Best Home Warranty Companies for Veterans (2024)
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We recommend Liberty Home Guard for veterans in the market for a home warranty. The company offers discounts for veterans and active service members and the ability to transfer plans to new addresses within the 48 states it services. These offerings and its generous coverage caps make it one of the best home warranty companies for veterans.
Our second recommended provider is American Home Shield. AHS offers discounts for veterans and military service members, as well as flexible plan options and affordable rates.
To determine the best home warranty providers, we combed through warranty plans, read more than 5,700 customer reviews, secret-shopped real quotes and prices, and conducted customer surveys on top providers. We share our insights in this article and break down which companies offer the best service plans, discounts, and coverage for veterans.
The listings that appear are from companies from which this website receives compensation, which may impact how, where and in what order products appear. This listing does not include all companies or all available offers and products.
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.
What Are the Best Home Warranty Companies for Veterans?
After researching major home warranty companies, we determined the following providers offer the best home warranty deals for veterans:
- Best Customer Support: Liberty Home Guard
- Best for Comprehensive Coverage: American Home Shield
- Best Plan Flexibility: AFC Home Warranty
- Best for High-End Items: First American Home Warranty
- Best Budget Plan: Select Home Warranty
Compare Top Home Warranty Companies for Veterans
The table below provides a comprehensive breakdown of these top companies. It includes data we gathered from our research, such as service fees, monthly costs, and coverage caps.
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| #1 out of 16 companies | #2 out of 16 companies | #3 out of 16 companies | #4 out of 16 companies | #5 out of 16 companies | |
| NR | B | B- | B | B | |
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Monthly Cost |
$49–$59 | $49–$109 | $44–$47 | $47–$87 | $34–$92 |
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Service Fees |
$65–$125 | $100–$125 | $60–$75 | $75–$125 | $75–$125 |
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Customer Support Options |
Email, Phone, Online Chat, Online Portal | Phone, Online Portal | Email, Phone, Online Portal | Phone, Online Portal | Phone, Online Portal |
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Response Time |
Up to 48 hours | Up to 48 hours | 48-84 hours | 4–48 hours | 24-48 hours |
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Cons |
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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 First American Home Warranty for homeowners who need robust plan options for HVAC and high-end appliances. |
We recommend AFC Home Warranty for homeowners who want extensive HVAC coverage and protections for new systems. |
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Promotions |
$200 Off + 2 Months Free + Roof Leak Protection | Black Friday Savings: 50% OFF Select Plans | Use code HOUSE25 for $150 off + 2 months free | $100 Off with Code “PROTECT” | Fall Sale: $250 Off + Free Roof Leak Coverage |
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Rating Categories |
Liberty Home Guard | American Home Shield | Select Home Warranty | First American Home Warranty | AFC Home Warranty |
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Coverage |
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Value |
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Flexibility |
Note: For more details, see individual provider breakdowns below.
Note: We based the pricing information in this table and throughout the article on sample quotes we obtained for a single-family 2,000-square-foot home in Raleigh, NC. Your pricing may vary depending on your home’s location, size, type, and plan selections.
How We Rated Home Warranty Companies
We compared each provider to our unbiased ratings and review standards to find the best home warranty company for veterans. This method rates each company based on key criteria that homeowners find important. We judge providers based on coverage, cost, trustworthiness, plan transparency, customer support, and flexibility.
We research providers by reading customer reviews across major independent review sites such as the Better Business Bureau, Trustpilot, and ConsumerAffairs. We’ve read more than 5,700 customer reviews across major home warranty companies. We look for major themes and recurring problems, such as sales tactics, long wait times, and overall customer experience. We supplement this customer feedback with firsthand data gathered through focus groups, surveys, and secret shopping.
Our Home Warranty Experts
We consulted two financial experts for this review. We asked them to share insights on the best home warranty plans and benefits for veterans.
- Jennifer Tolkachev: Tolkachev has been a managing editor of a Bankrate-owned site for 5+ years and now runs Touchdown Money, a site that provides financial advice for homeowners and business owners.
- Danny Johnson: Johnson is a real estate investor in San Antonio and the owner of Danny Buys Houses.
Understanding Home Warranties for Veterans
Veterans and active military personnel face unique challenges when choosing a home warranty. Active duty personnel may need a policy that allows transfers to new properties in the event of a move. Veterans with older homes may want a plan with allowances for preexisting conditions or more generous coverage caps. Consider the following questions before choosing your next home warranty:
When Should I Buy a Home Warranty?
The right time to sign up for a home warranty depends on what you want from your policy and the context of your purchase. For example, you may want to sign up for a plan if you’re new to your area. Finding vetted local contractors can be difficult for regional newcomers, and a home warranty sources technicians for you.
We recommend signing up for a home warranty if any of the following applies:
- Your home is older.
- Your appliances or home systems are old or expensive.
- You’re unfamiliar with your area or aren’t used to working with home improvement companies.
- You have a busy lifestyle and want to minimize the time and energy needed to manage the appliances and home systems.
- You want to entice buyers for a future home sale.
How Much Does a Home Warranty Cost?
Our research shows that the national average home warranty cost is between $644 and $737 annually. Service fees range from $65 to $125. These costs are for a standard-sized home of 2,000 square feet. We received more than 120 quotes from top home warranty companies across 20 states and compiled the results of these quotes to find this national average.
