Fidelity National Home Warranty: A Budget-Friendly Option for Basic Home Warranty Coverage
A home warranty is a service contract that covers the repair or replacement of certain appliances and systems in a home due to normal wear and tear. A home warranty can provide peace of mind and financial protection for homeowners who want to avoid unexpected and costly breakdowns. However, not all home warranty companies are the same, and it is important to compare their plans, prices, and reputations before choosing one. In this article, we will review Fidelity National Home Warranty, a company that offers a base home warranty plan with optional add-ons for homeowners in 17 states.
What is Fidelity National Home Warranty?
Fidelity National Home Warranty is a subsidiary of Fidelity National Financial, a Fortune 500 company that provides title insurance and other real estate services. Fidelity National Home Warranty was founded in 1974 and is headquartered in Concord, California. It operates in 17 states: Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Missouri, Nevada, Oregon, Texas, Utah, Washington, and Wisconsin.
Fidelity National Home Warranty offers a base home warranty plan that covers the following items:
- Plumbing system
- Plumbing stoppages
- Water heater
- Heating system
- Ductwork
- Electrical system
- Garage door opener
- Ceiling fans
- Central vacuum system
- Kitchen appliances (dishwasher, range/oven/cooktop, built-in microwave, garbage disposal, trash compactor)
- Washer and dryer
Fidelity National Home Warranty also offers optional add-ons that cover the following items:
- Air conditioning system
- Refrigerator
- Pool and spa equipment
- Well pump
- Septic system
- Roof leak repair
Read more about Best Home Warranty Companies: How to Choose the Right One for Your Home
What are the benefits of using Fidelity National Home Warranty?
Fidelity National Home Warranty has some benefits for homeowners who want to have basic home warranty coverage at a low cost. Some of these benefits are:
- Affordable: Fidelity National Home Warranty has a low annual cost that ranges from $350 to $445 depending on the state. It also has below-average deductibles that range from $65 to $75 per service call. It also offers discounts for multiple-year contracts and referrals.
- Flexible: Fidelity National Home Warranty allows homeowners to customize their plan by choosing the optional add-ons that suit their needs. It also allows homeowners to choose their own licensed contractors for repairs or replacements if they prefer.
- No age limit: Fidelity National Home Warranty does not place any age limit on the appliances and systems that it covers. It also does not require any home inspection or maintenance records prior to enrollment.
What are the challenges of using Fidelity National Home Warranty?
Fidelity National Home Warranty also has some challenges that homeowners should be aware of before using their service. Some of these challenges are:
- Limited coverage: Fidelity National Home Warranty has a limited coverage that excludes many items that are commonly covered by other home warranty companies, such as doorbells, smoke detectors, faucets, shower heads, toilets, etc. It also has many exclusions and limitations on the items that it does cover, such as cosmetic defects, improper installation or maintenance, code violations, etc.
- Poor reputation: Fidelity National Home Warranty has a poor reputation among customers and reviewers who have complained about its customer service, claim process, contractor network, etc. It has received many negative ratings and reviews on various platforms such as Yelp, Consumer Affairs, Better Business Bureau, etc.
- No guarantee: Fidelity National Home Warranty does not guarantee the quality or timeliness of its service or the availability or competence of its contractors. It also does not guarantee that it will cover the full cost of repairs or replacements or that it will honor its contract terms.
Conclusion
Fidelity National Home Warranty is a home warranty company that offers a base home warranty plan with optional add-ons for homeowners in 17 states. It covers the repair or replacement of certain appliances and systems in a home due to normal wear and tear. It has some benefits such as being affordable flexible and no age limit but also some challenges such as having limited coverage poor reputation and no guarantee.
