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5 Best Home Warranty Companies in Massachusetts (2024 Guide)

Author Image Written by Dana Getz + 1 other Reviewed by Jacquelyn Kfoury Updated 11/07/2024

When faced with harsh winters and humid summers, Massachusetts homeowners rely on essential home systems, such as heating and cooling, to keep their homes comfortable year-round. When these systems fail, homeowners could face thousands in repair and replacement costs in an emergency, especially considering the higher cost of living in Massachusetts. Home warranties offer added security and financial protection in these situations. You receive quick repairs from trusted technicians for reduced costs, reducing the stress and costs of finding last-minute help on your own.

Our team thoroughly researched top home warranty providers to assist you in finding the right company for your Massachusetts home. We chose American Home Shield as a top pick for its robust protection and high coverage limits for home systems. Liberty Home Guard also made our list by offering a wide selection of add-on options and tailored plans. Read on to learn more about our top picks for the best home warranty companies in Massachusetts.

Key Takeaways

  • The best home warranty companies in Massachusetts are American Home Shield and Liberty Home Guard, based on our research of 13 home warranty providers.
  • A Massachusetts home warranty costs $797 annually on average, or $46-$109 per month, depending on your provider and coverage.
  • Our home warranty survey revealed that 92.7% of policyholders were satisfied with their home warranty plan, while less than 1% were dissatisfied.

Did You Know?

  • In the last 30 days, more than 2,500 people bought home warranties from the above providers. Liberty Home Guard is our most popular provider, with 55% of buyers choosing to cover their homes with an LHG plan.

Summary of Top Home Warranty Companies in Massachusetts

Liberty Home Guard offers an extensive add-on coverage catalog, plus standard coverage for multiple heating and cooling units. American Home Shield provides comprehensive appliance and system protections with generous caps for plumbing and heating. Below is our complete list of top Massachusetts home warranty companies:

The table below compares the key features of our top picks for Massachusetts home warranty providers.

Liberty Home Guard
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American Home Shield
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Select Home Warranty
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Elite Home Warranty
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AFC Home Warranty
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Overall Score

4.4 / 5 4.8 / 5 3.7 / 5 4.6 / 5 4.6 / 5

BBB Rating

NR B B- B+ B

Monthly Cost

$49–$59 $49–$109 $44–$47 $44–$59 $34–$92

Service Fees

$65–$125 $100–$125 $60–$75 $70 $75–$125

Customer Support Options

Email, Phone, Online Chat, Online Portal Phone, Online Portal Email, Phone, Online Portal Email, Phone, Online Portal Phone, Online Portal

Response Time

Up to 48 hours Up to 48 hours 48-84 hours Up to 48 hours 24-48 hours

Pros

  • Extensive add-on catalog
  • 60-day workmanship guarantee
  • Accessible customer support
  • High coverage caps
  • Preexisting coverage included
  • Bonus discounts on maintenance services
  • Low-cost plan options
  • High HVAC coverage
  • Free roof leak protection
  • Higher coverage for high-end appliances
  • 90-day workmanship guarantee
  • Service call fee rolled into annual premium
  • Excellent plan flexibility
  • Technician flexibility
  • Unlimited HVAC coverage

Cons

  • Reviews mention low claim payouts
  • Low coverage caps for electrical and plumbing
  • Higher costs for comprehensive coverage
  • Smallest add-on catalog
  • Low coverage caps for other items
  • No service call fee flexibility
  • Higher service fee for high-end appliance repairs
  • No workmanship guarantee on repairs by out-of-network technicians
  • Depreciation policy for older items
  • Immediate claim submission required

Summary

We recommend Liberty Home Guard for homeowners who need coverage for multiple HVAC systems and extensive add-on customizations.

We recommend American Home Shield for homeowners who need comprehensive coverage for older homes.

We recommend Select Home Warranty for homeowners who need affordable HVAC-only coverage.

We recommend Elite Home Warranty for homeowners who want fully customizable plans and extensive add-on coverage options.

We recommend AFC Home Warranty for homeowners who want extensive HVAC coverage and protections for new systems.

