Best Home Warranty for Veterans

American Home Shield (AHS) stands out for its protection for preexisting conditions, something most other providers exclude. This protection covers items with rust, corrosion, and sediment damage—useful for older items—and repairs damages from improper installations or modifications. This can offer benefits for military families who frequently relocate. AHS also has generous coverage caps, offering up to $4,000 for appliances and $5,000 for most systems, making it a good choice for items that might experience more wear and tear from moving.

Though American Home Shield offers comprehensive coverage, it comes with a higher price tag. The company charges slightly more for its comprehensive plans compared to other providers we’ve reviewed. However, its $35 military discount can help offset these higher costs. Note that the company limits its plan types to system-only coverage or comprehensive appliance and system protection, so if you only want to cover appliances, you’ll need to select a higher-priced comprehensive plan instead.

• Offers a $35 discount for veterans and active-duty personnel 
• Includes coverage for items with preexisting conditions and physical damage
• Provides the option to transfer the home warranty plan to new homeowners

Keep in Mind

• Doesn’t offer an appliance-only plan option 
• Has the smallest add-on catalog in this review, limiting plan customization

Based on customer reviews, customers appreciated American Home Shield’s broad coverage options and quick claim processing. Our team’s tester received email and text confirmations right after submitting his claim, and he heard from a local contractor within five minutes.

However, in online reviews, some customers reported long wait times for repairs, with delays of up to two weeks. Others mentioned issues such as low claims payouts, claim denials, and high service fees.

Here’s what real customers have said about American Home Shield:

“The service request process is easy in the app or online, the technicians are usually on time and courteous, and repairs are made efficiently—normally at no additional cost besides the service fee. I’ve used American Home Shield for many years and have rarely had any serious complaints, and those were with the service company, not AHS. The policy has definitely paid for itself over the years.” —Debbi B. via Trustpilot on Dec. 4, 2024

“[The] problem [is] not fixed. [The] assigned repair company discontinued service calls after the second onsite visit. AHS has informed me that company-based experts will review [the] assigned repair company’s service reports to determine next steps within 48 hours. Tomorrow will be a week since [the] ‘48 hour’ decision time … I find AHS’s quality of support covering home repair services most disappointing.” —Phillip G. via Trustpilot on Dec. 18, 2024

Choice Home Warranty offers budget-friendly, comprehensive protection for under $60, making it an affordable option for military families. With a $3,000 coverage cap for most items, it provides mid-level coverage for essential household systems and appliances. The company backs its repairs with a 90-day guarantee for parts and a 60-day guarantee for labor. This means that if a repaired appliance breaks down again, Choice will complete additional work at no extra charge—offering peace of mind during frequent relocations or deployments.

Choice limits its coverage to two comprehensive plans, offering limited flexibility compared to some other companies. Its lowest plan, the Basic Plan, excludes protection for key items, such as clothes washers and dryers, refrigerators, and air conditioning (AC). You must upgrade to the Total Plan to receive this protection. In addition, Choice is currently involved in an ongoing lawsuit with the Arizona Attorney General regarding accusations of customer fraud and deceptive tactics. We recommend researching potential home warranty companies before signing up for services.

• Doesn’t charge a fee for transferring a service agreement
• Includes a $3,000 coverage limit for most items
• Offers repair guarantees of 90 days for parts and 60 days for labor

Keep in Mind

• Includes certain essential items under its lowest plan
• Limits plan selection to comprehensive plans only 

After reading customer feedback online, we noticed that customers praised Choice Home Warranty for its affordable plans and simple claims process. Many people also appreciated the prompt service offered by company technicians and the overall ease of using Choice. 

However, some customers ran into issues with repair quality and reaching customer support. Our Choice tester also experienced inconsistent repair timelines, with wait times ranging from one day to up to a month for repairs.

Here’s what real customers have said about Choice Home Warranty:

“When I submitted my claim I was very pleased with the process. Not only was it handled quickly and professionally, the claims specialists gave me options that I wasn’t expecting. Also, the technician that Choice sent out to check my garbage disposal was not only punctual but also very polite [and] professional. The whole process was hassle-free!” —Harold R. via Trustpilot on Nov. 15, 2024

“Choice Home Warranty wouldn’t approve repair costs so more vendors had to come to my house, incurring more fees. They finally approved a cost, and the vendor said that Choice has not been paying him, so he won’t do the work until they finally pay him. Meanwhile, I haven’t had heat for two months, and it is now December!” —Danielle D. via Trustpilot on Dec. 12, 2024

If you’re looking for protection for high-end appliances, First American Home Warranty might offer a good fit. The company extends up to $7,000 in appliance protection, which is higher than both American Home Shield and Choice Home Warranty. It also offers add-on options for extra protection, including coverage for luxury appliances and up to three refrigerators. Plus, the First American First Class Upgrade can provide peace of mind by covering improper installations and modifications, building permits, appliance disposal, and more.  

However, First American is only available in 33 U.S. states, fewer than other providers on our list. This could cause an issue if you relocate to an area where coverage is unavailable and want to transfer home warranty services. And, like Choice Home Warranty, First American only offers comprehensive plans, limiting flexible coverage options for those seeking appliance- or system- only protection. It also excludes air conditioning systems and clothes washers and dryers from its lowest-tier plans. While you can pay extra for a central AC add-on, you must upgrade to a more expensive plan tier for laundry appliance coverage.

• Offers a $25 discount for active and former military personnel
• Has the highest appliance coverage caps in this review
• Protects items damaged from improper installation and modifications

Keep in Mind

• Available in fewer states than some other companies, making it harder to transfer services if you relocate
• Doesn’t include laundry appliance or air conditioner coverage in its lowest plan 

From the customer reviews we read online, First American Home Warranty was generally appreciated for its easy online claims process and responsive service technicians. Our First American tester had a good experience filing a claim for a broken garage door opener. He received a quick confirmation text with the contractor’s information, and his appointment was scheduled within an hour. However, not all customer experiences were this quick—many online reviewers mentioned repair delays, poor communication, and unclear coverage details.

