If you’ve ever had your fridge or oven die out of nowhere, you know the pain of a surprise repair bill. A home warranty can take the sting out of those costs, covering repairs and replacements when your appliances break down. But not all plans are created equal — some barely cover half the cost of a repair, while others pay out in full.
For the best appliance coverage, American Home Shield is the top choice. Its ShieldPlatinum plan covers up to $4,000 per appliance, one of the highest limits in the industry. That means when your fridge quits, you won’t be stuck paying most of the bill yourself.
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Of course, price matters too. Spending $75–$100 a month on a home warranty that covers things that you don’t need protected can feel like a waste. If you’re looking for the lowest rates, Elite Home Warranty and Select Home Warranty both offer appliance-only plans for around $45 a month.
Bottom line: Don’t just pick the cheapest plan—pick the one that actually pays when you need it.
To help you decide which provider is right for you, I’ve compiled a detailed guide outlining the best home warranty companies for home appliance coverage and how they stack up against the competition. After all, no company is perfect, and I’d rather you know each company’s pros and cons before buying a policy with them. I rated these companies based on Today’s Homeowner’s unique criteria, including plans and coverage, affordability, transparency, company reputation, and customer experience. Read on to learn more about our top providers and see which ones meet your appliance coverage needs.
Here’s how we ranked and reviewed the nation’s top home warranty companies to bring you the most accurate information. Read our full Home Warranty Review Methodology for more details.
78 companies reviewed
152 quotes collected
6 rating factors
Table of Contents
- Top 5 Home Warranty Companies for Appliances
- What's Most Important in a Home Warranty for Appliances?
- Compare Best Home Warranty Companies
- Our Reviews of the Best Home Warranties for Appliances
- What Does Home Appliance Insurance Cover?
- What Are the Life Expectancies of Home Appliances?
- What Does Home Appliance Insurance Typically Cost?
- Calculate the Cost of a Home Warranty for Appliances
- Frequently Asked Questions
Top 5 Home Warranty Companies for Appliances
Key Takeaways
- American Home Shield is the clear winner for anyone with premium or luxe appliances or if you want complete peace of mind that your home warranty provider can cover the entire cost of replacing expensive appliances. Most home warranty companies offer between $500 and $2,000 in appliance coverage, but AHS takes it to the next level by providing up to $4,000 in coverage, making them my preferred choice.
- Look for tricky exclusions related to specific appliance parts in home warranty contracts. For example, you may be surprised that many providers won’t cover door seals on your fridge or the racks or rollers in your dishwasher — which feel like part of the appliance to me. So, keep this in mind when shopping around and take your time looking at the specific exclusions that apply to appliances.
- I’ll be honest. Here’s a case where a home warranty really isn’t necessary: When you have current manufacturers’ warranties on your appliances, you don’t need to double up with a home warranty. Instead, check when your appliance manufacturer warranties expire and enroll in a home warranty plan 30 to 60 days in advance, depending on the provider, to make sure your home warranty coverage is active when the appliance warranty expires.
What’s Most Important in a Home Warranty for Appliances?
If home appliance coverage is your top priority, look for a comprehensive appliance-only plan or a plan covering home systems and appliances for more complete coverage. Most importantly, read the sample contract thoroughly and look for exclusions related to your home appliances. For example, a provider may exclude the racks/rollers in your dishwasher, which many of us would assume are covered.
I recommend checking the coverage caps for appliances as well. Some providers only reimburse you up to $500 for home appliances, which isn’t enough to cover big replacements. If you want complete coverage, look for companies with at least $2,000 in appliance coverage — or more if you have premium or luxury appliances, for complete peace of mind.
Some companies, like Liberty Home Guard and Elite Home Warranty, offer add-on coverage for premium appliances that increase the plan’s payout limits, so this is something else to consider, depending on your budget and the type of appliances in your home.
Expert Recommendation: Hands down, my top recommendation is American Home Shield, which offers up to $4,000 in home appliance coverage. This is significantly more than most providers, who may only offer $500 to $2,000 for some home appliances — not enough for complete replacements or even repairs on premium appliances.
Home Warranty Companies for Appliances I Don’t Recommend
I don’t recommend Secure Home Warranty because of its poor customer ratings and company reputation. This provider has a 1.0 rating on Yelp, with scathing reviews calling it shady and a scam. Several years ago, a lawsuit was filed against it regarding false and misleading advertising related to 24/7 service requests and coverage for appliances “without regard for age, make, or model.”
Compare The Highest Rated Home Warranties for Appliances
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Company
|
Rating
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Monthly Cost
|
Service Fee
|
Response Time
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BBB Rating
|
Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Liberty Home Guard
Get Quote
|
$50-$60 | $75 | 12-48 hrs. | NR | Get Quote | |
 American Home Shield
Get Quote
|
$35–$75 | $100–$125 | 24-72 hrs | B | Get Quote | |
 Elite Home Warranty
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$44.99-$58.99 | $70 | 48 hours | A+ | ||
 Choice Home Warranty
Get Quote
|
$46–$55 | $85 | 24-48 hrs. | B | Get Quote | |
 Select Home Warranty
Get Quote
|
$52–$58 | $75-$85 | 24-48 hrs. | B | Get Quote | |
 AFC Home Warranty
Get Quote
|
$38–$62 | $75–$125 | 48 hours | B | Get Quote | |
 First American Home Warranty
Get Quote
|
$72–$87 | $75–$125 | 48 hours | B | Get Quote | |
 2-10 Home Warranty
Our Review
|
$17–$60+ | $65–$100 | 24 hrs | A- | Our Review | |
 Cinch Home Services
Get Quote
|
$28–$68 | $100–$150 | 2–24 hrs | B | Get Quote |
Quote and cost data gathered January 2024. Cost data are updated and monitored continuously.
Our Reviews of the Best Home Warranties for Appliances
American Home Shield
4.3
Our Rating
American Home Shield (AHS) is my top recommendation for homeowners focused on appliance coverage. Not only do they offer two plans with comprehensive appliance coverage, but their most extensive plan, the ShieldPlatinum plan, comes with up to $4,000 in appliance coverage. This is twice the amount most providers offer and enough coverage to fully pay for replacing appliances — even premium models. The member benefits of this plan are monumental, such as coverage for roof leak repairs and for permits or modifications, which most home warranty companies don’t provide.
Another pro of AHS’ plans is that they cover duplicate items at no extra charge. So, if you have a second refrigerator or dishwasher in your home, you don’t have to pay an additional fee to cover the second model. I haven’t seen any other home warranty provider offer this policy, and it’s great for homeowners with duplicate appliances.
On the other hand, I don’t love AHS’ lackluster company reputation. They receive lower customer review scores than many providers, especially next to Liberty Home Guard or Elite Home Warranty, who average 4-star ratings. However, American Home Shield is Better Business Bureau (BBB) accredited, giving me more confidence in their process.
