Top 5 Best Home Warranties For Furnace (2020 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 $50 off
- Lower chance of claim denial
- 24/7 service calls
- Large and established firm
- Choose your own service fee!
- Market veteran
- $100 off + 2 months free
- $0 transfer fee
- Good selection of plans
- High contractor professionalism
- Quick replacement payments
- First 30 days: Free cancellation
- $100 off + 2 months free
- Comprehensive coverage plans
- Emergency service available
- 1 day to submit claim
- Limited availability (6 states)
- Best Customer Service 2020
- Large and established
- Plans from $25/m
- Automatically renewed policy
- Limited selection of extra coverage
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
We know how difficult it is to find the best home warranty for your furnace. So, here are our reviews of the top five plans available today:
Choice Home Warranty
Choice Home Warranty is one of our favorites when it comes to furnace protection. They offer basic and comprehensive plan options, both of which provide coverage for your home’s furnace.
With Choice Home Warranty’s plan options, you’re protected from major repair costs on the main source of heat for your home, up to 5-ton capacity. This means that your oil, electric, natural gas, or propane furnace is covered under one of the company’s policies.
We also particularly like that the company’s basic plan provides additional protection for your entire HVAC system, including your air conditioner and ductwork. Plus, their basic plan covers your plumbing, major kitchen appliances, and hot water heater.
Two of the biggest benefits of Choice Home Warranty’s plans are their affordable annual premiums and low service call fees. The company also won’t deny you coverage just because you have an older home.
Additionally, Choice Home Warranty has a top-notch customer service center that’s ready to process your claim online or over the phone 24/7. That way, you can get prompt repair service for your furnace, regardless of the time of day.
Read Our Full Review of Choice Home Warranty
Pros:
- Covers traditional furnace types up to a 5-ton capacity
- Affordable annual premiums and low service fee
- 24/7 call center for prompt service even in an emergency
Cons:
- No option for customized plans
American Home Shield
American Home Shield is one of the most popular home warranty companies around, and for good reason. The company offers two different standard plan options that both cover furnaces: their systems plan and their combo plan.
Under both of these policies, you’re protected from repair costs for your home’s furnace. This includes gas, electric, oil, and even geothermal furnaces.
Additionally, they have a build your own plan option for homeowners that want maximum coverage flexibility for their home. Plus, American Home Shield is one of the few companies that actually allow you to choose your own service fee.
The ability to choose your own service fee allows you to decide if you want to pay slightly more upfront for a lower fee later or if you’d rather save on your premium. Either way, you still get the same protection under your plan, and you can also choose from a good list of optional coverage items to beef up your policy.
Read Our Full Review of American Home Shield
Pros:
- Covers all traditional types of furnace, plus geothermal
- Multiple plan options, including a build your own, for furnace protection
- Allows you to choose your own service fee
Cons:
- Annual premiums are slightly higher than the industry average
Select Home Warranty
Select Home Warranty is a solid warranty company for homeowners that want furnace coverage on a budget. They offer two different plan options – a gold systems plan and a platinum comprehensive plan – that both cover furnace repair and replacement.
With either of these two policies, you get protection for all the necessary components of your home’s heating system, including gas, electric, and oil furnaces. These plans also cover other parts of your HVAC system, including the air conditioning and ductwork.
One of the main advantages of Select Home Warranty’s furnace coverage is that it allows you to choose your own repair technician. This is a big bonus for homeowners that already have a good relationship with a local contractor.
Moreover, Select Home Warranty’s plans are quite affordable with low service fees. You even have the option to further minimize your expenses by selecting the gold systems plan if you’re mainly concerned about your furnace and other parts of your HVAC system.
Read Our Full Review of Select Home Warranty
Pros:
- Affordable premiums and service fees
- Ability to choose your own repair technician
Cons:
- No customizable plan option
Total Home Protection
Total Home Protection offers two affordable and convenient coverage options for your home’s furnace. They will cover the cost of repairing and replacing oil, gas, and electric furnaces for a 5-ton capacity within their home.
Furnace coverage is provided under both of Total Home Protection’s policies, including their basic gold plan and their comprehensive platinum plan.
Under both plans, you also get coverage for other parts of your HVAC system, including your ductwork, exhaust fans, and ceiling fans. Homeowners that also want protection for their air conditioning can get that additional coverage under Total Home Protection’s platinum plan.
Total Home Protection’s warranty plans are some of our favorites because they have low annual premiums and service fees. Additionally, the company offers emergency repair service under both of their plan options so you never have to be without your furnace in the winter.
Read Our Full Review of Total Home Protection
Pros:
- Coverage for oil, electric, and gas furnaces, plus ductwork with all plan options
- Affordable service fees and premiums to save you money
- Emergency repair service available for weekend and late-night furnace malfunctions
Cons:
- Coverage not available in certain states
First American Home Warranty
For quality coverage that doesn’t break the bank, First American Home Warranty is a solid choice. The company’s premier plan offers comprehensive coverage for nearly everything in your home, including your electrical, plumbing, major appliances, and yes, your furnace.
First American Home Warranty offers affordable protection for your gas, oil, or electric furnace under their premier plan for peace of mind during the winter months.
What we especially like about First American Home Warranty’s plan is how affordable it is. They have some of the lowest annual premiums and service fees on the market, but they don’t skimp on quality.
Additionally, if you did choose to sell your home down the line, First American Home Warranty has a list of great coverage upgrades on your home’s system and a furnace for added protection for you and your buyer during the real estate process.
Read Our Full Review of First American Home Warranty
Pros:
- Very affordable premiums and reasonable service fees
- Protection upgrades available if you ever choose to sell your home
Cons:
- Heating and furnace coverage only offered in the premier plan
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.