Money Research Collective’s editorial team solely created this content. Opinions are their own, but compensation and in-depth research determine where and how companies may appear. Many featured companies advertise with us. How we make money.
5 Best Home Warranties for Septic Systems in 2023
By Susan Doktor MONEY RESEARCH COLLECTIVE
🔥 SALE: $150 OFF + 2 Months Free
- Members Can Save Up to 50% at Nike, Costco, Home Depot & 1000’s more
- Online Business Bureau Accredited with A+ Rating
- Covers Major Home Systems, HVAC & Appliances
- Free Roof Coverage, No Inspection Needed
24/7 support whenever your appliances fail
- Large network of independent prescreened contractors and qualified technicians
- In business for over 30 years
- Good coverage on home systems
- Does not cover pre-existing issues
- They will replace items that fail if they can't be fixed regardless of age, make or model
Get $50 OFF Any Plan
- Industry leader since 1971
- More than $2 Billion in claims paid in last 5 years
- More than 2 Million customers served
- No inspection or maintenance records required
- 30-day workmanship guarantee
About 26 million homes in the US are served by septic systems. That’s a lot of real estate, and a lot of financial exposure should something go wrong with your septic system.
Since septic system coverage is an optional coverage under home warranty plans — you can’t buy it separately —, in this summary of septic system coverage we provide information on what home warranty plans cover in their primary, packaged plans.
To standardize home warranty costs across the companies we review, we requested quotes in each case for a single-family home under 5,000 square feet in Flagstaff, Arizona. Where available, we also note the cost of adding septic coverage to your home warranty plan.
Table of Contents
Our Top Picks for Best Home Warranties for Septic Systems
Guide to the Best Home Warranties for Septic Systems
Best Home Warranties for Septic Systems FAQs
How We Chose the Best Home Warranties for Septic Systems
Summary of Our Guide to the Best Home Warranties for Septic Systems
Our Top Picks for Best Home Warranties for Septic Systems
American Home Shield
- Septic system coverage available for a separate fee
- $6,000 per appliance coverage limit (ShieldPlatinum only)
- Covers poorly maintained or undocumented appliances
- No limits on non-optional systems coverage
- Septic system coverage is limited
- No appliances-only plan available
- Relatively high premiums
| Plan name | Plan cost |
| ShieldSilver | $39.99 |
| ShieldGold | $59.99 |
| ShieldPlatinum | $89.99 |
American Home Shield is one of the most established home warranty companies in the US, with more than 50 years in business. It offers two kinds of plans: a major home systems-only plan and two combination systems-and-appliances plans. Its systems-only plan covers heating and air conditioning (including ductwork), electrical and plumbing systems coverage, and water heaters. The company’s home appliance coverage under its combination plans is particularly comprehensive and covers both kitchen and laundry room appliances. When you purchase major systems or combination coverage, you can purchase septic coverage as an add-on.
Before purchasing septic system coverage, it’s essential to read the fine print in a home warranty contract. That’s where the nitty-gritty of coverage is spelled out. According to American Home Shield, here’s what’s covered when you purchase a septic system protection plan:
- Mainline stoppages that can be cleared through an existing access or cleaned out without excavation
- The septic tank will be pumped once during the contract coverage term if a stoppage is due to septic back up
- Sewage ejector pumps
Here are the issues that are excluded when you buy a septic warranty from American Home Shield:
- Tanks
- Drain fields
- Cesspools
- Broken or collapsed sewer lines outside the foundation
- Stoppages or roots that prevent the effective use of any externally applied sewer machine cable
- Cost of finding or gaining access to the septic tank or sewer hook-ups
- Disposal of waste
- Chemical treatment of the septic tank and/or sewer lines
Overall, American Home Shield has much to recommend it, including an excellent range of appliance coverage and very high coverage limits on their repair or replacement. But if you prioritize coverage for your septic system, it may not be the best option for you.
Liberty Home Guard
- Systems-only, appliances-only and combo plans available
- Septic coverage available as an option
- Website offers online chat
- Systems coverage capped at $2,000 per system
- Can't choose your own deductible
| Plan name | Plan cost |
| Appliance Guard | $49.99 |
| Systems Guard | $54.99 |
| Total Home Guard | $59.99 |
Liberty Home Guard offers three plans, including separate plans for systems or appliances. The company’s Appliance Guard, while a little bit pricier than some appliances-only plans, includes comprehensive coverage for all major appliances in your home, including cooktops, ranges and stoves, refrigerators, clothes washers, dryers, and built-in microwaves. Garage door openers, garbage disposals and ceiling fans are also included with Appliance Guard coverage.
Liberty Home Guard’s System Guard plan covers heating systems (including ductwork) electrical systems, plumbing systems, and water heaters. It doesn’t offer coverage for air conditioners.
Liberty Home Guard’s Total Home Guard plan covers everything in its appliance and systems plans, plus air conditioning.