Promotions

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Rating Categories

Liberty Home Guard American Home Shield Select Home Warranty Elite Home Warranty AFC Home Warranty

Coverage

2.9 / 5
4.8 / 5
2.1 / 5
3.4 / 5
3.9 / 5

Value

4.8 / 5
3.3 / 5
4.8 / 5
4.3 / 5
3.8 / 5

Trustworthiness

4.3 / 5
3.7 / 5
3.7 / 5
4.7 / 5
4.3 / 5

Plan Transparency

2.5 / 5
5 / 5
2.5 / 5
3 / 5
3.5 / 5

Customer Support

4.5 / 5
4 / 5
3 / 5
3.5 / 5
3 / 5

Flexibility

3.5 / 5
2.5 / 5
2.5 / 5
4.5 / 5
4 / 5

Note: The pricing information in this article uses a 2,001-square-foot, single-family home in Brighton, Massachusetts. Your monthly premium may vary based on your home’s location and size and your plan and add-on choices.


How We Rated Home Warranty Companies in Massachusetts

To determine the top home warranty providers in Massachusetts, we consulted with local home builders, repair technicians, and real estate agents to understand common homeowner needs and repairs in the state. We then researched home warranty companies, spoke to representatives, reviewed sample contracts and quotes, and examined service policies.

Next, we scored each provider against our review standards in six categories: coverage, cost, trustworthiness, plan transparency, customer support, and flexibility. We evaluated coverage options to ensure plumbing, HVAC, and roof leak coverage appeared in the standard plan or as an add-on option. We analyzed premium costs in relation to the coverage value provided. We examined brand reputation and third-party review sites to gauge the customer experience. Additionally, we evaluated availability and service by looking at claims response times, customer support availability, and the claims process.

Why Trust Us? Our review and rating process for the best home warranty companies
13
Companies Considered We carefully considered 13 companies to find the best home warranty providers available.
2000
Homeowners Surveyed We surveyed 2,000 home owners to see what they care about most for home protection.
5700
Reviews Analyzed We went through 5,700 customer reviews of home warranty companies to see what people had to say about each provider.
31
Coverages Compared We compared 31 policies to find the best home warranty offerings on the market.

How Much Does a Home Warranty Cost in Massachusetts?

In Massachusetts, the average monthly cost for a home warranty plan is about $66, or around $797 if paying annually. Several factors influence home warranty pricing, including home size, location, and selected plan options.

We’ve listed some key factors that can affect final costs below:

  • Coverage options: You typically pay more for comprehensive plans than appliance- or system-only coverage. We recommend assessing your systems and appliances and choosing the essential items that need coverage. Match your home warranty plan to those needs. Remember that certain unique coverage, including roof leaks and sump pumps, may require add-ons, which will increase your premium rates.
  • Home age: Since many Massachusetts homes are almost 60 years or older on average, consider coverage that protects items with unknown preexisting conditions or corrosion damage. Most home warranty companies don’t cover these conditions, so you may pay more for more comprehensive plans that offer these protections.
  • Location: Your home’s location could play a role in your coverage costs since you’ll need certain protections based on your geographic location. For example, homes in the snowiest parts of the state will need ample protection for their heating, plumbing, and roof leaks.

Is a Home Warranty Worth It in Massachusetts?

Home warranties help Massachusetts homeowners restore essential systems and appliances running when faced with unexpected breakdowns. These protections offer financial relief when major systems, such as HVAC and plumbing, require immediate repair to keep your home running smoothly.

  • Massachusetts is home to some of the oldest homes in the country, ranking third behind New York and Rhode Island, according to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB).

With an average home age of 13 years, Massachusetts homeowners could face more frequent repair and replacement costs. Home warranties could help reduce these costs, making it more affordable to maintain older systems and appliances.

According to our research, the systems and appliances that homeowners in Massachusetts repair most often:

ItemAverage Cost to RepairAverage Cost to Replace

Gas furnace

$30–$150

$3,800–$10,000

Air conditioning

$100–$650

$2,500 and $15,000

Plumbing leaks

$150–$450

$200–$5,000

Roof leaks

$150–$2,000

$5,000–$13,000

Sump pump

$350–$1,000

$500–$4,000

Data sourced from The Home Depot


Massachusetts Home Warranty Reviews

We’ve provided a detailed overview of our top Massachusetts home warranty companies below.

