{"id":320788,"date":"2025-11-10T14:57:47","date_gmt":"2025-11-10T19:57:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.reviews.com\/?p=119152"},"modified":"2025-11-10T14:57:47","modified_gmt":"2025-11-10T19:57:47","slug":"do-i-need-a-home-warranty","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.reviews.com\/insurance\/home-warranty\/do-i-need-a-home-warranty\/","title":{"rendered":"Do I Need a Home Warranty?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n<p>A home warranty is a residential service contract that helps pay to repair or replace household systems and appliances when they fail from normal wear and tear. Plans are typically offered as systems-only, appliances-only, or combo tiers, with optional add-ons. It\u2019s not homeowners insurance and doesn\u2019t cover structural damage or consequential losses\u2014consumer regulators like the <a href=\"https:\/\/content.naic.org\">NAIC<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/consumer.ftc.gov\">FTC<\/a> emphasize reading the contract for caps, exclusions, service fees, and cancellation terms before buying.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.reviews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/home-warranty-01-437x1024.jpg\" height=\"1024\" width=\"437\"  alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-119159\" width=\"437\" height=\"1024\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.reviews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/home-warranty-01-437x1024.jpg 437w, https:\/\/www.reviews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/home-warranty-01-128x300.jpg 128w, https:\/\/www.reviews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/home-warranty-01-768x1801.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.reviews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/home-warranty-01-94x220.jpg 94w, https:\/\/www.reviews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/home-warranty-01-109x256.jpg 109w, https:\/\/www.reviews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/home-warranty-01-36x84.jpg 36w, https:\/\/www.reviews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/home-warranty-01-328x769.jpg 328w, https:\/\/www.reviews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/home-warranty-01-84x197.jpg 84w, https:\/\/www.reviews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/home-warranty-01-540x1266.jpg 540w, https:\/\/www.reviews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/home-warranty-01-102x240.jpg 102w, https:\/\/www.reviews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/home-warranty-01-550x1290.jpg 550w, https:\/\/www.reviews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/home-warranty-01-64x150.jpg 64w, https:\/\/www.reviews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/home-warranty-01-51x120.jpg 51w, https:\/\/www.reviews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/home-warranty-01-650x1524.jpg 650w, https:\/\/www.reviews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/home-warranty-01-1300x3049.jpg 1300w, https:\/\/www.reviews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/home-warranty-01-400x938.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.reviews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/home-warranty-01-800x1876.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.reviews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/home-warranty-01-160x375.jpg 160w, https:\/\/www.reviews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/home-warranty-01.jpg 1440w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 437px) 100vw, 437px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>If you&#8217;re wondering &#8220;Do I need a home warranty?&#8221;\u2014the answer is that it\u2019s optional. You don\u2019t need one to close on a mortgage. Home warranties work alongside homeowners insurance: the warranty handles covered breakdowns of listed systems\/appliances, while insurance covers perils like fire or wind and damage to structures\/contents. Typical pricing in 2025 runs about $40\u2013$75 per month (roughly $500\u2013$900 per year for standard plans), and add-ons can push totals above $1,000; these benchmarks are consistent with consumer pricing research from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bankrate.com\">Bankrate<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nerdwallet.com\/article\/mortgages\/home-warranty-cost\">NerdWallet<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>How does a <a class=\"achor-toggles\" href=\"https:\/\/www.reviews.com\/insurance\/home-warranty\/what-is-home-warranty\/\">home warranty work<\/a>? You pay a home warranty company a premium and, when a covered item fails, you submit a claim and the provider dispatches a contractor. You pay a per-visit service call fee\u2014now most commonly $75\u2013$125, with many providers offering $150 options; a few plans still advertise lows near ~$60 (see current fee tiers from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ahs.com\/home-warranty\/plans-and-pricing\/\">American Home Shield<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cinchhomeservices.com\">Cinch<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.firstam.com\">First American<\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.2-10.com\/homeowners\/home-warranty\/\">2-10 