American Home Shield offers two plans with comprehensive appliance coverage (the ShieldGold and ShieldPlatinum plans). I especially like the ShieldPlatinum plan, which has unique member benefits like rekeys, partner discounts, unlimited AC refrigerant, a free HVAC tune-up, and free roof leak repairs. Plus, it has the highest coverage cap, with up to $4,000 in appliance repairs and replacements — double what most providers offer.
Another considerable benefit of American Home Shield is its policy on duplicate items. If you have a second refrigerator or duplicate appliance, you don’t have to pay for an add-on for coverage for the second item when the first is covered under your plan. This is a significant savings as most providers make you pay an extra monthly fee for this coverage. AHS also doesn’t discriminate against older appliances or appliances with unknown preexisting conditions, which relieves a lot of stress over AHS denying your aging dishwasher repair claim when the repair technician discovers a preexisting condition.
Similarly, AHS covers rust and corrosion, which many competitors exclude. It also covers commercial-grade appliances, making it perfect for homeowners who want specialty appliance coverage.
American Home Shield’s prices run higher than most, depending on where you live, especially if you opt for their most comprehensive coverage. For example, their ShieldPlatinum plan starts at $79.99 — $20 more per month than Liberty Home Guard’s most comprehensive plan.
AHS doesn’t offer an appliance-specific coverage plan, so if you only want to cover your appliances, you’ll have to pay more for a comprehensive coverage plan. Also, it only offers six add-on options, so if you want coverage for unique appliances that aren’t in your plan, you may have to consider Liberty Home Guard instead.
Also, I don’t love American Home Shield’s poor company reputation. While the Better Business Bureau accredits them, they regularly receive low ratings from Trustpilot and Yelp reviewers, averaging a little over two stars.
American Home Shield offers three plan choices, with their ShieldGold and ShieldPlatinum plans both providing comprehensive appliance coverage for your kitchen and laundry appliances. These plans include unique member benefits like HVAC tune-ups, rekeys, and partner discounts.
Here’s an overview of AHS’s plan options:
- ShieldSilver: Covers HVAC, plumbing, and electrical systems.
- Shield Gold: Covers everything included in the ShieldSilver Plan, plus clothes washers and dryers, and kitchen appliances.
- ShieldPlatinum: Includes everything in the Shield Silver and ShieldGold plans, plus an annual HVAC tune-up, unlimited AC refrigerant, and roof leak repair.
Depending on your budget, I’d recommend choosing between the ShieldGold and ShieldPlatinum plans for appliance coverage. The ShieldGold plan comes with up to $2,000 in appliance coverage. The ShieldPlatinum plan doubles this coverage, making it the best choice for anyone wanting complete peace of mind or for homes with premium appliances that cost more to replace. You also receive free roof leak repairs up to $1,000, unlimited AC refrigerant, and up to $250 in coverage for code violations, permits, and modifications with the ShieldPlatinum plan, making it my preferred choice.
The following table doesn’t include available discounts in the monthly costs.
| Plan | Monthly Cost* | Service Fee* | Available Discounts |
| ShieldSilver | $29.99 – 39.99 | $100 – $125 | Same-day discount of $125 off first year (website) |
| ShieldGold | $49.99 – 59.99 | $100 – $125 | Same-day discount of $125 off first year (website), 40% off Shield Gold plan (website) |
| ShieldPlatinum | $79.99 – 89.99 | $100 – $125 | Same-day discount of $125 off first year(website) |
*Lower service fees “pair” with higher premiums; for example, the $29.99 ShieldSilver monthly cost pairs with the $125 service fee.
Editor’s Note: The cost data mentioned in this article was sourced for a single-family, two-bedroom home under 5,000 square feet in Boise, ID. The cost data presented was accurate at the time of writing.
Available Add-Ons
American Home Shield has limited add-ons, but you may want to invest in their unique electronics protection plan, which covers items like your laptop, TV, and smartphone.
- Roof leak repair: $10/month (free with ShieldPlatinum plan)
- Electronics protection plan: $14/month
- Pool and built-in-spa equipment: $18/month
- Guest unit: $15.99/month
- Septic pump: $5/month
- Well pump: $8/month
American Home Shield isn’t the cheapest home warranty provider, but their prices are competitive, especially considering their unusually high coverage cap of up to $4,000 for appliances (twice what Liberty Home Guard offers). Additionally, they offer a free cancellation period and add-ons at a competitive rate (around $10 to $15 per month in most cases). Their roof leak repair is an outstanding deal at only $10 per month and comes with $1,000 in coverage (twice what Choice Home Warranty provides). During my secret shopping, I’ve been offered multiple discounts over the phone with AHS, including special deals on their ShieldGold plan, which is my recommended plan for a budget-conscious homeowner interested in comprehensive appliance coverage from AHS.
I love that American Home Shield contractors can typically complete a repair during their first visit to your home. According to the provider, contractors usually resolve the issue during the first visit 80% of the time, which is fantastic news for any homeowner dealing with a leaking dishwasher or broken garbage disposal. I’ve always had positive, informative interactions with AHS’ customer service representatives. Their quote process is among the most user-friendly in the home warranty industry, and they break down each plan clearly. Plus, they typically offer great discounts on their website alongside their quote calculator.
American Home Shield is a BBB-accredited business with a solid B rating from the Better Business Bureau. Their poor Trustpilot and Yelp ratings show a history of customer dissatisfaction that I don’t love. That said, American Home Shield has an impressive reputation as an industry leader and 53 years in business, giving them a massive advantage over new competitors like Elite Home Warranty, which has been in business for four years.
Happy customers usually highlight American Home Shield’s excellent coverage limits that prevented them from going into debt over expensive appliance or home system repairs and replacements — a nice contrast to Liberty Home Guard, which receives complaints about their too-low coverage caps. On the other hand, customers often complain about claim denials, issues canceling their policy, and miscommunication during the claims process, which isn’t ideal.
| Rating Site | Rating | Number of Reviews |
| BBB | B / 2.1 out of 5 stars | 10,969 |
| Trustpilot | 2.1 out of 5 stars | 5,363 |
| Yelp | 1.1 out of 5 stars | 1,303 |
Editor’s Note: The ratings provided were accurate at the time of writing.
AHS allows you to submit claims online or over the phone, which is standard. Like most providers, their customer service offers 24/7/365 availability, which is a must when your garbage disposal is on the fritz. Our team found that American Home Shield responds to claims within 48 hours, which is a bit longer than I’d like to see, especially when some providers like Liberty Home Guard get back to you in under 24 hours in most cases. Still, I like that AHS offers a 30-day workmanship guarantee, which protects you if you have any issues with the same item that was repaired or replaced within 30 days of your service. AHS will send out another contractor to address the appliance at no extra charge to you, showing American Home Shield stands behind their contractors’ work.
American Home Shield scores highly for their transparency because they list their sample policy online and clearly break down what is and isn’t covered in their plans. I find the fine print of their sample policy more straightforward to understand than those of most providers and don’t feel like they’re trying to weasel out of paying for claims with complex fine print — a nice contrast to providers like Elite Home Warranty, who have complicated policies that sometimes feel self-contradictory.
