Unlike home insurance, which does not cover any normal wear and tear, a home warranty is a type of service contract that covers the cost of repairing or replacing various household appliances and systems that wear down over time. The contract is for a defined period of time and protects homeowners from the high repair costs of, for example, a broken refrigerator or plumbing issue. It covers system failures and breakdowns that are not included in a standard insurance policy. Choice Home Warranty is a well-known company that offers home warranty contracts. Find out what its plans include and if this company is a good option for you.

Choice Home Warranty Coverage Options

Choice Home Warranty helps you get fast service that fits your budget if you run into a common household problem that falls under a covered issue. You get to choose the level of coverage you want in your customized plan. Common system issues and appliances covered in the Basic Plan include:

• Heating systems
• Ductwork
• Electrical systems
• Plumbing systems
• Water heaters
• Whirlpool bathtub
• Exhaust and ceiling fans
• Garage door opener
• Garbage disposal
• Kitchen appliances like the stove, oven, dishwasher, and more

If you want more coverage, you can opt for the Total Plan. This includes everything from the Basic Plan plus your refrigerator, air conditioning, clothes washer, and dryer.

Plan Add-Ons

Depending on your needs, you can customize your plan further to include any of the following:

• Pool
• Spa
• Well pump
• Sump pump
• Septic system and pumping for septic tank
• Leaking roof
• Central vacuum system
• Second refrigerator
• Freezer
• Sprinkler system

One of the best things about Choice is that you get to build your own plan based on what you really need.

Limitations

Limits apply to all covered items. The maximum liability amount allowed is $3,000 per covered item within a 12-month period unless otherwise stated in the contract. Optional add-on items have a limit of $500 per claim. You must pay any amount over this limit. The company reserves the right to determine if a covered item needs to be repaired or replaced.

Home Choice Warranty also pays up to $500 to grant access to inaccessible covered items, such as one that requires access through the floor. Once the problem is rectified, the company also pays up to $500 to close and return the area to a rough finish condition.  

Exclusions

While you don’t need to complete a home inspection to get a plan with Home Choice Warranty, some items are excluded based on preexisting conditions. One example is systems that have reached an age where issues are expected, and the system needs to be replaced. Other exclusions include:

• Damage from fire, storms, or theft
• Cosmetic issues like doors, knobs, and handles
• Maintenance of air conditioning systems
• Sediment build-up in water heater reservoirs

Pricing and Fees

The cost of your home warranty depends on these factors:

• Type of home
• Size of your home
• Location
• Level of protection you choose

With Choice Home Warranty, you can choose either a Basic or Total plan with the option to include add-ons. The average monthly cost for a comprehensive plan is around $47 for the Basic Plan and $55 for the Total Plan. Service fees range from $75 to $125.  

How Choice Home Warranty Plans Work

Once you purchase your plan, there is a 30-day waiting period before you can use it. After the waiting period, you can file a claim by going online to the Account Center or calling 888-531-5403. A service provider is then sent to your home within 48 hours. Delays may happen during off hours and during the holidays.

The choice of technician lies with Choice Home Warranty. The company selects from a pool of in-network providers.

Pros and Cons of Choice Home Warranty

Here’s a quick overview of the pros and cons of Choice Home Warranty. 

Pros

• 14 years in business
• Affordable plans
• Low fees
• 24/7 customer service
• Network of over 25,000 contractors nationwide
• Available in 48 states
• 3.8 rating on Trustpilot
• Repairs are guaranteed for 30 days
• Member of the National Home Service Contract Association

To date, Choice Home Warranty has covered over 1,900,000 homes and fulfilled more than 6,000,000 service requests, giving them extensive experience in delivering what customers want.

The company offers fast online quotes to help you get an initial idea of how much your preferred plan will cost before you commit. It also has customer service representatives available to help you decide what to choose to build the best plan for your needs.

Cons

• Not available in California or Washington State
• D+ rating on the Better Business Bureau for consumer complaints
• Multiple lawsuits
• Monthly $2.50 fee when you pay the premium monthly instead of annually

The main type of complaint reported on the BBB is that the company continues to charge customers for canceled services. It also has an ongoing lawsuit over consumer fraud filed by the Arizona Attorney General in 2019. The lawsuit seeks restitution for customers who did not receive the promised expedited service during heating emergencies. For these reasons, Choice Home Warranty may not be the best choice. Do your research and weigh the pros against the cons before making a decision.

Final Thoughts on Choice Home Warranty

Choice has mixed customer reviews, with many complaints regarding denied claims or lack of refund for charges made after cancellation. Despite this, many others have reported a satisfying experience. The bottom line is that while Choice Home Warranty offers two options for affordable home warranties, the negative reviews may cause you to look elsewhere. To discover which company is right for you, read customer reviews, get quotes from three companies to compare, and review the contract details to find out which one offers the best value.

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