Call (929) 400-6169 Top 5 Best Home Warranties For Furnace (2021 Review)
Do you want to find the best home warranty for your furnace system?
Great! You’ve come to the right place. In this guide, you’ll learn:
- Do home warranty companies cover furnace replacement?
- Is a home warranty plan worth it to protect your furnace?
- Does a home warranty service provider will cover any pre-existing conditions for your furnace?
- How soon can you file a claim after starting a home warranty contract?
- What should you look for when picking the best home warranty companies for your furnace?
- And much more!
We’ve reviewed 68+ different home warranty companies and below are our top picks for furnace systems specific to your state. Eager to learn more? Continue reading!
Our Top Picks Overview
- $50 Off + 1 month free
- Won't deny coverage if systems/appliances are old
- Free cancellation within 30 days
- Emergency service available
- Reservice for failed repairs
- Get $100 off
- Lower chance of claim denial
- 24/7 service calls and online service
- Large and established firm
- Choose your own service fee!
- Market veteran
- $175 off + 2 months free
- FREE Roof Leak Coverage
- Good selection of plans
- High contractor professionalism
- $0 transfer fee
- First 30 days: Free cancellation
- $100 Off + 1 Month Free
- Good BBB rating B
- 24/7 service calls
- Smaller company
- Online chat not supported
- $200 off + 2 month free + Free Roof Coverage
- Newly designed customer claim portal
- The BBB's #1 Home Warranty Company
- Smaller company
- Newer on the market
Let’s face it: Owning a home can be expensive. Not only are you on the hook for monthly mortgage and utility payments, but you also have to be prepared to handle any maintenance issues with your home appliances and systems.
What's In This Guide?
Out of all of your home systems, though, your heating and HVAC is one of the most important. Without a quality heating system, those cold winter days will be a whole lot more uncomfortable. Plus, a lack of heating in your house when the temperatures drop could mean burst pipes and a massive repair bill in your future.
However, things don’t always work out as well as we planned, and our most essential home systems and appliances, like your furnace, can break. When that happens, you end up paying a whole lot of money out of pocket on critical home repairs.
Thankfully, there’s a way to protect yourself from major systems and appliance repair bills on your home’s furnace. The answer? A home warranty.
With a home warranty protection plan, you get coverage against the cost of repairing or replacing your furnace and any other covered item listed on your plan. Plus, you get a streamlined repair service to help you get your furnace back in good working order.
But, with so many different home warranty providers to choose from, selecting just one plan for your needs can be tricky. So, here’s our guide to finding the best warranty plan for your home furnace, complete with our reviews of the top options on the market today.
Top 5 Best Home Warranties For A Furnace
Do Home Warranties Cover Furnace Replacement?
Home warranty plans that include protection for HVAC systems and heating will almost always cover furnace replacement and repair in your house. While it’s always best to read the fine print on your sample contract to ensure that the type of furnace in your home is covered, most plans will protect you financially if you need to replace or repair your furnace.
It’s important to note, though, that if protecting your home’s furnace is your main priority, you’ll want to be sure that you either get one of the following warranty plans:
- Systems Plan. Some warranty providers will offer a systems plan for homeowners that just want coverage for systems, such as electrical systems and plumbing systems, not appliances. This is an ideal option if you’ve just recently replaced your home’s appliances and want systems coverage that doesn’t break the bank. Systems plans will almost always cover furnace replacement but check with your policy contact to be sure.
Depending on the warranty company, a systems plan is also known as basic coverage. These plans are designed to be a cost-effective way to protect your home’s most essential systems and appliances and your furnace definitely falls in the “essential” category.
- Combo Plans/Comprehensive Plans. Combo and comprehensive plans are a good option for homeowners that want maximum coverage on nearly everything in their home, including their furnace. While these plans usually have slightly higher annual premiums, they’re certainly worth it if you don’t want to pay out of pocket for costly home repairs.
Read Also: Which Home Warranty Plans Do We Recommend?
That being said, you will not get furnace replacement or repair coverage if you only get an appliance plan. While appliance plans are an awesome option for some homeowners, they’re not going to provide you with the protection you need for a furnace.
