In Arizona, your air conditioner is an absolute necessity. You could face steep costs when built-in systems such as your AC break down. According to our 2021 survey of 1,000 homeowners, more than 76% of respondents spent more than $400 on a home appliance or system repair. Enrolling in a home warranty can help you avoid expensive home repairs like these. We reviewed dozens of the best home warranty companies nationwide and selected the top Arizona providers.
Summary of the Best Home Warranty Companies in Arizona
The table below outlines our recommended Arizona home warranty companies. Our team analyzed each provider’s plans, service fees, and industry reputation. After reading each provider’s sample contract, we discovered that American Home Shield offers the most comprehensive systems and appliance coverage. Liberty Home Guard holds the best customer ratings based on the hundreds of customer reviews we read.
BBB ratings are accurate as of September 2023.
Arizona’s Top 5 Home Warranty Companies
In addition to reviewing provider plans, pricing, and reputation, our team considered add-on coverage, customer service, and quote process before choosing our top picks. We also called each provider to obtain accurate plan information. Below are the highest-rated Arizona home warranty companies:
- American Home Shield: Best Coverage Caps
- Liberty Home Guard: Best Customer Ratings
- Select Home Warranty: Best Value
- First American Home Warranty: Best Appliance Coverage
- America’s First Choice Home Club: Best for Customization
We pulled all pricing information in this article using a 2,450-square-foot, single-family home in Tucson, Arizona. Your monthly premium may vary based on your home’s location, size, and type, as well as your plan and add-on choices.
What Is the Cost of a Home Warranty in Arizona?
After pulling quotes from each provider in this article, we found the average monthly premium for a home warranty is $56 in Arizona. Annually, expect to pay $672 on average. However, your total cost to own a home warranty depends on more than just your monthly premium. Most home warranty companies pair a service call fee with each plan. Our research shows that service call fees cost between $75 and $125 per claim.
Coverage type and amount cause cost variation between companies. For instance, we’ve found that providers that include your home’s major systems and appliances in one plan tend to cost more than those that offer appliance or system-only plans.
Annual Home Warranty Cost Calculator
Our team created a cost calculator to break down the estimated annual cost of owning a home warranty. Enter your monthly premium, service call fee, and estimated number of claims to see your projected annual cost. It’s best to request a quote directly from one of our recommended providers, as annual costs and service fees vary between them.
Life span and repair cost data sourced from InterNACHI and The Home Depot.
How Home Warranties Work in Arizona
A home warranty is a service contract you purchase to safeguard your home’s major systems and appliances. Unlike homeowners insurance, home warranties only cover breakdowns caused by normal wear and tear. Home warranty plans typically last a minimum of 12 months. Most providers allow you to purchase a multi-year policy.
You must file a claim to use a home warranty when you notice your appliance or system breakdown. You must pay your service call fee at this time. Then, your provider will send an in-network technician to your home. This can take up to 48 hours on average. Note that you are responsible for the extra cost if the repair or replacement costs exceed your provider’s coverage limit.
Factors To Consider Before Buying a Home Warranty
Before investing in a home warranty, consider the following factors:
Coverage Exclusions
Review a provider’s fine print to ensure it covers all the items and components you need protected. Due to Arizona’s hot climate, most providers offer air conditioning coverage. However, providers may exclude specific cooling system components, which defeats the purpose of the home warranty.
Contract Length and Renewal
It’s important to know how long your policy will last once you purchase it. Most home warranties offer annual contracts that automatically renew each year if you have a credit card on file. Talk to your provider if you wish to renew your policy manually. Also, check if there is a free cancellation period in case you believe a provider isn’t right for you.
Cost vs. Value
Analyze the coverage plan’s cost in relation to its value. While a cheap plan may sound ideal, it might limit its coverage breadth. We suggest comparing three companies to see which one provides the most value for your situation.
Are Home Warranties Worth It in Arizona?
