The Best Home Warranties for Pool Coverage of 2023

Swimming pool systems are complex and susceptible to issues that could lead to expensive repairs or replacements. The best home warranty for pool coverage can help cover the cost of pool repairs.

By Katie Ziraldo | Published Mar 30, 2023 3:59 PM

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The Best Home Warranties for Pool Coverage Options

Photo: istockphoto.com

It’s easy to understand the appeal of having a swimming pool. Especially for those in warm climates, having a pool can create endless opportunities for fun in the sun, providing the perfect break from remote work, opportunities for families to spend quality time together, and more. But make no mistake: Choosing to have a swimming pool can be expensive, especially if the pool’s essential systems like the filter, pump motor, or drain need repairing. For example, pool filter tank repair can cost upwards of $1,500 for parts and labor.

With pool equipment costs adding up quickly, it makes sense why so many homeowners turn to a home warranty to help protect their pool and all its parts. But where can homeowners find the best home warranty for pool coverage? This roundup will explore the main considerations for homeowners to take into account when choosing one of the best home warranty companies for pool coverage, and it will recommend the top options for homeowners to consider.

  1. BEST OVERALL: Choice Home Warranty
  2. RUNNER-UP: American Home Shield
  3. BEST REPAIR GUARANTEE: AFC Home Club
  4. BEST ADD-ON COVERAGE: Liberty Home Guard
  5. ALSO CONSIDER: Select Home Warranty
The Best Home Warranties for Pool Coverage Options

Photo: istockphoto.com

What to Consider When Choosing One of the Best Home Warranty Companies for Pool Coverage

From coverage to cost and everything in between, there are many factors homeowners with swimming pools will need to consider to find and secure the best home warranty coverage for their needs. And with many of these factors varying dramatically among home warranty companies, homeowners will need to make note of the following details when comparing providers.

Service Area

To select a home warranty company, homeowners will need to first confirm which companies provide service in their area. After all, finding a great deal on a home warranty might be exciting at first, but that excitement will quickly turn to disappointment if, after reading the fine print, the homeowner finds it doesn’t apply to them because of where they live. To avoid this type of situation, it’s important for homeowners to pay close attention to the service area of the companies they are considering for home warranty coverage.

Pool Coverage Terms

Although it’s common for home warranty companies to offer some form of swimming pool coverage, the scope of the coverage and its applicable terms will vary. In general, a swimming pool service add-on typically covers the repair or replacement cost of the plumbing, electrical systems, and components that keep the pool running, like the pump.

However, not all pool add-ons are equal, and some may cover more of these critical components than others. In fact, some pool and spa features may not be covered at all, including above-ground pools and decorative water features. So to be sure they are getting the coverage they need, homeowners seeking pool coverage will need to take the time to understand all of the terms and conditions that may apply.

Pool Coverage Amount

In addition to needing to understand the types of repairs covered by a pool warranty, homeowners will also need to be aware of the extent of coverage from a cost perspective. Home warranties and their service add-ons come with service limits that dictate the amount of money the home warranty company will spend on applicable repairs. The pool coverage amount can range from a few hundred dollars to a few thousand, so this will be an important factor to weigh in the decision-making process.

Policies and Plans

Even if a homeowner’s primary motivation in getting a home warranty is to protect their swimming pool, it will still be important for them to pay attention to the base plan and policy to ensure it fits their needs. As previously discussed, swimming pool coverage is typically available as an extra service add-on, but homeowners will still need to pay for standard coverage to be eligible to add this service.

These plans, including what constitutes standard coverage, can vary drastically among providers, so homeowners will need to pay close attention to both the base coverage and any additional add-ons they may want to select to get the protection they need at a price they are willing to pay.

Pool Add-On Monthly Rate

Cost considerations are always an important step in the process of selecting a home warranty provider. For many, this comes down to comparing average monthly rates and service fees among the different companies.

But for homeowners with swimming pools, cost considerations will also include the monthly rate of the pool coverage, which is typically only available in the form of an extra service add-on. To get a full view of the potential cost of their home warranty, homeowners will want to note the cost of the base policy as well as the cost of the service add-on, both of which will vary among providers.