Home Buyers Warranty<\/a>). Many brands now support 24\/7 digital claim intake, scheduling, and status tracking; some also use remote video diagnostics and AI-enabled triage to pre-diagnose issues and match the right technician (see <a href=\"https:\/\/investors.frontdoorhome.com\">Frontdoor<\/a> and its <a href=\"https:\/\/www.streem.com\/\">Streem<\/a> platform, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.homeserve.com\/en-us\/my-account\/\">HomeServe My Account<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n<div id=\"block_5edf98bd8bcac\" class=\"block b-accordion\" data-js=\"b-accordion\">\n    <div class=\"b-accordion__container\">\n        <div class=\"b-accordion__header\">\n            <a href=\"#\" class=\"b-accordion__title\" data-tag='cta' data-tag-element-type='LINK' data-tag-location='ACCORDION' data-tag-outcome='INTERNALLINK' ><h3 class=\"b-accordion__title--h3\">Appliances and Services Covered<\/h3><\/a>\n            <span class=\"b-accordion__toggle chevron-arrow-down\"><\/span>\n        <\/div>\n        <div class=\"b-accordion__content\" style=\"display: none;\">\n            <ul class=\"rich-text editor-rich-text__editable block-editor-rich-text__editable is-selected\" role=\"textbox\" contenteditable=\"true\" aria-multiline=\"true\" aria-label=\"Write list\u2026\">\n<li>Air conditioners (central AC and heat pumps) \u2014 coverage subject to caps, refrigerant and code-limit language in contracts.<\/li>\n<li>Home heating systems (furnace, blower, thermostat) \u2014 parts and labor within stated limits.<\/li>\n<li>Plumbing systems (leaks, clogs, water lines) \u2014 access, permits, and code upgrades may be limited or excluded.<\/li>\n<li>Electrical systems (wiring, panels, switches) \u2014 typically excludes cosmetic or fixture-only issues.<\/li>\n<li>Ovens or ranges \u2014 built-in kitchen appliances listed by model\/serial when possible.<\/li>\n<li>Refrigerators \u2014 including compressors and control boards within plan caps.<\/li>\n<li>Dishwashers and built-in microwaves \u2014 coverage varies by tier.<\/li>\n<li>Water heaters \u2014 tank and tankless; code\/size changes may require upgrades not always covered.<\/li>\n<li>Garbage disposals \u2014 repair or replacement up to per-item limits.<\/li>\n<li>Washers and dryers \u2014 usually included on appliance or combo tiers.<\/li>\n<li>Optional add-ons (varies by state): limited roof leak repair, well\/septic, pool\/spa, consumer electronics, EV charger, and some solar components (see examples from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ahs.com\/plans\/\">AHS plans<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cinchhomeservices.com\">Cinch Electronics Protection<\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/libertyhomeguard.com\">Liberty Home Guard add-ons<\/a>).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What Is Covered by a Home Warranty?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The exact items that your <a href=\"https:\/\/www.reviews.com\/insurance\/insurance\/home-warranty\/what-is-home-warranty\/\">home <\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.reviews.com\/insurance\/home-warranty\/what-is-home-warranty\/\" rel=\"nofollow\" class=\"achor-toggles\">warranty covers<\/a> depend on the plan and state contract. Generally, essential home systems (HVAC, plumbing, electrical) and major appliances are included on combo tiers, with optional add-ons like limited roof leak repair, consumer electronics protection, EV charger coverage, and even certain solar components increasingly available in 2025 (availability and caps vary by provider and state; see <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ahs.com\/plans\/\">AHS plan outlines<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cinchhomeservices.com\">Cinch Electronics Protection<\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/libertyhomeguard.com\">Liberty Home Guard<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Replacement and limits matter. Providers typically repair first and replace only when more economical. Contracts set dollar caps per item\/category and sometimes aggregate caps for a term; workmanship guarantees commonly range from about 30 days up to 180 days depending on brand (e.g., <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cinchhomeservices.com\">Cinch<\/a> advertises 180 days; <a href=\"https:\/\/afchomeclub.com\/\">AFC Home Club<\/a> lets you use your own licensed contractor with pre-approval and extends workmanship coverage for the membership term). Many plans now advertise limited coverage for \u201cunknown pre\u2011existing conditions\u201d on select tiers, but eligibility is narrowly defined in ZIP\u2011specific contracts (see <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ahs.com\/plans\/\">AHS<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.firstam.com\">First American<\/a> details).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What Is Not Covered by a Home Warranty?