American Home Shield

Best for Comprehensive Coverage
4.8 We grade all home warranty companies on the most important factors to homeowners such as coverage, value, trust, transparency, availability, and service. We account for 15 specific data points such as coverage caps, systems and appliances covered, monthly costs, service fees, sample contract availability, response time, claims process, and workmanship guarantee length to then calculate a score, created fully by our Editorial team.

We recommend AHS for Massachusetts homeowners who need protection for their older homes and systems. It has higher coverage caps and is one of the few companies to offer protection for items with unknown preexisting conditions, rust and corrosion damage, and improper maintenance.

Monthly Cost: $79–$139

Pros and Cons

Pros Includes roof-leak coverage with its highest plan Offers $5,000 for essential home systems, including plumbing and heating Provides coverage for unknown preexisting conditions and physical damage Cons Charges a higher monthly premium than other reviewed providers Does not offer an annual premium option Offers the smallest add-on catalog of this review

Plans and Cost

After a review of the AHS sample contract, we learned that the company includes roof-leak coverage in its highest plan. Typically, home warranty companies offer roof-leak protection as an add-on only. AHS also includes the add-on option for its other two plans: ShieldSilver and Shield Gold. In addition, AHS offers a generous $5,000 cap for essential home systems, including plumbing and HVAC, at every plan level. All plans include a 30-day workmanship guarantee.

Here’s an overview of each American Home Shield plan below:

  • ShieldSilver: The lowest plan covers essential home systems, such as cooling, heating, and plumbing. You receive a $5,000 cap for each system. 
  • ShieldGold: This plan offers comprehensive coverage for systems and appliances. Coverage includes the same $5,000 system cap and adds a $2,000 limit for appliances
  • ShieldPlatinum: The highest plan tiers include the ShieldGold protections and include additional perks, such as roof-leak protections and discounted HVAC tune-ups. System coverage remains the same, but appliance coverage doubles to $4,000.

Unlike other home warranty providers that offer monthly and annual premiums, AHS limits homeowners to monthly options only. The company does offer a choice of a $100 or $125 service call fee, which is slightly higher than other providers. When we chose the $125 service fee for our sample quote, our monthly premium decreased. Choosing the $100 fee raised our monthly rate.

Here’s a breakdown of American Home Shield’s monthly pricing:

Plan

Monthly Cost

Service Fee

Coverage Cap

ShieldSilver

$79.99–$89.99

$100–$125

$5000

ShieldGold

$99.99–$109.99

$100–$125

Systems: $5,000
Appliances: $2,000

ShieldPlatinum

$129.99–$139.99

$100–$125

Systems: $5,000
Appliances: $4,000

AHS offers only six add-on options, one of the smallest catalogs in this review. On average, most providers offer eight to 10 options. Pricing ranges from $5–$26 per month for added coverage. Adding roof-leak coverage to the ShieldSilver or ShieldGold plan will increase your premiums by $10. Additional add-on options include the below items:

  • Electronics protection plan
  • Guest unit 
  • Pool and spa
  • Septic pump
  • Well pump

Our Experience With American Home Shield

Our team member has AHS as his home warranty provider and tested the claims process to repair a leaky bathroom pipe. We’ve detailed his experience below:

  • After filing an online claim, he received a text and email confirmation.
  • Five minutes later, a service contractor contacted him to set a next-day appointment.
  • Our team member noted that AHS uses its own network of preapproved service repair technicians to complete its service calls.
  • Repairs took less than two hours and he was only charged for the service fee. 

Liberty Home Guard

Best Customer Support
4.4 We grade all home warranty companies on the most important factors to homeowners such as coverage, value, trust, transparency, availability, and service. We account for 15 specific data points such as coverage caps, systems and appliances covered, monthly costs, service fees, sample contract availability, response time, claims process, and workmanship guarantee length to then calculate a score, created fully by our Editorial team.

