Best Home Warranty Companies
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Home insurance doesn’t always cover everything in your home, so having home warranty service can help you repair and replace appliances and utilities without dipping into your savings account. We looked at the best home warranty services to find the top providers, comparing everything from plan price to what is covered to customer service. Here are the full home warranty reviews of each service to help you find the best home warranty companies for your needs.
Best Home Warranty Companies
| Rank | Home Warranty Company | Best For | Cost | STL Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Select Home Warranty | Overall Service | $299 to $499/year | ★★★★★ |
| 2 | Choice Home Warranty | Trusted Contractors | $378 to $450/year | ★★★★ |
| 3 | American Home Shield | Most Popular | $29.99 to $39.99/month | ★★★★ |
| 4 | HomeServe USA | Options | $4/month (minimum) | ★★★ |
Best Home Warranty Companies
| Rank | Home Warranty Company | STL Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Select Home Warranty | ★★★★★ |
| 2 | Choice Home Warranty | ★★★★ |
| 3 | American Home Shield | ★★★★ |
| 4 | HomeServe USA | ★★★ |
Voted as “Best in Service” in 2017 from the Home Warranty Awards, Select Home Warranty has one of the best track records for home warranty service. Its home warranty plans offer competitive pricing, pre-screened contractors and some of the best customer service in the field. Here’s a deeper look at the top home warranty company.
Select Home Warranty Review
- Price: Select Home Warranty offers its customers a choice of three types of home warranty plans, ranging from $299 to $499: Bronze Care, Gold Care and Platinum Care, not including the $60 service flat fee.
- Plans: The Bronze Care plan offers coverage of basic appliances, like washer, dryer, refrigerator, dishwasher and range. The Gold Care plan protects household systems, like HVAC, water heater, plumbing and electrical. The Platinum Care plan covers everything from both home warranty plans, as well as a few extras like ceiling fans and plumbing stoppage.
- Features: While each plan offers an overall range of what is covered, Select allows you to customize each plan to fit your exact needs. Select also doesn’t restrict service on appliance based on age and is one of the only home warranty services to consistently offer deals for its customers. Select also pre-screens all of the contractors that it works with so you know you are getting quality work.
- Customer service: Select has the best customer service among home warranty companies. It won the 2017 “Best in Service” Award from Home Warranty Awards and customer service agents are available 24/7, every day of the year. Select also allows you to file claims easily either by phone, email or online form, and service is quick to respond.
What Makes Select Home Warranty Stand Out?
Customer service seems to be Select’s bread and butter, which is exactly what you want when dealing with a home warranty company. If an appliance or system breaks down, you are generally looking for a service that can get things done quickly and efficiently. Select also offers competitive pricing compared to other top home warranty services, and has an extensive list of pre-screened contractors that can help with your repairs.
Common Select Home Warranty Reviews
Select Home Warranty reviews are generally positive since it offers such quality customer service. The positive Select Home Warranty reviews, coupled with a wide range of qualified contractors that Select works with, explain why customers are generally satisfied with the work that Select does. Like any home warranty service, there are obvious issues with people not being satisfied with contractors or feeling the process is too slow, but generally, feedback for Select is on the positive side.
Is Select Home Warranty for Me?
Select is our overall top pick for home warranty companies, so it generally is a good fit for anyone looking to protect their appliances and/or home systems with great coverage. Some home warranty companies are cheaper, and some offer a deeper choice when it comes to contractors, but for an overall solid and reliable home warranty service, Select is the best home warranty company and should be your first choice.
Although Choice Home Warranty often works with real estate companies to provide warranties on newly remodeled or built properties, it also offers consumer policies. When you have a covered system or appliance that breaks, simply call the repair hotline and report the problem. Choice Home Warranty will offer you a list of local service providers to handle the repair to your system or appliances.
Choice Home Warranty Review
- Price: The best home warranty service offers exceptional coverage at an affordable price, and that’s exactly what you get with Choice Home Warranty. You can pay for an entire year in one lump sum or make monthly payments for your coverage.
- Plans: With both basic and full-coverage plan options, you can build a home warranty insurance plan that fits your needs.
- Features: When you have a full-coverage plan, Choice Home Warranty covers everything from major systems and appliances to your garage door opener.
- Customer service: Even the best home warranty service companies have negative reviews about customer service, but this is an area where Choice Home Warranty really shines. This company is available 24/7/365 for customer service calls and responds to quote requests almost as soon as you’ve filled out the form.
What Makes Choice Home Warranty Stand Out?
The quality of contractors is what makes Choice Home Warranty really stand out. It doesn’t have the largest network, with only 11,000 service providers, but the list is full of high-quality technicians who rarely disappoint on the job.
Common Choice Home Warranty Reviews
Because of its exceptional list of service providers, Choice Home Warranty often scores better than four stars on review sites. Customers love the responsive service and quick turnaround time on claims, according to Choice Home Warranty reviews.
Is Choice Home Warranty for Me?
