Choice Home Warranty Plan: A Review of the Popular and Affordable Service Provider
A home warranty is a service contract that covers the repair or replacement of certain appliances and systems in your home due to normal wear and tear. It can save you money and hassle when something breaks down unexpectedly in your home. However, not all home warranty companies are created equal. Some may have limited coverage, long waiting times, poor customer service, or low-quality contractors.
In this article, we will review Choice Home Warranty Plan, a home warranty company that offers popular and affordable service to homeowners across the country. We will look at the following aspects of Choice Home Warranty Plan:
- The history and background of the company
- The features and benefits of their plans
- The costs and fees involved
- The pros and cons of their service
- The customer reviews and ratings
- The comparison with other competitors
By the end of this article, you will have a clear idea of what Choice Home Warranty Plan is, how it works, and whether it is worth considering for your home protection needs.
The History and Background of Choice Home Warranty Plan
Choice Home Warranty (CHW) was founded in 2008 by a team of industry experts who wanted to provide a better alternative to the traditional home warranty companies. Their vision was to offer comprehensive coverage, competitive pricing, fast service, and excellent customer care to homeowners across the nation.
According to their website, they believe that “homeowners deserve more than just a home warranty”. They argue that most home warranty companies have hidden fees, exclusions, limitations, and poor service quality that leave customers frustrated and dissatisfied.
To address these issues, Choice Home Warranty Plan offers transparent and flexible plans that cover most major appliances and systems in the home. They also provide a 90-day service guarantee, a 30-day cancellation policy, and a network of over 10,000 pre-screened contractors who can handle any repair or replacement request.
Choice Home Warranty Plan is currently available in 49 states (excluding California) and the District of Columbia. They have served over 1 million customers and have paid over $500 million in claims.
The Features and Benefits of Choice Home Warranty Plan
Choice Home Warranty Plan offers two types of plans: Basic Plan and Total Plan. Each plan covers different items in the home and has different coverage limits. Customers can also add optional items to their plans for an additional fee.
Here is a summary of what each plan covers:
| Item | Basic Plan | Total Plan |
|---|---|---|
| Heating System | $1,500 | $1,500 |
| Air Conditioning System | – | $1,500 |
| Plumbing System | $500 | $500 |
| Electrical System | $500 | $500 |
| Water Heater | $500 | $500 |
| Garbage Disposal | $250 | $250 |
| Dishwasher | – | $250 |
| Range/Oven/Cooktop | – | $250 |
| Microwave Oven (Built-in) | – | $250 |
| Trash Compactor (Built-in) | – | – |
| Refrigerator (Built-in) | – | $250 |
| Washer/Dryer (Built-in) | – | $250 |
Here are some of the optional items that customers can add to their plans:
- Pool/Spa Equipment ($150)
- Septic System ($100)
- Well Pump ($100)
- Roof Leak Repair ($100)
- Central Vacuum System ($50)
- Second Refrigerator ($50)
- Stand Alone Freezer ($50)
- Sump Pump ($50)
Some of the benefits of Choice Home Warranty Plan are:
- They cover both repair and replacement costs up to the specified limits.
- They do not require proof of maintenance or inspection records for the covered items.
- They do not have age or model restrictions for the covered items.
- They do not charge extra fees for permits or disposal.
- They allow customers to transfer their plans to new owners if they sell their homes.
The Costs and Fees Involved with Choice Home Warranty Plan
The costs and fees involved with Choice Home Warranty Plan depend on the plan chosen, the location of the home, and the number of service requests made. Generally speaking, the annual premiums range from $400 to $500 for the basic plan and from $500 to $600 for the total plan. The optional items cost extra depending on the item.
The service fee is the amount that customers pay to the contractor for each service request. It is fixed at $85 regardless of the plan or the contractor. Customers can choose to pay a higher or lower service fee when they purchase their plans. A higher service fee means a lower annual premium and vice versa.
Choice Home Warranty Plan also offers discounts and promotions for new customers. For example, they offer one month free, $50 off, and free roof leak coverage for the first year.
