Best Home Warranty Companies in Virginia (With Homeowner Feedback)
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Owning a home in Virginia means facing everything from freezing winters to hot, humid summers. These seasonal changes strain your home’s systems, and unexpected repairs can be both expensive and annoying. The good news is a home warranty can help reduce those costs, protect your home, and give you one less thing to worry about.
We researched and compared 13 companies to find the best home warranty providers. American Home Shield stands out as the top home warranty company in Virginia thanks to its rare coverage for preexisting conditions, which is ideal for Virginia’s older homes. Choice Home Warranty is another top choice if you need basic home coverage at an affordable price. If you are looking for more flexible coverage options, Elite Home Warranty offers four plan options, including a customizable plan that you can tailor to your needs.
Our review compares the benefits of the top five providers in the state to help you pick the best fit for your home.
Top Home Warranty Companies in Virginia
After reviewing 13 home warranty providers, we chose these five companies as the best for Virginia residents:
- American Home Shield: Best Comprehensive Coverage
- Choice Home Warranty: Best Basic Plan Coverage
- Elite Home Warranty: Best for Flexible Coverage
- First American Home Warranty: Best for High-End Items
- Liberty Home Guard: Best Customer Support
Comparing Top Home Warranty Providers
We obtained quotes from the five companies featured in this article for a 2,058-square-foot, single-family home in Richmond, Virginia. The table below compares these top players on key factors such as cost and workmanship guarantee policies, which ensure that a company will address any post-repair issues that arise within a specified time frame at no additional cost.
| Provider | Our Score | Monthly Plan Cost* | Service Call Fee | Workmanship Guarantee | BBB Rating | Get a Quote |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $29–$89 | $100–$125 | 30 days | B | Visit Site | ||
| $46–$55 | $100 | 90 days | B | Visit Site | ||
| $44–$58 | $70 | 90 days | B+ | Visit Site | ||
| $42–$82 | $100–$125 | 30 days | B | Visit Site | ||
| $49–$59 | $65–$125 | 60 days | NR** | Visit Site |
*Pricing may vary depending on your home’s location, size, type, and plan choices.
**NR, or “No Rating,” indicates that the BBB has not issued a rating due to an ongoing review or update to a company’s profile.
Our Reviews of Top Providers in VA
Below, we’ve provided detailed reviews of Virginia’s best home warranty providers. The best company for you will depend on factors such as your coverage needs, budget, and the condition of your items. For example, Virginia homeowners might want to prioritize good HVAC coverage, given the state’s seasonal temperatures, or well pump coverage for rural areas.
American Home Shield
Best Comprehensive Coverage
- Workmanship Guarantee: 30 days
Coverage Overview
- Includes $5,000 in annual HVAC coverage with every plan tier
- Allows you to lower your monthly plan cost by choosing a higher service fee (or vice versa)
- Offers free roof-leak coverage under its highest plan, while most providers exclude it from core plans
Keep in Mind
- Offers limited flexibility to customize your coverage
- Has the highest comprehensive plan pricing of all providers we reviewed
Our Review
American Home Shield (AHS) is one of the few home warranty providers that covers preexisting conditions, meaning issues that were present before your coverage started. This is rare in the home warranty industry, making it a major perk for Virginia homeowners with older systems and appliances. AHS also offers up to $5,000 for HVAC coverage, which is higher than what you’ll get from companies like Elite Home Warranty or Liberty Home Guard. Plus, if you get the highest plan, ShieldPlatinum, you’ll get free roof-leak coverage, providing extra protection during the state’s rainy summers. AHS also offers add-ons—or, extra coverage options—for well and septic pumps, which can be helpful if you’re in one of the more rural parts of Virginia.
That being said, AHS does come up short in a few areas. For example, it doesn’t have an appliance-only plan, which means you’ll be paying for more coverage than you need if you’re mostly concerned about protecting your appliances. The company also has the smallest add-on catalog of any provider we reviewed, with only six options. Companies like Elite and Liberty have 30 or more, so you may want to consider a different provider if you have specialized needs.
- Workmanship Guarantee: 90 days
Coverage Overview
- Offers one of the most affordable comprehensive plans in the industry
- Includes a 90-day workmanship guarantee for parts, 60 days for labor
- Provides up to $3,000 in coverage for most systems and appliances
Keep in Mind
- Excludes several key systems and appliances from its lowest plan
- Has an ongoing lawsuit with the Arizona Attorney General’s Office
Our Review
Choice Home Warranty is a great option if you need affordable, comprehensive coverage for your Virginia home. Its top-tier plan costs just $55 per month, which is lower than the other providers we reviewed. It offers better item coverage than American Home Shield, providing $3,000 caps (also known as the maximum amount of coverage provided) for most systems and appliances. Choice also offers 11 add-ons, giving you more flexibility to customize your plan than AHS or First American Home Warranty.
