In Arizona, home warranty companies are service companies that need a permit from the Arizona Department of Insurance and Financial Institutions (DIFI) before they can sell contracts. Extreme summer heat and hard water make cooling and plumbing coverage especially important.
Plans available in Arizona
Choice Home Warranty publishes that it serves Arizona. 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty, American Home Shield, First American Home Warranty, Home Service Club, Home Warranty of America, Old Republic Home Protection don't publish a state list and say availability varies by area, so confirm by ZIP code. Plan terms below come from each provider's sample contract, which can differ by state.
| Checked Oct 23, 2026 |  2-10 Home Buyers Warranty |  American Home Shield |  Choice Home Warranty |  First American Home Warranty |  Home Service Club |  Home Warranty of America |  Old Republic Home Protection |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plans | 2 plans (best of those shown) Systems, Pinnacle | 3 plans (best of those shown) ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, ShieldPlatinum | 2 plans (best of those shown) Basic Plan, Total Plan | 3 plans (best of those shown) Starter Plan, Essential Plan, Premium Plan | 2 plans (best of those shown) Standard Coverage, Comprehensive Coverage | 2 plans (best of those shown) Premier Plan, Premier Plus Plan | 3 plans (best of those shown) Basic, Deluxe, Elite |
| Heating & cooling cap | $5,000 (best of those shown) per system | $5,000 (best of those shown) per system | $3,000 (best of those shown) per system | Not stated (best of those shown) | $2,000 (best of those shown) per system | $5,000 (best of those shown) per system | $6,500 (best of those shown) per system |
| Best appliance cap | $2,000 (best of those shown) per appliance, top tier | $4,000 (best of those shown) per appliance, top tier | $3,000 (best of those shown) per appliance, top tier | $7,000 (best of those shown) per appliance, top tier | $2,000 (best of those shown) per appliance, top tier | $5,000 (best of those shown) per appliance, top tier | $7,000 (best of those shown) per appliance, top tier |
| Overall limit | $50,000 (best of those shown) per term | $50,000 (best of those shown) per term | Not stated (best of those shown) | No limit (best of those shown) | $9,000 (best of those shown) per term | $15,000 (best of those shown) per term | No limit (best of those shown) |
| Service fee | You choose (best of those shown) | $100 or $125 (best of those shown) | $100 per claim (best of those shown) | Set in your plan (best of those shown) Not published | Choice of deductible levels (best of those shown) | Set in your plan (best of those shown) Not published | Per trade; you select the amount (best of those shown) |
| Code & permit upgrades | Excluded (best of those shown) Not covered | Limited (best of those shown) Platinum only, up to $250 | Excluded (best of those shown) Code corrections and permits excluded | Limited (best of those shown) Optional Advantage add-on: $500 (Essential), $1,500 (Premium) | Excluded (best of those shown) Code modifications and permits excluded | Limited (best of those shown) Only with OrangePlus add-on: code $250, permits $250 | Limited (best of those shown) Deluxe $500, Elite $1,000; not on Basic |
| Unknown pre-existing issues | Limited (best of those shown) Only if not reasonably detectable | Limited (best of those shown) Excluded only if known or reasonably detectable | Excluded (best of those shown) Known or unknown pre-existing excluded | Excluded (best of those shown) Covered only for real estate transaction customers | Excluded (best of those shown) Conditions existing before the effective date excluded (homeowner plans) | Excluded (best of those shown) Pre-existing conditions excluded | Excluded (best of those shown) Malfunctions before the effective date excluded |
| Cancellation | Anytime (best of those shown) Yes, prorated refund | Anytime (best of those shown) Yes; pro-rata refund, admin fee after 30 days | Anytime (best of those shown) Yes; admin fee may apply after 30 days | Restricted (best of those shown) Full refund within 30 days if no claims; after a claim, non-cancelable | Restricted (best of those shown) Pro rata refund, but you may owe service costs above fees paid | Anytime (best of those shown) Yes; pro rata refund less service costs and a small admin fee | Non-cancelable (best of those shown) Non-cancelable except listed reasons (state rules vary) |
| Waiting period | 30 days (best of those shown) | 30 days (best of those shown) | 30 days (best of those shown) | Not stated (best of those shown) | Not stated (best of those shown) | 30 days (best of those shown) | Not stated (best of those shown) |
| Availability | Varies by ZIP (best of those shown) No state list published | Varies by ZIP (best of those shown) No state list published | All states (best of those shown) except WA | Varies by ZIP (best of those shown) No state list published | Varies by ZIP (best of those shown) No state list published | Varies by ZIP (best of those shown) No state list published | Varies by ZIP (best of those shown) No state list published |
| Sample contract | Read it (best of those shown) | Read it (best of those shown) | Read it (best of those shown) | Read it (best of those shown) | Read it (best of those shown) | Read it (best of those shown) | Read it (best of those shown) |
| Links | Review | Review | Review | Review | Review | Review | Review |
Covered Limited Excluded Best Most favorable term among the providers shown From each provider's sample contract and plan pages. Not a quote; terms can vary by state.
Who oversees home warranties in Arizona
Service companies must hold a DIFI permit to offer or issue service contracts in Arizona, and DIFI has ordered unpermitted home warranty sellers to stop. Check a company with DIFI's license search, and file complaints through DIFI's online complaint form. Arizona Department of Insurance and Financial Institutions (DIFI)
How to check an Arizona home warranty company
DIFI recommends checking a company's licensing record before doing business with it. Use the license search on DIFI's website and look for an active service company permit.
If you need to complain, DIFI asks you to include the company's license number and name. A company whose permit has lapsed is not allowed to offer or issue service contracts in Arizona.
Arizona heat, hard water, and coverage
In Arizona's desert climate, air conditioning is essential for much of the year, so the HVAC cap, refrigerant limits, and replacement terms deserve close attention.
Much of Arizona has hard water, which can shorten the life of water heaters, fixtures, and appliances. Check whether a plan excludes damage from sediment or mineral buildup, and whether water softeners are covered or excluded.
What to check in the Arizona version of a contract
Many providers publish a separate sample contract for each state. Before you buy, make sure the contract you read is the Arizona version, then check:
- The covered-items list and any per-item or annual caps for the systems you care about most.
- The service fee, and whether it is charged per visit, per trade, or on denied claims.
- Exclusions for pre-existing conditions, maintenance, and code or permit upgrades.
- Cancellation and renewal terms, including how any refund is calculated.
- Any state-specific notices printed in the contract. These often explain who regulates the contract in Arizona and where to complain.
Arizona home warranty FAQs
Who regulates home warranties in Arizona?
The Arizona Department of Insurance and Financial Institutions (DIFI) issues the service company permits that home warranty companies need.
How do I check that an Arizona home warranty company is permitted?
Use the license search on DIFI's website. A company with an expired permit can't sell service contracts in Arizona.
What matters most in an Arizona plan?
For most homes, AC coverage and its caps, followed by water heater and plumbing terms, given the heat and hard water.
Sources
- Arizona DIFI: File a complaint
- Arizona DIFI: Cease and desist order against an unpermitted home warranty company
- USGS Water Science School: Hardness of water
This page is general education, not legal, financial, or insurance advice. Home warranty terms vary by provider, plan, and state; the contract you sign controls what is covered. Spotted an error? Request a correction.