Home Warranty Inc. Review (2024)

Home Warranty Inc., also known as Home Warranty of the Midwest, opened its doors in 1999 with the goal of filling the gaps left by homeowners insurance. It’s headquartered in Iowa and provides coverage across 30 states. Its plans help fund expensive repair and replacement costs of critical systems and appliances.

In this comprehensive Home Warranty Inc. review, we assess the company’s quality through several key performance indicators such as available plans, costs, coverage caps, claim filing process, customer reviews, and company reputation.

Although Home Warranty Inc. is an industry veteran, it’s not the only option on the market. Our top pick for home warranty coverage is Liberty Home Guard, which serves homeowners in all 50 states with excellent customer service.

Keep reading to determine if Home Warranty Inc. is the best home warranty for you.

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Our Take on Home Warranty Inc.

After our review of Home Warranty Inc., we gave it a rating of 8.7 out of 10. Even though it only covers 30 states nationwide, it has 21+ years of experience, flexible plan options, and “A+” rating from the BBB.

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Pros and Cons of Home Warranty Inc.

Pros

• Doesn’t limit coverage based on the square footage of your home
• Coverage starts upon payment, while many competitors have a waiting period
• Allows you to pick your own contractor

Cons

• Not available in 20 states, while many home warranty providers are nationwide
• Doesn’t run any promotions

If any of the cons listed above are deal breakers, consider getting a quote from one of our recommended home warranty companies:

Home Warranty Inc. Plans and Coverage

Home Warranty Inc. offers a total of three warranty coverage levels: the Home Protection Plan, Appliance Protection Plan, and Supplemental Home Protection Plan. Two distinctive features of Home Warranty Inc. are that, in some of its plans, policyholders have the flexibility to choose their own technician and they also have the option to take the approved repair cost and put it towards a new appliance.

Home Protection Plan

Home Warranty Inc. considers this its most popular plan. It has no limitations on square footage, which means you don’t have to pay extra even if your house is above 5,000 square feet. This package provides coverage for 20 home systems and appliances and is perfect for homeowners who want to cover the repair expenses of a healthy mix of systems and appliances.

Appliance Protection Plan

This plan is based on a la carte model, which means you can pick and choose which appliances you want to be covered. Home Warranty Inc. will pay for the entire repair cost of the appliance. If the appliance is not repairable, or if the estimated repair cost falls above its replacement value, you will be offered a replacement allowance equivalent to 100% of the money paid in the premium for that covered item. The Appliance Protection Plan is best suited for homeowners who have several well-maintained, but old, appliances in need of an upgrade.

Supplemental Home Protection Plan

This is an additional coverage plan that offers protection for 14 systems and appliances not included in the other plans. The Supplemental Home Protection Plan is best suited for long-term homeowners who want their home warranty to complement their standard home insurance policy or appliance warranty.

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Coverage Breakdown By Plan

Home Warranty Inc. offers optional coverage for the Home Protection Plan and Supplemental Home Protection Plan. The prices of these items will vary and some of them may only be available for purchase under one plan.

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Optional Add-Ons

*Enhanced HVAC Plus: The coverage cap for heating, ventilation, and cooling systems is capped at $2,500, but by purchasing Enhanced HVAC Plus, you can extend the cap by an additional $2,500. You can also receive coverage on damage due to poor routine maintenance, haul-away services, disposal fees, and labor concession for items under manufacturer warranty.

**Buyer Premium Upgrade: With this feature, customers can unlock coverage for several typically excluded items and services, such as haul-away services, disposal, code violations and permits, expansion tanks, toilet replacements, system failures arising from poor maintenance, rust, corrosion, sediment, bathroom exhaust fans, dish racks, rotisseries, rollers, window air conditioning units, and handles and knobs of appliances.

***Pre-existing Conditions: Home Warranty Inc. provides coverage for systems and appliances with unknown pre-existing conditions at no extra cost if you submit a satisfactory inspection report performed by a qualified home inspector to the company. Items that are found to have pre-existing damage during the mechanical and visual inspection will need to be repaired, and the proof of repair will need to be submitted to Home Warranty Inc. to be considered eligible for coverage.

