5 Best Home Warranty Companies for Plumbing (2023)

Whether it be a running toilet or a major mainline leak, plumbing issues of any size can quickly hike up your utility bill and even manifest into more severe secondary water damage the longer they go unresolved. With a home warranty, you’ll be guaranteed priority plumbing services from a licensed, local professional for a fraction of the cost.

Read on to learn how a home warranty can safeguard your interior plumbing system, plus House Method’s research-backed recommendations for the best home warranties with premier plumbing protection.

The Top 5 Best Home Warranty Companies for Plumbing Coverage

House Method analyzed 60+ leading home warranty companies nationwide, specifically in search of service providers with comprehensive plumbing coverage, high payout limits for related systems, plus add-on options for septic tanks, sump pumps, and exterior sewer lines.

1. Choice Home Warranty — Best overall
2. Select Home Warranty — Most cost-effective plans
3. American Home Shield — Best customizable plans
4. The Home Service Club — Quickest service
5. Liberty Home Guard — Most trustworthy

Compare the Top Plumbing Insurance Providers

What to Look for in a Home Warranty with Plumbing Coverage

When you aren’t an expert in plumbing warranties, finding one that would best fit your home and budget can be difficult. Our experts did research on all the best home warranties for plumbing and we’ve outlined the most essential features to look for while shopping for a policy.

• Stoppages: Ensure that the home warranty plan has full coverage for stoppages in bathtubs, showers, sinks, and drain lines. Most home warranties offer this for up to 100 ft. from the access point.
• Tanks, Mechanism, & Bowls: The home warranty for plumbing should include any leaks or breaks in showers, tubs, toilet bowls, bathtub and whirlpool motors and pumps, diverters, valves, and more.
• High Coverage Limits: Be sure to check on the annual coverage caps for systems protected by your policy. It’s best to choose a policy that will have a $2,000 or more coverage limit on a plumbing system.

Our Top Picks for Home Warranty Companies with Plumbing Coverage

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1. Choice Home Warranty – Best Overall

Choice Home Warranty (CHW) is the best overall home warranty option for plumbing. As one of the most prominent names on the home warranty market, Choice Home Warranty has provided robust plumbing coverage to over 1.65 million homes nationwide since 2008. CHW offers two base plan options, both featuring combo coverage for a wide range of appliances and systems, including plumbing.

Plumbing Coverage

Choice Home Warranty plumbing coverage includes all leaks and breaks of water, drain, gas, waste, or vent lines, as well as toilets, tubs, showers, and all related mechanisms. All plumbing access, diagnosis, repair, and replacement expenses are capped at $3,000 per year. Coverage for septic tanks and sump pumps are available as add-ons for $120 and $40 per year, respectively.

Leak detection fees and costs related to locating, accessing, or installing inaccessible drain cleanouts are not included. Stoppages, leaks, and breaks beyond the home’s main foundation are also not included. 

Plans & Pricing

• The Basic Plan ($45 per month / $560 per year): Covers 14 home appliances and systems including plumbing systems, plumbing stoppages, toilets, hot water heaters, whirlpool bathtubs, dishwashers, garbage disposals, electrical systems, heating systems, ductwork, oven/range/stove, cooktops, built-in microwaves, garage door openers, ceiling fans, and exhaust fans. 
• The Total Plan ($53.33 per month / $660 per year): Covers 18 items, including all systems and appliances in the Basic Plan, plus clothes washers, clothes dryers, refrigerators, and air conditioning systems.
• Optional Add-Ons ($40-$180 per year): Offers nine coverage riders for septic tanks and systems, sump pumps, well pumps, pool/spa, roof leaks, central vacuums, second refrigerators, and stand-alone freezers.
• Service Fee: $85

Fill out this form or call 929-400-6164 to get a free quote from Choice Home Warranty.

Read our full Choice Home Warranty review for more.

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2. Select Home Warranty – Most Cost Effective

Ideal for homeowners on a budget or anyone else who appreciates a good discount, Select Home Warranty (SHW) offers the most cost-effective plumbing coverage industry-wide. Select splits its standard coverage into an appliance-only, systems-only, and two-in-one combo plan.

Plumbing Coverage

HW’s standard plans don’t include plumbing fixtures like faucets, showerheads, tub spouts, etc., but coverage for these items is available at an additional $50 per year. Gold Care, the systems-only plan, is a great way for homeowners to prioritize plumbing system coverage, though stoppages are only covered under Platinum Care. All plumbing access, diagnosis, repair, and replacement costs are limited to $500 per year.

Coverage for septic tanks and systems is available as an add-on for $70 more per year and sump pump coverage is available as an add-on for $40 per year. Plumbing system coverage through Select does not include slab leaks, water softeners, or polybutylene pipes.

