American Home Shield is our pick for a Massachusetts home warranty due to its comprehensive HVAC coverage.

A home warranty in Massachusetts costs an average of $63 monthly or $750 annually.

Massachusetts homeowners should cover their heating systems and guard against snow- and ice-related roof damage.

Jesus Sanchez Garcia is a USA TODAY Homefront senior writer specializing in home warranty research. He has spent more than 100 hours researching, analyzing customer reviews and collecting insights from industry experts.

American Home Shield’s heating coverage makes it our top pick for a home warranty in Massachusetts. Unlike most providers, American Home Shield (AHS) covers heating and air conditioning with all of its home warranty plans.

We also recommend Liberty Home Guard for its positive reputation and wide assortment of optional add-ons, which allows you to customize your coverage.

Top 5 best home warranty companies in Massachusetts

The Homefront team analyzed over a dozen home warranty providers that serve Massachusetts. We considered HVAC coverage, roof-leak coverage and price, among other factors. Here are the five companies we recommend for Massachusetts.

Compare the best Massachusetts home warranties

Perhaps unsurprisingly, Massachusetts homeowners spend more on heating each year than all but six other states. That tells us that the HVAC systems in the state are under a lot of strain during the winter months.

Because of that, as we analyzed how well home warranty companies serve Massachusetts, we paid close attention to their promises regarding HVAC coverage to ensure you’d be covered in case your heating system breaks down in the dead of winter.

That’s not to say other categories considered in our review standards are not important to you if you own a home in Massachusetts. Consumer needs are unique, so you might be more concerned with price, customer service, coverage limits or a company’s reputation.

Start your home warranty buyer journey by exploring the leading providers in Massachusetts. Note that the table below is based on our team’s overall nationwide ratings.

Best home warranty in Massachusetts for coverage plans and extra features

American Home Shield (AHS) earned top marks in our review standards for coverage plans and features. It stands out because all of its plans include HVAC coverage .

However, AHS only offers six optional add-ons, so its plans are not as customizable as some competitors.

We like Liberty Home Guard ’s (LHG’s) flexibility because, with 42 optional add-ons, it’s the most customizable home warranty provider we reviewed. When you request an online quote through LHG’s website, it tells you that the most popular add-on options for Massachusetts homeowners are limited roof-leak repair, coverage for pool and spa, septic system plumbing coverage and upgrades to pro series options for ovens and cooktops, as well as for dishwashers.

The cost of a home warranty can grow considerably if you decide to include a sizable number of optional add-ons. Just be sure to take that into account as you seek your quotes.

Plymouth or Cape Cod homeowners might prioritize items or systems other than HVAC. They might choose LHG’s lowest-priced plan, Appliance Guard, to cover kitchen appliances and add on sump pump and septic system coverage.

The table below shows our top-ranked home warranty providers based on our review standards for coverage plans and features.

What a home warranty covers

Home warranty coverage mitigates some of the costs to repair or replace broken-down home items. File a claim when a system or appliance malfunctions. The provider will assign a technician to come to your home and inspect the damage and either fix it or recommend replacement.

Home warranty companies typically provide a sample contract on their website or by request. It may include sections on plan descriptions, coverage limits, exclusions and cancellation policies.

Some plans cover kitchen appliances such as refrigerators, ovens and ranges, built-in microwaves and dishwashers. Other plans cover home systems, such as air conditioners, heating, plumbing and electrical systems.

The most expensive plans — often called “whole home” coverage — cover all appliances and systems. Be sure to check carefully to see what is and is not covered by a plan you’re considering.

Remember that a home warranty differs from homeowners insurance, which covers damage caused by natural disasters and other catastrophes. Home warranties cover specific items and systems.

Common optional add-on coverage for home warranties

In addition to covering appliances and home systems, most providers offer add-on options for an additional price. These add-ons allow you to customize your coverage.

