Best Home Warranty Companies in Maryland (2022)

With mountains and rolling hills to the west plus the Chesapeake Bay and Atlantic Ocean to the east, Maryland has been dubbed “America in Miniature” because it has a little bit of everything packed into it. With an average seasonal snowfall of 20.6 that melts into summer temperatures upwards of 80 degrees, such drastic fluctuation in MD’s climate can easily place strain on some of your home’s essential features.

A home warranty is a service contract that will help protect systems and appliances throughout your home as they fail due to normal wear and tear. If a repair or replacement is necessary, your policy helps to offset total maintenance costs. Some of the best home warranty companies on the market offer their plans in the state of Maryland; the only tricky part can be narrowing them down.

Maryland’s Best Home Warranty Companies in 2022

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

Quick Comparison of Home Warranty Providers

Choice Home Warranty

• Our Take: Best overall
• Average Annual Cost: $560 – $660
• Response Time: Up to 48 hours

Choice Home Warranty (CHW) is the best overall home warranty provider in Maryland. Choice is a nationwide home warranty service provider that has more than ten years in the industry. One of the things that make Choice stand out from the crowd is the fact that the plan options are quite simple and straightforward. Choice has a very high standard for their contractors and technicians, and the overall customer service reviews are quite high for Choice Home Warranty. Choice Home Warranty has been on the market for close to 13 years, making it one of the most trusted home warranty providers in the nation.

Pros and Cons

✓ Doesn’t require an initial home inspection or previous maintenance records for sign-up

✓ Includes a 90-day guarantee on all repairs 

✓ Allows the 30-day waiting period to be waived if proof of a previous home warranty is provided with no coverage lapses

✓ Offers 24/7/365 claims processing and customer service

X Standard plans are not customizable

Plans and Pricing

There are two plan options from Choice Home Warranty, the Basic Plan and the Total Plan. The Total Plan is $53.33 per month, priced very fairly for the coverages that you get. In addition, the coverage caps from Choice Home Warranty are considerably higher than they are with other home warranty companies. Most of the covered appliances and systems have a coverage cap of around $3000. The service fee from Choice is affordable, and it is set at $85. 

Here’s a detailed look at Choice Home Warranty’s coverage: 

• Basic Plan ($42 per month): The Basic Plan from Choice Home Warranty is the value plan and slightly more affordable than the comprehensive plan. This plan covers 13 items, including plumbing system, ceiling fans, garbage disposal, heating system, cooktop exhaust fans, microwave, dishwasher, ductwork, electrical system, garage door opener, oven, toilet, and water heater. For those who are new to home warranty plans, the Basic Plan is a smart option. 
• Total Plan ($53.33 per month): The Total Plan is a comprehensive plan from Choice Home Warranty. This is the better plan choice for Maryland homeowners due to broader coverage. The plan covers all 13 items in the Basic Plan with an additional four items. These additional items are clothes washer, dryer, refrigerator, and air conditioner.

Coverage

You can take your coverage one step further with any of the following optional plan add-ons:

• Roof leak repairs (above common household spaces only)
• Pool and spa (for in-ground set-ups only)
• Sprinkler systems
• Septic systems  (does not include leach lines, field lines, or lateral lines)
• Septic tank pumping
• Sump pumps
• Well pumps
• Central vacuum

To get a free quote from Choice Home Warranty, fill out this online form or call 929-400-6164.

For more information, read our Choice Home Warranty Review.

Select Home Warranty

• Our Take: Most cost-effective
• Average Annual Cost:  $630 – $699.99
• Response Time: Up to 48 hours

Select Home Warranty (SHW) is the most cost-effective option for Maryland homeowners. Owning a home in Maryland can be quite expensive, and finding a home warranty company that takes into mind the expense and the value of the plan is important. Select Home Warranty has been in the market for more than ten years, and the company has always been known for its affordability. One of the unique features of this provider is the fact that it offers free roof leak coverage with any of the plan choices. Most companies make this an add-on that will cost additional money, so this is a great benefit to consider.

