Select Home Warranty

When choosing a home warranty, several companies consistently receive high ratings and are widely used by homeowners for their coverage and service. These top brands offer various plans to protect essential home systems and appliances from unexpected repair or replacement costs.

Here are some of the best home warranty companies and why they are recommended:

• American Home Shield (AHS) is frequently cited as a top choice, especially for comprehensive coverage and protection for older systems and appliances. They offer generous coverage limits and often have no coverage limits for plumbing or electrical systems, which can help reduce out-of-pocket expenses for major breakdowns. AHS was also the leading choice in a 2026 nationwide survey, used by 41% of respondents.
• Cinch Home Services is often recognized for its affordability and strong workmanship guarantee, sometimes offering a $500 reimbursement for homeowners insurance deductibles with certain plans. They provide 24/7 service requests and are noted for their positioning around unknown pre-existing conditions.
• AFC Home Warranty stands out for its strong service guarantee, covering both parts and labor for the life of the contract, and for offering flexible plans, including options for systems, appliances, or a combination. They are also recognized for technician flexibility.
• Liberty Home Guard is highly rated for its customer support and extensive optional add-ons, allowing homeowners to customize their plans. It is often praised for quick service.
• First American Home Warranty is recommended for its competitive starter plans that offer comprehensive basic coverage for major appliances and systems, as well as for high-end items. Their plans can cover damages from lack of maintenance, rust, corrosion, and chemical or sedimentary build-up, which can be beneficial for older homes.
• Select Home Warranty is a good option for those seeking roof coverage and offers various plans to protect home systems and appliances.
• Choice Home Warranty is known for its comprehensive basic plan coverage and for offering good service at a competitive cost.
• 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty is noted for its enhanced coverage options, offering customizable plans with various add-ons.
• Old Republic Home Warranty is recognized for offering comprehensive coverage at a reasonable price, providing good value with low starting costs, flexible service fees, and generous coverage caps.

When selecting a home warranty, consider factors like coverage options, pricing (including monthly premiums and service fees), customer reviews, and the company's reputation for claims processing and customer service. Plans typically range from $47–$82 per month, with service fees usually between $75 and $125 per repair visit.

American Home Shield (AHS), Cinch Home Services, Liberty Home Guard, Choice Home Warranty, and Old Republic Home Protection consistently rank among the top home warranty companies in 2026 expert reviews from sources like CNBC Select, NerdWallet, Forbes, Money.com, and This Old House.

These stand out for coverage options, customer feedback, service reliability, and real-world usage. Home warranties protect against repair/replacement costs for home systems (e.g., HVAC, plumbing, electrical) and appliances due to normal wear and tear (distinct from homeowners insurance, which covers sudden perils like storms or fire). Plans typically cost $40–$85/month with $75–$150 service call fees, and availability varies by state.

Top Recommendations

Here are the leading options, prioritized by frequency in expert roundups, customer satisfaction scores, and indicators of actual usage (e.g., surveys on popularity):

• American Home Shield (AHS): Often the top overall pick for comprehensive coverage (systems + appliances). It offers tiered plans (e.g., ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, ShieldPlatinum) with strong HVAC/appliance protection and nationwide availability. It is frequently cited as the most popular provider—used by about 41% of respondents in one homeowner survey, far ahead of others.

• Cinch Home Services: Strong for affordability, appliance-focused coverage, and solid ratings (e.g., high marks in Texas and general reviews). It balances cost and value well for everyday homeowners.

• Liberty Home Guard: Excellent for flexible/systems-only plans, quick service, customer support, and add-on options. It earns praise for high claims approval in surveys and works well for customized needs.

• Choice Home Warranty: Popular for basic/affordable coverage and fast response times. It ranks high in some surveys as a commonly used provider (second in one national poll at ~11% usage).

• Old Republic Home Protection: Stands out for the highest customer satisfaction scores in ratings like NerdWallet’s. It appeals to those prioritizing reliable claims handling.

Other frequently mentioned names include 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty (strong repair guarantees, especially for buyers/newer homes), First American (common in real estate transactions), and Select Home Warranty (budget-friendly).

Key Considerations

• Popularity vs. Fit: AHS leads in real usage due to its broad recognition and marketing (including real estate tie-ins). However, “best” depends on your home’s age, location, specific systems/appliances, and budget—compare quotes directly.
• Caveats on Home Warranties: Reviews are mixed overall (many general complaints about claims/denials exist on forums like Reddit), but the companies above perform better in independent evaluations. Always review contract limits, exclusions, waiting periods, and workmanship guarantees.
• Next Steps: Get personalized quotes from 2–3 providers (most offer online tools), check BBB/Trustpilot ratings for your area, and confirm state licensing. Factors like service fees, coverage caps, and add-ons (e.g., roof leaks, pools) vary.

Shop around, as pricing and terms change, and no provider is perfect for everyone.