Some providers include optional add-ons in their highest-priced coverage plans. For example, American Home Shield offers roof-leak repairs in its ShieldPlatinum plan, but if you purchase the lower-priced ShieldSilver or ShieldGold plans, you can choose roof-leak repair as an add-on for an additional cost.

The price of add-ons is included in the monthly or annual premium. They cost as little as a few dollars to $30 or more, depending on the company and the coverage level.

Best home warranty in Massachusetts for the price

We found that 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty offers the lowest average monthly home warranty premiums in Massachusetts, at $41 a month. As it happens, 2-10 also provides decent coverage and coverage caps — but low-cost home warranty premiums do not necessarily indicate the best value.

According to our research, the average premiums for a home warranty in Massachusetts are $63 per month and $750 per year.

Most companies offer lower premiums if you agree to pay higher service call fees.

As you consider what home warranty to purchase, consider the cost of desired add-ons, the provider’s coverage caps and its service call fees .

The table below shows our ratings for the best home warranty companies for price, based on our review standards.

Why coverage limits are important to understand

American Home Shield leads the way in our ratings for coverage limits . AHS will pay up to $5,000 for most air conditioning items.

Before you agree to purchase a home warranty, pay close attention to the coverage caps, or payment limits and exclusions, stipulated by the contract. Read the work agreement to ensure the provider will pay enough to offset a significant portion of the cost of a new item, such as a dishwasher or clothes dryer.

Even if a home warranty provider charges a lower premium, you might not get the best value if the company doesn’t pay enough to fully reimburse you for a repair or replacement.

Some companies will only pay a prorated portion of older items that have decreased in value over the years. Some providers will pay only for certain aspects of a repair job, such as an AC unit, but won’t cover other aspects, such as refrigerant.

The table below shows how we ranked the top providers based on our review standards for coverage limits.

Life expectancy and replacement costs for appliances and systems

Knowing how long you can expect an appliance or system to work flawlessly, as well as how much it would cost to repair or replace that item, can help you determine whether a home warranty might be worthwhile.

You can weigh the replacement cost and item’s age against how much you’d spend on the home warranty. You may find you’re better off putting money aside to cover major household repairs as they arise.

Here is a list of appliance and system life expectancies and replacement costs. Life expectancy data is from the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors. Appliance replacement costs reflect the ranges of listed retail prices for five major manufacturers: GE, LG, Maytag, Samsung and Whirlpool. System replacement costs reflect Home Depot pricing.

Best home warranty in Massachusetts for reputation

Liberty Home Guard (LHG) and Elite Home Warranty earned top marks for reputation based on our review standards. A home warranty company builds a favorable reputation with courteous sales and customer support, timely responses to questions and claims, and consistent claims approvals.

One way to gauge a home warranty provider’s reputation is to read customer reviews on consumer sites such as the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and Trustpilot. Remember that customers are more likely to complain on a public forum than to leave a compliment, so read reviews with a critical eye.

When you read consumer reviews on sites like BBB, use the filter settings to view the most recent reviews. That way, you’ll find fresh opinions about the company.

Look for patterns of complaints rather than allowing a handful of unfavorable reviews to influence your decision. If you spot a pattern, such as rejected claims or lower-than-expected amounts paid for reimbursements, ask your sales representative to clarify — and consider another provider.

The table below shows the top five providers for reputation based on our home warranty review standards.

Why customer service matters

Our top home warranty provider for customer service is 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty. This company and Cinch Home Services are the only two providers that scored 5 out of 5 stars in our review standards.

Customer service and reputation are closely related rating factors. After all, a company builds its reputation primarily on the quality of its customer service.

Most home warranty companies promise response times of 24 to 48 hours.

In the home warranty industry, examples of excellent customer service include fast response times to claims and other communications, quick diagnosis and resolution of a repair job by the assigned technicians, and excellent, professional work on repairs or new system installation.

The table below shows our top five providers for customer service based on our review standards.

