Despite VA assistance programs and low-interest home loans, veterans still need to be prepared to work maintenance costs for their home’s major appliances and systems into their budget. The right home warranty plan can save veterans thousands of dollars per year should their home appliances or systems stop functioning properly. A home warranty can help cover the cost of repairing or replacing your home’s major systems and appliances, such as a dishwasher, stovetop and water heater.
Most home warranty providers offer discounts to active and retired service members and a plan can be transferred to a new home should you move. We researched the top home warranty providers in the industry and compared their coverage options, pricing, state availability and other factors to determine which companies are best for veterans.
To give you an idea of plan pricing, we gathered quotes from all of the home warranty providers in this review for a three-bedroom home in Raleigh, North Carolina, with a 27610 ZIP code.
Our Picks For the Best Home Warranty Companies For Veterans
Comparison of the Best Home Warranty Companies
The table below outlines data for the best home warranty companies on the market. We constantly update these ratings as companies change their policies and prices to give you the most accurate information possible. Continue reading in-depth reviews of several top providers.
| Company | Rating | Monthly Cost | Service Fee | Response Time | BBB Rating | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
$50-$60 |
$75 |
12-48 hrs. |
NR |
VISIT SITE | |
 |
$35–$75 |
$100–$125 |
24-72 hrs |
B |
VISIT SITE | |
 |
$44.99-$58.99 |
$70 |
48 hours |
A+ |
VISIT SITE | |
 |
$46–$55 |
$85 |
24-48 hrs. |
B |
VISIT SITE | |
 |
$52–$58 |
$60 |
24-48 hrs. |
B |
VISIT SITE | |
 |
$38–$62 |
$75–$125 |
48 hours |
B |
VISIT SITE | |
 |
$38–$48 |
$75–$125 |
48 hours |
B |
VISIT SITE | |
 |
$17–$60+ |
$65–$100 |
2–24 hrs |
A- |
VISIT SITE | |
 |
$28–$68 |
$100–$150 |
2–24 hrs |
B |
VISIT SITE |
*Quote and cost data gathered January 2023. Cost data are updated and monitored continuously.
American Home Shield
4.3
Our Rating
Although American Home Shield (AHS) doesn’t offer a military discount, the provider does offer some of the most comprehensive coverage in the industry, pushing it to the top of our list. The company has been in business for more than 50 years and offers plans throughout the continental United States and Hawaii.
American Home Shield customers can easily receive status updates on their claim, making it easy to track progress with a repair or replacement. Unlike many home warranty providers, American Home Shield allows you to use a pre-approved service technician and it lets you choose a service fee that lowers or increases your monthly plan rate.
American Home Shield offers three different plan options: ShieldSilver, ShieldGold and ShieldPlatinum. View the details of each coverage option below.
| Coverage | ShieldSilver | ShieldGold | ShieldPlatinum |
| Monthly Cost | $24.83–$39.83 | $34.83–$49.83 | $54.83–$69.83 |
| Roof-leak repairs | ✔ | ||
| Air conditioner | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Heating unit | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Ductwork | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Built-in exhaust, vent and attic fans | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Main breaker and fuse panel box | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Doorbells and chimes | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Interior electrical lines | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Ceiling fans | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Garage door openers | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Interior plumbing lines | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Toilets | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Faucets and valves | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Whirlpool tub motor and components | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Water heater | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Refrigerator | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Range/Cooktop | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Oven | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Dishwasher | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Built-in microwave | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Garbage disposal | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Instant hot/cold water dispenser | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Clothes washer | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Clothes dryer | ✔ | ✔ |
American Home Shield also offers its customers a variety of additional coverage options, listed below:
- Electronics protection plan
- Pool or spa
- Guest unit under 750 square feet
- Septic pump
- Well pump
Your individual quote will vary based on a number of factors, including your selected plan and where you live. Additionally, American Home Shield is one of the few providers that allows you to select your plan’s service fee, which also impacts cost. The higher the service fee, the lower your monthly cost, while a lower service fee increases your monthly cost.
Select Home Warranty
4.2
Our Rating
Select Home Warranty offers a variety of plans to homeowners and service members in 46 states, excluding Nevada, New York, Washington and Wisconsin. Although Select is a relative newcomer to the home warranty industry, the provider has established itself as a quality and affordable option.
