Partner content: This content was created by a business partner of Dow Jones, independent of the MarketWatch newsroom. Links in this article may result in us earning a commission. Learn More

How Much Does a Home Warranty Cost?

Why Trust MarketWatch Guides

Our editorial team follows a comprehensive methodology for rating and reviewing home warranty companies. Advertisers have no effect on our rankings.

40

Companies Reviewed

350

Quotes Collected

2000

Homeowners Surveyed


Home Warranty Cost Overview

While it shouldn’t be the most important factor in your decision to purchase a home warranty, costs are essential to vetting whether a home warranty plan is right for your home and your budget. 

Here are the main costs associated with a home warranty policy:

  • Monthly Premium: If you choose not to pay for your home warranty annually, you can pay monthly. The annual fee will be divided into equal monthly payments in this case. Home warranty plans can cost between $360 to $900 a year. Our research of 39 providers indicated that the lower end of the industry average monthly home warranty cost is $50, while the higher end is roughly $63. 
  • Service Call Fees: Some companies, such as American Home Shield and America’s 1st Choice Home Warranty, offer flexible service call fee models. Customers can select a higher service call fee for lower monthly costs in this model. The average service call fee in the home warranty industry is $75, but it can vary from provider to provider up to $150. 
  • Optional Add-ons: Customers who elect additional coverage for second refrigerators, additional appliances and other items not included in the base packages available will incur additional monthly charges. Add-on coverage fees can range from as low as $4 per month per item to as much as $100 a month, depending on the item you select. 
  • Other Fees: While home warranties will alleviate much of the financial burden of big-ticket home repairs, you may be financially responsible for additional fees, such as a one-time enrollment fee or any expenses exceeding your service agreement’s coverage caps.

Home Warranty Cost Ranges by Provider

The following chart offers a cost range for each of our top-recommended home warranty companies. The cost of your home warranty policy will depend on your home size, location, the plan selected, optional add-ons and more.


Home Warranty Annual Cost Calculator

The MarketWatch Guides Team developed a calculator that analyzes the anticipated yearly expenses associated with owning a home warranty. To determine your projected annual home warranty cost, simply input your monthly premium, service call fee and estimated number of claims. We recommend getting quotes from our top providers directly, as prices vary by plan, location and home size.

Appliance Average Repair Cost Average Replacement Cost
Dehumidifier $150 $370
Microwave $200 $450
Dishwasher $220 $1,100
Exhaust Fans $250 $440
Garbage Disposal $250 $440
Gas Range $250 $2,100
Dryer $300 $1,100
Oven $300 $1,800
Washer $300 $1,100
Freezer $350 $1,050
Refrigerator $400 $3,000

Source: Home Depot

The calculators used on this website are being provided for educational purposes only. Data will not be collected or stored. The results are estimates based on the information you provide and may not reflect the actual pricing of your quote.

To request a quote from any home warranty provider, you’ll need to input your property’s address, the type of home, the size of the home and a few contact details. You can request a quote via phone or online. After providing these details, 

Below, we have provided estimates from some of the best home warranty companies in the industry. These estimates are based on the same single-family home in Raleigh, N.C., but your quote may vary depending on where you live, your home’s square footage and the coverage items you view as most valuable.


Compare Home Warranty Costs

Company Service Fee Best For Monthly Cost BBB Rating Visit Site
$65–$125 Most Customer-Friendly $50.19 NR The BBB does not provide a company rating (indicated by "NR" or no rating) if it lacks insufficient information about a business or is conducting an ongoing review of its practices. EXPLORE PLANS
$100–$125 Most Experienced $42.31 B EXPLORE PLANS
$75 Most unique add-ons $49.99 A+ EXPLORE PLANS
$75 Most Budget-Friendly $44.45 B- EXPLORE PLANS
$75–$125 Most Coverage Options $35.18 B EXPLORE PLANS
$75–$125 Our Pick for Add-on Coverage $47.88 B EXPLORE PLANS
$75 Our Pick for Discounts $39–$48 B- EXPLORE PLANS
Company BBB Rating Service Fee Best For Monthly Cost Visit Site
NR The BBB does not provide a company rating (indicated by "NR" or no rating) if it lacks insufficient information about a business or is conducting an ongoing review of its practices. $65–$125 Most Customer-Friendly $50.19 EXPLORE PLANS
B $100–$125 Most Experienced $42.31 EXPLORE PLANS
A+ $75 Most unique add-ons $49.99 EXPLORE PLANS
B- $75 Most Budget-Friendly $44.45 EXPLORE PLANS
B $75–$125 Most Coverage Options $35.18 EXPLORE PLANS
B $75–$125 Our Pick for Add-on Coverage $47.88 EXPLORE PLANS
B- $75 Our Pick for Discounts $39–$48 EXPLORE PLANS
No results were found.

How Much Money Can a Home Warranty Save?

When you weigh the cost of a home warranty plan against common household expenses, you can get a clearer picture of how it fits into your life. Below you’ll find estimates for repairing and replacing common household appliances and systems according to The Home Depot, SoFi Learn and Cinch Home Services. 