Choice’s Basic Plan leaves out a few crucial items you might need, like air conditioning and laundry appliances—similar to FAHW. It is also not the best choice if you are looking for a home warranty with refrigerator coverage. You’ll need to upgrade to its highest plan to get coverage for these items, which costs an extra $9 per month.
Choice Home Warranty is also currently involved in a lawsuit with the Arizona Attorney General’s Office, which alleges that Choice made false promises regarding warranty coverage and denied claims in bad faith. It’s worth noting that many major home warranty companies have faced legal issues over time. Whether with Choice or any provider, we recommend reviewing your service contract during the signup process and running any questions you have by company representatives up-front so you have a clear understanding of what your plan covers.
- Workmanship Guarantee: 90 days
Coverage Overview
- Includes standard and customizable plan options
- Provides a 90-day workmanship guarantee, three times the industry standard
- Offers 27 add-on options, including annual HVAC maintenances
Keep in Mind
- Excludes out-of-network contractors from its workmanship guarantee
- Includes a $15,000 annual limit for its plans, limiting your total claims per year
Our Review
If you’re looking for flexibility, Elite Home Warranty is a great option because it’s the only provider that lets you build your own plan from scratch. This means you can choose exactly which appliances and systems you want to protect rather than being limited to what’s covered in core plans. However, you can also choose from its basic and comprehensive options.
Elite Home Warranty offers 30 add-on options, which is the second-most of any company we reviewed behind Liberty Home Guard. It also offers a 90-day workmanship guarantee for all repairs, which means that if any follow-up issues pop up after servicing, you will be covered at no additional cost during that timeframe.
Unfortunately, that generous workmanship guarantee only applies if you use the technicians Elite assigns. While you can hire a contractor outside of Elite Home Warranty’s network, you will still be responsible for paying a service call fee for any follow-up repairs, even if the issues occur within 90 days of the initial repair. And while most service calls cost $70, you’ll pay $150 for after-hours or weekend calls as well as for repairs on high-end appliances like luxury refrigerators or smart dishwashers.
First American Home Warranty
Best for High-End Items
- Workmanship Guarantee: 30 days
Coverage Overview
- Provides up to $7,000 of appliance coverage on its highest plan
- Does not limit coverage for HVAC and plumbing
- Offers add-on protection for items damaged by improper upkeep, faulty installation, or modification
Keep in Mind
- Doesn’t offer basic appliance-only or system-only plans
- Excludes laundry appliances from its lowest plan
Our Review
First American Home Warranty (FAHW) might be a good fit for your home if you want solid coverage with higher limits. Its comprehensive plans provide unlimited coverage for most essential systems and up to $7,000 for appliances, which is about $2,000 higher than most other providers we reviewed. While, unlike American Home Shield, it doesn’t cover preexisting conditions, you can add its First American Advantage update at no charge to cover items that might be damaged from poor upkeep or faulty installation.
First American only offers plans covering both systems and appliances, so if you’re just looking for system-only or appliance-only coverage, you might end up paying more than you need. Also, its Starter Plan leaves out air conditioners, clothes washers, and dryers, which some other companies, like Liberty Home Guard and Elite Home Warranty, include in their lowest plans. You can add air conditioning to the Starter Plan, but you’ll need to upgrade to a higher-tier plan for laundry appliances, which costs roughly $15 more per month.
- Workmanship Guarantee: 60 days
Coverage Overview
- Provides more than 40 add-on options, the most of any company in this review
- Includes multiple customer support channels, including live chat
- Offers a 60-day workmanship guarantee, which is double the industry standard
Keep in Mind
- Doesn’t disclose its service call fees during signup
- Caps plumbing and electrical coverage at only $500
Our Review
Liberty Home Guard (LHG) gives Virginia homeowners lots of flexibility with its impressive list of 42 add-ons, meaning you can purchase extra protection for items not typically included in a base home warranty plan. This includes coverage for items particularly relevant to Virginia, such as septic system pumping, sump pumps for areas prone to heavy rain, and well pumps, which are common in rural regions of the state. The company even offers home maintenance services like carpet cleaning and pest control, which are not offered by most others in the industry. Plus, it’s easy to reach Liberty Home Guard’s customer support team; there are email, phone, and even live chat options on its website, and when we contacted customer service, we were helped within five minutes.
Unlike most providers, Liberty Home Guard waits until the final step of the signup process to disclose your service fee. These are the fees you pay whenever a repair person visits your house. LHG’s fees typically range from $65–$125, but without knowing the exact figure when you get your initial quote, it will be difficult to project the all-in cost of your home warranty.
Another drawback is the $500 cap for plumbing and electrical system repairs, which is about $2,000 lower than other providers. Given that many homes in Virginia are older and may require more frequent plumbing and electrical repairs, these lower limits could lead to higher out-of-pocket costs for homeowners when unexpected issues arise.
