Compare the best home warranty companies for condos
| Company | Customer rating | Our pick for | Monthly starting cost | Service fee(s) | Workmanship guarantee | Year founded | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Cinch Home Services | Get a Quote | 4.2 | Best overall | $27.99 | $100, $125 or $150 | 180 days | 1978 |
 American Home Shield | Get a Quote | 3.6 | Coverage selection | $29.99 | $100 or $125 | 30 days | 1971 |
 HomeSafe | Get a Quote | 4.3 | Claims handling | $69 | $65 | 60 days | 2002 |
 ARW Home | Get a Quote | 4.4 | Best technicians | $39.99 | $125 | 30 days | 2009 |
 First American Home Warranty | Get a Quote | 4.0 | Fast service | $33 | $100 or $125 | 30 days | 1984 |
 Old Republic Home Warranty | Learn More | 3.8 | Value | About $26 | $100 or $125 | None specified | 1974 |
Cinch Home Services
- Monthly premium cost
- $27.99 to $89.99
- Labor guarantee
- 180 days
- Service call fee
- $100, $125 or $150
- Availability
- 48 states
American Home Shield
- Monthly premium cost
- $29.99 to $89.99
- Labor guarantee
- 30 days
- Service call fee
- $100 or $125
- Availability
- 48 states
HomeSafe
- Monthly premium cost
- $69 to $79
- Labor guarantee
- 60 days
- Service call fee
- $65
- Availability
- 49 states
ARW Home
- Monthly premium cost
- $39.99 to $84.99
- Labor guarantee
- 30 days
- Service call fee
- $125
- Availability
- 50 states
First American Home Warranty
- Monthly premium cost
- $37 to $72
- Labor guarantee
- 30 days
- Service call fee
- $100 or $125
- Availability
- 35 states
Old Republic Home Warranty
- Monthly premium cost
- $50 to $80
- Labor guarantee
- None specified
- Service call fee
- $100 or $125
- Availability
- 25 states
Methodology: How we chose the best home warranty companies for condos
The ConsumerAffairs Research Team compared home warranty companies using verified customer reviews, plan details and pricing.
We analyzed ConsumerAffairs reviews from May 1, 2025, through April 30, 2026, focusing on:
- Satisfaction with technicians
- Customer service
- Claims handling
- Speed
- Coverage
- Price
- Refunds or payouts
We also compared condo-relevant plan features, including the number of plans, service call fee options, service guarantee length, electronics coverage, extra benefits and starting cost.
Each company received weighted scores based on the factors that mattered most for each award category. For example, “Best overall” balanced customer satisfaction, coverage, pricing and plan features, while other categories placed more emphasis on claims handling, coverage selection, value, technician satisfaction or fast service.
Condo home warranty buyers guide
The best home warranty companies for condos provide clear, detailed information about their plans, costs and exclusions. When shopping for a condo home warranty, be sure to check coverage levels and limits to make sure your choice matches your needs.
Alexei Morgado, realtor and founder of real estate exam prep provider Lexawise, said that he “would advise my clients not to consider providers that give general guarantees, do not present any samples of the contract used by the provider, have low maximum payouts, high service charges and a discretionary right to reject the claim because of a preexisting condition, lack of proper maintenance or installation problem.”
Condo home warranties cover normal wear and tear, not disasters, theft or fire.
Jump to insightHome warranties for condos exclude shared areas of the condo building.
Jump to insightThe best home warranty plans for condos usually cost between $360 and $1,000 annually.
Jump to insightHome warranty for condos explained
Condo home warranties work together with condo insurance and your HOA or condominium association coverage. Unlike insurance, condo home warranties protect against normal wear and tear.
What a condo home warranty is and how it works
A condo home warranty is a type of service contract instead of a true warranty. These service contracts cover the repair or replacement of covered systems and appliances when failure is due to normal wear and tear rather than to accidental damage, fire, theft or weather. The home warranty will include repair-cost limits and service fees for each repair.
