We could not confirm a Maryland registration or licensing requirement for home warranty companies. Maryland consumer guidance describes these contracts as falling under the state's Service Contracts and Consumer Products Guaranty Act, with complaints going to the Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division.
Plans available in Maryland
Choice Home Warranty publishes that it serves Maryland. 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 Maryland
Montgomery County consumer guidance says Maryland doesn't require home warranty companies to register. For problems with a home warranty company, contact the Maryland Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division, which mediates complaints and has warned consumers about fake home warranty renewal letters. Maryland Attorney General, Consumer Protection Division
Checking a Maryland home warranty company
With no state registration to check, research the company yourself: look for complaints with the Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division and the Better Business Bureau, and read how the company handles denied claims.
Watch for scam mailers. The Attorney General's office has warned about letters telling Maryland homeowners their home warranty may be expiring and urging them to renew. Check directly with your provider before responding.
Maryland homes and coverage
Maryland has cold winters and hot, humid summers, so both heating and cooling coverage matter. Check caps for each system separately.
Many Maryland communities have older housing, where code and permit upgrades are more likely to come up during a repair. Look for how a plan handles code upgrades and pre-existing conditions.
What to check in the Maryland 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 Maryland 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 Maryland and where to complain.
Maryland home warranty FAQs
Do home warranty companies have to register in Maryland?
Montgomery County consumer guidance says no registration is required. We couldn't confirm a state registration requirement.
Where do Marylanders complain about a home warranty company?
The Maryland Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division, which offers complaint mediation.
Is that home warranty renewal letter legitimate?
Maybe not. Maryland's Attorney General has warned about scam letters claiming a home warranty is expiring. Contact your provider directly using a number you already have.
Sources
- Maryland Attorney General: Consumer Alerts 2023
- Montgomery County OCP: Home Warranty & Home Service Contracts Advice
- Maryland Home Improvement Commission: Warranties
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.