*All BBB ratings are accurate as of October 2024.
Our Experience Filing Claims
Beyond reviewing each home warranty company, our team tested the claims process for some of our featured Virginia home warranty providers. Two of our team members filed claims with First American Home Warranty and American Home Shield to better understand the customer experience. Below are summaries of their experiences.
Testing First American Home Warranty
Our first team member submitted a claim to First American Home Warranty to repair his broken garage door opener. He used the online portal, which took about two minutes. Within minutes, he received a text confirmation for his submission and a call from a technician within the hour. The technician arrived two days later and completed the repair in under 30 minutes.
Testing American Home Shield
When our second tester found a leak in his bathroom, he contacted American Home Shield for assistance. Shortly after filing the claim online, he received an email and text confirmation. Five minutes later, a technician reached out to schedule a next-day appointment. The technician arrived earlier than expected and completed the repairs in two hours.
Home Warranty Costs in Virginia
The average cost of a home warranty plan in Virginia is between $492 and $804 per year, which is slightly lower than the national average. Your final cost depends on several factors, such as service call fees, your plan type, and any add-ons. For example, If you just want basic coverage for either systems or appliances, you’ll likely be at the lower end of that range. But if you want a plan covering both, you’ll pay more.
| Average Home Warranty Cost in Virginia* | National Average for Home Warranty Costs | |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly | $41–$67 | $43–$72 |
| Annual | $492–$804 | $516–$864 |
Advice From a Local Homeowner
A home warranty might not work for everyone, especially if you have older systems and appliances. In some cases, it’s better to invest in upgrading your equipment than a home warranty plan that may not cover repairs or an eventual replacement.
Scott P., a homeowner in Midlothian, Virginia, relied on his home warranty to address issues with his 30-year-old furnace that wouldn’t shut off. Despite several repairs by the warranty company, Scott ultimately chose to pay out-of-pocket to replace the unit.
“While our plan did cover the older system, only a few companies had the expertise to handle the repairs,” he said. “In the end, upgrading to a newer model was more cost-effective than filing multiple claims for minor fixes on the old furnace.”
FAQ About Home Warranties in Virginia
What are the cons of a home warranty in Virginia?
One con of having a home warranty in Virginia is limited coverage, especially if you have older systems and appliances with preexisting issues. You could also get your home warranty claims denied due to improper maintenance or coverage exclusions. Plus, you may have limited options for repair people, especially in more rural areas, and could experience service delays.
How are home warranties regulated in Virginia?
Virginia’s Board of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) oversees home warranty regulation. Home warranty companies must get a license from the Office of Charitable and Regulatory Programs (OCRP) before doing business in the state.
Does a Virginia home warranty cover existing problems?
No, a home warranty typically doesn’t cover items with existing problems, as preexisting conditions are commonly excluded. However, American Home Shield and First American Home Warranty stand out by offering coverage for certain preexisting conditions, including issues related to improper installations or repairs.
How We Evaluated Home Warranty Providers
Below is an outline of our research methodology and scoring criteria that we used to choose Virginia’s top home warranty providers.
Our Rating System
Our team began by speaking with home warranty experts to understand the industry. We then contacted companies to learn more about their plan offerings, evaluated coverage details, obtained sample quotes, and reviewed contract terms. Our team also secret-shopped and tested 11 companies firsthand to get a feel for the real consumer experience. Finally, we surveyed thousands of people with home warranty plans to learn more about their experiences and coverage needs.
Based on this research, we created a detailed methodology to score each company in six categories: coverage (35%), cost (20%), trustworthiness (15%), plan transparency (10%), customer support (10%), and flexibility (10%).
As we reviewed home warranty companies in Virginia, we kept these specific factors in mind:
- Key system coverage: According to our 2024 survey of 1,000 current home warranty users, 44% chose plan coverage as the top feature they considered when selecting a provider. When evaluating companies, we also took into account coverage for key items that are essential for Virginia residents. Since approximately 95% of Virginia residents own air conditioning equipment, we considered HVAC coverage a priority. Other coverage options included protections for preexisting conditions, considering that the average age of a Virginia home is 38 years, and well and septic protection for residents in rural areas.
- Virginia home warranty regulations: Our team also considered home warranty regulations in our analysis. State regulation requires home warranty companies to be registered and licensed by the Virginia Bureau of Insurance. We only choose home warranty companies that can demonstrate full compliance with these regulations, guaranteeing they meet the state’s standards for consumer protection and service reliability.
- First-hand claims submissions: To help Virginia residents get a more realistic understanding of the claims process, we submitted home warranty claims for several providers featured in our review. We documented our experiences with the claim-filing process, including technician assignments and the completed repair or replacement process.
To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our team at reviews@thisoldhousereviews.com.
