Best Home Warranties for Plumbing Coverage of 2025

If you’ve ever watched water creep across a ceiling at 10 p.m. on a Sunday, you already know why
plumbing coverage matters. Pipes burst, water heaters quit, toilets rebeland plumbers do
not work for free. That’s where a home warranty with plumbing coverage can step in, turning
a four-figure emergency into a manageable service fee.

In 2025, more homeowners are buying home warranties specifically to protect their plumbing systems, from
leaky supply lines to stubborn sewer clogs. Recent reviews and surveys show that nearly half of home
warranty buyers say plumbing is a top reason they signed up.

This guide breaks down what plumbing coverage usually includes, the best home warranty companies
for plumbing in 2025, typical costs, fine print to watch, and real-world experiences so you can
decide whether a plan is worth it for your home.

Why Plumbing Coverage Matters in 2025

Plumbing repair costs have not been shy about keeping up with inflation. A simple fix like a minor leak
might run around $150, while bigger issueslike a major pipe leak or slab leakcan reach several thousand
dollars, sometimes in the $4,000–$4,700 range.

At the same time, a home warranty with plumbing coverage typically costs roughly $460–$840 per year, plus
a flat service fee every time you request a repair visit. Instead of hoping
your pipes behave, you’re essentially paying to cap your risk.

Importantly, a home warranty is different from homeowners insurance. Insurance generally steps in for
“sudden and accidental” damage, like a burst pipe that destroys your floors, while the warranty focuses on
fixing the broken component itselfpipes, valves, toilets, and so onwhen they fail from normal wear and
tear.

What Home Warranties Typically Cover for Plumbing

While every company writes its own rulebook, most plumbing home warranty plans cover:

• Interior water and drain lines (leaks, breaks, some clogs)
• Waste, vent, and gas lines inside the home
• Toilet components (tanks, bowls, internal parts, seals)
• Faucets, showerheads, and shower valves (often with some limits)
• Standard water heaters (tank or tankless, depending on the plan)
• Some drain and sewer line stoppages that can be cleared with standard equipment

For example, American Home Shield notes that its plans include interior plumbing line leaks, leaky faucets
and valves, and drain and sewer line stoppages, plus access through walls or ceilings and rough finish
repairs up to certain limits. Liberty Home Guard, meanwhile, highlights
coverage for water heaters, pipes, drains, toilets, faucets, and even sump pumps, with optional add-ons
for septic systems and exterior lines.

The big takeaway: plumbing coverage is broad, but not infinite. Coverage caps and exclusions matter just as
much as the “what’s covered” list.

Best Home Warranties for Plumbing Coverage of 2025

Based on independent reviews, updated 2025 plan information, and plumbing-specific benefits, here are some
of the top home warranty companies for plumbing coverage this year:

1. American Home Shield – Best for Comprehensive Plumbing Protection

Why it stands out: American Home Shield (AHS) is frequently ranked as the top option for
plumbing coverage in 2025, largely because it offers unlimited repair limits for most plumbing
items and even covers certain pre-existing conditions, rust, corrosion, and sediment builduprare
benefits in this industry.

• Monthly cost: Roughly $36–$100 depending on plan and location
• Service fee: $100–$125 per call
• Plumbing coverage cap: $500 to unlimited, depending on the specific component

AHS includes plumbing system coverage in all three of its core plans and even folds sump pumps into the
main coveragesomething that’s an extra add-on with many competitors. The company also allows you to add
riders for septic and well pumps if your home depends on them.

Best for: Older homes, complex plumbing, and homeowners who want strong protection for
pre-existing issues and corrosion without nickel-and-dime coverage caps.

2. First American Home Warranty – Best for Deep Sewer and Drain Coverage

First American Home Warranty earns high marks for its generous treatment of plumbing stoppages. According
to recent plan details, its higher-tier coverage handles clogs up to 125 feet from your homeabout
25% farther than the 100-foot standard many competitors use.

• Monthly cost: Around $77–$130 for broader system and appliance plans
• Service fee: $100–$125
• Plumbing coverage cap: $500–unlimited, depending on the item

First American’s Premium Plan can also help with ground-level cleanout installation, giving technicians
better access to your sewer line. Optional upgrades cover problems caused by improper installation or
modificationuseful if you inherited some “creative” DIY plumbing from a previous owner.

Best for: Homes with long sewer runs, older drain lines, or frequent outdoor clogs that
can be expensive to clear.

