America’s Preferred Home Warranty (APHW) is a fairly new home warranty company based in Jackson, Michigan. It offers coverage in every state except California. Its unique claims process allows you to choose your own licensed and bonded service provider, giving you more control over who works inside your home.
After analyzing America’s Preferred Home Warranty, our team determined that it did not make our list of the best home warranty companies. The company offers budget-friendly plans and a 24/7 customer service line. However, it lacks flexible plan options, which may not suit you if you need an appliance-only or systems-only plan.
Our Take on America’s Preferred Home Warranty
America’s Preferred Home Warranty earned 4 out of 5 stars in our in-depth rating methodology. The company covers many of the standard home appliances and systems other companies provide coverage for, and it offers flexible service call fees. During our secret-shopping process, we found that it allows you to choose your own service provider whenever a covered item breaks down, which is a feature many other brands don’t offer.
APHW lost points in our rating system because of its limited flexibility regarding coverage options. It offers two coverage plans, fewer than many of our top-rated brands. The company has mixed reviews on third-party review sites, such as the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and Trustpilot. Its quote process is on the longer side, requiring a few extra steps to see pricing information.
Overall, APHW is worth considering if you prefer working with service providers you already know. If you don’t like APHW’s lack of plan customization, check out American Home Shield. American Home Shield offers more plans and better payouts for repairs and replacements.
We Recommend America’s Preferred Home Warranty If You:
- Are on a tight budget
- Own a home with newer appliances and systems
- Prefer to use a service technician you’ve used in the past
We Don’t Recommend America’s Preferred Home Warranty If You:
- Need an appliance-only or systems-only plan
- Want access to a wide variety of add-ons
- Live in California
America’s Preferred Home Warranty Coverage
Our team requested a quote from America’s Preferred Home Warranty and found that it provides two home protection plans: Enhanced and Legacy. Both plans cover a mix of home systems and appliances. In addition, APHW offers a Premier Coverage add-on.
The company offers a 30-day workmanship guarantee for all major system and appliance repairs. This guarantee covers any breakdown that happens after APHW has serviced an item, as long as it breaks down within 30 days. We detail each plan below.
Core Plans
APHW’s standard plan is its Legacy Plan. This plan covers 21 home systems and appliances, including air conditioning systems and built-in dishwashers. It doesn’t include coverage for clothes washers, dryers, and extended pipe leaks. AMPH’s second coverage plan is the Enhanced Plan. It includes all items listed in the Legacy Plan, plus coverage for clothes washers, dryers, and extended pipe leaks.
The table below shows the various coverage options AMPH includes in its home protection plans:
| Coverage | Legacy Plan | Enhanced Plan |
|---|---|---|
| Air conditioners | ✔ | ✔ |
| Built-in exhaust/vent/attic fans | ✔ | ✔ |
| Built-in jetted tub motor and components | ✘ | ✘ |
| Built-in microwaves | ✔ | ✔ |
| Ceiling fans | ✘ | ✘ |
| Clothes dryers | ✘ | ✔ |
| Clothes washers | ✘ | ✔ |
| Dishwashers | ✔ | ✔ |
| Doorbells and chimes | ✘ | ✘ |
| Ductwork | ✔ | ✔ |
| Exterior water and sewer lines | ✔ | ✔ |
| Faucets and valves | ✔ | ✔ |
| Garage-door openers | ✔ | ✔ |
| Garbage disposals | ✔ | ✔ |
| Heating units | ✘ | ✘ |
| Instant hot/cold water dispensers | ✔ | ✔ |
| Interior electrical lines | ✔ | ✔ |
| Interior plumbing lines | ✔ | ✔ |
| Main breaker and fuse panel box | ✘ | ✘ |
| Plumbing stoppages | ✔ | ✔ |
| Permanently installed primary sump pump | ✔ | ✔ |
| Ranges/cooktops | ✔ | ✔ |
| Refrigerators | ✔ | ✔ |
| Roof-leak repairs | ✔ | ✔ |
| Ovens | ✔ | ✔ |
| Septic systems | ✔ | ✔ |
| Toilets | ✔ | ✔ |
| Water heaters | ✔ | ✔ |
Add-Ons
America’s Preferred Home Warranty offers a solid list of optional add-ons to boost the coverage on its standard plans. For example, it offers the Preferred Upgrade add-on, which covers ceiling fans, lighting fixtures, and cosmetic components of your HVAC system. However, other brands—such as Liberty Home Guard—offer more add-on coverage for unique items.