Pros and Cons

✓ Over a decade of experience in the home warranty industry

✓ Up to $400 in annual roof coverage included for free with any plan level

✓ Policyholders who pay annually rather than monthly will receive two free months of coverage

X Lower coverage caps on some appliances and systems

X 30-day workmanship guarantee is significantly less than competing providers

Plans and Pricing

There are three Select Home Warranty plans for customers to choose from. These are the Bronze Care, Gold Care, and Platinum Care plans. The Platinum Care plan, priced at $57 per month, is the best overall option because of the number of covered items available for a very fair price. The coverage caps from Select Home Warranty are typically between $500 and $2000. Most of the major appliances and systems have high enough coverage caps to work for most Maryland homeowners. The service fee from Select Home Warranty is very affordable at $60. 

Here’s a detailed look at Select Home Warranty’s coverage: 

• Bronze Care ($52 per month): The Bronze Care plan covers seven major appliances, including refrigerators, built-in microwaves, clothes washers and dryers, ovens, garbage disposals, and cooktops. For those that are new to homeownership, this is a good budget-friendly plan to get started with. 
• Gold Care ($52 per month): The Gold Care plan covers six systems; plumbing, air conditioning, heating, water heaters, electrical systems, and ductwork. If you look closely at the coverages included in Gold Care, the pricing is considered to be quite fair for what you get. 
• Platinum Care ($57 per month): The Platinum Care plan is just a few dollars more per month than Bronze Care or Gold Care, but it includes double the coverage. Having this much coverage for a fair price is an impressive feature of the Platinum Care Plan. 

Coverage

To enhance your standard coverage, Select offers several optional policy add-ons, including:

• Pools and spas
• Septic systems
• Sprinkler systems
• Sump pumps
• Well pumps
• Central vacuum
• Light fixtures
• Plumbing fixtures
• Standalone freezers and second refrigerators
• Built-in ice-makers
• Roof leak coverage

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

For more information, read our Select Home Warranty Review.

American Home Shield

• Our Take: Best customizable plans
• Average Annual Cost: $527.88 – $711.88
• Response Time: Up to 48 hours

American Home Shield (AHS) is the most customizable plan available for Maryland residents. If you want to ensure that your Maryland home has unique coverage built specifically for its needs, American Home Shield is a perfect choice. With more than 50 years in the industry, this provider offers tremendous workmanship, professional communication, and excellent customer service. You will have no trouble finding positive reviews about American Home Shield in Maryland. 

Pros and Cons

✓ Customers can choose from three service call fees ($75, $100, or $125)

✓ The oldest home warranty provider with over 50 years of experience

✓ Covers items damaged by improper installation and undetected pre-existing conditions

X Higher premiums than competing providers

X Customers can’t choose their own contractor

Plans and Pricing

There are three home warranty plans from American Home Shield: ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, and ShieldPlatinum. These home warranty plans offer impressive coverage and some of the most premium home warranty coverage on the market. The three plans from American Home Shield are just a starting point for coverage; you can then customize the plan to work for your individual needs. The coverage caps in American Home Shield’s home warranties are typically around $2500 but can be higher with the ShieldPlatinum plan. Service fees will range from $75 to $125. 

Here’s a detailed look at American Home Shield’s coverage: 

• ShieldSilver™ ($39.99 per month): ShieldSilver is the most basic option from American Home Shield. This plan covers 14 home systems, including air conditioning, electrical system, smoke alarms, water heater, doorbells, garage door opener, heating system, plumbing, and ductwork. With systems being so expensive to replace, this plan offers excellent value to a MD homeowner.
• ShieldGold™ ($49.99 per month): The ShieldGold plan is a comprehensive option. This plan covers 23 home systems and appliances, including many offered on the ShieldSilver plan plus clothes washer, dishwasher, clothes dryer, microwave, oven, and refrigerator. 
• ShieldPlatinum™ ($64.99  per month): ShieldPlatinum has 27 systems and appliances. This is one of the most premium home warranty policies in the industry. In addition to higher coverage caps, there are also other benefits associated with ShieldPlatinum. For instance, a $1,000 coverage for unexpected expenses and an annual tune-up for your AC system. 