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Home warranties are service contracts, not homeowners insurance. They generally exclude structural elements (floors, walls, roof replacement), cosmetic issues, and consequential damage from a failure. For example, if a washer leaks and damages flooring, the contract may cover the washer repair or replacement up to plan limits, but the floor replacement is an insurance issue\u2014guidance echoed by the <a href=\"https:\/\/content.naic.org\">NAIC<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/consumer.ftc.gov\">FTC<\/a>. Marketplace frustrations often stem from mismatched expectations about exclusions, caps, or claim process; across U.S. complaint channels, consumers reported over $10 billion in fraud losses in 2024 to the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ftc.gov\/reports\/consumer-sentinel-network-data-book-2024\">FTC<\/a>, and the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.consumerfinance.gov\/data-research\/research-reports\/consumer-response-annual-report-2024\/\">CFPB<\/a> handled well over 1.5 million complaints, while the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbb.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">Better Business Bureau<\/a> highlights persistent disputes over refunds, workmanship, and cancellations. For home warranties, the most common pain points are denials tied to exclusions, delays due to contractor availability, and hitting dollar caps\u2014review your contract to set realistic expectations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Your <a href=\"https:\/\/www.reviews.com\/insurance\/home-warranty\/what-is-home-warranty\/\" rel=\"nofollow\" class=\"achor-toggles\">warranty may not cover<\/a> every appliance or scenario. Most plans impose a waiting period before claims are eligible (often about 30 days), exclude known pre\u2011existing conditions, and deny issues linked to improper installation, lack of maintenance, code violations, or inaccessible components. Some brands sell upgrades that buy back limited coverage for specific situations (e.g., limited roof leak repair or certain code-related items), but scope and dollar limits vary by state contract\u2014always rely on the ZIP\u2011specific sample contract from the provider (see <a href=\"https:\/\/content.naic.org\">NAIC<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/consumer.ftc.gov\">FTC<\/a>, and provider plan pages such as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.firstam.com\">First American<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ahs.com\/plans\/\">AHS<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n<div id=\"block_5ee3bd8f6629a\" class=\"block b-accordion\" data-js=\"b-accordion\">\n    <div class=\"b-accordion__container\">\n        <div class=\"b-accordion__header\">\n            <a href=\"#\" class=\"b-accordion__title\" data-tag='cta' data-tag-element-type='LINK' data-tag-location='ACCORDION' data-tag-outcome='INTERNALLINK' ><h3 class=\"b-accordion__title--h3\">Common causes for denied home warranty service<\/h3><\/a>\n            <span class=\"b-accordion__toggle chevron-arrow-down\"><\/span>\n        <\/div>\n        <div class=\"b-accordion__content\" style=\"display: none;\">\n            <ul class=\"rich-text editor-rich-text__editable block-editor-rich-text__editable is-selected\" role=\"textbox\" contenteditable=\"true\" aria-multiline=\"true\" aria-label=\"Write list\u2026\">\n<li><strong data-rich-text-format-boundary=\"true\">The broken item or component isn\u2019t covered or isn\u2019t listed.<\/strong> Structural items, finishes, and non-listed equipment are commonly excluded per <a href=\"https:\/\/content.naic.org\">NAIC<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/consumer.ftc.gov\">FTC<\/a> guidance.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Pre\u2011existing conditions or waiting period issues.<\/strong> Claims during the initial waiting period (often ~30 days) or for known pre\u2011existing problems are typically denied; some plans offer limited coverage for unknown, undetectable conditions\u2014see your state contract.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Improper installation, lack of maintenance, or code violations.<\/strong> Contracts commonly exclude failures tied to these causes unless a specific upgrade applies.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Exceeded dollar caps.<\/strong> Per\u2011item or aggregate caps can be reached mid\u2011term; out\u2011of\u2011pocket applies beyond the limit\u2014verify caps in the sample contract.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Power surge or inaccessible components.<\/strong> Damage from electrical surges and items that can\u2019t be safely accessed are frequent exclusions.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Multiple trades or no-fault-found visits.<\/strong> Additional service fees may apply if separate trades are dispatched or if no covered failure is found\u2014check service fee rules.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>When It Makes Sense to Purchase a Home Warranty?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If your home\u2019s systems and appliances are older or out of manufacturer warranty, a home warranty can help stabilize repair costs\u2014especially for high\u2011ticket exposures like HVAC, plumbing, and major refrigerators. It won\u2019t replace homeowners insurance, but it can simplify finding a technician and managing repairs via a single point of contact. Note that most plans include a waiting period and network rules; some providers allow you to use your own licensed contractor with prior approval.