Septic System Warranty Coverage and Cost (2023 Guide)

Septic systems are the go-to wastewater treatment solution for homeowners in rural or remote areas away from a centralized public sewer system. In fact, over 60 million households nationwide depend on private septic systems. Septic systems are cheaper to install than public sewer lines and they’re a more eco-friendly method of waste management — when properly maintained. Septic failures, however, can pose substantial risks to both your health and budget. 

Opting for a home warranty with septic system coverage can save you thousands on routine inspections, tank pumping, and inevitable repairs. Read on for more information on what a home warranty’s septic coverage includes, the best home warranty companies for septic systems, and other valuable tips for maximizing your septic system’s long-term performance. 

Here are the top picks for septic system warranties.

The Best Home Warranty Companies for Septic System Coverage

We’ve assessed over 40 reputable home warranty companies specifically for the breadth of their septic system coverage, transparent contract terms, and premiums, and quick customer service response times. 

Backed by our research, the top home warranty carriers for septic systems include:

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 Best Septic System Warranties

What is a Septic System Warranty & What Does it Cover?

A standard home warranty is an annual service contract that protects your home’s major appliances and systems when they malfunction due to normal wear and tear. Septic system coverage usually isn’t automatically included in the primary coverage terms of most home warranty plans but can be added to a policy as an optional item. 

We recommend a home warranty with septic system coverage for all homeowners with decentralized wastewater systems. Though septic tanks are relatively resilient to damage when cared for properly, stoppages and mechanical malfunctions are still something you should expect to deal with during your system’s 15-20 year lifespan. 

Different home warranty service providers offer different levels of septic system coverage, but most will include maintenance for:

• Main septic tanks
• The central sewer line from the house
• Routine septic tank pumping
• Sewage ejector pumps
• Jet pumps 
• Aerobic pumps

Our Top Picks for a Septic System Warranty

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Choice Home Warranty – Best Overall 

Why We Chose Choice Home Warranty

With 14 years of seniority in the home warranty industry, Choice Home Warranty (CHW) is our first pick for comprehensive septic system coverage. Should you ever experience a septic emergency, CHW won’t make you jump through hoops to access your plan benefits. With 24/7/365 live customer service, you’ll be able to open a service request for your septic system at any time. 

CHW offers two base plan levels — Basic and Total — with septic system coverage available as an optional add-on. By tacking this rider onto your main home warranty policy, you’ll be covered for up to $500 per year in maintenance costs for your control box, sewage ejector pump, aerobic pump, and jet pump. 

Key Details of CHW Septic Coverage

• All repairs and replacements of your septic system are covered for 60 days on labor and 90 days on parts through CHW’s workmanship guarantee.
• Will pay up to $250 for septic tank pumping and $500 for septic systems for diagnosis and repairs per contract term.
• Both standard home warranty plans start as low as $1 a day

Plans and Pricing

• The Basic Plan ($45 per month / $560 per year): Covers 17 home appliances and systems including plumbing, toilets, hot water heaters, electrical, heating, ductwork, garbage disposals, dishwashers, oven/range/stove, and more.
• The Total Plan ($53.33 per month / $660 per year): Covers 21 items, including all systems and appliances in the Basic Plan, plus refrigerators, clothes washers, clothes dryers, and air conditioning systems.

• Optional Add-Ons ($40-$180 per year): Offers coverage for septic tanks and systems, sump pumps, well pumps, pool/spa, roof leaks, central vacuums, 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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Select Home Warranty – Most Cost-Effective

Why We Chose Select Home Warranty

House Method nominated Select Home Warranty  (SHW) as the most cost-effective home warranty option among leading providers, primarily for its competitively low premiums and a generous spread of discounts for new policyholders. 

Select Home Warranty offers three primary plan types — an appliance plan, a systems plan, or a deluxe package that combines both. Like CHW, Select sells septic system protection as an elective coverage rider. 

Key Details of SHW Septic Coverage

• Charges a $60 service call fee — one of the lowest rates advertised industry-wide
• Coverage for up to $400 per year in servicing costs for your septic tank, aerobic pump, sewage ejector, and jet pump.
• The septic system add-on is under $6 per month.

Plans and Pricing

• The Bronze Care Plan ($58 per month / $630 per year): Covers eight appliances including garbage disposals, dishwashers, clothes washers, clothes dryers, built-in microwaves, ovens/stoves, and refrigerators
• The Gold Care Plan ($57.67 per month / $630 per year): Covers six systems including plumbing, hot water heater, electrical, heating, air conditioner, and ductwork
• The Platinum Care Plan ($62.08 per month / $699.99 per year): 
• Optional Add-Ons ($39.99- $99.95 per year): Combines items in the Bronze and Gold Care Plans plus plumbing stoppages, ceiling fans, and garage door openers
• 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.