Service Fee

When homeowners consider the cost of their home warranty coverage, they may focus on monthly and annual rates and forget to factor in service fees. Whereas the average rate is the price a homeowner pays in return for coverage, the service fee is the price they pay to use the coverage. Homeowners will be responsible for paying an agreed-upon service fee when they file a claim for repair work on their covered systems and appliances.

Service fees can range from as little as $60 to up to $150, so this will be an important cost consideration. However, homeowners will want to note that choosing a lower service fee does not necessarily mean paying less overall. Companies with a list of service-fee options typically offer lower service fees alongside higher average rates and vice versa, so homeowners will need to decide if they prefer to pay more up front or at the time of service.

Discounts

Discount opportunities are common in the home warranty market. Whether the discount is for switching from another provider, paying in full for a year-long policy, or simply being a new customer in the right place at the right time, discounts have the potential to significantly lower the overall cost of home warranty coverage, so it’s important for homeowners to keep an eye out for any ways to save. For example, some companies may reward customers who choose to pay up front for an annual or multiyear extended home warranty with as much as 2 months of free coverage.

Claims Process

Imagine: It’s the hottest time of the year and one of the crucial components of a homeowner’s swimming pool suddenly breaks down. They probably feel a sense of urgency to have their pool repaired so they don’t miss out on the peak of pool season.

The last thing a homeowner in this situation wants to face is a long, complicated, or foreign claims process. That’s why it’s important for homeowners to consider each company’s claims process ahead of time, including its methods for submitting claims, average response times, and process for selecting and dispatching technicians to complete the necessary repairs.

Workmanship Guarantee

If the initial repairs completed on a swimming pool or another covered system fail to resolve the underlying issue, a workmanship guarantee protects the homeowner from having to pay an additional service fee for follow-up repairs. As such, a workmanship guarantee can help homeowners save money while ensuring they are able to get the repairs they need.

However, like many of the other factors on this list, the length of the workmanship guarantee can vary dramatically among home warranty providers, with some offering as little as 30 days and others offering guarantees lasting several years. Alongside the claims process, homeowners will want to consider the workmanship guarantee to anticipate what the customer experience is like with each company and choose the company they feel most comfortable with.

Our Top Picks

To determine the best home warranty companies for pool coverage, we looked for providers offering reliable standard coverage alongside service add-ons for swimming pool repairs and weighed each company’s availability, coverage, cost, and customer experience.

Best Overall

Photo: choicehomewarranty.com

Why It Made the Cut: A smooth and steady claims process alongside a high coverage limit on pool repairs makes Choice Home Warranty a stand-out option for homeowners with swimming pools.

Choice Home Warranty’s swimming pool add-on offers coverage for up to $3,000 in repairs, which is a relatively high limit for this type of add-on. As pool repairs can quickly become expensive, this coverage limit may bring peace of mind to homeowners with pools. Further peace of mind may be found in Choice’s promise to begin contacting technicians and contractors to schedule repairs within 4 hours of receiving a repair request.

When receiving a claim, the company assigns multiple representatives to create a more streamlined process and better customer experience. This creates fewer opportunities for details to fall through the cracks and makes it easier for customers with questions to get in touch with a representative who is already familiar with their situation. Customers with a policy through another company who are looking to switch providers may also be happy to know that Choice will waive their 30-day waiting period to help homeowners avoid gaps in their home warranty coverage.

Prospective policyholders will want to note that Choice Home Warranty sets a standard $85 service fee across all policies, so customers will not have the opportunity to choose a lower service fee from a list of options like they might with another home warranty company. However, choosing lower service fees typically means paying higher monthly rates, so this lack of option could save homeowners money on their policy.

Specs

  • Service area: 49 states and Washington, D.C. (not available in California)
  • Pool coverage amount: $3,000
  • Pool add-on monthly rate: $15
  • Service fee: $85
  • Claims process: Online, phone
  • Workmanship guarantee: 60 days labor, 90 days parts

Pros

  • High $3,000 coverage limit for pool repairs
  • Quick claim response within 4 hours of service request
  • Hands-on claims support from multiple representatives
  • Waiting period waived for customers with an existing home warranty policy

Cons

  • No service fee flexibility

Runner-Up

The Best Home Warranties for Pool Coverage Option American Home Shield
Photo: ahs.com

Why It Made the Cut: American Home Shield offers high pool-coverage limits, including coverage on damage caused by rust, corrosion, and sediment as well as certain pre-existing conditions.

