A home warranty allows you to enjoy your home without worrying about unexpected breakdowns and the associated repair or replacement costs. In exchange for a monthly or annual premium and a small service fee, your provider will handle repairs and replacements for covered items in your contract.

We reviewed the best home warranty companies in the nation and selected our top choices for Minnesota. We compared plans, pricing, and customer reviews to help you make the best purchasing decision.

Minnesota’s Top 4 Home Warranty Companies

The best home warranty companies in Minnesota provide comprehensive coverage, offer affordable payment options, and have excellent customer service teams to answer service requests 24/7. The highest-rated Minnesota home warranty companies include the following:


Summary of the Best Home Warranty Companies in Minnesota

Company
Best For
BBB Rating
Monthly Cost
Service Fee
Response Time
Best for Comprehensive Coverage
B
$64–$74
$100–$125
Up to 48 hours
Best Customer Ratings
A+
$49–$60
$65–$125
Up to 48 hours
Best Value
B-
$44–$48
$60–$75
48-84 hours
Best for Customization
B
$48–$55
$75–$125
24-48 hours
Best For Monthly Cost Service Fee Response Time BBB Rating Link
American Home Shield American Home Shield Best for Comprehensive Coverage $64–$74 $100–$125 Up to 48 hours B VISIT SITE
Liberty Home Guard Liberty Home Guard Best Customer Ratings $49–$60 $65–$125 Up to 48 hours A+ VISIT SITE
Select Home Warranty Select Home Warranty Best Value $44–$48 $60–$75 48-84 hours B- VISIT SITE
AFC Home Club AFC Home Club Best for Customization $48–$55 $75–$125 24-48 hours B VISIT SITE
American Home Shield
Logo American Home Shield
Best For Best for Comprehensive Coverage
Monthly Cost $64–$74
Service Fee $100–$125
Response Time Up to 48 hours
BBB Rating B
VISIT SITE
Liberty Home Guard
Logo Liberty Home Guard
Best For Best Customer Ratings
Monthly Cost $49–$60
Service Fee $65–$125
Response Time Up to 48 hours
BBB Rating A+
VISIT SITE
Select Home Warranty
Logo Select Home Warranty
Best For Best Value
Monthly Cost $44–$48
Service Fee $60–$75
Response Time 48-84 hours
BBB Rating B-
VISIT SITE
AFC Home Club
Logo AFC Home Club
Best For Best for Customization
Monthly Cost $48–$55
Service Fee $75–$125
Response Time 24-48 hours
BBB Rating B
VISIT SITE

Annual Home Warranty Cost Calculator

Our team created a 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.

Appliance Average Repair Cost Average Replacement Cost
Dehumidifier $50–$200 $1,300–$2,800
Microwave $50–$400 $60–$2,000
Dishwasher $50–$500 $400–$3,000
Exhaust Fans $16–$300 $250–$950
Electric Range $100–$500 $230–$3,000
Gas Range $100–$500 $230–$3,000
Dryer $100–$400 $450–$2,300
Oven $100–$430 $400–$3,000
Washer $50–$450 $400–$2,300
Freezer $90–$500 $160–$2,900
Refrigerator $40–$350 $200–$5,000

Life span and repair cost data sourced from InterNACHI and The Home Depot


American Home Shield

Best for Comprehensive Coverage
4.4
  • Response Time: 48 hours
  • State Availability: 48 states (excluding Alaska and Hawaii)
  • Service Call Fee: $100 and $125

American Home Shield (AHS) offers comprehensive major systems and appliance coverage alongside service call fee flexibility. Additionally, AHS covers unique instances other providers typically don’t, such as rust, corrosion, or sediment damage.

Why We Chose American Home Shield

We rated AHS 4.4 out of 5 stars in our review standards. We consider AHS as the “Best for Comprehensive Coverage” due to its three coverage plans, multiple service fees, and solid industry reputation. We thoroughly read American Home Shield’s sample contract and found it applies a $2,000 limit per covered appliance in its ShieldGold plan. It doubles its coverage cap to $4,000 per covered item in the ShieldPlatinum plan.

AHS plans provide extensive coverage, and even its basic plan, ShieldSilver, covers your HVAC system. Its multiple service call fees allow you to customize your monthly premium to fit your budget.

