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A clogged drainpipe in your home’s plumbing system can cause numerous issues. A home warranty plan saves you the time of having to source a plumber. After you file a claim, your provider will send a vetted professional to make the necessary repairs.
Our team has analyzed and ranked the best home warranty companies and selected the top choices for plumbing system coverage based on covered components, coverage caps, plan availability, and more.
What Plumbing Components Do Home Warranties Cover?
Most home warranty providers offer similar coverage for your home’s plumbing systems. Components such as water, drain, waste, and vent lines are covered for leaks or breaks that aren’t caused by freezing or tree-root damage. Toilet, shower, and bathtub components are also covered by most providers, as are whirlpool motors.
Certain items, such as septic systems and sump pumps, are not covered in many providers’ standard plans but rather as an add-on. Plumbing stoppages are also excluded from a few providers’ base plumbing coverage. We recommend reading your provider’s fine print to understand coverage limitations and exclusions fully.
The Top Home Warranty Providers for Plumbing Systems
Here are our recommended providers for plumbing system coverage:
All the pricing information used in this article is based on quotes our team pulled for the same single-family home in Raleigh, North Carolina. Your monthly premium may differ due to your home’s type and size, your location, and your coverage and add-on selections.
American Home Shield
Coverage Overview
American Home Shield (AHS) covers plumbing systems in all three of its plans. It provides up to $5,000 per covered plumbing system component, including sewage line stoppages and more.
The ShieldSilver plan includes additional home systems coverage. AHS’s ShieldGold plan combines systems coverage with home appliance coverage. Its final plan, the ShieldPlatinum, adds coverage for plumbing system modifications. American Home Shield provides plan flexibility by offering two service call fee options; the higher the service call fee, the lower your monthly premium.
Plans
American Home Shield offers three plans.
ShieldSilver ($24.99–$39.99): This is American Home Shield’s systems plan. It includes coverage for doorbells and chimes, garage-door openers, ceiling fans, ductwork, built-in exhaust and attic fans, plus heating units, air conditioning, and HVAC systems. It also covers electrical system components, such as interior electrical lines, main breaker, and fuse panel boxes. Faucets, valves, interior plumbing lines, toilets, whirlpool tub motor components, and water heaters are also included. It pairs a $5,000 coverage limit per covered major system.
ShieldGold ($34.99–$49.99): The ShieldGold plan covers every item in the ShieldSilver plan, as well as some major appliances. Covered appliances include built-in microwaves, clothes washers and dryers, dishwashers, garbage disposals, instant cold and hot water dispensers, ovens, cooktops, ranges, and refrigerators. It covers up to $2,000 per covered major appliance.
ShieldPlatinum ($64.99–$79.99): The ShieldPlatinum plan covers all items in the ShieldGold plan and adds roof-leak repair coverage, a $1,000 coverage cap for plumbing system modifications, and an increased coverage cap of $4,000 per covered home appliance.
Read more: American Home Shield Review
Liberty Home Guard
Coverage Overview
Liberty Home Guard (LHG) covers plumbing systems in two of its three available plans. LHG covers mainline and sewer line clogs within 100 feet from an access point.
Its base plan, the Appliance Guard, covers nine appliances and no systems. Its Systems Guard covers plumbing systems along with five other home systems. Its Total Home Guard bundles appliance and systems coverage into one comprehensive plan. Each Liberty Home Guard plan provides up to $2,000 per covered item. For further customization, Liberty Home Guard offers more than 30 unique add-ons, such as septic and sprinkler systems.
Liberty Home Guard’s service call fees range from $65 to $125, which, unlike American Home Shield’s service call fees, don’t adjust your monthly premium. Liberty Home Guard selects the service call fee based on your home’s type and size, your location, and your coverage and add-on selections.
Plans
Liberty Home Guard offers three plans.
Appliance Guard ($49.99): The Appliance Guard covers standard home appliances, such as built-in microwave ovens, ceiling and exhaust fans, clothes washers and dryers, dishwashers, garage-door openers, garbage disposals, ranges, ovens, cooktops, and refrigerators with built-in ice makers.
Systems Guard ($54.99): This plan covers your home’s water heater, ductwork, air conditioning, plumbing, and heating and electrical systems.
Total Home Guard ($59.99): This plan covers all items listed in its Appliance Guard and Systems Guard plans.
Read more: Liberty Home Guard Review
Select Home Warranty
Coverage Overview
Select Home Warranty offers plumbing coverage in two of its three plans. Of all the providers mentioned in this article, Select offers the lowest coverage cap for plumbing systems, limited to $500 per breakdown. Select is worth considering due to its speedy claims process and roof-leak coverage included in all plans.
Select’s Bronze Care plan specializes in home appliance coverage. Its Gold Care plan covers major systems, and its Platinum Care plan covers both major systems and appliances.
Plans
Select Home Warranty offers three plans.
Bronze Care ($44.42): The Bronze Care plan covers built-in microwaves, clothes washers and dryers, dishwashers, garbage disposals, ovens, refrigerators, and stovetops.
Gold Care ($44.42): The Gold Care plan covers ductwork, water heaters, cooling and heating systems, and plumbing and electrical systems.
Platinum Care ($47.75): The Platinum Care plan covers all the items listed in the Bronze Care and Gold Care plans.
