How much does a home warranty cost?
A one-year home warranty typically costs around $300 for basic coverage and $600 for more comprehensive plans. Some home warranties can even go for as little as $50 and cost upward of a few thousand dollars. Most home warranties in the average price range of $300–$600 can cover over $20,000 worth of a home’s systems and appliances. However, the exact home warranty cost will depend on what type of coverage you opt for, where you live, and the home warranty company you buy from.
Additionally, a home warranty may not cover the entire repair or replacement needed, meaning that you’ll probably be contributing some out-of-pocket costs. The cost of repairing or replacing a system will depend solely on the type of coverage you have, so be sure to read the fine print before entering into a contract.
Minimum monthly cost: $20
Maximum monthly cost: $115
Average range: $25–$67
Home warranty cost breakdown
An annual home warranty cost can be broken down into a monthly premium and service fees. Home warranty premiums cost around $25–$67 each month, however, you might be able to save some money by enrolling in an annual premium. You could also cut costs by electing a three- to five-year home warranty plan instead of a one-year plan (the cost of some one-year plans will increase year after year).
In addition to the monthly premium, you’ll also have to pay a service fee anytime a service claim is approved. Most home warranty companies will charge a non-negotiable, non-refundable service fee of $75–$125.
Basic home warranties vs. comprehensive home warranties
A basic home warranty plan covers major systems and appliances in the house, including, but not limited to heating and air conditioning, electrical systems, plumbing, and appliances like your dishwasher, oven, and refrigerator. A basic plan is the best home warranty option for those who want simple coverage to ensure the major components of the house function properly. On average, a basic home warranty costs $25 a month.
A comprehensive home warranty plan, also called a combination plan, includes everything under a basic plan plus additional items like alarm wiring, smoke detectors, trash compactors, and central vacuuming. This is the best home warranty plan for those who want total protection of all appliances and systems. A comprehensive home warranty typically costs $50 a month.
In addition to these two types of home warranties, some home warranty companies will offer á la carte menus that allow customers to customize their plans. Popular add-ons include pool and spa equipment and additional appliances.
Is a home warranty worth the cost?
In our opinion, a home warranty is definitely worth the cost. Not only does this home appliance insurance offer extensive protection for major home systems and appliances, but it also saves you money in the long run and gives you peace of mind.
For buyers, it provides reassurance if a major system or appliance breaks down. For sellers, it can help cover repairs and replacements during the listing period and can be included as a sweet deal to lock in the house (oftentimes, sellers will offer to pay for the first year of a home warranty to entice buyers to finalize purchase). Though homeowners insurance may cover some issues faced by homeowners, a home warranty plan provides complete protection over home systems and appliances.
Home warranty cost comparison
In 2018, 40% of American adults reported that they didn’t have enough savings to cover a $400 emergency bill. If you can identify with that situation, you probably don’t have enough money to spend on a broken dishwasher. To most of us, $25 a month for a home warranty sounds much more manageable than a $1,000 dishwasher replacement. To show you how affordable a home warranty can be, we’ve stacked the average monthly cost of a home protection plan against other items we regularly spend our money on each month.
A $30/month ($360 a year) home warranty is equivalent to …
- 9 grande lattes from Starbucks
- 3 movie tickets (not including popcorn)
- 1 dinner for two
Average savings with a home warranty
Repairing or replacing major home appliances and systems without a warranty can seem challenging, especially if you’re in a tight financial spot. Here’s what you could expect to save with a home warranty.
System/Appliance |
Potential savings |
Heating |
$1,500 |
Air conditioner |
$1,500 |
Plumbing |
$643–$656 |
Electrical |
$500 |
Ductwork |
$544 |
Sewer line |
$416 |
Toilets |
$656 |
Exhaust fan/ceiling fan |
$500 |
Water heater |
$1,037 |
Refrigerator |
$1,306 |
Ice maker |
$550 |
Oven/stove |
$1,607 |
Dishwasher |
1,683 |
Washer/dryer |
$1,466–$2,932 |
Water dispenser |
$785 |
Garage door opener |
$916 |
Garbage disposal |
$995 |
Doorbell |
$300 |
Top savings on major systems and appliances
1. Heating
- Cost to repair: $284
- Cost to replace: $4,249
- Potential savings: $1,500
2. Plumbing
- Cost to repair: $305
- Cost to replace: $1,038
- Potential savings: $643
3. Electrical
- Cost to repair: $317
- Cost to replace: $1,287
- Potential savings: $500
4. Refrigerator
- Cost to repair: $310
- Cost to replace: $1,925
- Potential savings: $1,306
5. Dishwasher
- Cost to repair: $150
- Cost to replace: $1,500
- Potential savings: $1,683
Home warranty vs. homeowners insurance
While a home warranty covers repairs and replacements on major home systems and appliances, homeowners insurance covers your house structure and personal belongings in the event of a fire, storm, flood, burglary, or other natural disasters. Home buyers are often required to purchase homeowners insurance in addition to a mortgage, but a home warranty is fully optional.
Cost comparison of a home warranty vs. homeowners insurance
|
Home warranty |
Homeowners insurance |
Cost |
$300–$600 per year |
$600–2,000 per year |
Coverage |
Most major appliances and systems |
Structural damage, property loss, liability, and short-term housing costs |
Exclusions |
Items won’t be covered if they haven’t broken down to normal wear and tear or weren’t properly maintained. |
Coverage is limited to perils—such as natural disasters and theft—named by the insurance policy |
Other factors |
You’ll have to pay a small service fee when the home warranty company sends a tech to your home to diagnose the issue |
The lower your deductible, the higher your annual home insurance policy will cost |