Carter Gaddis is a senior writer at USA TODAY Homefront. He is an experienced journalist who has written about roofing, sunrooms, title insurance and other home service topics. Carter has contributed to the TODAY SHOW parenting section, CBS SPORTS and ESPN, among other publications. He lives with his family in Central Florida, where he spends most weekends at theme parks or watching English soccer on TV.
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Homeowners in Louisiana must navigate hot, humid summers and intense rainstorms. Vulnerable plumbing infrastructure and hard-working air conditioners mean a home warranty company in Louisiana should offer reliable, affordable coverage for HVAC, plumbing and septic systems.
We recommend Liberty Home Guard in Louisiana for the depth of its HVAC coverage and its reputation for efficient, friendly service.
If your air conditioner has a few years on it, a home warranty might provide the financial peace of mind you need in case of an untimely breakdown. Just be sure to carefully research top home warranty providers before making a decision.
Request free quotes from the providers below to get started.
The listings that appear are from companies from which this website receives compensation, which may impact how, where and in what order products appear. This listing does not include all companies or all available offers and products.
We recommend that Louisiana homeowners from New Orleans to Shreveport look into these five prominent home warranty companies. Each provider brings its own qualities to warrant consideration, such as depth of services, reputation or competitive pricing.
If this is your first time shopping for a Louisiana home warranty provider, we recommend you dedicate as much time as you need to conduct thorough research. Start by analyzing your potential need for a home warranty and determining if your budget can absorb a monthly or annual premium.
“I think that the customer needs to do their due diligence,” said Pierce Haley, executive director of the National Home Service Contract Association. “And see what the company is promising and hunt for your best price.”
We gathered pricing information for the comparison table below by requesting quotes across all 50 states and calculating a national average for all featured companies. We used a 2,000-square-foot, single-family home in each state to obtain our quotes. Your pricing will vary based on your home’s size, location and coverage needs.
We chose the top home warranty providers in Louisiana based on consistent service quality, favorable consumer sentiment and comprehensive coverage options. We paid close attention to the depth and quality of HVAC services and plumbing coverage.
To acquire updated pricing and plan information, we requested quotes from each provider using a 1,927-square-foot, single-family home in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
What we like
Liberty Home Guard (LHG) is favored by consumers because of its online convenience and friendly customer service. It offers comprehensive appliance and home systems coverage. Here are some of LHG’s strengths:
What we don’t like
While LHG offers generous coverage caps on most items, its dollar limit for electrical systems and plumbing is limited to $250 during the first 90 days of the contract. Here are some other drawbacks:
Liberty Home Guard offers a $200 discount if you pay annually, rather than monthly. Its service call fees range from $65 to $125, but LHG doesn’t reveal this early in the buying process.
Add-on options: LHG offers 42 add-ons — no other provider offers as many. Options include septic systems at $13 per month, plumbing fixtures at $8 per month and limited roof-leak repairs for $12 per month.
Other factors that influence coverage: LHG features a 60-day workmanship warranty, twice as long as the industry standard.
Liberty Home Guard’s A rating on the Better Business Bureau (BBB) was changed to NR (“not rated”). 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.
However, LHG holds a BBB customer review rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars. In a 4-star review posted in March 2024, Donna H. said that her wait for a technician was longer than she had hoped but she would use that tech again.
LHG holds a rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars on the consumer review site Trustpilot. Of the more than 2,700 customer reviews, 92% gave 5 stars. However, in a 1-star review posted in March 2024, John M. expressed dissatisfaction with the reimbursement amount LHG offered for his AC unit.
American Home Shield (AHS) provides comprehensive air conditioning and heating systems coverage, and includes HVAC systems in its lowest-priced plan. We also like the following:
AHS differs from most competitors in that it does not offer an annual premium option. Many companies offer additional months or lower overall premiums in exchange for a lump annual payment. Other unfavorable features of AHS include the following:
American Home Shield provides two options for monthly premiums with all of its plans. The lower premium comes with a $125 service call fee, while the higher premium comes with a $100 service call fee.
Add-on options: While its add-on coverage is relatively limited compared with competitors, AHS offers optional pool and spa coverage. It offers septic system coverage for $5 per month and well pump coverage for $8 per month.
Other factors that influence coverage: AHS provides a generous $50,000 aggregate coverage cap during the length of the policy. Its dollar limits for appliances are between $2,000 and $4,000, and its HVAC dollar limit is $5,000.
American Home Shield has a B rating with BBB and rates 2.1 out of 5 stars on BBB customer reviews. In a 1-star review posted in March 2024, James A. wrote that AHS failed to honor his claim and he had to pay another contractor to replace his water heater.
AHS rates 2.1 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot. In a 1-star review posted in March 2024, Kendra H. wrote that she had been paying AHS premiums for two years without needing any maintenance, but now she has to pay for an entire HVAC system out of pocket.
