch Home ServicesAppliance and system combinationsSee websiteNoVisit
AFC Home ClubFlexible service optionsSee websiteNoVisit
Select Home WarrantyBudget-conscious buyersSee websiteNoVisit
2-10 Home WarrantyNew and existing homesSee websiteNoVisit

The best home warranty companies

A home warranty can turn a broken furnace or a failed refrigerator into a scheduled repair visit, but only within the limits of the contract you sign. The companies below are established national providers, and the differences that matter most are coverage caps, exclusions, service fees and how claims are handled.

01American Home Shield logo

American Home Shield

Who it suits: Broad combined coverage

Go to American Home Shield
Starting priceSee website
Free optionNo
American Home Shield website
ahs.com homepage

American Home Shield is the largest name in this category, and its size is useful when you need a technician quickly. Its plans cover major home systems such as heating, cooling, plumbing and electrical, plus kitchen and laundry appliances on combined plans. That breadth makes it a natural first quote for an older home where several systems could fail in the same year.

The catch is the same as with any large warranty provider: the monthly price is only part of the cost. You also pay a service fee each time a technician visits, and each item has a coverage cap. Read the contract for HVAC limits, appliance limits and exclusions for rust, corrosion or improper maintenance before you judge the price.

Strengths
  • Wide range of systems and appliances plans
  • Large contractor network
  • Combined plans for whole-home cover
Weaknesses
  • Price varies by ZIP and home size
  • Caps and exclusions apply
  • Service fee is charged per visit
02Choice Home Warranty logo

Choice Home Warranty

Who it suits: Simple two-plan choice

Go to Choice Home Warranty
Starting priceSee website
Free optionNo
Choice Home Warranty website
choicehomewarranty.com homepage

Choice Home Warranty keeps the decision simple with two main combined plans, which suits buyers who do not want to compare a long menu of options. Both plans cover major systems and appliances, with the higher plan adding more items. That simplicity helps first-time warranty buyers, since the main choice is how much cover you want rather than which category to pick.

The trade-off is caps. Each covered item has a limit, and that limit may be lower than the cost of a full replacement for an expensive system. Choice Home Warranty also is not sold in Washington, so check availability for your state. For a newer home where a basic plan is a safety net rather than a full replacement fund, it is a solid, easy-to-understand option.

Strengths
  • Simple plan structure
  • Combined systems and appliances cover
  • Nationwide availability in most states
Weaknesses
  • Per-item caps are lower than some rivals
  • Not sold in every state
  • Service fee applies per visit
03Liberty Home Guard logo

Liberty Home Guard

Who it suits: Flexible plan shapes

Go to Liberty Home Guard
Starting priceSee website
Free optionNo
Liberty Home Guard website
libertyhomeguard.com homepage

Liberty Home Guard stands out for plan flexibility. You can choose an appliance plan, a systems plan or a combined plan, which is useful if you only worry about one side of the home. A buyer with new appliances but an old furnace, for example, can focus cover where the risk sits, rather than paying for a full combined plan.

Flexibility also means the quote matters more than the brochure. Caps, service fees and add-on prices are set in the individual quote, so two homes can get quite different terms. Compare the full quote, not just the monthly figure, and check which optional items, such as a second refrigerator or a pool, are included or cost extra.

Strengths
  • Appliance-only, systems-only or combined plans
  • Sold in all 50 states
  • A range of optional add-ons
Weaknesses
  • Per-item caps vary by plan
  • Service fee is set in your quote
  • Some add-ons cost extra
04First American Home Warranty logo

First American Home Warranty

Who it suits: Higher-end homes and systems

Go to First American Home Warranty
Starting priceSee website
Free optionNo

First American Home Warranty is a good fit for buyers who want higher coverage limits and a provider with deep roots in real estate transactions. Its plans cover major systems and appliances, and it is often sold alongside a home purchase, which can make the first year of cover part of the closing process rather than a separate purchase.

Availability is the main limit, since First American is not sold in every state, and pricing is based on a quote for your home. That means you cannot judge it from a single published price. If it is sold in your state and you want a plan with generous limits, get a quote and compare its caps line by line with American Home Shield and Choice Home Warranty.

Strengths
  • Strong coverage limits on some plans
  • Plans for systems and appliances
  • Long history in real estate
Weaknesses
  • Not sold in every state
  • Price is quote-based
  • Service fee applies per visit
05Cinch Home Services logo

Cinch Home Services

Who it suits: Appliance and system combinations

Go to Cinch Home Services
Starting priceSee website
Free optionNo

Cinch Home Services offers three levels of combined cover, which gives a buyer a clear ladder from basic to more complete protection. Each level adds items and limits, so you can step up if you want broader cover without switching providers. The online claim process also suits buyers who prefer to file and track a claim digitally.

The service fee can vary by plan, and the total coverage cap per term is a figure to check carefully, since it limits what the plan will pay across all claims in a period. Cinch is a strong middle option, but the value depends on which level you choose and how its caps compare with a rival plan at a similar monthly price.

Strengths
  • Three combined plan levels
  • Appliance and system cover in one plan
  • Online claims process
Weaknesses
  • Service fee range is wide
  • Coverage caps apply per term
  • Availability varies by ZIP
06AFC Home Club logo

AFC Home Club

Who it suits: Flexible service options

Go to AFC Home Club
Starting priceSee website
Free optionNo

AFC Home Club, also known as AFC Home Warranty, appeals to buyers who want more control over who does the repair. On some plans, you can use your own licensed technician, subject to the contract terms, rather than only accepting the provider network. That flexibility matters if you already trust a local contractor, or if you live where a network technician is hard to schedule.

