5 Best Home Warranty Companies in Iowa (2024)

We recommend Liberty Home Guard (LHG) for Iowa homeowners who want more options for extended home protection. The company offers specialty plans for systems and appliances, plus 42 add-on options for better coverage customization.  

Monthly cost: $49–$59

We scored LHG 4.5 out of 5 stars in our review standards. Here’s how it rated in key categories:

• Coverage (4.7 out of 5): LHG scored well for its specialized plans and extension add-on catalog. 
• Value (4.25 out of 5): We deducted points for its vague service call fee policy and limited flexibility. 
• Trustworthiness and transparency (4.8 out of 5): LHG scored high for its excellent customer review scores are several third-party review sites. 
• Availability and service (4.3 out of 5): We deducted points for its restricted service technician policies.

LHG offers three plan options: Appliance Guard, Systems Guard, and Total Home Guard. We read through the LHG sample contract and discovered that Iowa homeowners receive a 60-day workmanship guarantee with their repairs. Essential items, including HVAC systems, receive a $2,000 cap. However, the company only offers $500 for plumbing and electrical, falling below other reviewed providers. Homeowners can add roof-leak coverage as an add-on, which is typical with most home warranty providers. 

Here’s a look at LHG’s plans:

• Appliance Guard: This plan offers appliance-only coverage for major appliances, such as clothes washers, ovens, and refrigerators.
• Systems Guard: The next plan protects key built-in systems, including cooling, heating, and electrical. 
• Total Home Guard: This combines the protection of the Appliance Guard and Systems Guard plans for a more comprehensive option. 

LHG offers monthly and annual premium rates, which is common for many providers. We received two free months of coverage when we chose an annual plan for our sample quote. However, unlike other providers that let you choose your service call fees, LHG assigns its fees. Our sample quote didn’t contain details for our fees either. Most providers offer upfront disclosures for their fees and provide options to switch between the various options. We discovered that LHG assigns its fees based on your location, plan, and chosen add-ons.

Here’s a breakdown of LHG’s fees and coverage caps:

LHG offers an extensive catalog of 42 add-on options. Pricing ranges from $3.99–$35.99, which is midrange compared to other companies. Additional coverage includes pro-series appliances, electronics, and home services such as gutter cleaning and pest control. 

You can add roof-leak coverage for $11.99 per month. LHG is the only company that offers suggested add-ons based on other homeowners in your area. Below are additional add-ons included in our quote:

• Plumbing fixtures
• Septic system pumping
• Stand-alone freezer
• Sump pump

We reviewed hundreds of LHG reviews and found many customers praised the company’s friendly and knowledgeable staff. Many also mentioned that the technicians were highly trained and efficient. Negative reviews noted that the company offers claim payouts much lower than expected. Other reviews pointed out a “hidden” book value disclaimer, which reduces payouts based on the item’s age. 

We recommend reviewing home warranty sample contracts and familiarizing yourself with company policies, coverage caps, and exclusion disclosures.  

We recommend American Home Shield (AHS) for Iowa residents who need comprehensive coverage for their older homes. It’s one of the few companies that offers coverage for preexisting conditions and damaged items.

Monthly cost: $49–$109

We scored AHS 4.4 out of 5 stars in our review standards. Here’s how we rated it in key categories:

• Coverage (4.7 out of 5): AHS scored higher for its comprehensive plan coverage, which includes persistent conditions. 
• Value (4 out of 5): The company lost points for its premium costs, which are higher for comprehensive coverage than other reviewed providers.
• Trustworthiness and transparency (4.25 out of 5): We deducted points for its lower customer review scores on third-party review sites. 
• Availability and service (4.7 out of 5): AHS received higher points for its efficient online claims process, which took less than 24 hours during our testing.

AHS offers three plans: ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, and ShieldPlatinum. We reviewed the AHS sample contract to ensure the company offered the right coverage options for Iowa homes. We learned the company offers a $5,000 cap for cooling, heating, and plumbing. You receive unlimited coverage for electrical and ductwork. Appliances receive a $2,000 limit for the SheildSilver and ShieldGold plans. This coverage doubles to $4,000 on the ShieldPlatinum plan. This plan also includes roof-leak protection with its standard plan, which is rare. You can add roof-leak protection to the ShieldSilver or ShieldGold. AHS offers a standard 30-day workmanship guarantee. 

