Home warranty research

Price benchmarks by plan, annually: roofing $350–$600, appliance protection $400–$500, systems protection $400–$600, basic protection $400–$600, total protection $450–$900. Monthly equivalents $25–$100. Separately, 10-year structural warranties on new construction run $500–$1,500.

Add-on benchmarks, monthly: second refrigerator $2–$4, well pump $8–$10, roof leaks $8–$10, HVAC maintenance $10–$15, electronics $15–$20, pool/spa $20–$40, guest units $25–$30.

Legal framework. Federally, a service contract is "a contract in writing to perform, over a fixed period of time or for a specified duration, services relating to the maintenance or repair (or both) of a consumer product." State law adds specifics: California defines a home protection contract as covering repair or replacement "necessitated by wear and tear, deterioration or inherent defect," and prohibits furnishing such contracts without charge.

Dispute resolution. Binding arbitration clauses are common and the Federal Arbitration Act makes written arbitration provisions in contracts involving commerce "valid, irrevocable, and enforceable, save upon such grounds as exist at law or in equity for the revocation of any contract." That's the legal backdrop to every denied-claim dispute in this category.

How to choose

Compare against the $400 to $700 typical band

A quote far outside it should prompt a question about what's different — usually caps.

Always add service fees to premium comparisons

$75 to $125 per dispatch is a large fraction of a $400 to $900 annual premium.

Treat add-ons as separate products

$2 to $40 a month each, each with its own caps and exclusions.

Look up your state's specific rules

The legal definition and the regulator both vary. California's statute is illustrative, not universal.

Assume arbitration applies unless the contract says otherwise

It's the default in this category and it's enforceable.