Plans & Pricing

• The Bronze Care Plan ($44.42 per month / $480 per year): Covers eight appliances, including garbage disposals, dishwashers, clothes washers, clothes dryers, ovens/stoves, built-in microwaves, and refrigerators.
• The Gold Care Plan ($44.42 per month / $480 per year): Covers six major systems, including plumbing, water heaters, electrical, heating, air conditioners, and ductwork.
• The Platinum Care Plan ($47.45 per month / $525 per year): Combines all Bronze Care and Gold Care items plus plumbing stoppages, garage door openers, and ceiling fans. 
• Optional Add-Ons: Offers 11 coverage riders for plumbing and lighting fixtures, limited roof leak (already included for new joiners), pools/spas, well pumps, sump pumps, central vacuum, second refrigerators, stand-alone freezers, lawn sprinkler systems, septic systems, and built-in ice-makers.
• Service Fee: $60

For a free quote from Select Home Warranty, fill out this online form or call 888-370-3953.

Read our full Select Home Warranty review for more details.

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3. American Home Shield – Most Customizable

Having grown a customer base of over two million homeowners over its 50 years in the industry, American Home Shield (AHS) stands out for the customizability of its coverage.

AHS allows its policyholders to choose their service fee of $75, $100, or $100, which allows for flexible monthly payments. Coverage for plumbing and plumbing stoppages is consistent throughout all three of its base plans: ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, and ShieldPlatinum.

Plumbing Coverage

Across all policy levels, AHS has no coverage limit on plumbing repairs or replacements. An exception applies for plumbing enclosed behind concrete, which is capped at $1,000 per year to access, diagnose, repair, or replace the system. 

AHS’s plumbing coverage includes all pipe leaks and breaks within the main foundation of the home as well as repairs or replacements for things like showerheads/arms, valves, angle stops,  toilet wax rings seals, etc. Sump pumps are also included in AHS standard home warranty coverage. Plumbing-specific items not covered by AHS include toilet lids and seats, caulking/grout, and root infiltration. 

Unlike other home warranty companies, AHS covers plumbing issues caused by unknown pre-existing conditions, improper installation, and sediment/rust/corrosion

Plans & Pricing

• ShieldSilver ($29.27- $44.27 per month / $347.88 – $527.88 per year): Covers 14 systems, including interior plumbing lines, toilets, faucets and valves, whirlpool tub motors and components, water heaters, HVAC systems, electrical systems, and more.
• ShieldGold ($39.27 – $54.27 per month / $467.88 – $647.88 per year): Covers 23 systems and appliances, including all systems featured in ShieldSilver plus instant hot/cold water dispensers, garbage disposals, dishwashers, ranges/cooktops/ovens, refrigerators, built-in microwaves, clothes washers, and clothes dryers.
• ShieldPlatinum ($59.27 – $74.27 per month / $711.88 – $891.88 per year): Covers systems and appliances in ShieldGold plus:
  • Unlimited refrigerant
  • $6,000 coverage limit per appliance
  • $1,500 in roof leak repair coverage
  • $1,000 in coverage per year for code violations, permits, and modifications
• Optional Add-Ons: Offers coverage for pool/spa, septic pumps, well pumps, roof leaks, and guest house repairs
• Service Fee: $75, $100, or $125

For a free quote from American Home Shield, fill out this online form or call 888-365-2839.

To learn more about AHS, visit our American Home Shield review.

4. The Home Service Club – Quickest Coverage

Across all leading home warranty providers, The Home Service Club (HSC) offers the quickest plumbing coverage. Whereas most competing companies instate a 30-day waiting period for new customers, homeowners who sign up with HSC will have access to their policy benefits in just ten days. HSC also guarantees a claim response within 24 hours, which is especially vital for emergency leaks and line breaks. 

Plumbing Coverage

Both the Standard Coverage and the Comprehensive Coverage plan include up to $750 per year in basic coverage for interior plumbing parts and water leaks, but only the Comprehensive Coverage plan covers plumbing stoppages. Water leak and stoppage coverage are each individually capped at $500 per year. 

HSC also covers up to $5,000 in exterior water line damage when the elective coverage option is added for approximately $42 per year. All plumbing repairs or replacements by HSC are guaranteed for 90 days on parts and 30 days on labor.

