Top 5 Best Home Warranties For Water Heaters (2022 Review)
Written By: Ross Robinson
Edited by: Andrew Dunn
Looking for the best home warranty companies for water heaters?
Great, you’re in the right spot. In this guide, you’ll learn:
- Is it worth it to have a home warranty for a water heater?
- Which home warranty companies cover water heaters in their basic plans?
- What should you look for when picking the best home warranty for water heaters?
- And much more!
We’ve analyzed and reviewed 68 different home warranty options, and below are our recommendations for water heaters specific to your state. Want to find out which coverage is most suited for your needs? Continue reading!
Our Top Home Warranty for Water Heaters 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 Water Heater (2022)
| 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 Water Heater)
Choice Home Warranty is the best overall home warranty for water heaters. Having a water heater that is functioning is one of the key elements to having a comfortable home. Choice Home Warranty has two plans, the Basic Plan and the Total Plan. Each of these plans covers the hot water heater. Other plans from American Home Shield and Select Home Warranty will make you choose between an appliance plan or a systems plan to keep your policy pricing down. WIth the Choice Home Warranty, you get an affordable plan that covers things like your water heater, dishwasher, microwave, electrical system, and more, all under one plan. There is no question that Choice Home Warranty is one of the most affordable choices on the market for water heaters.
Water heaters can be an expensive item to replace. Many water heaters cost several thousand dollars. Therefore it makes sense to choose a plan with a higher policy limit. The Choice Home Warranty plan has a limit of $3000 for water heaters. With American Home Shield only offering $1500, you can see that this is quite a good value from Choice. With more than ten years in the business and millions of customers, Choice Home Warranty knows how to repair and replace hot water heaters at a fast pace. Hot water heaters are difficult to live without, and if you are in a real difficult situation, you can even request emergency service from Choice Home Warranty. Signing up for this policy is straightforward, and the chance of denial due to the age of your home is very low. Overall, Choice offers everything you would need for a home warranty for a water heater.
If you are worried about your hot water heater deciding to quit working, now is a great time to enroll in the Choice Home Warranty plan. Choice offers $50 off, one month free, and 30 days to cancel with no cost. Take advantage of this coverage before the water heater needs its next repair.
Pros Cons
American Home Shield (Editors Choice)
American Home Shield is the editor’s choice for the best home warranty for water heaters. With American Home Shield, you will get premium coverage of your water heater, and it is included in all three plans. If you choose the appliance, systems, or comprehensive coverage, you will still get great coverage of the water heater. If your home comes with a tankless water heater, American Home Shield will also cover any issues that should come up. The limits on the water heater coverage are $1500, which is about the middle of the road, certainly higher than Select Home Warranty.
One of the things that makes a home warranty company stand out is how much experience they have in the industry. American Home Shield has more than 50 years in the home warranty market. This is plenty of time to develop great contractor relationships, put together an incredible customer service team, and change the way people feel about the home warranty industry in general. When you call to submit a claim with American Home Shield, you will find the customer service to be knowledgeable and quick. Your issues will be taken care of quickly, and as long as you are keeping up with maintenance around your home, issues due to normal wear will all be covered.
Currently, American Home Shield is offering a $50 off incentive to start your plan. This type of savings is rare from AHS, and it is certainly worth taking advantage of this while it is available.
Pros Cons
Select Home Warranty (Most Affordable)
Select Home Warranty is the most affordable home warranty coverage for water heaters. Even though the policy limits on the Select Home Warranty plan are lower than Choice, the pricing of the overall plan is much less than American Home Shield and even Choice Home Warranty. In addition, the service fee or deductible for the Select Home Warranty plan is only $60. This falls well below the industry average. The combination of these impressive features allows Select to be one of the best values on the market. If you are looking for your home to be protected by a warranty, but you don’t want to disrupt the monthly budget all that much, this is the plan to do it.
With the SHW coverage of a water heater, everything from the switches to the control board to the thermostats will be part of the plan. As long as you choose the systems plan or the combo plan, you will have complete water heater coverage up to $2000. However, in addition to the coverage for water heaters, Select offers free roof coverage that comes along with any of their policies. If your home has an older roof and you are worried about water damage through the years, the SHW roof leak coverage is a great backup plan. With the value and the savings offered as part of the Select Home Warranty plan, it is an option that all homeowners should consider.
Select Home Warranty offers one of the best incentives for new customers. Currently, you can get $150 off, two months free, and free cancellation within the first 30 days. This is an incredible value and makes getting started with a home warranty much easier.
Pros Cons
What's In This Guide?
This sounds easy. Every home warranty will cover something as common as a water heater, right? Wrong! You can definitely get coverage for your water heater, but it is not always included in a basic plan. Beyond that, service fees vary quite a bit, so you have to weigh the whole financial picture laid out in the service contract to make an informed decision.