Exclusions
American Home Shield has fewer exclusions than most providers and notably doesn’t exclude items based on unknown preexisting conditions or old age, which is excellent for homeowners with older appliances.
- Construction or carpentry costs
- Restoration of walls
- Flues, chimneys, venting, and exhaust lines
- Repairs or replacements due to cosmetic defects
- Repairs due to mold
- Natural disasters
Editor’s Note: While this article highlights certain exclusions, it’s imperative for readers to review their contracts as the mentioned exclusions are not exhaustive, and additional exclusions may apply.
You can’t choose a service provider if you enroll with American Home Shield. In rare situations, they may authorize you to pick a technician, but AHS usually selects the service provider from their network. As a result, they’ve received a low 5/10 score in this category.
Elite Home Warranty
4.3
Our Rating
Elite Home Warranty offers an excellent home appliance warranty that covers eight everyday appliances with high-coverage caps. Depending on your plan and add-ons, you can receive up to $6,000 in coverage for appliances and up to $10,000 for home systems. These are practically unheard-of coverage caps in the industry and much more than what most providers will pay out for a broken-down stove or refrigerator.
This BBB-accredited provider has outstanding customer satisfaction ratings, with nearly perfect five-star ratings from three third-party review websites. Customers consistently praise them for their superior customer service, which they find communicative and efficient. This is excellent, as nobody wants to be put on hold or confused about where they are in the claims process when they’re waiting for their leaky dishwasher to be fixed.
On the other hand, I don’t like that Elite doesn’t cover commercial-grade appliances, and some of their other exclusions are tricky. For example, coverage doesn’t start until after day 90, and they won’t cover some professional-grade appliances without an extra add-on, which increases your overall costs. Still, Elite’s high-coverage caps and fantastic customer service make them a top provider in my book, especially for homeowners with premium or luxe appliances, which cost more to repair and replace.
Elite Home Warranty has fantastic coverage limits of up to $6,000 for appliances and up to $10,000 for home systems like your HVAC. These caps are two to three times what most home warranty companies offer, giving me far greater confidence that Elite can pay for a complete replacement when my dishwasher breaks down. Many home maintenance costs and appliance replacements start at least $1,500, so this higher coverage puts my mind at ease that I won’t be stuck paying part of the replacement cost myself, which is the case with providers like Select Home Warranty, who typically have much lower coverage caps for appliances.
Plus, Elite allows you to choose your own technician, offers a 90-day workmanship guarantee, and covers appliance components such as knobs, doors, and drawers. These three perks show that Elite goes above and beyond to satisfy its members.
I recommend their Elite Appliance plan, which covers the eight most common appliances. Not only is this plan competitively priced at $44.99 per month, but it covers unique features like your fridge’s ice maker and water dispenser, which many companies exclude from coverage or have you pay extra for.
For starters, I don’t like that Elite charges higher service call fees for high-end appliances and weekend service visits. It also nullifies the workmanship guarantee if you use a technician of your choice, so these costs can add up over time.
Additionally, Elite doesn’t generate personalized quotes with its online quote request form. Instead, you have to call and talk with a representative before you can get a personalized quote, which is much more inconvenient than a lot of competitors.
Like all home warranty providers, Elite Home Warranty has exclusions, so reading your sample policy is critical. Elite has unique sample policies for each state, so carefully read through your state’s sample policy for the best information about exclusions and coverage limits in your state. Elite doesn’t cover commercial-grade appliances in any state, so this may be a deal-breaker for you, depending on your home.
Another drawback is that full coverage doesn’t start until 90 days after you purchase your plan. While it states coverage begins after 30 days, one of Elite Home Warranty’s FAQs reveals a limit on coverage for the first 90 days. Full coverage won’t go into effect until Day 91. Elite shares that this policy is in place because issues that crop up within the first 90 days are likely related to a preexisting issue, and they don’t complete a home inspection when you enroll. But I find this to be a tricky policy that feels less than transparent.
The Elite Appliance plan covers the eight most important everyday appliances, including your refrigerator (ice maker and water dispenser included), range/oven, clothes washer, clothes dryer, built-in microwave, garbage disposal, and ceiling fans, making it my top choice for appliance coverage.
Here’s an overview of Elite Home Warranty’s plan options:
- Elite Appliances: This plan covers your kitchen and laundry appliances, including refrigerators, ovens, dishwashers, microwaves, garbage disposals, clothes washers, and clothes dryers. It also covers up to three ceiling fans.
- Elite Systems: This plan covers plumbing, electrical, HVAC, and other major home systems.
- Elite Complete: This plan covers everything included in the appliances and systems plans.
I love that you can upgrade your appliance coverage further with Elite’s Premium Appliances add-on, which is a fantastic option if you need higher coverage caps for premium or luxury appliances. With plans available in 47 states, most U.S. homeowners can benefit from Elite’s comprehensive plan options. It’s worth noting that Elite’s aggregate coverage cap for appliances is $7,000. Also, Elite’s annual dollar limit is $3,000 for refrigerators, $2,000 for ranges, and $1,500 each for dishwashers, clothes washers, and dryers.
The following table doesn’t factor available discounts into monthly costs.
| Plan | Monthly Cost | Service Fee | Available Discounts |
| Elite Appliance | $44.99 | $75 | $150 sign-up, first month free, 30-day free trial (phone) |
| Elite Systems | $49.99 | $75 | $150 sign-up, first month free, 30-day free trial (phone) |
| Elite Complete | $59.99 | $75 | $150 sign-up, first month free, 30-day free trial (phone) |
Editor’s Note: The cost data mentioned in this article was sourced for a single-family, two-bedroom home under 5,000 square feet in Boise, ID. The cost data presented was accurate at the time of writing.
Available Add-Ons
Homeowners with premium appliances should definitely consider Elite’s Premium Appliances add-on. This add-on increases your plan’s coverage limits, giving you greater financial protection should your luxury refrigerator break down and need a replacement (some premium refrigerator models can cost as much as $7,000 to replace).
- Attic exhaust fan: $69.99/year
- Central vacuum: $49.00/year
- Effluent pump: $99.99/year
- Ejector pump: $99.99/year
- Freestanding freezer: $59.99/year
- Freestanding ice maker: $59.99/year
- Freestanding spa equipment: $119.99/year
- Generator: $99.99/year
- Geothermal heating and cooling system: $299.99/year
- Grinder pump: $99.99/year
- Guest house: $299.99/year
- HVAC annual maintenance: $299.99/year
- Jetted/hot tub: $99.99/year
- Lawn sprinkler system: $99.99/year
- Lift pump: $99.99/year
- Limited roof leak repair: $99.99/year
- Pool and spa equipment: $199.99/year
- Pool equipment: $149.99/year
- Premium Appliances: $249.99/year
- Premium Benefits: $199.99/year
- Premium Systems: $299.99/year
- Premium Systems Plus: $499.99/year
- Septic system: $129.99/year
- Service lines: $349.99/year
- Sump pump: $99.99/year
- Swamp cooler: $149.99/year
- Water filtration system: $99.99/year
- Water softener: $99.99/year
- Well pump: $99.99/year
Elite’s Appliance plan starts at an affordable price of $44.99 per month, which is about $5 less than the average monthly premium for home warranty plans across the United States. If you opt for their most comprehensive plan, the Elite Complete Plan, this jumps to $59.99 monthly. Fortunately, this includes home systems and other unique coverage like protection for your plumbing fixtures, plumbing stoppages, and garage door opener, which can provide additional peace of mind. Elite does offer a frequent $150 coupon online when you first enroll, along with a 30-day free trial, so these perks can make their plans more budget-friendly.
