State guide · AZNo paid placement
Home warranty
in Arizona.
The director of Arizona's Department of Insurance and Financial Institutions must issue a permit before a company offers or issues a home warranty contract.
Regulated as a service contract3 reviewed providers ranked
Photo · R Architecture / Unsplash
Why Arizona is different
The director of Arizona's Department of Insurance and Financial Institutions must issue a permit before a company offers or issues a home warranty contract. To qualify, the company files a $100,000 surety bond or securities in its place, or carries a reimbursement insurance policy. Contract forms go to the director for approval at least 30 days before they take effect. Cancelling buyers get at least a pro rata refund after benefits paid. Any administrative fee is capped at $75 or 10 percent of the price, whichever is less.
Source: A.R.S. § 20-1095.10 (scope: home warranty contracts) (State statute, accessed 2026-10-07) · A.R.S. § 20-1095.01 (permit required) (State statute, accessed 2026-10-07) · A.R.S. § 20-1095.03 (permit qualifications) (State statute, accessed 2026-10-07) · A.R.S. § 20-1095.04 (surety bond) (State statute, accessed 2026-10-07) · A.R.S. § 20-1095.06 (forms and disclosures) (State statute, accessed 2026-10-07) · A.R.S. § 20-101 (Department of Insurance and Financial Institutions and its director) (State statute, accessed 2026-10-07)
Coverage-priority context · AZ
What breaks in Arizona.
Issue 01
Extreme desert heat placing extended high load on cooling systems and compressors
Issue 02
Hard water accelerating scale buildup in water heaters and plumbing
Issue 03
Dust and fine debris stressing HVAC components and ductwork
§ 02Best providers in Arizona
01
AHS
American Home Shield
Homeowners who want broad systems coverage and a choice of service fee.
Score
4.1/5
02
FAH
First American Home Warranty
Owners of newer homes who prioritize appliance coverage and some improper-installation protection.
Score
3.8/5
03
CHW
Choice Home Warranty
Budget-focused homeowners who want a predictable flat service fee and straightforward plan choices.
Score
3.7/5
§ 03Common questions for Arizona
When does coverage start after I buy a plan?
When the waiting period in your contract ends. Providers set different lengths. Liberty Home Guard's sample policy starts coverage 30 days after purchase and requires covered items to be in working order that day. American Home Shield's 2024 Arizona sample plan agreement shows an initial waiting period of 0 days. Under Liberty's terms, a covered item that breaks on day 20 falls inside that 30-day holding period and is not covered, so read each provider's sample contract before you buy.
Can I buy a plan after something has already broken?
You can buy one, but the two sample contracts we read would not pay for a breakdown you already have. Liberty Home Guard's sample policy "does not cover any known or unknown pre-existing conditions." American Home Shield's 2024 sample plan agreement says a covered breakdown "must occur during the Plan Agreement Term," and it excludes earlier breakdowns that "were either known by you or were reasonably detectable by you."