American Home Shield (AHS) offers pool coverage as an add-on to its home warranty policy, which is pretty standard for this type of coverage. What is less standard is the company’s coverage limit on swimming pools, which covers up to $3,000 in repairs. This limit could significantly reduce the possibility of homeowners having to pay money out of pocket for pool repairs, which somewhat offsets the fact that the company’s workmanship guarantee only lasts 30 days. This limited workmanship guarantee could lead to customers needing to pay an additional service fee when follow-up work is needed.

Homeowners considering AHS will also want to note that purchasing an add-on for pool coverage will cost an extra $24 per month, which could be considered high for this type of add-on. Although the total cost of a home warranty will depend on the various coverage options, discounts, and service fees selected, this could suggest that homeowners will pay a higher rate for pool coverage with American Home Shield.
But this potentially higher rate may be worth it for some because of the additional coverage provided by AHS. Where many home warranty companies would exclude pre-existing conditions of any kind from their coverage terms, American Home Shield covers unknown conditions as long as they aren’t readily apparent through a visual inspection. This could mean that homeowners with pools will be able to have more issues covered by their home warranty. All policies through AHS also cover issues related to rust, corrosion, and sediment within their standard terms. This isn’t always the case with a home warranty, and considering the fact that swimming pools are more likely to face these types of issues, homeowners may appreciate the extra coverage.

Specs

  • Service area: 49 states and Washington, D.C. (not available in Alaska)
  • Pool coverage amount: $3,000
  • Pool add-on monthly rate: $24
  • Service fee: $75 to $125
  • Claims process: Online, phone
  • Workmanship guarantee: 30 days

Pros

  • High $3,000 coverage limit for pool repairs
  • Coverage for unknown pre-existing conditions
  • Rust, corrosion, and sediment coverage included

Cons

  • High $24 monthly rate for pool coverage add-on
  • Relatively short 30-day workmanship guarantee

Best Repair Guarantee

The Best Home Warranties for Pool Coverage Option AFC Home Club
Photo: afchomeclub.com

Why It Made the Cut: AFC Home Club gives its customers flexibility and protection when it comes to repairs, with a lengthy workmanship guarantee and unique technician selection process.

AFC Home Club offers a service add-on for pool coverage at a rate of $8.33 per month, which is a relatively low rate for this type of coverage and makes it an affordable option for homeowners with a pool. And alongside affordability, home warranties through AFC come with flexibility, giving customers the option to select a contractor or technician through AFC’s preferred network or choose their own. This option may be appealing to homeowners who already have a local, trusted service professional they would prefer to use for repairs.

Homeowners interested in purchasing AFC’s swimming pool coverage add-on will want to note that doing so is simple within the first 30 days of their policy, but after that, they will be required to schedule a professional inspection to check the condition of the pool and its related components, which they will need to pay for themselves. This is a one-time cost that might be well worth it to get the necessary coverage, but it’s something homeowners will want to be aware of ahead of time as it is an additional out-of-pocket expense.

Perhaps the biggest and most unique advantage of a home warranty through AFC Home Club is the company’s workmanship guarantee, which runs the entire length of the home warranty policy. With policies lasting 1 or 3 years depending on the plan, this could be a very long guarantee, which means customers won’t need to worry about paying additional service fees if follow-up work is needed on covered repairs.

Specs

  • Service area: 49 states and Washington, D.C. (not available in Hawaii)
  • Pool coverage amount: $500
  • Pool add-on monthly rate: $8.33
  • Service fee: $75 to $125
  • Claims process: Online, phone
  • Workmanship guarantee: 1 or 3 years

Pros

  • Low $8.33 monthly rate for pool coverage add-on
  • Customer-selected technician option
  • Long 1- or 3-year workmanship guarantee

Cons

  • Approval for add-on coverage after 30 days of policy purchase requires a professional inspection

Best Add-On Coverage

The Best Home Warranties for Pool Coverage Option Liberty Home Guard
Photo: libertyhomeguard.com

Why It Made the Cut: From its unique saltwater pool coverage to several other service add-ons that may appeal to pool owners, Liberty Home Guard is an option worth considering.

