Sears Protect Home Warranty Review (2023)
Prospective and current Sears home appliance owners have the option to cover their appliances using a Sears warranty plan or a third-party company. Sears Home Services launched Sears Protect in June 2023, which offers different coverage than its previous version. This guide will walk you through its appliance coverage plans, pricing, and customer reviews. It will also help you determine if Sears Protect is the best home warranty company for you and your home.
Pros and Cons of Sears Protect Home Warranty
Sears Protect offers comprehensive coverage limits for covered appliances and systems. However, it isn’t available in all states. Here are some pros and cons of Sears Protect plans:
Sears Protect Home Warranty Plans and Coverage
Sears Home Services, the division of Sears that provides home warranty plans, appliance repairs, and other services, offers four plans: the Appliance Plan, HVAC Plan, System Plan, and Whole Home Plan. Sears Protect only covers appliances in the Appliance and Whole Home plans. Both plans cover essential major appliances, such as built-in microwaves, cooktops, clothes washers and dryers, dishwashers, ovens, ranges, and refrigerators.
The table below outlines the covered items under each Sears Protect plan:
Coverage
| Coverage | Appliance Plan | HVAC Plan | System Plan | Whole Home Plan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Air conditioner |
– |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
|
Built-in microwave |
✓ |
– |
– |
✓ |
|
Ceiling fans |
– |
– |
✓ |
✓ |
|
Dishwasher |
✓ |
– |
– |
✓ |
|
Doorbell system |
– |
– |
✓ |
✓ |
|
Clothes dryer |
✓ |
– |
– |
✓ |
|
Clothes washer |
✓ |
– |
– |
✓ |
|
Electrical system |
– |
– |
✓ |
✓ |
|
Garage door opener |
– |
– |
✓ |
✓ |
|
Garbage disposal |
✓ |
– |
– |
✓ |
|
Heating system |
– |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
|
Instant hot and cold water dispenser |
✓ |
– |
– |
✓ |
|
Plumbing system |
– |
– |
✓ |
✓ |
|
Range hood |
✓ |
– |
– |
✓ |
|
Range or cooktop |
✓ |
– |
– |
✓ |
|
Refrigerator |
✓ |
– |
– |
✓ |
|
Smoke detectors |
– |
– |
✓ |
✓ |
|
Trash compactor |
✓ |
– |
– |
✓ |
|
Wall oven |
✓ |
– |
– |
✓ |
|
Water heater |
– |
– |
✓ |
✓ |
|
Water softener |
– |
– |
✓ |
✓ |
Sears Protect includes coverage for items regardless of age and unknown preexisting conditions.
Optional Add-ons
Sears Protect doesn’t offer coverage add-ons. It does, however, include additional benefits that other home warranties don’t. For example, it offers a 25% discount on repairs by a Sears technician for a non-covered appliance or system, a free refrigerator water filter every year, and more.
Coverage Exclusions
Sears Protect plans don’t include optional coverage options. Sears Protect doesn’t offer a discounted automobile oil change at Sears Auto Centers; its discontinued version of coverage did.
All four plans have an aggregate coverage limit of $12,000 per policy term. For appliances, it provides a $3,500 coverage cap per claim. For systems, it grants up to $6,000 per claim. Our research shows that Sears Protect provides higher coverage limits for both appliances and systems compared to other home warranty providers. The average appliance limit is $2,000. The average system limit is $2,500.
Coverage Term Length
Sears Protect coverage begins 30 days after purchasing a plan. Policy terms last 12 months and automatically renew at the end of the term. Sears Protect will notify you 30 days before your term ends if any plan cost or coverage changes occur.
Sears Protect Home Warranty Pricing
A company representative provided pricing information for each plan offering using a Hutto, Texas, address. Our team also pulled a custom quote for a 2,246-square-foot, single-family home in Austin, Texas. However, our quote only displayed pricing information for the Appliance Plan. Your pricing and plan availability may vary based on your location and plan selections.
