Did you spend time stuck at home last year during a snowstorm? While you may have enjoyed the time off around the fire, it might have been less enjoyable if your furnace had gone out. With a home warranty plan, you won’t have to freeze long waiting for service — or worry about how much the repair costs.
This site receives compensation from the companies featured in this listing, which may impact where and how products appear. This listing doesn’t feature all companies, products, or offers that may be available.
Homeowner’s insurance protects you only if the damage to your home appliance or system stems from a “covered” act, an event that is spelled out in your insurance agreement. One example is if a fire damages an appliance. But if your dishwasher springs a leak or your air conditioning compressor fails, you must call a plumber or HVAC technician.
The last thing you want to do when you’re dealing with an emergency is waste time finding qualified, licensed, insured, and reputable technicians to fix the problem. Home warranty providers have already done this work for you. They already have approved service professionals and a network of qualified technicians who are prepared to come to you and fix normal household breakdowns.
Home warranty companies charge a monthly or yearly premium for their policies. Whenever you have a broken appliance or system, you call to file a claim, and the company sends out a service tech. You’ll pay a service fee each time a technician comes out.
The amount of these fees varies, as you’ll discover when you shop for a home warranty. Because no one makes researching home warranty companies a fun new hobby, we’ve done it for you. Based on volumes of research, we now have a list of the best home warranty companies in South Dakota.
I shopped secretly to find the best home warranty company in South Dakota. After applying for warranty quotes online and over the phone, I spoke directly with customer service representatives to evaluate their service and then compared what each home warranty covers.
Today’s Homeowner uses specific review criteria to determine rankings. I analyzed plan options, service call fees, the claims process, availability, what online reviewers report, coverage limits, and warranty-related facts. I want you to have peace of mind when you choose home warranty coverage for your home.
Here’s how we ranked and reviewed the nation’s top home warranty companies to bring you the most accurate information. Read our full Home Warranty Review Methodology for more details.
78 companies reviewed
152 quotes collected
6 rating factors
Table of Contents
- Top 5 South Dakota Home Warranty Companies
- My Expert Recommendation
- Our Reviews of the Best Home Warranties in South Dakota
- Calculate the Cost of a South Dakota Home Warranty
- South Dakota Home Warranty Regulations
- South Dakota Home Warranty News
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Top 5 South Dakota Home Warranty Companies
- My Expert Recommendation
- Our Reviews of the Best Home Warranties in South Dakota
- Calculate the Cost of a South Dakota Home Warranty
- South Dakota Home Warranty Regulations
- South Dakota Home Warranty News
- Frequently Asked Questions
Top 5 South Dakota Home Warranty Companies
This site receives compensation from some of the companies featured in this listing, which may impact where and how products appear. When you click “Get Quote,” you will be connected with partners who may contact you with information related to your inquiry. This listing doesn’t feature all companies, products, or offers that may be available.
|
Company
|
Rating
|
BBB Rating
|
Monthly Cost
|
Service Fee
|
BBB Rating
|
Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Liberty Home Guard
Get Quote
|
$50-$60 | $75 | 12-48 hrs. | NR | Get Quote | |
 American Home Shield
Get Quote
|
$35–$75 | $100–$125 | 24-72 hrs | B | Get Quote | |
 Elite Home Warranty
|
$44.99-$58.99 | $70 | 48 hours | A+ | ||
 Choice Home Warranty
Get Quote
|
$46–$55 | $85 | 24-48 hrs. | B | Get Quote | |
 Select Home Warranty
Get Quote
|
$52–$58 | $75-$85 | 24-48 hrs. | B | Get Quote | |
 AFC Home Warranty
Get Quote
|
$38–$62 | $75–$125 | 48 hours | B | Get Quote | |
 First American Home Warranty
Get Quote
|
$72–$87 | $75–$125 | 48 hours | B | Get Quote | |
 2-10 Home Warranty
Our Review
|
$17–$60+ | $65–$100 | 24 hrs | A- | Our Review | |
 Cinch Home Services
Get Quote
|
$28–$68 | $100–$150 | 2–24 hrs | B | Get Quote |
Quote and cost data gathered January 2024. Cost data are updated and monitored continuously.
Key Takeaways
- Liberty Home Guard is a winner in my book. It has the largest list of optional coverages to add to your coverage, charges reasonable premiums, and has superior customer service.
- When you read a sample contract, focus on the list of exclusions. There’s almost always something there that will surprise you. Look for clauses about misuse and wear and tear. Elite Home Warranty and Select Home Warranty are two companies that may require you to produce maintenance records before they will agree to pay for a service call and repair.
- Sometimes, customer service representatives forget to offer a discount or a special that you find online. If you find one, have it ready when you get a price quote on the phone.
My Expert Recommendation
Liberty Home Guard has a large list of add-ons, which gives you the ability to protect almost any part of your home. If you need sump pump coverage or pool and spa coverage, Liberty has the policy for you. And if you want protection for something not on its list of traditional items that it covers, Liberty will work to add it!
Monthly premiums are within industry norms. While its $125 service fee is higher than what other providers offer, when I called, a Liberty representative lowered the fee to $85. My experience speaks to another strength: Liberty Home Guard has excellent customer service, from application to filing a claim.
Service representatives are polite and friendly, and online reviews praise the company’s excellent customer service and fast claims process. The online application takes just a few minutes to get a quote, And when you file a claim, the company guarantees service within 24 to 48 hours. Liberty is also one of the few home warranty companies to have a mobile app where you can file claims, track the claims progress, and see when your service technician will arrive.
Ask yourself what could break down in your house and most disrupt your life. Whether it’s a broken air conditioning unit when a senior parent lives with you or a refrigerator breakdown that causes lifesaving drugs to spoil, pick a plan that adequately covers these items.
South Dakota Home Warranty Companies I Didn’t Include
I’d advise homeowners to steer clear of two home warranty companies in South Dakota: Service Plus Home Warranty and US Home Guard. Both companies are known for shady business practices, particularly when selling policies. For example
- While operating under a different name — Total Home Protection — Service Plus Home Warranty paid $400,000 to the Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General in 2021 to settle a claim of deceptive marketing. After the settlement, the company changed its name, but I don’t know if anything else changed. Even though I said I didn’t want to receive texts and phone calls when I applied for an online quote, the company texted and called multiple times a day the moment it had my number.
- Another company whose marketing tactics have come under fire is US Home Guard. It also has shady marketing tactics — such as sending postcards with fear-inducing messages like, “Your home warranty is about to expire!” — to homeowners who never bought a policy with them. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) issued a news release warning consumers about doing business with US Home Guard, primarily because of these confusing and deceptive marketing tactics.