Liberty Home Guard has a wide variety of more than 40 service add-ons, which customers can use to customize their coverage. Some of these could be especially useful for homeowners with pools, including add-ons for an additional home spa, guest units, pest control, and power washing. Even more unique is the company’s service add-on for saltwater pool coverage. Saltwater pools may require more specialized skills or specific components for repairs, so they might not always be covered by home warranties offering standard pool coverage. Though this add-on comes with an additional cost, it may be very appealing to homeowners with this particular type of pool.

Despite Liberty offering pool coverage, its user agreement stipulates that repairs related to cracked or corroded casings will not be covered. Corrosion is often a concern with swimming pools, so some homeowners may be concerned about the prospect of having to pay out of pocket for repairs due to corrosion damage. Still, the company’s pool coverage options are extensive, adding value to the policy, and the company’s service-fee options can go as low as $60, which could help customers minimize out-of-pocket costs when repairs are needed.

Specs

  • Service area: 48 states and Washington, D.C. (not available in Washington or Wisconsin)
  • Pool coverage amount: $500
  • Pool add-on monthly rate: $19.99
  • Service fee: $60 to $125
  • Claims process: Online, phone
  • Workmanship guarantee: 60 days

Pros

  • Saltwater pool coverage option
  • Wide variety of service add-ons
  • Low $60 service-fee option

Cons

  • Cracked or corroded casings not covered

Also Consider

The Best Home Warranties for Pool Coverage Option Select Home Warranty
Photo: selecthomewarranty.com

Why It Made the Cut: Select Home Warranty provides a pool warranty option at an already low cost, plus numerous discount opportunities that could help homeowners save on the total cost of their coverage.

Select Home Warranty offers pool coverage through a relatively inexpensive service add-on at $8.33 per month. This is a competitive price, meaning homeowners may find it easier to budget for a home warranty with pool coverage by choosing Select. The company only covers pool repairs up to $400, which is a bit low for this type of coverage and could mean homeowners will need to pay for a portion of their covered repairs out of pocket. However, this cost could be offset by the amount Select customers can save on their coverage through discount opportunities.

Customers who choose to pay up front for a full year’s coverage can receive a discount equivalent to 2 months of free coverage. This can significantly lower the total cost of coverage for homeowners who are able to pay in full, though there are other discounts that customers making monthly payments can potentially take advantage of. The company frequently runs promotions on its website that can help new customers lower the cost of their home warranty. The exact size of the discount may change throughout the year, but new-customer discounts are typically offered on a regular basis.

Customers will want to note that claims submitted to Select over the weekend or on holidays could take up to 4 days to be processed. This is a significant amount of time to be kept waiting when urgent repairs are needed, but the response time should be much shorter under normal circumstances.

Specs

  • Service area: 47 states and Washington, D.C. (not available in Nevada, Washington, or Wisconsin)
  • Pool coverage amount: $400
  • Pool add-on monthly rate: $8.33
  • Service fee: $75 to $100
  • Claims process: Online, email
  • Workmanship guarantee: 60 days

Pros

  • Low $8.33 monthly rate for pool coverage add-on
  • 2 months of free coverage with annual payment
  • Frequent promotional discounts

Cons

  • Low $400 coverage limit for pool repairs
  • Slow claim response within 96 hours of service request possible

Our Verdict

We gave the award for Best Overall to Choice Home Warranty due to its high coverage limits on pool repairs, quick response time to service requests, hands-on claims process, and the option to waive new-customer waiting periods. The Runner-Up award goes to American Home Shield because of its high coverage limits, standard coverage for certain pre-existing pool conditions, and coverage for rust, corrosion, and sediment.

How We Chose the Best Home Warranty Companies for Pool Coverage

To build our list of the best pool warranty coverage options, we considered the service area of each provider, noting any gaps that might prevent residents of certain areas from getting a home warranty. Each company’s swimming pool coverage options were then considered, and we paid close attention to the specific types of pool repairs that are covered and any coverage limits that may apply.

