Best Home Warranty Companies in Virginia (2025)
Living in Virginia can mean dealing with fluctuating weather patterns, from snowstorms in the winter to humid heat in the summer. These extreme temperatures can take a toll on your home’s systems, leading to unexpected repairs that can add up in price quickly. A home warranty offers a solution by helping financially protect your home and making repair expenses more affordable.
We researched 13 companies to find the best home warranty providers for Virginia homeowners. American Home Shield stands out as the top option, offering unique coverage for preexisting conditions, which is especially beneficial for owners of older homes in the state. Choice Home Warranty is another good option if you’re looking for comprehensive system and appliance coverage at an affordable price.
Keep reading for our full list of the best home warranty companies in Virginia and to learn how to find coverage that fits your needs.
Top Home Warranty Companies in Virginia
After evaluating 13 home warranty providers, we identified these five companies as the top choices 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
- AFC Home Warranty: Best Technician Flexibility
Comparing Top Providers
When evaluating the best home warranty providers in Virginia, we considered monthly plan costs and service call fees, which customers pay each time a technician visits for a repair. We also prioritized key components important to Virginia homeowners, such as strong HVAC coverage to offset seasonal temperature changes and protection for the older systems commonly found in Virginia’s aging housing market.
The table below compares our top providers based on our team’s overall scores, service fees, state availability, and Better Business Bureau (BBB) ratings. To provide accurate pricing, we obtained sample quotes from the five companies featured in this article for a 1,906-square-foot, single-family home in Richmond, Virginia.
| 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, and type and your plan choices.
**The BBB is an independent organization that evaluates businesses’ credibility and responsiveness to customers. Ratings are accurate as of January 2025.
Our Reviews of Top Providers in Virginia
Below are our detailed reviews of the best home warranty providers in Virginia.
- Monthly Cost: $29–$89
- Service Fee: $100–$125
- Workmanship Guarantee: 30 days
Coverage Overview
- Service contract doesn’t include a coverage limit for heating and electrical systems
- Includes roof-leak coverage at no additional cost with its highest-tier plan
- Provides up to $5,000 in HVAC coverage across all plan tiers
Keep in Mind
- Doesn’t offer an appliance-only plan option
- Offers only six add-on options, the smallest catalog in this review
Our Review
American Home Shield (AHS) stands out as one of the few home warranty providers we’ve reviewed that covers undetectable preexisting conditions or issues that existed before your coverage began. This makes the company a good option for Virginia homeowners with older systems and appliances. AHS offers up to $5,000 in HVAC coverage, surpassing providers such as Elite Home Warranty and Choice Home Warranty. AHS doesn’t outline coverage limits for electrical and heating systems, based on our sample contract review, so you don’t have to stress about maxing out protection for these important items. Its ShieldPlatinum plan also includes free roof-leak coverage, a valuable feature considering Virginia’s rainy summers. Additionally, AHS provides optional add-ons for well and septic pumps, ideal for rural homeowners.
However, AHS doesn’t offer an appliance-only protection plan, so you might pay for more combination coverage that also includes systems if your primary concern is your home’s appliances. The company’s add-on catalog is also limited to six options, compared to other providers offering an average of 8–12 options, which could leave you searching for more specialized coverage to meet your home’s unique needs.
- Monthly Cost: $46–$55
- Service Fee: $100
- Workmanship Guarantee: 90 days on parts, 60 days on labor
Coverage Overview
- Backs repairs with a 90-day guarantee on parts and 60 days on labor
- Include up to $3,000 in coverage for the majority of systems and appliances
- Offers one of the most budget-friendly comprehensive plans in this review
Keep in Mind
- Excludes air conditioning, laundry appliances, and refrigerators from its lowest plan
- Only offers combination plans, not appliance- and system-only options
Our Review
Choice Home Warranty offers affordable, comprehensive coverage for Virginia homeowners, with its top-tier plan costing just $55 per month—lower than other reviewed providers. It provides $3,000 coverage caps for most systems and appliances, offering ample coverage for most repairs. You also receive a 90-day guarantee on parts and 60 days on labor, giving you added peace of mind if something goes wrong after a repair. Workmanship guarantees help ensure quality of work for repairs, giving homeowners confidence in the service. In addition, Choice offers 11 add-ons, which can provide more customization options than AHS or First American Home Warranty, so you can tailor coverage to fit your needs.
However, Choice’s Basic Plan excludes key items such as air conditioning, refrigerators, and laundry appliances. This means you must buy the more expensive Total Plan to receive full home protection. Choice also has an ongoing lawsuit issued by the Arizona Attorney General’s Office over allegations of false coverage promises and claim denials. We recommend carefully reviewing your service contract during the signup process and addressing any questions directly with company representatives to ensure you fully understand what your plan covers.