Coverage

To personalize your policy even more, you can tack the following additional coverage riders onto your AHS plan:

• Roof leak repairs
• Pools and spas (does not include above-ground or portable pools)
• Electronic extended warranty (includes an unlimited number of devices including TVs, tablets, laptops, home theater systems, smart home features, and more)
• Guest units (up to 750 square feet)
• Well pumps
• Septic pumps (only includes sewage ejector pumps and mainline stoppages)

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

For more information, read our American Home Shield Warranty Review.

The Home Service Club

• Our Take: Quickest service
• Average Annual Cost: $650 – $800
• Response Time: Within 24 hours

The Home Service Club (HSC) offers the quickest coverage for a Maryland home warranty. The coverage from The Home Service Club will start just ten days after the purchase of the policy. This is impressive considering most home warranty companies require a 30-day waiting period before the start of coverage. The Home Service Club has been on the market for 13 years and it has a strong reputation in the industry. With The Home Service Club, there is no inspection when you sign up for the policy, and the coverage options are comprehensive, covering both systems and appliances. Homeowners in Maryland feel that the quick coverage and fair overall pricing makes this an excellent home warranty choice. 

Pros and Cons

✓ Covers major appliances and systems of all ages, makes, and models

✓ Offers real estate home warranty plans specifically for homebuyers and sellers

✓ Gives customers an additional $125 plus one month of free coverage when they opt to pay annually

X No basic or cheap plan option

X Has a minimal selection of only five coverage add-ons

Plans and Pricing

The Home Service Club has two policies for Maryland homeowners, the Standard Coverage plan and the Comprehensive Coverage plan. The Comprehensive Coverage plan is a little more expensive at $63.00 per month with a $95 service fee. However, this plan has 33 covered items. Most premium plans have fewer than 30 and some fewer than 20 covered items. The coverage caps from The Home Service Club range in price from $500 to $2500 and are above industry average. Service fees vary in price from $65 to $125 and our chart below shows the pricing with a $95 service fee. 

Here’s a detailed look at The Home Service Club’s coverage: 

• Standard Coverage ($50 per month): With the Standard Coverage plan, there are 18 covered items, including air conditioners, ceiling fans, water leaks, water heater, electrical system, central vacuum, dishwasher, refrigerator, trash compactor, oven, and more. This is a strong basic plan from a home warranty company. 
• Comprehensive Coverage ($63.00 per month): The Comprehensive Coverage has fifteen more covered items than the Standard Coverage. Some of these extra coverages include gas leaks, ductwork, sump pump, pest control, doorbells, plumbing stoppages, attic fans, whole house exhaust, and more. Many coverages under the Comprehensive plan are considered paid add-ons from other companies; this can help you save quite a bit of money. 

Coverage

You can also add the following coverage riders to your HSC policy as you see fit:

• Pool and spa (for in-ground units only)
• Lawn sprinkler systems
• Roof coverage
• Freestanding freezers 
• Refrigerator built-in units with dual compressors 
• Sewage ejector pumps 
• Water softener

To get a free quote from The Home Service Club, fill out this online form.

For more information, read our The Home Service Club Review. 

Liberty Home Guard

• Our Take: Most trustworthy
• Average Annual Cost: $700 – $799.99
• Response Time: Within 24 hours

Liberty Home Guard (LHG) is the most trustworthy home warranty in Maryland. To earn the most trustworthy spot within just a two-year period, Liberty Home Guard is doing some things quite well. The company’s quality customer service and attention to detail have helped Liberty Home Guard earn a BBB rating of A. This is the only home warranty company with a rating this high. With the tremendous start that Liberty Home Guard is off to, you can expect to see them at the top of any Maryland home warranty list for years to come. The Liberty Home Guard plans offer broad coverage options and contractor knowledge to back it all up. 

