Dealing with broken appliances or home system failures can be a hefty financial burden for homeowners. That’s where the value of a home warranty from Choice Home Warranty comes in – a savvy choice to offset the steep costs of repairs or replacements.
By paying a reasonable annual or monthly premium, Choice Home Warranty takes on the responsibility of covering the expenses for skilled professionals to fix faulty equipment or swap out irreparable items with similar appliances or systems.
For homeowners struggling to budget for major home repairs or appliance replacements, a home warranty proves to be a practical lifeline.
In this regard, we will look into Choice Home Warranty prices and coverage and see if this home warranty provider offers a well-balanced mix of services at reasonable rates.
This article provides an in-depth review of Choice Home Warranty, exploring the services offered, the associated costs, and the overall customer experience to illustrate why Choice Home insurance is an excellent choice for homeowners seeking dependable coverage.
What Is Choice Home Warranty?
Founded in 2008, Choice Home Warranty offers comprehensive home warranty plans across all U.S. states except Washington. The New Jersey-based company caters to the needs of homebuyers and sellers, providing two coverage options and a range of optional add-ons.
With a monthly fee, customers can steer clear of the full financial burden of repairs and replacements for eligible household components, tapping into a network of affiliated service providers.
However, It’s important to note that a home warranty differs from homeowners insurance. While homeowners insurance addresses unexpected events causing damage, warranties specifically cover anticipated events, such as the natural aging and breakdown of appliances and home systems.
Choice Home Warranty aligns with this distinction, focusing on providing coverage for events expected due to wear and tear.
How Does Choice Home Warranty Work?
Similar to many home warranty service agreements, Choice Home Warranty solutions enforce a 30-day waiting period before your coverage kicks in. Once this initial period elapses, your home warranty coverage spans 365 days, with the option to renew on the first day of the following year.
For those seeking a more extended commitment, Choice also provides multi-year coverage plans.
Prior to enrolling in a home warranty plan, it’s crucial to grasp the nuances of the available options. Choice Home Warranty presents two plans for selection: Basic or Total. Understanding the distinctions between these plans is key before making a decision.
- Basic Plan
The Basic plan provides coverage for a broad spectrum of essential systems and appliances in your home. Notably, it excludes the air conditioning system, refrigerator, washer, and dryer.
Despite these exclusions, the Basic plan stands out as an excellent choice if your primary focus is safeguarding the fundamental systems in your home.
- Total Plan
For a more comprehensive coverage experience, the Total plan mirrors the Basic plan but extends its protection to more appliances and systems, including the air conditioning, refrigerator, washer, and dryer.
Opting for the Total plan ensures broader coverage, making it a suitable choice for those who seek more inclusive protection for their home.
Customers have two convenient methods to initiate a Choice Home Warranty claim online or over the phone. While both avenues are available, the online method is quicker. To utilize this option, customers can log in to the online account center using their email address and policy number.
For those who prefer a more direct approach, they can also initiate a claim by contacting American Choice Home Warranty’s customer support line. This allows you to speak with a representative, providing a detailed explanation of the issue.
Choice Home insurance swiftly dispatches a local technician to your home for a thorough investigation. It ensures flexibility in the claims process, offering options to suit varying preferences and circumstances.
What Is Covered by Choice Home Warranty?
Unlike traditional home warranties, Choice Home Warranty doesn’t limit you to just appliances or home systems. Instead, both plans offer a well-rounded mix of coverage. While the Basic Plan provides slightly less coverage, it still encompasses several appliances and home systems.
However, it’s crucial for homeowners to note some exclusions, particularly concerning HVAC systems. While the Basic Plan covers heating systems, it doesn’t extend to air-conditioning. This is a key consideration for homeowners seeking comprehensive coverage.
Additionally, this plan excludes refrigerators and laundry units, offering a nuanced perspective for those evaluating their home protection needs.
The Total Plan eliminates certain restrictions, potentially making it a more appealing choice for customers. This comprehensive policy covers a range of items, including HVAC systems, refrigerators, clothes washers, and dryers.
It also extends its protection to essential features such as electrical and plumbing systems, water heaters, whirlpool bathtubs, ovens, stoves, garbage disposals, and ductwork—regardless of the specific policy chosen by the customer.
