A.B. May Home Warranty was founded in Kansas City, Missouri, by Aleda and Bill Posladek. Initially a furnace company, it later became one of the pioneers in the home warranty industry. Today, A.B. May serves thousands of homeowners throughout the Kansas City metro area.
In this review, we examine A.B. May Home Warranty’s service plans, coverage options, pricing, and customer feedback to help you determine if it’s the right home warranty provider for your needs. We will also compare it to top nationwide providers to see how it stacks up overall.
Pros and Cons of A.B. May Home Warranty
Compare the pros and cons of A.B. May Home Warranty below:
Pros
- Family-owned and operated business with a network of trained technicians
- Has a 24-hour emergency response
- Free cancellation within 30 days of signing up
Cons
- Only services homeowners in the Kansas City area
- Has lower coverage limits than some other top providers
A.B. May Home Warranty Plans and Coverage
A.B. May Home Warranty offers three homeowner plans: the Bronze Plan, the Silver Plan, and the Gold Plan. Both plans cover major systems and appliances, including HVAC systems, electrical, and plumbing. The Gold Plan adds home appliance protection for essential items such as dishwashers and ovens.
Each plan includes up to $2,000 of coverage for repairs or replacements. This is slightly lower than top providers such as American Home Shield, which offers plans with $2,000–$5,000 limits.
The chart below displays the items covered by the three homeowner plans:
| Coverage | Bronze | Silver | Gold |
|---|---|---|---|
| HVAC system check | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| HVAC system check (second system) | $5 per month | ✔ | ✔ |
| Plumbing system check | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Electrical system check | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Drain system check | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Heating (up to two systems) | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Cooling (up to two systems) | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Thermostats | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Humidifiers | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Refrigerant | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Drain stoppages | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Water heater | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Laundry box and hoses | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Pressure regulators | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Faucets | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Shower heads | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Whirlpool motors and pump assemblies | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Toilets | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Sump pumps | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Water service lines | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Pipes | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Garbage disposals | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Gas lines | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Electrical panels, wiring, breakers, and fuses | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Electrical outlets, GFI outlets, and switches | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Ceiling and whole house fans | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Hardwired doorbells | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Central vacuums | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Dishwasher | ✔ | ||
| Range | ✔ | ||
| Range hood/downdraft and warming drawer | ✔ | ||
| Trash compactor | ✔ | ||
| Built-in microwave oven | ✔ | ||
| Oven/cooktop | ✔ |
Customers can also enhance their plans with optional coverage for additional home systems and appliances. The company doesn’t include common add-on options such as well protection, water softeners, or pool coverage.
Below is a full list of available optional coverage and the costs associated with adding these items to a 12-month plan:
| Plan | Add-On Coverage | Monthly Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Bronze Plan | Additional heating and cooling system (after first) | $5 |
| HVAC cleaning (includes one system) | $10 | |
| Silver or Gold Plans | Additional heating and cooling system (after second) | $14 |
| Additional water heater | $7 | |
| Backup sump pumps (excludes batteries) | $7 | |
| Electronic air cleaners | $5 | |
| HVAC cleaning (up to two systems) | $10 | |
| Additional HVAC cleaning | $10 | |
| Sewage ejectors (inside foundation only) | $12 | |
| Steam humidifiers (includes maintenance) | $15 | |
| Tankless or power vent water heaters | $9 | |
| UV lights (excludes bulbs) | $5 | |
| Zone controls (excludes boiler) | $17 | |
| Gold Plan Only | Add-on appliances (refrigerator, washer, dryer, range or oven/cooktop, dishwasher, or freestanding freezer) | $10 |
| Refrigerator and laundry package (includes one refrigerator, washer, and dryer) | $21 | |
| Second kitchen package (includes one dishwasher, range or oven/cooktop, built-in microwave, trash compactor, range hood/downdraft, and warming drawer) | $21 | |
| All Plans | Boiler | $8 |
| Humidifier maintenance | $5 | |
| Steam humidifier maintenance | $11 |
Coverage Exclusions
A.B. May Home Warranty excludes coverage for compactors, range hoods, downdrafts, warming drawers, and add-on appliances such as refrigerators, washing machines, dryers, and freestanding freezers unless purchased as an add-on. Additional exclusions that may result in claim denial include the following conditions:
- Code violations, required upgrades, preexisting mechanical failures, and concealed damage
- Costs for accessing repairs, obtaining permits, and installing customer-supplied fixtures
- Damage from improper installation, misuse, neglect, pests, weather events, or power surges
- Cosmetic defects, missing parts, accessories, batteries, light bulbs, and structural repairs
- WiFi-connected components, foundation repairs, mold, hazardous materials, and insect treatments
- Coverage applies only to single-family residences, excluding mobile homes, detached garages, and outbuildings
- Replacement items are builder-grade and may not match the original color, finish, or brand
How Much Does A.B. May Home Warranty Cost?