We recommend LHG for Massachusetts residents who need specialized coverage for their home. The company offers 38 add-on options that offer unique protection, such as sump pumps, pest control, and water softeners.

Monthly cost: $49–$59

Pros and Cons

Pros Includes coverage for two HVAC units under its standard plans Offers a 60-day workmanship guarantee, double the industry standard Protects heating, cooling, and plumbing under two plan options Cons Limits plumbing and electrical coverage to $500 May take up to 48 hours to respond to a claim Varies service call fees based on your location and plan option

Plans and Cost

After reading through the LHG sample contract, we learned that the company offers protection for up to 5-ton heating systems under its standard coverage. Typically, home warranty companies require an add-on for this extended coverage. LHG offers $2,000 for most items, with the exception of plumbing and electrical. These systems receive only $500, well below the $2,000 industry standard. LHG makes an excellent choice for Massachusetts homeowners who need HVAC protection and appliance coverage.

We’ve detailed LHG’s coverage plans below:

  • Appliance Guard: The lowest plan protects nine major appliances, including dishwashers, garbage disposals, and cooktops. Each appliance receives a $2,000 coverage limit. 
  • Systems Guard: The system-only plan includes six home systems, such as cooling, heating, and water heaters. Most items receive a $2,000 limit, except plumbing and electrical, which include a $500 cap. 
  • Total Home Guard: This comprehensive plan combines the coverage of the Appliance Guard and Systems Guard plans. All coverage caps remain the same.

LHG offers monthly and annual premium options. When we generated a sample quote online, we received two free months of coverage with an annual option. After speaking with an LHG representative, we learned that service call fees are based on your location, coverage plan, and add-on selections. Most home warranty companies offer the same set of service call fee options for every customer.

Here’s an overview of LHG monthly pricing below:

Plan

Monthly Cost

Service Fee

Coverage Cap

Appliance Guard

$49.99

$65–$125

$2,000

Systems Guard

$54.99

$65–$125

$2,000 (Plumbing & electrical: $500)

Total Home Guard

$59.99

$65–$125

Coverage caps remain the same

LHG offers 38 options, one of the highest add-on catalogs of this review. Add-on costs range from $3.00–$35.99 per month, which is midrange for home warranty companies. To receive roof leak coverage on any plan, you must select the $11.99 per month add-on option. When we used LHG’s online quote tool, the company provided popular add-on recommendations based on other homeowners in our area. Below are the most popular options for Massachusetts homeowners:

  • Limited roof-leak coverage
  • Pool and spa
  • Pro-Series dishwasher 
  • Pro-Series range/oven/cooktop
  • Septic system pumping

Our Experience With Liberty Home Guard

Our team tested LHG’s customer support options to determine the most efficient process. Here’s an overview of our experience:

  • Calling LHG’s customer support yielded the best results. We connected to a representative in under 30 seconds and had all of our questions answered. 
  • Using the live chat feature, which is a rare feature, worked best for general questions since the chat connects to an automated bot. If you need a live representative, ask the bot twice to get connected.
  • LHG is one of the few companies to offer an app for claims processing and tracking. You can also submit claims through the online portal and 24/7 claims line. 

Elite Home Warranty

Best for Customized Coverage
4.6 We grade all home warranty companies on the most important factors to homeowners such as coverage, value, trust, transparency, availability, and service. We account for 15 specific data points such as coverage caps, systems and appliances covered, monthly costs, service fees, sample contract availability, response time, claims process, and workmanship guarantee length to then calculate a score, created fully by our Editorial team.

We recommend Elite Home Warranty for Massachusetts residents who want fully customizable coverage plans to better fit their coverage needs. You can choose from three coverage plans with preestablished coverage options or customize a plan with your choice of appliances and systems.

