HWA Home Warranty Review (2024)
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.
Keep in mind, HWA is not accredited by the BBB, which may cause concern for some homeowners. Because there are a variety of notable home warranty companies available and it can be challenging to determine which home warranty is best, we 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
- Provides nationwide availability
- Offers after-hours customer service
- Offers a GreenPlus plan for energy-efficient appliances, which many providers do not
Cons
- Reports of repair delays
- Higher chance of claim denial compared to other home warranty companies
While HWA plans are comprehensive, we suggest also checking out our other recommended providers.
What Are Home Warranty of America’s Plans and Coverage Options?
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
*GreenPlus plan details
*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
**OrangePlus plan details
**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
How Much Does Home Warranty of America Cost?
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:
Plan 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 Pricing
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 Can You 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.
What Do Customers Say About HWA Home Warranty?
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.
- Home Warranty of America (HWA) has received mixed reviews from customers, with some praising their excellent service and others expressing frustration with unauthorized charges and prolonged resolution times.
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 Final HWA Home Warranty Review
We rate 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. Liberty Home Guard is another provider worth considering. You can read our comprehensive Liberty Home Guard Review for more information.
How Does Home Warranty of America Compare to the Competition?
See how Home Warranty of America stacks up to another top-rated competitor in the industry.
Providers | Home Warranty of America | American Home Shield |
---|---|---|
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 |
HWA Home Warranty Alternatives Compared
The table below contains our top picks of the best home warranty companies based on our extensive research:
Company | BBB Rating | Monthly Cost | Service Fee | Visit Site |
---|---|---|---|---|
NR** | $49–$59 | $65–$125 | VISIT SITE | |
B | $29–$89 | $100–$125 | VISIT SITE | |
B- | $44–$47 | $60–$75 | VISIT SITE | |
B | $42–$82 | $100–$125 | VISIT SITE | |
B | $35–$94 | $75–$125 | VISIT SITE | |
B+ | $44–$58 | $70 | VISIT SITE | |
B+ | $30–$56 | $100–$150 | VISIT SITE | |
A | $27–$61 | $65–$100 | VISIT SITE |
Frequently Asked Questions
When does HWA coverage kick in?
Your coverage will kick in 30 days after signing a contract.
Is Home Warranty of America worth it?
If you want peace of mind and extra protection on major home systems and appliances, having a home warranty can help. Though you’ll be paying a monthly fee, that cost may be worth it if an expensive repair or replacement is necessary.
How does Home Warranty of America help real estate professionals?
Home Warranty of America helps real estate agents by allowing them to purchase 13-month home warranties for their clients and offering a suite of sales tools that can help them grow their real estate business.
Who can buy a home warranty?
Whether you’re a current homeowner, first-time home buyer, home seller, real estate agent, or landlord, you can buy a home warranty to protect the major systems and appliances in your home.
How can I renew my home warranty?
To renew your home warranty contract, log in to your HWA account, select the coverage you want, and set your contract to renew.
Related Resources
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.