Our home is the most significant financial investment most of us will make in our lifetime. Homeowner’s insurance may protect your home in the event of a natural disaster, but what do you do in the event of everyday wear and tear? This is when a homeowner’s warranty can bridge the gap. You depend on your plumbing system, kitchen appliances, and air conditioning to make your house worth living in. You want to know that your home is in good hands.
We’ll review two of the more popular choices for home warranties so you can make an informed choice for your family. Choice Home Warranty and Home Warranty of America Inc. are both two top-rated companies but with some key differences. Choice Home Warranty came ahead slightly in our research, but read on to see what plan best fits your family’s needs.
What exactly is a home warranty plan?
A home warranty plan can be broken down into different categories, just like your health, dental, and vision insurance—–only it covers servicing for your appliances and home systems. For example, Choice Home Warranty’s plan offers comprehensive plans that allow you to customize based on your individual needs for your home. A Basic Plan will cover kitchen appliances—your dishwasher, built-in microwave, stove range, water heater, and oven. A basic plan also includes every home system from plumbing to electrical.
A Total Plan is similar to a PPO upgrade from an HMO. It will cover the same needs as the Basic Plan as well as systems like air conditioning. Even larger appliances such as your refrigerator, clothes washer, and dryer are included. Optional coverage is like purchasing a vision plan. If you have a pool or spa equipment, central vacuum systems, sump pumps, roof leaks, and wells, then this plan will be handy.
Home Warranty of America only offers a premier plan and Premier Plus plan. The plans are similar, but we found a little more flexibility with Choice Home Warranty when trying to customize for our needs.
How Does HWA Work?
Home Warranty of America, Inc. is a standard home warranty company offering reasonable service contracts. HWA works to give their customers fast, easy solutions with their network of qualified service technicians.
Home Warranty of America specializes in home warranty plans and home protection plans. Whether you are planning to sell your home, buy a new one, or just staying in your home, a home warranty will bring you peace of mind when you need it most.
Home Warranty of America Plans
Home Warranty of America has been in business for decades, offering service contracts on appliances and home systems. Like many other home warranty companies, they offer plans that can be customized, depending on your state of residence. Home Warranty of America offers two levels of coverage.
- Premier: The Premier plan is an affordable option for current homeowners. Over 20 major household systems and appliances are covered in the plan. You can also add on optional coverage for extra individual items such as well pumps, stand-alone refrigerators, and more.
- Premier Plus: This plan covers 25 additional items, like plumbing fixtures and toilet replacement. It is just a little more expensive than the basic plan. Of course, you will still have to pay a service fee any time a technician comes to your home.
Coverage contracts are available with Gold, Platinum, or Diamond plans that have optional sellers’ and buyers’ coverages. Only real estate agents can purchase these plans.
Home Warranty of America Coverage
The Premier plan provides protection for the following items:
- Built-in microwaves
- Burglar alarm systems
- Ceiling and exhaust fans
- Central vacuums
- Dishwashers
- Doorbells
- Ductwork
- Electrical systems
- Exhaust fans
- Garbage disposals
- Garage door systems
- Heating system
- Ice maker
- Instant hot water dispensers
- Kitchen refrigerator
- Plumbing
- Ranges/ovens/cooktops
- Sump pumps (permanent)
- Trash compactors
- Toilets
- Washers/dryers
- Water heaters
- Whirlpool bathtubs
- Air conditioning
The Premier Plan plus offers additional items, including increased toilet replacement protection, plumbing fixtures, faucets, and showerheads.
Optional add-on coverage is available at an extra cost for the following items:
| Item | Cost per month |
| Pool/spa combo, saltwater pools | $11.54 |
| Roof leak repair, septic tank pumping | $3.85 |
| Second refrigerator, stand-alone freezer | $2.69 |
| SEER/R-410A modifications | $5.77 |
| Septic system | $3.86 |
| Well pump | $6.54 |
Home Warranty of America also offers two add-on packages, GreenPlus and OrangePlus:
- The GreenPlus add-on includes coverage to upgrade appliance replacements with ENERGY STAR qualified products. This can help you save with your electric bill in the future.
- The OrangePlus add-on includes coverage for water softeners and re-key, provides the removal of defective equipment at no extra charge, and increases coverage limits for the following items: Code Violations/Permits up to $250, Professional Series Appliances up to $2,000 and even Toilet Replacement up to $600.
Home Warranty of America Cost
While Choice Home Warranty offer service plans for a flat $75 each visit, HWA can cost up to $100 for a service visit. Home Warranty of America’s monthly coverage can range $40–$90 a month. There can be additional fees for any add-on protection.
The industry standard in home warranties is 12 months, but Home Warranty of America has 13-month contracts. The cost of HWA is about average when it comes to industry standards. The average range for a service call to a professional technician can be anywhere from $40–$90.
Our Verdict on HWA Home Warranty
HWA Home Warranty can be a good value for your home, but ultimately isn’t our top-recommended provider. We do like that HWA allows you to add on specific items a-la-carte, such as a septic system. However, we ultimately recommend Choice Home Warranty as the best overall pick in this category for its simplified plan structure and lower costs. Keep reading to learn why.
The Daily Caller’s Pick: Choice Home Warranty
We found Choice Home Warranty to be the best customer-reviewed home warranty companies. Choice Home Warranty offers 24/7 customer service with access to over 15,000 experienced service technicians. While it’s standard for other home warranty companies to send you to a large call center, Choice Home Warranty provides you with your own dedicated team.
Choice Home Warranty offers the following benefits:
- Plans starting as low as $1 per day
- 24/7 Customer support
- No home inspection required
- 15,000+ technicians nationwide
- Coverage in 49 out of 50 states
- Emergency service availability
- A personable, dedicated team willing to assist your needs
- Modern technology
- High-quality service with affordable pricing
Choice Home Warranty offers three options for coverage that can be tailor-fit to your individual needs:
- The Basic Plan includes kitchen appliances like a dishwasher, built-in microwave, stove range, and oven. Even water heaters are also included in the plan. Your home systems from plumbing to electrical will all be covered.
- The Total Plan includes everything in the Basic Plan as well as systems like air conditioning and your heating. Don’t get stuck without the cool air in the summer or heat in the cold front. Even more elaborate appliances like the refrigerator and clothes washer and dryer are included.
- When you select Optional Coverage, you’ll be covered for everything in the Basic and Total Plan plus pool and spa equipment, central vacuum systems, sump pumps, roof leaks, and wells.
Pay for what you have, and don’t worry about what you don’t with a warranty. If you want a free quote from Choice Home Warranty, you can call 848-256-4657 or fill out this form.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if my appliances and systems are old?
Your home warranty company will cover homes, systems, and appliances that are new and old. There are no age restrictions on anything we cover. No inspections are required.
What is the difference between homeowner’s insurance and a home warranty?
Homeowner’s insurance and home warranties both help you in the event of loss or damage to your home or belongings. Home warranties will cover repairs and replacements for systems and appliances that suffer from normal wear and tear. Homeowners insurance covers homes and your property in the event of damage or loss from fire and natural disasters.
How can a home warranty help me sell my home faster?
Studies have shown that a home warranty plan can sell a home 16% faster and for more money. Offering a home warranty plan with your property is a great asset, and it will help prevent you from ending up with costly repairs while your home is on the market.
What’s the difference between a home warranty and my manufacturer’s warranty?
A manufacturer’s warranty typically covers a single appliance or system and is meant to include any mistakes in manufacturing, not for everyday use.
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