Monthly cost: $44–$58

Pros and Cons

Pros Includes 27 add-on options Offers three customizable coverage plans Protects repairs with a 90-day workmanship guarantee Cons Charges a $150 service fee for high-end appliances Doesn’t provide a workmanship guarantee for out-of-network service technicians Varies individual coverage caps per covered item

Plans and Cost

When reviewing the Elite Home Warranty sample contract, we discovered that Elite includes a $15,000 annual limit for all plans. This means you are limited to $15,000 worth of claims per contract period. This breaks down to $8,000 for systems and $7,000 for appliances. Unlike other providers that offer the same cap for their systems and appliances, Elite varies its caps per item. We recommend getting a quote through the customer support team to verify your coverage limits.

Here’s an overview of Elite Home Warranty’s coverage plans:

  • Elite Appliances: The appliance-only coverage plan includes eight major appliances, such as cooktops, washing machines, and dishwashers. Coverage amounts differ by appliance but cannot exceed $7,000 total over the plan term.
  • Elite Systems: The next plan covers eight major home systems, such as HVAC, heating, and electrical. Coverage maximums differ by system but cannot surpass an annual limit of $8,000.
  • Elite Complete: The highest plan offers the combined protection of the Elite Appliances and Elite Systems coverage. Coverage caps remain the same.

According to sample quotes, Elite Home Warranty’s monthly premiums range from approximately $44 to $58. They charge a standard $70 service call fee. The company charges $150 for repairs on high-end appliances as well as for service calls taking place after normal business hours or on weekends.

Here’s Elite coverage pricing and service fees:

Plan

Monthly Cost

Service Fee

Coverage Cap

Elite Appliances

$44.49

$70

Varies per Item

Elite Systems

$49.99

$70

Varies per Item

Elite Complete

$58.99

$70

Varies per Item

Elite Home Warranty provides 27 add-on options, the second-largest catalog of this review. Elite’s add-on coverage limits vary by item but include a $5,000 total limit per term.

Here’s a sample of Elite’s add-on options below:

  • Annual maintenance
  • Drainage, sewer, and water service lines
  • Pool and spa equipment
  • Geothermal heating and cooling systems
  • Septic system

Our Experience with Elite Home Warranty

Our team member used his Elite Home Warranty plan to repair his broken high-end dishwasher. We’ve summarized his experience below:

  • He received a call from a claims specialist 30 minutes after submitting his online claim. 
  • He received a next-day appointment with one of their preapproved technicians, 
  • The technician couldn’t complete the repair due to a part he needed that was out of stock. 
  • The technician made an initial service visit on Tuesday evening and then came back with the necessary part on Monday morning.
  • He completed the repairs in an hour and Elite waived the service call due to the delay.

AFC Home Warranty

Best Technician Flexibility
4.6 We grade all home warranty companies on the most important factors to homeowners such as coverage, value, trust, transparency, availability, and service. We account for 15 specific data points such as coverage caps, systems and appliances covered, monthly costs, service fees, sample contract availability, response time, claims process, and workmanship guarantee length to then calculate a score, created fully by our Editorial team.

We recommend America’s First Choice Home Warranty (AFC Home Warranty) for Massachusetts homeowners who want better plan customization and an unlimited workmanship guarantee. The company includes four plan options, three service fees, and unlimited HVAC and plumbing protection.

Monthly cost: $42–$103

Pros and Cons

Pros Includes a plan-length workmanship guarantee Offers free roof-leak protection with every plan Provides unlimited caps for cooling, heating, and plumbing systems Cons Excludes coverage for unknown preexisting conditions Includes a depreciated value policy for older items Requires the submission of a next-day claim for any detected item issues

Plans and Cost

After reading the AFC Home Warranty sample contract, we learned that AFC Home Warranty is one of the few companies to offer a plan-length workmanship guarantee. Most companies offer 30-day guarantees, the industry standard. AFC Home Warranty offers $3,000 for appliances but applies a depreciated value restriction for items five years or older.

AFC Home Warranty offers the following coverage plans:

  • Silver Plan: This appliance-only plan includes nine essential home appliances, such as cooktops, garage door openers, and kitchen refrigerators. Appliances receive a $3,000 cap. 
  • Gold Plan: This comprehensive plan covers 15 appliances and systems, such as heating and cooling. The appliance receives the same $3,000 limit, while the system gets unlimited protection. 
  • Platinum Plan: This plan extended coverage to 20 systems and appliances, adding items such as plumbing stoppages, built-in microwaves, and faucets. All caps remain the same.
  • Diamond Plan: The highest plan includes the previous coverage and adds electronics (including smartphones) and exterior sewer and water lines. All caps remain the same.