Read more: Select Home Warranty Review
AFC Home Warranty
Coverage Overview
AFC Home Warranty provides plumbing coverage in three of its four protection plans. It covers leaks and breaks in drain lines plus bathroom fixtures, such as toilet bowls. Note that AFC covers plumbing stoppages only in its Platinum Plan.
The company’s base appliance plan, the Silver Plan, covers standard home appliances. Its Systems Plan covers major systems. The Gold Plan and Platinum Plan combine systems and appliance coverage. AFC strengthens its coverage by offering a plan-length workmanship guarantee on all completed repairs. The industry standard for workmanship guarantees is 30 days.
AFC Home Warranty provides a $3,000 coverage cap per covered appliance. Covered items older than five years are subject to a depreciated value based on similar items. Plumbing systems are limited even further to $500 per breakdown.
Plans
AFC Home Warranty offers the following four plans:
Silver Plan ($37.17–$41.83): This plan protects clothes washers and dryers, dishwashers, garage-door openers, garbage disposals, ovens, ranges, stovetops, and refrigerators.
Systems Plan ($40.00–$44.75): This plan includes coverage for ductwork; air conditioning; electrical, plumbing, and heating systems; and water heaters.
Gold Plan ($51.25–$56.00): The Gold Plan is a combination plan which includes all items covered in the Silver Plan and Systems Plan.
Platinum Plan ($56.00–$60.67): Similar to the Gold Plan, the Platinum Plan covers systems and appliance coverage plus additional coverage for built-in microwaves, faucets, ice makers, and plumbing stoppages.
Read more: AFC Home Warranty Review
Compare the Top Home Warranties for Plumbing System Coverage
Compare each provider’s plumbing system coverage and service call fees in the table below:
| Company | Coverage Cap for Plumbing | Service Call Fee |
|---|---|---|
|
American Home Shield |
$1,000 |
$75–$125 |
|
Liberty Home Guard |
$2,000 |
$65–$125 |
|
AFC Home Warranty |
$500 |
$75–$125 |
|
Select Home Warranty |
$500 |
75 |
Our Recommendation
Plumbing problems are a common headache for homeowners. Having a home warranty can reduce the amount of time spent looking for a technician to fix your plumbing issue.
We recommend American Home Shield due to its coverage of rust, corrosion, and sediment damage. Its various service call fee options also provide more control over your policy. Liberty Home Guard offers $2,000 per covered item, and AFC Home Warranty guarantees all completed repairs through the length of your plan.
To ensure you choose the right provider, you should request quotes from at least three companies and read through their sample contracts to understand coverage options, exclusions, and monthly costs.
How to Take Care of Your Plumbing System
Maintaining your plumbing system helps you avoid leaks and clogs that can cause water damage. Basic maintenance also prevents your home warranty provider from denying your claim due to an improperly maintained plumbing system. Here are some tips to keep your plumbing system working properly:
- Clean showerheads with vinegar: Mineral deposits can build up in showerheads, which can back up your water line. Periodically soak the showerhead in vinegar for 24 hours to help clear the deposits.
- Inspect for leaks regularly: Routinely check your home’s exposed pipes and lines for corrosion or leaks.
- Install mesh drain covers: Covering your sink, shower, and bath drains with mesh covers can catch hair, food, and other debris from falling down the drain.
- Only flush waste and waste paper down the toilet: Avoid flushing sanitary products, hair, cotton swabs, and other paper products not labeled as waste paper down your toilet. These items don’t break down easily when submerged in water, which can lead to a clog.
Frequently Asked Questions About Home Warranties for Plumbing
What are the requirements for a plumbing warranty?
Some home warranty companies don’t have requirements for plumbing system coverage. Other providers require a home inspection or previous maintenance records. Carefully review a provider’s sample contract for coverage requirements before signing up.
How long is my plumbing repair guaranteed for?
A reputable home warranty company typically guarantees completed home repairs for 30 days, the industry standard for a workmanship guarantee. Some providers, such as Liberty Home Guard and AFC Home Warranty, offer extended workmanship guarantees on completed repairs.
What are the benefits of a home warranty?
A home warranty provides several benefits. Home warranties can save you time from sourcing a vetted service professional because providers have a pool of repair people who can be contacted and sent to your home, typically within 48 hours of you filing a claim. Home warranty coverage also provides financial protection for individuals who cannot afford an unexpected home system or appliance breakdown caused by normal wear and tear. Note that a home warranty is separate from your homeowners insurance policy.
What are the exclusions to plumbing system coverage?
Most home warranty providers cover the same general components and instances during a plumbing system leak or blockage. Exclusions vary by provider but typically include stoppages outside your home’s main foundation; pipe breaks caused by tree roots; bathtubs, showers, and frozen pipes; and pipes damaged by rust, corrosion, or sediment.
How We Chose the Top Home Warranty Providers
Our team reviewed and researched dozens of home warranty providers, thoroughly analyzed sample agreements, and identified customer pain points based on our analysis of customer reviews and interviews with industry experts. Our in-depth methodology outlines our review process to provide transparent information about the companies we review.
We determined that the following factors are the most important when comparing home warranty companies: available plans, plan coverage, price range, industry reputation, customer support, and additional features. Our research supported that plan coverage, customer service, and industry reputation should carry the most weight. While important, the other factors should not have as much influence when choosing a home warranty provider.
more resources
Liberty Home Guard Review (2024)
www.architecturaldigest.com
https://www.architecturaldigest.com/reviews/home-warranty/home-warranty-plumbing
