Best Home Warranty Companies in Virginia (With Homeowner Feedback)
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
- Choice Home Warranty
- Elite Home Warranty
- First American Home Warranty
- Liberty Home Guard
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 | NR** | 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.
*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 Reviews Team at reviews@thisoldhousereviews.com.