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5 Best Home Warranty Companies in Pennsylvania (2024)

Author Image Written by Dana Getz + 1 other Reviewer Icon Reviewed by Jacquelyn Kfoury Updated 04/01/2024

After researching and rating nearly 60 top home warranty companies, we recommend Liberty Home Guard to Pennsylvania homeowners. The company offers an extensive add-on catalog and multiple AC-unit protections. American Home Shield is another excellent choice thanks to its comprehensive HVAC, plumbing, and roof-leak protections.

Pennsylvania homes endure year-round climate challenges, which can strain your heating, cooling, and plumbing systems. When faced with unexpected issues and repair costs, you’ll want excellent home warranty coverage that offers peace of mind when faced with these emergencies. Discover our complete list of the best home warranty companies and find the right provider to protect your Pennsylvania home.

Key Takeaways

The best home warranty companies in Pennsylvania are Liberty Home Guard and American Home Shield, based on our extensive research of 57 home warranty providers.
A home warranty costs $39–$99 per month in Pennsylvania, depending on your provider and coverage.
Our survey revealed 92.7% of policyholders were satisfied with their current home warranty plan.
Did You Know?

In the last 30 days, more than 2,500 people bought home warranties from the above providers.


What Are Top Home Warranty Companies in Pennsylvania?

After reviewing 57 home warranty companies on 31 key factors, we selected the top five providers for Pennsylvania homes:

Liberty Home Guard: Best Customer Ratings
American Home Shield: Best for Comprehensive Coverage
Elite Home Warranty: Best Flexible Coverage
Choice Home Warranty: Best Basic Plan
Company BBB Rating Monthly Cost in PA Service Fee Visit Site
NR $49–$59 $65–$125 VISIT SITE
B $39–$99 $100–$125 VISIT SITE
A+ $44–$58 $70 VISIT SITE
B- $44–$47 $60–$75 VISIT SITE
B $46–$55 $100 VISIT SITE
No results were found.


Do I Need a Home Warranty in Pennsylvania?

Home warranties provide great value for Pennsylvania homeowners by covering repairs and replacements for failed home systems and appliances. For example, HVAC systems are essential for homes as the state faces harsh hot and cold seasons.

Pennsylvania’s cold winters can strain heating systems, roofs, and plumbing, and packed snow and freezing pipes can lead to unwanted leaks.

Home warranty plans help reduce homeowners’ out-of-pocket repair or replacement costs. Below are the five most common appliances and systems that need repair most often in Pennsylvania homes.

Air conditioning is a crucial system for most homeowners in Pennsylvania. The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) reports that 91% of statewide households have an AC unit. An air conditioning breakdown can create an extremely uncomfortable home environment. You’ll need to quickly find a trusted technician and pay AC repair costs of $100–$650, depending on the issue. But if your AC system completely fails, a replacement can run $2,500–$15,000 or more.
A faulty gas furnace poses risks beyond just temperature control. Gas leaks from a broken furnace release carbon dioxide and reduce indoor air quality, which can seriously endanger your family’s health. While basic repairs may cost $30–$150, a full gas furnace replacement typically runs $5,000–$13,000.
A small leak in your plumbing can quickly become a major and expensive issue. Leaking pipes waste water and drive up utility bills. Leaks can also promote mold growth, posing a health risk. If left unaddressed, the water from plumbing leaks can cause severe damage to ceilings, floors, cabinets, and other home structures, requiring costly repairs. While a minor leak repair may cost $150–$450, replacing extensive plumbing sections can run up to $5,000 or more.
Even a small roof leak can turn into a major issue over time. Leaks enable bacteria growth that gradually eats away at roof integrity. The damage can then spread to ceilings, walls, and belongings. Roof repair costs typically range from $150–$2,000, depending on the deterioration’s extent. With more severe damage, partial or full roof replacement may be necessary, running $3,800–$10,000 or more.
A failing sump pump can create a big problem by allowing excessive moisture buildup in basements, attics, or crawl spaces. This excess water can lead to flooding, promote mold growth, and cause deterioration of flooring. Extensive water damage from a broken sump pump often requires thousands of dollars in restoration and repairs. Minor repairs could range from $350–$1,000, while a new sump pump installation could result in a bill of up to $4,000.