AFC Home Warranty offers monthly and annual rates and includes special bonuses for its annual plans. When we completed a sample quote, we received a $100 annual discount for a one-year plan and $250 for a three-year option. Service call fees range between $75–$125 per claim.

The pricing for AFC Home Warranty’s plans is as follows:

Plan

Monthly Cost

Service Fee

Coverage Cap

Silver Plan

$42.00–$47.75

$75–$125

$3,000

Gold Plan

$59.25–$65.00

$75–$125

Appliances: $3,000

Systems: Unlimited

Platinum Plan

$65.00–$70.75

$75–$125

Coverage caps remain the same

Diamond Plan

$99.58–$103.33

$75–$125

Coverage caps remain the same

AFC Home Warranty provides 13 different add-on options, priced between $25–$150 per year. You can add roof leak protection to any plan at no additional cost.

AFC Home Warranty offers these additional add-on options:

  • Double ovens
  • Hot water dispensers
  • In-ground pools and spas
  • Septic systems
  • Sump pumps

Our Experience With AFC Home Warranty

Unlike most home warranty providers that only use in-network technicians, AFC Home Warranty allows you to choose your own service technicians. Through secret shopping, we found that AFC Home Warranty offers unique membership benefits to customers, including dental, vision, and pet insurance, free credit and identity monitoring, and more.

Select Home Warranty

Best Budget Plan
3.7 We grade all home warranty companies on the most important factors to homeowners such as coverage, value, trust, transparency, availability, and service. We account for 15 specific data points such as coverage caps, systems and appliances covered, monthly costs, service fees, sample contract availability, response time, claims process, and workmanship guarantee length to then calculate a score, created fully by our Editorial team.

We recommend Select Home Warranty for Massachusetts homeowners who need budget-friendly basic coverage. Select maintains premium pricing under $50 per month and includes free roof-leak protection with every plan.

Monthly cost: $44–$47

Pros and Cons

Pros Maintains premium pricing under $50 per month Offers free roof-leak coverage with its plans Provides a $3,000 coverage cap for heating and cooling systems Cons Charges service call fees for each repair instead of per service appointment Offer coverage caps of $500 or lower, falling below most providers Provides no service call fee flexibility

Plans and Cost

After reading through the Select Home Warranty sample contract, our team learned that HVAC systems receive a $3,000 cap, while other items max out at $500 or lower. These limits fall below other reviewed providers and the industry standard of $2,000. Select is one of the few companies to include free roof-leak coverage with every plan option. We recommend Select for homeowners who need HVAC coverage at an affordable price.

Here’s more info on Select Home Warranty’s coverage plans:

  • Bronze Care: This appliance-only plan covers eight essential items, including cooktops, stoves, and washers. All appliances receive a $500 cap. 
  • Gold Care: The system-only plan covers six essential systems, including heating, cooling, and plumbing. HVAC receives a $3,000 cap, while other items receive the standard $500 limit. 
  • Platinum Care: Its comprehensive plan covers systems and appliances and adds other items, such as garage door openers and plumbing stoppages. All coverage limits remain the same.

Select offers monthly and annual premium options. Our sample quote included $150 off and two free coverage months when we selected an annual option. Select charges a $60–$75 service call fee but doesn’t let you choose your preferred rate.

Here are Select’s monthly costs and service fees:

Plan

Monthly Cost

Service Fee

Coverage Cap

Bronze Care

$44.42

$60–$75

$500

Gold Care

$44.42

$60–$75

$500 (HVAC: $3,000)

Platinum Care

$47.75

$60–$75

Coverage caps remain the same

Select offers the lowest add-on rates in this review, with pricing ranging between $3.33 and $8.33. However, the company only offers nine options. Based on your sample quote, we learned that you must add the free roof-leak add-on to receive coverage.

