Best Home Warranty Companies in Arizona

Buying an Arizona home warranty can offset expensive repair and replacement costs on major home systems and appliances. Since it can be difficult for users to determine which home warranty is right for them without prior knowledge, our team at House Method did the research for you and found five Arizona home warranty companies that surpass the rest.

If you’re looking for a home warranty in Phoenix, Scottsdale, or Tucson, keep reading for the best home warranty companies in Arizona and how to find the right home protection plan for your specific needs.

Arizona’s best home warranty companies

How a home warranty can protect your home in Arizona

Few things in Arizona strike as much fear in the soul as a broken air conditioner in August. It can be incredibly challenging during the summer months to find a company that’s willing to fix a broken air conditioner at a budget-friendly cost. However, if you have a comprehensive home warranty, repairs can be a breeze.

Read more: Tucson Home Warranty Review

In addition to sizzling summers that require air conditioning, brisk evenings during winter months require efficient heating systems in many regions of the state. Most home warranty companies offer several plans that include comprehensive coverage of basic appliances and house-wide systems that cover HVAC, plumbing, electrical systems, and appliances.

Let’s take a look at some of the top problems caused by Arizona’s unique climate and atmosphere and how a home warranty can protect homeowners in the state. 

1. Dust and debris

Sandstorms, or haboobs, wreak havoc on exterior paint, air filtration systems, HVAC systems, and ductwork in the home. Dust and dirt build-up in ductwork and in HVAC units can cause inefficient operation, poor cleaning, and poor indoor air quality.

Cleaning air ducts is imperative as a clean home reduces dust and pests in the home. Clean or replace your HVAC air filters every month and schedule an annual cleaning and inspection of your ductwork. If your system breaks down, a home warranty can cover repairs or a new replacement.

2. Extreme heat

Extreme heat is common in Phoenix, Scottsdale, Tucson, Lake Havasu City, and other major cities in Arizona. Heat takes a toll on humans, pets, and even important household systems, such as your HVAC unit, whole-house humidifiers, and attic fans.

On a hot summer day, HVAC systems can overheat, especially if the condenser coil is covered in dust or dirt, the fins of the unit are bent or clogged, or the unit is covered by shrubs, objects, or debris.

Intense heat also takes a toll on plumbing systems in the home. For example, extreme temperatures in Arizona can cause pipes to expand and sometimes even burst leaving a path of water damage and the potential for mold infestations in the walls. During the summer months, as the soil around and under the home settles due to a lack of moisture, pipes can also settle causing leaks and cracks.

Fortunately, home warranty coverage typically will include protection for all parts and components of your plumbing and electrical systems.

3. Hard water

Hard water leaves calcium deposits throughout plumbing systems and can significantly decrease the lifespan of hot water heaters. Calcium deposits accumulate in pipes, causing narrow passageways for water and waste to leave your home. The narrowed pipes decrease water pressure and significantly increase the likelihood of developing potentially costly clogs.

In addition to plumbing problems, hard water decreases the lifespan of certain appliances, including your clothes washer, dishwasher, refrigerator, and toilets. According to the Water Quality Association, hard water can cut the efficiency of water heaters by up to 48%. If you live in an area of Arizona known for hard water, you may want to consider purchasing a comprehensive home warranty to protect your systems.

4. Lightning strikes

During monsoon season, lightning strikes are a common occurrence in Arizona, which can cause electrical surges that can damage sensitive appliances and your electrical system. If your home takes a direct lighting strike, or a home in your neighborhood does, your appliances and systems may have to be repaired or even replaced.

5. Dry climate

Arizona’s arid climate takes a toll on seals, hardwood floors, wood framing, and the furniture in your home. When the air inside your home is dry, moisture is pulled from inside your house. That’s why during dry periods, your doors may stick, your hardwood floors may creak, and your walls may settle.

In addition to the structure of your home, soft seals on your HVAC, around your windows and doors, seals on your washing machine and dryer, dishwasher, refrigerator, and other appliances may crack and fail.

When these seals fail, the results can be catastrophic. For example, a dry seal on the hose that delivers water to your refrigerator can fail and damage your floors, walls, and other appliances. If you choose one of the best home warranty companies in Arizona, the repair and the damages caused by the failure of the seal may be covered.

Of course, we encourage you to carefully read and understand all exclusions and conditions of any home warranty contract you sign to make sure the items you want protection for are actually covered.

Read more: Scottsdale Home Warranty Review

Arizona home warranty plans and coverage

Home warranty coverage depends on where you live and the home warranty company and coverage plan you choose. For example, if you live in a condo in California or a mobile home in Nevada, your coverage will differ from someone who has coverage for a single-family home in Arizona.

To make it easier for you to compare coverage, our team broke down plan details from different home warranty companies in the state. Here are some coverage highlights from the best home warranty companies in Arizona.

American Home Shield

American Home Shield is the oldest company in the industry and offers a variety of plans to fit every homeowner’s needs. In addition to appliance and system plans, American Home Shield offers a “Build Your Own Plan” so you can make sure specialized systems in the home are covered.

Here’s a breakdown of what their current plans offer:

First American Home Warranty

If you’re purchasing an older home, or your home hasn’t been maintained as well as it could have been over the years, First American Home Warranty may be the right choice for you. 