Liberty Home Guard stands out for the number of optional coverages it offers. Septic coverage is only one of the 42 add-on options offered by the company. It costs $14.99 per month to add septic coverage to your plan, which is more than double the price of septic coverage offered by other home warranty companies. When you purchase septic coverage, the company will pay to repair main line stoppages, provided they have an existing clean-out. You will not be covered for much else, though. The company’s sample contract lists several exclusions, including sewer hook-ups; chemical treatments; septic tanks; leach lines, cesspools and mechanical pump systems. Given those exclusions, the company offers less value under its optional septic coverage than many companies do.
Select Home Warranty
- Choose from systems-only, appliances-only and combination plans
- Add-on septic coverage available
- Affordable whole-home warranty premiums
- Service call fees not mentioned on website
- Not BBB-accredited
- Relentless follow-up marketing when you provide your contact information
| Plan name | Plan Cost |
| Bronze | $44.42 |
| Gold | $42.43 |
| Platinum | $47.75 |
Select Home Warranty affords customers the opportunity to choose the tailored coverage they need by offering systems-only, appliances-only or whole home protection.
The company’s Platinum Care plan includes comprehensive coverage of systems and appliances for a low monthly premium of $47.75. It also provides coverage against roof leaks. But it’s difficult to judge the practical value of any of Select Home warranty’s plans because the company does not provide details on the service call fees they charge on their website. Low premiums are often counterbalanced by high deductibles, which increase the total cost of coverage.
Select Home Warranty offers optional septic system coverage at an additional cost of $5.83 per month. That’s not much to pay for peace of mind. But actual coverage is limited when you read the details of the company’s sample contract. Exclusions for aerobic pumps, sewage ejectors, jet pumps and septic tanks make that moderate price seem less attractive.
Although you must enter an email address and phone number to request a free quote from the company, we advise readers that when you do, you are setting yourself up for a barrage of marketing messages. At our sample phone number, we received several phone calls as text messages per day from Select Home Warranty. The company uses multiple phone numbers to contact you. Blocking phone calls and messages, therefore, proves ineffective. We get it — salespeople have to make a living — but the company’s practices fall under the heading of overkill and may alienate some customers.
The Home Service Club
- Washers and dryers included in the Standard plan
- Unusual coverage for pest control, gas leaks, smoke detectors and alarm system wiring with the Comprehensive plan
- Offers good value—more coverage for the money
- Offers combo plans only
- Septic coverage only includes sewage ejector pump
| Plan name | Plan cost |
| Standard plan | $50.41 |
| Comprehensive plan | $62.91 |
The Home Service Club offers homeowners two plans to choose from, both of which cover a different combination of systems and appliances.
The company’s Standard plan, while priced a little higher than many companies’ opening price point plans, covers a fuller range of appliances than many less expensive plans, however. It includes coverage for a full range of appliances, including refrigerators with built-in ice makers, washers, dryers and dishwashers. These items are often missing from the list of covered items in a basic plan. It also includes system coverage for plumbing, electrical, heating and cooling, but some exclusions apply. For example, ductwork isn’t covered, nor are plumbing stoppages within the scope of the plan’s plumbing system protection. Plumbing stoppages are among the more common plumbing problems we encounter. For that reason alone, many homeowners would choose to step up to the company’s Comprehensive plan.
Home Service Club’s Comprehensive protection plan includes coverage for everything in the Standard plan but adds in protection for ducts, gas and water leaks, telephone and security system wiring, sump pumps, smoke detectors and more. Interestingly, it also covers pest control, a service many homeowners pay for separately to the tune of hundreds of dollars per visit.
The company offers limited septic system coverage for an additional fee of $99 annually. But the only element of your septic system covered under the option is your sewer ejector pump.
Choice Home Warranty
- Get one month free with an annual contract
- Choose between two combination plans
- No exclusions for older homes, systems, or appliances
- No separate coverage for systems of appliances
- Single deductible option
- Limited septic system coverage
| Plan name | Plan cost |
| Basic plan | $46.83 |
| Total plan | $54.75 |
Choice Home Warranty offers two combination systems-and-appliances plans — Basic and Total. It doesn’t offer homeowners the choice of buying coverage separately for either systems or appliances only. In addition, Choice Home Warranty plans have a single deductible option. So from the start, your choices are narrower when you buy a home warranty from the company. But both Choice Home Warranty plans offer good coverage for systems and appliances at a reasonable price.
Choice’s Basic plan covers cooktops, ovens and built-in microwaves, dishwashers, and garbage disposals. Refrigerators, clothes washers and dryers are not covered under the Basic Plan. The plan also covers heating, electrical, and plumbing systems and water heaters, but excludes air conditioners and air conditioning systems. That’s respectable coverage for a plan that costs just $46.83.
For just a few dollars more per month, you can get coverage for those items missing from the Basic Plan by selecting the Total plan, which covers washers and dryers. It also covers your air conditioning system. Given a choice between the two plans, we recommend The Total plan as a better value.
Choice Home Warranty allows you to customize your plan with septic coverage. Other add-on coverage options include pools and spas, second refrigerators, sump pumps, central vacuuming systems and stand-alone freezers.