How Much Does a Home Warranty Cost in Pennsylvania?

The average home warranty cost in Pennsylvania is $63 per month or around $756 annually.

Some Additional costs for home warranty include service call fees, which are required with each requested repair or replacement. Our research shows that the typical service call fee ranges from $75–$125. Prices vary by provider, home size, and type, and your location within the state. We’ve listed additional cost factors below:

  • Home age: If you live in an older Pennsylvania home, your appliances and systems could be older and have certain physical damage. David Bringer, owner and head technician of Bringer Appliance Repair, says home warranties are necessary for older houses because their appliances and systems have probably exhausted their manufacturer’s warranty coverage. You’ll need coverage that includes items with preexisting conditions, a rare feature. Many low-cost plans don’t include this coverage type. 
  • Plan coverage: You’ll pay more for comprehensive coverage than appliance- or system-only plans. Assess your coverage needs and choose plans that align with your home items. Avoid overpaying for coverage you don’t need. 
  • Unique add-ons: Most companies don’t offer baseline coverage for items such as extra refrigerators, rook leaks, sump pumps, or well pumps. You’ll need add-on coverage for those protections, increasing your overall costs. We recommend comparing quotes with all add-ons included for accurate pricing.

Note: The pricing information in this article uses a 2,063-square-foot, single-family home in Allentown, Pennsylvania. Your monthly premium may vary based on your home’s location, size, type, and your plan and add-on choices.


What Does a Pennsylvania Home Warranty Cover?

Home warranties in Pennsylvania provide coverage for system and appliance breakdowns due to normal wear and tear, not external factors such as weather events or lack of maintenance. Most companies exclude preexisting conditions, previous repairs, and any damage caused by homeowners tampering with or neglecting systems.

When shopping for a home warranty in Pennsylvania, it’s important to understand what is typically covered and excluded and what additional options may be available. Our guide below outlines the standard coverage, common exclusions, and extra protections Pennsylvania homeowners may want to consider when choosing a policy.

Standard home warranty coverage typically includes a range of appliances and systems, such as heating and cooling systems, electrical and plumbing systems, kitchen appliances, and more. Here’s a list of common inclusions:
Air conditioning
Built-in microwaves
Clothes dryers
Clothes washers
Cooktops
Dishwashers
Ductwork
Electrical systems
Garbage disposals
Garage door openers
Heating systems
Ovens
Plumbing systems
Ranges
Refrigerators
Stoves
Water heaters
Home warranties usually exclude breakdowns due to the following situations:
Cosmetic defects that don’t impact appliance or system function
Damage from incorrect installation or improper maintenance
Weather-related issues, such as damage from a snowstorm
Failures that occur during the waiting period (typically 30+ days)
Physical damage, such as rust or corrosion
Preexisting conditions that occurred before coverage began
Home warranty providers offer additional coverage for items like pools, secondary appliances, and sump pumps. These items can be added to your policy as supplementary coverage. We’ve listed some examples of add-on options below:
Annual HVAC tune-ups
Central vacuums
Lawn sprinkler systems
Pools and spas
Professional and high-end appliances
Roof leaks
Secondary refrigerators
Septic tank and pumping
Stand-alone freezers
Sump pumps
Well pumps

Our Home Warranty Research Process

Why Trust Us? Our review and rating process for the best home warranty companies
57
Companies Considered We carefully considered 57 companies to find the best home warranty providers available.
2000
Homeowners Surveyed We surveyed 2,000 home owners to see what they care about most for home protection.
57000
Reviews Analyzed We went through 57,000 customer reviews of home warranty companies to see what people had to say about each provider.
31
Coverages Compared We compared 31 policies to find the best home warranty offerings on the market.

To find the top Pennsylvania home warranty companies, we spoke with industry professionals to identify common repairs and replacements throughout the state. We then contacted home warranty companies to speak with representatives, evaluate plans, run sample quotes, and review policy terms and conditions. 

Next, we scored each provider using our detailed methodology, which included four categories: coverage, value, trust and transparency, and availability and service. We ensured each company offered HVAC, plumbing, and roof-leak coverage in either its base plan or with add-on coverage. We compared premium pricing and considered cost versus coverage value. We reached each company’s brand reputation and read customer reviews from third-party review sites. Finally, we reviewed claim processing policies, customer service options, and the claim filing process.

