American Home Shield (AHS) tops our list of Colorado’s best home warranty companies, partly thanks to its generous HVAC coverage. In a state with high elevations and significant seasonal temperature swings, you want a home warranty provider that adequately covers your HVAC system. AHS pays up to $5,000 per HVAC claim, which is higher than most providers.
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.
We recommend Liberty Home Guard (LHG) as the second-best home warranty provider for Colorado residents because of the company’s extensive coverage for heating and cooling systems. The company’s 42 add-on options also help cover any major appliances excluded by its base policy, such as stand-alone freezers and wine coolers.
USA TODAY Homefront researched Colorado’s best home warranty companies using our in-depth rating methodology.
Here are our picks for the best home warranty companies in Colorado:
- American Home Shield: Best HVAC coverage
- Liberty Home Guard: Best add-on variety
- 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty: Best value plans
- Cinch Home Services: Best coverage perks
- First American Home Warranty: Best appliance protection
In Colorado, the three most significant factors to consider when selecting a warranty plan are coverage plans and extra features, coverage limits and reputation.
Compare the best Colorado home warranties
We chose the top national home warranty companies available in Colorado based on factors such as pricing, coverage options and reputation. Our top choice, AHS, has more comprehensive coverage than other providers but also higher premiums. LHG has lower premiums, but it doesn’t pay out as much as AHS.
The table below compares our ratings, coverage caps and monthly premiums of popular providers we’ve analyzed.
| Company | Rating | Monthly Premium | Service Fee | BBB Rating | See Plans |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $49–$60 | $65–$125 | NR | |||
| $22–$74 | $65–$100 | A | |||
| $64–$74 | $100–$125 | B | |||
| $47–$64 | $100–$150 | B+ | |||
| $60–$76 | $75–$125 | B | |||
| $45-$85 | $100 | A | |||
| $44–$48 | $60–$75 | B |
| Company | Rating | Monthly Premium | Service Fee | BBB Rating | See Plans |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $49–$60 | $65–$125 | NR | |||
| $22–$74 | $65–$100 | A | |||
| $64–$74 | $100–$125 | B | |||
| $47–$64 | $100–$150 | B+ | |||
| $60–$76 | $75–$125 | B | |||
| $45-$85 | $100 | A | |||
| $44–$48 | $60–$75 | B |
Best home warranty for coverage plans and extra features
Out of the companies we rated, AHS received the highest score in our “coverage plans and extra features” category. All three of the company’s plans, including the entry-level ShieldSilver plan, cover electrical systems and accessories such as doorbells, ceiling fans and garage door openers. The ShieldGold and ShieldPlatinum plans also cover garbage disposals, built-in microwaves and dishwashers.
AHS’ Electronics Protection Plan covers items such as your laptop and smart home products when they fail due to normal wear and tear, power surges and material defects.
| Provider | Coverage Plans Rating (Out of 5) | Key Info |
|---|---|---|
| American Home Shield | 4.5 | Offers an Electronics Protection Plan as an add-on |
| Liberty Home Guard | 4.2 | Provides coverage for two air conditioning units |
| 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty | 4.2 | Offers plan-length workmanship guarantee |
| Cinch Home Services | 4.0 | Covers systems and appliances with unknown preexisting conditions |
| First American Home Warranty | 3.5 | No coverage cap for HVAC, ductwork, water heaters, electrical and garage doors |
Colorado-specific coverage needs
According to our November 2023 home warranty survey, air conditioning systems were the most common item to recently break down. Air conditioners are put to the test in hotter climates, such as Durango, Colorado, which sees an average high of 89 degrees Fahrenheit in July.
Heating and furnace breakdowns were the fourth most common recent breakdown, according to our survey. Coverage for these systems is essential in colder cities such as Denver, where the average low in January is 17 degrees.
Best home warranty for coverage limits
AHS rose to the top of our category rankings once again, achieving a perfect 5-star rating in our coverage limits category. The company pays up to $5,000 to replace or repair HVAC systems on all three plans, a higher payout than most providers. The ShieldPlatinum plan covers a generous $4,000 per appliance and offers a $1,000 roof-leak repair limit.
First American Home Warranty also scored 5 out of 5 stars in our coverage limits category. The company’s Premium Plan increases the plan limit to $7,000 for kitchen appliances, while the Essential Plan and Starter Plan cover $3,500.
| Provider | Coverage Limits Rating (Out of 5) | Key Info |
|---|---|---|
| American Home Shield | 5.0 | Pays up to $5,000 per HVAC claim |
| First American Home Warranty | 5.0 | Premium Plan offers $7,000 for some appliances |
| Liberty Home Guard | 4.3 | Pays up to $2,000 for most covered items |
| 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty | 4.3 | Offers add-on package that increases coverage limits |
| Cinch Home Services | 4.0 | Covers up to $10,000 annually per covered item |
Best home warranty in Colorado for reputation
Consider a home warranty company’s reputation when selecting your provider. LHG stands out with 5 out of 5 stars in our rating methodology’s reputation category. This company holds high ratings on customer review sites including BBB and Trustpilot.
