HomeGuard Home Warranty Review
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HomeGuard HomeWarranty is a residential service contract provider based in California and Arizona. It’s been in the industry since 2006, and it prides itself on offering high-quality customer service to homeowners and realtors.
Since many local and national companies offer home warranties to homeowners, choosing the right one can be difficult. In this article, we’ll review HomeGuard HomeWarranty and discuss the plans it offers, how much those plans cost, and what customers have to say.
One of HomeGuard Home Warranty’s biggest cons is that it’s not available in much of the country. Arizona and California residents can consider the pros this home warranty company has to offer, but others will have to look elsewhere.
Pros and Cons of HomeGuard HomeWarranty
HomeGuard HomeWarranty Plans, Coverage, and Costs
Since housing laws differ between Arizona and California, HomeGuard offers slightly different coverage plans in each state.
California Plans and Costs
For California homeowners, HomeGuard offers three levels of coverage: Standard, Advantage, and Total Protection. These contracts last a full 12 months after the 30-day waiting period, making them 13-month plans. Here is what those plans cover.
California Plans
| Coverage | Standard Plan | Advantage Plan | Total Protection Plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dishwasher | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Range/oven/cooktop/built-in microwave | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Garbage disposal | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Trash compactor | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Instant hot water dispenser | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Re-key coverage | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Heating system | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Plumbing system and stoppages | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Electrical system | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Central vacuum | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Garage door opener | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Ceiling, attic, and exhaust fans | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Water heater | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Pest control | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Telephone wiring | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Doorbells | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Smoke detectors | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Limited roof leak coverage | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Carbon monoxide detectors | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Improper installation/repairs | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Mismatched systems | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Crane | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Limited code upgrade | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Building permits | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Lack of maintenance | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Refrigerant recapture, reclaim, and disposal | ✔ | ✔ | |
| General disposal | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Ice makers | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Swamp cooler tune-up | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Supplemental blanket coverage | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Zone control coverage | ✔ | ||
| Total code modification/upgrade | ✔ | ||
| Total plumbing stoppage coverage | ✔ | ||
| Toilet replacement | ✔ | ||
| Water heater | ✔ | ||
| Total plumbing coverage | ✔ | ||
| Radiant heat upgrade | ✔ | ||
| Enhanced slab leak and additional pipe leak coverage | ✔ |
Advantage and Total Protection Plans also come with either central air conditioning or kitchen refrigerator coverage. All plans can be supplemented with the following extra coverage:
- Central air conditioning
- A/C and heating pre-season tune-up
- Solar hot water system
- Water softener/reverse osmosis filtration system
- Clothes washer and dryer
- Kitchen refrigerator
- Additional refrigerators
- Freestanding freezer
- Swimming pool/spa equipment/salt water circuit board and cell
- Solar pool/spa equipment
- Ornamental fountain
- Limited roof leak coverage
- Outdoor kitchen
- Well pump
- Booster pump
- Septic tank pump
- Sewage ejector pump
- Additional pipe coverage
- Supplemental blanket coverage
- Red tag option
- Smart home features
HomeGuard’s premiums in California will vary based on the size and age of your home. Here’s what each plan costs per year.
California Plan Costs
| Home | Standard Plan | Advantage Plan | Total Protection Plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single-family home | $335 | $485 | $585 |
| Condo/townhome/mobile home | $295 | $430 | $555 |
| New construction (years 2-6) | $470 | $580 | — |
| Duplex | $440 | $660 | $850 |
| Triplex | $620 | $955 | $1,115 |
| Fourplex | $825 | $1,265 | $1,425 |
The service call fee, which must be paid every time a technician visits your house, is commonly $75, but for an extra $70 a year, you can pay a reduced service fee of $40. Here are the annual costs of HomeGuard’s additional coverage options, no matter which plan you purchase, along with any coverage caps listed.