Elite Home Warranty loses some points for their quote process, which doesn’t provide an instant quote. Most providers, like American Home Shield, generate an automatic, instant quote for you on their website. Elite makes you fill out a form and wait for a customer service representative to call you. I don’t like that you have to wait for them to contact you, losing them some points for their less-streamlined quote process. However, they’re better than some providers on how many times they follow up after you submit your information for a quote. Providers such as Liberty Home Guard have followed up with me five or more times in some cases, which is annoying, but Elite usually only follows up a few times.
This BBB-accredited provider has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau and nearly perfect 5-star scores from three third-party providers — much higher scores than I’ve seen any other home warranty company receive. Plus, they’ve only had four complaints to the BBB in the last three years, a far cry from home warranty providers with thousands of complaints. Positive reviews usually highlight Elite’s dedication to customer service, fast claim resolution, and white-glove service. There were so few negative reviews I couldn’t summarize them effectively.
| Rating Site | Rating | Number of Reviews |
| BBB | A+ / 4.97 out of 5 stars | 409 |
| Trustpilot | 4.7 out of 5 stars | 87 |
| Yelp | 4.8 out of 5 stars | 4 |
Editor’s Note: The ratings provided were accurate at the time of writing.
Elite Home Warranty doesn’t have my favorite claims process for several reasons. While I love that all customers receive an assigned claims concierge who stays with you throughout the entire process, I don’t like their service fee policy. While most service visits are a reasonable $75, any services needed for high-end or professional-grade appliances cost $150. This is a significant amount of money to be charged each time one of your premium appliances breaks down, and it’s an uncommon policy in the industry to charge more based on the brand. Otherwise, Elite’s claims process is standard, with the ability to call or submit claims online.
Elite Home Warranty provides a sample contract for each state they service and clearly defines exclusions. However, their large number of exclusions knocks their score down slightly because you’ll need to stay on top of them to ensure you receive full coverage. For example, Elite Home Warranty doesn’t have age restrictions on what they cover, meaning your older appliances are covered. However, if you look closely at some of their sample policies, the coverage amount drops if your appliance is older than 10 years (this varies based on state and policy).
Exclusions
All of Elite’s exclusions are industry-standard, but appliance owners should note that Elite doesn’t cover modified units, improper maintenance, or appliances with preexisting conditions.
- Natural disaster-related damages
- Preexisting conditions
- Routine maintenance
- Radon monitoring systems
- Fire sprinkler systems
- Solar systems and components
- Flues, venting, chimneys, and exhaust lines
- Acts of God
- Commercial-grade appliances
- Units in a rental property (i.e. apartments)
- Cosmetic damage
- Modified units
Editor’s Note: While this article highlights certain exclusions, it’s imperative for readers to review their contracts as the mentioned exclusions are not exhaustive, and additional exclusions may apply.
Elite Home Warranty allows you to choose your technician as long as they’re licensed in your state to perform the necessary repairs and service. Request a specific licensed professional when filing your claim online or over the phone, and know that Elite’s 30-day workmanship warranty won’t apply if you choose a technician outside of Elite’s network.
Liberty Home Guard
4.6
Our Rating
This competitively priced provider offers fantastic customization options, a comprehensive appliance-only plan, and a streamlined claims process that makes filing a claim and checking on when your payment is coming quick and easy.
I love Liberty’s mobile app, which allows you to manage your home warranty plan and claims on the go, making reimbursements much easier. This provider responds to claims in 12 hours, on average, which is much faster than the typical 24- to 48-hour period that most home warranty companies take — and a 12-hour time frame is a significant benefit when your dirty laundry is piling up after your clothes washer breaks down. In addition, you can select unique add-ons you won’t find with other companies, such as premium appliances, reverse osmosis water filters, and hot water dispenser coverage. You can even choose service-based add-ons such as pest control, carpet cleaning, and window washing to help you stay on top of home maintenance.
Where LHG falls short is its large number of exclusions — notably preexisting conditions. This means that any existing issues you have with appliances will be disqualified from coverage. Plus, Liberty has lower coverage caps of up to $2,000, depending on the plan and item, which isn’t enough for complete appliance replacements in some cases.
Liberty’s Appliance Guard plan covers the nine most commonly used household appliances and is more comprehensive than most appliance-only plans on the market. At $49.99 per month, it’s a little bit costlier than some appliance-only plans, but Liberty’s frequent $200 off and two free bonus month discounts when you enroll on their website can make this plan more affordable.
Liberty offers over 40 add-ons (most providers offer around five to 10), giving you more flexibility and customization when personalizing a plan to fit your needs. If you have unique appliances, such as a wine cooler or stand-alone freezer, Liberty offers add-on coverage for them. It also provides a 60-day workmanship guarantee on repairs, giving you more peace of mind that you’re covered in the event that the same component breaks twice.
One of my biggest complaints about Liberty is that it doesn’t reveal its $65–$125 service fees until after purchase. Other providers tell you what your service fee will be during the quote process, but Liberty assigns you a service fee based on your location and plan after you purchase your policy.
Liberty also has a large number of exclusions. While they aren’t atypical for the industry, they are extensive, making it challenging to stay on top of what is and isn’t covered. Some of the biggest exclusions are the lack of coverage for preexisting conditions, which means that you won’t be covered for any problems your appliances may already have.
You’ll want to read Liberty’s sample policy and review other exclusions closely. For example, the racks, handles, knobs, doors, and door seals of your range, oven, or cooktop aren’t included in coverage. I also noticed that Liberty wouldn’t replace your sensi-heat burners with comparable burners. Instead, they’ll only pay to replace them with standard burners, which is a huge bummer because sensi-heat burners reduce your risk of kitchen fires.
Additionally, Liberty charges extra for pro-grade appliance coverage, which can add up over time and make your home warranty plan less worthwhile. Liberty also has extremely low coverage caps for plumbing and electrical systems, which doesn’t affect its appliance coverage, but it’s still something to watch out for.
Liberty Home Guard offers three comprehensive plans, including the incredible Appliance Guard plan, which covers all your major appliances.
Here’s a quick overview of Liberty’s plan options:
- Appliance Guard: Covers refrigerators, microwaves, ranges, garbage disposals, dishwashers, clothes washers and dryers, ceiling and exhaust fans, and garage door openers.
- Systems Guard: Covers home systems such as AC, heating, ductwork, plumbing, electrical and water heaters.