Some uncommon items, such as septic pumps, sump pumps and leaky roofs, can be even more expensive to repair.


How to Get a Home Warranty Quote

To get a home warranty quote, assess your specific coverage needs. Evaluate the condition of your home’s systems and appliances to determine how much coverage you will need, considering the weather patterns of your area and the impact it has on the functionality of those items.

Contact at least three providers to compare coverage options and costs. Typically, companies offer personalized quotes either through an online tool or by contacting a representative directly.

Your home warranty price will depend heavily on your location and coverage needs. Based on our extensive experience gathering numerous quotes from different providers, it is common for home warranty companies to request basic personal information such as your name and phone number. Additionally, they usually require your ZIP code and home address for accurate pricing.

The table below showcases the top home warranty providers we thoroughly evaluated according to our rigorous review standards. Contact them directly to obtain an exact quote for a home warranty policy.


Our Conclusion About Home Warranty Cost

The right home warranty contract can be an affordable way to give you peace of mind that you will be financially protected from the high cost of home repairs. Before you buy a home warranty, though, it’s important to do your due diligence to ensure you select a company with a good reputation and good coverage benefits, as well as a manageable monthly cost and service call fee. 

As a part of this process, it’s a good idea to review each provider’s sample agreements and reach out to customer service representatives for any necessary clarifications about the terms of the contract. This will help eliminate future misunderstandings and denied claims.

We recommend American Home Shield for homeowners who want a policy with generous coverage caps. AFC Home Warranty is one of the only providers in the industry to offer a plan-length workmanship guarantee, which is significantly more than the average 30-day guarantee.


Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, home warranties can be purchased at any time. Whether you want to purchase a home warranty to include with the sale of your home or you’ve recently renovated your home and you want to protect your investment, home warranties can fit into your budget whenever you decide to purchase. 

Many home warranty agreements will begin with a 30-day waiting period before you can file your first claim. Some companies promise to respond to your claim in as little as 48 hours while other companies offer live claims tracking so that you can stay abreast of your claim status. The speed at which a home warranty company will send a technician can depend on the extent of your issue, the nature of the repair or replacement and the available technicians in your area.

Home warranties cover regular wear and tear associated with using your appliances (including refrigerators, stoves and laundry machines) and built-in systems such as your HVAC, electrical and plumbing systems. They do not cover the manufacturer’s defects. 

A home warranty differs from homeowners insurance, which covers your home in the event of major perils, such as theft and weather events, that could jeopardize your home’s structural integrity, cause personal injury and damage your personal property. 

Home warranty coverage will vary depending on the plan you select and the company you choose. Most companies will offer a basic plan to cover appliances, a plan to cover systems and a comprehensive whole-house plan that combines the two. You should evaluate what items are most important to you.


Other Home Service Resources From MarketWatch Guides

Methodology: Our System for Ranking the Best Home Warranty Companies

Our team created a comprehensive rating system to rank providers based on objective factors. We researched each company by speaking with company representatives, reading sample contracts, and analyzing and comparing consumer reviews. We deepened our research by gaining homeowner insights through surveys and focus groups. After collecting data, we scored each provider based on what matters most to homeowners: plan options, cost, trustworthiness, customer service, state availability, additional benefits and coverage specifics. Here’s the breakdown of how we scored each home warranty company on our list:

  • Plan options (20%): Companies that offered at least three plan options and various add-on coverage scored the highest in this category.
  • Coverage details (20%): We rated companies both on their total number of home appliances and systems covered in their plans, putting more emphasis on the most essential systems like plumbing and air conditioning units.
  • Plan pricing (18%): Home warranty providers that had a service fee of $75 or less and offered combination plans for less than $50 a month earned the most points in this category.
  • Trustworthiness (14%): We evaluated the Better Business Bureau (BBB) rating, sample contract availability, workmanship guarantee and years in the industry to determine the trustworthiness of each company.
  • Customer service (16%): Home warranty companies that are available 24/7, 365 days a year, provide emergency services and offer customers at least two claim filing options earned the highest points in the customer service category.
  • Additional benefits (8%): Companies that offer a 30-day free cancellation period earned points in this category, and any additional coverage perks and exclusive benefits a provider offered earned it extra points.
  • State availability (4%): Providers that are available in all 50 states earned full credit for this category.
Our review methodology for home warranty companies is intended to provide a thorough overview of the best providers nationwide. To learn more, you can read our full home warranty methodology.  


If you have questions about this page, please reach out to our editors at editors@marketwatchguides.com.

Roxanne Downer has more than 15 years as a news, finance and lifestyle writer and editor. A graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, she has previously worked at Deutsche Bank, BNY Mellon, Financial Week and MSN Money.

Array
(
    [display] => Array
        (
        )

    [icon] => 
    [text] => 
    [cta] => Array
        (
            [title] => 
            [url] => 
            [target] => _blank
        )

    [toggle] => closeable
)