:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Choice21-faf8d523e2f244f1b80d49ce9dec3b0b.png)
Choice Home Warranty
Our Take
Choice Home Warranty is a popular home warranty option because it has competitive pricing with comprehensive coverage. Homeowners can tailor that coverage with add ons. It offers one trade service fee option–a reasonable $85.
Based on our review of over 20 home warranty providers, Choice Home Warranty was not one of the best companies we found. To see other options that may be better, visit our list of the best home warranty companies.
- Pros and Cons
- Key Takeaways
- Specifications
24/7 claims service with fast response within the first 24/48 hours
Repair work is guaranteed for 90 days on parts and 30 days on labor
Add on options like coverage for pool/spa, well/sump pump, septic tank, limited roof-leak coverage, central vacuum, and more
No BBB accreditation and numerous complaints filed regarding problems with products and services
Exclusions such as air conditioning systems, solar heating systems, fireplaces, etc., could mean the problem with your household system may not be covered
Territory coverage is listed as nationwide but some states are listed as “service unavailable” when trying to obtain a quote
- There is a part guarantee for 90 days and service guarantee for 30.
- Choice has more than 15,000 service providers in its network to get your professional service quickly.
- Get one month free when you sign up for your first year.
- Year Founded 2009
- Coverage Listed as Nationwide but some areas are listed as “no service provided” when trying to obtain a quote
- Customer Service 24/7 contact through website or call 888-531-5403
- Waiting Period 30 days
- Contractor Network Repair work is guaranteed for 90 days on parts and 30 days on labor.
- Service Recall Period Service provided by authorized Service Provider network. Choice Home Warranty has a nationwide network of more than 15,000 contractors.
- Number of Plans 2 total and basic
- Coverage Limit The coverage is for no more than one unit, system, or appliance, unless additional fees are paid.
- Contract Length 12 months (13 months with free one-month service upon initial sign-up).
- Payment Options The company reserves the right to offer cash back in lieu of repair or replacement in the amount of actual cost to repair or replace any covered system.
- Cost Service fee of $85 and plan options vary by state. New York cost is $495 to $600.
Choice Home Warranty is one of the more popular options for homeowners looking to “insure” their various appliances, utilities, and other integral parts of a house. Since there’s so much to consider when choosing a company for your home warranty coverage, we wanted to thoroughly evaluate and review the offerings by Choice Home Warranty to see if they’re up to snuff. We looked at available plans (what’s covered), pricing, exclusions, claims handling, customer service, the company’s BBB rating, and even compared to see how Choice Home Warranty stacks up to competitors. So keep reading to find out our full take on Choice home warranty so you can see if the company is a good fit for your home maintenance and repair needs.
Choice Home Warranty offers flexible nationwide coverage with two home warranty plans (basic and total) and many add-on options (pool/spa, sump pump, central vacuum, to name a few) not available through other home warranty services.
Company Overview
Choice Home Warranty has been in business since 2009 and is headquartered in Edison, New Jersey. It offers home warranties to homeowners with two main home warranty plans (total and basic plans) with optional add-on coverage available.
Available Plans
Basic Plan | Total Plan (includes Basic, plus these features): | Optional Coverage |
---|---|---|
Heating System | Air Conditioning System | Pool, Spa |
Electrical System | Refrigerator | Well Pump |
Plumbing System and Stoppage | Clothes Washer | Sump Pump |
Water Heater | Clothes Dryer | Septic System |
Whirlpool Bathtub | Septic Tank Pumping | |
Oven, Range, Stove | Stand Alone Freezer | |
Cooktop | Limited Roof Leak | |
Dishwasher | Second Refrigerator | |
Built-in Microwave | Central Vacuum | |
Garbage Disposal | ||
Ductwork | ||
Garage Door Opener | ||
Ceiling and Exhaust Fans |
Real Estate Plans
Choice Home Warranty does have home warranty plans for real estate professionals. With a home warranty in place, buyers/sellers are able to protect themselves against costly repair costs before, during and after the sale of a home.
