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 to Observe — Use the first months to record how the house performs in everyday use and changing weather.
Month 6: What to Service — Review the service schedule against your equipment manuals, climate, and known maintenance history. Some tasks will be due sooner.
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.