Best Home Warranty Companies in Iowa

Your home is made up of hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of components and machinery. Many homeowners underestimate just how much they might need to spend if one of these components were to break down, leaving them with an expensive bill when it does happen.

A home warranty can help save you. In exchange for a monthly premium and small service fee, your home warranty provider covers the cost of these expensive repairs and replacements. In the end, you pay less than $1,000 a year for coverage, while your provider pays a couple thousand dollars in bills when one of your covered components breaks down. To learn how to get this type of coverage, read our review below on the best home warranty companies in Iowa.

Iowa’s top 5 home warranty companies

Top home maintenance problems in Iowa

Let’s take a look at a few of the most common breakdowns homeowners in Iowa see throughout the year.

• Roof leaks: Iowa is known for two major hazards that can damage your roof—heavy snows in the winter and tornados in the spring. Though a home warranty in Iowa might not cover damage from tornadoes, since your homeowners insurance will fill that role, you can extend your coverage to include leaks from snow and ice with an add-on to your home warranty plan.
• Air conditioning units: Heavy snows can also cause moisture to accumulate in your air conditioning units. A home warranty can help you cover costs associated with repairing your air conditioner after a harsh winter.
• Plumbing problems: Since homes in Iowa tend to be older, so do their plumbing systems. These older systems are more prone to breakdowns that could cost thousands of dollars to repair. If you live in an older home, consider choosing a home warranty with coverage for your plumbing system and stoppages. 

1. First American Home Warranty

First American Home Warranty is one of Iowa’s most well-established home

warranty providers with 36 years of experience offering policies. One of the biggest benefits of this company is its 24/7 claims reporting so that you can get a repair in a timely manner.

First American Home Warranty offers two plan options:

• Basic Plan: The Basic Plan includes coverage for nine home appliances.
• Premier Plan: The Premier Plan covers everything in the Basic Plan plus eight home systems.

Here’s what you might expect to pay for your plan from First American Home Warranty:

First American Home Warranty also charges a service fee of $75 each time you use your plan.

Get your free quote from First American Home Warranty by filling out this online form or calling 833-204-7164.

2. American Home Shield 

With almost 50 years of experience offering home warranty policies, American Home Shield is another well-known name in Iowa. American Home Shield is a top choice for homeowners as well as real estate professionals who need to protect a portfolio of properties.

You can choose from the following three plans from American Home Shield:

• Appliances Plan: The Appliances Plan includes coverage for 10 major appliances.
• Systems Plan: The Systems Plan covers 12 home systems.
• Combo Plan: The Combo Plan covers every item in both of the previous plans.

View pricing information from American Home Shield below:

You’ll also choose a $75, $100, or $125 fee that you’ll pay each time you make a service request.

Get your free quote from American Home Shield by filling out this online form or calling 888-365-2839. 

3. Select Home Warranty

Select Home Warranty offers some of the most affordable home warranty plans in Iowa with coverage available for under $40 a month. You can also claim two months of free coverage when you sign up with Select Home Warranty, increasing your coverage to 14 months.

Select Home Warranty has three plans:

• Bronze Care: The Bronze Care plan includes coverage for eight of your home’s appliances.
• Gold Care: The Gold Care plan includes coverage for six home systems.
• Platinum Care: The Platinum Care plan combines all covered items in both the Gold Care and Bronze Care plans.

Browse pricing estimates from Select Home Warranty below:

Select Home Warranty’s service fee is $75 per visit.

Get your free quote from Select Home Warranty by filling out this online form or calling 888-370-3953.

4. Choice Home Warranty

Choice Home Warranty is a great company for those who have never purchased a policy before. The company’s two plan options are straightforward and easy to understand with both plans covering a combination of systems and appliances.

Choice Home Warranty offers two plan choices:

• Basic Plan: Choice Home Warranty’s Basic Plan offers coverage for 14 common home systems and appliances.
• Total Plan: The Total Plan includes coverage for everything found in the Basic Plan plus a few additional coverages.

Take a look at the prices for these plans below:

When you use your plan, you’ll pay a maximum service fee of $85.

Get your free quote from Choice Home Warranty by filling out this online form or calling 929-400-6164. 

5. America’s First Choice Home Club

Are you concerned about the technicians that will be working on your property? America’s First Choice (AFC) Home Club allows you to choose a contractor that you already trust so that you know you’ll get a quality repair.

AFC Home Club has four plans:

• Systems Plan: The Systems Plan offers coverage for six home systems.
• Silver Plan: The Silver Plan offers coverage for nine home appliances.
• Gold Plan: The Gold Plan combines everything in both the Silver and Systems Plans for one lower monthly premium.
• Platinum Plan: The Platinum Plan covers everything in the Gold Plan plus a few additional items.

Browse pricing information from AFC Home Club below:

Like with American Home Shield, you can choose your own service fee between $75 and $125. However, keep in mind that a lower service fee will increase your premium.

Get your free quote from AFC Home Club by filling out this online form or calling 877-755-1115.

Iowa home warranty buying guide

Below are a few of the biggest factors that homeowners in Iowa might want to consider when reviewing their provider and policy options.

• Service fees: On top of considering how much a plan costs per month or per year, you’ll also want to consider how much you’ll pay if you ever file a claim with your provider for a repair. If you file a few claims in one year without factoring in the cost of these service fees, you’ll be paying a few thousand dollars more in a year than what you budgeted for. 
• Easy-to-understand policies: Your home warranty contract shouldn’t include tons of technical jargon that’s difficult for the average homeowner to understand. If you see this in one of the sample contracts you’re reviewing, steer clear of the company, as this could be a sign that they’re purposefully making it confusing so that they can claim something isn’t covered when you file a claim down the line.
• Rural vs. urban coverage: If you live in one of the many rural areas of Iowa, you might have a septic system or well instead of a plumbing system. If that’s the case, you’ll want to look for a home warranty company that offers well and septic coverage in its list of optional add-ons. 

Our conclusion

We’ve compared dozens of home warranty companies in terms of premiums, service fees, coverage caps, ratings, customer service, covered items, and more to give you this list of Iowa’s top five providers. However, the best way to understand what coverage and pricing will look like in your area is to contact each company yourself. 

Frequently asked questions about Iowa home warranties

Is a home warranty required?

No. Unlike homeowners insurance, which is typically required by the bank that gave you a loan to purchase your home, home warranties are optional. However, they can save you thousands of dollars every year by covering major repairs that you normally would have had to cover on your own.

How much should I pay for a home warranty in Iowa?

Your home warranty should cost about $300-$600 every year. You’ll also have to pay an additional fee each time you request service, which is typically between $75 and $125.

What do home warranties typically cover?

Home warranty plans usually cover appliances, systems, or both. Most home warranty companies also offer optional coverage options that extend your policy to less common items in your home, like a second refrigerator or sump pump.