People think about how expensive it is to buy a house. But keeping it going is no small expense, either: Even a single system can cost thousands to fix or replace.

A home warranty can help: These service contracts cover the costs of repairing or replacing appliances and home systems, whether its a worn-out dishwasher or HVAC. In a state like Florida, protection for air conditioning, pools and sprinklers is especially critical.

CNBC Select has picked the best home warranty companies in Florida, based on monthly premiums, coverage limits, service fees, customer service and more. (See our methodology for more on how we made our selections.)

Best home warranty companies

Who's this for?Select Home Warranty offers ample coverage for both pools and spas. You can cover chlorinated pools for an additional $100 a year and saltwater pools for $179.

Standout benefits: Unlike many other home warranty companies, Select includes roof leak repairs with all its service contracts.

Who's this for?AFC Home Warranty lets homeowners choose the technician they want to work with, an option not many companies provide. Any contractor must be licensed, bonded and insured, however, and have previous authorization from the company.

Standout benefits: AFC offers three service call fee rates — $75, $100 or $125 — with savings on premiums depending which you select.

Since 1971, American Home Shield has been covering single-family homes, duplexes, townhomes, condos and mobile homes. The brand has spent more than $4 billion on service calls in the past seven years alone.

Plans: The basic ShieldSilver plan covers HVAC, electrical, plumbing and other major home systems, while the ShieldGold plan adds kitchen and laundry appliances. The ShieldPlatinum plan increases coverage limits and adds microwaves, ceiling fans, icemakers and roof leaks.

Coverage limits: All American Home Shield plans have a $50,000 total limit per contract.

Santa Rosa, California-based First American Home Warranty is a longtime player in the service contract market, having incorporated in 1984. It is a division of the First American Financial Corporation, which provides title insurance and other services for homebuyers and sellers.

Plans: The Starter plan covers kitchen appliances, plumbing, electrical and heating systems; Essential adds washers and dryers, water heaters, AC and garage door openers.

The Premium plan adds unlimited coverage for washers and dryers, doubles coverage for kitchen appliances to $7,000 and adds, central vacuum, fans, wall units, faucets and instant hot water dispensers.

Availability: First American Home Warranty operates in 35 states.

Select Home Warranty offers policies for single-family homes, multiple-unit properties, rentals, condos and mobile homes. Service requests can be submitted online and a technician will typically be contacted within 48 hours.

Plans: Select's Bronze Care plan covers kitchen and laundry appliances, while the Gold Care plan protects HVAC, electrical and other home systems. The Platinum Care plan combines the two and adds garage door openers, ceiling fans and plumbing clogs.

Availability: Select Home Warranty is available nationwide except for Nevada, Washington and Wisconsin.

Coverage limits: $3,000 for AC/heating; $500 for electrical, plumbing and appliances; $400 for roof leaks.

Choose your contractor: No, but you may be able to request a specific in-network contractor.

Plans: The Silver plan covers kitchen and laundry appliances and garage door openers, while the Gold plan tacks on HVAC and electrical and plumbing systems and Platinum adds ceiling, exhaust and attic fans. The top-tier Diamond policy includes all of the previous, plus coverage for personal electronics, water and sewer lines.

A home warranty is a service contract that covers the cost of repairing or replacing major appliances and home systems. Home warranty premiums can vary greatly depending on your location and the plan you select, but the average cost is between $450 and $600 a year, though top-tier plans can cost more than $1,300.

That's not including the service call fee, which averages between $75 and $125 for each visit.

Most home warranty companies work with a network of licensed contractors but some will allow you to choose your technician.

Home warranties cover major household appliances, including the refrigerator, oven, dishwasher, garbage disposal, washer, dryer and garage door openers. They also may cover home systems, like HVAC, electrical, plumbing and ductwork.

While some plans only cover one or another, most companies have tiers that cover both.

You can often also buy add-on coverage for a pool or spa, lawn sprinklers, septic systems, sump pumps, water softeners, additional refrigerators and other items.

Roof leak coverage may also be available and some companies cover window and gutter cleaning, as well.

Home warranties typically cover repairs stemming from normal wear and tear. The service plans generally don't cover cosmetic damage or issues caused by improper installation or insufficient basic maintenance. Pest control and structural repairs to walls, windows or doors are usually excluded, as well.

Home warranties usually don't cover damages related to natural disasters, theft or other benefits homeowners insurance would provide.

Pre-existing issues are also generally excluded, including ones that arise during the 30-day waiting period. Some plans will pay for repairs, however, if the problem was previously unknown to the homeowner.

Most home warranty companies have tiered plans, but they may not cover the same systems or appliances. Read the plan you're considering thoroughly before signing your contract.

In Florida, coverage for pools, spas and sprinklers (even as add-ons) is going to be more important than in other states.

Also take note of coverage limits, which can be per claim, aggregate or both: A provider may limit coverage for HVAC systems at $5,000, for example, and if repairs cost $7,000, you'll have to pay the remaining $2,000 out of pocket. Also consider the service fee (including if you have a choice of rates) and whether the company offers any guarantee on its workmanship.

Is a home warranty worth it?

If you don't have cash on hand to replace or repair a major appliance or home system, a home warranty can save you money in the long run. This is especially true with older homes that may not have well-maintained systems. A new home with new appliances is less likely to need the kind of coverage a service contract can provide, but homeowners should decide for themselves if it's of value.

What is a service call fee?

The service fee is a charge for having a technician come to repair or replace a faulty system. It's not included in your monthly premium, so you'll pay out of pocket for each visit. Service call fees average between $75 and $125 per visit, and some providers allow you to choose from several rates to lower your monthly premium.

How much does a home warranty cost in Florida?

Home warranties in Florida average between $42 and $74 per month, or roughly $500 to nearly $900 annually. Several providers give discounts for paying your annual premium upfront, however, and the rate doesn't include service call fees. In addition, the cost of a specific contract can vary greatly based on the coverage limits and add-ons.

Is a home warranty the same as home insurance?

Although they both protect your possessions, home insurance and home warranties are quite different. Homeowners insurance covers damages or loss from fire, hurricanes, burglaries or other "covered perils." A home warranty covers the cost of repairs or replacements due to normal wear and tear. In addition, the contracts only apply to appliances and home systems, although some will add home electronics for an additional charge.

At CNBC Select, our mission is to provide our readers with high-quality service journalism and comprehensive consumer advice so they can make informed decisions with their money. Every home warranty review is based on rigorous reporting by our team of expert writers and editors with extensive knowledge of home warranty products. While CNBC Select earns a commission from affiliate partners on many offers and links, we create all our content without input from our commercial team or any outside third parties, and we pride ourselves on our journalistic standards and ethics.

We also considered CNBC Select audience data when available, such as general demographics and engagement with our content and tools.

Our picks are organized by the best for affordability, for choosing your technician, for customer service, for systems-only coverage, for appliances and for quick service.

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Editorial Note: Opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Select editorial staff’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any third party.