Home warranties can provide a financial safety net for homeowners concerned about expensive home appliance and system repairs. Arizona’s climate, characterized by intense heat, can stress your home’s built-in systems and appliances. For example, if your air conditioning system repair costs roughly $500 and your provider covers up to $2,000 per repair, you will only pay a service fee versus the entire repair cost.
Home warranties are also a solid option for first-time homeowners who want extra protection for their new homes.
How To Choose the Best Home Warranty in Arizona
When selecting a home warranty provider in Arizona, choose one that meets your specific needs for ultimate peace of mind. Below are a few things to consider when deciding on a provider:
- Additional coverage perks: While you may pay a bit more per month, providers that include coverage perks that suit your needs could benefit you. For example, consider a company that covers sediment damage if you own items kept outside.
- Customer service accessibility: We suggest choosing a provider with more than one way to contact its customer service department. Most companies provide a dedicated hotline or email address for customer inquiries. Some, however, go a step further and feature an online chat tool on their website.
- Transparency: This may seem obvious, but homeowners often overlook it. Consider a company that is fully transparent about the services it offers, where it sources contractors, and total plan costs. Confirm what customer service representatives say is true with a copy of the company’s sample contract.
Are Home Warranties Regulated in Arizona?
Arizona’s Department of Insurance and Financial Institutions (DIFI) regulates home warranty companies. According to § statute 20-1095.1–20-1095.10, providers must first receive approval from the DIFI before selling service contracts. In addition, the state provides a resource to help consumers with the home warranty buying process.
There are several ways to file a complaint if you are in a dispute with your provider. You can complete a complaint form on the DIFI website. The Arizona Attorney General also provides a complaint form.
What Does an Arizona Home Warranty Cover?
A home warranty covers your home’s most common systems and appliances. For example, home warranties cover air conditioners, clothes washers and dryers, dishwashers, furnaces, garbage disposals, microwaves, ovens, plumbing systems, refrigerators, and water heaters. Some home warranties also cover items with rust or corrosion damage.
Expert Takes on Home Warranties
We interviewed industry experts to supplement our home warranty research. We asked them a few of the most common questions homeowners have about home warranties. Their answers are the following:
- Are there things I should know about the claims process? David Tully, owner of LPT Realty, suggests the following: “You need to understand how to file a claim to your provider and how quickly you can expect a response from them. Also, get to know the turnaround time they would take for the repairs and replacements.”
- Can I start using my Arizona home warranty once I sign up? Chuck Vander Stelt, a Realtor for Quadwalls, mentions most home warranty companies don’t accept claims directly after you sign up for a plan. He adds, “If you already own the home you’re getting a home warranty for, there is typically a 30- to 90-day blackout period where you can’t make claims.”
- Do Arizona home warranties offer other reimbursement options? Kurt Walker, a Mill City Home Buyers real estate expert, says many home warranty companies offer cash reimbursement for repairs or replacements. “However, you must be aware that the cash payout might not cover the cost of replacement,” he cautions.
Our Conclusion
Whether you purchased a new home or are a seasoned homeowner who wants total home protection, consider signing up for a home warranty. A home warranty can promote a level budget and connect you with reputable service providers. We recommend American Home Shield as our top choice due to its extensive coverage options and protections. Another solid choice is Liberty Home Guard since it provides a 60-day workmanship guarantee. Finally, Select Home Warranty is worth considering if you’re on a budget.
We suggest reading the sample contracts of three providers to understand coverage exclusions and limitations.
Frequently Asked Questions About Arizona Home Warranties
How Do I Find the Best Home Warranty Company in My Area?
Find in-depth reviews on the best home warranty companies for each state and major U.S. city below.
Our Rating Methodology
The This Old House Reviews Team backs up our home warranty ratings and recommendations with a detailed rating methodology to objectively score each provider. We conduct research by speaking with company representatives, requesting quotes, analyzing sample contracts from each company, and conducting focus groups and consumer surveys. We then score each provider against our review standards for coverage, value, trustworthiness and transparency, availability, and customer service to arrive at a final score on a 5-point rating scale.
To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our Reviews Team at reviews@thisoldhousereviews.com.