Available coverage for buyers & sellers includes these annual fee plans: Choice Ultimate $580, Choice Plus $500, and Choice Plan $420. The service fee for buyer/seller plans is $65. For plan specifics, call 800-275-2980.
Partial List of Exclusions:
(A complete list of exclusions found can be found here.)
Read through the exclusions before signing up to make sure you understand what is and isn’t covered.
Appliance/Household Item | Exactly What's Not Covered |
---|---|
Clothes Dryer | Noise – Venting – Lint screens – Knobs and dials – Doors – Door seals – Hinges – Glass – Leveling and balancing – Damage to clothing |
Clothes Washer | Noise – Plastic mini-tubs – Soap dispensers – Filter screens – Knobs and dials – Doors – Door seals – Hinges – Glass – Leveling and balancing -Damage to clothing |
Kitchen Refrigerator | Racks – Shelves – Lighting and handles – Freon – Ice makers, ice crushers, beverage dispensers and their respective equipment – Water lines and valve to ice maker – Line restrictions – Leaks of any kind--Food spoilage |
Air Conditioning/Cooler | Gas air conditioning systems – Condenser casings – Registers and Grills – Filters – Electronic air cleaners – Window units – Non-ducted wall units – Water towers – Humidifiers – Improperly sized units – Chillers |
Heating System or Built-In Wall Unit | Access – Radiators or valves – Baseboard casings – Radiant heating – Dampers – Valves – Fuel storage tanks- Portable units – Solar heating systems – Fireplaces and key valves – Filters – Line dryers and filters – Oil filters |
Water Heater | Access – Insulation blankets – Pressure reducing valve – Sediment build-up – Rust and corrosion – Main, Holding or storage tanks – Vents and flues – Thermal expansion tanks – Low boy and/or Squat water heaters – Solar water heaters – Solar components |
Electrical System | Fixtures – Carbon monoxide alarms, smoke detectors, detectors or related systems – Inadequate wiring capacity – Solar power systems and panels – Solar Components – Energy Management Systems – Direct current (D.C.) wiring or components |
Plumbing System/Stoppage | Slab leaks – Polybutylene or Quest piping – Galvanized drain lines – Hose Bibs – Drum traps – Flange- Faucets, fixtures, cartridges, shower heads & shower arms – Baskets and strainers – Popup assemblies – Bathtubs and showers – Cracked porcelain – Glass – Shower enclosures and base pans |
Built-in Microwave | Doors – Hinges – Handles – Doors – Door glass – Lights – Interior linings – Trays – Clocks – Shelves – Portable or counter top units – Arcing – Meat probe assemblies – Rotisseries |
Oven/Range/Stove/Cooktop (gas or Electric; Builtin-in, Portable or Free Standing) | Clocks (unless they affect the cooking function of the unit) – Meat probe assemblies – Rotisseries – Racks – Handles – Knobs – Door seals – Doors – Hinges – Lighting and handles – Glass – Sensi-heat burners will only be replaced with standard burners |
Dishwasher | Racks – Baskets – Rollers – Hinges – Handles – Doors – Door gaskets – Damage caused by broken glass – Cleaning |
Garbage Disposal | Problems and/or jams caused by bones, glass, or foreign objects other than food |
Ceiling and Exhaust Fans | Fans – Blades – Belts – Shutters – Filters – Lighting. Note: Builder’s standard is used when replacement is necessary |
Ductwork | Registers and grills – Insulation – Asbestos-insulated ductwork – Vents, flues and breaching – Ductwork exposed to outside elements – Improperly sized ductwork – Separation due to settlement and/or lack of support – Damper motors |
Garage Door Opener | Garage doors – Hinges – Springs – Sensors – Chains – Travelers – Tracks – Rollers – Remote receiving and/or transmitting devices |
Green | All other contract limitations of liability and exclusions apply |
Claims
The company has a 24/7 claims service available through a toll-free number (888-531-5403) or by logging into your account. Choice Home Warranty strives to respond to claims within the first 24 hours and always within the first 48 hours after making a claim. Choice Home Warranty’s claims response time is among the best in the industry. If a covered item cannot be repaired, it will be replaced. If the replacement is not available, Choice Home Warranty will offer a cash payment for the replacement cost, which could possibly be less than the retail cost of the item.