If you own a property with aging systems that have been well-maintained, Choice Home Warranty might be the best home warranty service for you. You don’t want to have to pay replacement costs out of pocket, and with a home warranty cost that is affordable, you won’t have to.
When you need home repairs, you need them now. If you have an issue, you can call to report the need for a repair any day of the year. The repair hotline is available 24/7/365. Once you put in the request, expect to see a technician within a day. The repair technician will either perform the repair or let you know when the repair will be completed. All you’ll pay is the service fee, which can be $75, $100 or $125.
American Home Shield Review
- Price: Your price will depend on where you live and other factors, but prices start at $29.99 for coverage. When doing home warranty comparisons with American Home Shield, be prepared to enter your contact information in order to see pricing.
- Plans: Like many other home warranty companies, American Home Shield offers coverage for appliances, systems or a combination. What makes it unique is the ability to build your own custom coverage solution.
- Features: With 24-hour service guarantees and 24/7 repair reporting, you can get emergency repair services on your schedule.
- Customer service: In addition to an always-on repair hotline and general customer service line, you can also use online chat if you have any questions.
What Makes American Home Shield Stand Out?
The speed of response to any reported repairs is what really makes American Home Shield one of the best home warranty services on the market. When making home warranty comparisons, remember that a slow response time can cause continuing damage to your home.
Common American Home Shield Reviews
American Home Shield consistently scores better than three stars on review sites. Its emphasis on customer service and highly skilled technicians makes it the best home warranty option for those who want high-quality contractors, according to American Home Shield reviews.
Is American Home Shield for Me?
When you own a property, home repairs can dramatically impact your financial situation. A major system failure may not be covered by insurance, but could still leave you holding the bill for a big repair. Home warranty plans take care of the cost of these major repairs, letting you avoid an emergency expense. If you own a home, you might want to start making some home warranty comparisons.
Like most home warranty plans, HomeServe USA provides repair services for covered home systems. Essentially, you buy coverage for the systems you want, and if something happens, you can arrange the repair through one of the network of providers available with HomeServe USA. Most repairs are completed quickly and on time.
HomeServe USA Review
- Sign up: You can sign up for HomeServe here.
- Price: Where many home warranty companies offer packages that cover tons of issues, HomeServe USA lets you buy coverage on specific systems. That means you don’t pay for coverage on appliances that are already under warranty or systems that have an existing service guarantee. Instead, you can buy coverage that is specific to the systems you are most concerned about.
- Plans: HomeServe USA offers plans that cover everything from external water lines to appliances. As a customer, you can buy coverage for as many things as you need, especially when they are near the end of their average lifespan.
- Features: What makes HomeServe USA the best home warranty service overall is the combination of no deductible, local service technicians, guaranteed repairs and a service hotline that is always available.
- Customer service: When you need an emergency repair, the last thing you want to deal with is leaving a message and waiting for a callback. With HomeServe USA home warranty insurance, that’s never an issue; its repair service hotline is open 24/7.
What Makes HomeServe USA Stand Out?
What makes HomeServe USA one of the best home warranty companies is the option to cover everything or just a single system. After all, why would you want to pay for whole home coverage when you have an existing warranty on your roof, electrical lines or a recent plumbing repair? With HomeServe USA, you don’t have to overlap coverage with existing warranties; instead, you only pay for coverage on the systems that need it.
Common HomeServe USA Reviews
HomeServe USA home warranty plans routinely get four stars or better from its customers. Its quick and reliable service combined with no deductible makes using HomeServe USA a low-stress proposition for homeowners.
Is HomeServe USA for Me?
If you own a home that doesn’t have a warranty, a sudden breakdown can come with a hefty price tag. For example, your heating and air conditioning unit repairs could cost thousands of dollars or result in you buying new ones altogether. If your systems aren’t brand-new and are not still covered under a manufacturer’s warranty, you can save serious money on home repairs with the right home warranty insurance and home warranty plans.
Once you buy home warranty insurance through TotalProtect, you have a long list of covered systems or appliances. When one of them breaks, simply call the repair hotline anytime and start a claim. Your TotalProtect representative will create a repair order and send out a technician to assess the issue and begin the repairs. All you have to pay is the deductible. There are no hidden fees or added costs to cover.
TotalProtect Home Warranty Review
- Best For: Homeowners who don’t want to hire a technician or repair company for every home repair. Homeowners with multiple appliances or aging homes, or who anticipate needing regular maintenance.
- Price: Depends on the plan and location of your home. TotalProtect promotes the “Combo” plan, as it covers both appliances and home systems. Monthly premiums are lower if you choose a higher deductible on repairs.
- Features: Options include three specific plans that cover appliances, systems, or a combination of both. Policyholders call the company when repairs are required and a technician is sent out to assist them.
- Other highlights: Features a team of 40,000 technicians who are pre-screened. Work is backed by a 180-day guarantee. This warranty company, also known by names such as Cross Country Home Services, has been accredited by the Better Business Bureau since 2007 and has a “B” BBB rating. Customer reviews are largely positive; the company promotes its 4.6/5 star rating on the website ConsumerAffairs.com.
