Top 5 Best Home Warranties For Seniors (2023 Review)
Written By: Ross Robinson
Edited by: Andrew Dunn
Are you over the age of 65 and looking for home warranty coverage? Or are you looking to help protect your loved ones from unexpected home expenses?
If so, you’re in the right spot. In this guide, you’ll learn:
- Are there home warranties made for senior citizens?
- Do home warranties cover pre-existing conditions?
- How soon can your systems and major appliances be insured after warranty purchase?
- What should you look for when picking coverage for your home as a senior?
- What makes a home warranty for a senior unique?
- And much more!
We’ve have reviewed and rated 68 different home warranty companies, and below are the top picks that we think are of the most benefit to seniors. Continue reading!
Our Top Home Warranty for Seniors Picks
- All plans have comprehensive coverage. Most other home warranty plans cover either just systems or just appliances.
- Choice’s coverage caps are $3,000 per item, per year for most major systems and appliances beating the industry average.
- Choice Home Warranty doesn't exclude older homes, so you can still get coverage regardless of the age of your property.
- $200 off + 1 Month Free + Free Roof Coverage!
- BBB's Only A+ Accredited Home Warranty Company!
- 60-day workmanship guarantee compared to the average of 30 days.
- More than 20 options, including window washing, swimming pools, and irrigation.
- 24/7 service calls
- With over 52 years of experience and 1.7 million customers AHS has a long history in the industry.
- American Home Shield, lest you choose a service fee that works for your budget.
- Coverage caps for systems are unlimited across all three plans and are either $3000 or $6000 for appliances.
- $150 off + 2 months free
- FREE Roof Leak Coverage
- Good selection of plans
- Must file claims within 3 days
- $75 cancellation fee
- First 2 Months Free on all Plans! (exclusions apply)
- Industry-leading 180-day workmanship guarantee
- $500 Homeowner insurance deductible reimbursement
- Thousands of reliable & fast local service providers
- 24/7 customer service
- Low cancellation fee
Top 3 Home Warranty Companies for Seniors
We’ve done the research for you on the best home warranty companies across the country so you don’t have to. Here are our top three picks, and why.
| Provider | Best For | Monthly Cost | Service Fee | BBB Rating |
| Choice Home Warranty | Best Overall | $45 – $53 | $85 | D+ |
| Liberty Home Guard | Best Customer Service | $45 – $54 | $75 | A- |
| American Home Shield | Most Customizable | $25 – $75 | $75 – $125 | B |
Choice Home Warranty (Best Home Warranty for Seniors)
Choice Home Warranty is the best home warranty for seniors. Things can get overwhelming to deal with when it comes to fixing and replacing appliances or systems in your senior years. One of the best things for seniors is to invest in a home warranty plan like Choice Home Warranty that offers basic policies and simple solutions. The Choice Home Warranty plan options are some of the simplest on the market. Unlike Select Home Warranty or American Home Shield, Choice Home Warranty has just two simple plans to choose from. The Basic Plan and the Total Plan are both combo plans that cover a range of appliances and systems.
If you are a senior, chances are you have been in your home for quite some time. With Choice Home Warranty, you won’t have to worry about a policy denial simply because your appliances or systems are old. Choice is also one of the most affordable home warranty plans on the market. When there may not be as much income in the senior years, it is vital to have a moderately priced policy.
Many seniors are concerned with the replacement of an appliance or system. Replacement tends to cost quite a bit more than a repair. When shopping for a policy with great replacement features, the policy limits are typically quite a bit higher. The policy limit on the Choice plan is $3000 for most of the appliances and systems. Most of the appliances covered in the plan will leave seniors with lots of room for replacement costs. With the Select Home Warranty policy, most of the limits are $500. With a $500 policy limit, a replacement may be close to impossible.
Choice Home Warranty wants seniors to save even more money by using their plan. When a senior signs up, they will get $50 off and one month free. In addition, the policy can be canceled for free within the first 30 days.
Pros: Cons:
American Home Shield (Most Customizable)
American Home Shield is the editor’s choice for the best home warranty for seniors. As a senior homeowner, it is crucial to have peace of mind regarding all appliances and systems in the home. The functionality of something like a water heater, stove, or HVAC can even have health implications in addition to a convenience factor. American Home Shield has more than 50 years in the industry, making it one of the most reliable providers on the market. If you are worried about claim denials, contractors that don’t show up, or difficult customer service, AHS will be the company to work with. Everything from the sign-up to submitting a claim to renewing your policy is seamless with the American Home Shield policy.