Payout Caps/Limitations
The sample homeowners agreement states that the liability coverage for repairs/replacement through Choice Home Warranty is limited to $1,500 per contract item i.e., one unit, system, or appliance unless additional fees are paid.
Certain limits of liability may apply to covered systems and appliances at the company’s discretion. For example, on electrical systems, plumbing systems, ductwork, and well pump coverage; the company will pay no more than $500 per contract term. Limitations of liability exist and are not included in the contract for malfunction or improper operation due to rust or corrosion, collapsed ductwork, and known or unknown pre-existing conditions.
Repair Time
Upon taking your request for service, Choice Home Warranty will contact an authorized service provider within two days during normal business hours and four days on weekends or holidays. The service provider will then schedule an appointment time to complete any needed repairs. The company says it will determine which repairs constitute an emergency (repairs which are essential to your health and safety) and will make all necessary efforts to expedite emergency repairs. Any services performed by a contractor outside of the provider network must be pre-authorized.
Customer Service
Customer service for Choice Home Warranty can be reached by logging into your account or by calling the service department at 888-373-7924 available 24/7. You may also reach the company by using the company’s contact us form.
While the BBB is not always the most credible source for ratings, it does give insight about why this company gets the complaints it does.
BBB Rating
Choice Home Warranty is not BBB accredited but it does have a BBB rating of “B-” based on over 2,000 customer reviews with an average 1-out-of-5 star rating. There are over 5,000 customer complaints on the company’s BBB business profile with the majority of complaints falling under the category of a “problem with a product or service.”
(There is a current BBB Alert for Choice Home Warranty regarding pending government action.)
Discounts may be available such as one month free service upon initial sign-up.
Price
The cost of Choice Home Warranty includes a service fee of $85 and the cost of plans vary by state and plan option. For example, the cost is $600 per year in New York for the total plan and $495 for the basic plan. In Missouri, Colorado, and Louisiana; the plan cost is $570 for the total plan and $470 for the basic plan. We were unable to obtain pricing for the states of California and Washington; so even though nationwide coverage is advertised, you may find that your area isn’t serviced. Discounts may be available such as one month free service upon initial sign-up. You must obtain a quote for clear pricing on plans.
The Competition: Choice Home Warranty vs. American Home Shield
When comparing home warranties, Choice Home Warranty and American Home Shield both have some things in common, including 24/7 claims service and nationwide coverage (American Home Shield excludes Alaska). American Home Shield’s average yearly cost is $600 while Choice Home Warranty averages $450 per year. Choice Home Warranty’s service recall period is 90-days on parts and 30-days on labor while American Home Shield guarantees both parts and labor for 60 days. Choice Home Warranty offers a few more coverage items than American Home Shield, including limited roof leak coverage, whirlpool baths, and stand-alone freezers. The BBB rating for American Home Shield is better with a “B” rating while Choice Home Warranty has a “B-” rating.
Choice Home Warranty has reasonable rates and is a good option to consider when searching for home repair coverage. Choice Home Warranty offers flexible nationwide coverage with two home warranty plans (basic and total) and many add-on options (pool/spa, sump pump, central vacuum, to name a few) not available through other home warranty services. However, it’s worth checking the exclusions carefully before signing up to make sure your household items are covered.
Methodology
There are several aspects to think about in choosing a home warranty. To help readers pick the plan that works best for them, we use our methodology for reviewing home warranties, a quantified scoring system that evaluates plan pricing, exclusions, payout caps, repair times, and terms, comparing them to other carriers across the industry. Third-party ratings and customer satisfaction scores are factored in to help assess an insurer's overall quality and value.