Our editorial team follows a comprehensive methodology for rating and reviewing home warranty companies. Advertisers have no effect on our rankings.
Compare the Best Home Warranty Companies in Florida
The 5 Best Home Warranty Companies in Florida
Here are our picks for Florida homeowners looking for a home warranty:
- Liberty Home Guard: Most customer-friendly
- American Home Shield: Most experienced
- Elite Home Warranty: Most unique add-ons
- Select Home Warranty: Most budget-friendly
- America’s First Choice Home Warranty: Most coverage options
- Cinch Home Services: If you’re searching for the highest possible coverage limits, consider Boca Raton-based Cinch Home Services. This company offers up to $10,000 in aggregate coverage on appliances and systems, which is one of the highest coverage limits in the industry.
- 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty: Homeowners looking for another low-cost option beyond Select Home Warranty can also consider 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty. The company offers appliance plans starting at around $22 per month in most parts of Florida, making it an option for affordable protection.
How Much Does a Home Warranty Cost in Florida?
The monthly cost for a home warranty in Florida will differ based on your selected company and plan but could range from $20 to $80 per month for standard coverage based on our research. When filing a claim, you will also have to pay a service fee ranging from $65 to $125.
To provide you with the most accurate pricing data, our team used a variety of ZIP codes from counties and major cities across Florida to manually collect pricing. The table below summarizes what you can expect to pay for your home warranty depending on your selected provider and plan.
Provider | Basic Coverage Cost | Mid-Tier Coverage Cost | Highest Coverage Cost | Service Fee |
---|---|---|---|---|
Liberty Home Guard | $50 | $55 | $60 | $65–$125 |
American Home Shield | $20–$30 | $40–$50 | $70–$80 | $100–$125 |
Elite Home Warranty | $45 | $50 | $60 | $100 |
Select Home Warranty | $44 | $44 | $48 | $75–$100 |
AFC Home Warranty | $35–$40 | $50–$55 | $55–$60 | $75–$125 |
Calculate Your Annual Home Warranty Cost in Florida
The MarketWatch Guides team has developed a calculator that analyzes the anticipated yearly expenses associated with owning a home warranty in Florida. To determine your projected annual cost, simply input your monthly premium, service call fee and estimated number of claims. While this tool can help you estimate costs, we recommend getting quotes from our top providers directly, as prices vary by plan, location and home size.
What Is a Florida Home Warranty and Why Do You Need One?
A home warranty policy is a type of household coverage that can provide a more affordable home repair or replacement in the event of a breakdown. Unlike homeowners insurance, a home warranty covers repair services when your home systems and appliances break down due to normal wear and tear. While home warranties are not required to get a mortgage, a policy can save you a significant amount of money if you experience an unexpected or major breakdown.
When you enroll in a home warranty policy, you agree to two charges: a monthly premium and a per-use service fee. Your premium, as is the case with your homeowners insurance coverage, will be due each month to maintain your coverage. A service fee is due each time you use your policy, which can range from $75 to $124 per claim.
Home warranty providers cover repairs and replacements of items and components laid out in your service contract. Be sure to read your contract carefully before signing up for coverage to ensure the plan matches your specific needs. Based on our research, most customer complaints about home warranty companies are related to claims denied due to fine print in contracts.
Things to Consider When Buying a Florida Home Warranty
As a resident of Florida, there are a few environmental hazards to consider as you shop for coverage. Florida is one of the highest-ranked states for humidity, especially in areas along the coast like Miami. Your appliances, including your refrigerator and dishwasher, contain computer sensors that are not designed to get wet, meaning that high air humidity can lead to faster denigration of these items. You may want to choose a policy with higher coverage limits on appliances to compensate for this environmental factor.
Florida residents also know the dangers of hurricane season — and while home warranties will not cover damage directly resulting from a hurricane, some policies offer coverage for roof leaks as a result of wear and tear over time. Be sure to review the terms of your home warranty if you’re looking for roofing coverage to determine what causes of leaks are covered.
How To Choose a Florida Home Warranty Company
Selecting a home warranty for a Florida property is an especially important consideration because of the Sunshine State’s unique climate. In addition to coverage specific to your property, you may consider home warranty providers that offer higher limits for appliances and systems prone to wear and tear from Florida’s humidity.
Compare Coverage Limits
As you shop for a home warranty, look at both the overall coverage limits and per-item limits included on each plan option. Florida residents experience comparatively higher levels of humidity throughout the year, which has been found to result in more wear and tear on standard appliances and systems. Homeowners are also likely to rely on air conditioning systems to stay cool in the state’s warm weather. As a result, you may want higher coverage limits for major household items.