Additional Coverage
| Coverage | Yearly Fee | Maximum Payout |
|---|---|---|
| Central air conditioning | $75 | $1,500 |
| A/C and heating tune-up | $25 | — |
| Supplemental blanket coverage | $50 | Increases any coverage cap by $250 |
| Pool/spa equipment | $170 | $1,500 |
| Solar pool/spa equipment | $250 | $1,500 |
| Solar hot water system | $250 | $1,500 |
| Water softener/reverse osmosis | $70 | $500 |
| Ornamental fountain | $70 per fountain | $500 |
| Clothes washer and dryer | $75 | — |
| Kitchen refrigerator | $50 | $5,000 |
| Combo washer/dryer/refrigerator | $90 | — |
| Additional refrigerators | $40 | $1,500 |
| Freestanding freezer | $50 | $1,500 |
| Well pump | $95 | $1,500 |
| Booster pump | $70 | — |
| Septic tank pump | $30 | $500 |
| Sewage ejector pump | $25 | $500 |
| Additional pipe coverage | $100 | $1,000 |
| Red tag option | $25 | — |
| Limited roof leak coverage | $75 for manufactured homes $160 for multiple units | — |
| Outdoor kitchen | $75 | $1,000 |
| Smarthome features | $75 | $1,500 |
Arizona Plans and Costs
For Arizona homeowners, HomeGuard’s plans are organized a little differently. There are two plans to choose from, and they last the standard 11 months after the 30-day waiting period.
Arizona Plans
| Coverage | 4-Star Plan | 5-Star Plan |
|---|---|---|
| Central air conditioning | ✔ | ✔ |
| AC/heating mini-split | ✔ | ✔ |
| Refrigerant reclaim/disposal | ✔ | ✔ |
| Cranes, permits, haul away | ✔ | ✔ |
| Code upgrades | ✔ | ✔ |
| Improper installation or modification | ✔ | ✔ |
| Mismatched systems | ✔ | ✔ |
| Dishwasher | ✔ | ✔ |
| Trash compactor | ✔ | ✔ |
| Kitchen exhaust fan | ✔ | ✔ |
| Oven/range/cooktop | ✔ | ✔ |
| Built-in microwave | ✔ | ✔ |
| Garbage disposal | ✔ | ✔ |
| Instant hot/cold water dispenser | ✔ | ✔ |
| Water heater | ✔ | ✔ |
| Plumbing system leaks | ✔ | ✔ |
| Plumbing stoppages | ✔ | ✔ |
| Electrical system | ✔ | ✔ |
| Garage door opener | ✔ | ✔ |
| Central vacuum | ✔ | ✔ |
| Pest control | ✔ | ✔ |
| Re-key service | ✔ | ✔ |
| Ductwork | ✔ | ✔ |
| Manufacturer warranty | ✔ | ✔ |
| Supplemental blanket coverage | ✔ | |
| Code/modification upgrade | ✔ | |
| Stoppage coverage | ✔ | |
| Water heater/heating system | ✔ | |
| Additional plumbing | ✔ | |
| Radiant heat upgrade | ✔ | |
| Enhanced slab leak and additional pipe leak coverage | ✔ | |
| Washer/dryer/refrigerator | ✔ |
If you buy either plan, you can buy supplemental coverage for the following items:
- Kitchen refrigerator
- Clothes washer and dryer
- Additional refrigerators (up to four)
- Freestanding freezer
- Swimming pool/spa equipment/salt water circuit board and cell
- Solar pool/spa equipment
- Outdoor kitchen
- Limited roof leak coverage
- Guest house (under 800 square feet)
- AC/heating pre-season tune-up
- Solar hot water system
- Water softener/reverse osmosis filtration system
- Well pump
- Booster pump
- Septic pumping/ejector pump
- Homeowners’ insurance deductible
- Red tag option
- Supplemental blanket coverage
- Enhanced slab leak and additional pipe leak coverage
- Eco-friendly upgrade
Yearly premium rates for these plans again vary by the size and age of the house.