Plans & Pricing

• Standard Coverage Plan ($50 per month / $650 per year): Covers 18 systems and appliances, including plumbing, water leaks (within the foundation’s perimeter), water heaters, garbage disposals, HVAC, electric, dishwashers, clothes washers, clothes dryers, and more.
• Comprehensive Coverage Plan ($62.90 per month / $800 per year): Covers appliances and systems as they appear in the Standard Coverage plan plus plumbing stoppages, sewer and gas line leaks, sump pumps, whirlpool bathtub motors and pumps, pest control, telephone and alarm wiring, smoke detectors, and more. 
• Optional Add-Ons ($3.33 to $16.66 per month): Offers 11 additional coverage items, including water softener, sprinkler system lines, sewage ejector pumps, comprehensive utility line coverage, jetted bathtubs, pools/spas, spa heaters, well pumps, roof leak repairs, dual-compressor refrigerators, and freestanding freezers.
• Service Fee: $60, $75, or $95 

To get a free quote from The Home Service Club, fill out this online form or call 800-842-9334.

Continue reading about HSC in our complete The Home Service Club review.

5. Liberty Home Guard – Most Trustworthy

Even as a much newer company, Liberty Home Guard (LHG) is the most trustworthy home warranty provider in the category. In addition to being the only leading home warranty carrier to date with an A rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB), LHG also maintains strong customer satisfaction scores and an impressively low rate of claim denials. 

Plumbing Coverage

Liberty Home Guard divides its standard coverage into three policy levels. Both Systems Guard and Total Home Guard cover interior plumbing systems and stoppages. LHG caps all necessary plumbing maintenance at $2,000 per year. 

Also, according to Liberty Home Guard’s sample contract, basic plumbing fixtures aren’t a standard inclusion but can be purchased as an add-on for an extra $79.99 per year. LHG also offers an exhaustive suite of 41+ optional coverage riders, which includes water softeners, plumbing fixtures, septic systems, sump pumps, and more. Coverage for sump pumps is available as an add-on for an extra $59.99 per year

Plans & Pricing

• Appliance Guard ($70 per month / $700 per year): Covers 11 appliances including, dishwashers, garbage disposals, ranges/ovens/cooktops, built-in microwaves, refrigerators, ceiling and exhaust fans, garage door openers, clothes washers, and clothes dryers. 
• Systems Guard ($74.99 per month / $750 per year): Covers nine systems, including plumbing, water heaters, toilets, heating, air conditioning, electrical, bath exhaust fans, ceiling fans, and ductwork. 
• Total Home Guard ($79.99 per month / $799.99 per year): Premier plan option that combines 20 appliances and systems in Appliance and Systems Guard. 
• Optional Add-Ons ($49.99 – $299.99 per year): Offers coverage for plumbing fixtures, septic system pumping, well pumps, sump pumps, ejector pumps, pool/spa, water softener, reverse osmosis water filter systems and more.
• Service Fee: $75

To get a free quote from Liberty Home Guard, fill out this online form or call 866-451-2281.

Continue reading about LHG in our Liberty Home Guard review. 

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What is a Home Warranty for Plumbing & How Does it Work?

A home warranty is a service contract that covers the cost to repair or replace major appliances and built-in home systems as they break down due to normal wear and tear over time. Because interior plumbing is considered a whole-house system, it’s almost always regarded as a primary inclusion in home protection plans. 

All home warranty providers instate an initial waiting period for new policyholders starting on the day you first sign up and usually lasting between 10 and 30 days. Any plumbing issues you notice before or during this waiting period aren’t eligible for coverage through your provider. 

Here are the steps for filing a claim for your plumbing system:

• File online or by phone: When you notice a leak or any other interior plumbing issue, file an official claim via your designated customer portal or over the phone through a customer service representative. If you’re experiencing an emergency plumbing issue, clarify that upfront for expedited services for time-sensitive cases.
• Diagnostic appointment: Your provider will send a vetted plumbing contractor to your home, and the contractor will ensure that the problem with your plumbing falls within the coverage terms of your warranty. If the issue at hand is eligible for coverage, the technician will report back to your home warranty company with a price estimate for the necessary repairs or replacement.
• Pay the service fee: You’ll be required to pay a service fee as specified in your service agreement during the first service appointment. Your provider may even collect this before a technician is assigned to your case, so make sure you have that amount set aside.
• Second Service Appointment: Based on the severity of the fix and related maintenance costs, your service provider will decide whether to repair or replace the affected portion of your plumbing system. At this point in the process, you won’t owe anything further out of pocket, so long as the plumbing services performed don’t exceed your annual coverage caps. 

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Who Should Have Plumbing Coverage?

All homeowners should consider protecting their property’s interior plumbing with a home warranty. It’s safe to assume that your plumbing system is integral to your day-to-day routine. Unexpected maintenance problems that hinder your water supply or drainage needs will affect the habitability of your home if not dealt with promptly.

