More than 2,900 homeowners have bought a home warranty plan from one of the above companies in the last 30 days. Liberty Home Guard is our most popular provider, with 40% of consumers choosing to cover their homes with an LHG plan.
Using our proprietary methodology, we selected Liberty Home Guard (LHG) as the best home warranty company for home appliance insurance and ranked it based on cost, customer satisfaction, coverage levels and service. Depending on the plan, LHG’s premiums are as low as $54 per month, with service fees from $65 to $125.
Purchasing home appliance insurance helps you pay for repairing or replacing kitchen and laundry appliances if they break down from normal use. This coverage can bring peace of mind and financial protection that your standard home insurance policy overlooks.
The best home appliance insurance companies
- Liberty Home Guard: Best add-on variety
- AFC Home Warranty: Best workmanship guarantee
- American Home Shield: Best HVAC coverage
- Elite Home Warranty: Best plan customization
- 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty: Best value plans
Why we chose
Compare top home appliance insurance companies
We gathered pricing information for the comparison table below by requesting quotes across all 50 states and calculating a national average for all featured companies. We used a 2,000-square-foot, single-family home in each state to obtain our quotes. Your pricing will vary based on your home’s size, location and coverage needs.
The table below has our picks for the best home appliance insurance:
| Company | Rating | Monthly Premium | Service Fee | BBB Rating | See Plans |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $49–$60 | $65–$125 | NR | |||
| $22–$74 | $65–$100 | A | |||
| $55–$75 | $70 | B+ | |||
| $64–$74 | $100–$125 | B | |||
| $35–$104 | $75–$125 | B |
| Company | Rating | Monthly Premium | Service Fee | BBB Rating | See Plans |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $49–$60 | $65–$125 | NR | |||
| $22–$74 | $65–$100 | A | |||
| $55–$75 | $70 | B+ | |||
| $64–$74 | $100–$125 | B | |||
| $35–$104 | $75–$125 | B |
Our top home appliance insurance recommendations
All of the home appliance providers profiled below offer more than appliance coverage, but our evaluation for this article focused specifically on how well they can protect your kitchen and laundry appliances.
Many providers offer appliance-specific plans, and most offer midrange or high-end plans that combine appliance coverage with systems such as HVAC coverage, electrical and plumbing. Some offer optional add-ons that enhance appliance coverage, and those are noted in each provider’s section.
To request quotes for this article on home appliance insurance companies, we used a 2,193-square-foot, single-family home in Tampa, Florida. We specifically focused on finding the best combination of appliance coverage, cost and reliability.
Liberty Home Guard
Our thoughts
What we like
Liberty Home Guard (LHG) is our pick for the best home appliance insurance provider due to its reasonable pricing and comprehensive coverage. For example, Liberty Home Guard covers your ice maker, whether free-standing or integrated into your refrigerator.
- Covers major appliances, including washers and dryers, across all plans
- Provides a 60-day workmanship guarantee on repairs
- Offers 42 unique optional add-ons
What we don’t like
LHG excels at appliance and home systems coverage but provides moderate value due to higher prices. The $50 premium for LHG’s lowest-tier plan exceeds comparable competitors such as 2-10 Home Buyers ($22 for its lowest-priced plan) and Select Home Warranty ($44 for its lowest-priced plan).
- Charges extra for pro-grade appliance coverage
- Doesn’t reveal its $65–$125 service fees until purchase
- Has low coverage caps for plumbing and electrical systems
Coverage plans and pricing
Liberty Home Guard makes it simple if you only want your appliances covered with its comprehensive, lowest-tier, appliance-specific plan. The only potential drawback is an extra charge to cover pro-grade appliances.
- Appliance Guard ($54 per month): Covers refrigerators, microwaves, ranges, garbage disposals, dishwashers, clothes washers and dryers, ceiling and exhaust fans, and garage door openers.
- Systems Guard ($60 per month): Covers home systems such as AC, heating, ductwork, plumbing, electrical and water heaters.
- Total Home Guard ($65 per month): Provides comprehensive coverage for all home systems and home appliances covered by the other two plans.