Pros and Cons

Pros Offers a flexible service call fee model that allows customers to adjust monthly fees to fit their budget Sets generous coverage caps (up to $5,000 on built-in systems and $4,000 on appliances with its ShieldPlatinum plan) Provides coverage for unknown preexisting conditions, items damaged by rust and corrosion, and items that have been improperly installed or modified Cons Charges higher monthly premiums compared to other providers Offers less coverage flexibility than most providers with only a few add-on options

Plans and Pricing

American Home Shield offers three plans: ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, and ShieldPlatinum. We called an AHS representative and discovered that ShieldSilver covers built-in systems. The representative noted that AHS imposes a $5,000 coverage cap per covered system. ShieldGold has a $2,000 coverage limit on home appliances and doesn’t include an HVAC tune-up. ShieldPlatinum adds roof-leak coverage, up to $1,000 in code upgrades, an HVAC tune-up, and air filter discounts.

When we used AHS’s quote tool, it allowed us to choose a service call fee of $100 or $125. AHS states that a higher service call fee will result in a lower monthly premium and vice versa. All AHS plans come with a 30-day workmanship guarantee.

While pulling our quote, we discovered that AHS only offers monthly premium options. It doesn’t include an annual premium like other providers on this list. AHS allows you to pull a quote by calling a representative or using its tool.

Here are details on the covered items and monthly costs in each of American Home Shield’s plans:

  • ShieldSilver ($29.99–$39.99 per month): Covers home systems, such as heating, cooling, and electrical
  • ShieldGold ($49.99–$59.99 per month): Covers major systems and appliances, such as air conditioning, roof leaks, and plumbing
  • ShieldPlatinum ($79.99–$89.99 per month): Covers systems and appliances and includes additional benefits, such as $1,500 for roof-leak repairs
  • Optional Add-ons: Electronics, pools/spas, guest units, septic pumps, and well pumps. AHS offers competitively priced add-ons, such as septic pump coverage, for five dollars per month.

You can review the American Home Shield’s sample contract for exact coverage details.

What To Expect

We found it easy to pull a quote from American Home Shield’s quote tool. You must enter your ZIP code, home address, and email. Then it generates your personalized quote. It allows you to choose your service call fee option, which adjusts your premium based on the higher or lower service call fee.

AHS stands out from other providers for its coverage of rust, corrosion, and sediment damage. It also covers improperly installed or maintained items, plus items with preexisting conditions. Most providers exclude items with these conditions from coverage. 

Like most providers in this article, AHS requires you to use an in-network service provider when requesting service. One of our team members owns an AHS plan and tested its claims process. When he filed a claim for a leaking bathroom pipe, AHS found a local plumbing technician within an hour. He scheduled an appointment for the next day, and the plumber fixed his issue on that visit. He only paid his service call fee for the repair.

AHS holds solid customer reviews, despite mixed feelings about its customer service. Based on the dozens of BBB customer reviews we read, some reviewers experienced lower-than-expected claims reimbursement. Others had their claims processed quickly and satisfactorily.

Liberty Home Guard

Best Customer Ratings
4.5
  • Response Time: 48 hours
  • State Availability: 50 states
  • Service Call Fee: $65–$125

Liberty Home Guard (LHG) offers three coverage plans, a 60-day workmanship guarantee, and more than 30 add-ons. LHG also provides accessible customer service via its live-chat feature on its website.

Why We Chose Liberty Home Guard

Liberty Home Guard earned 4.5 out of 5 stars in our rating system. It is the best customer-rated home warranty provider on this list, in part due to its A+ rating* with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and its 4.7 out of 5-star rating on Google Reviews. Our team spoke with multiple customer representatives to consider how well LHG handles customer inquiries. Based on our experiences, we believe it holds up to its stellar ratings, with each representative answering the phone quickly and answering all our questions thoroughly.

Pros and Cons

Pros Extends a 60-day workmanship guarantee Offers 38 unique optional add-ons, including pest control and gutter cleaning Provides a live-chat customer service feature Cons Doesn't allow plan price or service call fee customization Covers high-end appliances only with add-on purchase Lacks transparency about services fees during the quote process

Plans and Pricing

Liberty Home Guard offers three service plan options: Appliance Guard, Systems Guard, and Total Home Guard. Unlike providers with a flexible service call fee, LHG assigns a service call fee to your account based on your plan, add-on selections, and location. According to the representative we spoke with, service fees range from $65 to $125. All LHG’s covered items are subject to a $2,000 coverage cap and a 60-day workmanship guarantee.