As stated in the company’s sample contract, septic coverage includes repair of main line stoppages and clogs. If a stoppage is due to a septic tank back up into the home, the company will pump the septic tank one time during your agreement period. The company will also pay up to $250 per agreement term for access, diagnosis and repair and/or replacement. The additional fee for septic coverage is normally $10 per month. But for a limited time, the company has discounted the cost of its plans by 5%. We note that Choice Home Warranty is reliable for offering periodic coverage discounts.
Guide to Best Home Warranties for Septic Systems
Main things to know before purchasing a home warranty for a septic system
The first step in understanding home warranties for septic systems is that they can’t be purchased separately. They are typically marketed as optional coverage under a systems home warranty or a combination systems-and-appliances plan, though some home warranty companies do include septic system coverage in their top-tier plans.
The second thing you need to know is that septic coverage varies from home warranty to home warranty. Some plans only cover the failure of component parts of your system. Others cover the septic tank and septic tank pumping, as well. Finally, every home warranty plan has exclusions, which you should read before signing a service contract. Among the most important things to look out for are exclusions for repairs not due to normal wear and tear, exclusions on certain components of a system (such as faucets not being covered as part of a plumbing system), and strict coverage limits for individual systems and appliances. If your refrigerator or furnace break down and can’t be repaired, some plans will not cover the full replacement costs for such items.
Finally, find out what kind of workmanship guarantee your home warranty company offers. Some companies guarantee work for only 30 days, which may result in paying multiple service fees for solving one problem. Often service technicians will only fix an immediate or obvious problem and not properly diagnose the underlying cause. Look for the longest workmanship guarantee you can find. This information should be contained in the fine print of your service contract.
How do septic systems home warranty work?
They work pretty much the same as other components of a home warranty. That’s because they are sold as optional add coverage to a basic plan.
A home warranty is an agreement between a homeowner and a home warranty company, which provides coverage for the repair or replacement of specific systems and appliances in a home. The contract typically lasts for a year. If a homeowner has a problem with a covered home system or appliance, they submit a claim to their home warranty company, which then dispatches a contractor to diagnose and fix the issue if it falls within the terms and conditions of the contract. The homeowner pays a service call fee (deductible), while the rest is covered by the home warranty company.
Does a home warranty cover the septic system?
That depends on the home warranty company you choose, the specific plan you select, and the optional coverage you purchase. To learn what’s included in a provider’s home warranty coverage, you may have to request a free quote from a home warranty provider’s website. Along with your quote, the company will list what’s covered under an individual plan and whether add-on coverage for septic systems is available. Bear in mind that your warranty won’t cover any septic system component that is still under its manufacturer’s warranty.
What does a home warranty for a septic system cover?
The most robust warranties for septic systems provide coverage for your septic tank, system components and septic pumping. But coverage varies from plan to plan. You will have to read each company’s description of its septic coverage carefully to distinguish whether comprehensive coverage is available.
Best Home Warranties for Septic Systems FAQs
How long does a home warranty for a septic system last?
Is septic coverage bought apart from the home warranty?
What can I do to make my septic system last longer?
According to the US Environmental Protection Agency, the best way to avoid septic problems is to use your system mindfully and keep up with regular maintenance:
- Pump your system regularly: ideally once every three years
- Use less water and you'll put less stress on the system. High efficiency toilets and showerheads can help. Try to do only full loads of laundry. Smaller loads waste water.
- Avoid parking on your system's drain field.
- Make smart landscaping choices. Avoid planting trees near your drain field so roots don't disrupt its functioning.
- Be careful what you put down your drains. Avoid pouring cooking grease, solvents and harsh chemical drain cleaning products into your pipes, which can cause clogs and corrosion. Keep feminine hygiene products and kitty litter out of your toilets, too.
- If you have hard water, consider using a water softener device. Water softeners have been demonstrated to improve septic system performance because they prevent calcium and magnesium salts from building up in your system.
Does the septic home warranty cover pre-existing defects?
What is the service fee for a septic system in a home warranty?
How We Chose the Best Home Warranties for Septic Systems
Septic system coverage is available when purchased as an optional add-on to a main home warranty. So we looked at the best home warranty plans as a whole, in addition to septic coverage. We favored companies that offered multiple plan options, the best coverage for the money, and choices around coverage and deductibles. We then looked at septic coverage separately, comparing costs and breadth of coverage.
Summary of Our Guide to the Best Home Warranties for Septic Systems
Septic systems are comprised of many components. Overall, we found that septic system coverage is fairly limited. Home warranties won’t cover catastrophic system failures. Many home warranties exclude coverage of the septic tank itself and most offer coverage only for a few, less expensive components. Pumping, wastewater removal, and problems with sewer lines, cesspools, disruptive roots and drain fields are often excluded from warranty plans. So even with septic coverage, you may find yourself paying out-of-pocket costs to keep your septic system running smoothly. The best way to avoid septic system coverage is to follow best practices and perform regular maintenance as recommended by the manufacturer of your system.
