TOH Rating: 8/10
Home Warranty of America (HWA) is one of the most widely available home warranty companies in the industry. It provides comprehensive coverage for home systems and appliances and flexible payment options for consumers.
Because there are a variety of home warranty companies available and it can be challenging to determine which home warranty is best, the This Old House Reviews Team did the research for you to make your search easier. Keep reading our HWA home warranty review to determine if the provider is right for you.
Pros and Cons of HWA Home Warranty
Compare the advantages and disadvantages to Home Warranty of America below:
Pros & Cons
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
Provides nationwide availability | Reports of repair delays |
Offers after-hours customer service | Higher chance of claim denial compared to other home warranty companies |
Offers a GreenPlus plan for energy-efficient appliances |
While HWA plans are comprehensive, we suggest also checking out our other recommended providers.
Home Warranty of America Plans and Coverage
Home Warranty of America offers two home warranty plans: a Premier Plan and a Premier Plus Plan. No matter which plan you choose, Home Warranty of America provides coverage for the following items:
Covered Items
Systems | Appliances |
---|---|
Heating system | Clothes dryer |
Plumbing | Clothes washer |
Ductwork | Kitchen refrigerator with ice maker |
Water heater | Range/Oven/Cooktop |
Garbage disposal | Built-in microwave |
Trash compactor | Dishwasher |
Central vacuum | Ceiling/Exhaust fans |
Doorbell | Instant hot water dispenser |
Burglar/Fire alarms | Whirlpool bathtub |
Garage door openers | |
Permanent sump pump |
Premier Plus Plans offer coverage for your air conditioning system, plumbing fixtures, faucets, shower heads, and a Premier Upgrade that covers 30 additional items in your home. Home Warranty of America also offers coverage for items like your drywall, plumbing stoppages, and clogs.
In addition to these two service plans, HWA offers optional coverage for the following items:
- GreenPlus*
- Limited roof leak repairs
- Stand alone ice maker
- Pool/Spa
- Well pump
- Saltwater pool
- Septic tank pumping
- Second refrigerator
- OrangePlus**
- Stand alone freezer
- SEER/R-410A modifications
- Septic system
- Sewage ejector pump
- Septic tank pumping
*Home Warranty of America offers a GreenPlus plan as an optional add-on that covers the following when a covered item must be replaced:
- Covered items, including dishwashers, refrigerators, and clothes washers, will be replaced with an Energy Star product
- Covered heating systems will be replaced with a 90% efficiency model
- Covered water heaters will be replaced with a tankless model
**Home Warranty of America offers an OrangePlus plan as an optional add-on that covers the following:
- Water softener
- Code violations and permits up to $250
- Increased coverage cap on professional series appliances up to $2,000
- Increased coverage cap on toilet replacement up to $600
- Disposal of defective equipment
- Re-key up to six locks including deadbolts
Home Warranty of America Pricing
HWA plan pricing will depend on where you live, the type of coverage you choose, the square footage of your home, and any add-ons you include in your plan.
Here are coverage costs for a single-family home under 2,500 square feet in Durham, North Carolina:
Pricing Breakdown
Premier Plan (with a $100 service call fee) | Premier Plan Plus (with a $100 service call fee) | Premier Plan (with a $75 service call fee) | Premier Plan Plus (with a $75 service call fee) |
---|---|---|---|
$41.15 per month | $50.38 per month | $44.62 per month | $53.46 per month |
Note: Home Warranty of America charges a $75 or $100 trade service call fee for every claim made. If you choose the lower service fee, your monthly premiums will be higher, whereas if you select a higher deductible, your monthly premiums will be lower.
Here’s the price per year for additional add-ons:
Add-On Items
Covered Item | Price per Year |
---|---|
GreenPlus coverage | $75 |
Stand alone ice maker | $35 |
Pool/Spa | $150 |
Well pump | $85 |
Saltwater pool | $300 |
Septic tank pumping | $50 |
Limited roof leak repairs | $50 |
Second refrigerator | $35 |
OrangePlus | $75 |
Stand alone freezer | $35 |
SEER/R-410A modifications | $75 |
Septic system/Sewage ejector pump/Septic tank pumping | $50 |
How to File a Claim with HWA Home Warranty
You can file a claim online, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year or call the toll-free customer service number. After submitting a claim, the HWA customer service team will assess your issue and dispatch a local contractor to your home within 48 hours of receiving the claim.