What a condo home warranty covers
Home warranties for condos often include many features designed for stand-alone homes that become redundant in condos because so many items are shared and covered by the condo association. Sometimes that means the best home warranty for a single-family house is very different from the best condo home warranty.
Shared areas and personal responsibility vary by condominium and your plan coverage.
Condo home warranties only cover personally owned parts of the condo unit, not shared areas. For example, while the home warranty may list air conditioner coverage, in a condo, it might not cover the AC unit itself if it serves many units. However, it would cover the thermostat and ductwork in your unit, depending on your specific warranty plan.
| Item | Usually condo owner’s responsibility? | Usually HOA/shared responsibility? | Coverage notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Appliances | Yes | No | Commonly covered when located inside the unit. |
| Electronics | Sometimes | No | Often requires an electronics add-on. |
| HVAC | Varies | Varies | In-unit systems may be covered; shared systems typically aren’t. |
| Electrical | Varies | Varies | In-unit wiring and panels may be covered; building systems are often excluded. |
| Plumbing | Varies | Varies | In-unit fixtures and lines may be covered; shared pipes typically aren’t. |
| Sewer/septic system | Rarely | Often | Shared sewer or septic systems are generally HOA responsibility. |
| Pool | No | Often | Common-area pools aren’t covered by individual condo plans. |
| Lawn sprinkler system | No | Often | Often part of shared landscaping. |
| Roof leaks | Rarely | Often | Roofs are generally maintained by the condo association. |
| Garage door opener | Sometimes | Varies | May be covered if it serves only your unit. |
What condo warranties usually exclude
All home warranties place limits on coverage, just like homeowners insurance. Common coverage exclusions include:
- Preexisting conditions (known or unknown)
- Improper installation
- Damage from lack of maintenance, intentional damage, misuse or neglect
- Non-functional issues such as cosmetic damage
- Structural components
- Appliances and systems over a certain age
- Shared property areas in condominiums
Home warranty vs. condominium association insurance vs. home insurance
Condominiums are covered in three ways: your condominium association or HOA insurance, condominium home insurance policies and home warranties. When you buy a condo, you’ll need multiple plans to juggle coverage for shared areas and personal property areas.
Coverage comparison overview
Buying a condo differs from buying a house because you don’t own or maintain every part of the property. Some parts of the property are outside of your responsibility. Shared areas such as pools, sidewalks, elevators, building exteriors, hallways and parking garages are handled by the HOA or condominium association insurance.
Condo home warranties cover items that serve only your unit or are located inside your unit and fail due to normal wear and tear. They are not the same as a builder’s warranty on new construction.
Condo homeowners insurance (also called HO-6 condo owners insurance) covers damage to your unit and its contents from disasters, accidents, fire, theft and some water damage. For example, it may cover your unit’s interior structure, personal property such as furniture and electronics, and certain liability claims.
Condominium association insurance (also called master insurance) covers damage to shared common systems and spaces, such as the building structure itself, building electrical, community pool and elevators. It also covers general liability for the resident and building. Condo fees pay for the master insurance plan and general maintenance of shared areas.
Where home warranties fit in
Home warranties can help cover certain repair costs that homeowners insurance and master insurance policies usually don’t cover.
For example, while traditional insurance is great at covering damage from fires, it doesn’t cover your stove not working due to normal wear and tear.
Home warranties are for everyday repair issues, while insurance is for disaster recovery. Likewise, new construction builder home warranties cover defects, not normal wear and tear.
Condo home warranty coverage options
Most home warranty companies offer several plan levels. Generally, these include an appliance-only plan, a home systems plan and a combined plan. Many home warranty providers also offer add-ons and upgrades for additional coverage.
Optional add-ons and upgrades
Add-ons are meant to provide customized home warranty coverage and generally include items with limited scope or that are less likely to be found in most homes. Common optional add-ons and upgrades include:
- Pro-grade or luxury appliances
- Additional refrigerators
- HVAC maintenance
- Ice makers
- Wine coolers
- Electronics
- Guest houses
- Lighting fixtures
- Enhanced coverage for additional parts of an item, such as garage door tracks and hinges
How coverage limits work
Home warranty coverage limits include per-repair caps, per-item caps and aggregate limits. Higher-tier warranty plans may offer higher limits than entry-level plans.