Add-on options: Its 42 available add-ons include coverage for pools and spas, an outdoor generator and lawn sprinklers. It offers limited roof leak protection for $12 per month.
Other factors that influence coverage: The Appliance Guard plan is available for $549 annually and extends the policy’s term to 13 months. LHG’s surcharge for its appliance plan is $4 per month or $43 if paid annually.
Customer thoughts
Liberty Home Guard’s A rating on the Better Business Bureau (BBB) was changed to N/R (“not rated”), but it holds a BBB customer review rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars. In March 2024, LHG responded to losing its A rating with a statement that the company’s customer satisfaction levels remain the highest relative to its scale. LHG also stated that in February 2024, it received the lowest number of cancellation requests in its history.
Many BBB and Trustpilot reviews state that filing a service request with LHG is simple and seamless. Customers also praise LHG’s speed in sending out their in-network technicians, with some reporting that they filed a claim on the weekend and got a resolution by the next business day.
AFC Home Warranty
Our thoughts
What we like
AFC Home Warranty (formerly known as AFC Home Club) provides some of the lowest premiums combined with good coverage for laundry appliances and most kitchen appliances.
- Allows you to choose your own technician
- Currently includes bonus roof leak coverage in all of its plans
- Features online quote requests that are simple and transparent
What we don’t like
AFC might have taken the top spot in this category if it covered microwaves in its lowest-priced plan.
- Does not cover built-in microwaves in lower-tier plans
- Has appliance coverage caps that depreciate in value after five years
- Does not reimburse for work performed by technicians without preapproval
Coverage plans and pricing
The only potential coverage deficiency for AFC Home Warranty is its lack of standard coverage for microwaves in its two lower-tier plans.
- Silver Plan ($35–$40 per month): Covers most kitchen appliances, laundry appliances such as your washing machine and garage door openers.
- Gold Plan ($49–$55 per month): Covers everything in the Silver plan, air conditioning and heating, plumbing and electrical systems.
- Platinum Plan ($54–$59 per month): Covers everything in the Silver and Gold plans, plus built-in microwaves, and exhaust, attic and ceiling fans.
- Diamond Plan ($89–$94 per month): Covers every item and system in the other three plans, plus electronics and exterior sewer and water lines.
Add-on options: Coverage for microwaves is available for the Silver and Gold Plans at $50 annually. When we requested a quote, AFC offered us free add-on roof leak coverage for all plans.
Other factors that influence coverage: Customers who pay annually are charged $100 less per year than those who pay monthly premiums. Monthly premiums scale with $75, $100 or $125 service fee options. An additional discount is available for customers who sign three-year agreements. AFC offers a $3,000 annual coverage cap on all appliances.
Customer thoughts
AFC Home Warranty holds a B rating with the BBB and a customer rating of 2.4 out of 5 stars.
Many positive BBB reviews center on AFC’s professional service from its in-network technicians and customer service representatives. Customers report that AFC’s representatives answer questions completely and in a helpful manner.
Unfavorable reviews on consumer site Trustpilot said that AFC rejected claims or offered payment for replacement at a prorated amount based on the item’s age.
American Home Shield
Our thoughts
What we like
American Home Shield (AHS) only covers appliances with its mid-tier and highest-tier plans, which cost $60–$100 depending on the service fee. However, its favorable reputation and coverage limits give it an edge in home appliance coverage.
- Covers unique damage, such as rust and corrosion
- Covers commercial-grade appliances
- Offers a generous $4,000 coverage limit for appliances with its highest-tier plan
What we don’t like
AHS’ relatively few add-on options might not be a concern for some homeowners, but add-on flexibility and depth of coverage might matter to others.
- Does not offer an appliance-specific coverage plan
- Offers only six add-on options
- Does not offer an annual premium option
Coverage plans and pricing
AHS is among the few home warranty providers that reverse the usual order of appliance and systems coverage. Most cover appliances with their lowest-tier plan and systems with mid- and highest-tier plans.
- ShieldSilver ($40–$50 per month): Covers HVAC, plumbing and electrical systems.
- Shield Gold ($60–$70 per month): Covers everything included in the ShieldSilver Plan, plus clothes washers and dryers and kitchen appliances.