Note that AMPH offers two sets of add-ons depending on which plan you purchase. Below is the list of optional coverage available for the Legacy Plan:
- Additional refrigerators
- Clothes washer and dryer
- Gas fireplace
- Jetted bathtub
- Preferred Upgrade
- Salt-water pool and spa
- Sprinkler system
- Standard pool and spa
- Termite control
- Water softener
The Enhanced Plan offers all the add-ons available in the Legacy Plan, except for clothes washers, dryers, and jetted bathtubs, because it covers these items in the plan.
The Fine Print
When considering a home warranty, we recommend finding out how much the provider will pay for the repair costs of your home items. Reputable home warranty companies provide access to this information in their service contracts, which you can find online or by request.
America’s Preferred Home Warranty openly displays its sample contract on its website. It offers solid coverage limits for covered appliances and systems, but we found that these limits are on the lower end. For example, AMPH covers up to $500 total for washer and dryer protection. Other brands, like American Home Shield, cover up to $4,000 for washer and dryer repairs.
America’s Preferred Home Warranty Cost
America’s Preferred Home Warranty plans are more affordable than industry-standard home warranty costs. Below, we review the provider’s plan and add-on costs.
Plan Cost
APHW pairs each of its plans with two service call fees—or deductibles—that raise or lower your monthly premium. The higher the service call fee, the less you pay on your premium. APHW also offers annual premiums for its plans if you prefer paying a yearly fee.
The table below displays the estimated monthly cost for each APHW plan.
| Plan | Monthly Cost With $50 Service Call Fee | Monthly Cost With $100 Service Call Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Legacy Plan | $52.07 | $47.91 |
| Enhanced Plan | $60.58 | $56.32 |
Add-on Costs
We also gathered pricing information for APHW’s optional add-ons, which we displayed below.
| Add-On Coverage | Cost per Add-On |
|---|---|
| Additional refrigerators | $4.17 |
| Clothes washer and dryer | $7.92 |
| Gas fireplace | $4.17 |
| Jetted bathtub | $10.42 |
| Preferred Upgrade | $11.67 |
| Pool and spa | $15.42 |
| Salt-water pool and spa | $28.75 |
| Sprinkler system | $4.17 |
| Termite Control | $4.17 |
| Water softener | $7.92 |
Discounts
While secret-shopping on America’s Preferred Home Warranty’s website, we didn’t find any available discounts for its monthly or annual premiums. That said, the company does provide free identity theft protection once you sign up for a protection plan.
Comparing America’s Preferred Home Warranty to Other Top Providers
The table below compares key metrics, including monthly costs, service fees, and BBB ratings, of the other top home warranty companies that we’ve reviewed. We used our in-depth rating methodology to determine each company’s star rating.
| Company | Our Rating | Monthly Plan Cost | Service Fee Cost | BBB Rating* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
$36–$100 | $100–$125 | B | ||
$60–$68 | $100 | B | ||
$77–$130 | $100–$125 | B | ||
$45–$60 | $70 ($150 for after hours and weekends) | B | ||
$44–$82 | $75–$125 | B | ||
$57–$68 | $65–$125 | NR | ||
$54–$63 | $50–$100 | A+ |
*BBB ratings are accurate as of March 2025.
**NR, or “No Rating,” indicates that the BBB has not issued a rating due to an ongoing review or update to a company’s profile.
Customer Reviews: Reddit, Trustpilot, and More
America’s Preferred Home Warranty has an A+ rating and a star rating of 2.98 out of 5 on the BBB. Customers on BBB have mixed experiences with the provider. Some reported that APHW provides professional customer service. However, others stated that the company denied claims and refused to cancel their policies.
Our team also reviewed dozens of user comments on Reddit to gain more insights into APHW’s customer experience. These users also reported mixed experiences with the company. Several users stated that they liked APHW’s claims process, especially the ability to use their preferred contractor. Others were frustrated with the provider’s coverage limits.
Here are reviews from two Reddit users:
“I like APHW because they let you use your own contractor/plumber/HVAC person.”
“[APHW] attempted to avoid covering the costly replacement of my HVAC AC unit, which malfunctioned within the first year of homeownership. The coverage was clearly stated in the policy, yet they denied my claim and subsequent appeal.”
Our Experience With America’s Preferred Home Warranty
Our team simulated the customer experience by secret-shopping on America’s Preferred Home Warranty’s website. We then spoke with a customer service representative for information about protection plans and reviewed the company’s quote process using its online quote tool.
Signing Up
You can sign up for an APHW protection plan by calling or using its online quote tool. The quote tool is easy to use and asks for basic contact information, such as your name, phone number, email address, and physical address. Once you enter and submit your information, APHW automatically sends your quote via email. In addition, a sales representative calls you directly after a few minutes to discuss signing up.
While the quote process is straightforward, we didn’t like the extra steps you need to take in order to see how much each plan costs. Other brands provide an immediate quote online after you submit your information. However, the extra steps are a minor inconvenience.