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Below we break down a few instances where getting a home warranty makes sense.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li><strong>You aren&#8217;t handy.<\/strong> If you prefer a managed repair experience\u2014digital claim intake, technician dispatch, and status updates\u2014modern providers increasingly offer mobile apps and remote diagnostics that reduce effort and speed fixes (see <a href=\"https:\/\/investors.frontdoorhome.com\">Frontdoor<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.streem.com\/\">Streem<\/a>).<\/li><li><strong>You&#8217;re on a tight budget. <\/strong>Premiums commonly run about $40\u2013$75 per month for standard tiers, but you\u2019ll still pay a per\u2011visit service call fee (typically $75\u2013$125; options up to $150) when a contractor is dispatched\u2014confirm both costs in your quote (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bankrate.com\">Bankrate<\/a>; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nerdwallet.com\/article\/mortgages\/home-warranty-cost\">NerdWallet<\/a>).<\/li><li><strong>You own older appliances and systems.<\/strong> As equipment ages, the probability of failure rises. Reviewing per\u2011item caps and exclusions for HVAC, water heaters, and refrigerators is key; higher caps often matter more than a small price difference (see plan disclosures at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ahs.com\/plans\/\">AHS<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.firstam.com\">First American<\/a>).<\/li><li><strong>Your house is more than 10 years old. <\/strong> Older homes can benefit from coverage of wear\u2011and\u2011tear failures across multiple trades. If everything is brand new and under manufacturer warranty, coverage may be redundant.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>How to Shop for a Home Warranty?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If you decide to get a home warranty, compare at least three providers at the same service\u2011fee tier and request the ZIP\u2011specific sample contract for each. Review: per\u2011item and any aggregate caps, exclusions (pre\u2011existing conditions, improper installation, code violations), workmanship guarantee length (often 30\u2013180 days), contractor policy (network\u2011only vs choose\u2011your\u2011own with pre\u2011approval), and service\u2011fee rules (multiple trades, recall windows). Typical 2025 pricing is ~$40\u2013$75\/month ($500\u2013$900\/year) with service call fees typically $75\u2013$125 and options up to $150, per <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bankrate.com\">Bankrate<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nerdwallet.com\/article\/mortgages\/home-warranty-cost\">NerdWallet<\/a>, and current provider menus (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ahs.com\/home-warranty\/plans-and-pricing\/\">AHS<\/a>; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cinchhomeservices.com\">Cinch<\/a>; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.firstam.com\">First American<\/a>; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.2-10.com\/homeowners\/home-warranty\/\">2-10<\/a>). Contracts increasingly spell out per\u2011item caps in the low\u2011to\u2011mid four figures for appliances and higher limits for HVAC; verify exact amounts in your state contract (see <a href=\"https:\/\/www.firstam.com\">First American<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ahs.com\/plans\/\">AHS<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Look for a warranty that allows you to customize exactly what you need and that offers a modern claims experience (online portal\/app, technician ETA notifications, and remote\/AR diagnostics). Also check renewal and cancellation terms. The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ftc.gov\/legal-library\/browse\/federal-register-notices\/negative-option-rule\">FTC\u2019s Negative Option Rule<\/a> requires clear disclosures, express consent, and simple \u201cclick\u2011to\u2011cancel\u201d for auto\u2011renewing plans; states like California and New York require all\u2011in price display of mandatory fees (<a href=\"https:\/\/oag.ca.gov\">CA DOJ<\/a>; <a href=\"https:\/\/dos.ny.gov\/all-in-price-display\">NY DOS<\/a>). Prices and fees often rise at renewal due to elevated repair costs and wage inflation in the trades\u2014major providers have cited inflation-driven claims severity and service\u2011fee adjustments in filings (<a href=\"https:\/\/investors.frontdoorhome.com\">Frontdoor SEC filings<\/a>; see broader inflation context from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bls.gov\/news.release\/eci.nr0.htm\">BLS Employment Cost Index<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bls.gov\/news.release\/cpi.nr0.htm\">CPI<\/a>). Check rate\u2011increase and auto\u2011renewal clauses before you enroll.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Frequently Asked Questions<\/h2>\n\n\n<div id=\"block_5edf99148bcad\" class=\"block b-accordion\" data-js=\"b-accordion\">\n    <div class=\"b-accordion__container\">\n        <div class=\"b-accordion__header\">\n            <a href=\"#\" class=\"b-accordion__title\" data-tag='cta' data-tag-element-type='LINK' data-tag-location='ACCORDION' data-tag-outcome='INTERNALLINK' ><h3 class=\"b-accordion__title--h3\">Who should buy a home warranty?