Both the Basic and Total Plans share an identical $3,000 limit on repair costs. However, it’s worth noting that add-on services may have significantly lower coverage limits.
Choice Home Warranty provides coverage of up to $500 for roof leak repairs, offering an additional layer of security. Importantly, it’s crucial to understand that this roof leak coverage exclusively focuses on repairing the leak itself and does not encompass any resulting water damage—a key point for customers navigating their coverage decisions.
How Much Does Choice Home Warranty Cost?
Choice Home Warranty pricing policy is influenced by several factors. The chosen plan, location, home size, and building type all play a role. On average, home warranties range from $350 to $600 annually, with most companies tacking on a service fee of around $100 per contact.
It’s worth noting that these estimates assume customers opt for a full-year payment upfront. Alternatively, if you prefer monthly payments, a modest additional monthly fee of $2.50 is added to the agreement, regardless of the plan chosen.
Here’s a breakdown of what you’ll be paying with Choice Home Warranty, offering a clear snapshot of the costs associated with securing reliable home coverage.
- Monthly Premiums
Choosing the Basic plan comes with a monthly cost of approximately $44, while the Total plan averages around $50 per month. Keep in mind that these figures may fluctuate based on your location and specific home features. Opting for additional coverages or having high-value appliances could also impact the overall cost.
- Service Fees
In addition to the monthly premiums, each Choice Home Warranty claim incurs a service fee. These fees range from $75 to $125, with the exact amount varying according to your location and chosen plan.
It’s important to note that this service fee includes a 90-day guarantee on parts and a 30-day guarantee on labor, ensuring peace of mind with every service request.
Considering that homeowners nationwide face an annual average expenditure of $1,640 on emergency home repairs, while each breakdown costs around $1,400, Choice Home Warranty’s $3,000 per-item annual coverage caps emerge as a substantial financial safeguard.
With budget-friendly monthly premiums, homeowners opting for the Total Plan only pay a flat rate of $660 per year for comprehensive coverage. This amounts to approximately 40% or less of the expenses one might incur covering an emergency appliance or system failure out-of-pocket.
In simpler terms, your choice home warranty plan could essentially pay for itself after just one to two breakdowns in your home, providing a cost-effective and prudent approach to safeguarding your home.
Is Choice Home Warranty Right for Me?
Your home’s appliance or system breaking down can lead to significant financial strain. A reliable home warranty plan acts as a safety net during these emergencies.
Among the many options available, Choice Home Warranty coverage stands out as one of the best. The company ensures a seamless experience for customers, offering two robust base plans without denying coverage based on your home’s age. With Choice Home Warranty, you can trust that your financial well-being is in capable hands, providing peace of mind in the face of potential home-related emergencies.
Understanding Choice Home Warranty Coverage
Choice Home Warranty understands that homeowners have diverse needs, and their coverage options reflect this understanding. Some key coverage areas include:
- Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems: This encompasses central heating, air conditioning, and ductwork.
- Electrical system: The coverage extends to the main electrical panel, wiring, and switches.
- Plumbing: This covers issues with plumbing lines, fixtures, toilets, and water heaters.
- Home appliance warranty: This is a comprehensive coverage for household appliances like refrigerators, dishwashers, ovens, washers, and dryers.
- Optional coverage: Choice Home Warranty goes the extra mile by offering optional coverage for additional items, such as pool/spa equipment, well pumps, septic systems, and more.
Choice Home Warranty has a few noteworthy exclusions in its coverage. It doesn’t cover pre-existing conditions, cosmetic elements such as knobs and handles, maintenance of air conditioning, sediment build-up, reservoir tanks, and damages resulting from acts of God like flood, fire, and storms.
When it comes to coverage limits, the provider specifies that it won’t be liable for more than $3,000 per contract item, encompassing access, diagnosis, and repair or replacement. If the cost exceeds this limit, customers are responsible for covering the additional expenses.
Both plans have certain restrictions. For instance, the company’s reimbursement is capped at $500 per contract term for accessing, diagnosing, repairing, or replacing systems like a well pump, a limited roof leak, or a septic system.
The company has a cap of $3,000 per contract term for accessing, diagnosing, repairing, or replacing any system or appliance. When deciding between the Basic and Total plans, consider your budget and the current state of your appliances.