Filing Claims
APHW has an easy claims process that can be performed online through the company’s website or over the phone. Here are the steps to file a claim:
- Start a claim on the APHW website and receive a claim number.
- Call a licensed contractor of your choice to diagnose the problem.
- Once the contractor is at your door, call APHW for phone approval. Failure to abide by this guideline may result in denial of the claim.
- An America’s Preferred Home Warranty representative will determine coverage and, if approved, initiate payment.
America’s Preferred Home Warranty claims that they will immediately pay for a repair or replacement over the phone via credit card, send a check to the contractor, or reimburse a plan holder within 14 business days.
Advice From a Homeowner
While we weren’t able to speak with a homeowner who owns a policy with America’s Preferred Home Warranty directly, we did gather insights from homeowners who own a home warranty plan. Paul D., a homeowner from Cincinnati, stated that his home warranty was worth the investment. Here’s what he had to say:
“I have found that having one can really take the sting out of those unexpected home repair costs. Last year, my AC unit went down in the middle of a heatwave, and thanks to the warranty, I had it fixed without dipping into my savings.”
He also mentioned that home warranties may take longer than you expect to fix an issue, depending on certain factors: “There is also the matter of service quality and speed. Sometimes, you are at the mercy of the warranty company’s schedule, which can mean delays in getting your home back to normal.”
Is America’s Preferred Home Warranty Worth It?
We find that America’s Preferred Home Warranty is a solid home warranty provider that’s worth considering, especially if you have service providers you already prefer using. The company covers many common items in your home at budget-friendly prices. However, we found that its per-item payouts are lower for some critical items, such as your water heater. It also doesn’t offer appliance- or system-only plans, meaning you’ll pay to cover items you may not need protection for.
We recommend checking out American Home Shield if you need system-only plans or more comprehensive protection. Regardless of which provider you choose, request three quotes from different companies before signing up to compare costs, plan options, and workmanship guarantees.
FAQs About America’s Preferred Home Warranty
What does America’s Preferred Home Warranty cover?
America’s Preferred Home Warranty covers a mix of home appliances and built-in systems, such as central air conditioning, electrical systems, garbage disposals, and cooktops. The company also covers additional items, including sump pumps, pools, and water softeners.
How is a home warranty different from a homeowners insurance policy?
A home insurance policy covers items in your home damaged by theft, fire, or storms. A home warranty policy covers items in your home that fail due to normal wear and tear. Having both policies in place could save you significant repairs because they provide complementary coverage.
Does America’s Preferred Home Warranty have any exclusions?
Yes, like most home warranties, America’s Preferred Home Warranty has exclusions and limitations for its protection plans. For example, the company won’t accept claims during the first 30 days of owning a policy. It also doesn’t cover missing parts or damage to covered items caused by fire, smoke, water damage, storms, or other weather conditions.
Are home warranties worth the cost?
Each situation is different. A home warranty is worth it for someone who can’t afford an expensive appliance or home system repair. Depending on what items break down and what coverage you have, a home warranty can save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars in home repairs.
How We Evaluated Home Warranty Providers
We use a detailed rating methodology to objectively score each home warranty company we review. We conduct research by speaking with company representatives, requesting quotes, analyzing sample contracts, and running focus groups and homeowner surveys.
We use this information to score each provider in six comparison categories that we think are most important when choosing a home warranty. We rate each provider across 23 factors within those categories. Each factor is assigned a point value based on its importance to a homeowner, totaling 100 points. We convert the final scores to a 5-star rating.
Here’s a breakdown of our weighted factors:
- Coverage (35%): This category looked at how comprehensive each provider’s coverage was, including whether they cover unique items. Companies that cover the most items and have higher annual limits received the highest scores. We docked points from providers that impose long waiting periods or have depreciation policies that decrease your payouts for aging items.
- Cost (20%): We looked at average monthly prices and service call fees. We gave the most points to companies that offer pricing at or below the industry average and don’t impose any surcharges or extra fees.
- Trustworthiness (15%): To gauge reputation and reliability, we reviewed customer ratings across sites like the Better Business Bureau and Trustpilot, as well as companies’ responses to complaints. We also checked for National Home Service Contract Association (NHSCA) membership. Providers with the highest ratings and longest workmanship guarantees received higher scores. We deducted points for any ongoing legal issues.
- Plan transparency (10%): We read terms, policies, and disclosures in provided contracts and on each company’s website. Providers with transparent contract details and policies received more points.
- Customer support (10%): Companies with multiple claims filing options, fast response times, and accessible customer support scored well in this category.
- Flexibility (10%): We awarded more points to providers offering more plan options, larger add-on catalogs, the ability to choose your own technician, and customer-friendly cancellation policies.