Liberty Home Guard or American Home Shield offer higher-than-average coverage limits for cooling systems, meaning you’ll get more value out of your policy if you experience a major breakdown.
Review Local Customer Service
Most home warranty providers offer a nationwide customer service team for sales and a more localized team for service requests and policy considerations. Before investing in a home warranty, request a quote and wait for contact from a local representative. Prepare a list of questions you can ask about policy coverage to get a feel for customer service knowledge and responsiveness in your area. You can also read local reviews on platforms like the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and Trustpilot.
Florida Homeowner Needs
As a homeowner in Florida, you are more likely to rely on your air conditioning system — especially during July and August when the average temperature is more than 80 degrees daily. Regular use of your cooling system could lead to air conditioning breakdowns. Look for a home warranty provider with more extensive coverage and fewer exclusions on air conditioning systems, and know what type of system you have to optimize your selected policy.
Due to Florida’s higher humidity levels, you may also want to search for policies with higher coverage limits on refrigerators. These appliances rely on finely tuned computer chips to keep temperature correctly, which humidity can negatively affect over time. Consider both coverage limits and parts exclusions on refrigerators when comparing home warranties.
Finally, you may also want to choose a policy with enhanced roof leak coverage. While most home warranties do not cover roof leaks as a standard inclusion, you may be able to add protection for an extra monthly fee. Consider a provider that includes limited roof leak coverage like Select Home Warranty if you live in an older home that may be more prone to roof leaks.
Florida Home Warranty Coverage
As you shop for a home warranty, it’s important to consider both inclusions and exclusions found on every policy. The chart below outlines major coverage limitations and details for major systems and appliances Florida residents are most likely to look for when shopping for a home warranty.
Provider | Covered Item | Coverage Limit | Major Exclusions* |
---|---|---|---|
Liberty Home Guard | Plumbing | $500 | Stoppages and clogs not clearable with a cable or snake, gas lines, cracked porcelain, shower enclosures and base pans, toilet lids and seats, grouting and tile, caulking and jetting |
Liberty Home Guard | Air conditioning | $2,000 | Leaks of any kind, gas AC systems, electronic air cleaners, humidifiers, drain line stoppages, geothermal piping and wells, electrical supply and zoned systems |
Liberty Home Guard | Kitchen refrigerators | $2,000 | Racks, shelves and handles; refrigerant; Ice crushers; Water and ice dispensers; wine coolers or mini refrigerators; and clogged drains and lines |
American Home Shield | Plumbing | Unlimited annual coverage and a $500 coverage limit for sewer pumps | Tempering tanks; fuel storage tanks; steam shower heads; toilet seats; jetted tubs; and stoppages caused by damaged drain, vent or sewer lines |
American Home Shield | Air conditioning | $5,000 | Geothermal units, fuel storage tanks, window or portable air conditioning units, water towers and chiller systems, humidifiers and dehumidifiers, ultraviolet lights and home purification systems |
American Home Shield | Refrigerators | $2,000–$4,000 | Freestanding freezers, freestanding miniature refrigerators, specialty refrigerators, bar refrigerators, wine-chillers, kegerators and drawer refrigerators |
Elite Home Warranty | Plumbing system | $2,000 and a $1,000 limit for stoppages | Pipes located underneath a concrete foundation, slab leaks, uninsulated or improperly insulated pipes, broken pipes, showers, bathtubs, sinks, toilet seats and lids and bathtub jets |
Elite Home Warranty | Air conditioning | $3,000 | Maintenance and cleaning, leak detection, unrepairable copper pipes, power surge, smart gadgets or smart thermostat, humidifiers, thermal expansion tanks, leaks of any kind and malfunctions or breakdowns due to a lack of maintenance |
Elite Home Warranty | Refrigerators | $3,000 | Unrepairable leaks of any kind, water lines, sealed system, freestanding freezer, multimedia centers and wine chillers |
Select Home Warranty | Plumbing system | $500 | Slab leaks; water softeners; and leaks caused by collapsed pipes, roots or other foreign objects |
Select Home Warranty | Air conditioning | $3,000 | Freon, geothermal systems, air filtration systems, humidifiers, mismatched systems and freon leaks and related damage |
Select Home Warranty | Refrigerators | $500 | Sealed system |
AFC Home Warranty | Plumbing system | $500 limit, with a $200 limit for plumbing stoppages and a $150 limit toward faucet damage | Piping failure or stoppage, valves, bathtubs, shower enclosures and glass, toilet lids and seats, Whirlpool jets and control panel, water softeners, pressure regulators, inadequate or excessive water pressure and leak searches |
AFC Home Warranty | Air conditioning | Included under $3,000 aggregate | Gas air conditioning systems, filters, window units, humidifiers, improperly sized units, crane rentals, leak detections, water leaks, drain line stoppages, maintenance, noise and refrigerant line |
AFC Home Warranty | Refrigerators | $2,000 coverage limit and a $200 limit for ice makers | Touch panel and display, leaks of any kind, Freon, coils, door hinges, dispenser, ice crusher, removable parts, water lines, valves, filter, and interior shelves and insulation |
*Listed coverage exclusions are not comprehensive. Review a sample contract from the above providers for full details.
