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Best Home Warranty Companies in Wisconsin (2024)

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

It’s natural for your home systems and appliances to fail as they age. When this happens, a home warranty covers the cost to repair or replace them.

We reviewed the best home warranty companies in the U.S. and narrowed down our list to the top options in Wisconsin. Our team compared plan options, costs, coverage limits, and additional perks to make our choices. In this review, we compare the best home warranty companies in the Badger State to help you choose the right one for your home.

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.

Wisconsin’s Top 4 Home Warranty Companies

We compared each provider’s plan offerings, additional coverage options, and sample contracts before selecting our top picks. The highest-rated Wisconsin home warranty companies include the following:


Comparing the Best Home Warranty Companies in Wisconsin

Liberty Home Guard
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American Home Shield
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AFC Home Warranty
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Cinch Home Services
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Overall Score

4.4 / 5 4.8 / 5 4.6 / 5 4.3 / 5

BBB Rating

NR B B B+

Monthly Cost

$49–$59 $49–$109 $34–$92 $30–$56

Service Fees

$65–$125 $100–$125 $75–$125 $100–$150

Customer Support Options

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

Response Time

Up to 48 hours Up to 48 hours 24-48 hours 2–24 hours

Pros

  • Extensive add-on catalog
  • 60-day workmanship guarantee
  • Accessible customer support
  • High coverage caps
  • Preexisting coverage included
  • Bonus discounts on maintenance services
  • Excellent plan flexibility
  • Technician flexibility
  • Unlimited HVAC coverage
  • Coverage for unique components (doors, drawers, knobs)
  • 180-day workmanship guarantee
  • Coverage for items with unknown preexisting conditions

Cons

  • Reviews mention low claim payouts
  • Low coverage caps for electrical and plumbing
  • Higher costs for comprehensive coverage
  • Smallest add-on catalog
  • Depreciation policy for older items
  • Immediate claim submission required
  • Limited additional coverage options
  • High service call fees compared to other providers

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

We recommend Cinch Home Warranty for homeowners who want coverage for items most providers don’t cover, such as built-in food centers and free-standing ice makers.

Promotions

$200 Off + 2 Months Free + Roof Leak Protection Black Friday Savings: 50% OFF Select Plans Fall Sale: $250 Off + Free Roof Leak Coverage First 2 months free on all plans

Rating Categories

Liberty Home Guard American Home Shield AFC Home Warranty Cinch Home Services

Coverage

2.9 / 5
4.8 / 5
3.9 / 5
3.1 / 5

Value

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

Trustworthiness

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

Plan Transparency

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

Customer Support

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

Flexibility

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

Note: We based the pricing information in this table and throughout the article on sample quotes we obtained for a 2,188-square-foot, single-family home in Madison, Wisconsin. Your pricing may vary depending on your home’s location, size, type, and plan selections.

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.

Reviews of the Best Home Warranty Companies in Wisconsin

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.

American Home Shield has been in business since 1971 and is a veteran in the home warranty industry. It’s a Better Business Bureau (BBB)-accredited company with a solid B rating. AHS provides comprehensive system and appliance coverage limits. Our team read through its sample contract and found it also covers unique damage to your home items.

Why We Chose American Home Shield

We consider AHS to be the best provider for comprehensive coverage due to its three coverage plans, multiple service call fees, and solid industry reputation. It covers several things other companies don’t, such as rust damage and improper installations.

We thoroughly read American Home Shield’s sample contract and found it applies a $2,000 limit per covered appliance in its ShieldGold plan. It doubles its coverage cap to $4,000 per covered item in the ShieldPlatinum plan.

AHS coverage plans provide extensive coverage; even its basic plan, ShieldSilver, covers your HVAC system. Its multiple service call fees allow you to customize your monthly premium to fit your budget.

Pros and Cons

Pros Covers damage from rust and corrosion and undetectable preexisting conditions Offers flexible service fees Provides roof leak coverage Cons Charges higher monthly premiums compared to other providers Doesn’t offer as many add-on options as other companies

Plans and Pricing

American Home Shield offers three home warranty plans: ShieldPlatinum™, ShieldGold™, and ShieldSilver™. The ShieldPlatinum plan is the most comprehensive coverage plan, covering 23 essential home systems and appliances. It includes a $6,000 coverage limit per covered item.