- Total Home Guard: Provides comprehensive coverage for all home systems and home appliances covered by the other two plans.
The Appliance Guard plan is my top choice because it offers a greater variety of appliances than most appliance-only plans, making it a practical option for homeowners interested in appliance-first plans.
The following table doesn’t include available discounts in the monthly costs.
| Plan | Monthly Cost | Service Fee | Available Discounts |
| Appliance Guard | $49.99 | $125 | Two months free, free limited roof leak protection, $200 off coupon (website or phone) |
| Systems Guard | $54.99 | $125 | Two months free, free limited roof leak protection, $200 off coupon (website or phone) |
| Total Home Guard | $59.99 | $125 | Two months free, free limited roof leak protection, $200 off coupon (website or phone) |
Editor’s Note: The cost data mentioned in this article was sourced for a single-family, two-bedroom home under 5,000 square feet in Boise, ID. The cost data presented was accurate at the time of writing.
Available Add-Ons
If your home has unique features or appliances, such as a sump pump, generator, stand-alone freezer, or trash compactor, Liberty is one of the only home warranty providers offering add-on coverage for these items.
- Pool and spa: $19.99/month
- Additional spa: $9.99/month
- Lawn sprinkler system: $9.99/month
- Saltwater pool: $23.99/month
- Generator: $19.99/month
- Casita guest unit: $35.99/month
- Sump pump: $8.99/month
- Well pump: $12.99/month
- Septic system pumping: $12.99/month
- Ejector pump: $14.99/month
- Grinder pump: $14.99/month
- Limited roof leak: $11.99/month
- Re-key: $9.99/month
- Gutter cleaning: $14.99/month
- Pest control: $14.99/month
- Carpet cleaning: $19.99/month
- Window washing/cleaning: $19.99/month
- Power washing (exterior flooring): $19.99/month
- Central vacuum: $8.99/month
- Stand-alone freezer: $5.99/month
- Water softener: $13.99/month
- Swamp cooler: $14.99/month
- Second refrigerator: $7.99/month
- Trash compactor: $7.49/month
- Ice maker (in-fridge): $3.99/month
- Freestanding ice maker: $14.99/month
- Wine cooler/fridge: $11.99/month
- Water dispenser water line: $4.99/month
- Instant hot water dispenser: $9.99/month
- Reverse osmosis water filter system: $14.99/month
- Lighting fixtures: $7.99/month
- Plumbing fixtures: $7.99/month
- Electronics protection: $19.99/month
- TV mounting (up to 65-inch TVs): $14.99/month
- TV mounting (up to 85-inch TVs): $19.99/month
- Pro-series refrigerator: $14.99/month
- Pro-series stand-alone freezer: $14.99/month
- Pro-series range/oven/cooktop: $12.99/month
- Pro-series dishwasher: $7.99/month
- Pro-series microwave: $4.99/month
- Pro-series washing machine: $4.99/month
- Pro-series clothes dryer: $4.99/month
LHG’s pricing is competitive, with advertised plans starting at as little as $1 per day. The Appliance Guard plan costs $49.99 monthly, based on my secret shopping, which is about the national average monthly premium for a home warranty. While Liberty’s add-ons aren’t as affordable as those of providers such as Choice Home Warranty, Liberty offers more comprehensive options you can’t find elsewhere, like TV mounting, reverse osmosis water filter system, and wine cooler coverage. Plus, if you want extra protection for your premium appliances, you can opt for one of their pro-series appliance add-ons to increase your coverage caps and the value of your plan. While this makes the monthly premium less affordable, the greater coverage may be worthwhile, especially if you have premium appliances.
Fortunately, LHG offers several discounts to help you save money, including a frequent deal for $200 off and two free bonus months when you enroll in a plan with them. They even offer special discounts for veterans (phone a customer service representative for details).
Watch a quick overview of Liberty Home Guard’s plans in this video:
Liberty delivers a strong customer experience with an instant quote process and a claim that you can enroll in coverage within just a few minutes. I find their website user friendly and informative, but I don’t love that they follow up excessively once you’ve provided them with your phone number for a quote. However, LHG receives an overall solid score for customer experience because of their generous 60-day workmanship guarantee. This guarantee protects you if your repair or replacement needs further work within 60 days after the initial repair.
While Liberty Home Guard is a newer home warranty company (six years of experience), their company reputation speaks for itself. Nearly 3,000 Trustpilot reviewers give Liberty a 4.7-star rating (more than double what American Home Shield receives). Positive reviews consistently highlight excellent service with professional technicians who took their time and were happy to answer any questions — something I greatly appreciate as a concerned homeowner interested in understanding every step of the process. Plus, Liberty is praised regularly for their low-pressure communication, helpful customer service agents, and fast repairs.
Liberty Home Guard’s A rating on the Better Business Bureau (BBB) was changed to N/R (“not rated”), but it holds a BBB customer review rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars. In March 2024, LHG responded to losing its A rating with a statement that the company’s customer satisfaction levels remain the highest relative to its scale. LHG also stated that in February 2024, it received the lowest number of cancellation requests in its history.
Liberty receives few negative reviews, but the general theme for these reviews typically centers around long wait times and insufficient coverage for the cost of complete appliance replacements.
| Rating Site | Rating | Number of Reviews |
| BBB | NR* / 4.47 out of 5 stars | 2,480 |
| Trustpilot | 4.7 out of 5 stars | 2,811 |
| Yelp | 1.3 out of 5 stars | 67 |
Editor’s Note: The ratings provided were accurate at the time of writing.
*Note (as of 6/20/24): Recently, the Better Business Bureau shifted LHG’s A+ rating to “NR” (Not Rated). We reached out to a representative from LHG for comment and they shared this statement: “Despite the BBB’s alert, our customer satisfaction levels remain by far the highest relative to our scale. Last month, we had the lowest percentage of customer cancellation requests in our entire history. On the BBB’s own platform, Liberty Home Guard has achieved a star rating of 4.5 out of 5 from nearly 2,500 reviews. For added context, the approximately 480 resolved complaints on Liberty Home Guard’s BBB profile equate to an extremely low fraction of a percentage relative to the size and scale of our total customer base. As we navigate this situation, which we believe will be resolved in time, we want to assure you that we remain committed to our customers and their satisfaction; they are the key stakeholders we orient all our efforts around.”
Liberty Home Guard has an exceptional claims process and is my favorite provider in the industry because they make the process so efficient and convenient. After all, nobody wants to be stressed over a slow, frustrating claims process when you’re already irritated about your stove breaking down and halting your dinner plans. Unlike most providers, Liberty Home Guard offers a handy mobile app in addition to claim submission options online or over the phone. Their app is truly incredible, with an intuitive interface that allows you to manage your home warranty accounts and the entire claim process, from filing to following up on claims to checking when your next payment is coming in. Plus, Liberty Home Guard has the best claims response time I’ve seen in the industry. Our team at Today’s Homeowner found that they usually respond within 12 hours — far sooner than providers like Elite Home Warranty, which can take up to 48 hours.
