American Residential Warranty Review
A home warranty helps you save time and money when home systems and appliances break down due to normal wear and tear. With five different coverage plans and optional add-ons, ARW Home (formerly known as American Residential Warranty) is committed to providing comprehensive coverage to all 50 states and Washington D.C.
Our Take on ARW Home
We rated ARW Home 3.7 out of 5 stars in our in-depth review. It pairs plans with a low service call fee, holds an A+ rating* with the Better Business Bureau (BBB), and provides customizable coverage plans and protection for items not commonly covered by other providers, such as kitchen exhaust fans.
ARW Home offers low coverage caps for its covered home systems and appliances, and it provides clothes washer and dryer coverage as an add-on only. ARW Home is worth considering if you need basic, low-cost coverage for several home systems or appliances.
*BBB rating is accurate as of March 2023.
Pros and Cons of American Residential Warranty
Compare the advantages and disadvantages of American Residential below:
If you’re seeking a provider with an online claims process, we recommend checking out and getting a free quote from American Home Shield.
American Residential Warranty Plans and Coverage
ARW Home offers five plan for homeowners:
- Kitchen Plus: Best for kitchen appliances
- Heating and Cooling: Best for HVAC coverage
- Best Basic Bundle Plan
- Best Value Plan
- 4-in-1 Bundle: Best for All-Inclusive Coverage
Compare the covered items under each ARW Home plan below:
Coverage Breakdown
| Coverage | Kitchen Plus | Heating and Cooling | Platinum | Platinum Premier | 4-in-1 Bundle |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Built-in Microwave |
✓ |
– |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
|
Ceiling fans |
– |
– |
– |
✓ |
✓ |
|
Central air conditioning |
– |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
|
Central home heating |
– |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
|
Clothes washer/dryer |
– |
– |
– |
– |
✓ |
|
Deluxe Advantage |
– |
– |
– |
– |
✓ |
|
Dishwasher |
✓ |
– |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
|
Ductwork |
– |
– |
– |
✓ |
✓ |
|
Garage door opener |
– |
– |
– |
✓ |
✓ |
|
Garbage disposals |
✓ |
– |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
|
Humidifier |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
|
|
Interior electrical system |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
|
Kitchen exhaust fan |
✓ |
– |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
|
Plumbing system |
– |
– |
– |
✓ |
✓ |
|
Range/oven/cooktop |
✓ |
– |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
|
Refrigerator |
✓ |
– |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
|
Sewer and water lines |
– |
– |
– |
– |
✓ |
|
Ultimate Electronics Protection |
– |
– |
– |
– |
✓ |
|
Water heaters |
✓ |
– |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
Under the 4-in-1 Bundle plan, policyholders qualify for coverage under the Deluxe Advantage. You can choose to pay for coverage provided by just the Ultimate Electronics Protection Plan. To receive coverage for the Deluxe Advantage, you must purchase the 4-in-1 Bundle Plan.
The Deluxe Advantage provides coverage for the following items:
- A/C refrigerant and coils
- Refrigerant recapture
- Plumbing faucets and fixtures
- Permits, modifications, and code violations
- Toilets and internal mechanisms
- Improper installation
- Mismatched systems
- Garage door springs and tracks
The Ultimate Electronics Protection covers some of the following household electronics:
- Flat screen TVs
- Home theater system
- Desktops and laptops
- Tablets
- Gaming consoles
- Printers
- Routers
- Hand-held gaming devices
Optional Add-Ons
In addition to coverage provided by individual plans, ARW Home offers optional coverage for the following items:
- AC Advantage (refrigerant and coils)
- Additional air conditioning system
- Additional central heating system
- Built-in microwave
- Ceiling fans
- Clothes washer and dryer
- Food spoilage
- Ice maker (stand-alone or in the refrigerator)
- Plumbing Advantage (fixtures)
- Plumbing system (does not include fixtures or clogs)
- Pool and spa
- Range, oven, or cooktop
- Second refrigerator or freezer (does not include ice maker)
- Ultimate Electronics Protection
- Water heater
- Well pump
ARW Home Pricing
The price of your ARW Home warranty depends on the plan and add-ons selected. Below is a list of ARW Home plans and pricing.
Expect to pay between $39.99 to $134.99 per month for ARW Home coverage and a service call fee of $55 for repairs or replacements on covered items. This fee is paid to the service technician when they arrive to assess the appliance or system in question.
American Residential Warranty State Availability
ARW Home coverage is available nationwide.
ARW Home Reviews
Trusted third-party customer reviews can provide insight on a company’s service and reputation.
Many top-rated home warranty companies receive both negative and positive reviews; ARW Home is no different. It holds an A+ rating with the BBB. Its BBB rating is based on various complaints received from homeowners plus other company information. Note that customer reviews do not affect its rating.
ARW Home has mixed results of positive and negative consumer reviews. Some homeowners enjoy ARW Home’s friendly and helpful customer service representatives, yet others complain about it delaying payouts for filed claims.
“I have been very pleased with ARW services. Each time I have called for a service request ARW have contacted a vendor and so far they have arrived to fix/repair the same day. I have never had service that quick with any other warranty provider.” — Fran P.