HWA Home Warranty Reviews
Home Warranty of America is not accredited by the Better Business Bureau (BBB). Like with many other home warranty companies, customers have left both positive and negative HWA home warranty reviews.
Here’s a sampling of those reviews from the BBB:
“I have had a warranty with HWA for a couple years and have had nothing but excellent service and results. Would most definitely recommend to family and friends without hesitation.” — Kari C. on 7/28/17
“Horrible company. They put an unauthorized charge on my credit card and it took over 8 weeks of phone calls and e-mails to get it reversed. Beware.” — Todd V. on 4/22/20
One of our readers also reached out to detail their experience with Home Warranty of American:
“They have refused to fix my 86-year-old grandmother’s heating/AC system even though it is covered under her warranty contract. The lady at the repair place told me that they are the WORST home warranty out there, and that they don’t cover people’s repairs.” — Elisa J. on 4/21/22
Our Conclusion
The This Old House Reviews Team rates HWA Home Warranty an 8/10. The company covers items not typically covered by other home warranty companies and is available nationwide. We also think allowing customers to choose their own service fee is beneficial, as people can be flexible with their payment options.
Home Warranty of America may be a good company for you if…
- you want additional coverage for items like a saltwater swimming pool, code violations and permits, and Energy Star appliances.
- you want to choose your own service fee.
Home Warranty of America may not be a good choice for you if…
- you want to choose your own contractor for home repairs.
- you’re on a budget and want plans that are slightly more affordable.
In all situations, we recommend getting quotes from multiple companies so you can compare prices and plans to find the right fit. American Home Shield is another provider worth considering:
Home Warranty of America Compared to the Competition
See how Home Warranty of America stacks up to another top-rated competitor in the industry.
Comparison
Providers | Home Warranty of America | American Home Shield |
---|---|---|
Get a free quote | Not available through This Old House | Visit site |
Plan options | 2 + optional add-ons | 3 + optional add-ons |
Monthly premiums | $42–$54 | $40-$48 |
Deductibles | $75 or $100 | $75, $100, or $125 |
Additional benefits | Offers coverage for unique items like saltwater pools and plumbing fixtures | Offers $50 off for This Old House readers |
Frequently Asked Questions
Our Rating Methodology
The This Old House Reviews Team is committed to providing comprehensive and unbiased reviews to our readers, and we aim to provide transparency in our review standards and research process.
Our research process includes speaking with representatives from more than 40 home warranty providers, requesting quotes, and asking clarifying questions to gain insight into each provider’s benefits and downsides. We also analyze sample contracts from each company to understand specific coverage terms.
To rate companies, we apply the data we have gathered to our review standards. These standards are on a 100-point scoring system, which is detailed below:
- Coverage (35 points): Providers are scored based on breadth and depth of coverage. We focused on key home systems (HVAC, plumbing, and electrical), essential appliances (refrigerator, ovens, and laundry machines), and unique coverage items (such as roof-leak coverage and code violation allowances). Coverage scores are weighted by taking into account coverage caps and other limiting factors, meaning providers with greater range of coverage and higher coverage caps score the highest.
- Value (30 points): A company’s plan value is a reflection of how well it serves the customer in comparison to what the customer pays for the policy. We accounted for monthly costs, service call fees, and cost flexibility (such as customizable service call fees, discounts, and multi-year policies).
- Trustworthiness and Transparency (21 points): Trustworthiness and transparency are a reflection of how well the provider considers the customer’s interests. We scored items such as the length of workmanship guarantees, online availability of a sample contract, policy change flexibility, and ease of cancellation. Additionally, we scored items that reflect industry reputation and customer satisfaction, including analyzing brand reputation across the Better Business Bureau and third-party customer review aggregators.
- Availability and Service (14 points): Quality of customer service is key to customer satisfaction. We dug into each provider’s guaranteed response times, claims processes, service flexibility, emergency availability, and more.
To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our Reviews Team at reviews@thisoldhousereviews.com.