Content is created by CNN Underscored’s team of editors who work independently from the CNN newsroom. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn a commission. Learn more
Home / Home Warranty
By Ally Sabatina, Alora Bopray and Roxanne Downer, CNN Underscored
Published 3:01 PM EDT, Thu May 30, 2024
What's in this review
- Home Warranty Inc. at a glance
- Home Warranty Inc. pros and cons
- How much does Home Warranty Inc. cost?
- What services does Home Warranty Inc. offer?
- Home Warranty Inc. add-ons and optional features
- What does Home Warranty Inc. not cover?
- Home Warranty Inc. customer experience
- The fine print: Terms and conditions you should know
- Home Warranty Inc. vs. competitors
- Methodology
- Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Home Warranty Inc.
In 1999, an appliance repair technician with more than 36 years of experience founded Home Warranty Inc. (also known as Home Warranty of the Midwest) to offer contractors efficient payment and homeowners quicker service when they need common home repairs. The company offers five home warranty plans with different coverage tiers and a standard $100 service call fee.
Our rating: 4.3 out of 5
Best for: Choosing your own contractor
Availability: 45 states
Home Warranty Inc. at a glance
Fast facts
- Home Warranty Inc. offers services in 45 states, excluding Arizona, California, New York, Oregon and Washington.
- The company has an A+ Better Business Bureau rating and has been accredited since 2011.*
- Home Warranty Inc. is one of the few providers in this industry that allows homeowners to choose their own contractor.
What we like
- Home Warranty Inc. earned an overall rating of 4.3 out of 5 in our rating system. It scored highest for its 24/7 customer service, claims response within 48 hours and many covered items.
- We also like that the company offers a free cancellation period, so you can get your money back within 30 days of enrolling, and a 30-day workmanship guarantee that allows you to request re-service if a covered item breaks after a repair.
- The provider offers five plans and add-on options, making it highly customizable to homeowners’ unique needs.
What we don’t like
- Home Warranty Inc.’s website is outdated and not very user-friendly.
- The $100 service call fee is higher than many competitors’ more typical $75 fee.
- You may be charged a fee if you cancel your policy more than 30 days after purchasing it.
* Third-party ratings are accurate as of May 2024 but may be subject to change.
Home Warranty Inc. pros and cons
Home warranty companies aren’t created equally, so comparing the advantages and disadvantages of every company you’re considering is helpful. Here are a few notable pros and cons of Home Warranty Inc.
Pros
- Five plan options, including an a la carte option that doesn’t have a service call fee
- $5,000 coverage cap per covered item, which is higher than many competitors
- Offers cash in lieu of repair if you would prefer to apply the funds to a new appliance or system
Cons
- Not available in Arizona, California, New York, Oregon or Washington
- Caps total coverage at $15,000
- $100 service call fee is higher than many competitors
How much does Home Warranty Inc. cost?
pro tip
- Identify the items in your home most likely to break and select coverage for them. Newer appliances are more likely to be covered by manufacturers’ warranties and less likely to malfunction from everyday use.
Home Warranty Inc. has five plans: an a la carte appliance plan, a supplemental home warranty plan and three comprehensive combination plans for sellers, buyers and existing homeowners. In general, the more coverage the plan offers, the more you can expect to pay per month. The company’s standard service call fee is $100.
Home Warranty Inc.’s appliance protection plan can be a cost-effective solution for homeowners who want to pick and choose coverage for their most-used appliances without overpaying for coverage they don’t need.
You can quickly compare the average costs in the table below.
| Service Call Fee | Monthly fee | |
|---|---|---|
| Appliance Protection Plan | No service call fee | $5 - $14 per covered item |
| Supplemental Home Protection | $100 | $30 |
| Home Protection Plan (Seller Core) | $100 | Complimentary for six months |
| Home Protection Plan (Buyer Core) | $100 | $50 |
| Home Protection Plan (Executive) | $100 | $75 |
Savings and discounts
Home Warranty Inc. offers a few savings opportunities:
- $25 military discount: Military members and veterans can save $25 when they purchase a home warranty plan.
- A la carte plan: Homeowners can pay as little as $5 to $14 per appliance.
- Complimentary Seller Core Home Protection Plan: Home Warranty Inc. offers six months of complimentary coverage to homeowners looking to sell their home in the near future. However, coverage is limited to core systems and appliances.
What services does Home Warranty Inc. offer?
Home Warranty Inc. will cover all the items on your selected plan after a 30-day waiting period. After your initial purchase, you can elect add-ons, but those add-ons will be subject to another 30-day waiting period.
pro tip
- Don’t hesitate to call customer service and ask about available discounts and promotions. Sometimes they’re not readily advertised.
