Elite Home Warranty Review
Elite Home Warranty, which was established in 2020, offers three home warranty plans that can be customized with 33 additional coverage options. Elite’s service fees are roughly $30–$55 less than those of several competitors, such as American Home Shield and Choice Home Warranty.
In addition to offering customizable plans, the company holds a strong reputation, earning a B rating and accreditation from the Better Business Bureau (BBB). However, this doesn’t mean Elite is best for everyone. Its workmanship guarantee has some limits and its coverage is restricted for air conditioning, heating systems, and water heaters. Plus, we found important information on Elite’s website to be outdated and inaccurate, which we confirmed with an Elite representative.
Our team reviewed Elite Home Warranty’s plans, add-ons, and additional perks and tested its claims process to help you decide whether it’s the right provider for you.
Our Take on Elite Home Warranty
Our team has spent over 4,800 hours researching home warranties. We’ve surveyed 2,000 homeowners, read more than 57,000 customer reviews, and reviewed 57 companies, including Elite Home Warranty. Elite’s stellar customer reviews, generous appliance and system coverage caps, and extensive list of add-ons make it one of the best home warranty companies we’ve reviewed. Its lower rates also make it a strong contender.
The company offers substantially higher coverage caps than some others. For example, American Home Shield’s coverage caps for its most comprehensive plan are up to $4,000 for appliances and up to $5,000 for systems. Elite has far higher coverage caps at $7,000 for appliances and $8,000 for systems. The higher coverage caps mean you’re less likely to have additional out-of-pocket costs.
We also like that Elite charges a flat service fee of $70 for all of its plans. Most other companies we reviewed have a range of rates, with some going up to $125–$150 per claim. When signing up for your plan, you can opt to pay $150 upfront to cover three service fee charges in the future. This is essentially like getting one service fee waived.
Incorrect Pricing Information Online
However, Elite‘s website advertises the wrong service fee ($75). The site also says you can choose your service fee amount, with the option to pay as little as $0 for up to five claims if you pay a separate fee. An Elite representative told us this information is false.
The website also claims Elite only accepts annual payments instead of monthly, which is also untrue. Having incorrect pricing information is a considerable red flag. We recommend speaking to an Elite representative to confirm pricing information.
Disadvantages of Using Elite Home Warranty
Elite plans have several important downsides to consider, including coverage limitations for air conditioning, heating systems, and water heaters for the first 90 days after you sign up. Elite won’t be responsible for repairs or replacements for those items within the first 90 days if an issue is caused by a lack of maintenance. Also, if you select your own repair technician instead of using the one Elite chooses, you don’t get the 90-day workmanship guarantee.
Another drawback is that you can’t get a quick online quote—you have to call Elite and speak to a representative to get a quote for your area. This is inconvenient for those shopping around, and Elite is the only home warranty company we reviewed that doesn’t provide online quotes.
We Recommend Elite Home Warranty if You:
- Want customizable coverage with ample add-ons
- Want high coverage caps and lower service fees
- Want a 90-day workmanship guarantee with Elite’s choice of repair technicians
We Don’t Recommend Elite Home Warranty if You:
- Have multiple professional-grade appliances (such as Miele, Sub-Zero, or Bosch), as they require a service call fee of $150
- Want to choose your own repair technician, which would forfeit Elite’s 90-day workmanship guarantee
Elite Home Warranty Coverage
Elite Home Warranty offers three coverage plans: one for appliances, one for systems, and a hybrid option that covers both appliances and systems. You can also choose a “Customize Your Own” option, which lets you pick which major systems and appliances you want covered.
Our 2025 home warranty survey of 2,000 homeowners found that 70% of respondents chose plans that offered both appliance and system coverage, so Elite’s hybrid plan could be an appealing option for most homeowners.
Below, we break down each plan’s coverage options and caps.
- Our research found the company’s sample contract varies from state to state due to different regulations. This means your coverage and limitations could change based on which state you live in. Review Elite’s service contract directory for more information on potential limitations in your state.
Core Plans
Elite Home Warranty offers three standard coverage options: Elite Appliances, Elite Systems, and Elite Complete. Elite Complete bundles Elite Appliances and Elite Systems.
Elite Appliances covers eight appliances, including the refrigerator, oven, and dishwasher. The company’s sample contract states that it provides a limit of $7,000 per one-year term for appliances. While there’s an overall annual limit, there are also limits for individual items and coverage caps per claim. For example, Elite covers dishwashers up to $1,500 per term.
Elite Systems covers nine systems, including heating, air conditioning, and plumbing. The sample contract lists $8,000 as the annual limit for systems. Similar to the appliance package, Elite has limits for each system. For example, plumbing systems are limited to $1,000 per one-year term.