- Monthly Cost: $44–$59
- Service Fee: $70
- Workmanship Guarantee: 90 days
Coverage Overview
- Includes a 90-day workmanship guarantee, three times longer than the industry average
- Offers both standard and fully customizable coverage options
- Provides over 30 add-on options, including annual HVAC maintenance
Keep in Mind
- Charges a higher $150 service call fee for certain repairs, including weekend visits
- Doesn’t cover out-of-network contractors under its workmanship guarantee
Our Review
Elite Home Warranty offers coverage flexibility for Virginia homeowners, allowing you to build a custom plan that covers the home appliances and systems that matter most to you. Depending on your needs, you can choose from appliance-only, system-only, or combination plans. This gives you control over your coverage and ensures you’re not paying for protection you don’t need. The company also offers over 30 add-on options, including annual HVAC tuneups and increased coverage limits for major home systems and appliances. It also provides a 90-day workmanship guarantee on all repairs, offering more protection than companies such as AHS or First American Home Warranty.
However, the workmanship guarantee only applies if you use Elite’s network of technicians. If you opt for an outside contractor, you’ll still owe a service fee for any follow-up repairs, even within the 90 day timeframe. Additionally, service calls typically cost $70, but after-hours or weekend visits increase to $150. This higher service call fee also applies to high-end appliances and many add-on items, which can add up quickly, making it less cost-effective if you need repairs outside regular hours or for specialized items.
- Monthly Cost: $42–$82
- Service Fee: $100–$125
- Workmanship Guarantee: 30 days
Coverage Overview
- Includes unlimited coverage for most major systems, including your HVAC
- Offers up to $7,000 in appliance coverage with its highest-tier plan
- Provides additional protection for items damaged due to improper maintenance and installation
Keep in Mind
- Does not offer appliance-only or system-only plans
- Excludes air conditioning, water heaters, and laundry appliances from its basic plan
Our Review
First American Home Warranty could benefit Virginia homeowners looking for high-end appliance coverage. Its comprehensive plans offer unlimited coverage for most essential home systems and up to $7,000 for appliances, which is about $2,000 more than many other providers. While First American doesn’t cover preexisting conditions like AHS, Virginia homeowners can benefit from the First American Advantage, which is automatically included with the Essential and Premium plans and cover items damaged by poor upkeep or faulty installation.
However, First American only offers combined systems and appliance plans. If you’re only looking for appliance coverage or system coverage, you may end up paying for more than you need with a combination plan. Additionally, its Starter Plan excludes coverage for air conditioners (AC), water heaters, clothes washers, and dryers—appliances that other providers such as Liberty Home Guard and Elite Home Warranty include in their basic plans. To add AC coverage, you’ll need to select an add-on, and for water heaters and laundry appliances, you’ll need to upgrade to a higher-tier plan, all of which will increase your plan cost.
- Monthly Cost: $49–$89
- Service Fee: $75–$125
- Workmanship Guarantee: Unlimited
Coverage Overview
- Includes a plan-length workmanship guarantee, the longest in this review
- Lets you choose your own contractor for repairs, unlike most other companies
- Doesn’t have coverage caps for HVAC and water heaters
Keep in Mind
- Includes a depreciation policy for covered items five years and older
- Offers lower coverage limits for some key items compared to other reviewed providers
Our Review
If you’re a Virginia homeowner who prefers choosing your own technician, America’s First Choice (AFC) Home Warranty is a good option. Unlike most providers, the company allows you to select your own technician, giving you more control over who handles your repairs. The company also offers a plan-length workmanship guarantee, addressing issues with repairs without extra costs. AFC Home Warranty also stands out by not having coverage caps for HVAC and water heaters, which is ideal considering Virginia’s fluctuating temperatures.
While some systems have unlimited coverage limits, the company restricts other items to lower caps. For example, AFC Home Warranty offers a $500 cap for plumbing, which is lower than other providers we’ve reviewed. Additionally, AFC Home Warranty implements a depreciation policy on items five years or older, meaning you’ll receive a lower payout for claims. For this reason, it may not provide the best choice for Virginia homeowners with older systems or appliances.
Our Experience Filing Claims
In addition to reviewing each home warranty provider, our team tested the claims process for two featured companies in Virginia: First American Home Warranty and American Home Shield. Two team members filed claims with these providers to gain insight into the customer experience.
Testing First American Home Warranty
Our First American tester submitted a claim for a broken garage door opener using the company’s online portal, which took about two minutes. He quickly received a text confirmation and a call from a technician within an hour. Since it was a non-emergency repair, the appointment was scheduled for the following Monday. The technician completed the repair in under 30 minutes and took the time to explain what caused the issue and how it was fixed. The tester only paid the service call fee for the repair.
