Homeownership brings many joys, but also unexpected costs. Reports show that the home warranty market is booming, valued at approximately $3.9 billion in 2024, and expected to grow to $13.6 billion by 2030. As more homeowners seek protection against costly repairs, home warranty companies have emerged as a potential safety net. These warranties promise to cover major repairs for a fixed fee, but consumer frustration is growing due to coverage issues, service delays, and poor contractors. Understanding what’s included is crucial when selecting the right provider. We’ve analyzed customer reviews from PissedConsumer.com and consulted experts to rank home warranty companies from worst to best, highlighting the most common consumer issues. Key Insights Homeowners typically pay $2,500 - $6,000 annually on home repairs without a warranty. In contrast, home warranty policies usually cost between $300 and $600. Home warranty policies often have coverage limitations, but might be customizable for certain features like roofs and pools. Read reviews, ask for recommendations, and take note of common complaints about service quality and contractor reliability. Are Home Warranties Worth It? Home warranties are marketed as budget protection, covering costly repairs like broken air conditioners or plumbing issues for an annual fee of $300–$600. But many homeowners find the experience doesn’t match the promise. While some users report peace of mind, others face denied claims, service delays, and unclear coverage. Reviews on PissedConsumer.com often highlight frustration with what’s not covered and how long repairs take. Before signing up, weigh the potential savings against the risk of red tape and repair delays. What Are the Most Common Home Warranty Issues? Customers pay for home warranties to cover issues with appliances, roofs, HVAC, water heaters, and other home elements. While they always hope for the best, common problems still arise with the best and the worst home warranty companies. These issues include: Long delays for repairs Shortage of parts and labor High service fees Arguments over claims Continuous repairs rather than replacement Vendors shortchanging or avoiding repairs Julie Brittain, an Associate Broker at ΓEA⅃ Broker explains that: The 2 main issues my clients have when using a home warranty to get an item repaired or replaced in their home are 1) Items not being covered and 2. The time it takes to actually get the service techs to the home. She goes on to explain that the “biggest misconception” is that “home warranties do NOT cover items that stop working due to age.” We investigated reviews about great and not-so-successful experiences and what amounts to home improvement scams. We interviewed industry experts to rank home warranty companies from worst to best, to help you decide if they are even worth the expense. What Are the Worst and Best Home Warranty Companies? We reviewed some of the most popular home warranty companies, including Home Warranty of America, Cinch Home Services, Fidelity National Home Warranty, First American Home Warranty, and American Home Shield. Through detailed analysis of customer reviews and service performance, we ranked these companies based on customer feedback. 5. Fidelity National Home Warranty: “Awful Experience with Them” Fidelity National Home Warranty Rating* – 1.2⭐ Fidelity National Home Warranty Reviews – 237 Claimed Losses - $69K Resolved Issues – 9 Fidelity National Home Warranty sits somewhere in the middle of the list of home warranty companies, but its 1.3-star rating reflects widespread dissatisfaction. A staggering 96% of reviews are negative, with losses totaling $67,000, leaving many customers calling the company “disgraceful.” Common complaints center on poor customer service, long delays, and unresolved claims. While some users found success with appliance repairs, many were frustrated by slow responses and contractor issues. In review #6418266, a consumer shared: Lack of urgency on Fidelity for not treating the pipe leak inside of walls as emergency problem.Then once leak was acknowledged, the person fidelity chose to do the job ignored my calls for three days. Even though 10% of customers report having their issues resolved, the majority of complaints speak to a lack of urgency and poor communication throughout the process. 4. Home Warranty of America: “They Will Drag You Along With the Claims Until You Pay for Repairs Yourself” Home Warranty of America Rating* – 1.3⭐ Home Warranty of America Reviews – 127 Claimed Losses - $65K Resolved Issues – 0 According to consumer reviews on PissedConsumer.com, Home Warranty of America frequently leaves homeowners feeling more burdened than protected. The company holds a 1.3-star average rating, with 95% of feedback marked negative and not a single resolved issue recorded. For many, disappointment starts when a repair is needed, but support never shows up. Delays, contractor no-shows, and claim denials are common. In review #1967849, a customer filed a claim for a broken salt cell in their pool system. The vendor quoted $1,650 for parts – well above the policy’s coverage cap. The salt cell on my pool is not working and I submitted a claim. It was assigned to a vendor who reported the salt cell and motherboard needed to be replaced. I was told there is a difference of $237 between his charges and the cap on this work. Despite eight phone calls and repeated requests, the homeowner was denied the option to work with another contractor. Supervisors were “never available,” and the customer felt stuck with a vendor they never chose, and whose costs they were expected to absorb. This isn’t an isolated case. Many reviews describe similar patterns: no clear timelines, poor communication, and shifting responsibilities onto the homeowner. 