TOH Rating: 9.4/10
Founded in 1990, OneGuard Home Warranty is an established home warranty provider that offers standard home warranty coverage and maintenance services, like carpet cleaning, pest control, and window washing, to homeowners in Arizona, Nevada, and Texas.
In this OneGuard Home Warranty review, the This Old House Reviews Team has evaluated the provider’s plans, cost, customer ratings, and more to help you determine if this is the best home warranty for you.
Even the best home warranty company has some drawbacks. Compare the advantages and disadvantages to OneGuard Home Warranty below.
Pros and Cons of OneGuard Home Warranty
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Covers pre-existing conditions | Only available in three states |
| Provides home maintenance services like moving assistance and pest control | Customers can’t select their own service fee |
OneGuard Home Warranty provides three plans for home buyers and home sellers: Sentinel, Centurion, and Guardian. Coverage varies based on the state you live in. We’ve used Arizona below as the basis for our breakdown. You can choose your state online to see your exact coverage options.
OneGuard Home Warranty Plans and Coverage
| Plan | Sentinel | Centurion | Guardian |
|---|---|---|---|
| Appliances | |||
| Dishwasher | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Range/Oven/Cooktop | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Built-In Microwave | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Garbage Disposal | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Trash Compactor | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Kitchen Refrigerator | ✓ | ||
| Washer and Dryer | ✓ | ||
| Systems | |||
| Air Conditioners | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Heating System (Including Heat Pumps) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Ductwork | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Plumbing System | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Water Heater | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electrical System | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Ceiling and Exhaust Fans | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Central Vacuum | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Garage Door Opener | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Sprinkler System and Timer | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| HVAC Equipment Incompatibility Coverage | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Preferred Upgrade Coverage | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Unknown Pre-existing Conditions Coverage | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Services | |||
| Re-Key and Garage Remote Reprogram | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Air Conditioning and Heating System Tune-Ups | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Termite Treatment | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Pest Control Treatment | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Carpet Cleaning Service | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Window Cleaning Service | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dryer Vent Cleaning | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Garage Door Tune-up Service | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Ceiling Fan and Light Fixture Installation | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Free Security System | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Pool Maintenance | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Additional Benefits | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
The fact that OneGuard Home Warranties includes maintenance services in every plan, as well as typical coverage of appliances and systems, is fairly unique in the home warranty industry. The only other home warranty provider that we’ve seen do that is Super Home Warranty.
Additionally, OneGuard offers optional coverage for a variety of appliances and systems:
Optional Coverage
| Plan | Sentinel | Centurion | Guardian |
|---|---|---|---|
| Additional Freestanding Refrigeration Units (per unit) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Additional Pool Pump/Water Feature (per unit) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Additional Sprinkler Valve | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Built-in Pool/Spa (1 Set of Equipment) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Extended Main Line Plumbing | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Guest House | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Salt Water Pool/Spa (1 Set of Equipment) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Septic System | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Water Softener and Reverse Osmosis | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Filtration System | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Well Pump | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Kitchen Refrigerator | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Washer and Dryer | ✓ | ✓ | |
| HVAC Equipment Incompatibility Coverage | ✓ | ||
| Preferred Upgrade Coverage | ✓ |
OneGuard home warranty coverage is available for buyers and sellers living in the following types of homes:
- Single-Family
- Townhouse
- Condo
- Duplex
- Triplex
- Fourplex
OneGuard Home Warranty falls in line with the average cost of home warranty plans, between $300 and $600 annually, except for its Guardian Plan in Texas.
Here’s the breakdown by plan and state:
OneGuard Home Warranty Pricing
| State | Sentinel | Centurion | Guardian |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona | $399 | $499 | $599 |
| Nevada | $379 | $499 | $599 |
| Texas | $399 | $549 | $699 |
Homeowners are also required to pay a $75 service call fee or deductible every time a technician comes to their house for a repair or replacement.
OneGuard Home Warranty Claims Process
Once you have that information and submit your claim, here’s what the claims process would look like:
Once OneGuard approves your claim, they’ll select a service contractor to assist with a repair or replacement.