Our Reviews of the Best Home Warranties in South Dakota
Liberty Home Guard
4.6
Our Rating
Key Facts
Monthly Cost
$50-$60
Service Fee
$75
BBB Rating
NR
| Rating | Overall | Plans & Coverage | Cost & Affordability | Customer Experience | Company Reputation | Claims Process | Transparency & Ease of Use | Flexibility in Service Providers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
4.6 |
5.0 |
3.9 |
3.8 |
4.5 |
5.0 |
4.7 |
5.0 |
Home Warranty Average |
4.1 |
4.3 |
4.1 |
4.0 |
4.1 |
3.9 |
4.6 |
3.6 |
Today’s Homeowner Review
Liberty Home Guard is the best company for homeowners who want to insure everything in their home. Policies come with reasonable premiums and service fees, and the company won’t auto-renew your policy at renewal time. Also, Liberty won’t leave you waiting for days or weeks for service, and you will have visibility into your claim through tracking and updates on its app. Liberty wants its customers to be happy with the home warranty experience.
If you want coverage for everything and the kitchen sink, Liberty Home Guard offers homeowners the largest list of available add-ons out of anyone in the industry. Its policies are highly customizable, and prices for additional coverage are lower than some competitors or else within a reasonable range.
Liberty Home Guard has built a strong reputation by thinking about customers first. For example, the renewals department calls 60 days ahead of your renewal date to allow you time to cancel before you see an unexpected charge hit your credit card. Some competitors just auto-renew and make you call for a refund. Then, if you want to cancel at any time during your annual policy, you’ll receive a partial refund.
Liberty is one of the few home warranty companies to have a mobile app where you can track your claim and service technician’s progress. The company does its best to provide on-site service within 24 to 48 hours. If Liberty can’t get someone out during that quickly (or even if you prefer to find a service tech), you can arrange for service. As long as you call a technician who’s licensed and insured, Liberty will pay the technician directly.
Liberty Home Guard’s lengthy list of extra coverages, excellent reputation, and mobile app help it stand apart from the competition.
The cost of adding extra coverage can grow quickly. For homeowners who want basic coverage and aren’t worried about a sump pump or an extra refrigerator, there are cheaper options. Liberty’s monthly fees for add-ons are also higher than those of competitors. For example, pool and spa coverage with Liberty Home Guard is $19.99 a month. It is $18 a month with American Home Shield.
Anytime you file a claim, you’ll pay a service fee to have the technician come to your home. This is standard in the industry, but Liberty also charges more for service fees than many competitors. Its $125 service call fee is higher than that of Elite Home Warranty or Select Home Warranty. However, when I called for an estimate, the representative offered to reduce it to $85 if I completed the sale on the phone.
Finally, Liberty Home Guard’s coverage limit, which is the maximum a company will pay out for a repair or replacement, is only $2,000 per covered item. That may not be enough to pay the full amount of some repairs.
Like most home warranty plans, Liberty Home Guard has a 30-day waiting period after you buy a policy before coverage kicks in. So, you can’t buy a policy because your furnace went out, and now you need immediate help. But once your plan begins, here’s what you get.
If you want coverage for your HVAC, electrical, and other systems, buy the Systems Guard plan. The Appliance Guard plan protects your appliances. And the Total Home Guard plan combines systems and appliance protection, delivering the most comprehensive coverage.
Many retailers and home appliance manufacturers offer an extended warranty when you buy your new appliance. If you signed up for one, you might only need systems coverage. The Systems Guard Plan protects home systems such as plumbing systems, ductwork, heating systems, water heaters, an air conditioner, and electrical systems.
If you bought an extended service plan when you had your new furnace installed, you might only need appliance coverage. The Appliance Guard Plan protects all major appliances: washer, dryer, built-in microwave, dishwasher, range/oven/cooktop, exhaust fans, refrigerator, garbage disposal, ceiling fans, and garage door openers.
If you have no existing service plans or warranties, the plan options with the Total Home Guard plan give you the most coverage. It combines the coverage of the other two plans, so you’re protected from just about any at-home breakdown.
You can make monthly payments or pay in advance once a year. If you choose an annual payment, Liberty Home Guard gives you two free months of coverage. The more you’re willing to prepay, the more you’ll get for free. For example, if you prepay for three years, you get four months free. Liberty makes deals available online, such as $200 off for a full-year plan plus limited roof leak protection, but it only offered the lower service fee when I called and asked. Representatives have offered to reduce the normal $125 service fee to $85 if I signed up that day.
| Plan | Monthly Cost | Service Fee | Available Discounts |
| Appliance Guard | $49.99 | $125 | One year paid in advance $500 (2 months free) |
| Systems Guard | $54.99 | $125 | One year paid in advance $550 (2 months free) |
| Total Home Guard | $59.99 | $125 | One year paid in advance $600 (2 months free) online, $575 (2 months free) over the phone |
Editor’s Note: The cost data mentioned in this article was sourced for a single-family, two-bedroom home under 5,000 square feet in Sioux Falls, SD. The cost data presented was accurate at the time of writing.
Available Add-Ons
Homeowners with a second refrigerator, a sump pump to keep it dry, or a stand-alone freezer can add these appliances onto a policy for $5.99 to $8.99, depending on what they pick. Choose from 42 different add-ons.
- Additional spa: $9.99/month
- Carpet cleaning: $19.99/month
- Casita guest unit: $35.99/month
- Central vacuum: $8.99/month
- Ejector pump: $14.99/month
- Electronics protection: $19.99/month
- Freestanding ice maker: $15/month
- Generator: $19.99/month
- Grinder pump: $14.99/month
- Gutter cleaning: $14.99/month
- Ice maker (in-fridge): $3.99/month
- Instant hot water dispenser: $9.99/month
- Lawn sprinkler system: $9.99/month
- Lighting fixtures: $7.99/month
- Limited roof leak: $11.99/month
- Pest control: $14.99/month
- Plumbing fixtures: $7.99/month
- Pool and spa: $19.99/month
- Power washing (exterior flooring): $19.99/month
- Pro-series dishwasher: $7.99/month
- Pro-series dryer: $4.99/month
- Pro-series microwave: $4.99/month
- Pro-series range/oven/cooktop: $12.99/month
- Pro-series refrigerator: $14.99/month
- Pro-series stand-alone freezer: $14.99/month
- Pro-series washing machine: $4.99/month
- Rekey: $9.99/month
- Reverse osmosis water filter system: $14.99/month
- Saltwater pool: $23.99/month
- Second refrigerator: $7.99/month
- Septic system pumping: $12.99/month
- Stand-alone freezer: $5.99/month
- Sump pump: $8.99/month
- Swamp cooler: $14.99/month
- Trash compactor: $7.49/month
- TV mounting (up to 65-inch TVs): $14.99/month
- TV mounting (up to 85-inch TVs): $19.99/month
- Water dispenser water line: $4.99/month
- Water softener: $13.99/month
- Well pump: $12.99/month
- Window washing/cleaning: $19.99/month
- Wine cooler/fridge: $11.99/month
Suppose your home has one (or more) unique systems or appliances that aren’t on this coverage list. My advice is to contact Liberty Home Guard and ask if it can provide coverage. If you give Liberty the make and model of the item, it will try to provide you with specialized coverage.
If the list of added coverage is overwhelming and you can’t decide what you want, Liberty’s website shows the most popular options in your state. It’s helpful to see what other South Dakota homeowners thought useful.
