Home Warranty of America (HWA) has been in business for nearly three decades, offering solid plan options with a focus on real estate transitions and home purchases. In this detailed review, we break down HWA’s coverage plans, pricing structure, service fees, limitations, and customer feedback to help you decide if they are the best provider for your home.
1. Why Choose Home Warranty of America?
Founded in 1996, Home Warranty of America has grown to become a prominent player in the home service agreement market. HWA is particularly well-known for its strong partnership with real estate agents, buyers, and sellers. They offer unique 13-month plans tailored for real estate transactions, providing home buyers with an extra month of security during their critical transition period.
Another major reason homeowners choose HWA is their high aggregate payout limit. Under their policies, HWA provides up to $15,000 in aggregate coverage limits per contract term, giving homeowners peace of mind when multiple systems or appliances break down in quick succession. Additionally, HWA does not require prior home inspections or maintenance histories for signup, which makes them highly accessible for properties with unknown maintenance backgrounds.
2. Home Warranty of America Plans & Cost Breakdown
Home Warranty of America organizes its coverage into two primary plans designed to fit different protection requirements and budgets:
- Premier Plan: Best for basic systems and appliances. It covers essential heating systems, plumbing lines, electrical wiring, and common kitchen appliances.
- Premier Plus Plan: Best for comprehensive protection. It covers everything in the Premier Plan and adds coverage for air conditioning systems, as well as premium coverage extensions for high-end appliances.
Monthly & Annual Pricing Structure
HWA pricing typically ranges from $46 to $60 per month, depending on the plan you select and the service call fee tier you choose at signup. HWA offers competitive annual payment options, which often include extra discount incentives.
Below is an in-depth breakdown of monthly rates and plan characteristics for Home Warranty of America:
| Plan Type | Estimated Monthly Cost | Estimated Annual Cost | Key Target Audience |
|---|---|---|---|
| Premier Plan | $46 - $52 | $550 - $620 | Homeowners needing basic systems and appliance protection |
| Premier Plus Plan | $54 - $60 | $650 - $720 | Homeowners seeking complete HVAC and premium system coverage |
3. Service Call Fees and Deductibles
When scheduling service, homeowners pay a fixed service call fee directly to the technician sent to their home. This serves as the claim deductible. HWA allows you to customize your service call fee at signup, selecting either $85 or $100 per claim.
Choosing the $100 service call fee will lower your monthly premium, which is a great way to save on recurring expenses. Conversely, choosing the $85 fee keeps your deductible low when requesting service. What is important to note is that HWA offers a standard 30-day workmanship guarantee on all completed repairs. If the repaired item fails again due to the same mechanical issue within 30 days, HWA will dispatch a technician back to your property to resolve the problem without charging another service call fee. Payments for service fees are collected directly by the contractor during their diagnostic visit.
4. Detailed Systems Coverage Options
Under both plans, HWA offers essential coverage for the core built-in systems that keep your home running smoothly. These systems can be highly expensive to repair out of pocket, making system protection a wise choice for older properties.
Covered systems include:
- Heating and Cooling Systems: Air conditioning units (central cooling systems and heat pumps, covered under the Premier Plus plan), heating units (gas or electric central heating furnaces, forced-air systems, and hot water boilers), and built-in ductwork.
- Plumbing Systems: Leaks and breaks in plumbing lines (drain, waste, and vent lines), water heaters (gas or electric tank units), drain line stoppages, toilet bowls and tanks, and sump pumps.
- Electrical Systems: Main breaker panels, subpanels, electrical wiring, switches, outlets, and doorbells.
5. Detailed Appliances Coverage Options
HWA provides robust protection for major kitchen and laundry appliances. Appliance failures can quickly disrupt household routines, making this protection very valuable for families. HWA covers standard residential appliances, ensuring that major components are repaired or replaced when normal wear and tear causes a breakdown.
Covered appliances include:
- Kitchen Appliances: Refrigerators (covering compressors, condensers, and built-in ice makers), dishwashers (covering motors, pumps, control boards, timers, and heating elements), ovens, range cooktops (gas or electric built-in units), built-in microwaves, and garbage disposals.
- Laundry Appliances: Clothes washers and clothes dryers, including wash tubs, drums, motors, transmissions, pumps, heating elements, timers, and internal electronic controls.
6. Home Warranty of America Coverage Limits
Although HWA offers generous aggregate coverage, all contracts enforce specific payout limits on repairs and equipment replacements. Knowing these limits is important for managing expectations when replacing expensive systems.
Below is the detailed limit breakdown for Home Warranty of America:
| Covered Category | Premier Plan Limit | Premier Plus Plan Limit | Notes & Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aggregate Limit | $15,000 per year | $15,000 per year | Exceptional annual payout cap for all combined claims |
| Heating & Cooling (HVAC) | $1,500 per system | $2,500 per system | Covers diagnostics, repair, and central unit replacements |
| Plumbing & Electrical | $1,000 per system | $1,500 per system | Protects against complex pipe failures and wiring issues |
| Household Appliances | $1,000 per item | $2,000 per item | Doubles the appliance coverage cap under Premier Plus |
| Optional Add-On Coverages | Varies ($500 cap) | Varies ($500 cap) | Limits apply to add-on items like pool pumps |
7. Exclusions & What is Not Covered
Like all home warranty companies, HWA outlines specific exclusions:
- Pre-Existing Conditions: Failures that occurred prior to sign-up or during the initial 30-day waiting period are excluded.
