Super Home Warranty Review

Super, formerly known as Super Home Warranty, is the new kid on the block when it comes to home warranty plans. It was established in 2015. It differs from other home warranty providers in that it is a subscription-based service with data-driven technology that can predict and prevent problems by anticipating the need for preventative home maintenance. 

When you become a member, Super pays to repair or replace broken home systems and appliances. It also will schedule preventive home maintenance services to help keep you home in working order and prevent costly home repairs. 

We examined Super inside-out to help you determine if it is a good choice for your home maintenance and repair needs. Some of the criteria we considered were its plans, service territory, perks, exclusions, payout caps, BBB rating, and more. 

Company Overview

Super Home Warranty launched its business in 2014. It is a subscription-based home repair and maintenance service based out of San Francisco. Homeowner and real estate plans are available to residents in five states (Maryland, Virginia, Illinois, Texas, Arizona) and Washington, D.C.

Super offers more than just repair and replacement services for broken home systems and appliances. It also offers these services:

• Maintenance reminders
• Concierge for maintenance services
• Ability to earn service rewards toward maintenance needs*
• Home data stored digitally
• Mobile app

*You can collect service rewards to apply towards maintenance work every time that a friend you refer signs up for the service.

Homeowner Plans

Home warranty plans offer protection for when your appliances or home systems break unexpectedly. Super offers three homeowner warranty plans: Simple, Signature, and Lux. Homeowner coverage is for homes that are not involved in a real estate transaction (being bought or sold). Optional coverage is also available for an additional fee. The waiting period for coverage to begin is 15 days.

*It’s Covered Upgrade is included in Signature and Lux plans and includes coverage for heating, indoor plumbing, water heater, enhanced stoppage coverage, indoor electrical, range/cooktop/oven, lining dishwasher, microwave oven, garage door, permits & code upgrades, refrigerant recapture & disposal, equipment disposal, and structural modifications to accommodate replacement equipment.

Real Estate Plans

Super provides four real estate plans: Secure, Signature, Lux, and New Construction. A real estate plan can help a listing sell more quickly, giving buyers protection against defects found after closing. For details on the New Construction plan, call 844-55-SUPER. The trade service call fee is $75 for all plans.

Seller’s coverage begins upon the company’s issuance of the plan and is purchased by the party selling a home on behalf of the person buying the home after the date the listing is placed. The coverage continues for 180 days, until the closing, or until termination of the listing, whichever comes first. When the seller’s coverage ends, the buyer can then purchase a plan to continue coverage. 

Buyer’s coverage can be purchased up to seven days after the closing date. The plan continues until the expiration date of the policy, 12 months after the date of purchase. 

*It’s Covered Upgrade is included in Signature and Lux plans and includes coverage for heating, indoor plumbing, water heater, enhanced stoppage coverage, indoor electrical, range/cooktop/oven, lining dishwasher, microwave oven, garage door, permits & code upgrades, refrigerant recapture & disposal, equipment disposal, and structural modifications to accommodate replacement equipment.

Homeowner Plan Pricing

Homeowner plan pricing is for single-family homes ranging from 1,500 to 5,000 square feet. We checked prices for all states within Super’s operating territory: Washington D.C., Maryland, Virginia, Illinois, Texas, and Arizona. The trade service call fee is $75 for all plans.

Optional Coverage Pricing

These optional coverages are available for homeowner subscription plans that do not already include them. Optional coverage pricing is the same for all states.

Exclusions

Exclusions were obtained from terms and conditions.

