Monday, October 14th
2024 Home Warranty Company Reviews
Choice Home Warranty
- Prices from $55.33 to $45 per month
- Add ons from $3.33 to $15 per month
- Trade service fees are around $85 per service request
- Coverage for appliances, heating system, electrical, plumbing, water heater, whirlpool bathtub, and more
- Add-ons for pool, sump pump, and extra appliances
- 4-star average
Choice Home Warranty has been in business for approximately 15 years, during which time they have handled over three million service requests for over one million home warranty customers. This company has a significant amount of experience in the industry, which is a good thing for homeowners looking for reliable coverage. With Choice Home Warranty's background, they promise to provide help in the case that you need to make a claim with your warranty by offering pre-screened technicians for quick and easy repairs.
Two plans behind a signup form
Choice Home Warranty offers two main plans for homeowners to choose from. However; to figure out anything about the plans, you have to fill out the site's form with your zip code, full name, email, and phone number. From what we can see, the two options are the Basic and Total plans. The Basic plan covers essential systems and appliances such as the heating system (excluding air conditioning), electrical, plumbing, water heater, whirlpool bathtub, oven/range/stove, cooktop, dishwasher, built-in microwave, garbage disposal, ductwork, garage door opener, and ceiling/exhaust fans. The Total plan includes all the features of the Basic plan, plus additional coverage for air conditioning systems, refrigerators, and clothes washers/dryers.
Pricing from $45 to $53.33 per month
Once you've selected your plan, you'll be taken to the quote page. In our area, we were shown a monthly rate of $55 for the Total home warranty coverage with no add-ons. However, this rate also included a "monthly fee" of $2.50 which was not explained anywhere on the website. After applying a "promotional” discount of $4.17 (a discount that has been present at the same rate for around 3 years), our final monthly cost came out to $53.33. The Basic plan was available for $45 per month While the trade service fee used to be listed at around $85, this is no longer available during the checkout information, which raised some questions about transparency here.
Add-ons from $3.33 to $15 per month
Choice Home Warranty also offers optional coverage for various items. You can choose to add coverage for pools/spas, limited repair of roof leaks, stand-alone freezers, central vacuums, a second refrigerator, well and sump pumps, septic systems, and septic tank pumping. This allows you to customize your coverage to fit your specific needs and budget. The prices for these add-ons are only available to see during checkout. The prices range from $3.33 per month for a sump pump or second refrigerator to $15 per month for a pool or spa.
May not stand by their warranty
We didn't find any mention of a money-back guarantee, but what we did find was the exclusions list. At the bottom of the website is a link to Choice Home Warranty's limits of liability and exclusions. Unfortunately, some clients have reported that when an appliance needed replacement under their warranty, Choice Home Warranty offered them a lower value than the original retail price, despite what was promised both in the terms and conditions and the original sale.
Concerning news of a fraud lawsuit
Choice Home Warranty's reputation with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) is concerning. They have a lackluster "B-" grade and a disappointing 1-star average over 2,600 customer reviews. There is also an alert about government action against Choice Home Warranty due to an open fraud lawsuit. Yikes! Reviews from clients on the BBB site and elsewhere paint a concerning picture of Choice Home Warranty's unwillingness to honor claims. Some people reported that representatives refused to provide them with detailed coverage and exclusion lists until after they signed a contract. Contracts have been renewed even when clients have canceled their plans, making it difficult to get refunds or stop payments altogether. This pattern of behavior has been reported in multiple reviews. Despite these negative reviews, Choice Home Warranty still has its fans. We found it has a 4-star average rating from ConsumerAffairs. It seems that this company can be hit or miss when it comes to providing reliable service, but we're especially concerned about the lawsuit.
Too many concerns to be competitive
While Choice Home Warranty may not have been the worst option available in the past, it has fallen in reputation recently. We recommend considering other companies first before signing a contract with Choice Home Warranty. While they offer easy-to-understand plans and have some satisfied customers, their reputation with the BBB is concerning and their tendency to avoid paying out on claims is alarming. For these reasons, Choice earns one of our lowest ratings.
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Where Can You Find the Best Home Warranty?
Being prepared for unexpected expenses is part of homeownership. Whether you're a landlord looking to reduce operating costs, a homeowner trying to sell your property, or just a regular homeowner who wants to be protected against surprise repairs, having a good home warranty can be a lifesaver. A home warranty is a type of insurance, separate from your home insurance, that covers the cost of repairs or replacements for major systems and appliances in your home.
By choosing the right plan, you can avoid the financial burden of costly repairs so that your home remains safe and functional. Home warranty plans typically offer different levels for different home concerns and budgets. Basic coverage might include protection for appliances and systems like HVAC, plumbing, and electrical systems.
Home Warranty Company FAQ
Continued from above...
Premium plans, on the other hand, might cover more extensive components like electronics, septic systems, and pools and spas. Some providers offer add-on services for extra fees, such as coverage for sump pumps or water softeners.
When selecting a home warranty provider, you'll want to read the fine print and understand what's covered and what's not. Most policies have limits, exclusions, and caps on the amount they'll pay out over the contract's life. For example, some policies might only cover appliances up to a certain age or value. Others might exclude certain types of damage or wear and tear. Be sure to ask about these details before signing up. It's also important to note that most policies have a 30-day waiting period before coverage takes effect. So, if you need to make a claim soon after purchasing the policy, you'll have to wait a month before it kicks in.
During the waiting period, many providers offer a money-back guarantee. This allows you to cancel your policy if you're unsatisfied with the coverage or if you discover something you didn't expect. Another important consideration is the trade call service fee, which is similar to a copay on medical insurance or a deductible on car insurance. This fee can vary depending on the provider and may apply per service call or per repair. Be aware that you could be charged multiple fees for a single repair if different tradespeople are needed to fix the issue.
While it's great that there are a lot of companies to consider for your home warranty, sifting through them all can be stressful. To help you avoid getting overwhelmed by the numerous plans and companies, we've put together some helpful criteria to guide you through your vetting process:
- Reputation. When considering a home warranty provider, it's essential to know what homeowners have to say about their experience with the company. You'll want to find out if claims are processed swiftly, with repair technicians arriving at your doorstep promptly. Does the company have a reputation for approving claims easily, or should you expect to navigate a lengthy and frustrating process?
- Value. Cost is always a concern. How much does the warranty itself cost? How much will you pay for trade service call fees? Make sure you figure out what your premium totals and fees might be each year and make sure you'll be getting a good deal on the cost for repairs vs. doing the same thing out of pocket.
- Coverage. What kind of coverage do you need? What kind of coverage is offered? Make sure that if you want extras or more extensive coverage, the company you choose offers plans that support your home the way you want.
To help keep your home safe from any eventuality, Top Consumer Reviews has reviewed and ranked the most popular home warranty providers out there today. We hope this information helps keep your home and appliances operating safely, and gives you a little extra financial peace of mind!
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