Arizona Plan Costs
| Home | 4-Star Plan | 5-Star Plan |
|---|---|---|
| Single-family home | $420 (or $785 for two years) | $510 (or $925 for two years) |
| Condo/townhome/mobile home | $365 (or $695 for two years) | $450 (or $860 for two years) |
| New construction (years 2-6) | $580 | — |
| Duplex | $580 | $715 |
| Triplex | $790 | $980 |
| Fourplex | $910 | $1,190 |
The service call fee for these plans is $65; however, you can pay an initial $65 fee to lower that cost to $30. You can also pay $45 to ensure that you can renew your plan at the same price you initially paid for it. Here are the fees for extra coverage, along with the maximum payouts they’ll cover.
Additional Coverage
| Coverage | Yearly Fee | Maximum Payout |
|---|---|---|
| AC/heating pre-season tune-up | $40 | — |
| Kitchen refrigerator | $50 | $5,000 |
| Washer and dryer | $75 | — |
| Washer/dryer/refrigerator combo | $90 | — |
| Additional refrigerators | $40 | $1,500 |
| Swimming pool/spa equipment/salt water circuit board and cell | $170 | $1,500 |
| Solar pool/spa | $250 | $1,500 |
| Solar hot water system | $250 | $1,500 |
| Water softener/reverse osmosis filtration system | $70 | $500 |
| Homeowners’ insurance deductible | $30 | $500 |
| Outdoor kitchen | $125 | $1,000 |
| Red tag option | $25 | — |
| Supplemental blanket coverage | $250 | Increases any coverage cap by $250 |
| Enhanced slab leak and additional pipe leak coverage | $100 | $1,500 |
| Freestanding freezer | $50 | $1,500 |
| Well pump | $95 | $1,500 |
| Booster pump | $70 | — |
| Septic pumping/ejector pump | $55 | $500 |
| Eco-friendly upgrade | $20 | — |
| Limited roof leaks | $100 ($160 for multi-unit) | $1,500 |
| Guest house | $165 | — |
Here’s how HomeGuard warranty plans for single-family homes stack up against the costs for typical home warranties.
HomeGuard HomeWarranty Compared to the Competition
| Plan | Monthly Premium | Yearly Premium | Service Call Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Typical home warranty | $25–$50 | $300–$600 | $75–$125 |
| HomeGuard Standard Plan (CA) | $27.92 | $335 | $75 |
| HomeGuard Advantage Plan (CA) | $40.42 | $485 | $75 |
| HomeGuard Total Protection Plan (CA) | $48.75 | $585 | $75 |
| HomeGuard 4 Star Plan (AZ) | $35.00 | $420 | $65 |
| HomeGuard 5 Star Plan (AZ) | $42.50 | $510 | $65 |
As you can see, HomeGuard’s plans fall in the median of the typical monthly premium costs for home service contracts.
HomeGuard HomeWarranty Reviews
HomeGuard HomeWarranty has been accredited by the Better Business Bureau (BBB) since 2008, and it holds an A+ rating for its transparent business practice and the care with which it handles customer complaints. Despite this, the company has a mix of positive and negative reviews.
Here’s a sampling of those reviews.
“Don’t get a warranty from this company. They look for any reason to deny your claim. The contractors they use are horrible.” — Daniel I. on 10/17/18
“So I got a call from Wendy (manager) [and] she stated that she was going to get a heater tech to our home. I had to call to follow up but a tech came out…there was something wrong and HomeGuard OK’ed the fix and my heater is now running normal. So they stood by their word.” — Scott S. on 1/19/20
“We had a heater go out just after Christmas and although I did have to call back at 24 hours to make sure the tech was dispatched, we had a perfectly repaired heater in less than 48 hours as promised.” — Deryn M. on 12/31/19
Our Final HomeGuard Review
We give HomeGuard an 8.8/10. Though it provides extensive plans at affordable prices, it’s only available in California and Arizona, leaving other U.S. residents without protection. If you don’t live in California or Arizona and want comprehensive coverage, we recommend going with a home warranty provider like Liberty Home Guard.
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.
