My HVAC Died in July.
It Cost Me $18,000.
Here’s What a Home Warranty Would Have Cost.
Last summer my central air conditioning system failed completely. The compressor, the air handler, the coils — all of it. The HVAC tech gave me two options: patch it for a few years or replace the whole system. I replaced it. Total bill: $18,247.
A neighbor asked me afterward if I had a home warranty. I didn’t. She did — and her system failed the previous year. Her out-of-pocket cost was a $100 service call fee.
I’ve had a home warranty ever since. Here’s what the actual numbers look like — and how to find the best plan for your state.
A typical home warranty runs $400–$700 per year with a $75–$125 service call fee. My HVAC replacement would have cost me roughly $175 total — $75 service call plus a $100 deductible — instead of $18,247. That’s a difference of over $18,000 on a single claim.
Select a System or Appliance
Home Shield
- Covers HVAC, plumbing, electrical, appliances
- No age limit on covered systems
- $75–$125 service call fee
- Available in 48 states
Home
Warranty
- Competitive pricing — from $47/month
- Free roof leak protection included
- $75–$100 service call fee
- 24/7 claims service
American
Home
- Trusted since 1984
- Covers unknown pre-existing conditions
- $75–$125 service call fee
- Flexible plan options