Exclusions
All warranty companies have exclusions — items or circumstances when they won’t pay a claim, but coverage and exclusions vary by provider. Liberty Home Guard’s plans exclusions include:
- Chimney flues, vents, chimneys, and exhaust lines
- Electronics, computerized, “smart,” or Internet/enabled components and parts
- Filters associated with any covered items
- Remote receiving and transmitting devices
- Radon and other leak detection monitoring systems
- Fire sprinkler systems
- Lighting
- Solar systems and applications
- Cosmetic defects
- Disposal of appliances, systems, or components
- Cranes or other specialty vehicles required to install, remove, or access your appliances or home systems
- Glass parts
- Noise
Editor’s Note: While this article highlights certain exclusions, it is imperative for readers to review their contracts as the mentioned exclusions are not exhaustive, and additional exclusions may apply.
Also, all home warranties have coverage limits. Just like your homeowners insurance has a maximum for a claim, coverage limits at a home warranty company are the maximum amount of money the company will pay for a repair or replacement. Liberty pays up to $2,000 per covered item, which might not be enough to cover replacement costs if the service technician can’t fix your commercial-grade stove.
Liberty Home Guard charges monthly premiums within the standard range. Select Home Warranty and Elite Home Warranty charge slightly higher for their comprehensive plans than Liberty and AFC Home Club charge a little less. I use undiscounted prices when comparing companies since the discount isn’t guaranteed, and pricing could go higher — or lower if the company is running a special.
Additional coverage can be pricier. Select Home Warranty charges $3.33 a month to add on coverage for a well pump, whereas Liberty charges $13 a month. Service calls also cost more than what Elite Home Warranty and Select charge, though it might be worth it to have the peace of mind that you can get service on nights and weekends at no extra charge. However, Liberty’s higher pricing for additional coverage does drag its overall affordability score down.
Liberty also only pays a pro-rated refund if you cancel after 30 days. You will also have to pay a $50 cancellation fee. I advise calling and talking to someone to get the best deal. When I called for a quote on a house in Sioux Falls, the representative offered to lower the service fee by $40. And when I’ve called for a quote on a holiday weekend or asked about additional discounts, prices for plans have been lower.
If you’re anything like me, you don’t want to sit around wondering when someone will show up. On its mobile app, Liberty Home Guard shows claims status and gives real-time updates about your service technician’s visit to your home. It also has wonderful customer service over the phone, with friendly and helpful representatives who don’t push to close a sale.
Most information about plans and coverage is available to read online, and customers can submit claims 24/7/365. Liberty guarantees all workmanship for 60 days after service. If the original problem reoccurs, you won’t pay a service technician to come out again.
While Liberty Home Guard has only been around for six years, it is already a leader in the industry. Customers give it 4.7 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot and 4.48 out of 5 stars on the BBB website. Reviewers frequently laud its customer service and swift claims resolution. They also like that the technician sent to provide service knew how to get the job done right the first time.
No home warranty provider covers 100% of every component of a home appliance that might break down. It’s common to exclude parts and valves within an appliance and to set coverage limits. Most negative reviews of Liberty Home Guard stem from a misunderstanding of coverage exclusions. Always read the fine print in your contract and ask questions if you don’t understand something.
| Rating Site | Rating | Number of Reviews |
| BBB | NR (Not Rated)* / 4.48 out of 5 stars | 2,461 |
| Trustpilot | 4.7 out of 5 stars | 2,817 |
| Yelp | 1.2 out of 5 stars | 69 |
| 4.7 out of 5 stars | 11,474 |
Editor’s Note: The ratings provided were accurate at the time of writing.
*Note (as of 6/20/24): Recently, the Better Business Bureau shifted LHG’s A+ rating to “NR” (Not Rated). We reached out to a representative from LHG for comment, and they shared this statement: “Despite the BBB’s alert, our customer satisfaction levels remain by far the highest relative to our scale. Last month, we had the lowest percentage of customer cancellation requests in our entire history. On the BBB’s own platform, Liberty Home Guard has achieved a star rating of 4.5 out of 5 from nearly 2,500 reviews. For added context, the approximately 480 resolved complaints on Liberty Home Guard’s BBB profile equate to an extremely low fraction of a percentage relative to the size and scale of our total customer base. As we navigate this situation, which we believe will be resolved in time, we want to assure you that we remain committed to our customers and their satisfaction; they are the key stakeholders we orient all our efforts around.”
After you sign up for coverage, Liberty Home Guard will send you a link for you to download its mobile app. But don’t worry: You can still call in to file a claim by calling or logging into the customer portal on its website, but you can track your claim’s progress on the app. You won’t be left shivering after your furnace goes out, wondering when your technician will arrive.
Day, night, or weekends, Liberty’s service fee stays the same. This consistency is important because some competitors, such as Elite Home Warranty, have a higher for service outside the normal business hours. After partnering with Progressive Insurance, Liberty’s technician network has grown. It’s part of why the service representative told me the average response time in Sioux Falls was just 12 to 18 hours.
American Home Shield
4.3
Our Rating
Key Facts
Monthly Cost
$35–$75
Service Fee
$100–$125
BBB Rating
B
| Rating | Overall | Plans & Coverage | Cost & Affordability | Customer Experience | Company Reputation | Claims Process | Transparency & Ease of Use | Flexibility in Service Providers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
4.0 |
4.5 |
3.8 |
4.1 |
3.7 |
4.0 |
4.7 |
2.5 |
Home Warranty Average |
4.1 |
4.3 |
4.1 |
4.0 |
4.1 |
3.9 |
4.6 |
3.6 |
Today’s Homeowner Review
If you haven’t bought a new fridge in years, you might not need AHS’s higher coverage limits. The higher service fees wouldn’t be worth it to budget-conscious shoppers, either. However, luxury homes with expensive appliances and home systems may justify the higher fees because plans come with the company’s higher coverage limits.
With a plan from American Home Shield, you get the highest coverage limits in the business. These financial caps, the maximum a home warranty provider will pay out for a repair or replacement, range from $4,000 for appliances to $5,000 for HVAC, depending on the plan you pick. Many competitors top out at $2,000 to $3,000 for that protection.
If you’re a foodie who invested in top-of-the-line kitchen appliances, the lower coverage limits of other home warranty providers could come as an unpleasant surprise when you file a claim. A $2,000 per-covered item at Liberty Home Guard might just cover the knobs and doors on a Viking range. But if you bought the ShieldPlatinum plan with American Home Shield, you’d have $4,000 for appliance protection.
The ShieldPlatinum plan also gives homeowners roof leak coverage of up to $1,000 per contract term and a free HVAC tune-up. While costs range from $100 to $125 for a service call, the company won’t charge more if you need help on a night or weekend. AHS also has a nationwide network of 17,500 contractors and 45,000 service technicians.
Liberty Home Guard (60 days) and Elite Home Warranty (60 days) have a longer workmanship guarantee than AHS’s 30-day workmanship guarantee. AHS also covers repairs that result from normal wear and tear and doesn’t ask for maintenance records, unlike other home warranty companies, such as Select Home Warranty or Elite Home Warranty.
