Imagine your AC breaking down in the sweltering Texas heat. You’re sweating it out, frantically trying to find a reliable technician who won’t overcharge you. A home warranty can be a lifesaver in times like these, quickly connecting you to a trusted repair person and saving you money in the long run—in this case, as much as $2,000 on cooling repairs alone.
Our team researched and vetted 57 top home warranty companies to determine the best options in Texas. We spoke to 15 industry experts, surveyed 2,000 home warranty plan holders, analyzed more than 5,700 customer reviews, and tested 11 brands firsthand. We narrowed our list of vetted providers down to the 13 best and scored each of them on six criteria: coverage, value, trustworthiness, transparency, customer support, and flexibility. We identified five home warranty providers as the top players in Texas. All selected brands meet the strict criteria set by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR), which oversees home warranty companies in the state.
Compare Our Top 5 Texas Home Warranty Companies
The table below compares the 13 home warranty providers we’ve vetted and reviewed across crucial criteria like pricing and response times. We listed the providers in order of how they scored in our objective review standards.
We chose the five best companies in this review based on their comprehensive coverage of essential home systems and appliances for Texas homeowners, regardless of their performance in our overall review standards. What truly sets the “great” providers apart from the “good” ones is their combination of value, demonstrated trustworthiness, and excellent customer support.
Video of Home Warranties Explained
Watch the video below to get a general overview of home warranties, including how they work and the coverage and benefits offered to homeowners.
Why Trust Our Home Warranty Company Reviews
Choosing the right home warranty plan requires extensive research and contract analysis, which can be overwhelming. We aim to help you make a more informed decision by tackling all the heavy lifting for you.
Our research of 57 home warranty companies involved reading sample contracts and verifying key coverage details and coverage caps. We also read thousands of customer reviews to gauge each company’s business practices. Finally, we gained insight into the customer experience by surveying 2,000 home warranty plan holders, conducting secret shopping, and testing the services of 11 providers.
How We Selected the Top Home Warranty Companies in Texas
Using these valuable consumer insights and company research, we scored 13 companies against our review standards based on six factors homeowners consider when shopping for a home warranty: coverage, value, trustworthiness, plan transparency, customer support, and flexibility. While some companies rated higher in our overall review standards, we chose the five home warranty providers we think are best for Texas homeowners’ unique needs.
See how our top five recommended home warranty companies in Texas compare on average monthly cost versus their overall score in the chart below.
Coverage
Choosing the right Texas home warranty coverage is crucial in determining how much you could save or pay out-of-pocket for repairs. Our 2024 survey of 1,000 current home warranty plan holders found that coverage was their top priority when researching home warranty companies. Coverage is especially important for Texas homeowners, where freezing winters and hot summers can significantly wear down your HVAC system.
Each company received a score based on the coverage caps offered for six key items: electrical, plumbing, HVAC, refrigerators, ovens, clothes washers, and dryers. Coverage caps were scored based on how they aligned with industry standards: $2,000 for systems and appliances and $500 for add-ons. Companies received lower scores if they imposed aggregate coverage limits on claim payouts or included a waiting period longer than the standard 30 days.
Coverage caps were scored based on how they aligned with industry standards: $2,000 for systems and appliances and $500 for add-ons. Companies received lower scores if they imposed aggregate coverage limits on claim payouts or included a waiting period longer than the standard 30 days, which could be problematic for Texas residents who need prompt repairs. Also, providers offering roof leak coverage options scored higher since severe storms and roof damage are prevalent in Texas due to the state’s location in “Hail Alley” and its exposure to hurricanes along the Gulf Coast.
We awarded providers additional points if they offered unique protections or benefits not commonly offered by other companies. Examples include coverage for preexisting conditions, bonus services like discounted HVAC maintenance, and coverage upgrades to increase limits and protections.
Based on our evaluation, American Home Shield and First American Home Warranty stand out for their comprehensive coverage options and generous benefits. For example, American Home Shield offers $5,000 in HVAC coverage and discounted HVAC maintenance, while First American provides an unlimited system cap with no aggregate limit. Both companies also cover preexisting conditions, an excellent benefit for Texas homes with older systems and appliances.