Simply put, they’re just not designed for that purpose. But, if you wanted coverage for your dishwasher, garbage disposal, or cooktop, they’re a great option.
Is A Home Warranty Worth It For Furnaces?
Even if you have a new home with the latest and greatest system, a home warranty plan for your furnace is worth it. Here’s why:
Protects You From Major Home Repair Bills
Repairing or replacing a furnace can cost thousands of dollars. A bill of this size can quickly wipe away your savings or drive you into debt.
When you compare that with the average home warranty cost for an annual premium, which is between $300-$600, it’s clear that you can save big time by having a warranty plan in place.
With a home warranty, you pay an annual premium and then a small service call fee every time you submit a claim. These comparatively small costs are way better for your budget than a massive repair bill when your furnace goes kaput in the middle of the winter.
Best Home Warranty For Furnace Coverage?
Choice Home Warranty is our top pick furnace coverage. Why? You’re protected from major repair costs up to 5-ton capacity and they won’t deny coverage if you’re buying a home with an older heating system.
Helps You Get Quick And Easy Service
One of the best, and most overlooked, benefits of a home warranty protection plan is the fact that you also get simplified repair service. When you have a warranty plan, you simply need to submit a claim to your provider and pay a small service fee whenever you need a repair.
Then, the company will send a qualified service contractor to your home to assess, diagnose, and repair any issues. If your furnace breaks during an unusually cold spell, this easy repair service is a whole lot better than rushing to find someone that can come to your home at the last minute.
Covers What Home Insurance Policies Won’t
You probably have a homeowners insurance policy, so you might be wondering why you also need a home warranty. Well, the answer is quite simple: Home insurance policies don’t provide any financial protection when your systems or appliances break because of regular wear and tear.
Of course, they will likely cover your furnace repair bill if your home has been damaged by a fire, flood, earthquake, or some sort of natural disaster, but you probably won’t find “wear and tear” listed under the covered reasons section on your insurance policy. Meanwhile, your home warranty plan is there to help and will offer coverage for major appliances and systems that are malfunctioning because of years of regular use.
Plus, your home warranty policy will even cover you long after your furnace’s manufacturer’s warranty expires. This means you can have peace of mind, knowing that you’ll be protected even as your furnace and other home systems age.
Read Also: Can I Own A Home Warranty Plan In Washington, D.C.?
Provides Additional Coverage For Other Systems And Appliances
If you’re reading our guide to the best home warranties for furnaces, you’re probably quite concerned about protecting yourself financially from large repair bills on your furnace. But, home warranty plans also cover other systems and appliances, like your air conditioning system, hot water heater, garage door opener, and ductwork.
So, with a single home warranty plan, you can protect nearly everything in your home. That way, you can get great coverage and service on your furnace, air conditioner, and everything in between.
Read Also: What Is The Best Appliance Insurance On The Market?
Would A Home Warranty For Furnaces Cover Pre-Existing Conditions?
If you have an older home or an aging furnace, you might be wondering if a home warranty will cover any pre-existing conditions. Unfortunately, the majority of warranty plans will not cover any pre-existing conditions in your home if the issues are clear and obvious to a repair technician during routine visual inspection.
That means that if an experienced contractor could see that your furnace is clearly broken by looking at it, your warranty plan probably won’t cover the issue. However, if the problem is less obvious, then there’s a good chance you’ll be covered.
This is why it’s generally recommended that homeowners consider getting a home inspection before starting their new warranty plan. While home buyers normally do inspections before closing on a home, these are also a good idea before taking out a warranty plan.
That way, you’ll know if your furnace has any pre-existing conditions before your plan starts. If there are underlying issues, you can fix them and then take out the plan so you can be confident that you’ll be protected moving forward.
How Soon Can You Use A Home Warranty For A Furnace After Purchase?
Most home warranty plans for furnaces have a waiting period between when you start the policy and when you can make your first claim. The majority of companies have a 30 day grace period before your coverage starts.
However, if you already have a warranty plan and are just looking to switch providers, many companies will wave this grace period. You’ll simply have to show that you didn’t have any gaps in your coverage and then you’ll be able to make your first claim right away.