At the time of this article, Select Home Warranty is offering veterans and other new customers two months free on their selected home warranty plan when they purchase a 14-month plan. The provider also works with its customers to transfer coverage to a new homeowner should you move. This is especially helpful to active-duty members who may move frequently.
Select Home Warranty offers three different plan options: Bronze Care, Gold Care and Platinum Care. View the chart below to analyze each plan’s cost and covered items.
| Coverage | Bronze Care | Gold Care | Platinum Care |
| Monthly Cost | $44.42 | $44.42 | $49.83 |
| Air conditioning and cooling | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Heating system | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Plumbing system | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Electrical system | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Water heater | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Ductwork | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Plumbing stoppages | ✔ | ||
| Clothes washer | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Garbage disposal | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Refrigerator | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Stove/Oven | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Built-in microwave oven | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Cooktop | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Dishwasher | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Clothes dryer | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Garage door opener | ✔ | ||
| Ceiling fan | ✔ |
Select Home Warranty also offers a handful of additional coverage options, listed below:
- Central vacuum
- Lawn sprinkler system
- Pool
- Roof-leak coverage
- Septic system
- Spa
- Stand-alone freezer
- Sump pump
- Well pump
While we listed an estimate of each plan’s cost in the table above, the price of your specific coverage will vary based on your location and additional coverage selected. Select Home Warranty offers relatively low service fee options compared to its competitors, charging between $75 and $100 per service call.
AFC Home Warranty
4.3
Our Rating
One of the major benefits of America’s 1st Choice Home Warranty is that your plan can be transferred to a new property should you decide to move. The home warranty provider is also available in 48 states, making it easy for service members to get coverage no matter where they’re stationed.
America’s 1st Choice Home Warranty also offers a military discount, though this promotion isn’t mentioned on its website and must be asked for upon receiving a quote. In addition to its customizable plans, this provider allows you to select your own contractor without prior approval, as long as they’re licensed, bonded and insured.
America’s 1st Choice Home Warranty offers four different plan options: Systems Plan, Silver Plan, Gold Plan and Platinum Plan. View the chart below to learn more about what each plan covers and its monthly cost.
| Coverage | Systems Plan | Silver Plan | Gold Plan | Platinum Plan |
| Monthly Cost | $38.25–$42.75 | $31.50–$36 | $45–$49.50 | $49.50–$54 |
| Air conditioning/cooler | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Heating system | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Water heater | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Electrical system | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Plumbing system | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Plumbing stoppages | ✔ | |||
| Ductwork | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Clothes dryer | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Clothes washer | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Kitchen refrigerator | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Oven | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Range | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Stove/Cooktop | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Dishwasher | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Garbage disposal | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Garage door opener | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Built-in microwave | ✔ | |||
| Ice maker | ✔ |
America’s 1st Choice Home Warranty also offers a few additional coverage options, listed below:
- Tankless water heater
- In-ground pool
- Stand-alone freezer
- Sump pump
- Double oven
- Central vacuum
- Ice maker
- Hot water disposal
- Septic system
- Well pump
- Built-in microwave
The price of your home warranty will depend on a variety of factors, including your selected plan, location and chosen service fee. Take a look at the price difference between each available service fee and the monthly cost of America’s 1st Choice Home Warranty’s Platinum Plan.
| Service fee | Monthly cost |
| $75 | $54 |
| $100 | $51.75 |
| $125 | $49.50 |
First American Home Warranty
4.3
Our Rating
First American Home Warranty is a solid coverage choice for homeowners with aging appliances or systems. While the provider doesn’t cover pre-existing conditions, it doesn’t cap items at a certain age limit. Additionally, homeowners are offered a variety of affordable and comprehensive plans and the option of unique add-ons.
First American Home Warranty is one of the few home warranty providers that explicitly details its military discount on its website. It offers a $25 discount on the purchase of a new plan to both active and retired military personnel of any branch.
