Rankings · Updated June 2026
Best Home Warranty Companies 2026
Every home warranty review site has the same problem: rankings driven by affiliate commissions, not coverage quality. I've scored these 15 companies on an 8-factor system — coverage scope, HVAC caps, price/value, customer satisfaction, contract fairness, financial stability, transparency, and legal record. No company paid to be on this list.
15
Companies Ranked
8
Scoring Factors
None
Sponsored
Our Top Picks
Ranked by 8-factor composite score. Click any company name to read the full review.
8.5
/10
8.2
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8.0
/10
7.5
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7.2
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7.0
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7.0
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6.8
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6.5
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6.0
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5.8
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5.5
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5.5
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5.0
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5.0
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*AHS $5,000 HVAC cap applies to Platinum plan only. Standard plan caps are lower.
Side-by-Side Comparison
The cheaper monthly premium often produces the higher total annual cost once caps and fees are factored in.
| Company | Score | HVAC Cap | Monthly | Service Fee | BBB | States |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Old Republic Home Protection | 8.5 | $6,500/unit | ~$45+ | verify | A+ | ~25 |
| AFC Home Club | 8.2 | No cap | ~$44+ | $75–$125 | B | 47 |
| Liberty Home Guard | 8.0 | $2,000/unit | ~$49+ | $65–$125 | NR | 50 |
| First American Home Warranty | 7.5 | verify | ~$37+ | $75–$125 | B+ | ~35 |
| American Home Shield | 7.2 | $5,000/unit* | ~$30+ | $100–$125 | B | 49 |
| Armadillo | 7.0 | $3,000/unit | ~$40+ | $100/$150 | NR | 50+DC |
| HomeServe USA | 7.0 | per plan | $3.99+ | $0 most | A+ | varies |
| 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty | 6.8 | $2,000–$5,000 | ~$35+ | verify | B | 50 |
| HSA Home Warranty | 6.5 | verify | ~$41+ | $100/$125 | B | most |
| ARW Home | 6.0 | verify | ~$46+ | $55–$75 | A | most |
| Select Home Warranty | 5.8 | verify | ~$46+ | $75–$100 | B- | 46 |
| Choice Home Warranty | 5.5 | $3,000 combined | ~$49+ | $85–$100 | B | 47 |
| Home Warranty of America | 5.5 | $5,000/unit | ~$48+ | $75/$100 | C/NR | most |
| Cinch Home Services | 5.0 | $1,500 combined | ~$28+ | $100–$150 | B+ | 48 |
| ServicePlus Home Warranty | 5.0 | verify | ~$41+ | $75 | B (alert) | most |
Why We Chose These Companies
These 15 companies represent the major national and regional home warranty providers with enough track record to evaluate meaningfully. Excluded: niche regional providers with insufficient data, companies with no BBB history, and companies in Chapter 11 or whose operational status could not be confirmed.
| Factor | Weight | What It Measures |
|---|---|---|
| Coverage Scope | 20% | What's actually covered on claim day |
| Coverage Caps | 20% | HVAC cap, appliance cap, aggregate |
| Customer Satisfaction | 20% | Trustpilot, BBB customer scores, complaint volume |
| Price / Value | 15% | Premium vs. coverage delivered |
| Contract Fairness | 10% | Waiting period, cancellation, auto-renewal |
| Financial Stability | 5% | Company longevity, parent backing |
| Transparency | 5% | Clear cap disclosure, readable contracts |
| Legal Record | 5% | AG settlements, FTC actions |
Quick Reviews
Old Republic gets the top spot because of one thing: the combination of a $6,500/unit HVAC cap, A+ BBB accreditation, and a NYSE-listed parent company (ORI, $12B+ assets) is the best risk profile in the industry. The catch is geography — they serve roughly 25 states, primarily Western and Southwestern US. If you're in California, Arizona, Nevada, or Texas and can access Old Republic, it's the first recommendation. If you're in Ohio or Pennsylvania, you need to look elsewhere.