<\/h3><\/a>\n            <span class=\"b-accordion__toggle chevron-arrow-down\"><\/span>\n        <\/div>\n        <div class=\"b-accordion__content\" style=\"display: none;\">\n            <p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Homeowners with aging systems\/appliances, limited time or DIY skills, or those who value predictable budgeting and a managed repair process. If you expect to need HVAC, plumbing, or major appliance work in the next year or two, a plan can simplify contractor access and cost sharing\u2014just verify per\u2011item caps, exclusions, and workmanship guarantees in the sample contract (see <a href=\"https:\/\/content.naic.org\">NAIC<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/consumer.ftc.gov\">FTC<\/a> guidance).<\/span><\/p>\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"block_5edf99378bcae\" class=\"block b-accordion\" data-js=\"b-accordion\">\n    <div class=\"b-accordion__container\">\n        <div class=\"b-accordion__header\">\n            <a href=\"#\" class=\"b-accordion__title\" data-tag='cta' data-tag-element-type='LINK' data-tag-location='ACCORDION' data-tag-outcome='INTERNALLINK' ><h3 class=\"b-accordion__title--h3\">Are home warranties worth it?<\/h3><\/a>\n            <span class=\"b-accordion__toggle chevron-arrow-down\"><\/span>\n        <\/div>\n        <div class=\"b-accordion__content\" style=\"display: none;\">\n            <p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It depends on your home\u2019s risk profile and how the plan\u2019s limits match expected repairs. Typical 2025 premiums run about $40\u2013$75 per month (roughly $500\u2013$900 per year) and service call fees are usually $75\u2013$125 per visit, with options up to $150 (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bankrate.com\">Bankrate<\/a>; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nerdwallet.com\/article\/mortgages\/home-warranty-cost\">NerdWallet<\/a>; provider menus at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ahs.com\/home-warranty\/plans-and-pricing\/\">AHS<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cinchhomeservices.com\">Cinch<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.firstam.com\">First American<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.2-10.com\/homeowners\/home-warranty\/\">2-10<\/a>). Do the math using premium + likely service fees \u2013 expected out\u2011of\u2011pocket beyond caps. Note that premiums and\/or fees may rise at renewal as providers respond to higher claims severity and labor costs (<a href=\"https:\/\/investors.frontdoorhome.com\">Frontdoor SEC filings<\/a>; inflation context from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bls.gov\/news.release\/eci.nr0.htm\">BLS ECI<\/a>).<\/span><\/p>\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"block_5edf995e8bcaf\" class=\"block b-accordion\" data-js=\"b-accordion\">\n    <div class=\"b-accordion__container\">\n        <div class=\"b-accordion__header\">\n            <a href=\"#\" class=\"b-accordion__title\" data-tag='cta' data-tag-element-type='LINK' data-tag-location='ACCORDION' data-tag-outcome='INTERNALLINK' ><h3 class=\"b-accordion__title--h3\">When should I skip home warranty?<\/h3><\/a>\n            <span class=\"b-accordion__toggle chevron-arrow-down\"><\/span>\n        <\/div>\n        <div class=\"b-accordion__content\" style=\"display: none;\">\n            <p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If your home and appliances are new and covered by robust manufacturer warranties, a home warranty may duplicate coverage. You may also prefer to skip if you want to select your exact replacement brand\/model without contract limits, if you\u2019re comfortable self\u2011managing contractors, or if you don\u2019t want to abide by a waiting period and per\u2011visit service fees. If you want contractor choice, look for plans that explicitly allow using your own licensed technician with pre\u2011approval (e.g., policies like <a href=\"https:\/\/afchomeclub.com\/\">AFC Home Club<\/a>). Always read the sample contract first (<a href=\"https:\/\/content.naic.org\">NAIC<\/a>; <a href=\"https:\/\/consumer.ftc.gov\">FTC<\/a>).<\/span><\/p>\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A home warranty is a residential service contract that helps pay to repair or replace household systems and appliances when they fail from normal wear and tear. Plans are typically offered as systems-only, appliances-only, or combo tiers, with optional add-ons. It\u2019s not homeowners insurance and doesn\u2019t cover structural damage or consequential losses\u2014consumer regulators like the [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":345,"featured_media":348583,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[1269],"tags":[],"post_author":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v20.8 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Do I Need a Home Warranty? - Reviews.com<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Understanding Do I Need a Home Warranty?\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.reviews.com\/insurance\/home-warranty\/do-i-need-a-home-warranty\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Do I Need a Home Warranty? 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