First American Home Warranty offers two different plan options: Basic Plan and Premier Plan. Take a look at the cost and coverage associated with each plan below.
| Coverage | Basic Plan | Premier Plan |
| Monthly Cost | $37 | $49.50 |
| Garbage disposal | ✔ | ✔ |
| Dishwasher | ✔ | ✔ |
| Oven/Range | ✔ | ✔ |
| Cooktop | ✔ | ✔ |
| Microwave | ✔ | ✔ |
| Trash compactor | ✔ | ✔ |
| Refrigerator | ✔ | ✔ |
| Clothes washer and dryer | ✔ | ✔ |
| Plumbing system | ✔ | ✔ |
| Plumbing stoppages | ✔ | |
| Water heater | ✔ | |
| Heating system | ✔ | |
| Ductwork | ✔ | |
| Electrical system | ✔ | |
| Garage door opener | ✔ | |
| Central vacuum system | ✔ |
First American Home Warranty also offers a handful of additional coverage options, listed below:
- Central air conditioning (electric)
- Additional refrigeration
- Pool and spa equipment
- Well pump
- First Class Upgrade
- Septic tank pumping system
- HVAC tune-up
First American Home Warranty’s unique First Class Upgrade gives policyholders coverage for cosmetic damage on systems and appliances as well as the following items:
- Expenses from using cranes during installation
- Up to $250 where local building permits are required for replacing home appliances
- Expenses related to removing or hauling away an appliance
Unlike many home warranty providers that allow their customers to select a service fee, First American Home Warranty sets its fee at $85. Additionally, it’s important to note that your specific quote may differ from the ones listed above because of where you live and the add-ons you choose.
Home Warranty Resources
- What is a Home Warranty?
- How Much Do Home Warranties Cost?
- Is a Home Warranty Worth It for You?
- Best Home Warranties in 2023
- Do Your Appliances Need Extended Warranties?
What Is a Home Warranty for Veterans?
A home warranty is a service contract designed to help homeowners offset the costs of servicing essential home systems and appliances as they break down over time.
Unlike homeowners insurance, home warranties aren’t required for veterans with a VA loan. Yet, while optional, a home warranty protects your home in areas that standard home insurance doesn’t oversee.
Home insurance offers liability protection from more catastrophic events like hurricanes, tornadoes, fire, and even theft. It won’t cover damage due to normal wear and tear on your home. Home warranties, however, cover a broad range of repair and replacement services for age-related deterioration around the home.
Though both home insurance and home warranties are technically a form of insuring your property, the key difference is that a home insurance policy covers your home from unforeseen losses, whereas a home warranty is a protection plan for inevitable maintenance issues.
Do All Veterans Need Home Warranty Coverage?
Despite the immense savings opportunities and peace of mind that home warranties can offer, choosing to invest in one is ultimately a personal decision.
For veterans, establishing financial security during the transition back into civilian life is understandably challenging. Many veterans live on a budget based on their VA benefits and retirement plans. And although these financial assistance options extend some support, adding a $2,000 air conditioning repair bill to the mix certainly doesn’t help out.
With a home warranty, you’ll pay a fixed amount each month or year, whichever is most compatible with your budget, to keep your access to discounted and convenient home maintenance open.
Whether or not a home warranty is right for you will also depend on the age of your home and appliances. Most home warranty providers offer coverage for appliances of all ages. Still, if you recently had an item installed, it may be covered by a manufacturer’s warranty for a year or two. A home warranty covers far more than just that one item anyway.
How Much Does a Home Warranty for Veterans Cost?
The average cost of a standard home warranty without any policy riders is about $40 to $60 per month or $480 to $720 per year. However, veterans and active-duty service members can usually receive up to 20% off their premiums when they sign up with a home warranty provider offering a military discount.
Beyond your monthly or annual premium, you’ll also be charged an out-of-pocket deductible called a service call fee. In the event that you need to file a claim, you’ll be asked to provide this upfront payment to the in-network technician that your provider dispatches to assess the issue you reported. Service call fees typically range between $60 and $125, occasionally varying based on your ZIP code.
How Does a Home Warranty for Veterans Work?
If you’re new to home warranties, it’s essential to familiarize yourself with the claims process ahead of time. That way, if you ever need to use your benefits, you’ll know exactly where to start.
Establish a Plan
The first step in protecting your home’s essential systems and appliances is locking in a home warranty plan that best accommodates your budget and coverage objectives. Remember, home warranties are only designed to cover items in good condition at the start of your contract. No home warranty provider will cover appliances or systems with pre-existing issues.
Opening a Claim
Let’s say the 20-year-old refrigerator in your kitchen finally conks out, and now you need a replacement as soon as possible. So long as the fridge stopped working due to normal wear and tear, your home warranty plan will likely cover it.
To initiate the resolution process, you’ll need to either call your service provider or submit a claim online. Though most home warranty companies offer 24/7 customer support centers, it can still take up to 48 hours for your claim to be reviewed and verified.