Here’s what real customers have said about First American Home Warranty:

“While there was not an electrician available to handle my problem, I was encouraged to find someone outside of the company. I did so and submitted the invoice for the work done. I spoke with a representative who made sure that I was reimbursed in a very timely fashion for my out-of-pocket expense.” —Lenora  K. via Trustpilot on Nov. 25, 2024

“I’ve still not heard any good resolution from First American Home Warranty! It’s been almost a month without a refrigerator. I’m requesting a refund for my service fee and inconvenience and canceling service” —Shameka P. via Trustpilot on Dec. 9, 2024

Elite Home Warranty provides the most flexible coverage options, making it easier to tailor your home protection plan to your exact needs. The company offers three standard plans, plus a “Customize Your Own” option. This is especially helpful for military families who may have unique coverage needs. Elite also offers over 30 add-on options, which is ideal if you have specialized items or secondary home appliances that need protection. You’ll also receive a 90-day workmanship guarantee—three times longer than the industry standard of 30 days.

Elite Home Warranty has a few downsides, though. Most repair calls come with a standard $70 service fee, but for certain repairs after hours or on weekends, the fee increases to $150. This could affect military families who might need urgent service during non-business hours. The higher fees also apply to high-end appliances and most add-on items. Additionally, the company has restrictions on transferring your service contract to a new address—you can only move coverage if your agreement is still active and no claims have been filed. You’ll also need to notify Elite 15 days before your move, while other providers typically offer a 30-day grace period.

• Has over 30 add-on items, offering extended options for coverage customization
• Offers a customizable plan option that you can create from scratch
• Provides system-only, appliance-only, and comprehensive plans

Keep in Mind

• Charges a higher $150 service call fee for certain repair calls
• Restricts transfers to new addresses if you’ve already filed a claim

According to the online reviews we read, customers appreciated Elite Home Warranty’s customer-first approach. Many praised the friendly and detailed sales representatives, quick claims process, and professional in-network service technicians. Our Elite tester also had a positive experience when he requested service for his high-end dishwasher, despite a delay of a few days due to a part being out of stock.

However, a few customers raised concerns about claim handling and communication, including delays. Additionally, some customers expressed frustration over Elite’s lack of online tools, such as a way to track claim processing.

Here’s what real customers have said about Elite Home Warranty:

“Filed our first claim with Elite Home Warranty—great service from beginning to end. We suggested a couple of electrical companies in our area and Elite contacted one of them. They came out the same day. We had three dead outlets in one room. Electricians had to diagnose where the problem was and trace all the outlets and wall switches. Elite paid the hefty diagnosis fee. After a few hours, [the] problem [was] solved and everything was fixed!” —Ruth via Trustpilot on Jan. 26, 2024

“Terrible coverage and terrible service. I purchased [a] home warranty because my house is getting older. [Elite] denied coverage due to the age of the furnace, or they cover such a small portion that you don’t even break even from the monthly costs and the high copayments. I have unanswered emails from them one time from charging me my monthly fee five days too early for my next month..” —Tiffany W. via BBB on Nov. 22, 2024

If you’re looking for the longest repair coverage available, AFC Home Warranty is a good option for you. It offers a workmanship guarantee that lasts for as long as you have an active plan. For example, this means if your water heater keeps breaking down because of the same issue, AFC Home Warranty will continue to make repairs without charging additional service call fees. Another beneficial feature is the option to choose your own technician, a rare benefit that allows for more flexibility. It’s also a helpful option for military families who prefer a trusted local technician.

However, AFC Home Warranty’s depreciation policy may raise concerns if you have older items in your home, with items over five years old potentially having reduced payouts. Also, AFC Home Warranty has one appliance-only plan and three comprehensive plans, so if you only need coverage for plumbing systems and electrical systems, the company may not offer the best fit.

• Backs repairs with a plan-length workmanship guarantee, the longest in this review
• Lets you choose your own technician for repairs 
• Offers four plans and two service call fees to better suit various budgets

Keep in Mind

• Doesn’t offer a system-only plan option
• Includes a depreciation policy, which reduces payouts for items aged five years or older

From what we read in online reviews, many customers appreciated AFC Home Warranty’s quick claim processing and option to choose their own technician. The personalized customer service stood out, too, with some customers being assigned a dedicated agent to help with their claims.

However, some homeowners were disappointed by low payouts due to AFC Home Warranty’s depreciation policy. Others reported being bombarded with texts and emails during the claims process. For instance, our tester mentioned receiving three to four calls and as many as 10 text messages a day, which became overwhelming.

Here’s what real customers have said about AFC Home Warranty:

“I’ve been a customer of AFC Home Warranty for quite some time now. The technicians they send are not only reliable but also highly skilled, ensuring any issues with my home are resolved promptly and efficiently. What truly sets them apart, though, is their exceptional customer service. Every interaction I’ve had with their team has been pleasant and professional, making the process seamless and stress-free. When I’ve needed assistance, they’ve been prompt in scheduling appointments and addressing any concerns, which is a huge relief as a homeowner. ”—Sarah M. via BBB on May 14, 2024

“This company’s focus is on coming up with reasons why they don’t cover you. I had a water heater problem and they denied the claim because they said the water heater was larger than 80 gallons. I have a tankless water heater. Once I showed them it was tankless they wouldn’t cover it because I didn’t have a record of any annual maintenance. In the fine print there are very low maximums for any replacements. I’d think twice before I would use them.” —Glenn B. via BBB on Dec. 6, 2024