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Does Home Warranty Inc. Have Coverage Exclusions?

Exclusions are a critical part of home warranty plans. As a general rule of thumb, when a home warranty says they cover a particular appliance or system, like a refrigerator, they may not cover all parts of that item. Before purchasing a home warranty, read through your sample contract to see what components are precluded within each covered item.

Here’s an overview of coverage exclusions for Home Warranty Inc.

• Water Heater: When it comes to your water heater, Home Warranty Inc. will repair the main unit, exhaust blower assembly, water heater elements, gas control valve, and thermostats. It won’t provide coverage for solar water heaters and components or cover thermal expansion or holding tanks, noises, odors, or the color and purity of water.
• Kitchen Refrigerator: Most components of your refrigerator are covered except for ice makers, ice crushers, beverage dispensers, and associated parts. Also excluded from coverage are your refrigerator’s interior thermal shells and liners.
• Built-In or Over-the-Range Microwave: Home Warranty Inc. covers major components and parts on your microwave, except portable convection; infrared, high-speed, or countertop units; interior linings; glass; shelves; or meat probe assemblies.
• Annual Furnace Inspections: To receive an annual inspection for your furnace, you must be signed up for a plan that includes coverage on this item. Furnace coverage is available under the Appliance Protection Plan. Additionally, you’re only permitted one inspection per agreement and no refund will be provided if you don’t schedule an inspection within the contract period.

Finally, Home Warranty Inc. only covers repairs resulting from ordinary wear and tear. Familiarize yourself with the following coverage restriction guidelines. Home Warranty Inc. will not cover:

• Damage from toxic materials or asbestos
• Any item located outside the confines of the home, except for air conditioning, heating units, pool, spa equipment, or well pumps
• Systems and appliances used for commercial or business use
• Systems and appliances under the manufacturer’s warranty
• Defects from a failure to conduct routine maintenance
• Repair or replacement of an item whose defect is caused by mildew, mold, fungus, or corrosion

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How Much Does Home Warranty Inc. Cost?

Home Warranty Inc.’s Home Protection Plan starts at $550 per year, which can increase depending on whether or not you choose to include additional items.

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What Is Home Warranty Inc.’s Appliance Protection Plan Pricing?

Under the Appliance Protection Plan, you can get coverage for furnaces and air conditioners for $7 each per month, and coverage for an air-to-air heat pump is available for $14 per month. Every home appliance and annual Inspection can be covered for $5 each per month.

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What Is Home Warranty Inc.’s Supplemental Home Protection Plan Pricing?

The Supplemental Home Protection Plan costs $300. You can add on coverage for more items, but this will push your monthly premium higher.

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Does Home Warranty Inc. Charge Service Fees?

Home Warranty Inc. charges a $75 service fee per call. This amount goes straight to the contractor assigned to service your claim. Home Warranty Inc. has a 30-day repair warranty, which means if the equipment fails again after repairs have been performed within 30 days, you can request another home warranty service without paying an additional service fee.

There is a limit to how much Home Warranty Inc. will pay for each covered item. This limit is reset at the end of each contract term. In some cases, the payout cap might change based on your plan. For example, a jetted spa is capped at $1,000 under the Home Protection Plan, while it has a $500 cap under Supplemental Home Protection Plan.

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What Are Home Warranty Inc.’s Coverage Caps?

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Home Warranty Inc. Reviews

Home Warranty Inc. is accredited by the Better Business Bureau (BBB), where it holds a A+ rating. As with any top home warranty company, there will be a mix of positive and negative customer reviews.

Here are a few Home Warranty Inc. customer testimonials from the BBB:

“We have been using Home Warranty [Inc.] for 7 years. Saved us tons of money. They are responsive, fair, and they don’t hassle you—they cover what they say they will.” — Shannon G. on April 26, 2019

“Choose another company if you can. They make a blanket statement listing covered items. However, unless you want to actually have your appliances fully covered read closely. They get you with the extra buyer options for more and more money just to fully cover an appliance. Choose another place!” — Colleen H. on April 26, 2019

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Our Final Take on Home Warranty Inc.