Liberty Home Guard has an almost perfect score for their transparent business model and clear sample policy. You can easily find a sample policy online, and everything is clearly stated. While I wish they had fewer exclusions, most homeowners will find their website and sample policies understandable.
Exclusions
Liberty has many exclusions. Nothing stands out as a red flag to me, but appliance owners should note that Liberty excludes filters associated with covered appliances from all Liberty plans.
- Preexisting conditions
- Flues, vents, chimneys, and exhaust lines
- Electronics, computerized, “smart,” or Internet/enabled components and parts
- Filters associated with any covered items
- Remote receiving and transmitting devices
- Radon and other leak detection monitoring systems
- Fire sprinkler systems
- Lighting
- Solar systems and applications
- Cosmetic defects
- Disposal of appliances, systems, or components
- Cranes or other specialty vehicles required to install, remove, or access your appliances or home systems
- Glass parts
- Commercial-grade equipment, systems, or appliances
- Professional series or luxury, high-end premium items (without the add-on)
- Modifications of any covered item
- Thermometers
- Noise
- Malfunctions due to storms or other acts of God
Editor’s Note: While this article highlights certain exclusions, it’s imperative for readers to review their contracts as the mentioned exclusions are not exhaustive, and additional exclusions may apply.
Liberty Home Guard allows their customers to choose their own service provider but recommends sticking with their vetted LHG-certified professionals. Work done by these technicians comes with a 60-day workmanship guarantee —, you forfeit this guarantee if you choose a provider outside of Liberty’s network.
Choice Home Warranty
4.3
Our Rating
This budget-friendly provider has an excellent claim acceptance rate, so you don’t have to worry as much about your provider denying your dishwasher claim, which gives me a lot of peace of mind. Their exclusions are standard, with nothing standing out as particularly challenging for appliance owners. If anything, I found few exclusions related to appliances, with their sample policy not noting any specific parts exclusions for the garbage disposal, dishwasher, built-in microwave, and clothes washer and dryer, among other things.
Choice Home Warranty (CHW) ‘s biggest drawback is its low coverage limits, which are sometimes as little as $250. These limits may barely cover the cost of labor for some repairs, as the hourly rate for technicians averages $50 to $200. CHW may choose to give you cash in some cases, but it may be less than the retail value of your appliance, which is another big downside.
Overall, I’d choose Choice if you’re looking for an affordable appliance plan (I recommend the Total Plan) and want budget-friendly add-ons and a provider with a notably high claim acceptance rate. If you have premium appliances, I’d stick with providers like American Home Shield or Elite Home Warranty, which offer greater coverage.
In contrast to many providers, Choice doesn’t impose odd parts exclusions on its appliance coverage. For example, Liberty Home Guard doesn’t cover the door or door seal on your oven or range, while Choice covers all parts for your oven, range, cooktop, and other appliances, including your garbage disposal, dishwasher, built-in microwave, and clothes washer and dryer. This is a relief to me as a homeowner because I don’t have to worry about a seemingly key component, like my dishwasher racks, not being covered under the policy.
A huge plus to Choice’s business model is its high claims acceptance, which customers often praise. A strong acceptance rate is so important when selecting a home warranty provider, as claim denials result in no payment.
Choice Home Warranty has lower coverage limits, ranging from $250 to $500 and up to $3,000 for larger items, which may not be enough to cover the cost of complete replacements, especially for bigger or premium appliances. They also reserve the right to pay you cash or a cash equivalent in lieu of repairs or replacements. While at first blush this doesn’t seem like a problem, the sample policy (excerpted below) shares that the reimbursement may be less than the retail price of your appliance, so you’d be left paying part of the repair or replacement out of pocket, which isn’t ideal.
I strongly recommend the Total Plan from Choice because their Basic Plan lacks coverage for your refrigerator, clothes washer, and clothes dryer — all essential appliances in my book. The Total Plan covers these appliances, along with your oven/stove, dishwasher, built-in microwave, whirlpool bathtub, garage door opener, and cooktop, making it a far more comprehensive plan for appliances. With Choice’s Total Plan, some appliances receive up to $3,000, but many have coverage caps as little as $500 depending on your location, so ask for a sample policy from Choice before enrolling to ensure the coverage is high enough for your needs.
The following monthly costs factor in the 5% discount offered at checkout.
| Plan | Monthly Cost | Service Fee | Available Discounts |
| Basic Plan | $46.67 | $100 | 5% discount, annual payment discounts, and 1 month free (online or phone) |
| Total Plan | $54.75 | $100 | 5% discount, annual payment discounts, and 1 month free (online or phone) |
Editor’s Note: The cost data mentioned in this article was sourced for a single-family, two-bedroom home under 5,000 square feet in Boise, ID. The cost data presented was accurate at the time of writing.
Available Add-Ons
Choice Home Warranty has a second refrigerator add-on that can be a real asset if you have a second fridge in your home that you want coverage for. Otherwise, I recommend their limited roof leak coverage, as it’s more affordable than similar coverage offered by most providers, who charge at least $10 monthly.
- Central vacuum: $3.33/month
- Limited roof leak: $5.83/month
- Pool: $15/month
- Second refrigerator: $3.33/month
- Septic system: $10/month
- Septic tank pumping: $5.42/month
- Spa: $15/month
- Additional spa: $15/month
- Sprinkler system: $8.33/month
- Stand-alone freezer: $3.33/month
- Sump pump: $3.33/month
- Well pump: $8.33/month
CHW is one of the most budget-friendly providers, with their low pricing and frequent discounts. During my secret shopping, I’m usually offered an annual payment discount and one month free when I enroll, which are great perks not all providers offer. Where Choice shines in affordability is their budget-friendly add-ons, which are all $15 a month or less, with many costing under $5 — far less than Liberty Home Guard or Elite Home Warranty.
Choice Home Warranty offers a decent customer experience, with a user-friendly website and instant quote calculator that delivers a quote within seconds. I like that Choice has a waiting period of only 30 days after you enroll for your coverage to become active. Some providers have waiting periods as long as two to three months, which leaves more room for claim denials.
CHW has an extraordinary service guarantee of 90 days for parts and up to 60 days for labor, two to three times what American Home Shield offers. This extra wiggle room gives you time to report issues that come up after a repair without having to pay another service fee for a technician to come out.
CHW has a poor 1-star rating on Yelp, but less than two hundred reviews back it, so I don’t put too much emphasis on it, especially when looking at Choice’s solid B rating from the Better Business Bureau and 3.7-star rating from almost 40,000 Trustpilot reviews. Typically, negative reviews point out issues with getting refunds, transferring a home warranty to a new homeowner, or unprofessional customer service. In contrast, positive reviews praise Choice for its high claim acceptance rate, fast claim resolution, and excellent communication.
I want to note that Choice is facing a consumer fraud lawsuit filed against them by the Arizona Attorney General. Nothing has been determined yet, but this isn’t a strong aspect of their reputation.
| Rating Site | Rating | Number of Reviews |
| BBB | B / 1.04 out of 5 stars | 4,483 |
| Trustpilot | 3.7 out of 5 stars | 39,554 |
| Yelp | 1 out of 5 stars | 173 |
Editor’s Note: The ratings provided were accurate at the time of writing.
