How to cancel your home warranty
Canceling the right way can help you avoid costly surprises later
If you’re not happy with your home warranty coverage, your first impulse may be to cancel your plan. Not so fast, though: If you don’t cancel your home warranty the right way, you may end up spending more money. Here’s what you need to know.
Home warranties sometimes charge cancellation fees.
Jump to insightWhen you cancel, you should get back a prorated refund.
Jump to insightBe sure to follow your company’s procedure for canceling, which should be outlined in your contract.
Jump to insightDo home warranty companies charge cancellation fees?
Most home warranties charge cancellation fees. What you pay depends on when you’re canceling. For the most part, home warranty companies will give customers a grace period after they sign up, typically 30 days. During the grace period, they can cancel without a penalty. The company will refund you anything you’ve paid so far, minus the cost of any claims the company helped you with.
After the grace period is over, though, you’ll run into fees. Companies commonly charge an administration fee and prorate your refund, minus the cost of any claims you’ve filed. Of course, what you owe will vary depending on your state and the particular company. Be sure to check your contract for details.
How to cancel your home warranty plan
Most home warranty providers offer the flexibility to cancel your policy at any time. Here’s how it typically works:
- Contact the home warranty company directly. You can usually cancel over the phone or sometimes online through the company's customer service portal.
- Provide the facts. The customer service rep may ask you to provide account details and a reason for the cancellation. Be ready with your contract or account number.
- Make sure the company knows where to send your refund.
- Follow through with any instructions provided by the customer service representative to ensure your cancellation is processed correctly.
- Ensure you receive a confirmation of the cancellation either in writing or by email. Keep this for your records to avoid any disputes about your cancellation date or any final charges.
- Watch your bank account for any unauthorized charge, like automatic payments continuing after you cancel your home warranty contract. If that happens, you’ll need to have the charges reversed.
How to contact your home warranty company
Just about every home warranty company will require you to call its customer service line to cancel your plan. Sometimes, you can cancel through the customer portal or by email. For example, with Liberty Home Guard, you can cancel through the online customer portal, by calling 833-543-9400 or by emailing accounts@libertyhomeguard.com.
Here are the cancellation numbers of some of the biggest home warranty companies.
| Company | Cancellation phone number |
|---|---|
| American Home Shield | 844-203-3818 |
| Choice Home Warranty | 888-531-5403 |
| Liberty Home Guard | 833-543-9400 |
| Cinch Home Services | 844-324-5688 |
| ARW Home | 888-508-8886 |
| First Premier Home Warranty | 800-388-1918 |
| Select Home Warranty | 855-267-3532 |
| HomeServe | 855-336-2465 |
FAQ
Can you cancel a home warranty?
Yes, all legitimate home warranty companies allow you to cancel. You may be charged cancellation fees, though. Be sure to ask your home warranty company about any cancellation terms or conditions outlined in your contract.
How long does a home warranty last?
Most home warranties have a contract term of 12 months. After that, you can either cancel the policy or continue it for another term.
Do home warranties require that you maintain your appliances?
Yes, most home warranties will deny claims on appliances that you have not properly maintained.
Bottom line
It’s always worth considering why you want to cancel. There may be alternative solutions that could address your concerns, such as transferring the warranty if you are selling your home or adjusting your coverage to better suit your needs. No matter what, be sure to read your contract before you decide to cancel.
