Home and auto plans are judged on much the same things. Here is who the 2026 lists picked in each category, and a one-page scorecard so you can judge any plan yourself.
The scorecard
Score every plan from 1 to 5 on each line, then add them up. Use the same home or vehicle details on every quote so the scores compare fairly.
| Line | What to look at | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Monthly cost plus the service fee (home) or deductible (auto). | Do the real-cost math for a year, not just the monthly price. |
| Coverage list | Which systems, appliances or parts are named. | Ask for the list, not the brochure. |
| Limits | Per-item, per-repair and total payout caps. | Low caps can make a big repair expensive. |
| Repair choice | Who picks the technician or shop. | Some plans assign one, some let you choose. |
| Repair guarantee or waiting period | How long a repair is guaranteed, or how long before coverage starts. | Published home guarantees run from 30 to 365 days. Many auto plans wait about 30 days and 1,000 miles. |
| Customer record | Review scores and complaints. | Read recent reviews and your state attorney general’s records. |
For a model of weights, NerdWallet’s 2026 home warranty ranking uses pricing 30%, coverage type 20%, coverage limits 15%, repair guarantee 15%, customer ratings 15% and technician choice 5%. These weights are NerdWallet’s, not ours. Change them to match what matters to you.
Who reviewers picked: home
| Source | Highlights |
|---|---|
| ConsumerAffairs (October 2026) | Cinch best overall. American Home Shield best coverage variety. HomeSafe best claims handling. First American best for roof coverage. |
| NerdWallet (September 2026) | Old Republic best reputation for customer satisfaction. 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty best prices for monthly budgeting. Cinch best value. |
| Money.com (October 2026) | American Home Shield best for HVAC. Cinch best systems plan. Select Home Warranty best for roof coverage. |
Who reviewers picked: auto
| Source | Highlights |
|---|---|
| ConsumerAffairs (November 2026) | Endurance best overall. CarShield best for older and high-mileage vehicles. Omega Auto Care best maintenance benefits. Zurich best claims process. |
| Cars.com (October 2026) | Endurance best overall. American Dream Auto Protect best for discounts. Premier Auto Protect best for nontraditional vehicles. CARCHEX best claims process. |
What the picks have in common
On the home side, Cinch, American Home Shield and First American show up repeatedly. On the auto side, Endurance leads every list we checked. Past those names the labels split, because each outlet weights price, coverage, claims and reviews differently. Some outlets say they earn commissions from partners. Use the lists to build a shortlist, then let the contract decide.
Using the scorecard
- Pick two or three plans from the lists that sell in your state.
- Get a quote for each on the same details.
- Ask for the sample contract and score each line.
- Put the totals next to the real-cost math from the most affordable plans guide.
Our compare page and administrators page explain the pieces, or you can get a quote.