State guide · MANo paid placement
Home warranty
in Massachusetts.
Cold winters placing extended load on boilers and furnaces drives the local claim mix. Service contract providers doing business in Massachusetts must be registered with the state Division of Insurance and must back their contracts with a reimbursement insurance policy, so covered claims are paid even if the provider fails.
2 cities coveredRegulated as a service contract3 providers active
Photo · R Architecture / Unsplash
Why Massachusetts is different
Service contract providers doing business in Massachusetts must be registered with the state Division of Insurance and must back their contracts with a reimbursement insurance policy, so covered claims are paid even if the provider fails. The contract itself is not an insurance policy; complaints go to the Division of Insurance.
Source: Massachusetts Division of Insurance: service contracts (State regulator, accessed 2026-07)
Coverage-priority context · MA
What breaks in Massachusetts.
Issue 01
Cold winters placing extended load on boilers and furnaces
Issue 02
Freeze-thaw cycles raising burst-pipe risk in older basements
Issue 03
Some of the oldest housing stock in the country, with dated plumbing and electrical
§ 02Best providers in Massachusetts
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
CHS
Cinch Home Services
Homeowners who want higher aggregate limits and value-added perks and accept a higher service fee.
Score
3.9/5
From
$39/mo
BBB
B
03
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
§ 03By city
City 01
Boston
City 02
Worcester
§ 04Common questions for Massachusetts
Are home warranties regulated in Massachusetts?
Service contract providers doing business in Massachusetts must be registered with the state Division of Insurance and must back their contracts with a reimbursement insurance policy, so covered claims are paid even if the provider fails. The contract itself is not an insurance policy; complaints go to the Division of Insurance.
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.