Feeling like you’ve been hit with home repair after home repair? Then it may be worth getting a home warranty.
However, if you don’t want to shell out big bucks in high monthly fees, it’s in your best interest to choose the most affordable home warranty plan.
The USA TODAY team researched the top 20 home warranty companies and ranked them based on plan cost, coverage, service, and more. According to our in-house methodology, these home warranty companies offer the cheapest and most comprehensive plans.
Why trust USA TODAY?
The USA TODAY team creates and uses an in-house methodology to review and rank all home warranty providers on our list. For the cheapest home warranty, we prioritize the cost and value of these warranty plans. That said, plan costs, service fees, coverage limits, and plan offerings account for 68% of a provider’s total score.
Home warranty providers are rewarded for offering comprehensive plans at below industry average costs and are assigned points based on how well they provide warranty service.
Top 6 Cheapest Home Warranty Companies in 2026
2-10 Home Buyer Guarantee: Great if you’re on a budget.
2-10 Get a Free Home Buyer Warranty Quote
- Monthly cost: $32 – $42+
- Service fee: 100 dollars
- Upper limit of coverage: Up to $2,000 per system or appliance
2-10 Home Buyers Warranty is one of the cheapest home warranty companies based on monthly costs. Get coverage for major appliances and systems for just $32 a month.
Unlike some providers that offer one standard service fee, the 2-10 Home Buyer Guarantee lets you choose how much you pay per claim. Service fees start at approximately $100, but this fee can increase or decrease. Changing service call rates will have an adverse effect on your monthly bill, so be careful if you’re on a tight budget.
American Home Shield: Best for high coverage caps
- Monthly cost: $50 – $100
- Service fee: $125
- Upper limit of coverage: Term $50,000. Up to $4,000 for appliances. Up to $5,000 for your system
The cheapest home warranty is not just about the monthly cost, but also about the value of the plan. American Home Shield (AHS) may cost more than other providers on this list, but its high coverage limits, comprehensive coverage, and reliability make up for the extra $10 to $20 per month.
Total term coverage of up to $50,000 and up to $5,000 per appliance or system is one of the highest in the home warranty industry. Other providers cap this amount at $2,000 per appliance or system, which is not enough to pay for replacement costs. But with AHS, you won’t have to pay any more out-of-pocket costs and save money on each repair.
Liberty Home Guard: Great for affordable add-ons
- Monthly cost: $55 – $65
- Service fee: $70
- Upper limit of coverage: Up to $2,000 per system or appliance
Liberty Home Guard (LHG) is well known for its robust list of customization options with over 40 appliances, services, and systems in its catalog. Most of these add-ons cost between $3 and $10, so you can customize your plan to fit your home at an affordable price. That makes it ideal for homeowners who need high-end appliances, multiple units, and home services like pest control.
Liberty Home Guard may offer rates above the industry average of $43 per month, but that increase means service calls cost $70, up to $30 less than what LHG’s competitors offer.
Home Warranty Choices: Best for Basic Home Warranty Plans
- Monthly cost: $44 – $47
- Service fee: 100 dollars
- Upper limit of coverage: Up to $3,000 per system or appliance
Select Home Warranty offers inexpensive combination plans that cover both systems and appliances. These plans start at $47, which is a steal considering competitors offer combo plans in the $60 range.
If you don’t need all the bells and whistles (that is, your home comes with standard appliances and systems), Select’s Home Warranty Plan is all you need. With this provider, you won’t have to pay for coverage you don’t need, which is definitely a perk if budget is your top priority.
Cinch Home Services: Perfect for guaranteed workmanship
Get a free quote from Cinch Home Services
- Monthly cost: $22 – $59
- Service fee: $150
- Upper limit of coverage: up to $10,000
Cinch Home Services offers a 180-day quality guarantee. This means that if your appliance or system fails again after a covered repair, Cinch will pay for the repair.
Cinch’s pricing is competitive, with the most basic plan starting at $22 per month. While this seems like a good deal, you’ll be paying a hefty $150 service call fee. This is twice the rate offered by other providers.