Here’s how each provider scored for coverage:
Value
When determining if a home warranty is worth the money, we look at factors that impact your monthly budget and how well the plan protects you. Choosing an expensive, comprehensive plan might be tempting, but for Texas homeowners, that could mean overspending on coverage you don’t necessarily need—for example, maybe you only need to cover your home systems because your appliances are new. Since a functioning HVAC system is essential for Texas homes, we focused on home warranty companies that offered top-notch HVAC coverage at an affordable price.
Our evaluation included comparing average monthly home warranty costs and service call fees, which you pay for each service technician visit. Many home warranty providers offer monthly and annual plan options, including special discounts for longer plan commitments. Having both plan options allows Texas homeowners to choose a payment option that’s better suited to their budgets. Providers with both annual and monthly options earned higher points.
We deducted points for some additional fees that can raise plan costs, including surcharges for choosing a monthly payment option and higher service call fees for certain types of repairs and repair timeframes. For example, we docked points from Elite Home Warranty since it charges $150 for weekend or after-hour calls. AFC Home Warranty, Liberty Home Guard, and Select Home Warranty lost points for including depreciation policies, which lower claim payouts based on an item’s age or condition.
Many companies scored mid-range in this category due to their higher service call fees and monthly costs. Select stood out as the best budget-friendly option with the lowest service call fees and monthly costs but substantial HVAC coverage. This makes it the best option for Texas homeowners focused on HVAC-only coverage.
Here’s a breakdown of each company’s value scores:
Trustworthiness
With the unfortunate stigma that some home warranty companies are just out to scam people, providers really need to go the extra mile to prove they’re legitimate and will deliver on what they promise. Homeowners want to feel confident that if they sign up and pay for a home warranty, the company will actually come through with quality services when needed.
We read hundreds of customer reviews on third-party review sites, such as the Better Business Bureau, Best Company, and Trustpilot. We averaged the 5-star ratings on these three sites to determine their scores. Companies with 3.8-star ratings or higher scored better than poorly rated companies. We looked for any recurring positive and negative themes in customer reviews and any issues that could impact your experience. Points were deducted for any ongoing lawsuits or legal issues that directly impacted the brand’s reputation.
We also considered the length of workmanship guarantees, as they indicate a provider’s commitment to quality work. Guarantees that exceeded the 30-day industry standard received higher points. Providers earned points if they were members of national trade organizations such as the National Home Service Contract Association (NHSCA), a nonprofit that represents properly licensed and reputable service contract providers. Although these memberships are optional, they reflect a commitment to higher service quality and accountability.
Liberty Home Guard, AFC Home Warranty, and First American Home Warranty scored highest in this category. Liberty Home Guard maintains 4-star and higher review scores across all three review sites and offers a 60-day workmanship guarantee. AFC Home Warranty scored well due to its plan-length workmanship guarantee and NHSCA membership. However, its review scores were the lowest compared to the other two top providers. First American tied in this category since it’s also an NHSCA member and has higher review scores than LHG. However, the company only offers a standard 30-day guarantee with its plans.
See how each of our top Texas providers rated for trustworthiness:
Plan Transparency
When you’re comparing home warranty plans, you need to know exactly what you’re paying for to get the most from your investment. However, sample contracts can be a pain to read, and some companies just don’t offer enough details on their websites. If you don’t understand your coverage, this could result in unexpectedly denied claims and more out-of-pocket expenses. We evaluated each Texas provider for its transparent contract terms and policy disclosures.
Our team thoroughly reviewed each company’s website and awarded high scores to those companies that offered clear coverage, exclusion, and service call fee disclosures. This also includes disclosures in the online quote tool. We also read sample contracts to find key policy details, including service technical options and cancellation details. Companies that offered vague terms or disclosed few details on their websites and sample contracts scored lower.
American Home Shield earned a perfect score for its transparent disclosure of plan policies on its website and in the service contract. The company’s website provides easily accessible, detailed information on coverage caps, exclusions, and service call fees. This level of transparency allows you to make informed decisions and select the plan that best fits your needs and budget. No other company offered these detailed plan disclosures online.