Below are the monthly prices for an LHG plan. Expect to pay between $600 and $720 annually. Per our research, LHG offers two additional months of coverage if you sign up for an annual plan. LHG allows you to pull a quote over the phone or online.

Here are details on LHG’s plans and optional add-on coverage:

  • Appliance Guard ($49.99 per month): Covers appliances, such as dishwashers, clothes washers, and dryers
  • Systems Guard ($54.99 per month): Covers built-in systems, such as air conditioning, heating, ductwork, and water heater
  • Total Home Guard ($59.99 per month): Covers all the items in the Appliance Guard and Systems Guard plans
  • Optional Add-ons: Up to 38 options, including pest control, rekey service, gutter cleaning, floor cleaning, and generator coverage. When we pulled our quote, we were informed that pest control coverage costs an extra $15 monthly.

Liberty Home Guard’s service contract provides additional coverage information for each plan.

What To Expect

Pulling a quote from Liberty Home Guard is straightforward. First, you fill out basic personal information such as your name, phone number, and email. Then, you input your home’s address, type, and whether it is under or over 5,000 square feet. LHG will then display your home’s customized monthly premium. 

We believe Liberty Home Guard offers solid coverage for the price. Its $2,000 coverage cap applies to all covered items except electrical and plumbing systems. In addition, it offers the most add-on coverage options compared to other providers. This makes LHG a great choice if you have unique items that need coverage. 

Note that LHG doesn’t allow you to choose your service provider since it works with its network of technicians. However, if LHG can’t source a technician from its network near you, it allows you to source your own. 

In reading customer reviews, we found that consumers’ experiences aligned with our experience contacting LHG’s customer service. Many reviewers noted the helpfulness of representatives and how quickly they resolved issues. We experienced this responsiveness each time we called or used its live-chat feature.

Select Home Warranty

Best Value
4.3
  • Response Time: 48 hours
  • State Availability: 47 states (excluding NevadaWisconsin, and Washington)
  • Service Call Fee: $60–$75

Select Home Warranty provides affordable coverage plans for those who need basic coverage. It offers appliance-only, systems-only, and combination plans. In addition, Select offers a service call fee under $80 per claim.

Why We Chose Select Home Warranty

Select Home Warranty scored 4.3 out of 5 stars in our review standards. It is a great option if you’re looking for an affordable home warranty since all its plans are less than $50 per month and include roof-leak coverage (up to $400 annually) in each standard plan. Home warranty companies don’t typically offer roof-leak coverage without an additional fee.

Pros and Cons

Pros Offers annual premium discounts on multi-year coverage plans Includes generous $3,000 coverage limit for HVAC systems Covers additional refrigeration and stand-alone freezers Cons Excludes coverage for tankless water heaters Offers lower coverage caps than many competitors Charges multiple service fees if there are multiple claims at the same time

Plans and Pricing

Select Home Warranty offers three plan options: Bronze Care, Gold Care, and Platinum Care. Select charges a $60–$75 service call fee. Our team discovered via secret shopping that Select offers its lower service call fee as an over-the-phone deal only. After reviewing Select’s sample contract, we found it covers HVAC systems up to $3,000. However, Select limits other covered systems, such as plumbing and electrical, plus appliances, to a $500 coverage cap. Select’s plans include a 30-day workmanship guarantee.

Select Home Warranty offers monthly and annual premium options. Expect to pay between $533 and $573 annually. According to the quote we pulled, Select offers up to $150 off and two additional months of coverage if you choose an annual premium. It lets you pull a quote by calling or using its online tool.

Here are more details about Select Home Warranty’s plans:

  • Bronze Care ($44.42 per month): Covers appliances, such as clothes washers and dryers, garbage disposals, refrigerators, and cooktops
  • Gold Care ($44.42 per month): Covers systems, such as air conditioning, heating, plumbing, electrical systems, water heaters, and ductwork
  • Platinum Care ($47.75 per month): Covers all the appliances and built-in systems in the Bronze and Gold Care plans, plus garage-door openers and ceiling fans
  • Optional Add-ons: Central vacuums, lawn sprinkler systems, pools, septic systems, spas, stand-alone freezers, sump pumps, and well pumps. Select Home Warranty also offers low prices for its add-ons. For example, it charges under four dollars monthly for central vacuum coverage.

Check out Select Home Warranty’s sample contract which outlines the terms and conditions of each coverage plan.