Our Home Warranty Experts

We consulted over 15 home warranty experts during our research and received insights from two experts for this article:
Dave Bringer: Bringer is the Owner and Head Technician of Bringer Appliance Repair
Arthur Chartrand: Chartrand served as legal counsel and former executive director for the National Home Service Contract Association (NHSCA).

Pennsylvania Home Warranty Reviews

We’ve provided detailed reviews for our top picks for Pennsylvania home warranty providers below.

Liberty Home Guard

Best Customer Ratings
4.5 We grade all home warranty companies on the most important factors to homeowners such as coverage, value, trust, transparency, availability, and service. We account for 15 specific data points such as coverage caps, systems and appliances covered, monthly costs, service fees, sample contract availability, response time, claims process, and workmanship guarantee length to then calculate a score, created fully by our Editorial team.

We recommend Liberty Home Guard for Pennsylvania homeowners seeking coverage of multiple AC units. The company offers excellent add-on flexibility, with 42 options for additional coverage, such as roof leak protection, extra fridges, and professional-grade appliances.

Monthly cost: $49–$59

How We Scored Liberty Home Guard

We scored Liberty Home Guard 4.5 out of 5 stars in our review standards. Here’s how LHG rated in key categories:

  • Coverage (4.7 out of 5): LHG received high scores for its HVAC and plumbing coverage and extensive add-on catalog. 
  • Value (4.25 out of 5): We deducted points for its unclear and inconsistent service fee pricing. 
  • Trustworthiness and Transparency (4.8 out of 5): LHG received high marks for its exceptional customer reviews on several sites, such as 4.7 out of 5 stars on Google Reviews.
  • Availability and Service (4.3 out of 5): We deducted points for its limited service technician options.

Pros and Cons

Pros Offers two plans with HVAC and plumbing coverage Includes a 60-day workmanship guarantee on all repairs Provides 42 add-ons for better coverage customization Cons Claim response can take up to 48 hours Baseline coverage excludes roof-leak protection Claims must be filed immediately

Plans and Cost

Liberty Home Guard offers three service plan options: Appliance Guard, Systems Guard, and Total Home Guard. After reading the Liberty Home Guard sample contract, we discovered that the company offers a $2,000 coverage cap for most items, save for electrical and plumbing systems, which receive a $500 coverage cap. Each plan includes a 60-day workmanship guarantee, double the 30-day industry standard. 

Here’s an overview of LHG’s service plans:

  • Appliance Guard: This plan covers major appliances, such as cooktops, clothes washers, and ranges.
  • Systems Guard: This plan focuses on built-in systems, such as heating, cooling, and plumbing.
  • Total Home Guard: The highest-coverage tier combines the Appliance Guard and Systems Guard plans.

LHG does offer monthly and annual premium options. The company includes two free months of coverage with its annual plans. LHG service fees range from $65–$125. When we spoke to an LHG representative about the fees, she said they vary based on your service plan, add-ons, and location.

Below is a detailed look at LHG’s monthly pricing: 

Plan

Monthly Cost

Service Fee

Coverage Cap

Appliance Guard

$49.99

$65–$125

$2,000

Systems Guard

$54.99

$65–$125

$2,000 (Plumbing & electrical: $500)

Total Home Guard

$59.99

$65–$125

Coverage caps remain the same

Liberty Home Guard provides 42 coverage options, the most in this review. Since the company’s plans don’t offer roof-leak coverage, you’ll need it as an add-on. This coverage will add $11.99 to your premium costs. Our sample quote included recommendations for coverage based on our home address. Here are LHG’s recommended add-ons for Pennsylvania: 

  • Septic system pumping
  • Stand-alone freezer
  • Sump pump
  • Well pump

Our Experience With Liberty Home Guard

During secret shopping, we learned that LHG offers customers several convenient contact methods. We tested each method and listed our results below:

  • Its LHG customer support team line connects you to a representative in under one minute. 
  • Its live chat uses automated responses and real representatives to answer your questions. However, you must ask for a representative twice before you reach a live person. 
  • We recommend using the live chat if you have brief, straightforward questions. For extensive plan guidance, call and speak to a representative.