Testing American Home Shield
When our AHS tester discovered a leak in his bathroom, he contacted the company for repairs. After submitting the claim online, he received email and text confirmations almost immediately. Just five minutes later, a technician reached out to schedule a next-day appointment. The technician arrived ahead of schedule and completed the repairs in two hours. Like with First American Home Warranty, our team’s tester only had to pay the service call fee for the repair services.
Home Warranty Costs in Virginia
The typical home warranty cost in Virginia is $58, or $700 annually, slightly above the national average of $56 per month, or $677 annually. Several factors influence the final price, including service call fees, the type of plan you choose, and any additional coverage you purchase. For instance, if you only need basic coverage for either systems or appliances, you’ll likely fall at the lower end of the cost range. However, if you opt for a comprehensive plan that covers both systems and appliances, you can expect to pay more.
| Provider | Monthly Cost in Virginia* |
|---|---|
| American Home Shield | $29–$89 |
| Choice Home Warranty | $46–$55 |
| Elite Home Warranty | $44–$59 |
| First American Home Warranty | $42–$82 |
| AFC Home Warranty | $49–$89 |
*Pricing may vary depending on your home’s location, size, and type and your plan choices.
Advice From Homeowners
A Virginia home warranty can act as a safety net, but it’s not always the best fit for everyone—especially if you have a home with older systems and appliances. In some cases, upgrading your equipment might save you more in the long run than relying on a home warranty that may not fully cover repairs or eventual replacements.
Take Scott P. from Midlothian, Virginia, for example. He used his home warranty to fix his 30-year-old furnace, which kept malfunctioning. After several repairs, Scott decided to pay out-of-pocket for a new unit instead.
“While our home warranty plan did cover the older system, only a few companies had the expertise to handle the repairs,” Scott said. “In the end, upgrading to a newer model was more cost-effective than filing multiple claims for minor fixes on the old furnace.”
For Virginia homeowners, it’s all about finding the right balance between your home and your budget. A home warranty can offer financial protection from expensive repairs, but if your systems and appliances are nearing the end of their lifespan, you may find it more cost-effective to upgrade the units instead. We recommend taking the time to weigh the costs of a home warranty versus the potential benefits of upgrading or replacing your equipment.
FAQs About Home Warranties in Virginia
Can I buy a home warranty for an older home in Virginia?
Yes, you can purchase a home warranty for an older home in Virginia. However, some providers exclude preexisting conditions from coverage, so we recommend reviewing the terms of the warranty plan carefully.
Is a home warranty mandatory in Virginia?
No, home warranties are not required in Virginia. Buying a plan is optional, but having a home warranty can provide financial protection if your systems and appliances break down from normal wear and tear.
What is typically excluded from home warranty coverage in Virginia?
Common exclusions in Virginia home warranty coverage include preexisting conditions, damage from improper maintenance, weather-related damage, and cosmetic features that don’t affect an item’s performance or functionality. Review the plan’s fine print for specific exclusions to avoid denied claims.
Can I transfer my home warranty to a new owner when I sell my house in Virginia?
Yes, many home warranty providers allow the transfer of coverage to a new homeowner. Check with your provider about the transfer process and any associated fees.
How We Evaluated Home Warranty Providers
We began our research by consulting with home warranty experts, reviewing online customer reviews, and evaluating home warranty plans. Our team also contacted customer support teams and purchased home warranty plans for 11 leading providers. We also conducted surveys with home warranty customers to learn more about their shopping process, claims experiences, and home needs.
Based on this research, we created a detailed rating methodology and scored each company in six categories: coverage (35%), cost (20%), trustworthiness (15%), plan transparency (10%), customer support (10%), and flexibility (10%), ultimately arriving at a final score on a 5-point rating scale.
When reviewing Virginia home warranties, we also considered the following factors:
- Coverage of essential items: In our evaluation, we prioritized coverage for items vital to Virginia homeowners. With around 95% of Virginia households relying on air conditioning, HVAC coverage was a key factor. We also emphasized protections for preexisting conditions, given the average home age of 38 years in Virginia, as well as well and septic coverage for rural residents.
- Compliance with state regulations: Our analysis factored in state regulations, which require home warranty companies to be registered and licensed by the Virginia Bureau of Insurance. We only selected companies fully compliant with these standards to ensure reliable service and strong consumer protection.
- First-hand claims testing: To provide a clearer picture of the claims experience for Virginia homeowners, we filed claims with 11 top home warranty providers. We tracked every step, from the claim submission process to technician scheduling and repair completion, to give readers a firsthand account of how these companies operate.
To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our team at reviews@thisoldhousereviews.com.
