ABC Home Warranty, founded in 1952, began as a family-owned business in central Ohio. The company, which was run by ABC Home Services, became part of the IGS family of companies in 2017. Now operating under its new brand, the company provides home warranty plans to homeowners in Georgia, Michigan, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, and Kentucky.
This review examines ABC Home Warranty’s plans, coverage, and pricing before its merger. While ABC Home Warranty is a solid choice, American Home Shield is one of our top home warranty companies due to its nationwide coverage and comprehensive protection of home systems and appliances.
ABC Home Warranty Pros and Cons
Compare the advantages and disadvantages of ABC Home Warranty below.
Pros
- No service fee, which most competitors charge
- Transparent pricing
- Sample service agreements available
Cons
- Has a limited base plan
- No add-on options for the base plan, Core Home
- Only available in Ohio
What Were ABC Home Warranty’s Plans and Coverage?
ABC Home Services offered three home warranty packages for homeowners: Core Home, Premier Home, and Premier Plus. Below, we’ve detailed the specifics about what items were covered under each plan. Note that in all three plans, the maximum coverage limit was the same for each type of product.
Plans and Coverage
| Appliances and Systems | Core Home | Premier Home | Premier Plus | Maximum Coverage Limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Attic and exhaust fans | ✓ | ✓ | $500 | |
| Boiler and furnace | ✓ | ✓ | $1,750 | |
| Central air conditioning (ducted) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | $1,750 |
| Clothes dryer | ✓ | ✓ | $500 | |
| Clothes washer | ✓ | ✓ | $500 | |
| Central vacuum system | ✓ | ✓ | $500 | |
| Dishwasher | ✓ | ✓ | $500 | |
| Garage door opener | ✓ | ✓ | $500 | |
| Garbage disposal | ✓ | ✓ | $250 | |
| Heat pump | ✓ | ✓ | $2,000 | |
| Heating systems (not pump) | ✓ | ✓ | $1,750 | |
| Inside sewer line | ✓ | |||
| Inside drain line | ✓ | ✓ | $2,000 | |
| Inside electrical system and line | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | $2,000 |
| Inside gas line | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | $2,000 |
| Inside water line | ✓ | ✓ | $2,000 | |
| Instant hot water dispenser | ✓ | ✓ | $500 | |
| Kitchen refrigerator | ✓ | ✓ | $500 | |
| Microwave oven | ✓ | ✓ | $500 | |
| Natural gas fireplace components | ✓ | ✓ | $500 | |
| Natural gas lamps | ✓ | ✓ | $500 | |
| Outside buried gas house line | ✓ | ✓ | $2,000 | |
| Outside electric line | ✓ | ✓ | $3,000 | |
| Outside sewer line | ✓ | ✓ | $8,000 | |
| Outside water line | ✓ | ✓ | $4,500 | |
| Range/oven/cooktop | ✓ | ✓ | $500 | |
| Trash compactor | ✓ | ✓ | $500 | |
| Water heater | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | $750 |
In addition to these systems and appliances, ABC Home Warranty also offered coverage for optional add-ons with the Premier and Premier Plus plans. No additional options were available for the Core plan.
- Limited roof leak protection: $750
- Pool and/or inground spa equipment: $1,500
- Well protection: $4,000
- Septic protection: $4,000
- Wet bar refrigerator, wine cooler, or ice maker: $500
The Premier Plus and Premier warranty plans included additional perks for coverage limits per each contract period:
- Building permits: $250
- Concrete access: $500
- Inspections, additions, and alterations: $500
- Removal, disposal, relocation of Items: $500
- Home seller protection: Premier Plus customers only
ABC Home Warranty Coverage Exclusions
To receive coverage, all items had to be in proper working condition before your home warranty contract was signed. Each appliance or system also had specific limitations.
ABC Home Warranty denied claims for the following conditions:
- The item was not in proper operating condition before the effective date.
- Damage resulted from improper use, accidents, handling, or faulty installation.
- The equipment was covered by a product recall, manufacturer’s warranty, or extended warranty.
- Loss or failure was caused by power surges, fire, storms, or previous improper repairs.
When equipment was beyond repair, ABC Home Warranty replaced the appliance or system with one with similar features, efficiency, and capacity. If the replacement cost exceeded the provider’s maximum limits, the planholder had to cover the difference.
How Much Did ABC Home Warranty Cost?
When purchasing a home warranty plan from ABC Home Services, you had the option to pay annually if you bought a warranty for a new home, or annually or monthly if you renewed a home warranty plan. You had to charge payments automatically to a credit card to pay monthly.