We also learned that you can file claims through the online portal, the customer support line, or the Liberty Home Guard mobile app. 

American Home Shield

Best for Comprehensive Coverage
4.4 We grade all home warranty companies on the most important factors to homeowners such as coverage, value, trust, transparency, availability, and service. We account for 15 specific data points such as coverage caps, systems and appliances covered, monthly costs, service fees, sample contract availability, response time, claims process, and workmanship guarantee length to then calculate a score, created fully by our Editorial team.

We recommend American Home Shield for its comprehensive heating, cooling, and plumbing coverage. The company offers roof-leak coverage with its highest plans and as an add-on for lower-tier plans.

Monthly cost: $39–$99

How We Scored American Home Shield

We scored American Home Shield 4.4 out of 5 stars in our review standards. Here’s how we rated it in key categories.

  • Coverage (4.7 out of 5): American Home Shield received high scores for its excellent HVAC, plumbing, and roof-leak coverage. 
  • Value (4 out of 5): AHS lost points for its higher-than-average premiums. 
  • Trustworthiness and Transparency (4.25 out of 5): We deducted points for its low customer service scores on several third-party review sites. 
  • Availability and Service (4.7 out of 5): AHS scored higher points for its 24/7 claims line and simple online claims process. 

Pros and Cons

Pros Covers items with physical damage, such as rust and sediment damage Offers HVAC coverage with every plan Provides add-on options for roof leaks and sump pumps. Cons Doesn’t offer a plan for appliance-only coverage Limits premium options to monthly payments Only provides five add-on options, the smallest catalog in our review

Plans and Cost

American Home Shield offers three plans: ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, and ShieldPlatinum.

We read through the American Home Shield sample contract and learned that the ShieldPlatinum plan includes $1,500 of roof-leak coverage. The other two plans require you to add this coverage. In addition, appliance coverage is only included in the ShieldGold and ShieldPlatinum plans. However, HVAC coverage is included in every plan at no extra charge. We also learned that AHS plans include a 30-day workmanship guarantee.

We’ll review American Home Shield’s coverage plans below:

  • ShieldSilver: The lowest plan includes system-only coverage for major systems such as air conditioning, heating, and plumbing. 
  • ShieldGold: The next tier covers systems and appliances, such as washers and dryers, ranges, and water heaters. 
  • ShieldPlatinum: The highest plan includes ShieldGold coverage plus benefits such as roof-leak repairs and HVAC tune-ups.

During secret shopping, we received sample quotes for all three plans with service fees of $100 and $125. When we chose the higher service call fee, the monthly premium decreased.

AHS only offers monthly premium options for its plans. Most companies include an annual option with perks for paying in advance, such as free coverage months.

We’ve outlined American Home Shield’s pricing below:

Plan

Monthly Cost

Service Fee

Coverage Cap

ShieldSilver

$39.99–$49.99

$100–$125

$5000

ShieldGold

$59.99–$69.99

$100–$125

Systems: $5,000
Appliances: $2,000

ShieldPlatinum

$89.99–$99.99

$100–$125

Systems: $5,000
Appliances: $4,000

American Home Shield offers the fewest add-ons of all reviewed providers. Other providers on our list offer a minimum of 8–10 options. You can add roof-leak coverage to the two lowest plans for $10 monthly. AHS offers competitive add-on pricing from $4.99–$21.99 monthly. 

Add-on coverage includes the following items:

  • Electronics protection plan
  • Guest unit 
  • Pool and spa
  • Septic pump
  • Well pump

Our Experience With American Home Shield

One of our team members recently filed an online claim with AHS for a leaky bathroom pipe and had a seamless experience:

  • He received an instant text confirming his claim submission after filing it online.
  • He got a call from a technician within an hour and scheduled a next-day appointment. 
  • The technician fixed the leak in under two hours and only charged the standard service fee.

We should note that AHS does not let you use your own contractor for service repairs. You must select a service technician from its in-network options.