The same holds true for AHS’ sample contracts, which are organized by state and offer transparent, state-specific information that Texas homeowners need to know. Its sample contract provides a comprehensive overview of all plan specifics on the first page, as well as frequently asked questions and a glossary for key plan terms. This level of detail and consideration was absent from the other sample contracts we reviewed.
Here’s how each provider scored on plan transparency:
Customer Support
One of the biggest benefits of having a home warranty is convenience. During an emergency situation, you can contact your home warranty provider, file a claim, and connect with pre-vetted service technicians for a low-cost service fee. You also want access to a reliable customer support team for assistance with your plan. Home warranty companies should provide accessible customer support methods and dedicated emergency claims lines.
Our team thoroughly evaluated each Texas provider to assess its claim filing process and customer support methods offered. Providers earned points for offering multiple claim filing solutions, including a 24/7 claims line or dedicated mobile app. Claims process time was also considered, as the standard is 24 to 48 hours. For instance, if you submit a claim on a Monday, you may not receive confirmation of the claim process or technician details until Wednesday. Companies that offer quicker processing received high points, while 48-hour or longer timelines received lower scores.
We also awarded points for each company’s customer support methods. Standard options typically include phone support. Additional points were given for other options, including email, online chat, and apps.
Liberty Home Guard and American Home Shield received high scores for this category. Both companies offer a 24/7 claims line and a standard 24-48 hours processing timeframe. They also provide a dedicated app, a rare feature for home warranty companies. Both apps let you review your plan details, process online payments, and submit claims. For customer service, Liberty stands out for offering more than phone and email support. It offers an online chat feature, which connects you to customer support in just a few seconds.
Below are the customer support scores for each provider:
Flexibility
Flexibility is one of the key elements that helps you maximize your home warranty benefits. We evaluated providers on flexibility based on their plan options, service call fees, add-ons, and even technician selection. Plan variety helps you tailor coverage to your specific home needs, reducing the chance of overpaying for unnecessary coverage. With service call fee variety, you have more control over your budget and can opt to pay a higher fee for a lower plan cost.
Having more add-on options allows you to extend coverage to items often excluded from main coverage, such as pools, septic tanks, or even secondary appliances. Having better flexibility in these plan options can improve your cost savings and overall satisfaction with your coverage.
Our ratings included points for home warranty companies offering two or more plan options. Most companies offer at least two plans. Companies that offered at least two service call fees scored higher than providers that offered no flexible options. Our team also considered service technician options in our scoring. Although most home warranty companies maintain a network of pre-approved technicians, a few providers let you choose your own technicians. We awarded extra points for this rare feature.
Regarding flexibility, AFC Home Warranty ranked the highest for Texas providers. The company offers four plan options, the highest plan variety in this review. Its plans include appliance-only and comprehensive coverage with enough variety to match most customers’ needs. AFC Home Warranty also offers three service call fees and the option to choose your own technicians.
Here’s how each recommended company scored for flexibility:
Our Top Texas Home Warranty Company Picks
During our home warranty research, we encountered several untrustworthy providers. There’s a common misconception that all home warranty companies are scams that take your money and deny every repair claim. While the worst home warranty providers deliver poor experiences, many reliable, trustworthy companies have years of industry experience in Texas and provide dependable service tailored to the unique needs of Texas homeowners.
While a home warranty plan can help with repair and replacement costs, it may not cover all expenses. Depending on the coverage limit, you might receive a payout that doesn’t cover the full costs, which is typical. For instance, if your home warranty plan includes a $2,000 cap for plumbing but your repair bills total $2,500, you would be responsible for the remaining $500. It’s still a significant amount, but it’s a better option than paying the full $2,500 on your own.
In addition, home warranties offer a convenient solution when dealing with unexpected breakdowns, which can be common in Texas due to the state’s extreme weather conditions With a home warranty, you can simply call to schedule repairs with contractors who have already been vetted and approved by the provider, which saves you the time it would take to research contractors yourself. This is especially helpful in large metropolitan areas like Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, and Austin, where there are countless options to sift through.
After reviewing 57 companies, surveying 2,000 homeowners, and testing 11 nationwide providers firsthand, we chose the following companies as the best options for Texas homeowners.