Check out this video for more information on how a furnace works and troubleshooting tips to assist you in diagnosing and repair.
What To Look For When Picking The Best Home Warranty For A Furnace?
Picking the best home warranty for your furnace is a serious business. You want to be sure that you’ll be covered if something goes wrong, but at the same time, you don’t want to pay any more than you have to. Here are some of the most important things to keep in mind as you’re shopping around:
Annual Premium
The annual premium cost is going to be an important factor whenever you are deciding between different warranty plans. As we’ve mentioned, home warranties for furnaces can cost between $300-$600 for a year of coverage.
If you’re on a tight budget, a basic plan or a systems plan, which both usually cover furnaces, is likely your best bet. Otherwise, a comprehensive or combo plan will provide you with maximum coverage for your home.
Service Fee
In addition to an annual premium, you’ll have to pay a small service fee whenever you file a claim on your warranty. The cost of this fee varies from company to company, but you can normally expect to pay between $60-$125 for a service call.
In many ways, you can think of this service fee as similar to a copay at the doctor’s office. However, no one wants to pay more for their coverage than they have to, so a low service fee can save you money down the line. This is especially true if you find that you often need repairs on your home.
Inclusions, Exclusions & Add-Ons
While your main goal might be to get coverage for your home’s furnace, you’ll also get protection for a variety of other systems and appliances with a warranty policy. When comparing plans, take into account how many covered items you get for the cost of your annual premium.
In general, the more coverage the better. But, if a plan offers you coverage for a lot of items that you don’t even have in your home, it might not be the best option for you if there are more suitable alternatives available at the same price point.
Additionally, if you want coverage for items like a sprinkler system, pool, or spa, which are not normally included in a standard contract, you’ll want to look for a plan with good optional add-ons. Add-ons allow you to customize further your plan to best meet the unique needs of your home.
Coverage For Your Furnace Type
There are many different furnace types out there, including oil, electric, natural gas, propane, wood, and geothermal. However, before you sign up for a home warranty, you’ll want to read the fine print and be sure that your plan will cover your specific furnace type.
Most companies will offer coverage for propane, oil, electric, and natural gas furnaces. But, homeowners with alternative fuel furnaces will want to double-check their sample contracts.
Maximum Coverage Limits
The last thing to consider when shopping for a furnace home warranty is the maximum coverage limits that your plan offers. Some companies will protect you up to a certain dollar amount per “system” each year, while others will offer a per-item maximum repair or replacement limit.
As you can imagine, higher coverage limits mean more protection for you. However, you’ll often pay more for a plan with a bigger limit, so there is a bit of a tradeoff here.
Top Home Warranties For Furnaces Reviewed
Choice Home Warranty Review (Best Overall Home Warranty)
- Service Fee: $85
- Coverage: 9/10
- Limits: 9/10
- Exclusions: 9/10
- Affordability: 10/10
- Customer Service: 9.5/10
- Rating: 97.50
Why Do We Like Choice?
Out of all the home warranty companies we reviewed, Choice Home Warranty has the most comprehensive plans, good payout limits, minimal number exclusions, quality customer service, and affordable cost.
Choice has two main home warranty plans. The “Basic Plan” and the more comprehensive “Total Plan” covering 15 home appliances (dishwasher, etc) and systems (duct work, water heater, etc). They also have “Optional Coverage” for add on items most homeowners don’t usually have, which include pools and spas, well pump, sump pump, roof leaks, other extraneous items.
Based on our review, Choice’s “Total” plan covers these items at a more affordable price point than its competitors although has a few more exclusions, which is how they can justify charging a lower monthly payment.
The thing about home warranties is that they are a bit complicated with a lot of moving parts that may confuse most homeowners on what’s covered versus what’s not covered.
A key deciding factor in our review looking for the best home warranty company is finding one with top quality customer service to help customers like you walk through the claims process so you don’t have to worry about nasty surprises when you need service.
That said, Choice has 24 hours a day 7 days a week 365 days a year availability and a 48 hour response time to get a contractor out to your home. Other providers tend to have slower response times and are less communicative about when technicians are assigned to your claim.