Elite Home Warranty

Best for Flexible Coverage
4.6 We grade all home warranty companies on the most important factors to homeowners such as coverage, value, trust, transparency, availability, and service. We account for 15 specific data points such as coverage caps, systems and appliances covered, monthly costs, service fees, sample contract availability, response time, claims process, and workmanship guarantee length to then calculate a score, created fully by our Editorial team.

We recommend Elite Home Warranty for Pennsylvania homeowners who want more flexible coverage plan options. The company offers three plan options, one fully customized plan, and  27 add-on choices.

Monthly cost: $44–$58

How We Scored Elite Home Warranty

We scored Elite Home Warranty 4.6 out of 5 stars in our review standards. Here’s how we rated it in key categories.

  • Coverage (4.6 out of 5): Elite scored well thanks to its plan variety and extensive add-on catalog.
  • Value (4.25 out of 5): Elite lost points due to only offering one standard service call fee, but charging a higher rate for high-end appliance repair calls.   
  • Trustworthiness and transparency (4.8 out of 5): Elite received a high score for its solid brand reputation and excellent customer review scores.
  • Availability and service (4.5 out of 5): Elite lost points for its limited online services, which includes its lack of an online quote tool.

Pros and Cons

Pros Has 27 add-on options, the second largest catalog in this review Offers three comprehensive standard plans, plus a fully customizable option Provides a 90-day workmanship guarantee, three times the industry standard Cons Charges a higher service call fee for high-end appliance repairs Doesn’t cover out-of-network contractors under its workmanship guarantee Doesn’t offer an online quote tool like other providers

Plans and Cost

Elite Home Warranty provides three standard protection plans: Elite Appliances, Elite Systems, and Elite Complete. You can also choose the Customize Your Own policy options and choose the exact item coverage you need. When reading through the Elite Home Warranty sample contract, we learned that the company varies its coverage limits between each item. Many providers offer the same coverage limit for their appliances and systems. In addition, Elite includes a $15,000 annual limit for all plans. You receive a maximum of $8,000 for all systems claims and $7,000 for appliances.

Here are the details of Elite’s available coverage plans:

  • Elite Appliances: The appliance-only plan covers eight home appliances such as stovetops, washing machines, and dishwashers. 
  • Elite Systems: The next plan offers system-only protection for eight home systems, including air conditioning, heating, and electrical. 
  • Elite Complete: The highest plan combines Elite Appliances and Elite Systems plans for better comprehensive protection.

According to our over-the-phone sample quotes, Elite Home Warranty premiums range between $44–$58 per month. Unlike other companies that offer two or three service call fees, Elite only offers a standard $70 fee. However, the company charges a $150 fee for high-end appliance repairs and after-hour and weekend calls.

Here are Elite’s pricing and service fees below:

Plan

Monthly Cost

Service Fee

Coverage Cap

Elite Appliances

$44.49

$70

$500–$3,000

Elite Systems

$49.99

$70

$750–$4,000

Elite Complete

$58.99

$70

Coverage caps remain the same

Elite offers 27 add-on options, the second largest catalog behind American Home Shield. Elite’s add-on coverage limits vary by item. Like its coverage cap limits, you are limited to a $5,000 total limit per term.

Here’s a sample of available add-on coverage from Elite: 

  • Annual maintenance
  • Drainage, sewer, and water service lines
  • Geothermal heating and cooling systems
  • Septic system

Our Experience with Elite Home Warranty

Our team member tested the Elite Home Warranty claim process to repair their broken high-end dishwasher. They submitted the claim online and received a call from a claims specialist within 30 minutes. They received a next-day appointment for their repair, but the technician realized the repair would require out-of-stock parts. The technician returned with the required parts the following Monday morning and completed the repairs within an hour.

Elite uses its own authorized technicians for repairs and provides a 90-day workmanship guarantee. You can choose your own technician, but doing so voids the workmanship coverage.

Select Home Warranty

Best Value
4.3 We grade all home warranty companies on the most important factors to homeowners such as coverage, value, trust, transparency, availability, and service. We account for 15 specific data points such as coverage caps, systems and appliances covered, monthly costs, service fees, sample contract availability, response time, claims process, and workmanship guarantee length to then calculate a score, created fully by our Editorial team.

For Pennsylvania homeowners seeking basic coverage at low prices, we recommend Select Home Warranty. The company offers complimentary roof-leak protection with all plans, plus pricing at $50 monthly or less.