We give Home Warranty Inc. 8.7/10. Home Warranty Inc. has plenty of outstanding features that make it a strong home warranty solution for those in midwestern states. The company has three different coverage plans and an option to purchase additional coverage.

Its Appliance Protection Plan gives customers the flexibility to build their own plan and with the Home Protection Plan, homeowners have the option to use the approved repair cost to fund a new appliance. This is invaluable for homeowners who have an old appliance that’s in working condition but malfunctions so frequently that it’s better to be replaced than repaired.

Another strong feature of Home Warranty Inc. is that you don’t have to wait 30 days for your coverage to begin if you purchase an annual plan. You can start filing claims right after the first payment. Additionally, Home Warranty Inc. has very generous coverage caps. If you purchase the Enhanced HVAC Plus Upgrade, you can get a total of $5,000 in coverage.

All that said, Home Warranty Inc. does have its drawbacks. It’s only available in 30 U.S. states, which means it’s inaccessible for many homeowners. Additionally, the terms and conditions associated with each plan may be tricky to understand without talking to a customer representative first. We recommend reading the fine print carefully, so you don’t end up paying for any hidden fees.

Home Warranty Inc. Alternatives Compared

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do I make a claim with Home Warranty Inc.?

Your coverage will start the day your payment is received when you purchase an annual plan, but coverage for optional items purchased after the initial order will activate after a 30-day waiting period.

You can file a claim online via a service request form or call a toll free number at 877-977-4949.

Representatives are available 24/7 to process your service request. Once your claim is approved, you can contact the assigned service company and schedule an appointment with them during business hours. If you choose to schedule an appointment with the contractor during off-hours or request expedited service, you will be responsible for any additional fees.

While you may work with your own contractor under the Home Protection Plan, you will have to first get Home Warranty Inc.’s approval, otherwise, you won’t be reimbursed for the repair costs.

Which states are covered by Home Warranty Inc.?

Home Warranty Inc. provides coverage in the following 30 states: Arkansas, Colorado, Delaware, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Montana, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.

Can Home Warranty Inc. customers choose their own technician?

Yes, Home Warranty Inc. allows homeowners to choose their own technician and forgo repairs and put that approved repair cost toward a replacement.

Is a home warranty worth it?

A home warranty is an annual contract that covers repairs and replacements on certain appliances and home systems that break down due to normal wear and tear. These contracts are akin to a financial security blanket that you can rely on when faced with unexpected home repairs and expenses. If you’re a first-time homebuyer and want to protect your home or just want a little more protection on important home items, a home warranty is an ideal option.

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Related Resources

• Liberty Home Guard Review
• First American Home Warranty Review

Our Rating Methodology

We back up our home warranty ratings and recommendations with a detailed rating methodology to score each provider objectively. We conduct research by speaking with company representatives, requesting quotes, analyzing sample contracts, and conducting focus groups and consumer surveys. 

We score each provider against our review standards, which include four comparison categories: coverage, value, trust and transparency, and availability and service. We rate each provider across 31 factors within these categories. Each factor is assigned a point value based on its importance to a homeowner, totaling 100 points. We then convert the final scores to a 5-star rating. 

Here’s a breakdown of our weighted factors:

• Coverage (40%): We scored coverage based on included home systems and appliances, add-on options, and unique benefits. We also compared coverage caps and policy exclusions.

• • Additional coverage items
  • Annual coverage cap
  • Home systems coverage
  • Major appliances coverage
  • Obstructed wall coverage cap

• Value (30%): We compared the coverage level received to monthly pricing to determine plan value. We considered premium pricing, service fees, and flexibility in customizing plan costs. 

• • Average monthly cost
  • Cost flexibility
  • Lowest service fee

• Trust and Transparency (16%): We evaluated each company’s reputation using the Better Business Bureau ratings and customer reviews on third-party review sites. We read through plan change policies, workmanship protections, and sample contract availability. 

• • Brand reputation
  • Policy change flexibility
  • Sample contract availability
  • Workmanship guarantee length

• Availability and Service (14%): We award higher scores for faster claim processing and response times. We also considered service technician policies, including options to choose your technician. 

• • Claims process
  • Guaranteed response time
  • Service flexibility

To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our Reviews Team at reviews@thisoldhousereviews.com.