AHS’s customer service doesn’t rank as highly as that of Elite Home Warranty or Liberty Home Guard. And it’s obvious when you call. AHS representatives don’t engage or ask questions to help you pick the best plan. Instead, they follow a script. If you ask a question that isn’t basic — such as inquiring about how many service technicians it has in the Sioux Falls area — representatives become flustered and can’t answer. They then repeat talking points from their script.
While AHS has a large network of technicians, that doesn’t equate to technicians having the experience or expertise to get the job done. Customer reviews online report that inexperienced technicians couldn’t complete the work in one trip or that there were extra charges for repairs.
Because service fees are on the higher end of the industry, ranging between $100 and $125, you don’t want someone coming out more than once for the same repair. A 30-day workmanship guarantee could be too short a timeframe to find out that somebody didn’t repair properly.
AHS sells three plans: ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, and ShieldPlatinum. The ShieldSilver protects all your major systems: heating, plumbing systems, air conditioning, and electrical systems. If you bought appliances with warranties and service plans, that could be all you need. If not, ShieldGold adds coverage for kitchen and laundry appliances to ShieldSilver’s plan options.
The ShieldPlatinum plan adds roof coverage and a free HVAC tune-up to everything the ShieldGold plan covers. It also includes $250 for code violations, necessary permits, and modifications. Every plan AHS sells sets the limit for HVAC repairs to $5,000 per system. The ShieldGold plan has a limit of $2,000 per appliance, but this increases to $4,000 per appliance with Shield Platinum. ShieldPlatinum is the best plan if your home has high-end appliances.
While AHS frequently offers a 40% discount off ShieldGold online and over the phone, I’ve never seen the other plans reduced. One nice thing that AHS gives customers is flexibility with their monthly premiums. If you prefer lower monthly expenses, pick a higher service fee. With a higher service fee, you pay a lower monthly premium. For example, selecting the higher $125 service fee lowers the monthly premium for the ShieldGold plan from $79.99 to $69.99.
| Plan | Monthly Cost | Service Fee* | Available Discounts |
| ShieldSilver | $49.99–$59.99 | $100–$125 | No current discount |
| ShieldGold | $69.99–$79.99 | $100–$125 | 40% off on the website |
| Shield Platinum | $99.99–$109.99 | $100–$125 | No current discount |
*If you choose the lower service fee of $100, you pay the higher monthly premium. For example, the $100 with the Platinum Plan pairs with the $100 service fee.
Editor’s Note: The cost data mentioned in this article was sourced for a single-family, two-bedroom home under 5,000 square feet in Sioux Falls, SD. The cost data presented was accurate at the time of writing.
Available Add-Ons
If your home has luxury features other than appliances, such as an extra refrigerator or a wine cooler, American Home Shield’s smaller lists of additional coverage won’t be the best option. Other home warranty companies could offer you expanded coverage to fully protect your home. American Home Shield’s available add-ons are:
- Roof leak repair: $10/month
- Electronics protection plan: $14/month
- Pool & built-in-spa equipment: $24/month
- Guest unit: $26.99/month
- Septic pump: $5/month
- Well pump: $8/month
Exclusions
American Home Shield has a generic exclusions list that you could interpret broadly. That differs from the specific exclusions that Liberty Home Guard and Select Home Warranty spelled out in their contracts.
- Construction or carpentry costs
- Restoration of walls
- Flues, chimneys, venting, and exhaust lines
- Repairs or replacements due to cosmetic defects
- Repairs because of to mold
- Appliances not covered under the ShieldSilver plan
- Natural disasters
Editor’s Note: While this article highlights certain exclusions, readers must review their contracts as the mentioned exclusions are not exhaustive, and additional exclusions may apply.
American Home Shield’s fees are the highest of its competitors — no one else charges more than $100 a month for their top-tier plan. Its most comprehensive plan can be close to $50 more than its competitor’s most extensive offerings. However, if you can afford a higher service fee, your monthly charges will be lower.
American Home Shield only sells annual contracts, and coverage limits are per contract term. When you renew, your coverage limit resets. However, if your HVAC needs a $5,000 repair in the first two months after you sign up, you won’t have coverage if it breaks again four months later.
Unlike some competitors, such as Elite Home Warranty, there are no extra fees for emergency or after-hours calls. The service fee stays the same.
You can get quotes online and, before purchasing, see how higher and lower service fees affect your monthly price. I like that you can buy a policy without talking to anyone because representatives struggle to provide answers that don’t come from a FAQ list or a script. If you have more complex questions, they repeat talking points.
Two representatives I talked to on separate calls didn’t offer a discount for a ShieldGold plan. If I hadn’t gotten a quote online first, I wouldn’t have known to ask for the discount and would have paid the full price. Before calling, make sure you have this and other information you need so that you’ll get your best deal.
American Home Shield has variable online reviews. While it has a BBB rating of B and 4.5 out of 5 stars on Google, customer reviews on Trustpilot and Yelp rank them much lower. Similar to my experience when calling, customers complain about customer service and communication difficulties. They’ve posted pictures of incomplete repairs and walls left exposed, but it’s important to note that many home warranty companies don’t promise to restore the area after a repair.
Reviewers also complained that there weren’t many qualified service technicians in their area. They found it difficult to cancel their contracts after filing a claim. They had to call to cancel, and representatives shuffled them around several times. Other customers said they continued seeing credit card charges after canceling.
Some customers have had positive experiences. According to their reviews, AHS paid for large repairs and replaced several major items, such as a new clothes dryer or an outdoor air conditioning unit.
| Rating Site | Rating | Number of Reviews |
| BBB | B/ 2.11 out of 5 stars | 11,115 |
| Trustpilot | 2.11 / 5 stars | 11,115 |
| 4.5 / 5 stars | 33,021 | |
| Yelp | 1.1 / 5 stars | 1,278 |
Editor’s Note: The ratings provided were accurate at the time of writing.
AHS makes no service commitment after you file a claim, unlike competitors Select Home Warranty and Liberty Home Guard. Instead of saying it will have a service tech to your home within 24 to 48 hours after you file a claim, its website and representatives say that AHS sets up a service appointment within 24 to 48 hours after you contact them. Because many customers mentioned that it took weeks to get service, the vagueness of AHS’s service promises is concerning.
You can file claims online through AHS’ customer portal or by calling. If you have an issue with a repair within 30 days of it being completed, AHS sends out another technician without charging a second service fee.
Select Home Warranty
4.2
Our Rating
Key Facts
Monthly Cost
$52–$58
Service Fee
$75-$85
BBB Rating
B
| Rating | Overall | Plans & Coverage | Cost & Affordability | Customer Experience | Company Reputation | Claims Process | Transparency & Ease of Use | Flexibility in Service Providers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
4.1 |
4.2 |
4.5 |
3.9 |
3.8 |
3.5 |
4.3 |
5.0 |
Home Warranty Average |
4.1 |
4.3 |
4.1 |
4.0 |
4.1 |
3.9 |
4.6 |
3.6 |
Today’s Homeowner Review
Select Home Warranty’s prices fit into almost any budget, and its service fees won’t break the bank when you need a repair. It has one of the longest workmanship guarantees in the business, covering past repairs for 90 days. It’s a good, budget-conscious value pick.
