5 Best Home Warranty Companies for Septic Systems (2022)

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. Not only are septic systems cheaper to install than public sewer lines, but they’re also a more eco-friendly method of waste management — when properly maintained. Septic failures, however, can pose substantial risks to both your health and budget. 

Here are the top picks to help with a messy situation.

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 providers for septic systems on the market, and other valuable tips for maximizing your septic system’s long-term performance. 

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

1. 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 Highlights

• 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
• Addresses customer claims within 48 hours or less
• Both standard home warranty plans start as low as $1 a day

Plans, Cost, and Coverage

• 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.

2. 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 Choice Home Warranty, Select sells septic system protection as an elective coverage rider. 

By adding septic system coverage to your SHW policy, you’ll be covered for up to $400 per year in servicing costs for your septic tank, aerobic pump, sewage ejector, and jet pump.

Key Highlights

• Charges a $60 service call fee — one of the lowest rates advertised industry-wide
• New joiners will have access to two months of free coverage, complimentary roof leak protection, and $150 off their annual premium
• Select won’t impose a transfer fee if you ever decide to sell your home and pass your home warranty onto the buyer

Plans, Cost, and Coverage

• 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.

3. 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 plus a higher coverage cap of $6,000 worth of repairs per year.  

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 Highlights

• AHS allows customers to choose their service call fee of $75, $100, or $125. A lower service call fee means higher monthly payments and a higher-priced call fee results in lower monthly payments.
• Offers specialty real estate plans for homes currently on the market
• If AHS repairs your septic system, any issues that occur up to a month after your service appointment will be covered by AHS free of charge under its 30-day workmanship warranty 

Plans, Cost, and Coverage

• 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.

4. The Home Service Club

We most 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 wraps its primary septic system coverage into its Utility Line Coverage add-on. By purchasing this policy rider alongside one of HSC’s two base plans, you’ll be covered for up to $5,000 per year in septic repairs or replacements but under a per-incident cap of $2,000. 

HSC’s septic system coverage includes mainline failures or malfunctions due to natural wear and tear or any related electrical/mechanical breakdowns. 

Key Highlights

• Offers the highest annual coverage limits for septic system maintenance of any other provider featured in this guide
• All plans cover select appliances and systems of any age, making it a great choice for homes purchased with older chattels and fixtures
• Carries real estate-specific plans curated specifically for home buyers and sellers 

Plans, Cost, and Coverage

• 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.

5. 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 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. This add-on also entitles you to one professional tank pumping per year. 

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 Highlights

• LHG’s most comprehensive plan level — Total Home Guard — starts at just $1.50 per day
• For a limited time, new joiners will get $200 off of their premium plus two months of bonus coverage and free roof leak protection
• LHG will dispatch a technician to your home for an approved claim in as early as 24 hours

Plans, Cost, and Coverage

• 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. 

What is a Home Warranty for Septic Systems?

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. 

What Does a Septic System Warranty Cover?

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

What Doesn’t a Septic System Home Warranty Cover?

Adding septic system coverage to your home warranty policy can be an incredibly effective way to finance unexpected issues with your main tank or any attached components. Still, it won’t cover everything. 

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

• 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

Is a Home Warranty with Septic System Coverage Right for You?

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. 

Septic system coverage is especially imperative for homeowners who purchased a home with a pre-installed septic tank. Because most of a septic system’s integral components are installed underground, they’re often deemed outside of the scope of a visual home inspection. With no guarantee of its condition, a hand-me-down septic system could come with many expensive unknowns. 

Are there any coverage maximums for septic systems?

Yes, the extent of your septic system coverage is usually subject to an annual coverage limit. While some providers might advertise an unlimited number of repairs or replacements per year, the cash amount you’ll be covered for per contract term is almost always capped at a certain maximum. The average coverage cap for comprehensive septic system coverage is around $162.  

With any given coverage limit, you’ll only be alleviated from a certain dollar amount to repair or replace a component of your system. In other words, any maintenance costs that exceed that set amount will be left to you, the homeowner, to pay.

How Much Does a 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. 

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. 

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

How Does a Home Warranty for Septic Systems 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

Before maintenance can be done, your provider will want to 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.

At this preliminary appointment, you’ll only be responsible for paying the service call fee required by your warranty. 

Repair or Replacement

Once your provider approves the maintenance recommendations of the first technician, a service appointment will be scheduled. Remember, 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. 

How to Care for 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.

Inspect and pump your system often

Your septic system should be inspected at least every three years by a professional septic service near you. Inspections should take place annually for larger homes or any homes with more frequent water use. Septic systems with mechanical parts or electrical float switches should also be inspected every year.

A full home septic pumping session should be performed about every three to five years. Your local septic service company can help you decide how often your system needs to be inspected and pumped. Be sure to keep accurate records of your system, including a diagram, property map, and log of previous septic system maintenance.

Practice efficient water use

All of the water that runs through your house’s plumbing eventually cycles back into your septic system. Therefore, the less water inundating the system, the better the tank will break wastewater into soil.  

Consider replacing outdated toilets with high-efficiency models to reduce water waste when using the bathroom. Additionally, you can find energy-efficient showerheads and tap aerators that reduce water usage. Some companies and organizations even offer free kits with these products. Use the correct load size when doing laundry to avoid using more water than is necessary to clean your clothes.

Dispose of waste properly

Everything you pour into the bathroom or kitchen sink, toilet, or shower drain ends up in your septic system. Being mindful of what can and cannot be put into a septic system will increase the longevity of your system. Never wash cooking oil, grease, coffee grounds, cigarette butts, or feminine hygiene products down the drain or toilet.

Other lesser-known items that should never end up in your septic tank include dental floss, flushable wipes, and paper towels. Avoid using household chemicals in your plumbing as much as possible. For example, use a drain snake to unclog a pipe instead of liquid drain cleaners. Even products that advertise to be safe for septic systems can cause damage if used excessively.

Septic drain field maintenance

The septic drain field is one of the most critical septic system components. In this leach area, the disposed of wastewater enters the soil to break down naturally and remove contaminants. Once this water has gone through the process, it helps to replenish groundwater in the soil.

Keep your drain field in good shape by never parking or driving vehicles or heavy equipment over it. When planting trees and bushes with deep roots, ensure they’re planted an appropriate distance away from the leach field. As too much water slows or stops the natural wastewater treatment of a drain field, avoid introducing excess water to the area, such as gutter runoff.

Frequently Asked Questions About Septic System Warranties

Key Takeaways — Is Septic System Coverage Worth It?

Sometimes too many plan options can be an issue. Choice Home Warranty provides two base plans and offers optional add-on coverage options for you to further customize your home warranty to best fit your home’s coverage needs. These additional policy riders include septic warranty services to protect you from paying for expensive septic system failures. 

To recap, here is what’s covered under Choice Home Warranty’s standard coverage:

Optional coverage is available at an additional charge, including septic warranty and septic pump coverage:

• Pool/spa
• Central vacuum
• Second refrigerator
• Well pump
• Limited roof leak
• Standalone freezer
• Sump pump
• Septic system
• Septic tank pumping

You can get started on finding the right plan for you by calling Choice Home Warranty at 929-400-6164 or by filling out this form to receive a free quote.

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.