Pros and Cons

✓ Only leading home warranty company with an A rating from the Better Business Bureau

✓ Over 41 add-on options including coverage for unique home services like carpet and gutter cleaning

✓ All repairs are covered by a 60-day guarantee

X Lower-than-average annual coverage caps

X Multiple add-ons can get expensive quickly

Plans and Pricing

The three plans from Liberty Home Guard are Appliance Guard, Systems Guard, and Total Home Guard. Appliance Guard is a home warranty plan that will cover 11 major appliances and systems and it is priced at $64.99 per month. You will notice that the pricing from Liberty Home Guard is slightly higher than other plans, but the response times and customer service are quite impressive. The coverage caps from LHG are around $1500, and the service fee is set at $75. 

Here’s a detailed look at Liberty Home Guard’s coverage: 

• Appliance Guard ($64.99 per month): Appliance Guard will cover 11 major appliances, including garage door opener, ceiling fans, cooktop exhaust fan, oven, refrigerator, garbage disposal, dishwasher, microwave, clothes washer, clothes dryer, and refrigerator ice-maker. This is a good option if you are on a budget and shopping for an LHG home warranty. 
• Systems Guard ($69.99 per month): There are nine systems included in the Liberty Home Guard Systems Guard. These systems include the electrical system, air conditioner, bath exhaust fan, heating system, toilet, ductwork, plumbing and plumbing stoppages, and water heater. Systems are expensive to replace, and having a bit of help from the Systems Guard plan is a nice benefit.  
• Total Home Guard ($74.99 per month): The Total Home Guard plan covers a total of 20 home systems and appliances. When you see the price difference between the Total Home Guard and the Systems Guard, it’s hard not to spend a few extra dollars a month for the more premium coverage. 

Coverage

• Carpet and gutter cleaning
• Central vacuum
• Electronic protection
• Grinder pumps
• Guest unit coverage (up to 750 square feet)
• Gutter cleaning
• Instant hot water dispensers
• Light fixtures
• Limited roof leak coverage (only applies to patching over occupied areas of single-family homes)
• Pest control
• Plumbing fixtures
• Pools and spas (includes chlorine and saltwater set-ups)
• Power washing for exterior flooring (includes driveways, walkways, decks, patios, etc.)
• Pro-series kitchen and laundry appliances (exclusively for professional-grade appliances with luxury features)
• Re-keying (cover re-keys for two lock cylinders per contract term)
• Reverse osmosis filter systems
• Septic system pumping
• Sewage ejector pumps
• Sprinkler systems
• Standalone freezers, ice-makers, second refrigerators, and wine coolers
• Sump pumps
• TV mounting (for up to 65-inch or 85-inch TVs)
• Water softener
• Well pumps
• Window washing (does not include interior cleaning)

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

Read our Liberty Home Guard review for more information.

Home Warranties in Maryland Cities

• Baltimore, MD
• Columbia, MD
• Germantown, MD
• Silver Spring, MD
• Waldorf, MD
• Ellicott City, MD
• Frederick, MD
• Potomac, MD
• Bethesda, MD

How Much Does a Home Warranty in Maryland Cost?

A home warranty plan typically costs between $45 and $65 a month. The average annual costs will be anywhere from $480 to $780 a year. There are three important factors to consider when shopping for a home warranty. The first is monthly pricing, then service fees and coverage caps. All home warranty providers have service fees that will range from $60 to $150, with the average being around $85. Coverage caps are important as some high-end systems and appliances with high repair costs may not be covered if the coverage cap is too low.

Compare the Best Home Warranty Companies in Maryland

Final Thoughts

At this point, you should feel more confident about your choices for a great home warranty. Home warranties can save you thousands and thousands of dollars in repairs and replacements on your home appliances and major home systems. Be sure to thoroughly research and compare the top home warranties companies in order to find the one that’s best for your budget and needs.

Whether you are looking for the best value or the most extensive coverage, there are excellent Maryland home warranties available. Choice Home Warranty stands out as the best overall choice because it has simple plans, easy to work with customer service, and a very fair and straightforward pricing structure. 