Here’s a look at AHS’s plans:

• ShieldSilver: The lowest plan offers system-only coverage, including cooling, heating, and plumbing. 
• ShieldGold: This offers comprehensive coverage for systems and appliances, such as cooktops, dishwashers, and refrigerators.
• ShieldPlatinum: The highest plan offers ShieldGold coverage plus additional benefits, including roof-leak coverage, one free HVAC tune-up, and unlimited AC refrigerant.

AHS offers two flexible service call fee options: $100 or $125. Choosing a higher service call fee lowered the premiums in our sample quote. Unlike other home warranty providers, AHS offers only monthly premium plans and not annual plans. Our sample quote included a bonus of $250 if we choose the ShieldGold or ShieldSilver plans. 

Our table below outlines AHS pricing and coverage limits:

AHS offers a limited catalog of only six add-on options. Our other reviewed companies offer an average of 10 or more. Pricing ranged from $5–$24 per item. Roof-leak coverage adds $10 per month to the ShieldSilver and ShieldGold plans. 

Other add-on options include the following:

• Electronics protection plan
• Septic pump
• Well pump

Our team member tested the AHS claims process using his own plan. He submitted an online claim for a leaky bathroom pipe and received immediate email and text confirmations upon submission. A service technician reached out within an hour to schedule a next-day appointment. Repairs took two hours to complete, and he only paid the service call fee. 

We read through online reviews for AHS and learned that customers appreciate the simple claims process and quick response time. Some reviewers called the company out for its disappointing payouts and underskilled service technicians.

We recommend Elite Home Warranty for Iowa homeowners who want more flexible standard coverage. The company provides its customers with three different coverage plans, a customized option, and 27 add-ons for additional flexibility.

Monthly cost: $44–$58

We scored Elite 4.6 out of 5 stars in our review standards. Here’s how we rated it in key categories:

• Coverage (4.6 out of 5): Elite received a higher score for its specialized plan options and extensive add-on catalog. 
• Value (4.25 out of 5): We deducted points for its indelible service call fees and a separate higher fee for certain service calls. 
• Trustworthiness and transparency (4.8 out of 5): Elite scored well for its excellent Better Business Bureau (BBB) score and higher customer review scores. 
• Availability and service (4.5 out of 5): We deducted points for not offering an online quote tool, which is common with other providers.

Elite offers three plan options: Elite Appliances, Elite Systems, and Elite Complete. We checked Elite’s sample contract for details on coverage limits. We discovered the company includes a $15,000 aggregate annual limit for its plans. This means your total claims for the contract period cannot exceed this limit. This breaks down to a $7,000 total cap for appliances and $8,000 for systems. However, Elite includes varying caps for systems and appliances. We recommend reviewing the Elite contract to ensure you have ample coverage for your needs. 

Here’s a quick overview of Elite’s plans:

• Elite Appliances: This offers protection for eight appliances, including dishwashers and refrigerators. 
• Elite Systems: This system-only plan covers eight key systems, including cooling, heating, and plumbing.
• Elite Complete: The highest plan offers comprehensive protection, combining the Elite Appliances and Elite Systems plans.

We learned that monthly premiums range from $44–$58. Unlike other companies that offer flexible service fees, the company charges a standard $70 service call fee for its standard plans. In addition, Elite charges $150 for high-end appliance repairs and service calls on weekends or after hours.

Here’s a breakdown of Elite’s pricing and caps:

*Coverage caps vary by item

Elite offers 27 add-ons, which is the second-largest add-on catalog in this review. The company also imposes a $5,000 aggregate limit for add-on claims. The coverage limits for each item vary, just like the standard coverage. The company offers $1,000 for roof-leak coverage, which is midrange compared to other providers.

Here are some of Elite’s add-on options:

• Annual maintenance
• Septic system
• Sump pump

One of our team members used his Elite plan to repair a faulty high-end dishwasher. After submitting an online claim, an Elite claims specialist contacted him within 30 minutes to schedule a next-day repair appointment. When the technician arrived, he realized he needed to order a part that was out of stock. The technician returned to complete the repair a few days after the required parts arrived. The repair was completed within 30 minutes.

We learned that Elite relies on its in-network technicians for its repairs. However, you can use your own technician. Unfortunately, the company doesn’t include its 90-day workmanship guarantee for out-of-network technician repairs.

We recommend Select Home Warranty for Iowa residents looking for cheap coverage and baseline protection. The company offers premiums under $50 and includes free roof-leak coverage with every plan. 