The ShieldGold plan is a level below ShieldPlatinum and covers the same 23 systems and appliances; however, it excludes HVAC tune-ups and has a lower $3,000 appliance coverage limit. The ShieldSilver plan covers 14 home systems, including air conditioning and plumbing.

For an additional fee, you can add coverage for these items: Pool and spa, well pump, septic pump, and guest unit under 750 square feet. You can also purchase an extended warranty for your electronic devices.

AHS lets customers select their own service fee of $100 or $125. The higher the service fee, the lower the monthly premium and vice versa.

Here are details on each of American Home Shield’s plans:

  • ShieldSilver ($29.99–$39.99 per month): Covers home systems, such as heating, cooling, and electrical
  • ShieldGold ($49.99–$59.99 per month): Covers major systems and appliances, such as air conditioning, roof leaks, and plumbing
  • ShieldPlatinum ($79.99–$89.99 per month): Covers systems and appliances and adds additional benefits, such as $1,500 for roof-leak repairs
  • Optional add-ons: Electronics, pools/spas, guest units, septic pumps, and well pumps. Based on the quote we pulled, we found that AHS offers competitively priced add-ons. For example, septic pump coverage costs an extra $5 per month.

Plan

Monthly Cost

Service Fee

Coverage Cap

ShieldSilver

$69.99–$79.99

$100–$125

$5000

ShieldGold

$89.99–$99.99

$100–$125

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

ShieldPlatinum

$119.99–$129.99

$100–$125

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

What To Expect

Our team received quotes from American Home Shield over the phone and online. The AHS online tool requires your home address, ZIP code, and email address. We were able to switch between the different plan and service fee options, with pricing updating instantly. 

AHS does not let you use your own contractor for service repairs. You must select a service technician from its in-network options. One of our team members has an AHS plan and filed a claim for a leaking bathroom pipe. When he called in, an AHS representative located a local plumber in an hour and scheduled a next-day service appointment. All repairs were completed successfully, and he was only charged the service call fee. 

After reading AHS customer reviews, he discovered homeowners liked the company’s prompt claims processes. The customer service department received mixed reviews, with some homeowners disappointed that their claims reimbursement was lower than anticipated.

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.

America’s First Choice Home Warranty (AFC Home Warranty) has been around for 10 years and is a trusted company in the home warranty industry. It offers various customizable plans, solid home protection, and unique customer benefits such as free credit monitoring and emergency alert services.

Why We Chose AFC Home Warranty

Along with its flexible service call fee model, the variety of plans offered by AFC Home Warranty is ideal for homeowners who want a personalized home warranty package and pricing. AFC Home Warranty also offers a lengthy workmanship guarantee and additional membership perks. Other providers don’t include membership perks within their plans.

Pros and Cons

Pros Allows you to use any licensed contractor for repairs Extends an unlimited workmanship guarantee that lasts the life of the plan Offers unique benefits such as free credit monitoring, discounts on appliances, and emergency services Cons Charges a $75 cancellation fee Excludes coverage for unknown preexisting conditions

Plans and Pricing

America’s First Choice Home Warranty offers four plans at varying levels of coverage: a Systems Plan, a Silver Plan, a Gold Plan, and a Platinum Plan. The Systems Plan covers essential home systems such as air conditioning and electrical systems. The Silver Plan covers major home appliances, the Gold Plan covers a combination of the two, and the Platinum Plan covers everything in the Gold Plan, plus built-in microwaves, plumbing stoppages, and ice makers.

You can add optional coverage for the following items: Sump pumps, septic systems, hot water dispensers, pools/spas, standalone freezers, and tankless water heaters.

Service fees range between $75 and $125. Typically, a lower service fee means a higher monthly premium, while a higher service fee will result in a lower monthly cost.