- Per-repair cap: The maximum amount covered for each repair call
- Per-item cap: A limit on coverage for a specific item over the life of the plan (usually one year)
- Aggregate limit: The total amount covered by a plan for all systems and service calls over the life of the plan (usually one year)
Choosing the right coverage level
For many condominium owners, appliance-only plans make the most sense because of the shared systems managed by the condo association. Other considerations for finding the right home warranty coverage include:
- Age and condition of appliances
- Extra appliances requiring add-on coverage
- Monthly cost
- Service call fees (deductible)
- Your personal risk tolerance for uncovered repair costs
- Whether or not you follow regular maintenance on your condo’s appliances and systems
Cost of home warranties for condos
Home warranties for condos typically cost from $360 to $1,000 annually, depending on:
- Coverage levels: Higher aggregate and per-repair caps typically increase home warranty costs
- Exclusions: Home warranties with more exclusions generally cost less because they cover less
- Service fees per repair: Many home warranty providers offer lower premium costs if you choose a higher per-repair service fee (deductible)
- Add-on coverage options: Additional coverage, such as luxury appliances and roof-leak coverage, add costs to premiums
- New or returning customer: Many of the best home warranty companies for condos offer first-time customer discounts of 35% to 50% on your first year’s plan
Condo home warranty pros and cons
Pros
- Warranty company handles finding vetted contractors
- Fills some coverage gaps by covering issues inside your unit
- Helps you budget for repairs
- Convenient if you rent out your condo
- Peace of mind
Cons
- Premiums often include items excluded as shared for condos
- Warranties may cost more than most repairs
- Often no choice of service provider
- Low repair-cost limits on many plans
- Out-of-pocket extra costs, such as haul-away fees and remediation, if walls must be cut
Is a home warranty for a condo worth it?
As with every product, condo home warranties aren’t for everyone.
A condo home warranty is often worth it for:
- Condo owners who rent out their condos and need help arranging repairs
- Condo owners who want to budget for repairs
- Condo owners concerned about aging appliances
A home warranty for condos may not be worth it if:
- You are most concerned about systems that are shared areas or outside your specific unit
- You are comfortable saving up for repairs
- Your appliances and condo systems are still under manufacturer’s warranties
FAQ
What is a red flag on a home warranty?
Vague terms, high-pressure sales tactics and inspection requirements are red flags for home warranties.
Do HOA fees cover the same things as a home warranty?
No, HOA fees don’t cover the same items as a home warranty. HOA and condominium association fees cover shared areas, while home warranties cover items in your personally owned space.
Who is responsible if a leak in my condo damages the one below me?
Leaks in your space that damage other units are a tricky issue, but generally, a home warranty would cover the pipes dedicated to your unit if wear and tear were the cause and your HO-6 condo homeowners insurance would cover the damage to the other unit. If the pipes serve both units, it will likely fall under the condo association’s master insurance.
Are HOAs and condominium associations the same?
While you might colloquially call the condominium association an HOA, there are differences. HOAs usually refer to governing groups for subdivisions, planned communities and some townhome communities. Condominium associations govern buildings in which residents may own varying shares of the property and pay fees based on their ownership levels.
Is a condo home warranty cheaper than a single-family home warranty?
Condo warranties are rarely cheaper because many warranty companies sell the same policies for both and rely on condo clauses in the terms to differentiate system coverage.
Guide sources
ConsumerAffairs writers primarily rely on government data, industry experts and original research from other reputable publications to inform their work. Specific sources for this guide include:
- Federal Trade Commission, “Warranties for New Homes.” Accessed June 29, 2026.
- Office of the Insurance Commissioner, Washington State, “Learn how condo insurance works.” Accessed June 28, 2026.