The company covers up to $5,000 per covered item, up to a maximum of $15,000 per plan term. Unlike many home warranty providers, Home Warranty Inc. gives customers flexibility to customize their policies — particularly for appliances.
Home Warranty Inc. doesn’t have any unusual exclusions — remember, home warranties cover normal wear and tear, not misuse or improper modification — but its Buyer Core and Executive Level Home Protection Plans will cover undetectable pre-existing conditions. Undetectable pre-existing conditions are malfunctions that can’t be diagnosed through a simple mechanical test or visual inspection.
Home Warranty Inc. services
| Appliance Protection Plan | Supplemental Home Protection | Home Protection Plan (Seller Core) | Home Protection Plan (Buyer Core) | Home Protection Plan (Executive) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Built-in microwave | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Clothes dryer | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Clothes washer | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dishwasher | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Garbage disposal | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Refrigerator | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stand-alone freezer | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Stove/range/oven | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Trash compactor | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Water softener | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
| Wine refrigerator | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
| Air conditioning | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boiler/water heater | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Central vacuum | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Ductwork | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electrical | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Furnace | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Garage door opener | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Gas fireplace | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
| Heat pump | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Jetted bathtub | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
| Lawn sprinkler system | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
| Plumbing | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Sump pump | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ |
| Annual furnace inspection | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Roof leak | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| SurgeShield Plus (electronics) | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
| Undetectable pre-existing conditions | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
Home Warranty Inc. add-ons and optional features
Home Warranty Inc. has a wealth of add-on options, many of which are bundled into the Executive Home Protection Plan. Review the following to determine the best coverage options for your needs.
- Buyer Premium Upgrade: For an additional $75, homeowners can add coverage for code upgrades, debris removal, toilet replacement and more, up to $1,000 per plan term.
- Enhanced HVAC Plus: For $100, homeowners can expand their HVAC protection to additional items, system modifications to repair compatibility issues up to $500, failures due to insufficient seller maintenance and labor for items covered under manufacturer warranty.
- SurgeShield: For $84 per year, homeowners can add surge protection for their heating and cooling systems, ceiling fans, washers/dryers, refrigerators, dishwashers and more.
- SurgeShieldPlus: For $144 per year, SurgeShield Plus covers all the items in the previously discussed plan, plus electronics, including gaming systems, tablets, computers and digital cameras. This plan has a $5,000 maximum reimbursem*nt.
| Average cost (annual) | |
|---|---|
| Additional kitchen or laundry appliances | $40 - $50 |
| Additional water heater | $60 - $75 |
| Exterior gas and water lines | $120 |
| Extra heating or cooling unit | $75 - $100 |
| Extra heat pump | $100 - $125 |
| Gas fireplace | $40 |
| Jetted bathtub | $60 |
| Lawn sprinkler system | $40 |
| Limited roof leak | $100 |
| Limited slab leak | $100 |
| Pool and spa | $200 |
| Septic system | $75 |
| Water softener | $50 |
| Well pump | $95 |
| Wine refrigerator | $40 |
What does Home Warranty Inc. not cover?
Home Warranty Inc. has convenient comparison tables on its website to help you assess the different plan tiers and find the best coverage option for your needs. That said, a few standard exclusions apply to all plans. Here’s what Home Warranty Inc. won’t cover:
- Failures due to negligence, acts of God, pest/pet damage, theft or improper installation
- Any system with hazardous materials, such as asbestos
- Any system or appliance not located within the main dwelling, except air conditioning, septic, pool/spa or well pumps
- Any system or appliance covered by recall or manufacturer warranty
- Cosmetic defects
- Any routine maintenance for covered appliances and systems
- Anything covered by a homeowners insurance policy
- Damage due to moisture — including mold, mildew, rust and corrosion
- Expendable components, such as HVAC filters or light bulbs
- Any permit or code upgrades
- Collateral damage due to delayed repairs, including spoiled food or clothing damage
- Removal and repair of items located near the covered item, including floor, walls and landscaping
- Any system or appliance to which the homeowner has refused a service provider access
Home Warranty Inc. customer experience
pro tip
- Read the sample contract or service agreement carefully before making any assumptions about your coverage.
Home Warranty Inc.’s website isn’t the most user-friendly or appealing to browse, but most information is readily displayed and sample contracts are easy to find. The company operates a 24/7 customer service line, so you don’t have to worry about timing inquiries during business hours.
The company has several contact options, depending on the urgency of your inquiry.
- If you have a pressing question, you can call customer service directly at (877) 977-4949 or fill out the contact form for a later callback.
