Virginia requires home service contract providers to register with the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) before selling contracts. Under Virginia law, home service contracts are not insurance.
Plans available in Virginia
Choice Home Warranty publishes that it serves Virginia. 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 Virginia
Providers must be registered with VDACS before offering or selling a home service contract in Virginia. VDACS publishes a list of registered providers and accepts consumer complaints. Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS), Office of Charitable and Regulatory Programs
Checking a Virginia home warranty company
Check VDACS's list of registered home service contract providers, or contact VDACS to confirm a company is registered, before you buy. VDACS also suggests looking into a company's financial standing and reputation, such as searching its name with words like "complaint" or "review."
If you have a problem, VDACS accepts complaints about home service contract providers. Note that Virginia law exempts some very large providers from parts of the registration rules.
Virginia climate and coverage
Virginia's hot, humid summers and cold winters mean both heating and cooling get heavy use, and heat pumps are common. Check how a plan treats heat pumps, along with caps for each system and freeze-damage exclusions in colder western areas.
What to check in the Virginia 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 Virginia 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 Virginia and where to complain.
Virginia home warranty FAQs
Who regulates home warranties in Virginia?
VDACS registers home service contract providers. Virginia law says these contracts are not insurance.
How do I check that a Virginia home warranty company is registered?
Check VDACS's list of registered home service contract providers or contact VDACS directly.
Where do I complain about a Virginia home warranty company?
VDACS accepts complaints about home service contract providers.
Sources
- VDACS: Home Service Contracts
- VDACS: Consumer Information for Home Service Contracts
- Code of Virginia § 59.1-434.2: registration required
- Code of Virginia § 59.1-434.7: not insurance
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.