Elite Complete covers all eight appliances and nine systems. The total annual limit for this plan is $15,000.
| Coverage | Elite Appliances | Elite Systems | Elite Complete |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air conditioning system | 𝗫 | ✔ | ✔ |
| Bathroom exhaust fan | 𝗫 | ✔ | ✔ |
| Built-in microwave | ✔ | 𝗫 | ✔ |
| Ceiling fans | ✔ | 𝗫 | ✔ |
| Clothes dryer | ✔ | 𝗫 | ✔ |
| Clothes washer | ✔ | 𝗫 | ✔ |
| Dishwasher | ✔ | 𝗫 | ✔ |
| Electrical system | 𝗫 | ✔ | ✔ |
| Garage door opener | 𝗫 | ✔ | ✔ |
| Garbage disposal | ✔ | 𝗫 | ✔ |
| Heating system | 𝗫 | ✔ | ✔ |
| Plumbing fixtures | 𝗫 | ✔ | ✔ |
| Plumbing stoppage | 𝗫 | ✔ | ✔ |
| Plumbing system | 𝗫 | ✔ | ✔ |
| Range/oven/cooktop | ✔ | 𝗫 | ✔ |
| Refrigerator, including ice maker and water dispenser | ✔ | 𝗫 | ✔ |
| Water heater | 𝗫 | ✔ | ✔ |
Add-Ons
Elite offers the following 33 optional home warranty add-ons. This is far more than other providers, which typically offer eight to 12 options. Elite’s coverage limit is up to $5,000 per term for all add-ons. However, similar to the other plans, there are caps for each item or system. For example, water softener coverage is capped at $750 per term.
Below are Elite’s additional coverage options, which can be added to any plan.
- ADT alarm system (includes equipment, installation, and activation)
- Attic exhaust fan
- Central vacuum
- Effluent pump
- Ejector pump
- Freestanding freezer
- Freestanding ice maker
- Freestanding spa equipment
- Generator
- Geothermal heating and cooling system
- Grinder pump
- Guest house (same coverage as the main house, with possible exclusions)
- HVAC annual maintenance
- Jetted/hot tub
- Lawn sprinkler system
- Lift pump
- Limited roof patching
- Pool and spa equipment
- Pool equipment
- Premium appliances (increased coverage limits for refrigerators, ovens, dishwashers, and microwaves)
- Premium benefits (coverage for code upgrades and modifications, crane or similar lifting services, unlimited freon coverage, and disposal of items during covered repairs and replacements, with possible exceptions)
- Premium systems (increased coverage limits for air conditioning and heating)
- Premium systems plus (increased coverage limits for air conditioning and heating)
- Septic system
- Service line (exterior sewer system and water line, with exceptions)
- Sump pump
- Swamp cooler
- Trash compactor
- Water filtration system
- Water heater annual maintenance
- Water softener
- Well pump
- Wine cooler
The Fine Print
While Elite Home Warranty offers several coverage options, its fine print outlines exclusions and limitations. For instance, you can only file a claim after a 30-day waiting period. And like most other home warranty companies, Elite only covers systems and appliances that break due to general wear and tear over time. It doesn’t cover repairs or provide replacements due to misuse or accidents (such as a fire, flood, or freezing).
Elite also excludes coverage for specific items, depending on the issue. For example, the company doesn’t cover repairs and replacements for a refrigerator’s water lines, freestanding freezer, multimedia center, or wine chiller.
Below is a screenshot from an Elite sample contract that shows limitations for its air conditioning coverage. Read through each plan’s fine print restrictions before choosing Elite.
Also, Elite’s 90-day workmanship guarantee doesn’t apply if you choose your own service provider for repairs. However, the local provider you choose may offer their own workmanship guarantee.
Elite Home Warranty Cost
Based on the quote we pulled for a 1,800-square-foot single-family home in Columbus, Ohio, Elite Home Warranty coverage costs $45–$60 per month. Its monthly premiums are near the $56 national average.
Plan Cost
The representative we spoke to said plans start at $45, $50, or $60. Elite Complete, the plan that covers both appliances and systems, is the most expensive. Your base monthly premium will typically only be substantially higher if your home is over 2,500 square feet, according to the representative. All Elite Home Warranty plans have a $70 fee for each service call.
Add-on coverage also increases your premium. However, the cost for each add-on is the same, no matter which plan you choose.
Elite Home Warranty Add-On Annual Fees
| Add-On Coverage | Cost |
|---|---|
| ADT alarm system | $65 |
| Attic exhaust fan | $70 |
| Central vacuum | $49 |
| Effluent pump | $100 |
| Ejector pump | $100 |
| Freestanding freezer | $60 |
| Freestanding ice maker | $60 |
| Freestanding spa equipment | $120 |
| Generator | $100 |
| Geothermal heating and cooling systems | $300 |
| Grinder pump | $100 |
| Guest house | $300 |
| HVAC annual maintenance | $300 |
| Jetted/hot tub | $100 |
| Lawn sprinkler system | $100 |
| Lift pump | $100 |
| Limited roof patching | $100 |
| Pool and spa equipment | $200 |
| Pool equipment | $150 |
| Premium appliances | $250 |
| Premium benefits | $200 |
| Premium systems | $300 |
| Premium systems plus | $500 |
| Septic system | $130 |
| Service line | $350 |
| Sump pump | $100 |
| Swamp cooler | $150 |
| Trash compactor | $60 |
| Water filtration system | $100 |
| Water heater annual maintenance | $150 |
| Water softener | $100 |
| Well pump | $100 |
| Wine cooler | $70 |
Discounts
As of December 2024, Elite Home Warranty was offering $150 off and the first month free for its home warranty plans. You can secure these discounts by filling out Elite’s online quote form. After you complete the online form, a sales representative will reach out.