If you’re an active duty military personnel or a veteran, you may be able to save on your home warranty plan. Some providers, including Liberty Home Guard and American Home Shield, offer discounts or special pricing for military service members.
How Do I File a Home Warranty Claim?
Take the following steps to file a home warranty claim:
- Understand and re-read your policy: Understand your policy coverage before filing a warranty claim. Even generous policies have coverage limits, exclusions, and caps that can affect the claim process. We recommend thoroughly reading your policy before filing a claim. Exclusions include preexisting problems, damage from improper installations, and misuse or abuse of appliances and systems. Most home warranty contracts have payout limits for specific systems and appliances, which means you’ll pay any remaining costs if you reach that limit.
- Contact a service representative and begin the claim process: Contact a company-approved contractor. Most home warranty companies have a client portal to connect you with approved local contractors. Complete an online claim form or call the company to schedule your appointment. A home warranty company typically takes up to 48 hours to process and dispatch a contractor. The technician will contact you directly and set up an appointment.
- Pay service fees and out-of-pocket expenses: Once at your home, the service professional will inspect the damage to your system, correspond with the home warranty provider, and repair the damage. You’ll pay your service fee and any remaining balance if you reach your coverage cap. The technician will schedule a follow-up appointment for a replacement if the damage to your appliance or system is too severe to be repaired.
Home Warranty Providers for Veterans
Below is a detailed overview of our top recommended home warranty companies for veterans.
Liberty Home Guard
Best Customer Support
American Home Shield
Best for Comprehensive Coverage
AFC Home Warranty
Best Technician Flexibility
First American Home Warranty
Best for High-End Items
Select Home Warranty
Best Budget Plan
What To Consider When Buying a Home Warranty as a Veteran
It can be difficult to find the right home warranty if you’re a veteran or an active duty service member. If you move often or are too busy to handle repairs, you’ll need a plan that works with your schedule. Each provider offers plans with unique discounts, coverage caps, and limitations. We recommend doing the following before choosing a home warranty company:
- Check coverage needs: Each home has unique coverage needs. Homeowners with brand-new appliances may not need a warranty right away. System-oriented warranties will better suit older homes. Knowing your coverage needs before signing a contract will help you avoid plans that won’t protect your most important systems and appliances.
- Assess available budget: Consider how much you’re comfortable paying monthly. Remember to account for add-ons, service fees, and total coverage caps for your most at-risk items. We recommend prioritizing providers that offer military discounts, such as Liberty Home Guard or American Home Shield.
- Check your locations plan: Not all companies operate out of every state. Some home warranty companies even limit plan options or add-ons in certain areas. We recommend checking plan and add-on availability before selecting your provider. This step is key if you have to move often. It’s possible a provider won’t extend its coverage to a state where you’re relocated for a permanent change of station.
- Read customer reviews and assess reputation: Even reliable and trusted national brands can have poorly performing branch locations. We recommend checking the customer reviews for each home warranty company’s local branch office through independent review sites such as BBB and Trustpilot.
- Compare plans and shop around: Comparing quotes is one of the best ways to get the best plan for your home at the lowest possible price. We recommend getting at least three free quotes before making a decision.
- Ask for referrals from friends and family: One of the best ways to find a reliable warranty provider is by asking family, neighbors, or other members of the military community for their recommendations.
How Are Home Warranties Regulated?
Each state has rules and regulations to ensure that home warranty companies act fairly and within the bounds of the law. The regulation of home warranty contracts is typically overseen by a state’s Department of Licensing and Regulation, Consumer Protection Division, or Department of Insurance.
Most states base their regulatory laws on the Service Contracts Model Act published by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) in 1988. The NAIC is an organization run by chief insurance regulators from all 50 states founded in 1871. Its goal is to “set standards and ensure fair, competitive, and healthy insurance markets to protect consumers.” The SCM Act is a guideline and legal framework for home service contracts. State regulatory bodies use this framework to create rules that ensure home warranty companies do the following:
- Have contracts that are clear, easy to understand, and accurately represent the policy being offered.
- Accurately and extensively disclose prices, coverage, fees, and limitations.
- Allow policyholders the ability to cancel and receive a full refund within a reasonable timeframe (typically 30–45 days).
FAQs About Home Warranties for Veterans
Do VA loans come with a home warranty?
No, VA loans don’t come with a home warranty.
Does American Home Shield offer a veterans discount?
Yes, American Home Shield offers a veterans discount. American Home Shield veterans and active-duty military discounts can be applied with other applicable discounts.
Are there special home warranty plans for veterans?
No, there aren’t special home warranty plans for veterans. Most home warranty programs are pre-set and not tailored to specific groups or customers. However, many home warranty companies offer veteran discounts and the ability to customize your plan with add-ons.
Does First American Home Warranty offer a military or veteran discount?
No, First American Home Warranty does not offer a military discount.
Does Liberty Home Guard offer a veteran or military discount?
Yes, Liberty Home Guard offers a military discount.
Does Select Home Warranty offer a veteran or military discount?
No, Select Home Warranty does not offer a military discount.
Related Resources
We’ve compiled several easy-to-digest guides based on our extensive home warranty coverage. Learn more below.
More on Home Warranties
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Our 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.