- ShieldPlatinum ($90-$100 per month): Includes everything in the Shield Silver and ShieldGold plans, plus an annual HVAC tune-up, unlimited AC refrigerant and roof leak repair.
Add-on options: Limited to six add-on options, including electronics and pool coverage. AHS does offer optional roof leak protection at $10 per month.
Other factors that influence coverage: AHS scales its monthly premiums based on $100 and $125 service call fees. Lower premiums mean higher service call fees.
Customer thoughts
American Home Shield has a B rating with the BBB and a customer rating of 2.1 out of 5 stars.
Customers on BBB report that AHS has friendly and efficient customer service representatives, with several noting how well reps answer questions and respond to concerns. Several customers who reviewed AHS on Trustpilot also noted that AHS quickly set them up with service appointments; some stated they received an appointment confirmation within several hours of filing a claim.
Elite Home Warranty
Our thoughts
What we like
Elite Home Warranty lists its lowest-tier plan at $57 per month, but our quote elicited a discounted rate of $44 per month. While Elite is not transparent with its premiums, it responded promptly to our emailed follow-up questions about rates and coverage types.
- Allows you to choose your own technician
- Offers a 90-day workmanship guarantee
- Covers appliance components such as knobs, doors and drawers
What we don’t like
Elite has a reputation for excellent customer service, but the fact that its online quote request form does not provide cost information adds inconvenience.
- Charges higher service call fees for high-end appliances and weekend service visits
- Doesn’t generate personalized quotes with its online quote request form
- Nullifies the workmanship guarantee if you use a technician of your choice
Coverage plans and pricing
Elite Home Warranty secured a place in our top five for appliance coverage, thanks to the discount offered when we requested an appliance-specific coverage quote.
- Elite Appliances ($44 per month): This plan covers your kitchen and laundry appliances, including refrigerators, ovens, dishwashers, microwaves, garbage disposals, clothes washers and clothes dryers. It also covers up to three ceiling fans.
- Elite Systems ($49 per month): This plan covers plumbing, electrical, HVAC and other major home systems.
- Elite Complete ($60 per month): This plan covers everything included in the appliances and systems plans.
Add-on options: Elite offers 32 add-ons, including limited roof patching and pool and spa coverage. The Premium Appliances add-on increases the maximum coverage limit for kitchen appliances to double their standard limits.
Other factors that influence coverage: Elite offered us an annual $490 rate with a 13th month added to the one-year policy. Its service call fee is $70 and its aggregate coverage cap for appliances is $7,000. Elite’s annual dollar limit for refrigerators is $3,000, while it is $2,000 for ranges and $1,500 each for dishwashers, clothes washers and dryers.
Customer thoughts
Elite Home Warranty carries a B+ rating with BBB and a customer rating of 4.9 out of 5 stars.
Most of BBB customer ratings for Elite are favorable, with many praising its customer service representatives. Customers appreciate their knowledge, helpfulness and willingness to customize plans based on their needs.
2-10 Home Buyers Warranty
Our thoughts
What we like
2-10 Home Buyers Warranty is one of the cheapest home warranty companies, with generous coverage caps and a reputation for efficiency and consistency.
- Provides generous expanded coverage limits with its luxury package add-on
- Offers an unlimited workmanship guarantee on completed repairs
- Sets an annual $25,000 coverage cap for all items
What we don’t like
2-10 might have grabbed our top spot for home appliance insurance if it offered a plan with standard coverage for washers and dryers.
- Excludes washer and dryer coverage in its basic appliance plan
- Charges a 9.5% processing fee on monthly premiums
- Does not offer coverage in 14 states
Coverage plans and pricing
We’d like to see a comprehensive appliance-only plan from our top-rated home warranty provider. While the Simply Kitchen plan protects most appliances, the 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty offers an add-on for clothes washers and dryers.
- Simply Kitchen ($27–$36 per month): Covers home appliances such as refrigerators, ranges/ovens, built-in microwaves and dishwashers.
- Simply HVAC ($40–$50 per month): Covers air conditioner, heating systems as well as thermostats.