How claims approvals and rejections affect reputation

A home warranty is essentially useless if the provider consistently rejects claims. The least you can expect as a home warranty holder is for the company to live up to its promises by paying you the amount for repairs and replacements stipulated in your contract.

A pattern of claims rejections should be considered a major red flag. As you research a home warranty provider, look for such a pattern in consumer reviews on BBB or other consumer sites.

We surveyed 1,000 homeowners in November 2023 and found that claim approval rates for the top home warranty providers were the highest among 2-10 (96%) and American Home Shield (94%).

How do you choose the best Massachusetts home warranty?

The home warranty company you pick should help you stay prepared for unexpected breakdowns of your laundry and kitchen appliances and home systems such as HVAC, electrical and plumbing.

You should also be aware of potential red flags, such as a pattern of rejected claims, along with a low BBB score, a limited workmanship guarantee , slower-than-expected customer service and discourteous communications.

As you look for the right Massachusetts home warranty provider, use the factors we consider when researching home warranty companies.

Coverage plans: List your major appliances and home systems that either remain under manufacturer’s warranties or have lapsed warranties. Determine the appliances and systems most vulnerable to breakdowns and research how much it would cost to replace them.

Price: Determine what you can afford in monthly or annual premiums, then weigh that against the potential cost of repairs or replacements. Don’t merely settle for the cheapest option.

Coverage limits: Don’t settle for anything less than providers paying reasonable amounts to repair or replace your covered items. You don’t want to be stuck paying a lot of money out of pocket for a replacement when you thought you were covered.

Reputation: Read customer reviews and look for patterns of complaints, such as slow response times or multiple rejected claims. A low BBB score is not necessarily a major red flag, but it should prompt you to check for patterns of unfavorable reviews.

Customer service: Note how well you’re treated during the sales process. Ask the sales representative about service call response times, claims acceptance and responsive communication. Ensure the company you choose offers a workmanship guarantee of at least 30 days.

What are common Massachusetts home warranty coverage needs?

Heating costs in Massachusetts are expensive. Only six states have higher annual heating costs — Alaska, Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont.

In fact, Massachusetts homeowners pay an average of $859 per year for space heating, according to the Energy Information Administration’s (EIA) most recent Residential Energy Consumption Survey. That’s 66% more than the national average of $519.

Because heating expenses likely constitute a substantial portion of your home budget, you’ll want to ensure your HVAC system is in good working order. If it breaks down in the middle of the winter, you’ll want to have it fixed quickly and with as little hassle as possible.

Furnace coverage is not the only home warranty consideration for Massachusetts homeowners. Plumbing fixtures and pipes can freeze in the winter, exposing your roof to potentially destructive ice.

Look for a home warranty that provides reliable HVAC coverage, covers all or most plumbing components, and either includes roof-leak repair as an add-on or covers it outright in the base plan.

How are home warranties regulated in Massachusetts?

Home warranties in Massachusetts are regulated under Chapter 176D of the state’s laws. The state’s Division of Insurance is the governing body for service contracts.

Residents can file insurance complaints through the Division of Insurance at its complaints portal .

Final take: American Home Shield’s heater coverage gives it the edge in Massachusetts

We recommend American Home Shield if you are concerned about your furnace breaking down in the winter. The company offers plans in various price ranges, all of which cover HVAC components.

On the other hand, if you’re more concerned about a potential malfunction of a kitchen appliance or a home system other than your HVAC unit, you have no shortage of provider options. Liberty Home Guard is another strong pick because of its extensive range of optional add-ons and excellent reputation.

No matter what you need in a home warranty, we recommend acquiring plan quotes from three different providers. Start your research by asking friends, neighbors and family members for their recommendations.

Our rating methodology for home warranty companies

We research and rate home warranty providers to help you choose the right one for your budget and home. Our research includes gathering customer insights via consumer surveys, interviewing industry experts, secret shopping all of the companies we review and analyzing customer reviews from third-party review sites such as Trustpilot and BBB.

Read our full home warranty company methodology for more information.