Policy On Pre-Existing Issues or Older Units?
Choice covers appliances regardless of age or existing wear and tear, so you don’t need to worry about signing up and not getting covered due to age assuming you’ve properly maintained the item over it’s life.
What’s not covered is if you or someone else breaks the unit regardless of when it happens. All home warranties, regardless of company, won’t cover a unit you break through negligence or misuse (i.e., baby sticks chocolate bar into VCR).
Pros
- Good Limits (up to $1,500)
- Minimal Exclusions
- More Affordable
Cons
- Only 15 Home Appliances & Systems Covered
American Home Shield Review (Editor’s Choice)
- Service Fee: $75 – $125
- Coverage: 10/10
- Limits: 10/10
- Exclusions: 9.5/10
- Affordability: 7/10
- Customer Service: 9/10
- Rating: 97.00
Why Do We Like American Home Shield?
Far and away the most thorough and transparent home warranty company we reviewed is American Home Shield. They are the gold standard. If you spend any amount of time on their website, it’s clear that they are very upfront about what they do cover and don’t cover when compared to their competitors.
In fact, they go out of their way to tell you they cover things their competitors don’t like rust or plumbing stoppages.
They also have the best home warranty coverage with an astounding 21 systems and major appliances including trash compactor, smoke detectors, and clothes washer. They also have the fewest number of exclusions with the highest dollar limit payout amounts ranging from $1,000 – $3,000 per claim.
Think of American Home Shield as the “BMW” or “Mercedes” of home warranty companies. More expensive than Choice, but with better coverage and limits.
Policy On Pre-Existing Issues or Older Units?
Very similar to Choice, American Home Shield covers old systems and appliances that break down due to wear and tear, but they do not cover pre-existing issues or negligence related to the misuse of your appliance or system!
Pros
- Highest Payout Limits (up to $3,000)
- Widest Coverage (21 systems and appliances)
- Fewest Exclusions
Cons
- Most Expensive
Select Home Warranty Review (Most Affordable)
- Service Fee: $75
- Coverage: 8/10
- Limits: 8/10
- Exclusions: 8/10
- Affordability: 10/10
- Customer Service: 8/10
- Rating: 95.80
Why Do We Like Select Home Warranty?
Select Home Warranty made our list as a best budget friendly home warranty option. They have lower limits ranging from $500 – $2,000 per claim but also lower service fee costs and potentially reduced annual premiums as low $325 per year if you opt into multiple year contracts, far below other competitors.
If you opt for their “Platinum Care” they are on-par with other providers in terms of what they actually cover.
Overall, a great budget option for people who want a home warranty but can’t afford Choice or American Home Shield.
Policy On Pre-Existing Issues or Older Units?
Very similar to Choice and American Home Shield, Select covers old systems and appliances that break down due to wear and tear, but they do not cover pre-existing issues or negligence related to the misuse of your appliance or system!
Pros
- Most Affordable Service Contracts
- Roof leaks Are Covered In Their Platinum Plan
Cons
- Ultra Pushy Sales
- 3 Days To Submit Claim
- Weaker Network Of Contractors
Total Home Protect Review (Best For Larger Systems)
- Service Fee: $75
- Coverage: 8/10
- Limits: 7/10
- Exclusions: 7.5/10
- Affordability: 8/10
- Customer Service: 8/10
- Rating: 95.20
Why Do We Like Total Home Protect?
Total Home Warranty made our list as a home warranty with above average protection on more robust systems like septic systems and roof coverage.
Their monthly cost comes out to around ~$45 per month for their basic “Gold” plan, which puts them on the more expensive side of the scale when compared to other top home warranties on our list with better coverage.
Most home warranties do not cover anything related to your roof but Total Home Protect does, which we found to be unique to their offering helping them crack our top list.
Policy On Pre-Existing Issues or Older Units?
Very similar to Choice and AHS, Total Home Protect covers old systems and appliances that break down due to wear and tear, but they do not cover pre-existing issues or negligence related to the misuse of your appliance or system!
