A home is often the largest investment most people make in their lifetime, and it’s essential to protect it from unexpected repair and replacement costs.
Home Warranty Review: Is Choice Home Warranty Worth the Investment?
Home warranties have become increasingly popular as a way to safeguard against such unforeseen expenses. One prominent player in the home warranty industry is Choice Home Warranty. In this article, we will review Choice Home Warranty and help you determine if it’s a suitable choice for your home protection needs.
What is Choice Home Warranty?
Choice Home Warranty is a leading provider of home warranty services in the United States. Established in 2008, the company has gained a reputation for its comprehensive coverage plans and commitment to customer satisfaction. Choice Home Warranty offers a range of protection plans designed to cover various aspects of your home, from major appliances and systems to optional coverage for items like pools and spas.
Company Overview
Choice Home Warranty was founded in 2008, with its headquarters in Edison, New Jersey. With more than four million service requests under their belts, they have experience in home warranties. Their calling card is fast and convenient service. Each claim is handled by a team of two or three representatives, so customers should feel supported.
While Choice Home Warranty has a track record, not all of it is good. They have nearly 10,000 complaints with the Better Business Bureau in the last three years. It has also faced lawsuits for consumer fraud in Texas and Arizona. Perhaps for this reason, their sample contract and its exclusions is easily accessible on their website.
Choice Home Warranty offers two plans: the basic and the total plan. With additional coverage for more unusual items or systems like pools and spas, plans can be built to accommodate most homeowners’ needs. They also offer the first month of service free with any single payment home warranty plan.
States Covered
- Alabama
- Arkansas
- Arizona
- Washington, D.C.
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Iowa
- Kentucky
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- New Mexico
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- Ohio
- Pennsylvania
- South Carolina
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Coverage Plans
Choice Home Warranty provides two primary coverage plans:
- Basic Plan: This plan covers essential home systems and appliances, including electrical, plumbing, heating, and cooling systems, as well as appliances like the oven, dishwasher, water heater, and more. The Basic Plan is an excellent option for homeowners seeking basic coverage for their essential home components.
- Total Plan: The Total Plan is a more comprehensive option, covering everything included in the Basic Plan and adding coverage for additional items like your refrigerator, washer, dryer, and even a built-in microwave. This plan is suitable for homeowners looking for more extensive coverage to protect their home appliances and systems.
Optional Add-Ons
In addition to the basic and total plans, Choice Home Warranty offers several optional add-ons, allowing homeowners to tailor their coverage to their specific needs. These optional coverages include items like:
- Pool/Spa Coverage: If you have a pool or spa, this add-on covers repair or replacement costs for essential components.
- Well Pump Coverage: Covers the repair or replacement of your well pump system.
- Sump Pump Coverage: Protects your sump pump, which is vital for preventing basement flooding.
- Septic System Coverage: Covers the repair or replacement of your septic system components.
- Additional Units: Ideal for homeowners with multiple units or systems, such as additional air conditioning units or water heaters.
Customer Service and Reviews
Choice Home Warranty prides itself on providing excellent customer service. The company operates a 24/7 claims center, ensuring that you can request service at any time, day or night. They also have a network of pre-screened, licensed contractors and service technicians, ensuring that you get quality repairs when needed.
However, like any company, Choice Home Warranty has received both positive and negative reviews from customers. It’s important to read reviews and do your research before making a decision to ensure the company aligns with your expectations and needs.
Pros of Choice Home Warranty:
- Comprehensive Coverage: Choice Home Warranty offers a wide range of coverage options, allowing homeowners to protect their entire property.
- Optional Add-Ons: The ability to customize your plan with optional add-ons makes it flexible to meet your specific needs.
- 24/7 Customer Service: The round-the-clock claims center ensures you can get assistance whenever you need it.
- Licensed Contractors: Choice Home Warranty works with a network of licensed contractors, ensuring quality repairs.
Cons of Choice Home Warranty:
- Coverage Limitations: Like most home warranty companies, Choice Home Warranty has coverage limitations and exclusions, so it’s essential to read the fine print.
- Mixed Customer Reviews: While many customers are satisfied with their service, there are also negative reviews to consider.
Available Plans
Choice Home Warranty offers two plans that offer comprehensive coverage for your home. The Basic plan covers plumbing, electrical, heating, some kitchen appliances, ductwork, and water heaters. The Total Plan adds A/C, refrigerator, and washer and dryer to the coverage.
| Choice Home Warranty Plan | Basic Plan | Total Plan |
|---|---|---|
| Clothes Dryer | ✓ | |
| Clothes Washer | ✓ | |
| Refrigerator | ✓ | |
| Air Conditioner System | ✓ | |
| Heating System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Water Heater | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electrical System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Plumbing System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Plumbing Stoppage | ✓ | ✓ |
| Oven / Range / Stove | ✓ | ✓ |
| Built-in Microwave | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cooktop | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dishwasher | ✓ | ✓ |
| Garbage Disposal | ✓ | ✓ |
| Ceiling & Exhaust Fans | ✓ | ✓ |
| Ductwork | ✓ | ✓ |
| Garage Door Opener | ✓ | ✓ |
| Whirlpool Bathtub | ✓ | ✓ |
Real Estate Plans
Choice Home Warranty offers plans specifically designed for realtors and sellers. However, realtors must register in order to view available plans, so we cannot report on any differences in the plans.
Plan Pricing
Both the Basic and the Total plan offered by Choice Home Warranty cover a wide variety of systems, so it’s unsurprising that their prices are fairly comparable. We looked at pricing in three states: Florida, New York, and Texas, and found that prices did vary based on location. The Basic plan was roughly $47 more expensive in New York than in either Florida or Texas. The overall average plan cost is $596.65, which is slightly below average for the 25 companies we reviewed.
Plan Prices included:
- Basic Plan in Florida and Texas: $532 annually
- Basic Plan in New York: $579.22 annually
- Total Plan in Florida and Texas: $627 annually
- Total Plan in New York: $682.25 annually
In addition to the monthly premium, any claim triggers a service fee of $85. Service fees are common with home warranties and $85 is the average price. Overall, Choice Home Warranty’s pricing falls in the middle of the pack for home warranties. If the contract is honored for needed repairs, it would be considered an excellent value, especially if promotional pricing is involved.
Optional Add-ons
Choice Home Warranty also offers coverage for several other household features including:
- Pool/spa
- Central vacuum
- Second refrigerator
- Well pump
- Limited roof lead
- Stand alone freezer
- Sump pump
- Septic system
- Septic tank pumping
The final lines:
Choice Home Warranty is a reputable home warranty provider that offers a range of coverage options to protect your home’s essential systems and appliances. The company’s commitment to customer satisfaction and its network of licensed contractors are significant advantages.
However, like any warranty provider, it’s crucial to carefully review the terms and conditions of the contract and consider customer feedback before making a decision. Ultimately, the choice of whether Choice Home Warranty is worth the investment will depend on your specific home protection needs and budget.