We discovered you could choose to pay a monthly or annual premium for your Sears Protect plan. Below are the monthly prices for each protection plan:
- Appliance Plan: $56.99
- HVAC Plan: $36.99 per month
- System Plan: $66.99 per month
- Whole Home Plan: $76.99 per month
Service Fees
Sears Protect assigns a $100 service call fee, or deductible, to each coverage plan it offers. According to our research pulling quotes from dozens of home warranty companies, the industry average service fee is $75. The Sears Protect service call fee is slightly higher than the industry average.
How to File a Sears Protect Home Warranty Claim
To file a claim and keep track of its status, use the Sears Protect Home Hub portal to log into your account. Call 419-558-4893 to request service or schedule a preventative maintenance visit.
Sears Protect Home Warranty Reviews
Sears Home Services currently doesn’t hold accreditation or a rating with the Better Business Bureau (BBB). After analyzing consumer reviews from third-party review sites such as Trustpilot, we found that customers enjoyed the knowledgeable and professional service technicians that Sears sends. However, others disliked the company’s delayed claims resolution.
Here are a few positive reviews from current Sears Home Services customers:
“The repair tech called to confirm my appointment showed up early in the day, reset my washer and ran a test load, and was finished in about 30 minutes. The experience was great.” — Marie D., Jul. 5, 2023, on Trustpilot
“Service was prompt (within 24 hours), and the technician found the issues quickly and interfaced with the home insurance company with estimates for repair and replacement. He was prepared with all the needed tools and very knowledgeable about appliance repair. I was surprised how quick the process was.” — Kenneth L., Jun. 21, 2023, on Trustpilot
Here are some negative consumer reviews:
“We still haven’t had our washer fixed. We paid for a warranty for nothing and the service call, and the technician never returned. Doesn’t respond to messages about a part that was supposedly found to be ordered? Five weeks without a washing machine. And of course, there are no real people at any customer service phone number line.” — Trace G., Jun. 22, 2023, on Best Company
“I had been using Sears Protection plan for years. And it was really good. But for the past two years, it has been a total headache. Five techs came out to check/repair my refrigerator. But they couldn’t take the word of a third-party tech who they sent out three of the five times about whether my refrigerator could be repaired or replaced. After about three months, I received a replaced refrigerator. And after three months, it stopped cooling, and the freezer stopped working. Again, so far, three techs have been out, and I’m waiting for one of the two parts that was replaced three days ago. So we can’t keep food in the fridge. So needless to say, I’m very disappointed in Sears.” — Hellen K., Jun. 05, 2023, on Best Company
Our Conclusion
A Sears Protect home warranty plan offers comprehensive coverage and unique perks, such as free preventative checks for your heating and cooling systems. Compared to other top home warranty providers, Sears Protect is a solid choice. Its 180-day workmanship guarantee, $100 service call fee, and $12,000 aggregate coverage cap meet or exceed industry standards.
However, Sears Protect limits plan availability based on your location, and it charges higher monthly premiums compared to other providers. We recommend pulling quotes from three providers to compare coverage options and costs before signing up.
The Best Home Warranty Companies
Sears Protect offers competitive coverage, but it isn’t available in all locations. Therefore, we recommend American Home Shield, Liberty Home Guard, and Select Home Warranty.