Monthly cost: $44–$47

How We Scored Select Home Warranty

We scored Select Home Warranty 4.3 out of 5 stars in our review standards. Here’s how we rated it in key categories.

  • Coverage (3.7 out of 5): We deducted points for Select’s lower coverage caps.  
  • Value (5.5 out of 5): Select earned a perfect score for its affordable coverage plans. 
  • Trustworthiness and Transparency (4.5 out of 5): Select lost points for its lower customer reviews scores. 
  • Availability and Service (4.3 out of 5): We deducted points for its lengthy claims process, which could take 48 hours or longer for processing. 

Pros and Cons

Pros Does not charge extra for roof-leak coverage Offers monthly premiums priced below $50 Protects HVAC and plumbing systems under two plans Cons Excludes coverage for unknown preexisting conditions Offers coverage caps of $500 or lower for most items Provides limited service call fee flexibility

Plans and Cost

Select Home Warranty offers three plan options: Bronze Care, Gold Care, and Platinum Care. After reviewing the Select Home Warranty sample contract, the company offers lower coverage caps than its competitors at $500 for most items. These coverage limits are below industry standards, which is around $2,000. Only HVAC systems receive a generous $3,000 coverage cap. All repairs and replacements include a 30-day workmanship guarantee. We recommend Select to Pennsylvania homeowners who need HVAC and roof-leak protection at an affordable price.

We’ll cover each Select Home Warranty plan below:

  • Bronze Care: This appliance-only coverage includes major appliances, such as cooktops, garbage disposals, and refrigerators.
  • Gold Care: The system-only plan includes home systems such as HVAC and plumbing.
  • Platinum Care: The highest plan combines the Bronze and Gold Care plan coverage and adds other items, such as luxury appliances and plumbing stoppages.

You can choose an annual or monthly premium. During our secret shopping process, we receive a $150 discount and two free months of coverage when choosing an annual premium. Select assigns service fees for its plans based on your location.

Below are Select’s monthly prices and fees:

Plan

Monthly Cost

Service Fee

Coverage Cap

Bronze Care

$44.42

$60–$75

$500

Gold Care

$44.42

$60–$75

$500 (HVAC: $3,000)

Platinum Care

$47.75

$60–$75

Coverage caps remain the same

Similar to its premiums, Select offers nine affordable add-ons, with pricing ranging from $3.33–$8.33. Coverage options include sump pumps, septic systems, and well pumps.  

Additional add-on options include the following items: 

  • Central vacuum
  • Lawn sprinkler system
  • Pools 
  • Spas
  • Stand-alone freezer

Our Experience With Select Home Warranty

We spoke with a Select representative to gain more insight into the company’s plans and process. The representative said Select prefers resolving plan issues and processing claims over the phone. In addition, we received a better service call fee with our over-the-phone- quote compared to the online quote tool. If you’re considering Select as a provider, we recommend calling their support team for sign-up, claims, and account resolutions.

Choice Home Warranty

Best Basic Plan
4.5 We grade all home warranty companies on the most important factors to homeowners such as coverage, value, trust, transparency, availability, and service. We account for 15 specific data points such as coverage caps, systems and appliances covered, monthly costs, service fees, sample contract availability, response time, claims process, and workmanship guarantee length to then calculate a score, created fully by our Editorial team.

We recommend Choice Home Warranty for Pennsylvania homeowners who need more complete home protection for less. The company offers two coverage plans priced under $60 per month, including comprehensive coverage even under its most basic plan.

Monthly cost: $46–$55

How We Scored Choice Home Warranty

We rated Choice Home Warranty 4.5 out of 5 in our review standards. Here’s how we rated it in key categories.

  • Coverage (4.7 out of 5): Choice received a high score for its $3,000 coverage caps, which exceed the industry standard. 
  • Value (3.75 out of 5): Choice lost points for its limited service call fee selection since it only offers a $100 fee for every plan. 
  • Trustworthiness and Transparency (4.7 out of 5): We awarded high points for its extended workmanship warranty, which offers 90 days of protection. 
  • Availability and Service (4.7 out of 5): Choice scored well for its prompt claims process, which begins within four hours of filing a claim. 