Additional add-on protection includes the following items: 

  • Central vacuum
  • Lawn sprinkler system
  • Pools and spas
  • Septic system
  • Sump pump

Our Experience With Select Home Warranty

During our secret shopping experience, we learned that calling Select offers the best rates and service. We received an exclusive over-the-phone deal that included the lowest service call fee. When speaking with the Select representative, we also learned that the company prefers processing claims and resolving account issues over the phone.


How Do I Choose a Home Warranty in Massachusetts?

When purchasing a home warranty for your Massachusetts home, keep the following factors in mind to find the right coverage for your needs.

  • Review coverage details: Check each company’s plan coverage and ensure it matches your home needs. Have a list of all home systems and appliances that need coverage and make sure the provider offers proper coverage for each item. Read through the sample contract and verify coverage caps for each item. Some companies offer the same caps for every item, while others vary limits per item.
  • Verify company credentials: Ensure any potential company is authorized to conduct business in Massachusetts and holds the necessary credentials to do so. We also recommend researching the company’s BBB rating and reputation and reading customer reviews.
  • Understand the claims process: Ensure you understand the company’s claims process and verify all available tools for submitting claims. Most providers offer 24/7 claims lines and online portals. Some companies offer claim submissions through online chats or dedicated apps. Check the company’s typical turnaround time and local technician availability.
  • Read more: Home Warranty Buying Guide

How Are Home Warranties Regulated in Massachusetts?

The Division of Insurance (DOI) regulates home warranties under Massachusetts state law. The DOI details its regulatory prices under Massachusetts Statute §§ 175, 146B–149F. The state requires all home warranty providers to file a $25,000 surety bond to provide financial stability. Home warranty providers must also hold a certificate of authority issued by the DOI to conduct business in Massachusetts. 

To file a complaint about a home warranty provider or contract, homeowners can email the Consumer Services Unit. In addition to the DOI, other industry associations, including the Service Contract Industry Council (SCIC), offer additional customer protection services.


Home Warranty Cost Calculator

Our team created a calculator to break down the estimated annual cost of owning a home warranty. Enter your monthly premium, service call fee, and estimated number of claims to see your projected annual cost. It’s best to request a quote directly from one of our recommended providers, as annual costs and service fees vary.

ApplianceAverage Repair CostAverage 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

Note: The annual cost figure generated by our home warranty calculator is not an indication of a company’s actual plan cost, as annual costs and service fees vary based on your plan selections and your home’s size, type, and location.

Life span and repair cost data sourced from InterNACHI and Home Depot


Other Resources for Residents in Massachusetts


FAQ About Home Warranties in Massachusetts

Who pays for a home warranty?

Typically, the homeowner will pay for the monthly or annual premiums and the service fee, while the home warranty provider covers the cost of labor and parts for repair. Regarding repair costs, providers include coverage caps for how much they’re willing to cover per visit. If the repair cost exceeds the coverage cap, the homeowner will have to pay the remaining amount.

What’s covered under a Massachusetts home warranty?

A Massachusetts home warranty protects major systems such as water heaters, heating, cooling, plumbing, and electrical. You also receive protection for major appliances such as cooktops, washers, dryers, and refrigerators. Your standard home warranty plan typically won’t cover items such as pools and second refrigerators. Still, most companies will allow you to add coverage for these items at an additional cost.

Can you use a home warranty and home insurance at the same time?

Yes, you can use a home warranty and home insurance at the same time.  A home warranty protects your home’s systems and appliances when they break down due to normal wear and tear. Homeowners insurance protects your home from structural and property damage when an unexpected event occurs, such as theft or fire. Having both plans offers complete protection for your home.


Our Detailed Rating Methodology

We back up our home warranty ratings and recommendations with a detailed rating methodology to objectively score each provider. We conduct research by speaking with company representatives, requesting quotes, analyzing sample contracts from each company, and conducting focus groups and consumer surveys. We then score each provider against our review standards for coverage, cost, trustworthiness, plan transparency, customer support, and flexibility to arrive at a final score on a 5-point rating scale. 

To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our Reviews Team at reviews@thisoldhousereviews.com.