| Best For | Monthly Cost | Service Fee | BBB Rating | Link | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Liberty Home Guard | | Best Customer Ratings | $49–$59 | $65–$125 | A | VISIT SITE |
| American Home Shield | | Best for Comprehensive Coverage | $49–$109 | $100–$125 | B | VISIT SITE |
| Select Home Warranty |  | Best Value | $44–$47 | $60–$75 | B- | VISIT SITE |
| AFC Home Club |  | Best for Customization | $34–$53 | $75–$125 | B | VISIT SITE |
| First American Home Warranty |  | Best Appliance Coverage | $42–$82 | $75–$125 | B | VISIT SITE |
| Elite Home Warranty |  | Flexible Coverage | $55–$75 | $70 | A | VISIT SITE |
| Cinch Home Services |  | Best Additional Perks | $47–$64 | $100–$150 | B | VISIT SITE |
| 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty |  | Cheapest Appliances Plan | $22–$74 | $65–$100 | A- | VISIT SITE |
| Liberty Home Guard | |
|---|---|
| Logo |
|
| Best For | Best Customer Ratings |
| Monthly Cost | $49–$59 |
| Service Fee | $65–$125 |
| BBB Rating | A |
| American Home Shield | |
|---|---|
| Logo |
|
| Best For | Best for Comprehensive Coverage |
| Monthly Cost | $49–$109 |
| Service Fee | $100–$125 |
| BBB Rating | B |
| Select Home Warranty | |
|---|---|
| Logo |
|
| Best For | Best Value |
| Monthly Cost | $44–$47 |
| Service Fee | $60–$75 |
| BBB Rating | B- |
| AFC Home Club | |
|---|---|
| Logo |
|
| Best For | Best for Customization |
| Monthly Cost | $34–$53 |
| Service Fee | $75–$125 |
| BBB Rating | B |
| First American Home Warranty | |
|---|---|
| Logo |
|
| Best For | Best Appliance Coverage |
| Monthly Cost | $42–$82 |
| Service Fee | $75–$125 |
| BBB Rating | B |
| Elite Home Warranty | |
|---|---|
| Logo |
|
| Best For | Flexible Coverage |
| Monthly Cost | $55–$75 |
| Service Fee | $70 |
| BBB Rating | A |
| Cinch Home Services | |
|---|---|
| Logo |
|
| Best For | Best Additional Perks |
| Monthly Cost | $47–$64 |
| Service Fee | $100–$150 |
| BBB Rating | B |
| 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty | |
|---|---|
| Logo |
|
| Best For | Cheapest Appliances Plan |
| Monthly Cost | $22–$74 |
| Service Fee | $65–$100 |
| BBB Rating | A- |
While we recommend each company listed above, American Home Shield is our top pick. It has three extensive coverage plans with more coverage availability. Its plans generally cost between $64 and $75 per month.
Its ShieldSilver™ plan covers 14 essential home systems. Its ShieldGold™ plan covers 23 systems and appliances, including rekeying services and air filter discounts. Its ShieldPlatinum™ plan is its most comprehensive plan, covering 23 systems and appliances and roof-leak repairs and increasing appliance limits to $4,000 per claim.
Additionally, American Home Shield allows homeowners to pick their service fee—$100 or $125. A higher service fee lowers your monthly premium with AHS. The $100 service fee for the Sears Whole Home Plan doesn’t correspond to a reduced monthly premium.
Fill out the American Home Shield quote form or call 844-529-9298 to get a free quote.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are factory warranties?
Factory warranties are the first step in protecting your appliances. Every appliance has a factory warranty that protects your purchase for a limited time. After that warranty expires, you can purchase another limited warranty to extend that coverage.
Limited warranty coverage can change depending on the appliance you want to protect. You can find the warranty details for your appliance by looking at the owner’s manual that came with it or by visiting the company website and searching for the model number.
How does a home warranty work?
When home warranty coverage begins, your home warranty provider will handle repairs and replacements when a system or appliance breaks down from normal wear and tear. In the event of a breakdown, your warranty provider will send an approved, pre-screened technician to repair or replace the part. You’re responsible for paying your service call fee (typically $75–$125 per claim).
What do home warranties cover?
In general, home warranties cover major systems and appliances that break down due to normal wear and tear. If the item was in good working order when it broke down, the home warranty should cover all repair and replacement costs, as outlined in the contract.
What does the Sears Protection Agreement cover?
The Sears Protection Agreement covers manufacturer’s defects, normal wear and tear, and cosmetic defects. With this agreement, customers will receive unlimited warranty service and no deductibles.
Can I cancel a Sears Protection Agreement?
Our Rating Methodology
The This Old House Reviews Team backs up our home warranty ratings and recommendations with a detailed rating methodology to objectively score each provider. We conduct research by speaking with company representatives, requesting quotes, analyzing sample contracts from each company, and conducting focus groups and consumer surveys. We then score each provider against our review standards for coverage, value, trustworthiness and transparency, availability, and customer service to arrive at a final score on a 5-point rating scale.
To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our Reviews Team at reviews@thisoldhousereviews.com.