Cost considerations were another major factor, including the cost of a standard home warranty policy plus the additional cost associated with pool service add-ons. To round out our search, we also evaluated the claims process between providers, taking into account expected response times, technician options, and workmanship guarantees to gain a full understanding of the customer experience.

Before You Choose One of the Best Home Warranty Companies for Pool Coverage

Before homeowners select a home warranty provider and plan, they must first determine their coverage needs. This begins with asking: is a home warranty needed at all? Although every homeowner’s situation is unique and the age and condition of the home will play a key role in identifying the level of coverage needed, having a home warranty is advisable in many cases.

Home warranties bring a level of peace and security to their policyholders because they know they’re covered if crucial home systems and appliances break down. In the case of homeowners with a pool, having a home warranty may be even more valuable because it can provide additional protection for their swimming pools, spas, and the associated outdoor plumbing. To choose the best coverage options to suit their needs, homeowners will want to note the age, condition, and specific type of swimming pool; consider issues it may be prone to; and identify home warranty companies with applicable coverage.

Cost of Opting for One of the Best Home Warranty Companies for Pool Coverage

When looking for a provider, one of the most pressing questions on homeowners’ minds is, “How much will my pool warranty cost?” Home warranties typically come with multiple cost considerations, including average rates and service fees. But for homeowners choosing a home warranty that covers pool issues, there will be an additional component to consider: the cost of the swimming pool service add-on.

In general, the average cost of a home warranty with standard coverage is $600 annually, although this number may vary depending on the home’s location and overall condition. But it’s important for homeowners to remember that this cost only represents the average rate, or the money being paid for coverage. Service fees are less predictable and can vary widely among companies. Swimming pool coverage is also an additional cost, as most home warranty companies offer this type of coverage as a service add-on rather than as a standard coverage type. This could cost homeowners an additional $50 to $300 per year depending on the company they choose, so it’s important that they consider all of these pool insurance costs when choosing a provider.

The Advantages of Opting for One of the Best Home Warranty Companies for Pool Coverage

Homeownership is an expensive endeavor, so when homeowners make the choice to budget additional money each month for an added layer of protection, they understandably want to know if a home warranty is worth it. But because having homeowners insurance with a pool only means protection from things like bad weather and vandalism, adding a home warranty that covers a pool has its own list of potential advantages, including:

  • Protection for the home and swimming pool in the event that crucial systems experience issues or break down entirely;
  • Simpler budgeting based on predictable monthly rates and service fees, compared to surprise repair costs paid out of pocket; and
  • Easier access to trusted technicians and contractors who specialize in pool repairs through the home warranty company’s network.

FAQs

From comprehending the difference between homeowners insurance and home warranties to understanding the specific types of repairs covered by a swimming pool warranty, there’s a lot for homeowners with pools to consider when deciding how best to protect their home. The following commonly asked questions and their answers can help homeowners in this process.

Q. Does homeowners insurance cover pool leaks?

Insurance for pool repairs is primarily limited to covering damage caused by storms or vandalism, so most homeowners insurance policies don’t cover pool leaks, but home warranties might if the leak was caused by damage to a covered component.

Q. Is pool equipment covered by homeowners insurance?

If a pool is damaged by a covered peril, the homeowners insurance policy may cover the equipment and labor needed for repairs. Otherwise, pool repairs are typically not covered.

Q. Does a home warranty cover general pool repairs?

Standard home warranty coverage is unlikely to cover pool repairs, though most home warranty companies offer swimming pool coverage as a service add-on at an additional cost per month.

Q. Do home warranties for pool coverage transfer to new owners?

Typically, home warranties are transferable service contracts. When needed, the original owners can transfer their policy, including their pool coverage, to the new owner.

Q. How do I pay for my home warranty for pool coverage: up front, monthly, or annually?

The best home warranty companies offer multiple payment plans, so customers can choose if they prefer to pay for their coverage annually or monthly, though those who pay up front may receive additional discounts on their coverage.

Q. What does a home warranty cover in general?

A home warranty covers a home’s crucial home systems and appliances from wear and tear, providing financial support in the event that covered items need repairs or replacement. In general, a home warranty covers plumbing, HVAC, electrical, and all major appliances in a home.