Comparing Elite Home Warranty to Other Top Providers
We rate Elite Home Warranty 4.6 out of 5 stars for its monthly premiums, customizable coverage options, and flat service fee. Its service fee is more affordable than many other competitors’ fees.
*BBB ratings are accurate as of January 2025.
Note: NR, or “No Rating,” indicates that the BBB hasn’t issued a rating due to an ongoing review or update to a company’s profile.
Customer Reviews: Reddit, Trustpilot, and More
To get a better idea of customers’ long-term satisfaction and the potential issues with a home warranty plan from Elite Home Warranty, we read more than 100 customer reviews from sources including BBB, Reddit, and Trustpilot. Reviews are generally positive, with Elite rated 4.2 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot based on more than 100 reviews and 4.85 out of 5 stars on the BBB from more than 550 reviews.
Many reviews on each website feature positive themes such as customers praising knowledgeable customer service, an easy sign-up process, and speedy repairs. While the positive reviews far outweigh the negative, you should still take these into account. Negative reviews mention claim denials and long wait times for repairs.
Below are sample reviews from Elite Home Warranty customers:
“Jonathan sold me my warranty and did a wonderful job explaining everything. He even gave me a direct line to contact him if I ever had any problems. I did not want to write anything until I used the warranty. They sent some great guys to work on my AC unit A motor had to be replaced. The work was approved right away and the company that did the work got paid before the workers left my house. I’ve had other home warranties and nothing ever went smoothly! The AC guys even mentioned that this is the easiest company they’ve ever worked with! This was a great experience!”—Monika Bentley, via Trustpilot on July 21, 2024.
“Our microwave broke and I called the claims department in May of 2024. I had to recall them again in September because I had not heard back from them. We were away from home for the summer months, but they never called to schedule a repair day. When we got home I called again and was told that the serial number I supplied was for a counter top model and counter top models are not covered. I told them it’s built into the wall above our oven. They asked me to send a picture which I did. No response.”—Robert H, via BBB on October 18, 2024.
Our Experience With Elite Home Warranty
Our team contacted Elite Home Warranty, and the company allowed us to test its home warranty service. Our testing process involved filing a claim for a team member’s premium appliance to evaluate the company’s high-end appliance protection. We filed a claim online by filling out a form explaining our issue. Within 30 minutes, we received a call from an Elite representative. We scheduled an appointment for the following business day.
On the appointment date, an in-network technician arrived and realized our issue required out-of-stock parts. After that initial Tuesday visit, the service provider returned with the ordered parts the following Monday. We noted the in-network technician’s prompt and professional service.
We didn’t pay a service call fee since we merely tested Elite’s claims process. However, the Elite representative we spoke with clarified that it will charge you a service call fee when you file a claim.
Advice From a Homeowner
To help you pick the best home warranty plan for you, we had a team of homeowners test some of them.
We asked one of our testers, Meg B., how she felt after signing up for her home warranty plan. She said, “It’s relieving to know that I have a home warranty to help if something in my home needs to be repaired.”
“As a first-time homebuyer, I don’t have many connections with handymen or local service companies to know where to turn without having to do research first,” she said. “Having my home warranty gives me a quick solution without having to do research.”
If you feel Elite Home Warranty’s coverage fits your needs, it could be worthwhile to sign up for a plan.
Is Elite Home Warranty Worth It?
Although many home warranty companies get a bad rap, Elite Home Warranty offers several standout features that could make its coverage worthwhile. Elite offers below-industry-average costs for extensive coverage limits and add-on options. The provider also has high customer satisfaction ratings from trustworthy review websites such as Trustpilot and BBB. Another worthwhile feature is Elite’s lengthy 90-day workmanship guarantee.
However, Elite Home Warranty may not be the right company for you in certain instances. For example, if you need servicing for high-end appliances, you’d need to pay an extra $150 per claim. This would be on top of the $70 flat service fee and the monthly premium. You may want to choose a different company if you prefer to pick your service provider, as Elite doesn’t extend its workmanship guarantee on repairs completed by out-of-network technicians.
If you’re ready to purchase a home warranty plan, get a free quote by filling out Elite’s online quote form. An Elite representative will contact you shortly after you submit your request.
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 looks at how comprehensive each provider’s coverage was, including whether they cover unique items. Companies that covered the most items and had higher annual limits received the highest scores. We docked points from providers that impose long waiting periods or had 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 such as 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 deduced 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 for providers offering more plan options, larger add-on catalogs, the ability to choose your own technician, and customer-friendly cancellation policies.
To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our team at reviews@thisoldhousereviews.com.