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.
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Home Warranty of America has been providing warranty coverage to homeowners since 1996. There are no "age" restrictions on the items covered, and no inspections are required. To be eligible for coverage, the items must be functional and working at the time you purchase the warranty plan. This means that you can get protection for your home without having to worry about meeting specific requirements or undergoing costly inspections.
Two plans to choose from
Home Warranty of America's two plans offer different levels of coverage. The Select plan covers basic components such as the heating system, water heater, plumbing system, dishwasher, built-in microwave, range/oven/cooktop, trash compactor, and garage door system. The Select plan also covers whirlpool bathtubs, electrical systems, ductwork, and more. The second tier, the Select Plus plan, builds upon the first plan by adding coverage for air conditioning systems and washer and dryer appliances.
Pricing from $46.04 to $57.92
The initial quote process with Home Warranty of America is a bit more extensive than with other home warranty companies. You will need to provide your name and contact information as well as the type of property you own and its square footage. We also found that we had options for additional coverage for items such as pool/spa combinations or septic systems after entering these personal details. The pricing for Home Warranty of America's plans is average. Our quote was $57.92 per month for the Select Plus plan and $46.04 per month for the Select plan. However, we were not provided with information on service call fees at any point during the quoting process, though some areas of the website mentioned that plans starting at $75/visit would be available.
Add-ons from $4.58 to $15.83
There are 11 different add-ons you can choose to access extra coverage for your home. These include things like septic tank coverage, sprinkler system protection, and pool/spa combo. There's also coverage for limited roof leaks. The prices range from $4.58 per month to $15.83 per month depending on which add-on you want.
30-day money-back guarantee
When you buy a home warranty from Home Warranty of America, you'll have access to the company's 30-day money-back guarantee. The cancellation terms differ slightly depending on whether you're purchasing a home warranty as part of a real estate transaction or to protect the home you already own. If you're not buying or selling a home, the Select and Select Plus plans (referred to as Premier and Premier Plus in the terms and conditions) each come with a 30-day money-back guarantee. This guarantee states that you can cancel your contract at any time, and if you do so within the first 30 days, you'll receive a full refund of the contract cost if no claims have been made. If you cancel within the first 30 days after making a claim or cancel the contract after 30 days, you'll receive a prorated refund of the total purchase price minus any actual service costs and an administrative fee, which is either $30 or 10% of the total purchase price, whichever is less.
Reputation has fallen as far as it can go
Despite some positive reviews from clients who reported quick responses to claims and reliable repair services, Home Warranty of America has dropped to an "NR"" rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB). This is due to a pattern of regular complaints that are so concerning that the BBB put an alert on the Home Warranty of America page. The most common complaints were delays in servicing and issues with having claims denied instead of being repaired or replaced. Worryingly, the company's reputation isn't great outside of the BBB either. According to ConsumerAffairs, Home Warranty of America has an average rating of just 1 star.
Poor reputation keeps it from competing
Overall, Home Warranty of America falls drastically short of impressing us. Their coverage is average, their pricing is average, and their customer feedback is extremely poor. While they may not be the worst home warranty provider we've seen (since some companies have had warnings for being scams), they have a long way to go to earn our full confidence.
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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.
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:
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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