Independent reviews · Re-checked October 2026
Your home has years on it. Know what a warranty will pay.
Plain-English, contract-level reviews for homeowners with aging systems. We compare coverage caps, service fees, and the exclusions that matter most in older homes.
Plan finder
Why we exist
From the 20-year-old furnace to the water heater nobody's checked, we read every page of the contract, including the exclusions, so you know what a plan will actually pay.
Inside a typical plan
What a warranty may cover, room by room.
Most plans split coverage into home systems and appliances, then cap what they'll pay for each. Pick a system to see what to check.
- Roof leaksLimited on some plans; storm damage is insurance
- Heating & coolingThe biggest repair bills, and the caps that matter most
- Kitchen appliancesPer-appliance caps and repair-or-replace rules
- ElectricalPanels and wiring; code upgrades are often excluded
- Water heaterTank and tankless units; check access and permit terms
- PlumbingLeaks and stoppages inside the home
- LaundryWasher and dryer, often on combination plans
Terms vary by contract. Caps and exclusions decide what a plan pays.
Our picks by need
There's no single best plan. There's the best plan for your house.
Aging HVAC & plumbing
Best for home systems
For older furnaces, AC, water heaters, and plumbing, where caps and code-upgrade limits decide what gets paid.
See our criteria →Older appliances
Best for appliances
For out-of-warranty kitchen and laundry appliances, with attention to per-item caps and replacement terms.
See our criteria →Whole-home coverage
Best overall
For homeowners who want systems and appliances under one contract, judged on limits, fees, and claims terms.
See our criteria →We name picks only after verifying each provider’s current contract. Our first verified picks are in progress.
The fine print, side by side
Compare: Showing 3 of 7. Pick up to 3.
| Checked Oct 23, 2026 |  Choice Home Warranty |  First American Home Warranty |  American Home Shield |  2-10 Home Buyers Warranty |  Home Service Club |  Home Warranty of America |  Old Republic Home Protection |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plans | 2 plans (best of those shown) Basic Plan, Total Plan | 3 plans (best of those shown) Starter Plan, Essential Plan, Premium Plan | 3 plans (best of those shown) ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, ShieldPlatinum | 2 plans (best of those shown) Systems, Pinnacle | 2 plans (best of those shown) Standard Coverage, Comprehensive Coverage | 2 plans (best of those shown) Premier Plan, Premier Plus Plan | 3 plans (best of those shown) Basic, Deluxe, Elite |
| Heating & cooling cap | $3,000 (best of those shown) per system | Not stated (best of those shown) | $5,000 (best of those shown) per system | $5,000 (best of those shown) per system | $2,000 (best of those shown) per system | $5,000 (best of those shown) per system | $6,500 (best of those shown) per system |
| Best appliance cap | $3,000 (best of those shown) per appliance, top tier | $7,000 (best of those shown) per appliance, top tier | $4,000 (best of those shown) per appliance, top tier | $2,000 (best of those shown) per appliance, top tier | $2,000 (best of those shown) per appliance, top tier | $5,000 (best of those shown) per appliance, top tier | $7,000 (best of those shown) per appliance, top tier |
| Overall limit | Not stated (best of those shown) | No limit (best of those shown) | $50,000 (best of those shown) per term | $50,000 (best of those shown) per term | $9,000 (best of those shown) per term | $15,000 (best of those shown) per term | No limit (best of those shown) |
| Service fee | $100 per claim (best of those shown) | Set in your plan (best of those shown) Not published | $100 or $125 (best of those shown) | You choose (best of those shown) | Choice of deductible levels (best of those shown) | Set in your plan (best of those shown) Not published | Per trade; you select the amount (best of those shown) |
| Code & permit upgrades | Excluded (best of those shown) Code corrections and permits excluded | Limited (best of those shown) Optional Advantage add-on: $500 (Essential), $1,500 (Premium) | Limited (best of those shown) Platinum only, up to $250 | Excluded (best of those shown) Not covered | Excluded (best of those shown) Code modifications and permits excluded | Limited (best of those shown) Only with OrangePlus add-on: code $250, permits $250 | Limited (best of those shown) Deluxe $500, Elite $1,000; not on Basic |
| Unknown pre-existing issues | Excluded (best of those shown) Known or unknown pre-existing excluded | Excluded (best of those shown) Covered only for real estate transaction customers | Limited (best of those shown) Excluded only if known or reasonably detectable | Limited (best of those shown) Only if not reasonably detectable | Excluded (best of those shown) Conditions existing before the effective date excluded (homeowner plans) | Excluded (best of those shown) Pre-existing conditions excluded | Excluded (best of those shown) Malfunctions before the effective date excluded |
| Cancellation | Anytime (best of those shown) Yes; admin fee may apply after 30 days | Restricted (best of those shown) Full refund within 30 days if no claims; after a claim, non-cancelable | Anytime (best of those shown) Yes; pro-rata refund, admin fee after 30 days | Anytime (best of those shown) Yes, prorated refund | Restricted (best of those shown) Pro rata refund, but you may owe service costs above fees paid | Anytime (best of those shown) Yes; pro rata refund less service costs and a small admin fee | Non-cancelable (best of those shown) Non-cancelable except listed reasons (state rules vary) |
| Waiting period | 30 days (best of those shown) | Not stated (best of those shown) | 30 days (best of those shown) | 30 days (best of those shown) | Not stated (best of those shown) | 30 days (best of those shown) | Not stated (best of those shown) |
| Availability | All states (best of those shown) except WA | Varies by ZIP (best of those shown) No state list published | Varies by ZIP (best of those shown) No state list published | Varies by ZIP (best of those shown) No state list published | Varies by ZIP (best of those shown) No state list published | Varies by ZIP (best of those shown) No state list published | Varies by ZIP (best of those shown) No state list published |
| Sample contract | Read it (best of those shown) | Read it (best of those shown) | Read it (best of those shown) | Read it (best of those shown) | Read it (best of those shown) | Read it (best of those shown) | Read it (best of those shown) |
| Links | Review | Review | Review | Review | Review | Review | Review |
Covered Limited Excluded Best Most favorable term among the providers shown From each provider's sample contract and plan pages. Not a quote; terms can vary by state.
Cost check
The monthly price isn't what you pay.
Every repair visit adds a service fee. Move the sliders to match a quote and see a yearly cost. These are your inputs, not our prices.
Estimated yearly cost
Excludes costs above coverage caps and non-covered repairs. How to estimate the full cost
Start with the question you have.
"We tell you when something in a contract has changed."
The Home Upgrade Desk editorial teamWhat is covered?Systems vs. appliances, and the caps that decide what a plan pays.
What does it cost?Premiums plus service fees: your real yearly cost.
How do claims work?Filing, next steps, and what to do if a claim is denied.
Worth it for an older home?When a plan helps, and when savings may be better.
Common questions
No. Insurance generally covers sudden damage such as fire, storms, or theft. A home warranty is a service contract that pays toward repairing or replacing covered systems and appliances that break from normal wear.
Often, as long as it works when coverage starts and has been maintained. Watch for age limits, "lack of maintenance" clauses, and coverage caps that may not pay for a full replacement.
You pay a service fee each time a technician visits, plus any costs above the plan’s cap or outside its coverage. Use our cost check to estimate a full year.
Many contracts allow cancellation, often with a prorated refund minus any service costs already paid. Terms vary, so check the cancellation section of the contract.
Some providers pay us a commission when you request a quote or buy through our links. It never changes our scores or the order of our picks.