- Essential Home ($51–$62 per month): Covers all components of the Simply Kitchen and Simply HVAC plans.
- Complete Home ($47–$53 per month): Covers all components of the Essential Home plan, plus plumbing and electrical systems.
- Pinnacle Home ($61–$70 per month): Covers everything in the Complete Home plan, plus refrigerant recharges, filters, concealed plumbing and electric components, haulaway and crane costs, burglar and fire alarms, and washers and dryers.
Add-on options: 2-10 offers 15 optional add-ons, including clothes washers and dryers for $6 per month.
Other factors that influence coverage: 2-10 offers scaling premiums based on service fees of $65, $85 and $100. It also offers an “Even If” guarantee, which stipulates your service fee may be reimbursed if a technician determines the broken item is not eligible for repair or replacement.
Customer thoughts
2-10 Home Buyers Warranty holds an A rating with BBB but a customer review rating of 1.3 out of 5 stars. Customer complaints tend to focus on poor communication or delayed service.
Many customer reviews praised the quick repairs 2-10’s in-network technicians performed. These customers experienced a seamless claims process, from submitting the claim online or over the phone, to a completed repair by the assigned in-network provider. Others appreciate 2-10’s speed in confirming a service appointment.
Best home warranty companies by state
Didn’t find a match for home appliance insurance? Use the menu below to look for a top home warranty provider in your state.
What does home appliance insurance typically cost?
The nationwide average for the cost of a home warranty is $59 per month or $703 per year. These costs are an average of quotes we requested from leading home warranty providers.
Your price will vary depending on your coverage level and covered items, the warranty company’s billing practices and your geographic location. In general, home warranty providers’ appliance-specific plans cost less than plans that also cover home systems such as electric, HVAC and plumbing.
Based on coverage for a 2,193-square-foot home in Tampa, Florida, lower-tier plans from the five home appliance providers that are profiled in this article range from $27 to $54 per month.
What does home appliance insurance cover?
Home appliance insurance acts like insurance for your aged or malfunctioning kitchen and laundry appliances.
Coverage depends on your specific plan, but here are some commonly covered appliances:
- Built-in microwave
- Dishwasher
- Garbage disposal
- Oven
- Refrigerator
- Clothes washer and dryer
Appliances typically come with a manufacturer’s warranty that covers faulty components or failures unrelated to installation. Most warranties expire after a year or two, unless you purchase an extended warranty when you acquire your appliances.
When those warranties expire, you might find yourself on the hook for repair costs or replacement costs if an appliance stops working. If a home warranty covers your appliances, the provider should do the following:
- Take your claim over the phone, online or through an app
- Contact a local technician to come to your home and inspect the malfunctioning appliance
- Ensure that the technician provides timely, efficient and professional service
- Determine how much of your coverage limit is allowed to pay for the repair or replacement
Your biggest responsibilities are filing a claim and making an appointment with a technician. The home appliance insurance policy you purchase should alleviate the hassle of finding a technician, or paying for a replacement appliance and then scheduling installation.
What doesn’t home appliance insurance cover?
Most home warranty providers offer plans that cover almost every major component in your home. As mentioned, a home warranty is not the same as homeowners insurance, which means a home warranty will not cover exterior damage or damage related to natural disasters.
To understand exactly what is and is not covered by your home warranty, check the provider’s sample contract. Most home warranty companies provide a generic sample contract on their website.
Among other details, a sample contract outlines the specific appliances and home systems covered under your agreement. It also includes information about coverage exclusions, such as the following:
- Accessories, such as stands and drawers
- Freestanding microwaves
- Freestanding minifridges or freezers
- Water heaters or cold water dispensers not connected to your home’s plumbing system
- Any electrical, plumbing or HVAC component not specifically listed as being covered
Most providers also draw the line at covering items that have been damaged by rust or corrosion or unusually harsh use. The exception is American Home Shield, which covers damage related to corrosion.
Many providers include an exclusion clause stating that the company is not responsible for covering the cost of items with limited accessibility or complete obstruction.
What are home appliance insurance coverage caps?