Monthly cost: $44–$47

We scored Select 4.3 out of 5 stars in our review standards. Here’s how we rated it in key categories:

• Coverage (3.7 out of 5): We deducted points for its lower-than-average coverage limits. 
• Value (5 out of 5): Select earned a perfect score for its affordable premiums. 
• Trustworthiness and transparency (4.5 out of 5): Select lost points for its low customer review scores.
• Availability and service (4.3 out of 5): We deducted points due to its lengthy claims processing timeline, which could take up to 48 hours or more.

Select provides three plan options: Bronze Care, Gold Care, and Platinum Care. We reviewed the Select sample contract and discovered that most of the company’s coverage caps fall below the industry average. Most items receive $500 limits, placing them lower than other providers. Only HVAC systems receive a higher cap of $3,000. Select could be a good fit for Iowa homeowners who mainly need low-cost coverage for their HVAC systems.

Here’s an overview of Select’s plan options:

• Bronze Care: This offers appliance-only coverage for major appliances, including ovens and refrigerators. 
• Gold Care: This system-only plan includes essential systems, such as air conditioning, electrical, and plumbing. 
• Platinum Care: This combines the Bronze and Gold Care coverage and adds coverage for plumbing stoppages and garage door openers. 

Select offers annual and monthly premiums for its plans. We received two free months of coverage and a $150 discount when we chose an annual option. Unlike most providers, Select doesn’t offer a flexible service fee option. You’re assigned a fee from $60–$75 that varies based on your plan, location, and add-ons.  

We’ve detailed Select’s prices and caps below:

Select provides nine add-on options, which is average for most companies. Its add-on pricing is less than many providers, ranging from $3.33–$8.33. However, Select’s coverage caps are lower than the industry standard, providing $400 or less worth of coverage. 

Here are some of Select’s add-on options: 

• Lawn sprinkler system
• Second refrigerator
• Sump pump

We learned that many customers appreciate the low-cost premiums and helpful customer support team after analyzing reviews. Unfortunately, some homeowners noted they had a high number of denied claims with the company. They also stated that the coverage limits weren’t enough to cover their repairs. Given the higher cost for many essential item repairs, you should ensure you have the right level of coverage to match your needs. 

We recommend First American Home Warranty for Iowa residents who own high-end appliances. The company provides up to $7,000 appliance coverage on its highest plan and unlimited coverage for key systems.

Monthly cost: $52–$92

We scored First American 4.6 out of 5 stars in our review standards. Here’s how we rated it in key categories. 

• Coverage (4.7 out of 5): First American received a higher score for its generous coverage caps. 
• Value (4 out of 5): The company lost points for its slightly higher premiums and service call fee options.   
• Trustworthiness and transparency (4.8 out of 5): We awarded more points for its higher customer review scores and brand reputation. 
• Availability and Service (4.3 out of 5): First American lost points for its limited service technician policy.

First American offers three plan options: the Starter Plan, the Essential Plan, and the Premium Plan. We read through First American’s sample contract to verify coverage for every plan. We discovered that the company excludes several major items from its Starter Plan. 

It doesn’t cover air conditioning, clothes dryers, and washing machines. There is an add-on option for air conditioning coverage for this plan. If you want laundry appliance coverage, you must select the Essential Plan or the Premium Plan. The company offers unlimited coverage for most systems, with water heaters only receiving a $1,000 cap. 

Here’s a look at First American’s plans:

• Starter Plan: This offers coverage for some essential systems and appliances, such as electrical and refrigerators. 
• Essential Plan: This plan includes the Starter Plan coverage, plus coverage for air conditioning, clothes washers, and water heaters. 
• Premium Plan: This includes the Essential Plan coverage and adds luxury appliances and window air conditioning units. 

First American offers annual and monthly premium options for its plans. Unlike other companies, First American didn’t provide any added benefits for opting for an annual plan. The company offers three service call fees: $75, $100, or $125. In our sample quote, the premium pricing decreased when we chose the highest service fee.  

First American’s premium rates are listed below:

First American offers 12 plan add-on options ranging from $2.08–$20.83. Roof-leak protection costs $8.33 per month. You’ll pay $8.33 per month to add central air conditioning to the Starter Plan. You can add the First American Advantage upgrade to the Essential and Premium plans at no extra charge. This add-on offers added coverage for improper maintenance, installation, or modification.

Other add-on options include the following items:

• Additional refrigeration
• HVAC tune-ups
• Water softeners

A member of our team submitted a claim to First American online for a broken garage door opener. Within 30 minutes of submitting the claim, he received a confirmation text with the technician’s information. The technician contacted our team member an hour later to schedule the service appointment. The repairs were completed in less than 30 minutes, and our team member only paid the service call fee for the visit.