Be sure to review the specific coverages and limitations of each provider you’re considering. Every home warranty provider chooses which parts, conditions and components it will cover under each plan — which means coverage can vary widely across companies.
How Are Home Warranties Regulated in Florida?
In Florida, the regulation of home warranties is primarily overseen by the state government. The state has established specific mandates and guidelines to ensure consumer protection and fair business practices within the industry. The Florida Department of Financial Services (DFS) is the primary entity that regulates home warranties in the state.
The DFS sets a series of regulations that home warranty providers must meet in order to operate in the state. For example, under DFS regulations, a home warranty provider is legally obligated to offer a 100% refund if a customer cancels their home warranty within 10 days of signing up. If you believe your warranty provider is violating state laws, you can submit a complaint by writing a message to consumer.services@myfloridacfo.com.
Florida’s Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) also regularly handles home warranty-related complaints. If you have a complaint related to a home warranty, you can submit it through the DCA’s tip site.
Best Home Warranty Company by State
If you are moving from Florida or looking for a home warranty elsewhere, select your state below to find the best home warranty in the area.
Our Conclusion: Is a Home Warranty Worth It in Florida?
Each of the home warranty providers we selected stands out in its own way, making the companies some of the most reputable in the industry. Each company offers affordable rates and comprehensive coverage in addition to special perks, making all five worthy of consideration as you search for a home warranty in Florida.
- American Home Shield offers three plans and two service fees to help lower your premium.
- Liberty Home Guard features accessible customer service and extensive add-on options.
- Select Home Warranty provides roof coverage, a major perk for Florida homeowners.
- AFC Home Warranty extends a wide variety of coverage options and an unlimited workmanship guarantee on completed repairs.
- First American offers extensive appliance coverage, generous coverage caps and a valuable First Class Upgrade to cover removal costs.
We always recommend getting quotes from multiple providers before choosing the company for you.
Frequently Asked Questions About Home Warranties in Florida
While we would recommend any of the companies on our list, we ranked American Home Shield as our top pick for overall value in Florida. The company earned its ranking for offering comprehensive coverage, two service fee options for flexible premiums and quick customer response times.
American Home Shield may not be the best fit for everyone, however. While we suggest you get a quote from each company on our list, you may also come across other providers that service Florida, such as Choice Home Warranty or The Home Service Club.
Most home warranties in Florida include coverage for either a series of appliances, a series of major home systems or comprehensive coverage of both. Some common examples of items included under home warranties in the Sunshine State include refrigerators, air conditioning and HVAC systems, plumbing systems and washer-dryer sets. If a covered item breaks down, a home warranty will cover the cost of a repair or replacement according to your plan’s limits.
Typically, a home buyer can choose to purchase a home warranty from a provider directly. However, some sellers may offer a home warranty as an incentive to attract serious buyers, in which case you would not have to pay for coverage for the outlined term length.
How We Ranked the Best Home Warranty Companies in Florida
When comparing home warranty companies in Florida, we started by creating a comprehensive list of providers authorized to offer coverage in the state. We then used real addresses throughout Florida’s most populated areas to collect sample quotes, reflecting the most accurate pricing data. Companies with the most affordable and accessible policies across the state scored the highest in our review.
We also compared coverages that Florida residents are likely to care the most about, including systems like your air conditioner and common appliances like refrigerators. Companies with multiple policies and add-on items scored higher than providers with less customizable options. We also consulted representatives directly and reviewed third-party sites to determine the most trustworthy companies in the state.
Find out more details about our home warranty provider review methodology, or review our editorial guidelines to learn more about our team.
Additional Home Warranty Resources
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