If you’re looking for a home warranty to protect your budget from unexpectedly expensive repairs, Select Home Warranty is your best value. The company charges low service fees, only $75 per service call, and has reasonably priced plans that are some of the cheapest out there. While it sends multiple text messages, after a month of not purchasing a plan, it offered to lower the service fee to just $60 plus three months free.
The basic plan costs $44 a month with a standard $150 discount. The undiscounted price of $60.42 a month isn’t the cheapest option, but the company has offered the discount since the beginning of the year. While plan pricing is important, it’s only one factor when calculating the bottom-line cost of a home warranty plan.
Service call fees count. The fact that Sioux Falls gets an average of 45.3 inches of snow a year could lead to:
- Runoff and melted snow
- Sump pump issues
- Problems if your furnace goes out on a cold day
- The need to stock your freezer with food before the big storm
In a bad year, you could end up calling your home warranty company multiple times. And those service calls add up.
Select charges only $75 for a service call. Competitors’ fees start at $100 and go up to $125. After a month of waiting to purchase, they offered me an even lower service fee of $60. If you think you might need to call your home warranty company often, factor in service fees when choosing a provider.
Select tries to send service technicians out to your home within 48 hours after you place a claim. Its 90-day workmanship guarantee lasts for longer than both AHS’s 30-day guarantee and Liberty Home Guard’s 60-day guarantee.
Even with cheap service fees and a quality workmanship guarantee, it’s annoying to call in for the same repair multiple times. Unfortunately, several online reviews mention unqualified technicians, items that broke numerous times, and incomplete repairs. Customers also say that the company didn’t respond within 48 hours of filing a claim and that it denied valid claims multiple times.
Select’s website has a basic feel, and it doesn’t show a lot of information on plans until you apply for a quote. I also had to poke around a lot to find its terms and conditions. Select Home Warranty only sells nine add-ons, which is not a high number. Only American Home Shield sells fewer. Select’s cancellation fee is $75 after the first 30 days, higher than Liberty Home Guard’s $50 cancellation fee.
Select Home Warranty sells three warranty plans to homeowners. If you have new appliances, they might still be under a product warranty, or you bought a store service plan. In this case, you wouldn’t need appliance coverage. So, look into Select’s Gold Care plan. It provides coverage for your home’s systems, such as heating, air conditioning, ductwork, plumbing, and electrical systems.
If you need appliance coverage, the Bronze Care plan protects your refrigerator, dishwasher, clothes washer and dryer, stove, cooktop, or oven, garbage disposal, and built-in microwave. With the Platinum Care plan, Select combines the coverage of the other two plans to protect both systems and appliances, plus extends coverage to a garage door opener, ceiling fan, and plumbing stoppages.
Coverage limits for HVAC, either repair or replacement, are just $3,000, much lower than both American Home Shield and Elite Home Warranty. Coverage drops even lower to $500 for appliances, plumbing, and electrical. Any additional coverage you’ve selected as an add-on has a coverage limit of $400.
If you pay for a full year in advance, you’ll get two months free and $150 off the total price. The two free months extend your total contract term to 14 months.
| Plan | Monthly Cost* | Service Fee | Available Discounts |
| Bronze Care | $44.99 | $75 | $150 discount on the phone and two months free if you pay the annual fee up-front |
| Gold Care | $44.99 | $75 | $150 discount on the phone and two months free if you pay the annual fee up-front |
| Platinum Care | $47.99 | $75 | $150 discount on the phone and two months free if you pay the annual fee up-front |
*Note: monthly cost figures provided include the discounted rate offered at the time of this writing. Select Home Warranty has been running this promotion since the beginning of this year.
Editor’s Note: The cost data mentioned in this article was sourced for a single-family, two-bedroom home under 5,000 square feet in Sioux Falls, SD. The cost data presented was accurate at the time of writing.
Available Add-Ons
Select Home Warranty’s list of nine add-ons to increase your coverage is less than what Liberty Home Guard or Elite Home Warranty offers. However, Select’s sump pump coverage is the cheapest, and Select is one of the few home warranty providers that offer septic system coverage. The list of add-ons (with prices) is:
- Central Vacuum: $3/month
- Lawn Sprinkler System: $6/month
- Pool: $8/month
- Roof Leak: Free
- Septic System: $6/month
- Spa: $6/month
- Stand-Alone Freezer: $3/month
- Sump Pump: $3/month
- Well Pump: $3/month
Exclusions
All home warranty contracts exclude items and home services from coverage. Select’s contracts exclude any preexisting issues or any items or issues you reasonably should have known about. Other exclusions are:
- Secondary damage (i.e., your home warranty may cover roof damage but won’t cover water damage caused by the leak)
- Incorrect installation or malfunctions due to construction damage or improper wiring
- Issues with systems or appliances related to hazardous or toxic materials (i.e., mold, asbestos, gas leaks, etc.)
- Common areas in condominiums or family homes
- Solar heating systems
- Damage caused by natural disasters and rust
- Defects or damages caused by the foundation and structure of the home
Editor’s Note: While this article highlights certain exclusions, readers must review their contracts as the mentioned exclusions are not exhaustive, and additional exclusions may apply.
Select’s discounted plan pricing is within a normal range for the industry, though Liberty Home Guard charges more for its comparable, most comprehensive plan. If you don’t get a discount, pricing is higher than that of most competitors, such as AFC Home Club and Elite Home Warranty. SHW pricing for service call fees — only $75 vs. $100 or $125 with competitor’s plans, gives customers great value.
While you can cancel contracts with Select Home Warranty, you’ll only get a prorated refund after your first 30 days of coverage, and you’ll have to pay a $75 cancellation fee.
When you apply for a quote on Select’s website, you have to give your name, address, phone number, and email address. Once the company has this information, you’ll immediately start receiving texts, emails, and calls about their plans.
Most representatives I’ve spoken with were polite but only interested in closing the sale. They didn’t ask questions about what I needed for my home or why I was calling, nor did they try to find the best plan. They only offered the Platinum Care plan. All in all, Select’s website and customer service can feel more old-school and even at times a bit pushy.
Some consumers don’t grasp the concept of coverage limits — that the policy they’re buying is unlikely to pay for 100% of any repair or replacement. Reviews for Select Home Warranty indicate that its customers either didn’t understand or know about coverage limits. Select could definitely do a better job educating them.
While overage limits appear in the terms and conditions, they’re not discussed in the FAQs or on the quote screen on the website. When I called, I had to ask about them — the representative didn’t volunteer any information. Even when a portion of the repairs fell under the warranty’s coverage, customers were upset that it took longer than expected to get service. Many reviewers complain that Select didn’t keep its promise to provide service within 24 to 48 hours. They also say the company made it difficult to cancel, dragged things out, and double-charged them.