The Diagnostic Appointment
Before any repairs or replacements are made, your home warranty provider will set up a time for a licensed contractor to come out to your home to troubleshoot and assess what might’ve gone wrong with your refrigerator. The technician will also draft up an estimate for the cost to repair or replace your fridge, which they’ll report back to your provider with.
The service call fee mentioned in your contract will be due at this initial appointment, so be sure to have that on hand.
Repairs or Replacements
Promptly following that diagnostic appointment, your provider will schedule the service visit where your fridge will either be repaired or replaced, whichever is more realistic. If a new fridge costs less than ordering new parts and attempting a repair, your provider will likely just replace your fridge. All covered expenses must remain under your annual coverage limit, or else the remainder will be left to you to cover.
Are Home Warranties Worth It For Veterans?
There are a variety of home warranty providers that can help active and retired service members protect their most important home systems and appliances. However, American Home Shield is our top choice because of its experience within the industry, comprehensive coverage and helpful online claims tracker.
America’s 1st Choice Home Warranty is also a quality option that offer some sort of military discount. Even if you have a home warranty provider in mind, it’s important to request free quotes from multiple companies before making a final decision. This will allow you to compare coverage options and quotes to get the best available plan.
Find the Best Home Warranties for You
- What Are the Best Home Warranties?
- What Are the Cheapest Home Warranties?
- What Is the Best Home Appliance Insurance?
- What Are the Best Home Warranties for HVAC Systems?
- What Are the Best Home Warranties for Sewer Lines?
- What Are the Best Home Warranties for Water Heaters?
- What Are the Best Home Warranties for Rental Properties?
- What Are the Best Home Warranties for Condos?
- What Are the Best Home Warranties for Mobile Homes?
- What Are the Best Home Warranties for Roof Coverage?
FAQs About Home Warranties For Veterans
How do I find the best home warranty?
To find the best home warranty for your home, it’s important to receive quotes from multiple providers. This will allow you to compare each company’s costs and coverage details in your area. In addition to acquiring multiple quotes, look into providers’ service contracts. These documents will detail important information such as coverage caps, service fees and contractor requirements.
Do VA loans Include a home warranty?
VA loans are typically $0-down options used to purchase a property as a primary residence or refinance an existing mortgage. However, a VA loan typically lending slightly more money than what’s needed for living in your area. This leaves a little extra cushion to pay for a home warranty, should you decide to go with a particular provider.
Which home warranty companies offer military discounts?
Many home warranty companies offer discounts to active and retired service members. Some providers, such as America’s 1st Choice Home Club, offer discounts on a case-by-case basis. Other providers have explicit military discounts. For example, First American Home Warranty offers a $25 military discount when you purchase a new plan.
Should active duty military consider a home warranty?
If you haven’t quite reached veteran status just yet, you may wonder if a home warranty policy would be a good idea. Home warranty policies can make a lot of sense for the active-duty military.
Ahead of deployment, it’s unlikely that fixing a broken appliance or system in your home is a top priority for you. Using your home warranty coverage not only gets the job scheduled and repaired with limited work on your end, but it also ensures that prompt, low-cost maintenance is always an open option if any other breakdowns occur while you’re away.
Is a home warranty required with a VA loan?
No. A home warranty is not required with a VA loan in the same way home insurance is, but it’s still a beneficial financial tool for veterans trying to keep homeownership costs low.
Home Warranty Rating Methodology
To help you find the best home warranty, our reviews team researched numerous home warranty companies, analyzing their coverage plans, pricing and customer service, among other factors:
- Coverage: Home warranty companies that provide extensive coverage and protect important systems and appliances, including your air conditioning, refrigerator and heating, scored higher than companies with minimal coverage.
- Plan variety: A provider with more coverage plans allows for more flexibility among customers. In general, most home warranty companies provide an appliances-only plan, systems-only plan and combination plan.
- Pricing: We scored providers based on their monthly plan prices and service call fees compared to the industry average pricing. Companies with more affordable coverage received more points than companies with more expensive plans.
- State availability: Where you live will determine what companies are available in your area. Home warranty companies that covered more states received more points than companies with a limited state availability.
- Trustworthiness: There are some home warranty companies that are scams and don’t follow through on their service agreements. We rated companies based on their years of experience, ratings on the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and customer reviews.
To keep our data current, our team regularly updates the data points for each company to ensure their coverage offerings, pricing and availability are accurate.