The plan menu is wider than Choice Home Warranty, with four levels to compare, so the shopping process takes more care. Per-item caps still apply, and availability is limited in some states. If technician choice matters to you, AFC Home Club deserves a quote, but confirm the technician rules in writing before you buy.

Strengths
  • Four plan levels
  • Option to choose your own technician on some plans
  • Appliance and combined options
Weaknesses
  • Not sold in every state
  • Per-item caps apply
  • Service fee varies by plan
07Select Home Warranty logo

Select Home Warranty

Who it suits: Budget-conscious buyers

Go to Select Home Warranty
Starting priceSee website
Free optionNo

Select Home Warranty is often the cheapest quote in a comparison, which makes it attractive for a buyer who wants basic protection without a high monthly price. It offers appliance, systems and combined plans, and longer contracts can reduce the monthly cost further. For a newer home, or a home where the main worry is one or two appliances, that lower price can be enough.

The lower price comes with lower caps on some items, and the service fee can vary depending on the contract length you choose. That means a cheap monthly figure can still lead to a larger out-of-pocket cost if a major system fails. Compare the caps and the service fee together, and do not judge Select Home Warranty on the monthly price alone.

Strengths
  • Lower-cost plan options
  • Appliance, systems or combined plans
  • Multi-year discounts on some quotes
Weaknesses
  • Caps are lower for some items
  • Service fee varies with contract length
  • Coverage terms need close reading
082-10 Home Warranty logo

2-10 Home Warranty

Who it suits: New and existing homes

Go to 2-10 Home Warranty
Starting priceSee website
Free optionNo

2-10 Home Warranty covers both new construction and existing homes, which is useful if you are buying a newly built home and want structural or systems cover alongside appliance protection. Its resale plans cover major systems and appliances in a similar way to other providers on this list, with a choice of service fee on some plans that lets you trade a lower monthly price against a higher visit fee, or the reverse.

That choice is also the catch, since a lower monthly price with a higher service fee can cost more over a year with several claims. Check which plan type applies to your home, since new-home and resale terms differ, and read the caps for heating, cooling and appliances before you decide.

Strengths
  • Plans for new construction and resale homes
  • Systems and appliance cover
  • Service fee choice on some plans
Weaknesses
  • Plan names and terms vary by home type
  • Caps apply
  • Availability varies by ZIP

How we picked these

We compared official plan pages, sample contracts where published, pricing and quote pages, app store listings where relevant, privacy policies and public reviews for each company. We kept only providers that sell nationally in the United States today and cover home systems or appliances under a service contract. We marked pricing as "See website" where the price depends on ZIP code, home size, plan and add-ons, rather than publishing a single number that would not apply to most readers. We did not treat a review site score as a fact about a company, and we note where availability or caps vary by state.

What to check before you buy

Read the caps and exclusions first

The monthly price tells you little without the caps. Check the limit for heating and cooling, for each appliance, and for the total term, and check exclusions for pre-existing conditions, improper installation, rust, sediment and lack of maintenance. A plan with a low monthly price and a low cap can leave you paying most of a major repair yourself.

Compare the service fee and the waiting period

You pay a service fee each time a technician visits, even if a claim is later denied, and most plans have a waiting period after purchase before you can file a claim. Ask for both figures in writing, and model a year with two or three visits to see the real cost. Plans bought with a home sale may start at closing, so check that timing too.

Check availability and technician rules in your state

Availability, caps and technician rules vary by state and ZIP code, and some providers are not sold in some states at all. Confirm that the plan is sold where you live, whether you must use a network technician, and how quickly a claim is assigned. Those practical details matter more than a national ranking when a furnace fails in winter.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best home warranty company overall?

There is no single winner for every home, since price, caps and availability vary by state and home. American Home Shield is a strong default for broad combined cover, Choice Home Warranty is simpler to compare, and Liberty Home Guard suits buyers who want an appliance-only or systems-only plan. Get quotes from at least three providers and compare caps, service fees and exclusions, not just monthly prices.

How much does a home warranty cost?

Most plans are priced monthly or annually, and the price depends on your ZIP code, home size, plan level and add-ons. You also pay a service fee per visit. Because of that variation, we list pricing as "See website" and recommend a quote for your exact home. Optional items such as pools, septic systems and second refrigerators usually cost extra.

What does a home warranty cover?

Most plans cover major home systems such as heating, cooling, plumbing and electrical, plus kitchen and laundry appliances, depending on the plan. Coverage is subject to caps, exclusions and the contract terms for each item. A home warranty is not home insurance, and it does not cover structural damage, routine maintenance or pre-existing problems in most cases.

Is there a waiting period before I can file a claim?

Most providers apply a waiting period after purchase, commonly around 30 days, before you can file a claim, though the exact period varies by provider and state. Plans bought as part of a home sale often start at closing instead. Check the waiting period in your contract before you buy, and do not wait until a system fails to arrange cover.

Can I choose my own technician?

It depends on the provider and plan. Most providers assign a technician from their network, while AFC Home Club offers a choice of technician on some plans, subject to contract terms. If you have a trusted local contractor, confirm the technician rule in writing, since using an unapproved technician can affect whether a claim is paid.

Are home warranty companies worth it?

A home warranty can be worth it if your home has older systems or appliances, you want predictable repair costs, and the caps cover the repairs you are most likely to need. It is less useful for a new home with builder and manufacturer warranties, or if the caps are low and the service fee is high. Compare the annual plan cost plus likely service fees against the cost of the repairs you expect, and read the contract before deciding.

Sources we checked (8)
  1. https://www.ahs.com
  2. https://www.choicehomewarranty.com
  3. https://www.libertyhomeguard.com
  4. https://www.firstam.com
  5. https://www.cinchhomeservices.com
  6. https://www.afchomeclub.com
  7. https://www.selecthomewarranty.com
  8. https://www.2-10.com
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