However, Select has a B- rating from the BBB and a respectable Trustpilot score of 3.8 stars (out of 5). My advice? Read the fine print and compare the coverage limits to what you paid for recent repairs to see if they’d be enough.
| Rating Site | Rating | Number of Reviews |
| BBB | B-. 1.38/ 5 stars | 2,106 reviews |
| Trustpilot | 3.8 / 5 stars | 4,829 |
| 3.8 / 5 stars | 19,956 |
Editor’s Note: The ratings provided were accurate at the time of writing.
There are two ways to submit a service request with Select Home Warranty. Log into the online customer portal or call. The company says it’ll contact someone for the repair within 24 to 48 hours. However, Select makes no claims about when you’ll receive service, and many customers complained that it took much longer for someone to arrive at their home.
Other competitors have a shorter response window, and customer reviews indicate that they work to honor it. I’d be more confident with a company like Liberty Home Guard or Elite Home Warranty with an urgent repair. Some online reviews mentioned it took more than a week after they contacted Select for a service technician to fix the problem — not a good sign for the company’s reliability.
Select Home Warranty sells policies nationwide. You can find the company online or contact it over the phone.
Elite Home Warranty
4.3
Our Rating
Key Facts
Monthly Cost
$44.99-$58.99
Service Fee
$70
BBB Rating
A+
Limited Time:
| Rating | Overall | Plans & Coverage | Cost & Affordability | Customer Experience | Company Reputation | Claims Process | Transparency & Ease of Use | Flexibility in Service Providers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
4.2 |
5.0 |
3.8 |
4.1 |
4.0 |
3.0 |
4.6 |
5.0 |
Home Warranty Average |
4.1 |
4.2 |
4.1 |
4.0 |
4.1 |
3.9 |
4.6 |
3.6 |
Today’s Homeowner Review
Elite Home Warranty has made its name as a quality home warranty provider through high coverage limits geared toward luxury homeowners with expensive appliances, excellent customer service, and a workmanship warranty that includes parts, labor, and installation. Pay close attention to coverage limits and exclusions during the first 90 days of buying a contract, however.
Elite Home Warranty’s solid customer service led to a rating as best for customer satisfaction. While someone will call you after you apply for an online quote, the company only calls a few times (unlike Select Home Warranty, which will text you daily for over a month). Customer service representatives are friendly, ask questions about your home and the reasons you want a home warranty, and aren’t pushy or rude if you say you aren’t ready. They’ll even give you their direct number so you can call back!
All repairs performed by Elite Home Warranty’s service technicians have a 90-day parts, labor, and installation guarantee. While most competitors cover parts and labor, it’s rare to have installation covered, and only AFC Home Club offers a longer warranty. With add-on coverage for premium appliances, you’ll have coverage limits up to $6,000, and other coverage goes up to $10,000, putting Elite on top of many competitors.
Secret shopping revealed that some of Elite’s add-ons cost more than what competitors charge. It’s $8 a month for sump pump coverage compared to Select Home Warranty’s $3. But that’s still less than Liberty Home Guard’s $9 a month. Pool and spa equipment costs an extra $16 a month instead of $14 with Select Home Warranty. Elite lists its additional coverage by an annual fee, and you have to click on an item to find its price.
Liberty Home Guard and others charge the same service fee for day, night, and weekend service calls. But if you need a dishwasher repaired on a Saturday to stop it from leaking, you’ll pay $150 instead of Elite’s usual $70 service fee. Because appliances and systems rarely break when it’s convenient, you could go without a fridge for a few days before getting a repair.
The contract’s fine print contains more surprises. Even though most companies have a 30-day waiting period, Elite’s is longer, 90 days. Also, Elite’s liability for repairs and parts is only $300 during that time. Finally, coverage for water heaters or other maintenance has a lower coverage limit of $500 if the service technician says that the repair was necessary because of neglect or lack of maintenance.
Elite Home Warranty has made its name as a quality home warranty provider through high coverage limits geared toward luxury homeowners with expensive appliances, excellent customer service, and a workmanship warranty that includes parts, labor, and installation. Pay close attention to coverage limits and exclusions during the first 90 days of buying a contract, however.
Elite sells three warranty plans that are similar to competitors: a systems-only plan, an appliances-only plan, and a comprehensive plan that includes both kinds of protection.
Like American Home Shield, Elite’s coverage limits are higher than the industry standard of $2,000 to $3,000. Coverage limits for appliances are the highest I’ve seen during secret shopping — they go up to $6,000, and system payouts are as much as $10,000. American Home Shield offers up to $5,000 on HVAC, which is good, but you can get up to $7,000 in coverage for HVAC as an add-on to one of Elite’s plans.
However, Elite severely restricts its coverage when you first sign up. If you read the service agreement for South Dakota, you’ll find that under every plan they sell, replacement coverage doesn’t kick in for 90 days. During the same 90 days, the company limits its total liability for repairs and parts to only $300. At any time during the policy period, other repair coverage can have a limit of $500. If a service technician comes out and deems the repair necessary because of neglect or because you didn’t maintain the item, Elite drops its coverage.
While I shopped secretly, the customer service representative offered to give me $150 off plan pricing if I bought a policy that day. Elite offers callers the best deals, so pick up the phone.
| Plan | Monthly Cost | Service Fee | Available Discounts |
| Elite Appliance | $34.99 | $70 | $150 sign-up, 30-day free trial |
| Elite Systems | $49.99 | $70 | $150 sign-up, 30-day free trial |
| Elite Complete | $59.99 | $70 | $150 sign-up, 30-day free trial |
Editor’s Note: The cost data mentioned in this article was sourced for a single-family, two-bedroom home under 5,000 square feet in Sioux Falls, SD. The cost data presented was accurate at the time of writing.
Available Add-Ons
Elite Home Warranty offers the second-largest menu of add-on coverages after Liberty Home Guard. Additional coverage options include (pricing is annual):
- Annual HVAC maintenance: $300
- Attic exhaust fan: $69.99
- Central vacuum: $49
- Drainage, sewer, and water service lines: $350
- Effluent pump: $100
- Ejector pump: $100
- Freestanding freezer: $60
- Freestanding ice makers: $60
- Freestanding spa equipment: $120
- Generator: $100
- Geothermal heating and cooling systems: $300
- Grinder pump: $100
- Guest house: $300
- Jetted hot tub: $100
- Lawn sprinkler system: $100
- Lift pump: $100
- Limited patching repair: $100
- Pool and spa equipment: $199.99
- Pool equipment: $150
- Premium appliances: $250
- Premium benefits: $200
- Premium systems: $300
- Premium systems plus: $500
- Septic system: $130
- Sump pump: $100
- Swamp cooler: $150
- Water softeners: $100
- Water filtration system: $100
- Well pump: $100
- Wine cooler: $70
Exclusions
Like all home warranty providers, Elite has a handful of exclusions to its plans that are in place regardless of how long you’ve had a policy with them:
- Natural disaster-related damages
- Malfunction or damages because of acts of God
- Commercial-grade appliances
- Units in a rental property
- Cosmetic damage
- A lack of maintenance
Editor’s Note: While this article highlights certain exclusions, it’s imperative for readers to review their contracts as the mentioned exclusions are not exhaustive, and additional exclusions may apply.