3. Liberty Home Guard – Best Customer Support and Custom Add-Ons

Liberty Home Guard (LHG) is often praised for responsive customer support and a wide selection of
add-ons. Its plumbing coverage can include water heaters, interior pipes and drains, toilets, faucets,
sump pumps, and optional septic and exterior line protection.

• Monthly cost: Roughly $57–$68 for system-heavy or total plans
• Service fee: $65–$125 per call
• Coverage cap: Often around $2,000 per covered system per term, according to recent reviews

One catch: some contracts have a 90-day waiting period during which plumbing coverage is limited, and the
wording around certain exclusions can be vague. That makes it especially important to read
the sample contract before you sign.

Best for: Homeowners who want flexible plumbing coverage and strong customer support, and
who are willing to read the fine print carefully.

4. Choice Home Warranty – Best Basic Plan Coverage

Choice Home Warranty appears frequently on “best for plumbing” lists in 2025, especially when you’re
looking for a straightforward plan with solid basics. It typically offers two core plans that include both
systems and appliances, with plumbing protected under the system portion.

• Monthly cost: About $60–$68
• Service fee: Around $100
• Plumbing coverage cap: Roughly $3,000 per term for plumbing items

Choice is especially appealing if you want affordable sump pump coverage and a simple, two-plan lineup
rather than a dozen confusing tiers.

5. 2-10 Home Warranty & Select Home Warranty – Best Budget-Friendly Options

If you’re on a budget but still want some plumbing backup, 2-10 Home Warranty and Select Home Warranty
often come in cheaper than some of the big names while still offering decent plumbing system coverage.

• 2-10 Home Warranty: Approx. $27–$61 per month, service fees around $65–$100
• Select Home Warranty: Service fees roughly $60–$75 per visit, with competitive discounts

You may see lower coverage caps or more exclusions on these budget plans, but for many homeowners they
still provide meaningful protection against surprise plumbing bills.

How Much Does Plumbing Home Warranty Coverage Cost?

Across major providers, here’s what you can generally expect in 2025 for home warranty plumbing
coverage:

• Annual premium: Roughly $460–$840 for a plan that includes plumbing and other systems
• Service fee: Typically $60–$125 per service call, depending on the company
• Coverage caps: Anywhere from $500 per item up to $2,000 per system or, in some cases,
  no explicit cap for certain plumbing components

Your actual price will depend on your home’s size, age, location, and the plan tier. Expect to pay more if
you add coverage for well pumps, septic systems, or exterior sewer lines.

Common Plumbing Exclusions and Fine Print

Home warranty contracts are famous for being… let’s say “dense.” When it comes to plumbing, look
especially closely at:

• Cosmetic items: Toilet lids, decorative fixtures, colored tubs, and designer faucets
  are typically excluded; the warranty may only cover “builder-grade” replacements.
• Pre-existing conditions: Some companies, like American Home Shield, explicitly cover
  certain pre-existing conditions and corrosion, while many others exclude them.
• Access issues: If a pipe is buried in a slab or behind a heavily tiled wall, coverage
  might be capped for accessing and restoring the area.
• External lines: Exterior sewer and water lines, septic tanks, and well pumps are often
  optional add-ons, not part of standard coverage.
• Non-plumbing damage: The warranty fixes the plumbing; your homeowners insurance
  usually handles resulting water damage to floors and walls.

Reading the sample contract before you buy is not fun, but it’s the best way to avoid surprise denials
later.

How to Choose the Best Plumbing Home Warranty in 2025

When you compare plans, focus less on the glossy brochure and more on how the coverage lines up with your
actual risks:

1. Audit your plumbing system. Do you have older galvanized or cast-iron pipes? A basement
   prone to sump pump issues? A long sewer line running under mature trees? Prioritize providers that
   emphasize those areas.
2. Compare coverage caps. If your sewer line replacement could cost $5,000, a $500 annual
   cap on plumbing isn’t going to help much. Look for higher caps or unlimited coverage on system repairs.
3. Check what’s included in each plan tier. Some “starter” plans exclude water heaters or
   faucets and only cover basic line leaks and clogs.
4. Look at service fees and response time. A low premium with a very high service fee (or
   slow response) may not be a good deal if you expect frequent plumbing calls.
5. Read customer reviews for plumbing claims specifically. Many frustrations come from
   misunderstood exclusions, long delays, or contractors who recommend pricey “non-covered upgrades.” Look
   for patterns, not just one angry review.