The contractor will contact you within four business hours, or 48 hours if a claim comes in on the weekend or holiday for non-emergency services, to make an appointment. Note: emergency services include interior flooding, a complete loss of heating or cooling in extreme temperature conditions, a substantial loss of electrical service, or any other condition that renders the interior of the home uninhabitable.
When the contractor arrives, they’ll perform the necessary repairs and you’ll be required to pay a service fee.
Repairs are guaranteed for 30 days. If there’s a second breakdown within those 30 days, OneGuard will dispatch a contractor at no additional service fee to you.
OneGuard Home Warranty Reviews
OneGuard Home Warranty is accredited by the Better Business Bureau (BBB) with an A+ rating and an average of 4 stars from customers. Many reviews are positive, citing high levels of professionalism and great service and applauding specific OneGuard Home Warranties employees by name, but there are some negative reviews left by customers who were concerned with long delays in getting service and being billed for services that never took place after the technician failed to show up.
Here’s a sampling of OneGuard reviews below:
“We’ve been OneGuard customers for four years and recently our AC (slab coil and condenser) went out. What is a stressful and challenging home repair was made reasonably easy to deal with. Leigh G provided excellent customer service and helped us resolve any issues we had. The contractor provided several options for us to choose from. The OneGuard team is always helpful, but in this particular instance, Leigh G made us feel like valued customers and we plan to be OneGuard customers for many years.” — Anthony M. on March 30, 2020
“I’ve been with OneGuard from the moment I purchased my home in 2016. Their customer service is top-notch and it has never waived in all the years I’ve been with them. Last week I called and spoke to Evonny Ramirez to update my account and get answers to a few questions that I had. She was very polite, knowledgeable, and I truly felt she had my best interest at heart.” — Tracey L. on March 17, 2020
“I booked a service for my refrigerator, however my refrigerator stopped making the noise that I was concerned about. I called OneGuard two days prior to the callout and cancelled. I was informed that they would contact the vendor and process my credit as I had prepaid the $60 callout fee. It has now been 12 days with numerous lengthy calls and still no credit. I recommend only paying the vendor on the day of the callout and not prior to avoid this situation.” — Renee M on August 7, 2019
If you’re still on the fence about OneGuard, compare it to other top home warranty providers in the industry:
OneGuard Compared to the Competition
| Provider | OneGuard Home Warranty | American Home Shield |
|---|---|---|
| Get a free quote | Not offered by This Old House | Visit Site |
| Plan options | 3 + add-ons | 3 + add-ons |
| Monthly premium | $32–$59 | $40–$58 |
| Deductible | $75 | $75–$125 |
Our Conclusion
The This Old House Reviews Team rated OneGuard Home Warranty a 9.4/10. Though it provides extensive coverage at an affordable price, it’s only available in three states. If you’re a homeowner who doesn’t live in Arizona, Nevada, or Texas, we recommend American Home Shield.
Ultimately, we think that American Home Shield is the best overall. Here are just a few reasons why we believe American Home Shield is one of the best home warranty companies available:
- Offers three plan types to choose from for added flexibility
- Operates in 49 states, all except Alaska
- Has been in business since 1971, making it the oldest home warranty provider in the industry
- Lets customers select their own service fee ($75, $100, or $125)
- Claims to answer service requests within 24 hours, 98% of the time
AHS also has a network of more than 15,000 licensed contractors and professionals throughout the United States to perform necessary repairs and replacements when important home items break down.
Here’s how American Home Shield stacks up against OneGuard Home Warranties.
American Home Shield vs. OneGuard Home Warranty
| Provider | American Home Shield | OneGuard Home Warranties |
|---|---|---|
| Sample Service Contract Provided | Yes | Yes |
| Number of Plans | 3 | 3 |
| Monthly Premium | $40–$58 | $32–$59 |
| Optional Add-Ons | Yes | Yes |
| # of States Covered | 49 | 3 |
| Excluded States | Alaska | All but Arizona, Texas, and Nevada |
| Waiting Period | 30 Days | 30 Days |
| Service Fee | $75, $100, or $125 | $75 |
| Years in Business | Since 1971 | Since 1990 |
| BBB Accredited | Yes | Yes |
| BBB Rating | B | A+ |
If you’d like to get a free quote from American Home Shield, call 844-529-9298 or fill out an online form.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
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