Home warranty companies stipulate coverage limits for every covered item, including appliances. Coverage limits, known as coverage caps or dollar limits, denote the total amount the provider will pay toward repairing or replacing a covered item during the policy’s life.
In some cases, lower-tier plans come with lower coverage caps, and mid-tier or higher-end plans give you more generous dollar limits. Be sure to read a sample contract for the home warranty company you’re considering for details about how coverage caps are structured.
| Provider Name | Home Appliance Coverage Cap |
|---|---|
| Liberty Home Guard | $2,000 |
| AFC Home Warranty | $3,000 |
| American Home Shield | $2,000–$4,000 |
| Elite Home Warranty | $500–$3,000 |
| 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty | $2,000 |
What are home appliances life expectancies?
The decision to purchase home appliance insurance may be based partially on an appliance’s life expectancy, the expected replacement cost and the manufacturer warranty’s expiration date.
Here are the average life expectancies of most commonly covered appliances, according to data from the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors.
| Appliance | Life Expectancy | Replacement Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Dishwasher | 9 years | $250–$1,900 |
| Dryer | 13 years | $499–$2,099 |
| Garbage disposal | 12 years | $65–$350 |
| Microwave | 9 years | $109–$1,029 |
| Range (electric) | 13–15 years | $649–$4,449 |
| Range (gas) | 15–17 years | $479–$3,599 |
| Refrigerator | 9–13 years | $584–$10,929 |
| Washer | 5–15 years | $499–$2,299 |
What’s the difference between a home warranty and homeowners insurance?
On the surface, a home warranty and a homeowners insurance plan can seem synonymous. But that’s not the case.
The big difference between a homeowners insurance policy and a home warranty is that insurance covers damage related to disasters or theft. Your home warranty typically covers failures related to wear and tear. The provider, with certain exclusions, also agrees to cover some or all of the cost for repairs or replacement during the contract’s term.
According to our November 2023 survey of 1,000 homeowners, nearly 64% of respondents had both a home warranty and a home insurance plan.
Of course, whether or not to purchase homeowners insurance and a warranty plan is a personal preference. However, having both can add to your peace of mind.
Final take: Liberty Home Guard is our top pick for home appliance insurance
Liberty Home Guard’s Appliance Guard is the best home appliance insurance plan, despite being the most expensive lowest-tiered plan among the five companies profiled here. LHG’s generally good reputation and the fact that the plan covers all major appliances in the kitchen, as well as the clothes washer and dryer, gives LHG the edge.
If you are considering purchasing a home warranty plan to cover your appliances or home systems, we recommend that you consider coverage needs, make sure premiums fit your budget and request at least three quotes from reputable providers.
Our rating methodology for home warranty companies
We research and rate home warranty providers to help you choose the right one for your budget and home. Our research includes gathering customer insights via consumer surveys, interviewing industry experts, secret shopping all of the companies we review, and analyzing customer reviews from third-party review sites such as Trustpilot and BBB.
We score home warranty providers up to 100 points, which we then convert to a 5-star rating. Points are awarded in the following five categories:
- Coverage plans and extra features (31 points): Based on number and type of plans, add-on options, perks and state availability
- Price (20 points): Considers premiums for basic and comprehensive plans and service call fees
- Customer service (19 points): Based on response times, customer service hours, workmanship guarantees and cancellation fees
- Coverage limits (15 points): Favors companies that offer coverage caps of $2,000 or more for appliances and $3,000 or more for home systems
- Reputation (15 points): Based on ratings from consumer sites such as the Better Business Bureau and Trustpilot
Read our full home warranty company methodology for more information.
BBB and Trustpilot ratings are accurate as of November 2024.
Editorial note: The name “Homefront” refers to the alliance between USA TODAY and Home Solutions that publishes review, comparison, and informational articles designed to help USA TODAY readers make smarter purchasing and investment decisions about their home. Under the alliance, Homefront provides and publishes research and articles about home service and home improvement topics.
Homefront has an affiliate disclosure policy. The opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Homefront editorial staff alone (see About Homefront). Homefront adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. The information is believed to be accurate as of the publish date, but always check the provider’s website for the most current information.
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