Opting for the Total plan is ideal if you want comprehensive coverage for all major systems and appliances, offering peace of mind without the risk associated with larger appliances.
On the other hand, the Basic plan is a budget-friendly choice. Despite the lower cost, you still get the same level of service and coverage for most of your appliances and systems. It’s a suitable option for those on a tight budget.
Filing Claims With Choice Home Warranty
After enrolling in a Choice Home Warranty plan, utilizing your policy benefits for repairing or replacing a covered item in your home is a straightforward process.
Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to use your Choice Home Warranty coverage:
- File a Claim: To kickstart the service request procedure, inform Choice Home Warranty about the issue by filing a claim. This can be conveniently done through your dedicated online customer portal or by contacting the company’s live customer service department, which operates 24/7.
- Choice Warranty Claim Process: The processing of your claim typically takes Choice Home Warranty between 24 and 48 business hours. Following this, they commit to initiating contact with local contractors in your vicinity within four hours of approving your claim. This ensures a prompt response to address the issue at hand.
- Diagnostic Home Visit: Choice Home Warranty will dispatch a qualified technician from their internal contract network to personally assess the issue before any repair or replacement. The technician will then provide the company with a cost estimate for the necessary maintenance.
- Service Call Fee: During the initial appointment, you’ll be required to pay an $85 service fee. This fee acts as a deductible covering the technician’s labor costs and travel expenses to your home. It’s important to note that this fee is applicable each time you file a claim for a new service request. However, if the repair cost is less than $85, you’ll only have to pay the lesser amount.
- Cash Back Option: In certain situations where an item cannot be repaired and requires a total replacement, Choice Home Warranty might choose to compensate you with a cash payment instead of physically replacing the covered system, appliance, or component. The amount may vary based on fluctuations in retail pricing and does not encompass tax, shipping, or installation costs.
- Approval and Payment: Upon approval of the contractor’s price quote, Choice Home Warranty will proceed to pay for the final repair or replacement.
- Workmanship Guarantee: All maintenance work approved by Choice Home Warranty comes with a workmanship guarantee. This guarantee extends for 90 days on parts and 30 days on labor. During these specified timeframes, if there are any failures related to the completed work, you won’t be required to pay an additional service fee for subsequent service calls.
This ensures that you have a grace period during which any issues arising from the recent repair or replacement will be addressed without incurring extra charges within the designated timeframes.
Understanding Service Call Fees and Repair Schedules
To initiate a service request, a $100 trade service call fee per claim is mandatory, irrespective of the actual cost of repairing or replacing the covered item. This fee is directly payable to the technician conducting the home visit. It’s important to note that the service call fee may be subject to reductions based on any available discounts.
As soon as you discover a malfunction, it’s crucial to request service before your agreement term expires (refer to your coverage details for how to request service). Once you make the request, Choice Home Warranty will start reaching out to service provider(s) within four hours.
Upon acceptance by a service provider, you’ll receive their name, phone number, and the scheduled appointment date and time. Note that in certain situations, it might take more than 48 hours for a service provider to confirm the request.
Services performed without prior approval will not be reimbursed. For each service request you submit to Choice Home Warranty, you are required to pay a service fee to the service provider as outlined in your coverage details. If any work done under this agreement fails within 30 days, Choice Home Warranty will address the issue without charging a service fee.
It’s important to understand that we retain the exclusive right to choose the service provider. To make a claim, you can conveniently access your online account center 24/7, and our call center is also available round the clock every day of the year.
Addressing Unresolved Issues With Choice Home Warranty
If your claim gets rejected, there are steps you can take to push for coverage. Confirm your claim’s legitimacy, then follow these actions to challenge the company’s decision and make an appeal:
- Reach out to Choice Home Warranty, sharing your claim details and contact number for an appeal.
- Clearly communicate your appeal in a composed manner. Keep a record of the representatives who assist you, their contact dates, and the information they provide. It might seem tedious, but this record could be valuable later on.
- If a service technician or contractor evaluated the claim, try talking to them directly for their inspection report. If needed, consider seeking a second opinion from another repair professional or local contractor for comparison.
- Adhere closely to your home warranty company’s appeal procedure. Ensure you submit all required documentation and retain copies for your records. If the company is unresponsive, consider filing a complaint with the Better Business Bureau (BBB).