Full reviewAFC is the answer when HVAC is your primary concern and Old Republic isn't available. No HVAC cap — period. The choose-your-own-contractor feature is genuinely rare. The $50,000 annual aggregate is among the highest in the industry. If your furnace is 12 years old and your AC hasn't been replaced since you bought the house, AFC's premium is probably worth paying. One major HVAC claim and you've recovered the premium difference vs. a capped competitor many times over.
Full reviewLiberty's customer satisfaction numbers — 4.7 Trustpilot, 86% Excellent ratings, 4.5/5 BBB customer score — are genuinely rare in this industry. The home warranty business has a reputation for making promises and finding reasons not to pay. Liberty's scores suggest they actually fulfill claims at an above-average rate. The $2,000/unit HVAC cap is the main trade-off. If HVAC isn't your primary concern and you want a company that treats customers well, Liberty is the recommendation.
Full reviewThe biggest company in the industry by volume. 15,800+ BBB complaints in three years sounds bad until you consider the claim volume — AHS processes more claims per year than most competitors do in a decade. The $5,000 HVAC cap (Platinum plan) is competitive. The 50-year track record and Frontdoor NASDAQ listing are stability positives. AHS is a legitimate choice if you want the biggest brand — but you can do better on HVAC coverage with AFC or better on customer satisfaction with Liberty.
Full reviewThe $1,500 combined HVAC cap is my primary concern with Cinch. That's heating AND cooling combined. If your central air needs replacement and costs $7,000, Cinch's contribution is $1,500. The remaining $5,500 is yours. Cinch markets heavily and has solid brand recognition (formerly HMS Home Warranty), but the HVAC cap is disqualifying for anyone with aging systems.
Full reviewHow to Choose
Three questions determine which home warranty is right for your situation.
How old is your HVAC?
If your furnace or AC is over 8–10 years old and hasn't been replaced, HVAC coverage is probably why you're buying a home warranty. In that case, the HVAC cap matters more than anything else. Go with AFC (no cap), Old Republic if you're in their coverage area ($6,500/unit), or at minimum AHS Platinum ($5,000/unit). Cinch ($1,500 combined), Liberty ($2,000/unit), and Choice ($3,000 combined) leave meaningful exposure.
How much claims friction can you tolerate?
Some people just want to pay their premium and not think about it. If you're in that category, Liberty Home Guard's customer satisfaction scores are the best available signal that they'll actually handle your claims without a fight. AFC is also strong here.
Are you in a real estate transaction?
If you're closing on a home, timing and distribution are different. Armadillo is the only major company with no waiting period. HSA and AHS are Frontdoor brands your agent may offer because of commission relationships — they're legitimate products, just know the relationship before comparing them as independent competitors.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best home warranty company?
Old Republic if you're in their ~25 states. AFC Home Club if HVAC is your primary concern and Old Republic isn't available. Liberty Home Guard if customer experience matters most. There is no single best company for everyone.
Which home warranty company has the best HVAC coverage?
AFC Home Club (no cap), then Old Republic ($6,500/unit), then American Home Shield and Home Warranty of America ($5,000/unit on their top plans).
Which home warranty companies should I avoid?
ServicePlus has an active BBB Business Alert and a PA AG settlement. Cinch has a $1,500 combined HVAC cap — the lowest in the industry. Choice HW settled an $11.8M AZ AG action in January 2026. These aren't automatic disqualifiers for every situation, but they're red flags worth understanding.
Is American Home Shield the best home warranty?
It's the biggest, not necessarily the best. Old Republic scores higher for coverage depth. AFC scores higher for HVAC protection. Liberty scores higher for customer satisfaction. AHS is a legitimate choice with real trade-offs.
What is a home warranty HVAC cap?
The maximum dollar amount your warranty will pay toward a heating or cooling system repair or replacement. This varies from $1,500 combined (Cinch) to no cap at all (AFC). An HVAC replacement can cost $7,000–$15,000. The cap determines your actual out-of-pocket exposure.
How do I compare home warranty companies?
Start with the HVAC cap, then the annual aggregate, then customer satisfaction scores (Trustpilot is the most reliable for home warranty companies), then BBB rating and complaint pattern, then price. Monthly premium is the last thing to compare, not the first.
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Pricing, ratings, and company details verified June 2026. Always confirm current terms directly with any company before purchasing.