Pros and Cons

Pros Covers up to $3,000 for most systems and appliances Initiates service requests within four hours of claim filing Offers one of the most affordable comprehensive plans in this review Cons Doesn’t cover refrigerators, air conditioners, or laundry appliances under its Basic Plan Has ongoing legal action in Arizona for alleged customer fraud Only offers a $100 service fee, limiting pricing customization

Plans and Cost

Choice Home Warranty offers two coverage plans: Basic Plan and Total Plan. Other reviewed companies provide an average of three plans for better selection. After reading through the Choice Home Warranty’s sample contract, we discovered that all appliances and systems receive a $3,000 coverage cap. However, it excluded essential appliances, such as refrigerators, air conditioners, and clothes washers and dryers, from its lowest plan. You must move to the Total Plan if you need coverage for these items.

Let’s take a closer look at Choice’s coverage plans:

  • Basic Plan: This plan offers combination coverage for 14 systems and appliances, including built-in microwaves, heating, and plumbing. 
  • Total Plan: Its highest plan covers 18 appliances and systems, including air conditioning, clothes washers, clothes dryers, and refrigerators.

Choice Home Warranty offers annual and monthly plan premiums. Our sample quote included a 5% discount for either premium option. However, the company does charge a $2.50 monthly fee with its monthly plans. Choice charges a flat $100 service call fee regardless of the repair cost. Most companies offer two or more options for better pricing customization. Its fee is slightly higher than most companies, placing it closer to American Home Shield’s service fees.

Here are Choice Home Warranty’s premium rates and service fees:

Plan

Monthly Cost

Service Fee

Coverage Cap

Basic Plan

$46.67

$100

Systems: $3,000
Appliances: $3,000

Total Plan

$55.00

$100

Coverage caps remain the same

Choice Home Warranty offers 11 plan add-on options ranging from $3.33 to $15, making them very affordable. You can add roof-leak coverage for $5.83 per month, cheaper than other providers. Added appliances, such as second refrigerators or stand-alone freezers, only cost $3.33 monthly per appliance.

You can also add coverage for the following items:

  • Central vacuum
  • Pools and spas
  • Septic tank pumping
  • Septic tank systems

Our Experience with Choice Home Warranty

Choice Home Warranty has a B rating from the Better Business Bureau, but some homeowners have reported some concerning issues. Many customer reviews cite problems reaching customer service and lengthy 1-2 month repair wait times. In addition, the Arizona Attorney General filed a consumer fraud lawsuit against Choice in 2019. The ongoing case alleges the company used loopholes and exclusions to avoid paying for repairs.

Homeowners should carefully consider whether Choice Home Warranty is the right provider for their needs.


Which Home Warranty Companies Didn’t Make the List?

While evaluating the best home warranty providers in Pennsylvania, we excluded certain companies due to their limited coverage and restricted plan options. However, the companies mentioned below, although not ranked as top providers, are still legitimate options to consider if their coverage matches your specific needs.

AFC Home Warranty

Although AFC Home Warranty does provide unlimited system caps for HVAC and plumbing, it applied a depreciation policy to items five years and older. This policy reduces your payout and isn’t suitable for Pennsylvania homeowners with older systems and appliances. However, the company does offer an unlimited workmanship warranty, which is a rare feature among home warranty companies. AFC Home Warranty might be a better fit for Pennsylvania homeowners with new appliances and systems and who want plan-length workmanship coverage. 

Cinch Home Services

Cinch Home Services offers some HVAC coverage, but it is limited compared to other home warranty providers. The maximum payout for HVAC claims is only $1,500 under Cinch’s plans, which is lower than some of our reviewed providers. Roof leak coverage is not included in Cinch’s standard plans or available as an add-on either. The main advantage of Cinch is the basic HVAC protection, so it may be a reasonable choice for Pennsylvania homeowners who need just that baseline coverage.

HomeServe

HomeServe provides 17 different system-specific home warranty plans, but no add-on options to expand coverage. The exact plans and exclusions vary depending on location, with coverage limits differing for each system covered. One advantage is that most HomeServe plans waive service call fees and include a one-year workmanship guarantee. Given the specialized, system-only coverage, HomeServe is best suited for Pennsylvania residents who want to focus on one or two key systems in their home rather than comprehensive whole-home protection.