The American Home Shield plan is the most customizable on the market. You can walk around your home and decide what is most vital for you to have coverage for and build a plan specific to your needs. With Select Home Warranty and Choice Home Warranty, you will have to work with the plans they have in place for customers. American Home Shield has pre-built plans but also allows you to put your own together. For seniors, this is a tremendous benefit. In addition, AHS will enable you to choose your monthly fee and service fee to work for your budget. With many seniors being on a fixed income, this is an important benefit to have.
With the American Home Shield plan, you will get $50 off as an incentive to get started today. Although the AHS pricing is a bit higher than other choices on the market, the money spent will be well worth the peace of mind.
Pros: Cons:
Select Home Warranty (Most Affordable)
Select Home Warranty is the most affordable home warranty for seniors. For seniors who are retired and are being careful with their funds, the Select Home Warranty will ensure proper coverage for the home without taking a large chunk out of the savings account. The Select Home Warranty offers three plans for seniors to choose from, and they are all fairly priced with adequate coverage. In addition, each time a repair needs to be done, the SHW service fee or deductible is just $65. With companies like American Home Shield, the service fee pricing can go as high as $125. The point of a home warranty plan is not to have any worries or fear when an appliance or system goes down; with Select Home Warranty, that is absolutely the case.
Even though the Select Home Warranty is the most affordable plan for seniors, it still has some coverage options that other providers, like Choice Home Warranty, won’t offer. With the Select Home Warranty plan, you will get free roof leak coverage without paying anything extra as part of the monthly policy. For seniors worried about the safety of their homes, having free roof leak coverage is quite essential. No other home warranty policy will include free roof leak coverage just for signing up for their plan. Select Home Warranty is easy to work with, has been around for more than ten years, and offers a tremendous sign-on incentive.
If you are ready to start a Select Home Warranty plan, a promotion allows you $150 off, your first two months free, and 30 days to cancel without a fee. This is the best deal on the market and one that seniors should seriously consider taking advantage of.
Pros: Cons:
What's In This Guide?
Senior citizens are among the fastest-growing demographic in the U.S., and more retirees are choosing not to forgo their condos, townhomes, apartments, country cottages, or city homes for a retirement community when they reach a certain age. Only 3.6% of seniors over the age of 65 live in nursing homes, leaving almost 97% of the demographic prone to high repair and replacement expenses without a home warranty service contract.
Besides, who wants to spend their golden years dealing with financial woes? For most seniors, retirement is more than money. It’s about spending time with children and grandchildren, traveling, community, and enjoying not being in the office. Because of this, we at ReviewHomeWarranties.com want to help you find the best coverage for your major systems and major appliances during this next stage of your life.
So, what is a home warranty for a senior, you ask? Well, here’s the answer. A home warranty with appliance insurance coverage can save you money and time when basic home systems like the air conditioning system, clothes washer, dishwasher, or a water heater stop working.
And while most home warranty providers do not offer a specific plan for senior living, owning a home warranty plan can help derail the out-of -pocket expenses and give you the comfort in knowing that a home repair and replacement are just a phone call away.
If you’re looking for a trusted, industry-leading home warranty company, we recommend Choice Home Warranty. They’re a top-rated brand and right now you can take advantage of their current promotions that get you $50 off, plus one free month and free 30-Day cancellation. Get a free online quote or contact a specialist at 929-400-6169 before these deals end. Another great option is American Home Shield which offers $50 off. Get a free quote online or you can call a home warranty specialist directly at 866-464-7521.
Top 5 Best Home Warranties For A Senior Citizen
Do Home Warranties Cover Replacement?
The short answer is, yes. But, imagine you have just retired after 40 years recently relocated to Florida from New York. Your daily home needs are different now, as your air conditioner’s heavy use has replaced your use of a furnace. You’re excited about the new weather, but realize the days where your son-in-law popped over for routine home systems maintenance are gone, as your family still lives in upstate NY, leaving you do figure out home maintenance on your own..
So, what do you do when your air conditioning unit quits, or ceiling fan stops running just as the FL weathermen are forecasting triple digits?
You don’t have to worry, because you remember that your Choice Home Warranty Total Plan for home systems, one of the best home warranty companies in the business, covers all repair and replacement components for air conditioning units below 13 SEER.
Long story short, the right home warranty plan leaves you assured that your home systems and appliances will be covered when they break down. But companies do differ in their terms on what individual plans include.
For example, some providers do include HVAC systems as part of their basic systems plan, like American Home Shield. Others, however, might require an extra monthly payment for this system to be covered.
Best Home Warranty For A Senior?
Choice Home Warranty is our top pick for a senior in the home warranty market. Choice has more than 10 years of experience, has 24/7 customer service availability and emergency response around the clock for seniors in crisis.