Elite charges competitive prices for its plans and is sometimes cheaper than other providers. Their most comprehensive plan, the Elite Complete plan, costs less than American Home Shield’s Platinum Plan. But beware of extra charges. For example, AHS doesn’t charge extra for emergency or weekend service, but Elite increases the service fee.
After business hours (at night or on the weekends), a service call incurs a $150 service fee. They also charge $150 instead of the lower service fee if you have professional-grade appliances that need servicing. And to get maximum coverage limits, you have to pay extra — HVAC coverage with a limit up to $7,000 costs $300 more a year or around $25 more a month.
Elite’s website makes everything easy to find, with clear information that educates customers about their plans and add-ons. From the main page, you can find sample policies so you can dig into the policy’s coverage and exclusions. Pop-ups for each item tell homeowners what is and isn’t covered. For example, your dishwasher water pump, hoses, and water valves are all covered. Other companies only disclose this in their contract’s fine print.
I strongly recommend reading the service agreement in depth. As noted above, the fine print revealed coverage limitations that extended to 90 days. The maximum coverage limits for appliances, HVAC, and more don’t start until after 90 days.
When you apply for a quote, the company doesn’t give you pricing — you have to talk to someone. While the customer representative did jump straight to selling me the most expensive plan first, they happily answered questions about other plans. They asked questions and explained why different plans could work for my home and in general it was a pleasant experience. Lastly, Elite guarantees that service technicians will arrive within 24 to 48 hours after you contact them with a claim, a more specific service promise than Select Home Warranty.
There’s a reason Elite is ranked as best for customer satisfaction. Customers rave in online reviews about great service, expert technicians, and the company’s coverage. Some reviewers mention negative experiences with other companies and how much better their experience has been with Elite. I like that several reviewers have been customers for multiple years and have received consistently good service, including when they filed claims.
The company has an A+ rating from the BBB, 4.7 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot, and 4.8 out of 5 stars on Google.
| Rating Site | Rating | Number of Reviews |
| BBB | A+/4.97/ 5 stars | 371 |
| Trustpilot | 4.7/5 stars | 66 |
| 4.8/5 stars | 149 | |
| Yelp | 5/5 stars | 4 |
Editor’s Note: The ratings provided were accurate at the time of writing.
Elite’s claims process has a lower score because you pay more for service after business hours or on weekends. The service fee jumps to $150, almost double the regular fee. The company makes it possible to file a claim online or over the phone 24/7/365. But if you come home from work to a flooded kitchen because your dishwasher sprang a leak, you’ll be waiting for help to arrive until the next day or paying extra for service.
Elite promises a response time of 24 to 48 hours after receipt of claims during business hours, much better than Select Home Warranty.
Elite Home Warranty responds to claims 24/7/365, either online, or by phone. Elite sells plans in every state except California, Texas, Wisconsin, and Washington, leaving 46 states and Washington, D.C. covered.
AFC Home Warranty
4.3
Our Rating
AFC Home Club’s wonderful website outlines everything about its four plans on the Plans and Pricing page. Not only can homeowners see what each of AFC’s four plans includes, but they can also click on an item and get more details about excluded items. For example, click on “hot water heater” to see that the policy doesn’t cover the gas valve.
Often, you can only find this information in a contact’s fine print. For example, you have to read Elite Home Warranty’s agreement to find out that it excludes parts for sealed components of fridges. It’s not uncommon for companies to hide exclusions for parts and components in the fine print, but AFC Home Club makes it easy to find.
While some people might not like that emergency or same-day services aren’t available through AFC directly, others might prefer AFC’s alternative. Homeowners can select their favorite technicians for after-hours problems, so you could pick a plumber that you’ve had a good experience with in the past. All you have to do is call AFC’s claims department to verify the service provider you’ve chosen is licensed and insured. Once you have the company’s approval, you can arrange for the repair. AFC will pay the technician directly, or you can pay the service provider and request reimbursement from AFC, whichever the technician prefers.
AFC doesn’t sell many add-ons with its plans — only 14 as compared to Liberty Home Guard’s 42 options and Elite Home Warranty’s 30. AFC’s prices are also higher than competitors. Sump pump coverage costs almost four times the $8.99 a month that Liberty Home Guard, which charges $35 extra a month. If you want additional coverage, AFC’s prices for additional coverage could price them out of your budget.
Another negative is that customers complained a lot about poor claim experiences, largely relating to misunderstandings about replacement policies and coverage limits. AFC tries to address this confusion through its clear website and the sample contracts available online.
Despite confusion about coverage and exclusions, AFC Home Club wants its customers to understand its plans and not have any surprises when it’s time to ask for service. Because customers continue to complain, I advise homeowners to read through sample contracts. While there’s no after-hours or weekend service through their network, you can pick your own technician for an emergency repair and get reimbursed. For many homeowners, choosing a company they know and trust is a great benefit.
The top of AFC Home Club’s four plans provides coverage not offered by any other company. Customers also have the flexibility to raise or lower their monthly premiums by selecting a higher or lower service fee. If you prefer to pay less monthly, pick the $125 service fee, which knocks over $8 off the monthly premium.
AFC’s Silver Plan includes nine common household appliances — your washer and dryer, a garage door opener, oven/range, refrigerator, stove, cooktop, dishwasher, and garbage disposal.
The second-tier plan, the Gold Plan, increases coverage to include your air conditioning and heating system, electrical systems, plumbing, water heater, and ductwork. It also covers what the Silver Plan protects.
The third coverage tier, the Platinum Plan, adds coverage for exhaust, attic, and ceiling fans, faucets, plumbing stoppages, an ice maker, and a built-in microwave.
AFC Home Club is the only home warranty company with a fourth coverage tier. While the Diamond Plan costs around $35 more a month than the Platinum Plan, it offers the best additional benefits. In addition to the coverage of the Platinum Plan, it also covers electronics and exterior water and sewer lines.
If you’re an audiophile who spent heavily on your home entertainment system, the electronics coverage could be a lifesaver. Exterior water and sewer line repairs can cost thousands of dollars and cause interior damage. These additional benefits might come in handy depending on how old your home is and how much you spend on your electronics.
Current discounts include $100 off the cost and roof-leak coverage included.
| Plan | Monthly Cost | Service Fee* | Available Discounts |
| Silver Plan | $35 or $43.50 | $75 or $125 | $100 off, roof-leak coverage included |
| Gold Plan | $50 or $58.08 | $75 or $125 | $100 off, roof-leak coverage included |
| Platinum Plan | $55 or $62.92 | $75 or $125 | $100 off, roof-leak coverage included |
| Diamond Plan | $89 or $97.50 | $75 or $125 | $100 off, roof-leak coverage included |
‘* If you choose the lower service fee of $75, you pay the higher monthly premium. For example, the $63 with the Platinum Plan pairs with the $75 service fee.