LHG’s BBB profile has a current alert based on complaints against the company regarding claims, customer service and sale tactics. According to the alert, BBB contacted LHG about the complaint in March. Liberty Home Guard responded by outlining specific measures the company deployed to address the issues.
| Provider | Price Rating (Out of 5) | Key Info |
|---|---|---|
| Liberty Home Guard | 5.0 | Has 4.4 out of 5 stars on BBB |
| 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty | 3.7 | Holds an A rating on BBB |
| Cinch Home Services | 3.7 | More than half of Trustpilot reviews are 5 stars |
| First American Home Warranty | 3.7 | Has 4.2 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot |
| American Home Shield | 3.7 | Responds to most customer complaints on review websites |
Common red flags
Understanding the red flags to watch out for can help you avoid working with an untrustworthy home warranty provider and give you peace of mind. Here are some common red flags to look out for.
We recommend checking third-party websites such as BBB to review a company’s score and read customer reviews. Google Reviews and Trustpilot are also great resources for customer feedback. Consider selecting another company if you notice repeated 1-star reviews and recurring negative themes.
Research a home warranty company’s per-item coverage caps. Find another warranty provider if the company is only willing to pay abnormally low amounts per item.
Home warranty providers should offer a repair guarantee for items they service. Steer clear of companies that don’t disclose their workmanship guarantee upon request.
All reputable companies should display sample contracts online or send you a copy. Avoid home warranty providers that skip this step.
How do you choose the best Colorado home warranty?
Adequate heating and cooling system coverage isn’t the only factor to consider when searching for a Colorado home warranty. Think about all home appliances and major systems you use frequently.
Here are the main factors to consider before selecting your home warranty plan.
Coverage plans and extra features
Take inventory of all the appliances in your home and check to see if they are still under a manufacturer’s warranty. If not, a home warranty can help reduce the burden of significant home repair costs if and when something breaks.
Coverage limits
When selecting a plan, don’t overlook coverage limits. Confirm that a provider pays out enough for repairs and replacements. Also, take note of the coverage’s exclusions, such as preexisting conditions, misuse and cosmetic defects.
Price
Choose a company that fits your budget while meeting your coverage needs. Typical home warranty expenses include monthly premiums and a service call fee per approved claim.
Reputation
Research customer reviews online through sites such as the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and Trustpilot. Note recurring negative themes in customer feedback. This could be a red flag of bigger issues at the company.
Customer service
Select a home warranty company that makes communication easy and available. Providers should offer both over-the-phone and online communication options.
What else should you understand when shopping for Colorado home warranties?
After you’ve considered coverage plans, extra features, coverage limits and reputation, you’ll need to do some additional research to find the right home warranty provider for your Colorado home. We recommend thoroughly reading sample contracts, contacting customer service and understanding industry regulations.
Home warranty cost in Colorado
The average home warranty cost in Colorado is $55 monthly or $663 annually. We calculated these averages by gathering quotes across three zip codes in Colorado using 2,000-square-foot, single-family homes. We recommend requesting a quote from our recommended companies, as add-on services, home size and location can impact your overall premium.
Understand home warranty sample contracts
Home warranty service contracts feature language that can be difficult to understand. Below, we highlight some areas to review.
- Coverage options and limits: Check here to learn about the company’s payout amounts per covered item and your coverage options.
- Exclusions and limitations: This section details the conditions, situations and items the home warranty doesn’t cover. This often includes systems and appliances with preexisting conditions.
- Cancellation: This outlines the company’s cancellation policy. Providers often charge a cancellation fee if you terminate service after the initial free cancellation period.
Home warranty regulation in Colorado
Before purchasing a home warranty plan in Colorado, it’s crucial to understand the local regulations and consumer protections. While the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies is the governing body for service contracts, the Division of Real Estate provides information on consumer resources and updates on legislation affecting home warranty services.
According to Colorado statute 12-10-903, every home warranty service contract must include the following:
- A list of items not covered, also called exclusions
- A list of all other coverage limits, including preexisting conditions, if applicable
- Instructions for how to get repairs or replacements
- The time frame for completing repairs or replacements after notifying the company
- The exact duration of the contract, including a specific end date
- Information on whether the contract is transferable
- A statement that actions under the contract may be covered by the “Colorado Consumer Protection Act” or the “Unfair Practices Act.”
You can file a complaint with the Colorado Office of the Attorney General.
Final take: American Home Shield and Liberty Home Guard provide Colorado homeowners with comprehensive coverage
American Home Shield and Liberty Home Guard both provide comprehensive and customizable home warranty coverage options for Colorado residents. AHS’ most popular plan, ShieldGold, covers nearly two dozen appliances and major systems, including cooling and heating systems, essential to comfortably navigating the ups and downs of the Colorado seasons. Add-on options including AHS’ Electronics Protection Plan also help protect important items such as your laptop and smart home technologies.
For our second choice, LHG, we recommend purchasing the Total Home Guard plan to cover all your appliances and home systems. The company’s Systems Guard and Appliance Guard plans are solid options if you want to focus on covering only certain types of items in your home. While these plans are cheaper, they don’t provide the comprehensive protection offered in the Total Home Guard plan.
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.
Additional home services in Colorado
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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