2-10 Home Buyers Warranty provides flexible options and pricing and has built a solid reputation for reliable service. Here’s what else we like:
Despite its strong offerings, 2-10 does fall short in a few areas, including the following:
2-10 Home Buyers offers a flexible set of plans, including HVAC-specific coverage and a lower-priced plan that covers kitchen appliances. Its annual premiums do not require the 9.5% surcharge and range from $324 to $732, depending on the plan and any available special discounts.
Add-on options: 2-10 offers 16 add-ons, including a Luxury Package upgrade that increases the aggregate coverage limit to $25,000. It offers septic system coverage at $4 per month and an HVAC tune-up for $8 per month.
Other factors that influence coverage: Coverage caps max out at $2,000 without the Luxury Package add-on. 2-10 allows scaling premiums based on service fees of $65, $85 and $100. The company’s “Even If” guarantee reimburses your service fee if an item is not eligible for repair or replacement.
2-10 Home Buyers Warranty holds BBB accreditation and an A rating. Its BBB customer rating of 1.3 out of 5 stars reflects a theme of complaints about poor communication and delayed service. As Randy M. put it in a 1-star review posted in February 2024, “I had problems with my heating system during winter and they dragged out providing an answer for a solid month.”
Its rating of 2.1 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot also reflects poor customer experiences with response time and quality of service. In a 1-star review posted in January 2024, Tadashi M. wrote that 2-10’s response time was horrible and that her AC quit working after a technician supposedly fixed it, resulting in her needing to call a different company.
The two providers below fell just shy of the top three regarding coverage depth, reputation and add-on options. Still, both companies warrant consideration as you research your options for a Louisiana home warranty.
AFC Home Warranty, formerly known as AFC Home Club, gives customers the option to choose their own contractors. Its service call fee structure is customizable, with three options. We also like the following:
AFC mandates that claims must be filed within 24 hours of discovering a malfunction. Here’s what else we dislike:
AFC Home Warranty offers coverage variety with four different plans and monthly premiums ranging from $35–$94. Its service call fees range from $75 to $125 — premiums are lower with the higher service call fees.
Add-on options: AFC features 12 optional add-ons, including coverage for septic systems at $4 per month and for sump pumps at $3 per month.
Other factors that influence coverage: AFC requires a 30-day waiting period at the start of the term before you can file a claim.
AFC Home Warranty holds a B rating and rates 2.4 out of 5 stars per BBB customer reviews. As of early April 2024, AFC had not received better than a 1-star BBB customer review since May 15, 2023, though it had received 27 consecutive 1-star reviews. In limited reviews on Trustpilot, AFC rates 3.0 out of 5 stars.
It’s not all unfavorable sentiment, though. In a 5-star review posted to Trustpilot in July 2023, reviewer Charles praised AFC for allowing customers to choose their own technicians.
Select Home Warranty (SHW) offers budget-friendly premiums and laundry appliance coverage with its lowest-priced service plan. We also like the following factors:
While SHW’s monthly premiums are among the lowest in the industry, its coverage caps place severe limits on items and systems unrelated to HVAC. We also dislike the following:
Select Home Warranty provides budget-friendly costs, but its coverage caps are not as generous as most competitors. Its HVAC coverage and affordability landed it on this list for Louisiana homeowners to consider.
Add-on options: SHW offers nine add-on options, with a roof-leak repair add-on currently included in all plans. It offers septic system coverage at $6 per month, well pump coverage at $3 per month and sump pump coverage at $3 per month.
Other factors that influence coverage: When you pay annually rather than monthly, SHW adds two months to the policy for a total of 14 months.
Select Home Warranty rates a B- with BBB and 1.4 out of 5 stars on BBB customer reviews. It fares considerably better on Trustpilot, where customer reviews average 3.8 out of 5 stars per over 4,000 reviews.
A common theme for unfavorable reviews is frequent denial of claims, as mentioned in a 1-star BBB review posted in March 2024 by Lisa B., who said SHW rejected five of her claims within a short period. Recent favorable BBB reviews expressed satisfaction with the ease and speed of the sign-up process.
As with any state along the Gulf Coast, Louisiana is susceptible to extreme summer weather. That means occasional major hurricanes and record-high temperatures that regularly surpassed 100 degrees Fahrenheit in August 2023, according to the National Weather Service.
Extreme temperatures place added stress on air conditioning. Meanwhile, septic systems in soggy Louisiana are subjected to potential flooding, which can compromise sump pumps and other septic system components.
As you shop for home warranties, one of the first questions to ask a sales representative is whether the company’s plans cover AC repair and replacement — and how much the company will pay in reimbursements.
The cost of a home warranty depends on coverage level, your home’s size, the optional add-ons you choose to include and the provider you select. You also need to factor in your provider’s service call fees, which can range from $75 to $125 on average, based on our data from nine top providers.
We analyzed the average premiums for leading home warranty providers across three ZIP codes in Louisiana and found that the average monthly premium was $64. The average annual premium in Louisiana was $767. Our research shows that Rhode Island was the only state in the U.S. with higher average premiums.
“Another item to consider is whether, in the long run, does the homeowner really need a warranty?” said Dottie Herman, vice chair and former CEO of Douglas Elliman Real Estate. “Closely examine why you need it and decide if you’ll be paying for coverage you won’t need and won’t use.”
