Owning a home comes with real costs, and not all of them are easy to predict. A water heater that gives out, a furnace that stops working mid-winter, or a built-in microwave that simply won’t turn on. All of these can each leave a significant dent in your budget. So, understanding “what does a home warranty cover” is the first step toward protecting yourself from those surprises.
A home warranty covers eligible repairs and replacements for essential home systems, such as HVAC, plumbing, and electrical, along with major appliances like refrigerators, ovens, and clothes washers.
Whether you’re dealing with an older home or simply want more predictable repair costs, a warranty can provide valuable peace of mind. Call 800-670-8931 or click below for a free quote.
A warranty covers the mechanical wear and tear of a wide variety of appliances and systems within your home. If these need repair or replacement, a warranty even helps alleviate the headache of finding the right repair person or contractor to get the job done.
Let’s look at the category of items that home warranties can protect:
Let’s get into the details one by one:
Few home systems affect your daily comfort as directly as your HVAC. When it stops working, especially during peak summer or winter months, repairs can be costly and urgent. Central AC and HVAC system repairs often cost hundreds of dollars, and full replacements can exceed several thousand dollars. A warranty helps absorb that cost, so a breakdown doesn’t become a budget crisis.
This is especially true in colder climates like Lewiston, Maine, where heating systems run for months at a stretch and a single mid-winter failure can mean an urgent, expensive repair. Homeowners there often turn to a home warranty company in Lewiston, ME to keep those costs predictable through the coldest part of the year.
Industry Insight: The average repair cost for a central air conditioning unit can run up to $1,300.
Your ductwork is the delivery system behind every room in your home, keeping it warm or cool. When ducts develop leaks, blockages, or structural damage, your HVAC system works harder, driving up energy bills and reducing comfort throughout the house. Ductwork repairs are rarely cheap, and they’re easy to overlook until the problem grows. A homeowner’s warranty coverage ensures you’re not caught off guard when duct issues surface.
Industry Insight: Leaky ducts can cause your HVAC system to lose up to 30% of its airflow, significantly increasing your energy costs.
Your home’s electrical system runs constantly in the background, powering lights, outlets, appliances, and everything in between. When wiring, panels, or internal components fail, repairs require a trained technician and can add up quickly. Electrical issues also can’t be ignored or delayed, making coverage especially valuable for keeping repair costs predictable.
Industry Insight: The average cost to repair or replace a home electrical panel ranges from $500 to $2,500, depending on the complexity.
Learn more about what may be included in electrical system protection by reading our blog, “Home Warranty for Electrical System: What’s Covered?”
Hot water is one of those things you don’t think about until it’s gone. A failed water heater means cold showers, disrupted routines, and a repair bill that often comes without warning. Whether you have a traditional tank unit or a tankless system, breakdowns happen, and replacement costs can climb well above $1,000. Home warranty coverage means you have a plan in place before the problem shows up.
Industry Insight: The average cost to replace a water heater ranges from $800 to $1,600, including parts and labor.
Since these are assets used every day by families, it’s important to be ready in case of a breakdown. Kitchen appliances will typically last for years, but when they fail, you can incur high costs for a repair or replacement if you don’t have a warranty.
Industry Insight: The average repair cost of a refrigerator can run up to $500.
Washers and dryers are prone to common mechanical mishaps that happen through daily wear and tear. They’re also tough to fix and require special parts that a service professional should be able to help with. Of course, calling upon a professional for washer and dryer repair can be costly in the absence of home warranties.
Industry Insight: The average repair cost of a washer can run up to $450.
Many important mechanical parts of in-ground pools and spas are covered under some home protection plans, such as the filtration and heating systems. If you take care of your home’s lawn, the sprinkler system can also be covered.
Industry Insight: The average repair cost of a pool can run up to $560.
While a home warranty covers many common breakdowns, it doesn’t cover everything. Here are some common exclusions to keep in mind:
For more details, read our guide to home warranty exclusions and coverage limits.
Need coverage beyond the standard plans? We offer optional add-ons for pools, septic systems, well pumps, and more. Once your coverage is active, reaching out when something goes wrong is straightforward; we handle the rest.
Your appliances and systems work hard every day. When one of them breaks down, the last thing you should face is a repair bill that wipes out your savings. A home warranty service keeps that from happening, giving you a predictable, low service fee instead of an unpredictable out-of-pocket expense.
Whether you are staying put or preparing to sell, the right plan protects both your home and your finances. Don’t forget to check our latest offers. We regularly include discounts, free first-month coverage, and complimentary coverage on select items.
We understand that every home has different needs. This is the reason our home warranty plans offer flexible monthly or annual payment options to help you find coverage that fits your home and budget.
We’re here when you need support, with 24/7 claims assistance to help you navigate the service and claim filing process. We’re highly rated on leading industry platforms, reflecting the experiences and feedback of homeowners across the country. We are also ranked one of the best home warranty companies of October 2026 by CNBC Select. We continue to make home protection more accessible, with plan options designed to help manage eligible repairs without taking on every expense alone.
Also, when you sign up, you can also enjoy exclusive discounts of 10–75% at major retailers, including LG, Walmart, and Sam’s Club, helping you save beyond home repairs.
Looking for the home systems and appliance protection plan that’s right for you?
Check out the latest warranty plans today or give us a call: 800-670-8931.
Yes, we offer sump pump coverage. The agreement covers components of the sump pump for groundwater, provided the pump is within the foundation of the covered home.
No, Select Home Warranty does not cover fireplaces or chimneys.
Yes, we offer coverage on garage doors. This includes control boards, motors, chains, belts and gears, as well as the pulley, sheave fork, axle bolts, and switches.
Yes, we offer coverage on lawn sprinkler systems. This includes all mechanical components that affect operation.
Yes, we offer coverage on the following pool or spa components, including the pumping system, filtration system, and heating system. This agreement covers both the pool and/or hot tub or spa if they use common equipment. In the event the pool and spa or hot tub do not use common equipment, then only one will be covered.
Yes, we offer coverage on electrical system components. This includes wiring, service panels, sub-panels, switches, breakers, outlets, junction boxes, and ground fault interrupters.
Yes, we offer coverage on plumbing system components, including line leaks in water, drain, waste, or vent lines not caused by damage resulting from freezing or from roots, toilet bowls, toilet tanks, toilet flushing mechanisms, angle stops, and risers. We also offer coverage on stoppages in drain, vent, and sewer lines up to 100 feet from the access point, except if caused by roots. Mainline stoppages are only cleared when there is an accessible ground level clean out. We also offer septic system coverage.
Yes, we offer garbage disposal coverage, including all modules, components, and parts of the garbage disposal necessary to its function.
Don’t wait until it’s too late! Check out our current plans and get your free quote.
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