State guide · RINo paid placement
Home warranty
in Rhode Island.
Rhode Island law has said since January 1, 2020 that offering, selling or issuing a service contract is not insurance.
Exempt from insurance regulation3 reviewed providers ranked
Photo · R Architecture / Unsplash
Why Rhode Island is different
Rhode Island law has said since January 1, 2020 that offering, selling or issuing a service contract is not insurance. Such contracts are not subject to the state's insurance laws unless a law expressly makes them apply. Consumer products there include property "intended to be attached to or installed in any real property". The chapter, Title 6, Chapter 57, has only two sections. Neither sets registration, financial-security or cancellation rules.
Source: R.I. Gen. Laws § 6-57-1 (definitions) (State statute, accessed 2026-10-07) · R.I. Gen. Laws § 6-57-2 (service contracts not insurance) (State statute, accessed 2026-10-07) · R.I. Gen. Laws Title 6, Chapter 57 (index of sections) (State statute, accessed 2026-10-07) · R.I. P.L. 2019, ch. 188 (State statute, accessed 2026-10-07)
Coverage-priority context · RI
What breaks in Rhode Island.
Issue 01
Cold coastal winters placing extended load on boilers and furnaces
Issue 02
Salt air and coastal humidity accelerating wear on exterior HVAC equipment
Issue 03
Old housing stock with dated plumbing and electrical
§ 02Best providers in Rhode Island
01
AHS
American Home Shield
Homeowners who want broad systems coverage and a choice of service fee.
Score
4.1/5
02
LHG
Liberty Home Guard
Homeowners who value responsive support and a wide add-on catalog over the highest payout caps.
Score
4.0/5
03
CHS
Cinch Home Services
Homeowners who want a high total limit and value-added perks and accept a higher deductible.
Score
3.9/5
§ 03Common questions for Rhode Island
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 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."