“Simply amazing! Very easy to use, great communication and friendly and concerned customer service. Very fast at responding and getting you the service you need. Heater broken, bam, fixed. Plumbing, bam, fixed. They even reached out to a contractor not in their network to see if they would do business with them to get me the service I needed quicker. Even the electronics warranty alone is worth it! Broken ps4 remote, broken Nintendo switch screen and remote, fixed. Easy. They send you a prepaid box, mail it in, get it back lightning fast as good as new, Bob’s your uncle. I’ve had several other warranty companies over the years, American Residential Warranty is by far the best, and my favorite.” — Josh B.
“Been waiting over 6 mos. for my Payment, since May 6th 2021, after replacing my Furnace and AC system. I have called more than 100 times. Left on hold for many hours. Promised the check is in the mail. Policy has a $600 limit, they told me I must replace with new system before they would pay. I sent the copy of Receipt for the install of New equipment. Then I told them to Cancel the entire Policy in August because I could not get my Insurance claim Payment. I canceled By phone, By US mail, and by Email. Now they are trying to get me to renew policy for another year, and still no refund. So sorry I paid in advance for 1 yr. This place has driven me to insanity and beyond with STRESS. They deserve NO STARS.” — Yvette R.
“I attempted to file a claim recently only to discover that my policy had been sold to another carrier. There was no correspondence or information alerting me to this change. The customer service personnel all but failed to help me resolve the issue. Had to call in four separate times to get someone to provide any information whatsoever. I was giving information about this new carrier only to find out that the phone number I was provided was erroneous. I’ve been making monthly payments on this policy that suddenly does not exist.” — Ernest F.
ARW Home vs. Other Providers
The table below displays how ARW Home compares to other top providers:
| Provider | Best For | Monthly Cost | Service Fee | States Not Covered |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
ARW Home |
Affordable Service Call Fees |
$39–$135 |
$55 |
N/A |
|
Liberty Home Guard |
Customer Ratings |
$49–$60 |
$65–$125 |
WI |
|
American Home Shield |
Comprehensive Coverage |
$29–$90 |
$100–$125 |
AK, HI |
|
First American Home Warranty |
Appliance Coverage |
$47–$82 |
$75–$125 |
AK, CT, DE, HI, IL, IN, LA, ME, MA, MN, NH, NY, ND, RI, VT, WI |
|
AFC Home Club |
Customization |
$38–$62 |
$75–$125 |
HI |
|
Select Home Warranty |
Value |
$44–$48 |
$75 |
NV, WA, WI |
|
Cinch Home Services |
Additional Perks |
$38–$67 |
$100–$150 |
AK, HI |
Because plan pricing varies based on where you live, the type of plan you choose, and how large your home is, we recommend getting quotes from a variety of providers. This way, you’ll be able to get information on different home warranty plans and pricing and find a home protection plan that’s best for you and your home.
Our Conclusion
ARW Home provides sufficient coverage for a low cost. If you’re looking for simple, basic coverage, this provider may be right for you. It also provides comprehensive electronics coverage via its Ultimate Electronics Protection add-on, whereas many providers exclude electronics coverage.
Because plan pricing varies based on your home’s size and location plus the plan and add-ons you select, we recommend getting quotes from at least three providers.Frequently Asked Questions
How do American Residential home warranties work?
If a covered item breaks down due to normal wear and tear, customers can file a claim by calling American Residential. A service technician will then be dispatched to your home, usually within 48 hours, where they will assess the appliance or system in question. The technician will recommend a repair or replacement and you’ll pay the set service fee before the technician leaves.
Does American Residential Warranty cover pre-existing conditions?
American Residential home warranty coverage doesn’t include pre-existing conditions. All appliances and systems must be in good working order starting on the effective date of the plan and must be reasonably clean and accessible during service. Read American Residential’s terms and conditions for details.
How do you cancel an American Residential policy?
To cancel your American Residential policy, a written notice must be sent to their headquarters. You will receive a full refund if you cancel within 30 days, and a refund equal to the prorated amount for the remaining length of coverage if cancellation is after 30 days.
Our Rating Methodology
We back up our home warranty ratings and recommendations with a detailed rating methodology to score each provider objectively. We conduct research by speaking with company representatives, requesting quotes, analyzing sample contracts, and conducting focus groups and consumer surveys.
We score each provider against our review standards, which include four comparison categories: coverage, value, trust and transparency, and availability and service. We rate each provider across 31 factors within these categories. Each factor is assigned a point value based on its importance to a homeowner, totaling 100 points. We then convert the final scores to a 5-star rating.
Here’s a breakdown of our weighted factors:
- Coverage (40%): We scored coverage based on included home systems and appliances, add-on options, and unique benefits. We also compared coverage caps and policy exclusions.
-
- Additional coverage items
- Annual coverage cap
- Home systems coverage
- Major appliances coverage
- Obstructed wall coverage cap
- Value (30%): We compared the coverage level received to monthly pricing to determine plan value. We considered premium pricing, service fees, and flexibility in customizing plan costs.
-
- Average monthly cost
- Cost flexibility
- Lowest service fee
- Trust and Transparency (16%): We evaluated each company’s reputation using the Better Business Bureau ratings and customer reviews on third-party review sites. We read through plan change policies, workmanship protections, and sample contract availability.
-
- Brand reputation
- Policy change flexibility
- Sample contract availability
- Workmanship guarantee length
- Availability and Service (14%): We award higher scores for faster claim processing and response times. We also considered service technician policies, including options to choose your technician.
-
- Claims process
- Guaranteed response time
- Service flexibility
To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our Reviews Team at reviews@thisoldhousereviews.com.