Can Home Warranties Cover Pre-Existing Conditions?
Most companies do not cover pre-existing conditions, which is the industry standard. But, some companies will cover them, like American Home Shield. AHS covers pre-existing conditions for items with a bit more wear and tear and will even replace your items no matter the age.
It is strongly recommended that you conduct a home inspection regularly, keep maintenance records or that you have a working knowledge of past home appliances or system issues so that you won’t have any denied claims with your provider. However, if you are unable to have a home inspection done before you purchase coverage, don’t fret!
Most companies do not ask for a home inspection or documentation of appliance and system history. As long as your items are working properly when you purchase a policy, companies are generally not concerned about the age of the product, the brand or make.
How Soon Can You Use A Home Warranty For After Purchase As A Senior?
Home warranty companies do not want to keep you waiting around for repairs and replacements. But, if you are new to the home warranty industry, generally providers enforce a 30-day waiting period for coverage. Just like how you can’t crash your car and then get car insurance, you can’t notice a broken sump pump and file for insurance the next day expecting coverage. After the 30 days, you are free to file a claim and make a service call when needed.
However, if you have a home warranty plan and are looking to switch to a new company, the waiting period will generally be waived.
Are You A First-Time Buyer? Check Out This Article!
Is Home Warranty Coverage Worth It For Seniors?
Home warranty companies do all of the leg work for seniors by finding a technician out of their network of contractors, booking appointments convenient for you, and repairing the issue– saving you the hassle of finding a dependable repairman, so they are definitely worth it.
There are many benefits to owning a home warranty, especially if you are a homeowner who doesn’t want to have to deal with maintenance items and costs. However, it does depend on your retirement situation if you really need the extra coverage.
Depends On Where You Live
The retirement years are when children move out, and because of this, many seniors choose to downsize, relocate to a new home with fewer stairs, or choose to live in an apartment or condo to relieve some of the stresses that being a homeowner brings.
For that reason, your use of a home warranty might depend on the type of home you live in. For example, if you have recently built a new home, you might not need a home warranty because some contracts include coverage for the first year. Many real estate agents will even give a home warranty as a housewarming gift to the home buyers, so if that’s the case, then you won’t have to purchase another plan until the first year is up.
However, if you are a senior who has downsized to a renovated or older home, you will probably want your major appliances and major systems to be insured for peace of mind so that an unexpected expense won’t be a shock.
Living in an apartment or condo comes with all the luxuries of having an elevator and not having to deal with cutting the grass. But, let’s face it. Owning a condo still comes with similar expenses to owning a home, like paying for your air conditioning unit, water heater and other utilities, so seniors should cover these items. On the bright side, if you own a condo, you do not have to worry about having to pay for optional coverage items like pool, septic repairs and roof.
Read Also: What Are The Best Home Warranties For Condos?
Depends If You Rent Your Property
Homeownership can be expensive during retirement, so some seniors choose to move into a rental property for their golden years. Owning a home on a fixed retirement fund can be risky, especially if it is prone to maintenance.
As a renter, the home appliance and home system breakdown are at the mercy of the landlord or company. Generally, if your septic system, ductwork system, plumbing system or even electrical system breakdown as a renter, the issues are not your problem. But if your a landlord, a home warranty is more worth it for you.
Read Also: What Are The Best Home Warranty Companies For Rental Properties?
Depends If You Have A Manufacturer’s Warranty or Homeowners Insurance
For some seniors who own a home, a manufacturer’s warranty for new appliances and systems or homeowner insurance is usually included. All three of these items– a manufacturer’s warranty, homeowners insurance and a home warranty– are different but do confuse some seniors. We want to go ahead and get this straightened out before proceeding with any kind of coverage plan.
A manufacturer’s warranty will generally cover repairs, and sometimes replacement, of a specific appliance in a new home. Items are covered by the original manufacturer and are usually limited to one year, so after that limit is up, it’s essential to have backup coverage of your appliances and systems through a home warranty policy.
Homeowners insurance and a home warranty are different because a homeowner’s insurance policy covers the cost of damage, natural disasters, and unexpected events like theft. A home warranty doesn’t protect from these events; rather, they cover the normal wear and tear home items like a garbage disposal, garage door opener, exhaust fan or cooktop. Even though there is a difference between these two policies, you will want to have a home warranty and homeowners insurance to have all home costs covered.
Read Also: Home Warranty vs. Home Insurance
What To Consider When Picking The Best Home Warranty As An Elder?
Home Warranty Cost
As a retiree, it’s important to consider all costs associated with purchasing a home warranty to protect your wallet from any expenses that could take a chunk out of your retirement fund. Typical costs that seniors need to think about when purchasing home coverage the deductible cost and the premium cost.