- If your attempts yield no success, you can escalate by filing a complaint with a small claims court or contacting your state’s Attorney General’s office to address any potential fraudulent activities by home warranty companies.
Choosing the ideal company often hinges on the specific coverage required, and Choice Home Warranty strives to present a compelling blend of services at reasonable rates, aiming to draw in customers.
A key focus for the company lies in its customer service, boasting a round-the-clock support line. Alongside potentially aiding customers in cost savings for repairs, Choice Home Warranty emphasizes the ease of its services.
The company commits to organizing a skilled technician tailored to the job’s needs, alleviating homeowners from the hassle of finding a suitable local contractor themselves.
Customer Service and Return Policy
In recent times, the company has garnered a wealth of favorable feedback, with customers commending the excellence of the technicians and the overall quality of service provided. As evaluated by the Better Business Bureau, Choice Home Warranty holds a C rating.
Choice Home Warranty reviews boast a commendable rating of 3.6 out of 5 on Google. The positive feedback from consumers often centers around the simplicity of purchasing plans and the ease of filing claims.
Notably, Choice Home Warranty offers the convenience of filing claims around the clock, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Here are two customer reviews:
“I am very glad we [purchased the warranty] because two years later, our washer was not completing its washing cycle. I called the warranty company and explained the problem. The tech came out, diagnosed the problem, called the warranty company and had approval for the complete repair within 5 minutes. I only paid a service call as per the contract agreement.” —Joseph F. via BBB.
“My purchasing experience with the Choice Home Warranty sales representative is why I chose Choice. He spent the time necessary to answer all my questions. He was very polite and articulate. I hope you have more representatives like him.” — Grant W., Jul. 21, 2023, on Trustpilot.
You have the flexibility to cancel a home warranty policy at any time. If you choose to cancel within the initial 30 days after purchase, Choice Home Warranty will provide a refund, deducting any applicable fees incurred.
For cancellations made after the initial 30 days, a pro-rata refund of your contract fees will be issued, with a deduction of a $50 administrative fee and any service costs incurred by the company, if applicable.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Choice Home Warranty and other home warranty companies?
Homeowner’s insurance primarily provides protection against potential hazards like fire, hurricanes, and other natural disasters. On the other hand, a home warranty is designed to safeguard you from the effects of wear and tear on covered items.
This wear and tear, a common occurrence over time, affects various mechanical systems and appliances both inside and outside your home. It’s important to note that damages or accidents can happen to all electrical and mechanical items, making a home warranty a valuable asset for addressing these issues.
What is Choice Home Warranty’s rating with the Better Business Bureau?
With a stellar rating of 4.9 out of 5 stars, Choice Home Warranty stands out as a top choice for the best home warranty company. This distinction is attributed to its compelling features, including affordable monthly payment options, extensive coverage encompassing both appliances and systems, round-the-clock customer support, and a 90-day workmanship guarantee.
How long has Choice Home Warranty been in business?
Having been in operation since 2008, Choice Home Warranty (CHW) stands as a well-established provider offering cost-effective home warranty policies. Available throughout the United States, it extends its services to every state except California and Washington.
Does Choice Home Warranty require a home inspection ?
No. However, it is advisable to have your home inspected to ensure that all items are in good working order. However, it’s important to note that the contract does not provide coverage for any preexisting conditions, whether they are known or unknown.
What does Choice Home Warranty do if they cannot repair my appliance?
In cases where a covered item requiring replacement is unavailable, Choice Home Warranty replacement policy may provide a cash payment equivalent to CHW’s replacement cost. It’s worth noting that this replacement cost offered by CHW might, at times, be less than the retail price.
Get a Warranty for Your Home From Choice Home Warranty Today
Whether you’re a first-time homebuyer, seller, or realtor, opting for a home warranty plan is a crucial decision. When key home systems and appliances break down or routine wear and tear, the potential costs for repairs or replacements can be daunting. A home warranty offers peace of mind by covering these expenses.
Your home is more than just a place—it’s your sanctuary, your haven. But unexpected repairs can disrupt that sense of security and strain your finances. Don’t let uncertainties loom over your valuable asset. Take proactive steps to safeguard your home with Choice Home Warranty plans.
