Is a Home Warranty Worth It in Year One? (2026)

Whether a home warranty is worth buying in year one — claim payout rates, exclusions to watch, and a decision framework by home age.

Your first year in the home

Month 1: What to Check — Your first month is about documenting what you have and addressing anything urgent from the inspection.
Month 3: What Fails First — By month 3, you'll discover the things the inspection couldn't catch — the intermittent issues and seasonal surprises.
Month 6: What to Service — At 6 months, shift from reactive fixing to proactive maintenance. This is where smart homeownership starts.
Month 12: What to Budget — After a full year, you know your home's personality. Now build a forward-looking plan for the next 1–5 years.