What To Expect

Select’s quote tool works similarly to the tools of other providers in this article. It first asks for your ZIP code. Then it asks for your name, phone number, and email. It doesn’t, however, ask for your property’s address. This helps streamline the quote process.

Select is worth considering for homeowners who need basic home protection. Its coverage caps for essential systems and appliances are much lower than other providers, making it difficult to recommend from a coverage standpoint. It offers some of the most affordable fees, and it lets you choose your service provider as long you obtain Select’s approval first. 

We also discovered that Select prefers to communicate strictly over the phone for claims and plan issues. Several customers on third-party consumer review sites, such as the BBB and Trustpilot, note that Select’s customer service department is difficult to get ahold of. Therefore, we recommend carefully considering your needs and budget before signing up for Select Home Warranty.

AFC Home Club

Best for Customization
4.6
  • Response Time: 24 business hours
  • State Availability: 49 states (excluding Hawaii)
  • Service Call Fee: $75, $100, and $125

America’s First Choice Home Club (AFC Home Club) made it onto our list thanks to its customization options for add-ons and its four distinct plans. In addition, AFC Home Club offers service call fee flexibility, which can raise or lower your monthly premium.

Why We Chose AFC Home Club

AFC Home Club earned a 4.6 out of 5-star rating in our review standards. Along with its flexible service call fee model, the variety of plans offered by AFC Home Club is ideal for homeowners who want a personalized home warranty package and pricing. AFC Home Club also offers a lengthy workmanship guarantee and additional membership perks. Other providers don’t include membership perks within their plans.

Pros and Cons

Pros Adds security perks, including identity protection, credit monitoring, and Emergency Alert Network service Guarantees parts and labor for the life of your membership Pairs appliances with a $3,000 coverage cap Cons Requires claims be submitted immediately after noticing a system or appliance problem Charges $75 for canceling after the first 30 days of their plan

Plans and Pricing

AFC Home Club offers a portfolio of four plan options: a Platinum Plan,

a Gold Plan, a Silver Plan, and a Systems Plan. AFC Home Club allows you to choose from a $75, $100, and $125 service call fee. The lower service call fee raises your monthly premium and vice versa.

Our team called AFC Home Club to ask about its coverage caps. A representative stated that its HVAC systems, such as heating and air conditioning, have an unlimited coverage cap, except for thermostats. It limits thermostats to $80. 

The representative added it covers up to $3,000 for appliances. However, AFC’s fine print states it pays up to the value of an item’s depreciated value if it’s older than five years. It covers all repairs and replacements with a plan-length workmanship guarantee.

AFC Home Club offers annual premiums alongside monthly premiums. Expect to pay between $398 and $630 annually for AFC Home Club coverage. The company includes a $50 annual discount if you choose a yearly payment plan. You can pull a quote using its online tool or call a sales representative.

Here are details on each plan offered by AFC Home Club:

  • Silver Plan ($38.00–$42.83 per month): Covers appliances, such as clothes washer, clothes dryer, garbage disposal, and dishwasher
  • Systems Plan ($45.25–$50.08 per month): Covers systems, such as air conditioning, heating, water heaters, and plumbing
  • Gold Plan ($52.50–$57.33 per month): Covers both appliances and systems, such as electrical, ductwork, oven, range, plumbing stoppages, and garage-door openers
  • Platinum Plan ($57.33–$62.17 per month): Covers all items and systems included with the Gold Plan, plus a built-in microwave and ice maker
  • Optional Add-ons: Double oven, electronic coverage, hot water dispenser, sump pump, septic system, central vacuum, pool, spa, stand-alone freezer, and roof-leak repair. Based on the quote we pulled, in-ground pool coverage costs $9 per month.

AFC Home Club’s fine print gives more details if you want to learn more.

What To Expect

AFC Home Club provides an easy-to-use quote tool. Where it differs from most providers, however, is its cost page. Unlike other providers, AFC Home Club requires clicking on each plan to select your desired service call fee. If you wish to compare the prices of the other plans, you must click on the “Back To Plans” button. Although obtaining a quote is straightforward, comparing plan prices isn’t as efficient as other providers.

We consider AFC Home Club’s unlimited workmanship guarantee its best feature. The peace of mind it provides makes it a solid choice for those with older appliances or systems in their homes. Additionally, AFC Home Club is one of the few providers that allows you to choose your contractor. However, its mixed coverage limits for home systems lower its value from a coverage standpoint.

