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Do Home Warranties Cover Smart Home Features?
AHS Editorial Team
December 10, 2025
While American Home Shield doesn’t cover smart technology breakdowns under a standard plan, you can protect and support your tech with professional smart device installation services and an electronics protection add-on.
Key takeaways
- Core coverage where it counts: AHS home warranties offer security, protecting the essential mechanical and electrical parts of your home’s systems and appliances.
- Support for your smart tech: From smart locks to cameras, AHS offers access to professional installation services to help you get the most out of your devices.
- Extra peace of mind: Add-on options like the Electronics Protection Plan give you more ways to keep your household technology covered and connected.
Many homes across the country today have smart technology—in fact, a 2024 survey of smart technology habits revealed that 93% of homeowners own at least one smart device, and more than 60% say it’s helped them save money overall. The most common gadgets include smart speakers and assistants, doorbells, security cameras, thermostats, and lighting.
Homeowners often look for a smart home warranty to protect their connected devices, but most standard home warranties don’t cover smart features themselves. If the technology is built into a covered system, that core system may be eligible for service. Stand-alone smart gadgets aren’t typically covered by home warranty plans.
American Home Shield® covers the essential parts of your home’s systems and appliances, while also offering add-ons and services to help protect and support your smart tech.
Are smart devices covered?
In most cases, smart devices aren’t included in a standard home warranty. Coverage usually applies to the mechanical or electrical parts of systems and appliances, not the smart features or standalone tech add-ons. That means if the Wi-Fi function on your refrigerator stops working, or if your video doorbell glitches, it likely wouldn’t fall under a typical plan.
However, American Home Shield offers smart warranty options that can help fill the gap. These plans and services provide extra protection for the technology that keeps your household connected, giving you peace of mind in the process.
What American Home Shield offers
- Electronics Protection Plan*: This add-on helps safeguard devices like TVs, laptops, tablets, and more. While it isn’t a full smart home warranty, it provides valuable coverage for many of the gadgets you rely on every day.
- Smart home tech installation services: Through trusted partners, AHS members can access help setting up new smart devices, from video doorbells to voice assistants.
- Regular home warranty coverage: Standard AHS home warranty plans offer security through coverage of the core mechanical and electrical components of appliances and systems, but not their smart features. For example, a refrigerator breakdown would be covered, but the embedded smart display or app connectivity would not.
*$2,000 per claim limit with an overall claim limit of $5,000. Must add electronics protection to your existing home warranty within the first 60 days of your membership. The Electronics Protection Plan is provided by Allstate Protection Plans.
Smart home features at a glance
A smart home feature is any device or system that connects to the internet or a local network, allowing you to control it remotely or automate how it works. These devices range from everyday appliances, like kitchen appliances with built-in Wi-Fi, to smart home security systems that respond to your voice or phone.
Smart home features can help you save energy, improve safety, and streamline daily routines. When multiple devices work together, they create a connected “smart home ecosystem” that makes managing your household easier.
Embedded features vs standalone devices
Not all smart devices are created the same. Some smart features are embedded directly into major appliances and systems. For example, a washing machine with built-in Wi-Fi or a central HVAC system with a smart thermostat falls into this category. These devices often combine traditional functionality with high-tech upgrades.
Other smart technology comes as standalone devices. Think about video doorbells, smart plugs, or voice assistants that can be added to nearly any home. These devices usually don’t require professional installation and can often be upgraded or swapped out more easily.
Understanding whether your home tech is embedded or standalone helps you set realistic expectations about coverage. Standard home warranties, including American Home Shield plans, are not “smart home warranties” in the traditional sense. AHS home warranties help protect the mechanical and electrical parts of covered systems and appliances, not the smart features themselves or separate smart gadgets.
How a standard home warranty works
A home warranty plan is a service agreement that helps cover the cost of repairing or replacing major systems and appliances when they break down from normal wear and tear. Unlike homeowners insurance, which protects against events like fire or theft, a home warranty focuses on unexpected breakdowns due to normal wear and tear.
Typical plans can cover the core components of your home, including:
- Heating and air conditioning systems (like furnaces, central air, and thermostats)
- Plumbing systems (pipes, water heaters, and faucets)
- Electrical systems (wiring, outlets, and panels)
- Major appliances (such as refrigerators, washers, dryers, and ovens)
With a warranty in place, you can request service when something breaks. An independent repair Pro will diagnose the issue and work to repair the covered item, depending on what’s needed. You’ll usually pay a set service fee per visit, while the warranty covers the rest within plan limits.
This type of coverage has been around for decades, giving homeowners peace of mind and predictable costs. As more devices in the home become “smart,” the question is how these evolving features fit into the traditional coverage model.
Finding additional protection
If you’re looking for more ways to safeguard your smart devices, there are options beyond a standard home warranty. Some homeowners choose extended warranties offered by manufacturers or retailers, which can cover certain repairs or replacements for a limited time. These smart warranties can be helpful, but they often have restrictions on what’s included and how long the coverage lasts.
American Home Shield also gives you added flexibility with the Allstate Electronics Protection Plan, which helps protect your household technology from unexpected breakdowns or damage. Combined with a traditional home warranty, this smart warranty coverage provides even more peace of mind. It’s a home warranty with security that keeps your essential systems, appliances, and devices protected under one plan.
AHS assumes no responsibility, and specifically disclaims all liability, for your use of any and all information contained herein.