Don’t know how a deductible works for a home warranty? A deductible is a small service fee that is required upon the arrival of your technician. But don’t worry, each home warranty company makes the fee clear, so you know exactly how much you have to pay.
Each company charges different call rates, and some are lower than others. For example, Choice Home Warranty has a rate of $85 per service call for all plans. American Home Shield, however, charges different rates for different plans.
And how about premiums? A premium is the amount you owe the warranty company each year for your coverage plan. Once again, these prices vary. Choice Home Warranty, for example, has premium costs that range from around $400-600 per year.
Read Also: Which Home Warranty Plan is the Cheapest?
Emergency Services
As you start to age, emergency planning is a must to live a confident and calmer lifestyle. Because of this, the benefit of having a home warranty is that generally, most companies offer 24-hour service, seven days a week and 365 days a year. So, if something goes wrong, you can rest assured that your home warranty company will be by your side.
For example, all five of our top providers listed above offer emergency services. The difference is, though, that some companies don’t provide these services for free. Choice Home Warranty, however, does. Choice even offers a safety guide that explains how seniors can live safely and independently.
Mobility
Some people look forward to moving to a desired destination or closer to family in their retirement years, which is why it is important to consider which home warranty companies offer transfers of contracts.
For example, if you want to be closer to your grandchildren and decide to move, Choice Home Warranty offers a free transfer of an existing contract to a new house. This is a great opportunity to take advantage of, especially if you don’t stay put in one place for very long because most companies charge a fee for a contract transfer, like Choice’s competitor American Home Shield.
Check on this video on a few simple and inexpensive ways that seniors can remain at home, where most want to safely age.
How Do Home Warranties For Seniors Work (Are They Unique)?
Step 1: Decide What You Want To Be Covered
As a senior, you will want to consider what you prefer to be covered by your home warranty plan to protect you from high maintenance costs. Consider where you are living, the age of the appliances and systems in your home and even the weather.
Some everyday items that seniors prefer to have covered are their pools and spas– two essentials that seniors enjoy for therapeutic, physical activity and wellness reasons. For the active senior that has retired in a warmer destination, pool coverage is a must.
Pool and spa coverage is normally offered as an optional add-on to most packages. Other optional coverage items that seniors usually cover are their sprinkler systems, central vacuum and ice makers, as these convenience items make retirement life a bit more enjoyable.
Read Also: What Are The Top Companies For Pool Coverage?
Step 2: Choose The Right Plan
Depending on the number of items you want to be covered will impact the plan you choose. For senior homeowners who don’t need to have the maximum number of items insured, then a more basic plan for either systems or appliances will do the job.
But, if you are trying to cover as many items as possible to alleviate the stress of any repair or replacement, a combo plan or personalized plan is best. For example, American Home Shield’s Combo Plan packages together 21 appliances and systems in a plan. They also offer a Build Your Own Plan, which is good for the senior that prefers to choose what items to be covered individually.
Generally, you can add-on as many items as the company offers to any plan. However, it is important to be aware that optional items can really add up when coverage is sought out for items like pools, spas, sprinkler systems, sump pumps, and other unique elements that homeowners want to be insured.
Step 3: Make A Claim
If your appliances or home systems start to fail and you realize they need to be repaired or replaced, submit a claim online and schedule an appointment with a technician. Most appointments are scheduled during regular business hours throughout the week, which as a retiree, gives you ample opportunities to schedule a consultation mutually.
However, if you do not hear from the technician within 24 hours of filing a claim, contact your home warranty company. Generally, most companies will provide you with a number to contact the technician directly.
Step 4: Wait For Repair or Reservice
Most home service providers guarantee a two-day repair time after you file the claim. However, for weekends and holidays, the industry average is about four days. When the repairman arrives at your house, he or she will diagnose the problem and begin the repair or replacement process.
What makes home system and appliance coverage unique for elderly customers is the convenience of not having to deal with repair or replacement issues on your own or having to go through the hassle of finding a contractor. Especially if you have relocated for retirement and don’t know who the best repairmen are in your community yet, you will appreciate the luxury of not having to worry about contracting someone.
Our Top Pick For a Home Warranty For Seniors
In conclusion, choosing the right plan and the right home insurance company is not a decision that any senior should take lightly. We at ReviewHomeWarranties.com know that it can be a tough choice, which is why we believe that Choice Home Warranty offers the best plan options for seniors.
This is because of their free transfer of contract, three comprehensive plans available and 24/7 access to emergency services. Choice also does not conduct pre-inspection before policies are provided, so if you are a senior living in a home with older appliances and systems, this is the plan for you.