American Home Shield – Most Customizable

Why We Chose American Home Shield

Often recognized as the founding father of the home warranty industry, American Home Shield (AHS) has been providing premier home protection plans for over 50 years. AHS customers can choose one of three standard plan levels — a systems-only plan, a systems and appliances plan, or a comprehensive catch-all package that combines the first two plan levels.

Optional add-ons, like septic system pumping and sewage ejector pump coverage, are available for an additional fee. With the AHS septic system rider, you’ll be covered for septic stoppages that can be cleared through existing access and one round of septic pumping per contract term. AHS won’t, however, pay for excavation costs, chemical tank treatments, cesspools, or leach lines.

Key Details of AHS Septic Coverage

• About $5 extra per month for the septic system add-on options
• Up to a $6,000 coverage cap on septic systems with ShieldPlatinum
• Any issues that occur up to a month after your septic repair will be covered by AHS free of charge under its 30-day workmanship warranty
• The Septic tank will only be pumped once during the contract term if the stoppage is due to backup

Plans and Pricing

• ShieldSilver ($29.27- $44.27 per month / $347.88 – $527.88 per year): Covers 14 systems, including plumbing/plumbing stoppages, toilets, water dispensers, hot water heaters, electrical, HVAC, garbage disposals, and more. 
• ShieldGold ($39.27 – $54.27 per month / $467.88 – $647.88 per year): Includes all items covered in ShieldSilver plus nine kitchen and laundry appliances like dishwashers, built-in microwaves, ovens/stoves, clothes washers and dryers, trash compactors, and more.
• ShieldPlatinum ($59.27 – $74.27 per month / $711.88 – $891.88 per year): Includes all items covered in ShieldGold plus roof leak protection, one free HVAC tune-up per year, unlimited A/C refrigerant, and code violation/permit coverage for homes under construction. 
• Optional Add-Ons: Offers coverage for septic tank pumping, sewage ejector pumps, well pumps, pool/spa, guest units up to 750 square feet, and home electronics
• 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.

The Home Service Club – Quickest Coverage

Why We Chose The Home Service Club

We recommend The Home Service Club (HSC) for first-time homebuyers searching for quick home warranty protection for their new property. HSC only instates a 10-day waiting period before you can file a claim, whereas competing providers usually require new customers to wait up to 30 days. 

The Home Service Club also offers a unique add-on option, Outside Utility Lines, that offers protection on power, water, sewer, and gas lines. This coverage is unique to HSC and not offered by any other top-ranking home warranties.

Key Details of HSC Septic System Coverage

• Up to $5,000 per year in septic repairs or replacements but under a per-incident cap of $2,000. 
• Coverage includes mainline failures or malfunctions due to natural wear and tear or any related electrical/mechanical breakdowns. 
• Carries real estate-specific plans curated specifically for home buyers and sellers 

Plans and Pricing

• Standard Coverage Plan ($50 per month / $650 per year): Covers 18 systems and appliances, including plumbing, dishwashers, freestanding ice makers, electrical, HVAC, trash compactors, etc.
• Comprehensive Coverage Plan ($62.90 per month / $800 per year): Covers 33 systems and appliances as well as waste/water/gas line leaks, plumbing stoppages, pest control, smoke detectors, telephone and alarm wiring, and more. 
• Optional Add-Ons ($3.33 to $16.66 per month): Offers additional coverage for water/sewer/gas/power lines, sewage ejector pumps, sprinkler irrigation, pools and spas, well pumps, water softener, jetted bathtubs, 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.

Liberty Home Guard – Most Trustworthy

Why We Chose Liberty Home Guard

Though Liberty Home Guard (LHG) is a relatively new home warranty provider, it has kept pace with other front-runners in the industry. LHG has earned the most trustworthy provider by maintaining a high customer satisfaction level and an A rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB). 

Septic system pumping is included in LHG’s laundry list of 41+ optional coverage riders. By adding this plan feature to your base policy, you’ll be covered for mainline stoppages and clogs accessible from a pre-existing cleanout. For the first 90 days of your enrollment, your septic system coverage will be capped at $250. After those first three months, that maximum will increase to $500.

Key Details of LHG Septic Coverage

• One professional tank pumping per contract term (1 per year)
• Up to $2,000 coverage limit for mainline stoppage repairs and replacements
• The septic add-on option is an additional $12.99 per month
• Coverage excludes other septic system components such as septic tanks, sewage ejectors, aerobic pumps, etc.