Pros
- You Can Choose Your Own Technicians
- Roof Coverage
Cons
- More Exclusions Than Most Competitors
- The Worst BBB score
- Low Payout Limits ($500)
First American Home Warranty Review (Best Customer Service)
- Service Fee: $75 – $100
- Coverage: 8/10
- Limits: 7/10
- Exclusions: 7.5/10
- Affordability: 8/10
- Customer Service: 9.5/10
- Rating: 94.90
Why Do We Like First American Home Warranty?
First American Home Warranty made our list as a home warranty with above average customer service mixed with in with a decent price point.
The only drawback was that they aren’t nationwide lacking coverage in the following states: ND, MN, WI, IL, NY, VT, NH, ME, MA, CT , RI , DE, AL, HI, LA.
Their plan options include a “Basic“ plan, which only covers appliances and will run you about $28 per month. Their combo plan, which covers major systems and appliances branded the “Premier” plan costs around to ~$43 per month.
Overall a good home warranty provider, but just lacking the coverage, which would have helped make a better case for “best overall home warranty company”.
Policy On Pre-Existing Issues or Older Units?
Again, all of the home warranty providers seem to have adopted a similar policy in that they cover “old” appliances and systems that break down due to wear and tear, but they do not cover pre-existing issues or negligence related to the misuse of your appliance or system!
Pros
- Great Customer Service (B+ BBB Score)
- Online Chat Support
Cons
- Not Available In 15 States
- Can’t Choose Your Own Contractor
FAQs for Furnace Home Warranties
Do home warranties cover a furnace?
Does Choice Home Warranty cover furnaces?
Which home warranty offers the best coverage for furnaces?
Home Warranty Providers | $$ Limit | |
Choice Home Warranty | $3,000 | |
American Home Shield | $1,000 | |
Select Home Warranty | $500 | |
Liberty Home Guard | $500 | |
Cinch Home Services | $1,000 |
What does a home warranty cover?
Most Common Coverage
- HVAC (including furnaces)
- Plumbing system
- Electrical system
- Water heater
- Refrigerator
- Oven / Range / Stove
- Cooktop
- Dishwasher
- Clothes Washer
- Clothes Dryer
- Built-in microwave
2. What some cover
3. What few cover
How do I choose the best home warranty?
- Research – Which home warranty companies operate in your state? What kinds of plans do they offer and at what price? Dig into the data to find out the best options for your situation.
- Get Several Quotes – Contact at least two or three home warranty providers to get quotes on the coverage you want. Compare prices and coverage to find the best fit.
- Read the Fine Print – The contract you sign with a home warranty company is called a service agreement. Read the terms and conditions carefully before you sign.
Our Top Pick For A Home Warranty On A Furnace
If we had to choose just one of these great warranty plans to protect our home’s furnace, we’d have to go with Choice Home Warranty. With Choice Home Warranty, you get comprehensive coverage for your furnace with either of their plans.
Plus, you get a quick and convenient repair service through their 24/7 call center and online claims platform. If that wasn’t enough, Choice Home Warranty also makes it easy for homeowners on a budget to get the coverage they need with their low annual premiums and service fees.
If you live in Alaska, Idaho, Wyoming, Montana, Maine or North Dakota, a home warranty that includes furnace coverage is essential. Check out our state pages for more recommendations based on your location.
Our Top Picks Recap
- $50 Off + 1 month free
- Won't deny coverage if systems/appliances are old
- Free cancellation within 30 days
- Emergency service available
- Reservice for failed repairs
- Get $100 off
- Lower chance of claim denial
- 24/7 service calls and online service
- Large and established firm
- Choose your own service fee!
- Market veteran
- $175 off + 2 months free
- FREE Roof Leak Coverage
- Good selection of plans
- High contractor professionalism
- $0 transfer fee
- First 30 days: Free cancellation
- $100 Off + 1 Month Free
- Good BBB rating B
- 24/7 service calls
- Smaller company
- Online chat not supported
- $200 off + 2 month free + Free Roof Coverage
- Newly designed customer claim portal
- The BBB's #1 Home Warranty Company
- Smaller company
- Newer on the market