Super Home Guarantee: Perfect for Technology Forward Services
Click here for a free quote on Super Home Guarantee
- Monthly cost: $52 – $116
- Service fee: $75
- Upper limit of coverage: The system is unlimited. up to $10,000
Super Home Warranty is another provider with a higher monthly fee, but the value you get from the warranty is worth the higher price. We are the only provider that offers unlimited coverage on systems and up to $10,000 on appliances. Super’s service fee is as low as $75, making it an even better deal.
We love Super’s easy claims process. All you need to do is submit your application through the app and Super will take it from there.
Factors that affect home warranty costs
Most home warranty providers offer similar rates, but getting a good deal depends on the specifics of your plan. The biggest factors in home warranty pricing are:
- Service call fee: The lower the service call charges, the higher the monthly charges. You pay a service fee each time you make a claim. These fees range from $60 to more than $150 per visit, with lower rates costing you a higher monthly fee.
- Upper limit of coverage: The higher the coverage limit, the less you will have to pay out of pocket for repairs. Home warranty providers only allow you to pay a certain amount per contract term. If your coverage limit is $10,000 or more, you may be more likely to be covered for the entire cost of repairing your appliance than if your coverage limit is $2,000.
- Targeted systems and appliances: The more systems and appliances your plan includes, the more expensive it will be. Combination plans tend to be more expensive than system or appliance-only plans.
- position: The price of a home warranty matches the cost of home repairs in your area, so monthly payments tend to be higher in large cities than in small rural areas.
How much money can I save with a home warranty?
While the monthly fee is somewhat important, it is not the main factor in determining how much money you can save with a home warranty.
“Average costs range from a few hundred dollars a year plus service fees. What constitutes a ‘good deal’ has less to do with price and more to do with clear coverage terms, reasonable service call fees, and qualified contractors,” says Sean Malloy, founder and managing partner of the Malloy Law Firm, which regularly handles real estate litigation.
When you call a home repair company, you typically pay a service call fee (even if you don’t have a home warranty). A home warranty contract standardizes that rate and provides funds to complete repairs.
The amount you save with a home warranty depends on your monthly payments, service fees, covered items, and repair or replacement costs. Home warranty providers with higher coverage limits, like American Home Shield, will ultimately provide more value to your plan than providers with limited coverage limits because they’ll pay you more for repairs or cover the entire cost.
If your refrigerator breaks down, the difference between a $45 plan and a $60 plan is negligible, and only the more expensive plan has enough coverage limits to replace it completely.
How to save money with a home warranty
These cost-saving tips will help you find the most favorable terms on your home warranty.
- Get at least three quotes. Comparing quotes is the best way to ensure a good deal. We recommend checking the rates of at least three different home warranty providers in your area and choosing the plan that best suits your needs.
- Take advantage of seasonal deals: Home warranty companies almost always have some sort of promotional deal for new customers. Whether it’s Black Friday sales or spring price cuts, you can save money with these promotions.
- Look for group-specific discounts. Some home warranty companies, such as American Home Shield, offer discounts for veterans, AAA members, and others.
- Don’t pay for appliances or systems you don’t need. Choose your home warranty plan based on the systems and appliances you need coverage for, and don’t pay for coverage you’re unlikely to use. For example, if you have a new appliance, a combination plan may not make sense.
- Limit add-ons. Each add-on costs an average of $3 to $8, but it can add up quickly. Select only the add-on appliances and systems you need.
FAQ
How much does a home warranty cost?
The average monthly cost of a home warranty is between $43 and $67. This cost varies depending on your plan type, deductible, add-ons, and location.
Is it worth buying a home warranty?
If you don’t have an emergency savings fund for home repairs, it’s worth getting a home warranty. You also get the value of a home warranty if you anticipate needing one. This means if you have an older home or aging appliances, you’re more likely to get the most out of your home warranty.
Which is better: American Home Shield or Select Home Warranty?
American Home Shield ranks #2 on our list of best home warranty companies due to its comprehensive plans, high coverage limits and benefits. Select Home Warranty is more affordable than AHS, but its plan only covers the basics. If you want broad coverage, American Home Shield is a better choice, but if you want an affordable price, choose Select HomeWarranty.