How to Choose the Best Home Warranty in Maryland

Now that you are somewhat acquainted with the top home warranty companies, you will have to narrow these five providers down to one and pick a plan from that provider. You’ll now have to choose the home warranty that best fits the specific needs of your home. There are multiple factors that you should consider when picking a home warranty, but some important ones for Maryland homeowners are overall price, coverage options, and annual limits.

• Consider overall price, but not price alone: Home warranties come with three different pricing components: monthly premiums, service fees, and coverage limits. You can often save some money by paying in an annual lump sum, or by buying a policy that lasts a couple of years. Monthly premium costs will also increase greatly when you choose to add some optional coverages to your plan. If you want a plan that’s affordable, aim to find a plan with a monthly payment lower than $75 per month, and a service fee at or lower than $85. This way, your annual coverage limits will be high enough that you can justify the price of the policy, but not so high that you’re paying an arm and a leg out of pocket every month.
• Research all coverage options: Each home warranty provider offers a different selection of coverage within its plans. Sometimes companies follow the typical route and offer three plans (systems-only, appliance-only, and a combo option), but a few only offer two combination plans. Additionally, consider the coverage you need for your home, and be sure not to choose a plan that has you paying for coverage you do not need. American Home Shield is a great option for those wanting to customize their home warranty coverage.

• Watch out for low annual limits: Believe it or not, some home warranty companies offer plans for around $30 per month for coverage on 10+ appliances and systems — but you will be disappointed when you need a repair, and you hit your annual limit quickly. The sweet spot for coverage is to get annual limits on most items around $2,000. This will usually cover a repair or replacement of every item, should you need it, each contract term. As an added bonus, the monthly premiums won’t be as high as they are for plans with coverage caps at or higher than $5,000.

What is a Home Warranty?

A home warranty is an annual service contract that covers homeowners for the cost to repair or replace major home appliances and systems as they break down due to normal wear and tear. Once you’ve enrolled in a home warranty plan, when an item like your dishwasher or HVAC system stops working properly, you’ll have instant access to quick repairs through a professional home repair service near you. 

Home Warranty vs. Homeowners Insurance

Though both home warranties and homeowners insurance are home protection products, their coverage purposes aren’t the same. In short, home insurance is designed to protect your budget from catastrophic damage caused by sudden events like natural disasters (fire, flooding, hurricanes, etc.) and theft. A home warranty, however, insures your home for damage on a smaller yet equally expensive scale. With a home warranty, you’ll be covered for the cost to repair or replace select essential appliances and systems throughout your home as they deteriorate due to normal wear and tear over time. 

How Does a Home Warranty in Maryland Work?

Accessing your home warranty benefits works the same way in Maryland as in any other state. Here’s a brief rundown of what you’ll need to do to initiate a service request through your provider:

Open a Claim

When you notice a damaged appliance or system in your home, you’ll first have to notify your home warranty provider of the issue by filing a claim online or contacting a representative over the phone. Your claim will either be approved or denied within 24-48 hours after it is filed.

Initial Diagnostic Appointment

Assuming your claim is approved, your home warranty provider will dispatch a technician from its internal network of contractors. At this initial appointment, the technician will assess the problem related to your claim and report back to your carrier with a repair estimate. You’ll be responsible for paying the required service call fee at this first home visit. 

Repair or Replacement

After the first diagnostic appointment is complete, your home warranty provider will schedule a secondary appointment for the actual repair. Remember, you’ll be covered for repair or replacement costs within the set annual coverage limit mentioned in your service contract. 

What Does a Home Warranty Cover?

A home warranty covers repair and replacement costs for a wide range of major appliances and systems as they gradually fail due to normal use over time. While different companies have different sets of inclusions and exclusions, most will cover: 

What is Not Covered by a Home Warranty?

A home warranty will only protect against normal wear and tear on your home systems and appliances. Most home warranty policies exclude costs related to improper installation, general misuse, lack of proper maintenance, power surge damage, detectable pre-existing conditions, and cosmetic defects.

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.