State guide · MENo paid placement
Home warranty
in Maine.
Among the longest heating seasons in the country, with heavy reliance on oil-fired boilers and furnaces drives the local claim mix. Maine exempts home service contracts from the definition of insurance but requires providers and administrators to register with the Superintendent of Insurance before selling in the state.
2 cities coveredExempt from insurance regulation3 providers active
Photo · R Architecture / Unsplash
Why Maine is different
Maine exempts home service contracts from the definition of insurance but requires providers and administrators to register with the Superintendent of Insurance before selling in the state. The registration regime comes from the state's service contract law (24-A M.R.S. ch. 91); the Bureau of Insurance handles registration and takes complaints.
Source: Maine Bureau of Insurance: service contracts FAQ (24-A M.R.S. ch. 91) (State regulator, accessed 2026-07)
Coverage-priority context · ME
What breaks in Maine.
Issue 01
Among the longest heating seasons in the country, with heavy reliance on oil-fired boilers and furnaces
Issue 02
Hard freezes raising burst-pipe risk during extended cold snaps
Issue 03
Old housing stock with dated plumbing and electrical
§ 02Best providers in Maine
01
AHS
American Home Shield
Homeowners who want broad systems coverage with the flexibility to lower premiums by accepting a higher service fee.
Score
4.1/5
From
$30/mo
BBB
B
02
CHW
Choice Home Warranty
Budget-focused homeowners who want predictable low service fees and straightforward plan choices.
Score
3.7/5
From
$46/mo
BBB
B
03
SHW
Select Home Warranty
Price-first buyers who want the lowest monthly cost and value bundled roof-leak coverage.
Score
3.4/5
From
$44/mo
BBB
B-
§ 03By city
City 01
Portland
City 02
Lewiston
§ 04Common questions for Maine
Are home warranties regulated in Maine?
Maine exempts home service contracts from the definition of insurance but requires providers and administrators to register with the Superintendent of Insurance before selling in the state. The registration regime comes from the state's service contract law (24-A M.R.S. ch. 91); the Bureau of Insurance handles registration and takes complaints.
What is the typical waiting period?
Most plans impose a 30-day waiting period from the contract effective date. A few waive it for a real-estate transaction or when you transfer an existing policy, so a failure that starts before coverage begins is treated as pre-existing and excluded.
Can I buy a plan after something has already broken?
You can buy one, but you will be paying for future protection. An active failure is almost always deemed pre-existing and excluded, so the new contract will not cover the repair you are facing right now.