The State of Home Warranties in 2026: Costs, Coverage and Who Reviewers Rank
A home warranty is a service contract, not insurance. Here is where things stand in 2026: what plans cover, what they cost and who reviewers put near the top.
What a home service plan is
A home service plan is a contract that can pay for repair or replacement of covered systems and appliances that fail from normal wear. Typical plans cover items such as plumbing, electrical, heating and cooling, water heaters and kitchen and laundry appliances. It is different from homeowners insurance, which covers damage events. See plan, insurance and warranty.
What it costs in 2026
NerdWallet reports an average of $73 per month, with sampled plans from $28 to $191. This Old House reports $56 per month on average with a typical range of $47 to $82. Both add a service fee for each technician visit. Details are in our cost guide.
Names reviewers rank highly
Review sites each use their own method, and some say they earn commissions from partner links. We did not test these companies and we do not rank them. We summarize what was published.
| Review site | What it published |
|---|---|
| ConsumerAffairs (2026) | Cinch Home Services best overall; American Home Shield best coverage variety; HomeSafe best claims handling; First American Home Warranty best for roof coverage. |
| Money.com (October 2026, alphabetical) | Includes 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty, AFC Home Warranty, American Home Shield, Liberty Home Guard and Select Home Warranty, each with a category label. |
| NerdWallet (2026) | Includes Old Republic Home Protection, Liberty Home Guard and First American Home Warranty, and notes Choice does not let customers pick the repair company and guarantees repairs for 30 days. |
What to check before you buy
- Coverage list. Basic plans may leave out items you assumed were included.
- Service fee. Typically $75 to $150 each visit. A cheaper monthly plan with a higher fee can cost more.
- Caps. Per-item and annual limits decide what a big repair pays.
- Repair choice. Some plans assign the technician and some allow your own in certain cases.
- Labor guarantee. Terms differ, from 30 days to 180 days in published examples.
- Exclusions. Pre-existing conditions, code upgrades and improper maintenance are common ones.
Read the sample contract before you pay. Our contract guide and coverage limits page show where to look.