Read more about The Truth Behind Choice Home Warranty Complaints
The Pros and Cons of Choice Home Warranty Plan Service
Like any other service provider, Choice Home Warranty Plan has its pros and cons. Here are some of the advantages and disadvantages of their service:
Pros
- They offer affordable and competitive pricing for their plans
- They offer transparent and flexible coverage for most major appliances and systems in the home
- They offer a 90-day service guarantee and a 30-day cancellation policy
- They have a 24/7 customer service and an online portal
Cons
- They are not available in California, which limits their reach and accessibility
- They have some exclusions and limitations in their coverage, such as cosmetic damage, pre-existing conditions, improper installation, code violations, and manufacturer’s warranty
- They have mixed customer reviews and ratings
The Customer Reviews and Ratings of Choice Home Warranty Plan
One of the best ways to evaluate a service provider is to look at what their customers have to say about them. Choice Home Warranty Plan has received many reviews and ratings from various sources, such as online platforms, social media, blogs, and forums. Here are some of the common themes and sentiments that emerge from these reviews:
- Most customers are happy with the affordability and flexibility of the plans. They find that Choice Home Warranty Plan offers reasonable prices and comprehensive coverage for their home protection needs
- Most customers are satisfied with the speed and efficiency of the claims process. They report that Choice Home Warranty Plan responds quickly to their requests and pays the contractors promptly
- Most customers are pleased with the customer service and communication. They feel that Choice Home Warranty Plan is friendly, helpful, and professional in handling their concerns or questions
- Some customers are unhappy with the exclusions and limitations of the coverage. They complain that Choice Home Warranty Plan does not cover certain items or situations that they expected to be covered
- Some customers are unhappy with the quality or availability of the contractors. They feel that Choice Home Warranty Plan does not have enough contractors in their area or that the contractors are rude, unskilled, or unreliable
Overall, Choice Home Warranty Plan has received mostly positive feedback from its customers. It has an average rating of 4 out of 5 stars on Google, 4.1 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot, and 4.2 out of 5 stars on Facebook. It also has a B rating from the Better Business Bureau, although it is not accredited by them.
The Comparison with Other Competitors
Choice Home Warranty Plan is not the only home warranty company in the market. There are many other competitors that offer similar or different services to customers. Here are some of the main competitors that Choice Home Warranty Plan faces:
- American Home Shield: This is one of the oldest and largest home warranty companies in the industry. It offers four types of plans: Appliances Plan, Systems Plan, Combo Plan, and Build Your Own Plan. It covers most major appliances and systems in the home as well as some optional items. It has a network of over 15,000 contractors across the country. It charges an annual premium of $300 to $600 and a service fee of $75 to $125.
- Liberty Home Guard: This is a relatively new home warranty company that offers three types of plans: Appliance Guard, Systems Guard, and Total Home Guard. It covers most major appliances and systems in the home as well as some optional items. It does not have a network of contractors, but allows customers to choose their own licensed contractors for all services. It charges an annual premium of $500 to $800 and a service fee of $60 to $125.
- Select Home Warranty: This is another popular home warranty company that offers three types of plans: Bronze Care, Gold Care, and Platinum Care. It covers most major appliances and systems in the home as well as some optional items. It has a network of over 10,000 contractors across the country. It charges an annual premium of $400 to $500 and a service fee of $75.
Conclusion
Choice Home Warranty Plan is a home warranty company that offers popular and affordable service to homeowners across the country. It offers transparent and flexible plans that cover most major appliances and systems in the home. It also provides a 90-day service guarantee, a 30-day cancellation policy, and a network of over 10,000 pre-screened contractors.
However, Choice Home Warranty Plan also has some drawbacks that customers should be aware of. It is not available in California, which limits its reach and accessibility. It has some exclusions and limitations in its coverage, such as cosmetic damage, pre-existing conditions, improper installation, code violations, and manufacturer’s warranty. It has mixed customer reviews and ratings.
Overall, Choice Home Warranty Plan is a home warranty company that offers a good value for money, meets most home protection needs, and provides reliable and quality service.