Unlike most home warranty companies in Arizona, First American Home Warranty, also known as First American Home Buyers Protection, offers a “First Class Upgrade” that covers major appliances and systems that were improperly installed or not maintained properly.

Additionally, if your home includes a well, pool, spa, additional refrigerators, or other auxiliary equipment, you can purchase additional coverage under a First American Home Warranty plan.

Here are the three plans currently offered:

America’s 1st Choice Home Club

One of the best features of AFC Home Club is that they allow customers to select contractors for repair and replacement. Living in Arizona, it’s vital that you read the limitations on all home warranty plans. Unlike some plans, America’s 1st Choice Home Club does not cap HVAC coverage.

This home warranty company offers four plans, allowing you to customize to your home’s needs.

Total Home Protection

If you have a septic system, well pump, water softeners, two air conditioning units, or a pool or spa, Total Home Protection offers add-on coverage to protect you against failures of these systems through their add-on protection.

Here are Total Home Protection’s two plans, plus all of the options you can purchase additional protection for.

Choice Home Warranty

One of the benefits of choosing Choice Home Warranty for a home in Arizona is the limited number of exclusions in the policy. For example, if you’re one of the millions of homeowners in Arizona with an older home, Choice Home Warranty doesn’t deny coverage based on the age of the structure and coverage begins 30 days after signing the contract.

How much does a home warranty cost in Arizona?

The cost of a home warranty plan in Arizona depends on several factors, including the size of the home, the age of the home, the type of plan chosen, and any optional coverage you select. The majority of plans offer several tiers of pricing. Here are price ranges for the best home warranty companies in Arizona.

How does a home warranty work?

Home warranties are often thought of as home repair insurance—a service that pays for the repair or replacement of covered appliances. Home warranties can save you from paying large sums out of pocket when something in your home fails.

After signing a home warranty contract, most companies require a 30-day waiting period before coverage begins. Once coverage begins, you can contact your home warranty company and file a claim whenever a covered appliance or system needs repairs.

Once you file your claim, the home warranty company will contact a service technician in your area or allow you to choose a technician. Normally, your technician will arrive within a couple of days of your initial claim, diagnose the situation, and start repairs. If the household system or appliance needs to be replaced, the technician will order a replacement.

Note: Home warranty companies typically charge a service fee of $75–$125 each time you request service.

Is a home warranty necessary?

Homes naturally age and household systems require regular maintenance and care to prevent excessive wear and tear. Additionally, major systems in your house like the HVAC system, septic system, pool, spa, and high-end appliances can be expensive to repair or replace. 

First-time home buyers, families on a budget, and seniors without maintenance experience may find comfort in knowing unexpected repair and replacement costs are covered through a home protection plan.

Arizona home warranty buying tips

When you’re ready to buy a home warranty in Arizona, here are seven tips to keep in mind:

1. Make an inventory of the appliances in your home.
2. Take note of the type of heating and air conditioning systems you own and the number of units in your house. Some companies may ask how old your HVAC systems are or the last time the systems were inspected.
3. Create a list of auxiliary items, including spas, pools, septic systems, well pumps, central vacuum, and other systems you would like covered. 
4. Review the plans and options of the best home warranty companies in Arizona. 
5. Carefully review each contract and make note of exclusions and limitations—they can vary dramatically from one company to another.
6. Speak to several companies and make sure all promises made by representatives are received in writing before signing a contract. Some home warranty companies are complete scams, while others truly tout their excellent customer service and have the customer’s best interest at heart.
7. Choose the best home warranty for your budget and needs and rest easy knowing important systems and appliances in your home are now protected.

Arizona home warranty reviews

Below are a few Arizona home warranty reviews from current customers:

First American Home Warranty

“I’ve had the First American Premier Plan for years. Their online claim portal is quick and easy. They have a repair company call the same day or the next day and each company has got the job done successfully. I’ve had many home repairs fixed via First American, so I feel it has been worth the cost.” — Jay in Scottsdale, AZ 

America’s 1st Choice Home Club

“I am new to home warranty plans, so I did a lot of research and cost comparisons and I made my decision to go with America’s First Choice Home Club. One of the main reasons for making my final decision was the representative I spoke with. I can’t tell you how many questions I posed to her and she answered everyone thoroughly.” — Linda in Phoenix, AZ

Total Home Protection

“I had a great experience with this company. Just had my A/C fixed, the technician was prompt and professional. Overall very satisfied. Total Home Protection also gave me a great rate on my premium, much better than my previous company.” — George D.

Choice Home Warranty

“I am happy with Choice Home Warranty. Quick service and good service. If you need peace of mind, then only buy Choice Home Warranty.” — Nisha P.

Our conclusion

In Arizona, a home warranty can save you money on repairs and replacements when a system or appliance fails. Think of a home warranty as insurance for your electrical, plumbing, and HVAC systems as well as for your household appliances. Choose the company and plan that best fits your needs, and when an appliance or system fails, submit a claim, pay the service fee, and leave the rest to the home warranty company.

Though we believe all five home warranty companies we recommended are great, American Home Shield is our top pick for Arizona homeowners..