Our team read dozens of customer reviews to understand how AFC Home Club handles customer service. We found mixed reviews. Several customers appreciated AFC Home Club’s speedy claims processing. Others disliked the depreciation valuation AFC does on covered items.


How Much Does a Home Warranty Cost in Minnesota?

Multiple factors can affect the cost of a home warranty in Minnesota. Our research shows a Minnesota home warranty costs $53 monthly or $636 annually. We pulled quotes for a 2,200-square-foot, single-family home in Rochester to obtain our cost average. Pricing for your home warranty largely depends on the coverage plan and add-ons you select. For example, a basic plan that covers six major systems will cost less than a comprehensive plan that covers more than 20 items. Add-ons can also raise your monthly cost because they cover items outside of the standard plans.

We recommend pulling several quotes from various providers to get an understanding of how much a home warranty costs for your home.


Are Home Warranties Worth the Money?

Home warranties offer homeowners several benefits, but the biggest one is peace of mind. If a repair or replacement is needed, you won’t have to worry about paying expensive repair costs or finding a trusted service contractor to help you out—your home warranty provider will cover most of the cost and help you find a technician if you don’t have one on hand.

If you’re a real estate agent or home seller, you can also benefit from a home warranty. Purchasing a home warranty to include in the sale may give potential buyers extra incentive to choose your home over others on the market because they’re guaranteed protection on major systems and appliances.

How Are Home Warranties Regulated in Minnesota?

Minnesota’s Insurance Division (MID) oversees home warranty regulation under the state’s Department of Commerce. Minnesota statute § 59B.01 to 59B.11 is in place to ensure service contract companies fulfill their financial and ethical responsibilities to consumers. According to statute § 59B.01 to 59B.11, companies must obtain a surety bond with the MID before receiving a license. Companies must also write their service contracts in clear language to minimize consumer confusion.

We did additional research and discovered some third-party organizations also oversee home warranties. One such organization is the Service Contract Industry Council (SCIC). The SCIC works with lawmakers nationwide to create regulations that protect the consumer and treat service contract companies fairly.

If you believe your home warranty provider is neglecting its contractual obligations, you can file a complaint with the MID.


Factors To Consider Before Buying a Minnesota Home Warranty

Buying a home warranty in Minnesota is an important decision you shouldn’t take lightly. You could end up purchasing a plan that lacks coverage for your essential appliances or systems. Conversely, you could overpay for coverage you don’t need. To help you choose the right home warranty, here are key points to consider:

  • Coverage: Take note of all the home systems and appliances you use most during your normal routine. Also, consider their age. If your appliances and systems are more than 10 years old, a home warranty could provide a financial safety net once they need repairs.
  • Contract terms: Read the fine print carefully. Understand the conditions under which a provider will approve a repair or replacement. Ensure there aren’t gaps in coverage, specifically on item components, that might leave you without coverage when needed.
  • Service providers: Be aware of the time a home warranty company takes to send a service provider to your home. Ask where the company sources its in-network technicians and if there is a vetting process before working with said technicians. Avoid home warranty companies that don’t have a vetting process or give you a vague answer.

Expert Takes on Home Warranties

We interviewed industry experts and compiled answers to common questions about home warranties. Read our experts’ takes below:

  • Can I trust home warranties? Gary Parker, owner of Gary Buys Houses, has one tip to confirm whether a home warranty provider is trustworthy: “Check if the company is licensed and belongs to professional organizations or associations that uphold ethical standards.”
  • How do I choose the best home warranty company? Patrick Grayson, a Paramount Property Buyers real-estate expert, says, “When shopping for a home warranty, consider the coverage each company offers and ensure it fits your needs.” He continues, “Some companies may offer more coverage than others, so make sure to compare all your options.”
  • Why must I wait before I can start using my Minnesota home warranty? Chuck Vander Stelt, a Quadwalls Realtor, says home warranty companies include a waiting period to prevent claims for items with preexisting conditions. “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,” he adds.

Our Conclusion

Whether you live in the Twin Cities or Coon Rapids, investing in a home warranty can protect you if a system or appliance unexpectedly breaks down. Before buying a Minnesota home warranty, we recommend getting a quote from all three companies listed in this review so that you can compare price estimates and choose the coverage that best fits your budget.


Frequently Asked Questions


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 out of 100.  

To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our Reviews Team at reviews@thisoldhousereviews.com.