The cost of each home warranty plan depended on the plan you chose and the size of your home. Here’s a breakdown of ABC Home Warranty plan costs.
| Plan | Cost With a New Home Purchase | Annual Renewal Cost | Monthly Renewal Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Payment schedule | Annual | Annual | Monthly |
| Core Home | $420 | $420 | $35 |
| Premier Home | $495 | $495 | $41 |
| Premier Plus (home under 5,000 square feet) | $725 | $725 | $60 |
| Premier Plus (5,000–8,000 square feet) | $1,265 | $1,265 | $105 |
| Premier Plus (condominium) | $625 | $625 | $52 |
Some ABC Home Warranty plans fell below the national average home warranty cost range of $564–$984 a year, while the Premier Plus plan was slightly more expensive.
What stood out about ABC Home Services’ home warranty plans was the fact that no service fee was required. When a local technician or contractor was dispatched to your home for a repair or replacement, it was at no cost to you beyond the monthly plan cost. Typically, home warranty plans required a service fee between $75–$125 each time service is requested.
ABC Home Warranty Reviews
ABC Home Services was accredited with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) with an A+ rating. With any home warranty company, there was a mix of positive and negative reviews.
- While some customers praised ABC Home Services for its prompt contractor scheduling, others reported issues with delayed service. However, the company appeared to address negative feedback and strived to resolve problems by sending alternative contractors when necessary.
Here’s what some ABC Home Warranty customers said about the company:
“This is our third home warranty company. The first was OK, but it was through our mortgage company, which we lost when refinanced with another company. The second was awful. ABC gets a contractor in touch with you within one business day. I have nothing but good things to say about this company.”
—Lisa H. via the BBB
“Our furnace was not lighting properly. I called in the claim and waited for a week and three days for a contractor’s call that never came. I got the issue resolved myself and canceled the call. I’ve had good service from ABC in the past, but this was horrible.”
—David E. via the BBB
Here’s ABC Home Services’ response to the above-mentioned negative review:
“We apologize for the delay with the contractor scheduling service. It appears we were able to resolve the issue as we dispatched a different HVAC contractor to the home on Dec. 31, 2019 We look forward to providing a better experience in the future.”
Our Conclusion
While ABC Home Services offered home warranty plans for homeowners, we believe there are better options for people looking for more comprehensive coverage. ABC Home Services also had a limited service area that only included Ohio, preventing other U.S. residents from enrolling in its home warranty coverage. In addition, the company’s base Core plan didn’t cover essential items such as a refrigerator, oven, or central vacuum system.
Recommended Alternative: American Home Shield
We recommend American Home Shield as an alternative to ABC Home Warranty. The company offers three coverage plans to protect home appliances and major systems, with generous coverage limits of up to $4,000 for appliances and $5,000 for most systems. The company’s standout feature is its inclusion of items with preexisting conditions or issues that existed before the start of coverage. Protections extend to items with rust, sediment, or corrosion damage and damage from improper installations and modifications. For this reason, American Home Shield is a good option for homeowners with older systems and appliances.
FAQs About ABC Home Warranty
Is ABC Home Warranty still in business?
No, ABC Home Warranty is no longer in business. It became part of the IGS family of companies in 2017.
Where did ABC Home Warranty provide coverage?
ABC Home Warranty provided coverage to residents in Ohio. People who live in other states should consider nationwide companies like Choice Home Warranty or Elite Home Warranty. To learn more check out our Choice Home Warranty review and AFC Home Warranty review.
What is IGS Home?
IGS Home Warranty is a subsidiary of IGS Energy that focuses on providing insurance for utility lines and HVAC systems.
Our Rating Methodology
Our team uses a detailed rating methodology to objectively score each home warranty company we review. Our research involves speaking with company representatives, requesting quotes, analyzing sample contracts, and conducting focus groups and homeowner surveys. We also signed up for plans with 11 top home warranty companies to experience the claims process.
Using this information, we evaluated providers based on six key categories we consider most important for homeowners. Each provider received a total score of 100 points, which we then converted into a 5-star rating.
Here’s how we weighted our factors:
- Coverage: We examined how comprehensive each provider’s coverage is, including whether a company covers unique or high-value items. Providers with the most extensive coverage and higher annual limits received top scores, while those with long waiting periods or depreciation policies lost points.
- Cost: We reviewed average monthly prices and service call fees compared to industry standards. Companies offering affordable pricing with no hidden fees received higher scores.
- Trustworthiness: We assessed customer ratings from sources such as the BBB and Trustpilot to measure reputation and reliability. Providers with strong reviews, long workmanship guarantees, and no ongoing legal issues received higher scores.
- Plan transparency: We carefully examined contracts, policies, and online disclosures. Companies that clearly outline coverage and exclusions earned the most points.
- Customer support: We evaluated response times, claims filing options, and customer service accessibility. Providers with multiple support channels and fast claims processing scored higher.
- Flexibility: We considered plan variety, add-on availability, the ability to choose your own technician, and cancellation policies. Companies offering more customization and consumer-friendly terms received the highest marks.
To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our team at reviews@thisoldhousereviews.com.