Here are details on each plan offered by AFC Home Warranty:

  • Silver Plan ($38.00–$42.83 per month): Covers appliances, such as clothes washer, clothes dryer, garbage disposal, and dishwasher
  • Systems Plan ($45.25–$50.08 per month): Covers systems, such as air conditioning, heating, water heaters, and plumbing
  • Gold Plan ($52.50–$57.33 per month): Covers both appliances and systems, such as electrical, ductwork, oven, range, plumbing stoppages, and garage door openers
  • Platinum Plan ($57.33–$62.17 per month): Covers all items and systems included with the Gold Plan, plus a built-in microwave and ice maker
  • Optional add-ons: Double oven, electronic coverage, hot water dispenser, sump pump, septic system, central vacuum, pool, spa, stand-alone freezer, and roof-leak repair. Based on the quote we pulled, in-ground pool coverage costs $9 per month.

Plan

Monthly Cost

Service Fee

Coverage Cap

Silver Plan

$36.00–$42.83

$75–$125

$3,000

Systems Plan

$45.25–$50.08

$75–$125

Appliances: $3,000

Systems: Unlimited

Gold Plan

$52.50–$57.33

$75–$125

Coverage caps remain the same

Platinum Plan


$57.33–$62.17

$75–$125

Coverage caps remain the same

What To Expect

AFC Home Warranty provides an easy-to-use quote tool. Where it differs from most providers, however, is its cost page. Unlike other providers, AFC Home Warranty requires clicking on each plan to select your desired service call fee. If you wish to compare the prices of the other plans, you must click on the “Back To Plans” button. Although obtaining a quote is straightforward, comparing plan prices isn’t as efficient as other providers.

We consider AFC Home Warranty’s unlimited workmanship guarantee its best feature. (Note that limitations still apply, and the workmanship warranty applies as long as coverage is in effect.) The peace of mind its workmanship guarantee provides makes it a solid choice for those who own older appliances or systems. Additionally, AFC Home Warranty is one of the few providers that allows you to choose your contractor. However, its mixed coverage limits for home systems lower its value from a coverage standpoint.

Our team read dozens of customer reviews to understand how AFC Home Warranty handles customer service. We found mixed reviews. Several customers appreciated AFC Home Warranty’s speedy claims processing. Others disliked the depreciation valuation AFC places on covered items.

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.

Liberty Home Guard (LHG) approaches home warranty coverage plans with a customer-focused view. It provides a convenient chat feature, a large suite of additional coverage options, and solid coverage limits. We used LHG’s live chat feature to analyze how it works. A representative connected with us within two minutes and promptly answered our questions.

Why We Chose Liberty Home Guard

It has the best customer ratings of any home warranty provider on this list, holding an A rating* with the BBB and 4.7 out of 5 stars on Google Reviews. We recommend LHG for homeowners with specific coverage needs, as it offers an extensive list of add-ons ranging from pool coverage to water softeners.

Our team spoke with multiple customer representatives to learn how LHG handles customer inquiries. Based on our experiences, it holds up to its stellar ratings, with each representative picking up the phone in under one minute and answering all of our questions thoroughly.

Pros and Cons

Pros Provides a 24/7 live-chat feature on its website for quick customer service Extends a 60-day workmanship guarantee (twice the industry standard of 30 days) Offers up to 38 unique add-ons Cons Lacks transparency with its service call fee pricing when pulling a quote Limits electrical and plumbing systems caps to $500 per claim

Plans and Pricing

Liberty Home Guard offers three home warranty coverage plans: Appliance Guard, Systems Guard, and Total Home Guard. The Appliance Guard plan covers 13 home appliances, including built-in microwaves, cooktops, dishwashers, and refrigerators. The Systems Guard plan covers six home systems, including air conditioning, ductwork and water heaters. The Total Home Guard plan covers all items listed in the Appliance and Systems Guard plans. LHG pairs all covered items except electrical and plumbing systems with a $2,000 coverage cap. This is lower than some providers, making it a good match for standard homes and appliances.

Here are some of Liberty Home Guard’s add-ons you can purchase for an additional fee: Carpet cleaning, casita guest unit coverage, pool and spa, septic system pumping, and sump pump.