3. First American Home Warranty: “Waited 15 Days for Contractor Appt, and They Were a No Show” First American Home Warranty Rating* – 1.3⭐ First American Home Warranty Reviews – 858 Claimed losses - $914K Resolved Issues – 23 As a larger provider on this list, First American Home Warranty has received a significant volume of complaints, with losses totaling nearly $900,000. While 13% of issues were resolved, the company still holds a troubling 97% negative review rate. First American customers frequently cite poor contractor selection, lack of follow-up, and frustrating customer service. One customer shared their frustrating experience after paying a service fee for a malfunctioning dishwasher and washer. Despite being assigned a contractor, the appointment was scheduled 15 days later, and the contractor never showed up. Called in twice, on hold over 45 minutes each time to get a different contractor. Never happened... Twenty three days with no dishwasher and a crashing washer. I am told it was escalated last week, and again tonight. The customer noted that the company only had two contractors available in their area, adding further frustration to an already drawn-out process. This lack of urgency and poor communication left them questioning the value of their home warranty. 2. Cinch Home Services: “Service Person Could Have Killed Us with Their Ineptitude” Cinch Home Services Rating* – 1.4⭐ Cinch Home Services Reviews – 159 Claimed Losses - $116K Resolved Issues – 6 Cinch Home Services promises specialized coverage for homeowners, drawing on 45 years of industry experience and more than 1 million yearly service requests. However, the company has earned a 1.3-star rating, with 94% of reviews indicating dissatisfaction. Despite this, 50% of users report that they would recommend the service to a friend, though that positive sentiment is often tied to the low cost rather than quality service. While Cinch’s low monthly rates are appreciated by some, the company has numerous complaints about service delays, poor workmanship, and frustrating communication. One reviewer shared a story of a simple request for an outside faucet repair, only to find that after a technician opened the wall and submitted an estimate, the company denied the repair, even though they had confirmed it was covered. I spent one hour on the phone with Cinch, and they refused the repairs. Now I’m left with *** in my wall and no fix. They even kept the deductible. Despite a seemingly low-cost offering, the company’s poor handling of claims and repairs raises significant concerns. For many, what starts as a budget-friendly choice turns into an unreliable and frustrating experience. 1. American Home Shield: “AHS Has Totally Ignored My Issues” American Home Shield Rating* – 1.4⭐ American Home Shield Reviews – 4.8K Claimed losses - $2.4M Resolved Issues – 166 American Home Shield stands at the top of our worst to best home warranty list, with the highest number of reviews, but also the highest rate of dissatisfaction. While some customers report positive outcomes, 94% of reviews are negative, and a significant $2.3 million in losses have been claimed by frustrated homeowners. The top complaints about American Home Shield focus on poor customer service, long delays, and incompetent contractors. One customer shared a harrowing experience with a water heater replacement that was never completed. After waiting six months for the company to replace the heater, American Home Shield offered a price for the unit that was less than half of what it cost at Lowe’s and without installation. When the customer declined, the company simply closed the ticket. I had to pay another $75 to open a new ticket, and they just ignored that one altogether. While waiting for this water heater for 6 months and still never getting it replaced, the furnace went out. They assigned someone to fix it who told me they had the part but no technicians to work on it because they didn't repair furnaces anymore. Anyway, after over a year of dealing with them and no responses... they couldn't even get a manager to call us back as promised. The customer explained that despite paying for the warranty service for 25 years, American Home Shield refused to reimburse them for the repairs. No managers returned calls as promised, and the company continued to cancel appointments without explanation. How to Choose the Right Home Warranty Company for Your Needs? As the reviews have shown, finding a solid home warranty company can be challenging. Among the top considerations for a home warranty company should be the cost and the coverage options of the warranty product. Matt Teifke, the founder and CEO of Teifke Real Estate, believes that another chief concern should be the reputation of the company. This means: Reading reviews and asking for recommendations from family and friends can help consumers determine which companies have a good track record of customer satisfaction. Teifke also says to consider that “some home warranty companies charge a service call fee every time a technician is sent out, while others may have a flat rate for the year.” Another industry expert, Seamus Nally, the CEO at TurboTenant, describes the new trend in the home warranty industry - “the inclusion of energy-efficient appliances and systems in basic coverage plans.” He explains to the customers: With improving coverage, it encourages homeowners to install sustainable energy sources and appliances. So, homeowners can really benefit by improving the energy efficiency of their homes. Rely on a Community of Experts The best way to gauge the effectiveness of home warranty companies is to rely on those who have worked with them previously. While home warranties can provide valuable peace of mind and financial protection against expensive repairs, consumer reviews clearly show that not all providers live up to their promises. Have your own experiences with home warranty companies? Why not leave a review to share with others? Share your experience *Disclaimer: Ranking and statistics are based on our users’ review texts and Pissed Consumer posters’ reviews. Also, a company’s rating is calculated using a mathematical algorithm that evaluates the information in the profile, including users’ rating, the number of resolved issues, the number of company’s responses, etc. The algorithm is subject to change in the future.