A.B. May Home Warranty is generally affordable compared to many other home warranty providers, ranging between $8 and $70 per month, depending on your plan selections. Since the Bronze Plan only includes system servicing, it has the lowest costs. Generally, the company’s pricing aligns with the average home warranty costs, which range between $47 and $82.
Here’s a breakdown of A.B. May’s customizable pricing:
| Plan | Monthly Cost | Service Call Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Bronze Plan | $8 | $75 |
| Silver Plan | $60 | $75 |
| Gold Plan | $70 | $75 |
A.B. May Home Warranty charges a standard service fee of $75, which applies to each repair appointment.
Final pricing will depend on the location and size of your house, as well as the coverage plan you choose. Because of this, we recommend calling A.B. May Home Warranty at 816-763-3330 or filling out a simple online form to get an accurate quote.
How Do You File a Claim with A.B. May Home Warranty?
A.B. May Home Warranty provides two ways for customers to file a claim. You can either call one of a company customer service specialist, or you can schedule a service request online and get an instant confirmation, which is ideal for when you need a quick turnover on repairs or replacements.
Not only does A.B. May Home Warranty carefully screen its technicians, the company provides them with constant education and training to ensure quality service. After your home service is complete, the company emphasizes that it will make it right if you’re not satisfied with the work.
A.B. May Home Warranty Reviews
A.B. May Home Warranty has an A+ rating and is accredited with the Better Business Bureau (BBB). The company has an average of 4.6 out of 5 stars based on nearly 300 customer reviews as of this writing.
- A.B. May customers praise the company’s technicians for their professionalism, thoroughness, and effective problem-solving skills, highlighting their ability to tackle complex issues and provide clear communication about the work needed and associated costs.
Here’s a sampling of A.B. May Home Warranty reviews:
“I have an old house. Mark was outstanding at solving my electrical problem and rewiring/installing my bedroom ceiling fan that was messed up by previous electricians from another company. Mark was courteous, professional, and thorough. He clearly explained what needed to be done and has left me completely satisfied. Thank you, Mark and A.B. May.” —Jim D. via the BBB on March 17, 2020
“I needed a new garbage disposal. David W. from A.B. May came out and went right to work. My disposal was very old and needed to be replaced. He told me upfront what would work and how much it would cost. Very professional and did a great job. New one works well and looks good too!” —Anne M. via the BBB on Feb. 23, 2020
Is A.B. Warranty Right for Your Home?
A.B. May Home Warranty is a good option if you need an affordable home warranty plan in Kansas City. Its mid-range coverage limits provide solid protection but fall short of some of competitors. However, the company’s limited service area makes it unsuitable for those seeking coverage elsewhere.
We recommend considering nationwide providers instead. Some top home warranty companies, including Liberty Home Guard, American Home Shield, Choice Home Warranty, and Elite Home Warranty, offer comprehensive coverage, competitive pricing, and strong customer service.
Check out these articles for more information on our recommended providers:
- Liberty Home Guard Review
- American Home Shield Review
- Choice Home Warranty Review
- Elite Home Warranty Review
You can also check our review of the best home warranty companies in Missouri for other state-specific provider recommendations.
Our Rating Methodology
We created a comprehensive rating methodology to assess each home warranty company. Our research includes discussions with company representatives, obtaining quotes, analyzing sample contracts, and conducting surveys and focus groups with homeowners. In addition, we purchased plans from 11 leading home warranty companies to evaluate their claims processes.
We evaluated each provider based on six key factors important to homeowners’ decision-making process. Each score is out of a total of 100 points, which corresponds to a 5-star rating.
Here’s a breakdown of our scoring factors:
- Coverage: We evaluated the extent of coverage provided by each company, focusing on whether a provider protects unique or high-value items. Companies with the most comprehensive coverage and highest annual limits received the best scores, while those with lengthy waiting periods or depreciation clauses lost points.
- Cost: Our team analyzed monthly pricing and service call fees compared to industry standards. Companies offering competitive pricing and transparent fees earned the highest scores.
- Trustworthiness: We reviewed customer ratings from sources such as the BBB and Trustpilot, along with company responses to complaints. Membership in the National Home Service Contract Association (NHSCA) and robust workmanship guarantees led to higher scores. In contrast, ongoing legal issues resulted in deductions from these scores.
- Plan transparency: Contract terms, policies, and disclosures were examined for clarity. Companies that provide straightforward, easily understandable agreements received higher scores.
- Customer support: We assessed the options for filing claims, response times, and overall accessibility. Companies with multiple support channels and expedited claims processing performed the best in our review.
- Flexibility: Plan variety, add-on availability, technician selection policies, and cancellation terms were considered for this category. Providers offering more customization and consumer-friendly policies earned the highest scores.