Liberty Home Guard assigns a $65–$125 service call fee based on your home’s size, type, and location and your plan and add-on choices.

Here are details on LHG’s plans and optional add-on coverage:

  • Appliance Guard ($49.99 per month): Covers appliances, such as dishwashers, clothes washers and dryers, and refrigerators.
  • Systems Guard ($54.99 per month): Covers built-in systems, such as air conditioning, heating, ductwork, and water heater
  • Total Home Guard ($59.99 per month): Covers all the items in the Appliance Guard and Systems Guard plans
  • Optional add-ons: Up to 38 options, including pest control, re-key service, gutter cleaning, floor cleaning, and generator coverage. When we pulled our quote, a representative informed us that pest control coverage costs an extra $15 monthly.

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

What To Expect

Homeowners can pull quotes for Liberty Home Guard through its customer support line or with its online tool. The LHG tool requires your name, phone number, and email address to begin the process. Next, you’ll enter your home address, home type, and whether it’s smaller than 5,000 square feet. You can then switch between monthly and annual premiums to find the best fit for your budget. 

LHG will send one of its in-network service technicians to repair your appliances. If there are no technicians in your area, the company will let you select your own. 

After reading online reviews, we learned that homeowners appreciated the company’s professionalism and quick claims process. However, some customers stated their claims payouts were less than expected. Providers apply unique formulas to determine replacement claim payouts based on the depreciated value of the appliance or system being replaced. 

Cinch Home Services

4.3 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.

Cinch Home Services (CHS) is another provider that offers comprehensive appliance and systems coverage. The company includes a generous annual coverage cap. It also covers up to 28 home systems and appliances

Why We Chose Cinch Home Services

Cinch offers several perks, such as its lengthy 180-day workmanship on completed repairs. Based on our research, the industry standard for workmanship guarantees is 30 days. It also offers a unique $500 home insurance deductible reimbursement with the Complete Home Plan. We recommend this provider to homeowners who want to get the most out of their plan with a lengthy reservicing guarantee.

Pros and Cons

Pros Covers items damaged by rust and corrosion Includes a generous $10,000 annual coverage cap for all covered items Provides an air conditioner or water filter credit of $25 with each plan Cons Does not offer roof-leak protection Excludes mobile home coverage Offers a short list of add-ons limited mostly to pools and spas

Plans and Pricing

Cinch Home Services offers three plans: the Appliances Plan, Built-In Systems Plan, and Complete Home Plan. Cinch also offers a flexible service call fee model, and its options for service fees are $100, $125, and $150. Upon reading Cinch’s fine print and looking through Cinch Home Services’ sample contract, we found the company sets its coverage caps at $1,500 for central air conditioning and $1,000 for plumbing systems. When you file a claim, Cinch subtracts these amounts from the policy’s annual coverage limit. Our research shows that the company’s annual coverage limit is $10,000.

Like American Home Shield, Cinch Home Services doesn’t offer an annual premium option. However, it allows you to request a quote online or over the phone.

Here are more details about Cinch Home Services’ plans:

  • Appliances Plan ($38.99–$48.99 per month): Covers appliances, such as clothes dryer, washer, built-in food center, freestanding ice maker, microwave, and refrigerator
  • Built-In Systems ($43.99–$55.99 per month): Covers built-in systems, such as water heater, air conditioner, built-in trash compactor, smoke detector, and jetted tub
  • Complete Home ($54.99–$66.99 per month): Covers all the items in the earlier plans, plus up to $500 per term for a homeowners insurance deductible reimbursement
  • Optional Add-ons ($4.58 to $22 depending on the item): Pools, spas, pools with spas (heater included), septic tanks, well pumps, and a Premier Upgrade Package (increases limits up to $1,000 to help pay for unforeseen costs during a claim, such as debris removal or code upgrades)

Plan

Monthly Cost

Service Fee

Coverage Cap

Appliances Plan

$65.99–$70.99

$100–$150

$2,000

Built-In Systems

$75.99–$80.99

$100–$150

Varies from $500–$3,000

Complete Home

$85.99–$99.99

$100–$150

Same coverage caps apply

What To Expect

We found Cinch’s quote tool the easiest to use and the quickest to generate a custom quote. You simply have to enter your ZIP code and email, and then Cinch displays each plan’s monthly cost. In addition, Cinch makes it simple to choose your service call fee by displaying its three fee options directly above the plan information. It automatically adjusts each plan’s monthly premium based on your selected service call fee.