Closely examine why you need it and decide if you’ll be paying for coverage you won’t need and won’t use.Dottie Herman
Closely examine why you need it and decide if you’ll be paying for coverage you won’t need and won’t use.
So, consider how long you anticipate your appliances and systems to last — and how much it might cost to replace them.
The chart below lists the average life expectancies and estimated replacement costs of the most commonly covered appliances and system components.
Life expectancy data comes from the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors. The appliance replacement costs reflect the listed retail prices for five major appliance manufacturers: GE, LG, Maytag, Samsung and Whirlpool. Replacement costs for system components reflect Home Depot pricing.
Air conditioner coverage should factor into whether you purchase a home warranty. Even if your central air system is relatively new, record-high temperatures at the height of summer can keep your AC running all day and night. That kind of strain can age an air conditioner quickly.
Liberty Home Guard topped our list of recommended Louisiana home warranty providers mainly because of its depth of HVAC-related coverage. What really swayed us was that LHG’s Systems Guard plan covers two AC condensing units and two air handlers, or two electric window AC units.
Many providers cover only one condenser and air handler, and some don’t cover window AC units at all. Check the fine print in your agreement to make sure your provider includes coverage for the type of AC you have — and that the dollar limits will offset any out-of-pocket costs you’d have to pay without a home service contract.
Even the best home warranty companies can slip up now and then. If it happens too often, customers are sure to share their horror stories with the public through BBB reviews or elsewhere.
If you see a lot of complaints about a home warranty company’s communication or response time, think twice before signing a contract. It might be wise to look elsewhere if unfavorable reviews dominate the company’s BBB page, or if an online search for the company’s name reveals unfavorable news.
Other red flags include the following
As you start researching home warranty companies, we recommend reading sample service agreements. These documents list information such as covered items, exclusions, caps on replacement and repair costs, cancellation policies and state-specific details.
Some providers offer detailed, itemized lists of covered items in their sample service contracts, but that’s just the beginning. Look carefully for coverage limits on each item, an annual or aggregate dollar limit and exclusions for repairs or replacement of hard-to-reach items.
Most sample service agreements, such as this sample contract from American Home Shield, include at least these sections:
Home service warranties are governed by the Louisiana Department of Insurance (DOI). The industry is regulated in Louisiana under the legislature’s revised statutes 51:3141–51:3146.
The statutes say that in order to issue, sell or offer to sell a home services contract to a consumer, a company must register with the Louisiana Secretary of State and remain in good standing with that office, provide a receipt to the customer and provide a copy of the service contract to the customer.
Consumers who wish to file complaints through the DOI can use the complaint form on the agency’s website or by calling the agency at 1-800-259-5300.
While Liberty Home Guard’s monthly or annual premiums might not fit every budget, it earns the nod because of its large add-on selection and comprehensive HVAC systems coverage — in particular, LHG’s Systems Guard plan covers multiple AC units or window units.
That said, every provider listed in this article has its merits. We recommend requesting at least three quotes and asking as many questions as needed to understand what each provider can promise.
We research and rate home warranty providers to help you choose the right one for your budget and your home. The best home warranty companies offer multiple coverage choices, high coverage limits, competitive pricing, good reviews, solid service and extra features.
We rate companies based on our in-depth methodology. We score companies out of 100 on factors related to their coverage options, coverage limits, pricing, reputation, customer service and extra features. We then divide their final score by 20 to obtain a 5-star rating in our reviews.
BBB and Trustpilot ratings are accurate as of April 2024.
Editorial note: The name “Homefront” refers to the alliance between USA TODAY and Home Solutions that publishes review, comparison, and informational articles designed to help USA TODAY readers make smarter purchasing and investment decisions about their home. Under the alliance, Homefront provides and publishes research and articles about home service and home improvement topics.
Homefront has an affiliate disclosure policy. The opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Homefront editorial staff alone (see About Homefront). Homefront adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. The information is believed to be accurate as of the publish date, but always check the provider’s website for the most current information.
According to our November 2023 survey of 750 homeowners, 46% of respondents paid between $5,000 and $14,999 to replace an air conditioner or heating system that was no longer covered by a manufacturer’s warranty. To offset those potential costs, many consumers enlist the services of a reputable home warranty provider. We recommend American Home Shield…
An American Home Shield (AHS) plan adds a layer of financial protection for your home’s essential appliances and systems. It’s a solid home warranty provider that covers repairs up to $5,000 per claim, compared to the industry standard, which typically ranges from $1,500 to $3,000 per claim. AHS is considered the founding company and among…
AFC Home Warranty offers customizable home warranty plans with add-on coverage but has higher-than-average costs.
2-10 Home Buyers Warranty is one of the original companies that founded the home warranty industry — it has been serving homeowners since 1981 and has built a reputation for comprehensive home protection. The company provides low service call fees and coverage perks that other providers we reviewed don’t. Unexpected breakdowns are part of the…