Plumbing issues are bound to happen to every homeowner at one point or another. Still, a home warranty may be especially worthwhile for anyone who recently purchased an older home with:

• Cast irons pipes
• Galvanized steel pipes
• Polybutylene pipes
• Lead service lines
• Pipe bellies
• Outdated faucets and fixtures

Investing in a home warranty for your plumbing system is also a good idea if you have or are planning on having younger children. Because kids often flush too much toilet paper or even other things they shouldn’t, clogs are more likely to occur if you have little ones around. Most home warranties will cover stoppages within 100 feet of an access point.  

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What Does a Plumbing Home Warranty Cover?

Because home warranties are designed to cover malfunctions and total breakdowns caused by normal wear and tear, only plumbing issues due to age-related deterioration will be covered by your policy. Inclusions and exclusions vary from company to company. Still, eligible plumbing problems generally include:

• Leaks and breaks in water, drain, waste, and gas lines
• Clearing of a toilet, sink, bathtub, and shower stoppages
• Clearing of mainline drain and sewer stoppages (up to 100 feet from an access point)
• Clearing of lateral drain line stoppages (up to 100 feet from an access point)
• Toilet flushing mechanisms
• Faucets, showerheads, valves, angle stops,  shower arms, etc.
• Risers
• Built-in whirlpool/jetted motors, pumps, and air switches

Final Thoughts – Is a Plumbing Warranty Worth It?

Yes, a home warranty with plumbing coverage is well worth the cost. With a home warranty in place, you’ll be equipped to proactively and affordably handle plumbing issues, plus most other appliance or system failures around your home, with little to no involvement required on your part. Here are some benefits of a plumbing home warranty:

Saving on Plumbing Repairs and Replacements

Even small-scale leaks can result in significant secondary damage when left unaddressed for too long. Black mold and mildew will grow on damp surface areas within 24 to 48 hours. Mold remediation can add up quickly, too — the average affected homeowner usually fronts between $1,500 and $3,159 for professional treatment services. 

Here’s a cost breakdown of how water damage restoration prices may differ around the home: 

• Basic removal and cleaning — $200-$300
• Drywall and ceiling repair — $200-$1,000
• Flooring and hardwood repair — $300-$2,000+
• Cabinetry repair — $150-$200

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), one leaky faucet that drips at the rate of one drip per second can waste more than 3,000 gallons per year. Large-scale leaks can add up fast.

Hand-off Home Servicing

Plumbing issues also need to be handled with urgency from the moment you hear a distant dripping sound or notice signs of interior water damage. 

With a home warranty in place, you’ll be equipped to proactively and affordably handle plumbing issues, plus most other appliance or system failures around your home, with little to no involvement required on your part. Beyond notifying your provider of the problem and paying a flat-rate service fee upon the arrival of a technician, the rest will be coordinated by your home warranty company. 

Quick Access to Experienced Plumbers

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of plumbing and construction trades works dropped from 2018 to 2020, making getting a contractor into your home for maintenance harder than ever before.

With a home warranty policy in place, the company will send a vetted contractor to your home in as little as 24 hours to fix your covered issue.

  

House Method Home Warranty Ranking Methodology

At House Method, transparency and trust are our most important values for the reader. 

To create this rating system, our team spent hours researching over 60 companies, analyzing 2500+ key data points, getting the thoughts and opinions of 1000+ homeowners, and speaking to home warranty company representatives directly. We also dug into the fine print on each company’s service agreement to ensure no detail was left out.

We developed an objective home warranty review and rating methodology to score each home warranty company based on several criteria. We used a five-point scale with a point index ranging from 0.00 to 1.00. The minimum awardable value is 0.0, whereas 1.00 is the maximum. These numeric points are translated into star ratings, using whole star increments between one and five. 

Here is a quick breakdown of our five core scoring categories: 

• Coverage (0.4): This category evaluates the scope of protection offered by a home warranty provider. We clearly distinguished between limited or broad coverage to help homeowners identify their own home protection needs. We also factor in claim turnaround times, average waiting period lengths, plan types, annual coverage limits, policy exclusions, etc.
• Cost (0.3): This category considers what home warranty companies charge homeowners monthly, annual, and out-of-pocket. We urge homeowners also to consider the cost-to-value ratio of a home warranty plan.
• Transparency and Trustworthiness (0.15): This category evaluates home warranty providers based on pending or past legal action, hidden fees, lack of information readily available on the website, exclusions, and more. We consider how upfront a company is to its potential policyholders, which says a lot about its products and services.
• Customer Support and Satisfaction (.09): This category evaluates the efficacy of a home warranty company’s effort to provide supportive guidance to inquiring customers and how policyholders are satisfied with the assistance they receive. 
• Customization (.06): This category evaluates the ability of homeowners to adjust and choose their policy details, such as pricing variation, optional add-ons, and the number of plans available.

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