- You can request service through the online portal anytime, and the company generally responds within 48 hours.
When we called the number above, we waited for less than 10 minutes before connecting with an agent who was warm, knowledgeable and eager to answer questions.
Here are a couple of reviews to give you a better idea of what real-life customers have to say about their experiences:
The fine print: Terms and conditions you should know
In the home warranty industry, the most common complaints come from customers who don’t fully understand the logistics of their service agreement. For this reason, you must thoroughly read through a sample contract before you assume anything about your coverage.
For example, Home Warranty Inc. will cover up to $5,000 per covered item unless another coverage cap is listed for that line item. All plans will pay up to only $15,000 per plan term.
Though exclusions and limitations of liability sections are among the most important, you’ll also want to be mindful of any applicable waiting periods and non-covered components within a covered item.
Home Warranty Inc. vs. competitors
Home Warranty Inc.’s most significant upsides are its customizable appliance plans, long list of add-ons and option to hire a contractor of your choosing for approved repairs. Home Warranty Inc.’s prices and coverage caps are competitive, but companies like AFC Home Club, American Home Shield and Cinch Home Services have more flexible service call fees and easier-to-compare plans.
While the Home Warranty Inc. website mainly links to static brochures that aren’t optimized for digital viewing, all three home warranty companies mentioned above have online quote forms that allow you to see your options, compare prices and adjust your service call fee to meet your needs. Similarly, these companies allow you to purchase your plan online, whereas Home Warranty Inc. requires you to call.
Use the table below to compare our ratings, major call-outs and state availability for the best home warranty companies.
Home Warranty Inc. vs. competitors
| Our score | Best for | State availability | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home Warranty Inc. | 4.3 | Choosing your own contractor | 45 states, excluding AZ, CA, NY, OR and WA |
| Select Home Warranty | 4.5 | Value | 50 states |
| American Residential Warranty | 4.4 | Frequent claims | 50 states |
| 2-10 Home Buyer’s Warranty | 4.3 | Kitchen appliances | 48 states* |
| AFC Home Club | 4.3 | Flexibility | 47 states |
| American Home Shield | 4.3 | Comprehensive coverage | 48 states |
| Cinch Home Services | 4.3 | Perks | 50 states |
| Home Service Club | 4.2 | Affordable add-ons | 50 states |
| Home Warranty of America | 4.2 | Essential coverage | 50 states |
* We were unable to confirm 2-10’s list of covered states with a customer service representative.
Methodology
The CNN Underscored team analyzed home warranty companies using our unbiased rating system. Our rating system weighs each ranking factor based on its importance to the consumer, so coverage and pricing are the top priorities. However, guarantees, reputation, customer service, state availability, and overall flexibility are also considered.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Home Warranty Inc. offers five different plan options. It offers an a la carte appliance plan and four combo plans that cover both appliances and home systems. The a la carte appliance plan doesn’t have a service call fee, whereas the other four plans charge $100 when you request service for a covered item.
You can cancel your Home Warranty Inc. plan at any time with written notice. You’ll receive a full refund if you cancel within the first 30 days of coverage and haven’t made any claims. If you cancel outside this window, you’ll receive a prorated refund for the remaining months on your plan, minus any claims you’ve filed. You’ll also need to pay a cancellation fee of $50 or 10% of your plan’s purchase price, whichever is less.
Like any home warranty company, Home Warranty Inc. has mixed reviews. Some customers praise it, while others encourage homeowners to look elsewhere for coverage. That said, the company has an A+ rating and accreditation from the Better Business Bureau (BBB), and we rated it 4.3 out of 5 stars, which is on par with many of the providers we named on our best home warranties round-up.
You should consider Home Warranty Inc. for your future home if you live in one of the 45 states it serves. The company has a decent reputation and coverage, but the best way to ensure it fits your needs is to compare it with other companies’ prices, coverage caps and reviews.
Yes, there is a service guarantee with Home Warranty Inc. If a covered item breaks within 30 days of a service technician repairing it, you won’t have to pay an additional service fee to request service.
More recommendations
Note: The prices above reflect the retailers' listed price at the time of publication.
Deal of the Day
$74 $55 at Amazon
26% off
Thanks for signing up! Your welcome email is on its way.
Get the CNN Underscored newsletter
Receive product recommendations, reviews and deals three times a week.
By entering your email address, you agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge the Privacy Policy. CNN and its affiliates may use your email address to provide updates, ads, and offers.
By clicking 'Sign up', you agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge the Privacy Policy. CNN and its affiliates may use your email address to provide updates, ads, and offers.
Opt out via the Privacy Policy.