- Lack of Maintenance: Failures caused by rust, corrosion, sediment buildup, or a failure to perform routine cleaning and filter changes.
- Cosmetic Issues: Scratches, dents, cracks, or non-functional plastic parts that do not affect the mechanical operation of the unit.
- Secondary Damage: Rot, mold, water damage, or drywall damage resulting from a failed plumbing line are excluded.
8. Optional Add-on Coverages
Homeowners can customize their Home Warranty of America policy with optional add-on coverages to ensure all unique amenities are fully protected. These options can be selected at sign-up or added during the contract term for an additional fee:
- Pool and Spa Equipment: Covers filtration plumbing, water pumps, motors, and pool heaters. It covers both pool and spa equipment when they share a common sanitation system.
- Well Pumps and Sump Pumps: Critical for homes dependent on well water or deep basement sump pumps, covering the pump motor and pressure switches.
- Green Plus Upgrade: Covers upgrades to Energy Star-rated appliances when replacing failed kitchen or laundry units.
- Orange Plus Upgrade: An exclusive HWA package that covers building code violations, permits, modifications, and high-value heating and cooling components.
9. Claims Submission and Response Time
Home Warranty of America features a simplified, 24/7 online claims center. Filing a service request online is highly recommended because the portal registers the claim immediately and automates contractor assignments, resulting in much faster dispatch times compared to filing over the phone.
Once a claim is submitted, HWA begins processing it immediately:
- File Claim: Log into the portal, select the broken system or appliance, and enter a brief description of the issue.
- Contractor Assignment: HWA will assign a network service provider within 24 to 48 hours to schedule a diagnostic visit.
- Diagnosis and Repair: The contractor will visit your home, diagnose the issue, and perform the repair upon approval.
- Response Protocol: Emergency requests (like total loss of heating during winter or sewage backup) are prioritized for immediate response.
10. Home Warranty of America vs. Competitors
To make an informed decision, it is essential to understand how Home Warranty of America compares directly with other top-tier home warranty companies in the industry:
- HWA vs. Choice Home Warranty: Choice is available nationwide and has a larger network of 25K+ contractors, offering slightly faster dispatch times in rural areas. Choice also offers slightly lower premiums. However, HWA provides specialized 13-month plans that are highly beneficial during real estate transactions.
- HWA vs. American Home Shield: AHS offers unlimited HVAC/system limits and covers pre-existing conditions, which is excellent for legacy systems. AHS also has a massive contractor network of 17K+ firms. However, HWA offers lower service call fees ($85 - $100 vs. AHS’s $100 - $125) and a dedicated focus on real estate transitions.
- HWA vs. Select Home Warranty: Select is budget-friendly and includes complimentary roof leak coverage, but its payout limits are much lower ($500 cap on several items). HWA is better suited for homeowners seeking higher systems and appliance limits ($1,500 to $2,500).
11. Home Warranty of America FAQs
Here are the answers to the most common questions homeowners ask about Home Warranty of America:
What is the standard waiting period for Home Warranty of America?
The standard waiting period is 30 days from the receipt of payment before coverage begins. Any breakdowns that occur during these first 30 days are considered pre-existing conditions and are excluded from coverage.
What are the HWA real estate plans?
HWA offers specialized 13-month real estate plans designed specifically for buyers and sellers during real estate transactions. This provides an extra month of coverage compared to standard 12-month consumer contracts.
How much is the HWA service call fee?
The service call fee can be customized at signup, selecting either $85 or $100. The fee is paid directly to the service technician upon arrival at your home and is required before diagnostic work begins.
Does HWA require maintenance records for claim approval?
HWA does not require pre-signup home inspections or maintenance records to begin coverage. However, they expect systems and appliances to be in good working condition when the policy takes effect.
Can I use my own contractor with HWA?
HWA typically requires you to use their network of pre-screened contractors. If you use your own contractor without obtaining prior authorization, HWA will reject the claim and refuse reimbursement.
12. Conclusion & Final Verdict
In conclusion, Home Warranty of America is an outstanding choice for home buyers and sellers seeking comprehensive coverage during a property transition. Offering specialized 13-month plans, high aggregate payout limits of up to $15,000, and a long-standing history dating back to 1996 makes HWA a highly reliable shield for your home systems and appliances.
While their standard workmanship guarantee is limited to 30 days and some customer reviews are mixed, the convenience of their real estate plans and the absence of inspection requirements offer exceptional value. For homeowners seeking a dependable, long-term safety net against unexpected and expensive repair bills, investing in an HWA Premier or Premier Plus plan represents a highly smart and cost-effective decision.
Pros and Cons
Advantages (Pros)
- High aggregate annual coverage limit of up to $15,000 per term
- Specialized 13-month real estate plans ideal for home buyers and sellers
- No home inspection or historical maintenance records required to sign up
- Flexible service call fee selections ($85 or $100) to control monthly rates
Disadvantages (Cons)
- Claims approval rates and support responsiveness have mixed reviews
- Relatively short workmanship guarantee on completed repairs (30 days)
- Additional fees apply to unlock high-value HVAC refrigerant coverage options