CHW has one of the best claims processes in the industry due to its higher-than-average claims acceptance rate, which means more of your claims are likely to be accepted, and thus, you’ll receive more reimbursements for your appliance claims. On top of this, Choice’s sample contract highlights that they start looking for service providers within only four hours of your claim submission, which is much faster than most providers. As with most companies, you can submit claims over the phone or through the online portal, which gives you options, but the real standout of their claims process is their workmanship guarantee. Choice’s workmanship guarantee is up to 90 days for parts and 60 days for labor — two to three times the industry average of 30 days, giving you much more time to bring up any issues that develop after the completed repair. If you discover problems with the repaired item, call Choice, and they’ll send out a contractor to address the issue at no additional cost.
Choice Home Warranty scores a high 9.1 for transparency and ease of use. They list a sample contract online that is easy to understand and lists their exclusions. I find their exclusions standard within the industry, but I wish their sample contract clarified what coverage caps apply to each item more clearly.
Exclusions
Choice Home Warranty has standard exclusions:
- Audio or visual equipment
- Internet connection components
- Upgrades or modifications to original systems or appliances
- Pool accessories
- Fireplaces
- Doorbell
- Central vacuum ductwork, accessories, hoses, and blockages
- Portable or above-ground spas and pools
- Act of God incidents
Editor’s Note: While this article highlights certain exclusions, it’s imperative for readers to review their contracts as the mentioned exclusions are not exhaustive, and additional exclusions may apply.
Choice Home Warranty allows customers to pick their service provider. However, it may invalidate their exceptional workmanship guarantee of 90 days for parts and 60 days for labor, which protects you should your appliances break down shortly after a repair. Double-check with customer service before selecting a service provider to ensure this guarantee still applies.
Select Home Warranty
4.2
Our Rating
This budget-friendly provider packs a lot of value by offering three comprehensive plan options (two with home appliance coverage), competitive pricing, and free roof leak coverage with all their plans. I like that Select doesn’t discriminate based on the age or brand of your appliances. Some companies have you pay an extra fee if you want coverage for premium brands, which can quickly bust your budget. When I looked through their sample policy, I didn’t find many nit-picky exclusions regarding home appliances.
I don’t like that Select has low coverage caps for home appliances — only up to $500, and Select values your appliance when replacing it based on their determination, not what you may find online or in home appliance stores. This can lead to lower payouts than you’d expect. You must also stay on top of routine maintenance and cleaning or risk having Select deny your claim.
Select Home Warranty is a budget-friendly home appliance home warranty company. Their Bronze Care plan, which offers comprehensive appliance coverage for kitchen and laundry appliances, is my favorite Select plan for appliance coverage. It’s hard to beat the number of appliances Select covers at their low cost. Plus, nearly all providers make you pay an additional fee for roof leak coverage (often about $10 a month or $120 yearly), so the included free roof leak coverage with all of Select’s plans is a significant savings.
If you want appliance and home system coverage, Select’s Platinum Care plan is only a few dollars more per month (still less expensive than the national average home warranty premium of $50), making this a cost-effective way to cover your HVAC. HVAC repairs are among the priciest of home repairs — with Select you’ll get a high coverage cap of $3,000, which is better than what’s offered by more expensive providers such as Liberty Home Guard with its $2,000 in HVAC coverage.
Select has lower coverage caps than I’d like to see. For example, your home appliances only receive up to $500 in coverage, which isn’t nearly enough to replace a $1,500 refrigerator.
Additionally, this provider won’t cover appliances with manufacturer defects or problems related to structural parts of the home, like the foundation or beams. You’re even on the hook for the removal and disposal costs of any covered systems or appliances, along with waste or debris related to the repair. I don’t love the idea of needing to figure out what to do with my old dishwasher after a replacement is complete, so this isn’t my favorite stipulation.
I strongly recommend Select’s home appliance plan, the Bronze Care plan, which comes with free roof leak coverage (a $99 value) and coverage for many appliances, including your clothes washer and dryer, garbage disposal, refrigerator, stove/oven, built-in microwave, cooktop, and dishwasher. This is a considerable number of appliances covered, especially accounting for Select’s inexpensive pricing at $44.42 per month when I was secret shopping for coverage for a two-bedroom home.
| Plan | Monthly Cost* | Service Fee | Available Discounts |
| Bronze Care | $44.42 | $75 | $150 off (website), two extra months free (website), multi-year coverage discount (phone) |
| Gold Care | $44.42 | $75 | $150 off (website), two extra months free (website), multi-year coverage discount (phone) |
| Platinum Care | $47.75 | $75 | $150 off (website), two extra months free (website), multi-year coverage discount (phone) |
*Monthly cost figures provided include the discounted rate offered at the time of writing.
Editor’s Note: The cost data mentioned in this article was sourced for a single-family, two-bedroom home under 5,000 square feet in Boise, ID. The cost data presented was accurate at the time of writing.
Available Add-Ons
Select offers a standard range of add-ons, with stand-alone freezer among notable choices for home appliance coverage.
- Central vacuum: $3.33/month
- Lawn sprinkler system: $5.83/month
- Pool: $8.33/month
- Limited roof leak: $0/month
- Septic system: $5.83/month
- Spa: $5.83/month
- Stand-alone freezer: $3.33/month
- Sump pump: $3.33/month
- Well pump: $3.33/month
Select Home Warranty is the most affordable home warranty provider I’ve encountered. They offer a cost-effective home appliance plan at only $44.42 per month (about $15 less per month than American Home Shield). During my secret shopping, Select offered me a $150 discount, free roof leak coverage, and two extra months free with any of their plans. I frequently spot these discounts on their website, so take a moment to look for them or call and ask about their ongoing deals. On top of this, all of their add-ons are $9 per month, or less, which is much cheaper than Liberty Home Guard, whose add-ons cost between $15 and $20 a month.
While I don’t love that Select Home Warranty agents may follow up constantly after you submit your information for a quote, my customer experience with them has otherwise been professional and friendly. I love that they have an instant quote calculator on their website, which actually provides an instant quote — no waiting around for someone to call you, which is the case with Elite Home Warranty. They even have a detailed FAQ, sample contract, and plan breakdown on their website, along with a helpful blog that can answer many of your questions.
With 12 years of experience, Select Home Warranty scores well in company experience, especially compared to more inexperienced providers like Elite Home Warranty, with only a few years in business. While it has a solid B rating from the Better Business Bureau and a 3.7-star rating from Trustpilot, some of Select’s other reviews are lackluster. Negative reviews usually point out issues with cancellations and refunds and some alarming appliance repair issues. For example, one customer shared that they had a built-in combo oven and microwave that was covered under their plan, but they found out (after submitting a repair claim) that Select alone determines the value of appliances, regardless of what other appliance part stores dictate the general value as. This situation resulted in a meager payout and unhappy customer, so take the time to read Select’s sample contract to ensure you know all the details before enrollment. On the other hand, many positive reviews praise Select for their communicative customer service, fast repair turnaround times, and easy claims process — all great features that make working with a home warranty company more pleasant.
| Rating Site | Rating | Number of Reviews |
| BBB | B / 1.3 out of 5 stars | 2,094 |
| Trustpilot | 3.7 out of 5 stars | 4,855 |
| Yelp | 1.0 out of 5 stars | 9 |
Editor’s Note: The ratings provided were accurate at the time of writing.