A home warranty plan is different from your homeowners insurance policy. A home warranty covers standard wear and tear on home appliances and major systems, like air conditioning system, cooktop, dishwasher, garbage disposal, clothes washer, ductwork, and thermostat. Homeowners insurance covers damages from weather and other unexpected events that can hurt your home systems and appliances. Accidental and unexpected structural damage to your home is also only covered by a home insurance policy .
Home warranty coverage and home insurance are similar based on the fact that customers both have to pay a premium and deductible. A deductible is also known as a service call fee, which is something to think about as you consider overall costs and your budget.
Cold water is great for drinking, but you’d hate to be without hot water in your home for any length of time. Water heaters are important, but coverage varies. Unlike some systems or major appliances that are considered add-ons–like coverage for your pool or sump pump– in many plans, water heaters are part of either basic or premium plans without the need to add it on.
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 Water Heater Coverage
Do Warranty Plans Cover Water Heater Replacement?
Generally speaking, yes, a home warranty will cover the cost of replacing a water heater, up to a specified limit. Exclusions apply, so read the user agreement carefully. For instance, Choice Home Warranty will not cover tankless water heaters or commercial heaters over 75-gallon capacity. These exclusions are typical, but not universal, so dig into the specifics of each plan especially if you have an on-demand or solar water heater.
Also, if a water heater has not been maintained–for instance, if there is sediment buildup–often that will disqualify coverage. Read the fine print carefully so you understand what is covered and so that replacement costs don’t become a big surprise.
Did you know water heaters need yearly maintenance? Yep, they do! To make sure you qualify for repairs and especially replacement, make sure you maintain your water heater properly. Here is a helpful video from the fine people of This Old House with a water heater maintenance explainer:
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Is Coverage For My Water Heater Worth It?
This is an excellent question. Let’s look at several factors that could play into your decision.
Risk Assessment
Home warranty purchase is all about risk assessment. In this instance, you have to think about more than just the cost of a water heater–which can be picked up at your local home center for as little as $300 or so, but if you are not handy with home repairs, the installation by a plumber or other service pro will be another fee, probably much more than the yearly cost of a home warranty.
Another factor: how old is your water heater? If it is relatively new–and covered under a manufacturers warranty–a home warranty for this specific system might not be necessary. But if it is older, a home warranty for a water heater might make sense. The average lifespan of a water heater is 10 – 15 years, though that is just an average, and some may not last that long. If you are thinking of selling your home, a home warranty to cover an aging water heater and, for instance, the HVAC system and kitchen appliances could be very attractive. Homebuyers will appreciate a year of coverage that relieves them of some of the worries a home purchase can create.
You might think water heaters would be covered under plumbing systems, but that is incorrect. They fall under a separate category of coverage.
Best Home Warranty For Water Heater Coverage?
Choice Home Warranty is our top pick for homeowners looking for a water heater coverage. Choice has more than 10 years of experience, extends support 24/7 and offers coverage at the basic level.
Home Warranty Costs
With prices ranging from around $400 to $700, the cost of the home warranty could pay for all or most of a water heater repair or replacement. And even with caps on spending for repairs or replacement on home repairs like a water heater, having fewer out-of-pocket costs can make a big difference when something as crucial as a water heater breaks down.
Read Also: What Are The Typical Costs Of A Leading Home Warranty Company?
Does A Home Warranty Provider Usually Cover Pre-Existing Conditions?
Generally, home warranties do not cover pre-existing conditions. But what qualifies as a pre-existing condition on a water heater? So, if a water heater is not functioning right now, or it has failed in the past, it probably will not be covered.
How Soon Can You Use A Warranty For a Water Heater After Purchase?
The industry standard for the beginning of coverage is 30 days. Check with the service provider you are considering to confirm their coverage waiting period.
Read Also: How Can A Home Warranty Help With Water Damage From Your Water Heater?
What Should You Look For When Picking The Best Home Warranty For Water Heaters?
Is Your Type of Water Heater Covered?
What kind of water heater do you have? Electric and gas are the two kinds of water heaters home warranty companies usually cover. But these days, solar may be the best energy source for your home. Lucky for you, tankless water heaters are becoming more and more popular. But, your home warranty provider may not be open to covering tankless water heaters.
This is something you need to keep in mind for coverage with any home warranty plan. You have to know your coverage options. For instance, all these items: air conditioner, ceiling fans, garage door opener, and well pump, may be covered, but at different dollar levels, or they may be add-ons.
What Will My Out-Of-Pocket Expense Be?
How much will the home warranty cover, and how much will you likely need to pay? For instance, ServicePlus has a $500 cap on what they will pay out to repair or replace your water heater. If you have a $1,200 heater, that $500 will help, but don’t expect to get a comparable system without shelling out some extra dollars beyond the home warranty coverage.
Read Also: Which Home Warranty Plan is the Cheapest?
Our Top Pick For a Home Warranty For Water Heaters
With solid coverage at the basic level, along with excellent customer service, our top pick is Choice Home Warranty.
But, if you live in Idaho, Wyoming, Montana or North Dakota, a home warranty that includes water heater coverage is essential. Check out our state pages for more recommendations based on your location.