• Dishwasher: Racks, rollers, baskets.
• Built-in microwave oven: Racks, meat probe assemblies; rotisseries.
• Range/oven/cooktop: Meat probe assemblies, sensi-heat burners.
• Range exhaust fan: Screens.
• Garbage disposal: All mechanical components and parts.
• Trash compactor: All mechanical components and parts.
• Heat system/heat pump: Secondary heating systems such as fireplaces and associated key valves (unless Lux Plan is purchased) and space heaters, radiant heating systems built into walls, floors, or ceilings, alternative energy systems and their control systems unless optional coverage is purchased, fuel storage tanks, dehumidifiers and humidifiers and filters, electronic air cleaners, condenser, and baseboard casings, flues and vents, plenum, transitions, roof jacks or stands, smart thermostats (unless Smart Home Home Device Option or Lux Plan is purchased) and smart vents, maintenance or cleaning, problems caused by dirt and/or clogged coils.
• Air conditioning: Secondary or portable cooling systems, chillers, pumps, and lines, PTAC systems, alternative energy systems, and their control systems unless optional coverage is purchased, water source heat pumps, fossil fuel control systems and other energy management system and controls (including computerized equipment connected to the internet), dampers, filters (including electrostatic and de-ionizing filter systems).
• Pools and Spas: Heat pump heaters for pool or spa. Portable or above ground pools and spas are not covered. Any items not listed above including, but not limited to lights, switches, water levelers, linings, coatings, plaster, tile, concrete pads or slabs, decking, steps, fountains, waterfalls, water softeners, water purifiers, secondary filters, filtration media or housing, screens, baskets, railings, diving boards, slides, pools or spa covers, solar systems, jets, and jet and auxiliary pumps. Computerized control boards and other smart pool equipment. Any cleaning systems or components, including de, cartridges, sand, filters, backflow prevention devices. Any maintenance components, including salt systems and auto-chlorination systems. All damage to mechanical systems, pipes or fixtures caused by freezing, foundation settling, chemicals, minerals, or trees and plants. All-access required to the interior of walls, floors, concrete slabs, ceilings, or below grade (underground) for a complete and accurate diagnostics of a failed plumbing pool water supply or drainage system. Pool or spa drainage or resurfacing. Pressure regulation components, or damage caused by excessive water pressure or flow. Commercial or industrial grade systems or components.
• Septic Tank: Most sewage hookups, disposal of waste, chemical treatments, tile fields, leach bed, or cesspools. Insufficient capacities, cleanouts, or pumping.
• Drip/Sprinkler Systems: Hydraulic systems; sprinkler heads with problems caused by abnormal wear and tear such as but not limited to pet damage, lawnmower damage, human damage, freezing, damage by roots or soil, improper installation and adjustments or cleaning. Sprinkler lines beneath paved or decorative hard surface areas are not covered.
• Soft Water Systems: Leased or rented units. any and all treatment, purification, odor control, iron filtration components and systems; discharge dry wells, resin bed replacement, salt, replacement of filters, water filters, pre-filters, filter components, replacement membranes, water purification systems. Cleaning, problems caused by sediment.
• Rekey Service: Lock picking, lockout service, new lock sets.

Payout Caps

The company has differing payout caps based on plan and item covered. The payout caps are generous with many allowing for unlimited coverage.

*The aggregate limit is the max amount the company will pay out during the service contract term.

Repair Time

The company will respond to service claims within four business hours during normal business hours and within 48 hours on weekends and holidays. Reasonable efforts will be made to expedite emergency service. Emergency service is defined as plumbing failures that cause interior flooding, a complete loss of heating or cooling in extreme temperatures, loss of electricity, or any other condition that leaves your home uninhabitable. For emergency flooding, Super has a 24-hour emergency service.

Customer Service/Claims

After subscribing to Super, you can contact the company for service via telephone by calling 844-99-SUPER, online after signing up for an account or through your mobile device. For after-hours service, members can call 415-445-2109 for immediate assistance in case of an emergency. There is also an online chat feature you can use to ask questions. 

BBB Rating

Super Home, Inc. has a “B” rating with the BBB and has been an accredited business since 2016. The company has a 2-out-of-5 star customer rating based on 122 customer reviews. A total of over 50 complaints were received with more than 20 of those being in the category of a “problem with a product or service.” A sampling of complaints indicated problems with missed communications, delays in service, and misdiagnosis of repair needs.

The Competition: Super vs. Cinch Home Services

We compared the home warranty plans of Super vs. Cinch Home Services to see which is the better deal. Cinch Home Services has some pluses including its 180-day workmanship guarantee and coverage in most states.

However, we feel Super is the clear winner with 39 home systems, components, and appliances covered in its most comprehensive Lux plan. Cinch Home Warranty’s most comprehensive plan only covers 29 items. Super also has a lower starting price for its plans at $45 per month compared to Cinch’s plans which start at $65.99 per month.

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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 developed a methodology for reviewing home warranties, which includes 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.