Plans and Pricing

• Appliance Guard ($70 per month/$700 per year): Covers 11 appliances including, garbage disposals, clothes washers/dryers, refrigerators, ice makers, built-in microwaves, and more
• Systems Guard ($74.99 per month/$750 per year): Covers nine systems including, plumbing, hot 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): Combo plan of the 20 appliances and systems in both plans mentioned above. 
• Optional Add-Ons ($49.99 – $299.99 per year): Offers coverage for septic system pumping, well pumps, sump pumps, ejector pumps, pool/spa, water softener, plumbing fixtures, 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.

How Does a Septic Warranty Work?

Understanding how the home warranty coverage process works ahead of time is the most effective way to ensure a hassle-free experience in the event that you ever need a repair or replacement around your home. 

• Detecting an Issue: Whether you’ve noticed standing water near your septic tank’s access point, or you’ve been experiencing more interior plumbing stoppages than usual, if you suspect that something is wrong with your septic system, you’ll need to act fast to avoid more expensive secondary damage. 
• Opening a Claim: Most leading home warranty companies offer round-the-clock customer service. You’ll need to call your service provider or open an online claim through your designated online customer portal to initiate a service request. 
• Initial Service Visit: Your provider will send out one of their in-network service technicians to assess the issue with your septic system firsthand. Once the problem is diagnosed, they’ll report back to your home warranty provider with a general quote for the job and you’ll be responsible for paying the service call fee.
• Repair or Replacement: Once your provider approves the maintenance recommendations of the first technician, a service appointment will be scheduled. Most companies will only service your septic system through pre-existing access points. Any issues that might require excavation will not be covered under your home warranty. 

Any exclusions pertaining to septic system coverage will vary across home warranty providers, though most generally won’t cover costs related to the following:

• Leach, field, or lateral lines
• Insufficient capacity
• Whole tank clean-outs
• Waste disposal
• Tile fields and leach beds
• Tree root intrusion
• Locating or gaining access to the septic tank beyond the main inspection pipe
• Damage due to improper maintenance or system neglect

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Septic System Warranty Cost

On top of a standard home warranty policy, which costs between $30 to $60 per month, or $360 to $720 per year, additional septic system coverage will usually only increase your premium by $5 or $10. 

Keep in mind that in addition to your monthly or annual premium, all home warranty providers will require you to pay an upfront deductible should you ever submit a maintenance request. This out-of-pocket payment, often called a service call fee, ranges between $60 and $125 per service visit. 

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How to Maintain Your Septic System

Even with a septic warranty, the most effective way to prevent expensive damage is to keep up with proper maintenance. Regular inspections and home septic pumping will keep your system running smoothly. You’ll also be able to identify any issues in their early stages, allowing you to address them before they worsen.

Use the video below for a guide on how to properly maintain your home’s septic system.

Average Septic System Maintenance Costs

Repairing or replacing parts on a septic system can be an expensive undertaking. Even non-emergency repairs tend to be far more costly than other household systems or appliances. The average septic tank repair cost is $1,397. 

To help you better understand how much you could save with septic coverage through a home warranty, we’ve compiled a list of the three most common septic system issues alongside the average cost to address each. 

Problem	Description	Average Repair Cost
Broken baffle	The baffle on a septic tank prevents dirt, grime, and scum from building up in the pipes of your larger underground system. With a broken baffle, sewage solids will start to settle in your main drainage lines, causing blockages and back-ups. Replacing a broken baffle quickly may save you the cost of replacing the entire tank completely.	$300–$900
Tank lid	Though less expensive than other parts, your septic tank lid is still a major component of your septic system. It allows professionals to come and inspect the tank when needed while also protecting the interior of your system from external debris. More importantly, your tank lid keeps sewage gasses and odors contained in the system. Metal tank lids often rust over time and need to be replaced.	$30–$70 for metal lids; $1,300–$5,000 for concrete lids
Broken pipe	Your septic system’s primary pipes transport wastewater from your home to the septic tank and then into the leach field. Pipelines breaks and system failures are often caused by material breakdown, tree root intrusion, and shifting soil.  When not addressed urgently, broken pipes can lead to more expensive problems.	$50–$250 per foot of pipe

*These estimates were pulled from the national average septic system repair costs as of April 2022.

Final Verdict — Is Septic System Coverage Worth It?

Septic System Warranties can offer homeowners peace of mind that if there are any breakages in sewer lines or stoppages causing a backup in their pipes, they will be covered. Out-of-pocket repairs or replacements on septic systems can get expensive—several thousands of dollars—and home warranties ensure that you will only pay around a $75 service fee.

Our experts recommend going with Choice Home Warranty, as it offers additional policy riders including septic warranty services to protect you from paying for expensive septic system failures. However, you should get quotes from multiple companies and compare septic system coverage, monthly payments, annual coverage limits, and add-on options.

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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