I don’t love that, per its sample contract excerpted below, Select stipulates that response to non-emergency claims can take up to four days on weekends and holidays following the claim submission. Otherwise, this provider’s claim process is typical. You can submit claims over email, by phone, or online.
Select Home Warranty is transparent and has a detailed sample contract on its website. However, the contract is more challenging to understand than some and has many exclusions. Some of the coverage caps for certain home appliances are tricky to find, so double-check these caps and the exclusions before enrolling with Select so you can avoid frustrating claim denials or lower payouts due to a lack of routine maintenance or cleaning.
Exclusions
Select Home Warranty has a plethora of exclusions I find challenging to track. One of the biggest is coverage denial due to failure to maintain or clean your home appliances correctly. If you choose Select as your home warranty provider, keep detailed maintenance records and pictures of the cleaning and maintenance completed by technicians to qualify for coverage when you need repairs.
- Secondary damage (i.e., your home warranty may cover roof damage but won’t cover water damage caused by the leak)
- Incorrect installation or malfunctions due to construction damage or improper wiring
- Issues with systems or appliances related to hazardous or toxic materials (such as mold, asbestos, and gas leaks)
- Common areas in condominiums or family homes
- Failure to properly maintain or clean systems or appliances
- Electrical surges
- Solar heating systems
- Foundation or structural issues
- Damage caused by natural disasters and rust
- Defects or damages caused by the foundation and structure of the home
Editor’s Note: While this article highlights certain exclusions, it’s imperative for readers to review their contracts as the mentioned exclusions are not exhaustive, and additional exclusions may apply.
I’m giving Select Home Warranty a perfect score in this category because you can select a service provider with them. If you choose to do so, make sure you call Select’s customer service line before scheduling service. You need authorization first, or Select won’t reimburse you. While this is a bit frustrating, it’s industry standard for choosing a service provider.
What Does Home Appliance Insurance Cover?
Home appliance insurance acts like insurance for your aged or malfunctioning kitchen and laundry appliances. Coverage depends on your specific plan, but here are some commonly covered appliances:
- Built-in microwave
- Dishwasher
- Garbage disposal
- Oven
- Refrigerator
- Clothes washer and dryer
Appliances typically come with a manufacturer’s warranty that covers faulty components or failures unrelated to installation. Most warranties expire after a year or two unless you purchase an extended warranty when you acquire your appliances.
When those warranties expire, you might find yourself on the hook for repair costs or replacement costs if an appliance stops working. After that happens, it might be time to start shopping around for appliance insurance, also known as a home warranty plan for appliances.
What Are the Life Expectancies of Home Appliances?
The decision to purchase home appliance insurance may be based partially on an appliance’s life expectancy, the expected replacement cost, and the manufacturer warranty’s expiration date.
Here are the average life expectancies of most commonly covered appliances, according to data from the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors:
| Appliance | Life Expectancy | Replacement Cost* |
|---|---|---|
| Dishwasher | 9 years | $250–$1,900 |
| Dryer | 13 years | $499–$2,099 |
| Garbage disposal | 12 years | $65–$350 |
| Microwave | 9 years | $109–$1,029 |
| Range (electric) | 13–15 years | $649–$4,449 |
| Range (gas) | 15–17 years | $479–$3,599 |
| Refrigerator | 9–13 years | $584–$10,929 |
| Washer | 5–15 years | $499–$2,299 |
*Data for the replacement costs reflects the ranges of listed retail prices for five major manufacturers: GE, LG, Maytag, Samsung, and Whirlpool.
What Does Home Appliance Insurance Typically Cost?
The nationwide average for the cost of a home warranty is $59 per month or $708 per year. These costs are an average of quotes we requested from leading home warranty providers.
Your price will vary depending on your coverage level and covered items, the warranty company’s billing practices, and your geographic location. In general, home warranty providers’ appliance-specific plans cost less than plans that also cover home systems such as electric, HVAC, and plumbing.
Lower-tier appliance plans from the home appliance providers in this article range from roughly $44 to $60 per month.
Calculate the Cost of a Home Warranty for Appliances
Determine the cost of a home appliance insurance home warranty by plugging in your home warranty premium, service fee, and the expected number of service calls you anticipate needing each year.
| Appliance | Average Repair Cost | Average Replacement Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Dehumidifier | $50–$200 | $1,300–$2,800 |
| Microwave | $50–$400 | $60–$2,000 |
| Dishwasher | $50–$500 | $400–$3,000 |
| Exhaust Fans | $16–$300 | $250–$950 |
| Electric Range | $100–$500 | $230–$3,000 |
| Gas Range | $100–$500 | $230–$3,000 |
| Dryer | $100–$400 | $450–$2,300 |
| Oven | $100–$430 | $400–$3,000 |
| Washer | $50–$450 | $400–$2,300 |
| Freezer | $90–$500 | $160–$2,900 |
| Refrigerator | $40–$350 | $200–$5,000 |
Frequently Asked Questions
While it’s not legally required to enroll in a home warranty for home appliances, I recommend it if you don’t have a large emergency fund for repairs and replacements. If you can’t afford to pay for significant replacement costs, such as a new refrigerator, which can easily be $1,500 or more, a home warranty can save you from going into debt and allow you to replace this necessary home appliance immediately.
The average cost of a home warranty for appliances is around $53 per month based on my hours of secret shopping and collection of quotes from many home warranty providers. However, your monthly rate will vary based on your location, whether you have premium appliances (some brands require an add-on for coverage), the company, and your selected plan.
Start by calling at least three home warranty companies so you can ask about discounts, deals, or service fees, which can help you save money if you select a higher service fee. I always get the best deal when I look on a provider’s website for discounts first, then call and ask about additional deals or price matching.
A home warranty is worth it for appliances because most of us don’t have thousands of dollars for expensive appliance replacements. Many appliances, especially premium or luxury ones, can cost thousands of dollars to replace, so a home warranty for appliances is worth it if your manufacturer’s warranties are expired.
Other Warranty Resources for Homeowners
- Best Home Warranty Companies
- Best Home Warranty Companies for Seniors
- Best Home Warranty for Garage Doors
- Best Home Warranty Companies for Water Heaters
- Best Home Warranty Companies for Heat Pumps
- Best Sewer Line Warranty
- Best Home Warranty Companies for a Rental Property
- Best Home Warranty Companies for Electrical Systems
- Best Home Warranty Companies for Pre-Existing Conditions
- Best Home Warranties With No Deductible
- Best Home Warranty Companies for Luxury Homes
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