Is a Plumbing Home Warranty Worth It?

A plumbing-focused home warranty can be worth it if:

• Your home is older and you don’t know the full history of the plumbing.
• You live in an area with frequent freeze-thaw cycles, shifting soil, or tree roots invading sewer lines.
• You don’t have a large emergency fund and prefer a predictable fee structure.
• You value having a single point of contact to dispatch plumbers instead of calling around yourself.

On the other hand, if you have newer plumbing, a solid emergency fund, or prefer to choose your own
plumber every time, you might decide to skip the warranty and self-insure instead.

Real-World Experiences with Plumbing Coverage (Extra Tips & Lessons Learned)

To really understand whether a home warranty for plumbing makes sense, it helps to look at
how these plans play out in real life. Below are composite, real-world-style scenarios based on common
homeowner experiences and reported trends.

When a Warranty Can Be a Lifesaver

Imagine a 30-year-old home with original plumbing. One Saturday morning, the homeowners notice a damp spot
in the hallway. By Sunday afternoon, that “spot” has turned into a small indoor swamp. A plumber confirms
a failing supply line under the slabrepairs could easily reach $3,000 or more, especially if jackhammering
is involved.

Because these homeowners carry a mid-tier home warranty plan with strong plumbing coverage, they pay a
$100 service fee. The warranty company dispatches a contractor, coordinates the repair, and covers the
bulk of the cost within the policy limits. The homeowners still have to deal with drying out the house and
cosmetic fixes through insurance, but the repair itself doesn’t wipe out their savings.

This is where the math often works: one significant plumbing failure can equal several years of warranty
premiums. If you live in an older house or in an area with known plumbing issues, that trade-off can be
worth it.

When Fine Print Becomes a Headache

Now flip the script. Another homeowner has a warranty plan but never really read the contract. When their
bathtub starts draining slowly, they assume it’s covered. The plumber sent by the warranty company
diagnoses a blockage in the freshwater line and cites a clause excluding that specific scenario. The
homeowner is furiousthey see a “plumbing issue” and assumed all plumbing issues were covered.

Situations like this are common in reviews. Homeowners often discover, after the fact, that certain types
of blockages, access issues, or cosmetic fixtures fall outside the plan’s limits. The lesson: the time you
spend reading the policy before signing up can save a lot of frustration later.

Managing Expectations About Contractors

Another frequent theme in plumbing warranty stories is the contractor experience. Many homeowners praise
fast response times and professional plumbers who resolved the issue quickly. Others report long waits,
rushed visits, or recommendations for additional “non-covered” work.

Keep your expectations realistic:

• You don’t get to hand-pick the plumber; the warranty company usually assigns one from its network.
• Contractors are incentivized to do repairs within coverage limits, which is good for your budget but
  sometimes conflicts with “ideal world” solutions.
• You can always get a second opinion if a proposed fix or upgrade doesn’t sound right.

Homeowners who keep notes, ask questions during the visit, and confirm what’s covered (in writing, if
possible) generally report better experiences.

Smart Ways to Use a Plumbing Home Warranty

If you decide to buy a plan, here are a few smart habits:

• File claims early. Don’t wait until a “small drip” becomes a big disaster. Minor
  issues are often easier to fix and more clearly covered.
• Take photos and document symptoms. A short description and a few pictures can help
  the contractor diagnose faster and support your claim if there’s a dispute.
• Understand service fees. If your service fee is $125, you may want to batch smaller
  non-urgent issues into a single visit when possible.
• Do basic maintenance. Most warranties require you to perform reasonable maintenance
  (like not ignoring obvious leaks). Skipping that can lead to denied claims.

In short, a plumbing home warranty is not magicbut used strategically, it can turn unpredictable,
budget-breaking repairs into manageable, planned expenses.

Bottom Line

The best home warranties for plumbing coverage in 2025including American Home Shield,
First American, Liberty Home Guard, Choice Home Warranty, and budget providers like 2-10 and Selectoffer
real value if you have aging pipes, limited savings, or a high-risk plumbing setup.

To get the most out of a plan, match the coverage to your home’s actual plumbing risks, double-check caps
and exclusions, and go in with clear expectations about what a home warranty can and cannot do. With the
right plan, your next plumbing problem might still be inconvenientbut it doesn’t have to be financially
terrifying.