Cinch Home Service’s additional perks make it a worthwhile provider. Most home warranty companies don’t offer credits for maintenance items or reimbursement for your homeowners insurance deductible. It provides solid systems and appliance coverage. However, Cinch offers a limited amount of add-ons and excludes roof-leak coverage. Most providers offer some form of roof protection coverage.

Cinch Home Services also holds mixed customer reviews due to its high service call and monthly fees. Some customers disliked the quality of contractors it used for service requests, while others appreciated the knowledgeable and friendly sales team. Regarding service technicians, Cinch requires you to use in-network technicians. When we called to ask if it allows out-of-network contractors, a representative stated it does. However, you must contact Cinch beforehand. 


How Are Home Warranties Regulated in Wisconsin?

Wisconsin’s Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) oversees the regulation of property service contracts. While it doesn’t clearly label home warranties as property service contracts, the DATCP still provides consumer protection via an online complaint form. You can submit a complaint with the DATCP if you believe your home warranty company is neglecting its contractual obligations.

Industry organizations also oversee home warranty regulations. A prominent example is the Service Contract Industry Council (SCIC). This trade association primarily handles regulation development. Another industry association is the National Home Service Contract Association (NHSCA). The NHSCA ensures member companies follow a code of ethics centered on fair business practices.


How Much Does a Home Warranty Cost in Wisconsin?

The average home warranty cost in Wisconsin is $71 monthly, or $588-$1,188 annually, based on our research.

The price of a home warranty depends on several factors. The main ones affecting price are your plan premium and service call fee. Typically, companies charge a higher premium for coverage plans containing more items. Adjustable service call fees also affect coverage plan prices. Based on the hundreds of quotes our team has requested from more than 20 home warranty companies, we’ve found companies pair higher service fees with lower premiums.


Annual 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 between them.

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.


Do Home Warranties Cover Older Appliances?

Most home service contracts don’t deny coverage based on the age of a home or its appliances. Companies such as Liberty Home Guard will cover repairs and replacement costs no matter how old the systems or appliances are.

Each home warranty company offers plans with similar advantages, but some stand out for unique benefits. This comparison chart reviews the similarities and differences between Wisconsin’s three best home warranty companies.


Expert Takes on Home Warranties

Our team sourced various experts to answer common questions about home warranties. Here is what they had to say:

  • Are home warranties trustworthy? Gary Parker, a licensed Realtor, suggests the following: “Check if the company is licensed and belongs to professional organizations or associations that uphold ethical standards.” Companies that are part of organizations that enforce fair business practices are considered more trustworthy.
  • How do I select the right Wisconsin home warranty company? Patrick Grayson, a real-estate expert associated with Paramount Property Buyers, emphasizes the importance of verifying a provider offers multiple plans. “When shopping for a home warranty, consider the coverage that each company offers and make sure it fits your needs.” He continues, “Some companies may offer more coverage than others, so make sure to compare all your options.”
  • What should I ask before purchasing a Wisconsin home warranty? Daniel Cabrera, founder of Sell Your House Fast, recommends asking the following: “What are the limits and exclusions when buying a home warranty?” He adds, “Homeowners should understand what specific items, parts, or situations the company excludes from the warranty.”

Other Resources for Residents in Wisconsin


Frequently Asked Questions

Which home warranty is the best?

The home warranty that’s best for you covers the systems and appliances most important to you. Some home warranty providers leave out key appliances or systems in their basic plans, including air conditioning or plumbing stoppages, so pay attention to each plan’s coverage before signing a contract.

Which home warranty covers the most items?

If you’re looking for maximum coverage based on the companies reviewed, American Home Shield’s ShieldPlatinum plan offers the most comprehensive coverage for appliances and systems.


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.