- Customer service: TotalProtect Home Warranty’s customer care team is available to take phone calls 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, every day of the year, including holidays.
What Makes TotalProtect Stand Out?
Home warranty cost is one of the biggest issues that prevent people from choosing to pay for coverage. By offering plans with different deductible levels, TotalProtect provides affordable options that still give you protection on your most expensive home repair systems.
Common TotalProtect Reviews
Most reviews about TotalProtect are positive; however, some people do experience denied claims or long wait times for repairs. When a claim is denied, it is usually due to a poor maintenance schedule or a repair that is simply not covered by your policy. When doing home warranty comparisons, it is important to understand exactly what coverage is available with each plan. Also, remember to always use a contracted service provider to avoid fees that exceed the coverage amount.
Is TotalProtect for Me?
If you own an older home or have appliances or systems that are nearing the end of their useful lifespan, home warranty insurance might be a good choice. After all, replacing an A/C unit costs thousands when you don’t have a warranty. With a warranty, you only pay your monthly fee and deductible for the service.
- 24/7 Claims: If your furnace breaks in the middle of winter, you don’t want to wait until morning to get the claims process started. A company that features 24/7 claims allows you to address the failure as soon as it happens, rather than waiting until normal business hours.
- Minimal Exclusions: Some home warranties exclude from their plans a lot of the systems and appliances that you might assume are covered. The companies that offer fewer exclusions allow you to have greater peace of mind in the event that something ends up breaking or you encounter a problem.
- Quality Customer Service: The claims process should be a pleasant experience, rather than one that feels like pulling teeth. After all, you’re paying for the home warranty so that you don’t have to stress out about the process of repairing or replacing equipment in your home. If the customer service doesn’t help you, takes a long time to answer or is difficult to reach, then it’s time to move on to the next option.
- Transparency: Hidden fees and unexpected exclusions are always unpleasant to run into after you have a home warranty. Look for companies that are completely transparent about their contract terms, the exclusions, and their costs. Many companies offer an online quote system so you can see exactly how much your coverage would cost for a year.
- Long-standing Reputation: Well-established companies with a good reputation have gotten to that point for a reason. They offer excellent service levels, are straightforward with their customers and have the resources to get your systems repaired or replaced in a timely manner. If you see a company that has a limited history, then you have no idea whether they’re around for the long-term.
The exact coverage levels vary between home warranty companies and their service plans, but here are some of the most common things that they cover:
- Mechanical systems: Ductwork, central air conditioning units, electrical systems, plumbing systems, water heaters, central vacuums, garbage disposals, thermostats, CO and smoke detectors.
- Appliances: Dishwasher, trash compactor, garage door opener, washers, dryers, refrigerator, built-in microwave, oven and stove.
The covered items may be excluded from coverage if they are not maintained properly, even if you weren’t the one responsible for the lack of maintenance. For example, if you buy a house with older appliances, the previous owner may not have cared for them correctly. The home warranty probably wouldn’t cover these pre-existing problems.
If it looks like the appliance or home system was not installed properly, it may also fall outside of the accepted warranty coverage. Finally, the warranty company expects a certain level of wear and tear based on the age of the appliance or system. If the equipment has greater than anticipated wear, then it may not be covered.
Another common limitation is a cap on coverage. The terms for any claims caps are detailed in your contract and the terms of service. If you anticipate particularly costly repairs or replacements, check with the home warranty company to see if they would actually be covered when the time comes. Typically, you are limited to a certain covered amount for each repair. If you’re dealing with a particularly complicated situation, then you could end up paying more than anticipated.
The answer to this question depends on several factors. If you just purchased a newly built house with all new appliances, then you may not need the plan because you’re covered by a builder or manufacturer warranty. As time goes on and the systems age, you’re more likely to need this service.
Older homes with systems that haven’t been replaced or repaired recently are prime candidates for a home warranty. You’re more likely to make a claim within your coverage period, although you want to be careful that everything will be covered.
You should also consider a home warranty if you don’t have the budget to cover the repair or replacement costs of major appliances and systems. The home warranty is a much lower cost, spread throughout the course of a year, which makes it much kinder to your wallet.
A home warranty isn’t for everyone, but it can be useful in the right situations. When you’re considering whether or not it’s right for you, take the time to think about all the factors and ask plenty of questions during the pre-sales process.
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1 Comments
Richard Benert • March 9, 2019
Our experience with Americsn Home Shield would lead us, out of kindness, Ito give it no mention at all. It took us about five months to get our dishwasher replaced. Their coordination with their preferred local repair service was nearly non-existent. We had to serve as intermediaries between them. Lack of clarity, delay and confusion characterized the entire operation. When a replacement was finally deemed necessary, it arrived in non-working order, even though it was “New.” The replacement of a bathroom faucet cartridge was only slightly less frustrating and saved us only about $10. Is there a category for Dishonorable Mention?