Editor’s Note: The cost data mentioned in this article was sourced for a single-family, two-bedroom home under 5,000 square feet in Sioux Falls, SD. The cost data presented was accurate at the time of writing.
Available Add-Ons
The prices for AFC’s add-ons are significantly higher than those of competitors. Monthly fees for some additional coverage can be six to ten times higher than those of companies such as American Home Shield.
- In-ground pool: $100/month
- In-ground pool and spa: $150/month
- Sump pump: $35/month
- Ice maker: $25/month
- Well pump: $50/month
- Electronics coverage (price depends on your specific electronics)
- Double oven: $25/month
- Hot water dispenser: $25/month
- Built-in microwave: $50/month
- Standalone freezer: $25/month
- Central vacuum: $25/month
- Septic system: $50/month
- Roof leak (free, worth $25/month)
Exclusions
All of AFC Home Club’s plans exclude the following:
- Crane rentals needed to move appliances or systems
- Geothermal heating systems
- Haul-away services
- Light fixtures
- Code violations
- Appliances and systems not properly maintained
Editor’s Note: While this article highlights certain exclusions, readers must review their contracts as the mentioned exclusions are not exhaustive, and additional exclusions may apply.
If you live in a 150-year-old house with the original electrical system, the exclusion for code violations could lead to a denied claim, but the exclusion is unlikely to be an issue if you live in a newer home. Sometimes, AFC asks homeowners to supply them with maintenance records before they approve repairs.
For example, before they approve a repair on your HVAC system, they want an annual maintenance log from a licensed technician. If AFC Home Club does send out a technician and they recommend a repair you decide not to have done, you forfeit coverage. AFC isn’t a wise choice if you haven’t kept track of repairs and maintenance.
AFC Home Club’s plans fall within the range of competitor pricing. While the Diamond Plan is one of the more expensive, you’d only need it if you have high-end electronics or need protection for your water and sewer lines. A service fee of $125 is one of the highest fees quoted in my secret shopping — but you can pick a lower fee if you pick a higher monthly premium. AFC also occasionally offers discounts depending on when you call them. For example, it offered discounts when I called on President’s Day or a holiday weekend.
AFC’s website is the best out of every company on this list for shopping and getting information. It’s easy to find and read sample contracts. You can explore each plan’s coverage and excluded items by clicking on them, and FAQs answer almost any question you might have. When I called for a quote, the customer service representative was polite, took a chatty tone, and patiently answered my questions without taking a sales tone.
While AFC Home Club has lower ratings than competitors Elite Home Warranty or Liberty Home Guard, it still has a respectable B rating from the BBB, 3 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot, and 3.7 out of 5 stars on Google reviews. Reviewers mention that they’ve been with the company for years and have had consistently great service. Some handled their claims entirely online, while others appreciated the friendly service representatives.
Most negative reviews come from homeowners who said the company denied valid claims, that the service technician wasn’t qualified for the job, or that the fine print hid important information. I always recommend reading a service agreement before signing up.
| Rating Site | Rating | Number of Reviews |
| BBB | B/2.43/5 stars | 158 |
| Trustpilot | 3/5 stars | 24 |
| 3.7/5 stars | 1,605 | |
| Yelp | 1.9/5 stars | 338 |
Editor’s Note: The ratings provided were accurate at the time of writing.
Online reviewers were happy with the claims process. They said that after they filed a claim, AFC Home Club regularly updated them on technicians’ anticipated arrival times. You’re not left in the dark, perhaps literally, wondering when help will show up. AFC Home Club accepts service requests either online or by phone.
Per AFC’s service agreement, within 24 to 48 hours of filing a claim, a technician will contact you and make an appointment. You can talk to the service technician directly to make sure the appointment time works with your schedule. AFC Home Club usually pays them directly unless you use your technician.
AFC Home Club operates in 48 states but doesn’t sell policies in California or Hawaii. The company answers questions and helps with claims online and by phone.
Calculate the Cost of a South Dakota Home Warranty
If you’re curious about what a home warranty in South Dakota will cost you, input some information into our home warranty calculator to get an estimate.
| Appliance | Average Repair Cost | Average Replacement Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Dehumidifier | $50–$200 | $1,300–$2,800 |
| Microwave | $50–$400 | $60–$2,000 |
| Dishwasher | $50–$500 | $400–$3,000 |
| Exhaust Fans | $16–$300 | $250–$950 |
| Electric Range | $100–$500 | $230–$3,000 |
| Gas Range | $100–$500 | $230–$3,000 |
| Dryer | $100–$400 | $450–$2,300 |
| Oven | $100–$430 | $400–$3,000 |
| Washer | $50–$450 | $400–$2,300 |
| Freezer | $90–$500 | $160–$2,900 |
| Refrigerator | $40–$350 | $200–$5,000 |
South Dakota Home Warranty Regulations
Even though home warranty companies aren’t regulated in the same way as homeowners insurance, they do operate under government supervision. They’re regulated under “property and casualty” insurance at the federal and state levels. If you have a problem with a home warranty company, you can file a complaint with the South Dakota Consumer Protection branch of the Office of the Attorney General.
When you’re choosing a home warranty provider in South Dakota, in-depth research will help you find the best pick. Read genuine customer reviews online, make a pros and cons list, or ask friends for their experiences. Beware of companies without an established track record in your area. A policy that seems too good to be true probably is. When you evaluate your options using verified information, you’ll have greater confidence when choosing a home warranty, even without government regulation.
Editor’s Note: While this article highlights certain regulations, it is vital for readers to do their own research, as the mentioned regulations are not exhaustive.
South Dakota Home Warranty News
Recently, homeowners in Rapid City have been victims of a home warranty mail scam. They received letters from a supposed city group called “Rapid City Community Development Block G” that claimed their home warranty had expired and they had to purchase a new one immediately. The mailer says that the supposed city group is their lender, and they’re required to buy a home warranty. No such group exists.
Mail scams are, unfortunately, common in the home warranty industry. Whenever you receive something that looks odd in the mail, don’t hesitate to call your lender or your existing home warranty company to verify the information.
This site receives compensation from the companies featured in this listing, which may impact where and how products appear. This listing doesn’t feature all companies, products, or offers that may be available.
Frequently Asked Questions
For homeowners with a tight budget on a fixed income or with a tight budget, a home warranty plan can prevent unexpected high repair costs for your home systems and appliances. Instead of scrounging for the extra cash for a furnace repair, you pay a monthly premium and can set aside some money monthly for service fees.
The average cost of a comprehensive home warranty plan in South Dakota is $67.12 a month. Your total cost for a home warranty will depend on the added coverage you pick and, with some providers, which service fee you select.
If you’re trying to save money when shopping for a home warranty, carefully consider which add-ons you truly need. Added coverage can quickly make your monthly charges unaffordable. Also, ask yourself how much coverage you really need, whether it’s just systems or appliances or both.
A home warranty is worth it for South Dakota homeowners because it gives them peace of mind during a winter storm or when they’re sheltering in their basement during a tornado. If your heat or sump pump goes out, you’re covered.