As you search for the right home warranty in Pennsylvania, consider the following factors before buying a home warranty:
Determine your coverage needs:  Before buying a home warranty, you should know exactly what to look for in your coverage. Assess your home systems and appliances to determine your exact coverage needs. Chartrand recommends determining your coverage needs first, and then selecting a contract that fulfills those requirements. Assess your home systems and appliances to determine which items need protection. Limit your add-ons to just the coverage you need now, not anticipated needs in the future.
Get multiple quotes: Once you’ve determined your coverage needs, request quotes from potential companies. We recommend getting at least three quotes from home warranty companies and reviewing the terms and conditions for each plan.
Note coverage exclusions: Review the sample construct and quotes and thoroughly review the terms. Each provider has a list of covered items and exclusions. Ensure the provider you’re researching doesn’t exclude the item or condition you need to be covered. For example, if you own a tankless water heater, avoid a provider that only covers standard water heaters.
Read customer reviews: Consider how well a provider handles customer service requests. Look for reviews online from sites such as Google Reviews or Trustpilot. You can also ask your friends, family, or neighbors to share their provider experiences.
Verify your service area: Confirm with your provider that it has in-network contractors in your area of Pennsylvania, especially if you live in a rural area, such as Sullivan County. Some providers don’t service all areas, so confirm you can use your own contractor if it doesn’t have an in-network provider nearby.

How Are Home Warranties Regulated in Pennsylvania?

As of 2010, home warranties no longer fall under the Pennsylvania Insurance Department’s regulation since they are not considered “insurance.”  However, home warranty customers are protected by the Bureau of Consumer Protection through the Office of the Attorney General in Pennsylvania. You can file a complaint through the website for provider or policy issues.  Additional organizations, such as the Service Contract Industry Council (SCIC), assist with regulating home warranties in each state.


Home Warranty Cost Calculator

We created a calculator to break down the estimated annual cost of owning a home warranty. 

To calculate your projected annual cost, use the following steps:

  1. Enter your monthly premium
  2. Enter your service call fee
  3. Enter your estimated number of claims 

It’s best to request a quote directly from one of our recommended providers, as annual costs and service fees vary between them.

Use the table below to compare your calculated cost to repair and replacement costs for common appliances.

Item

Average Cost to Repair

Average Cost to Replace

Gas furnace

$30–$150

$3,800–$10,000

Air conditioning

$100–$650

$2,500 and $15,000

Plumbing leaks

$150–$450

$500–$4,000

Roof leaks

$150–$2,000

$5,000–$13,000

Sump pump

$350–$1,000

$500–$4,000

Life span and repair cost data sourced from InterNACHI and Home Depot


Other Resources for Residents in Pennsylvania


FAQ About Home Warranties in Pennsylvania

When can I purchase a home warranty in PA?

As a homeowner, you can purchase a warranty at any time, whether that’s immediately after buying a home or after years of ownership. As a real estate agent or home seller, you may want to purchase a plan while the house is on the market and include it in the sale. If a potential buyer sees your home has protection while others don’t, they may be more inclined to purchase it.

Do I need a home inspection if I get a home warranty in PA?

No, you don’t need a home inspection if you’re considering a home warranty in Pennsylvania. Some providers waive their waiting period if you provide them with a recent home inspection. However, providers may request your system and appliance maintenance records if they believe the item has preexisting conditions.

When can I start using my home warranty in Pennsylvania?

Most Pennsylvania home warranties follow the 30-day rule, where coverage starts 30 days after purchasing the plan. However, some companies will waive the waiting period if a different provider was protecting your home immediately before you purchased a new plan.

Do I need a Pennsylvania home warranty when my systems and appliances are new?

Yes, we recommend getting home warranty coverage in Pennsylvania even with new systems and appliances. No home systems or appliances are immune to breakdowns, and the items will eventually break due to normal wear and tear.


How Do I Find the Best Home Warranty Company in My Area?

Find in-depth reviews on the best home warranty companies for cities throughout the state.

To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our Reviews Team at reviews@thisoldhousereviews.com.