UPDATED: Apr 29, 2023
When you own a home, you have to be ready for surprises. One day you might press the button to open the garage door and it works just fine and you head to work on time. The next day your car could be stuck inside leaving you struggling to open a giant door, spilling your coffee, and wishing you had a home warranty.
There are many companies to consider when you’re ready to choose a home warranty plan. Read on to learn about one of those options, Choice Home Warranty.
Appliances and major home systems will need to be repaired or replaced, it’s a part of owning and maintaining a home. But you don’t have the bear the responsibility all on your own. A home warranty is a service contract that covers the cost of repairing or replacing major systems and appliances in your home. A home warranty from Choice Home Warranty can cover major home systems like plumbing and electrical, as well as appliances like an air conditioner or garbage disposal.
A home warranty can help lift the burden of repairing or replacing major appliances and home systems. It’s important to note, a home warranty is very different from homeowners insurance. Homeowners insurance typically covers structural damage to your home and is often required by your lender.
Before you commit to any home warranty plan, it’s important to look at the details. Choice Home Warranty offers two types of plans. We’ll discuss both in depth.
The Basic Plan offered by Choice Home Warranty covers a wide range of major appliances and home systems. It does not include coverage for your air conditioner, refrigerator or your clothes washer and dryer. The Basic Plan is the most affordable option for home warranty coverage offered by Choice Home Warranty.
The Total Plan is the most comprehensive plan offered by Choice Home Warranty and will cost more than the Basic Plan. The Total Plan includes additional coverage for your air conditioner, refrigerator and clothes washer and dryer. If these appliances are vital to your comfort at home, it might be worth the extra expense of the Total Plan so you won’t need to break the bank to make repairs.
Feature | Total Plan | Basic Plan |
---|---|---|
Air conditioner |
Yes |
No |
Built-in microwave |
Yes |
Yes |
Ceiling and exhaust fans |
Yes |
Yes |
Clothes washer / dryer |
Yes |
No |
Cooktop |
Yes |
Yes |
Dishwasher |
Yes |
Yes |
Ductwork |
Yes |
Yes |
Electrical systems |
Yes |
Yes |
Garage door openers |
Yes |
Yes |
Garbage disposals |
Yes |
Yes |
Heating systems |
Yes |
Yes |
Oven/range/stove |
Yes |
Yes |
Plumbing stoppages |
Yes |
Yes |
Plumbing system |
Yes |
Yes |
Refrigerator |
Yes |
No |
Water heater |
Yes |
Yes |
Whirlpool bathtubs |
Yes |
Yes |
There are limitations for both the Basic Plan and Total Plan offered by Choice Home Warranty.
They will pay no more than $500 per contract term to access, diagnose, repair or replace certain systems, including a well pump, a limited roof leak or a septic system.
In any event, no more than $3,000 per contract item will be spent to access, diagnose, repair or replace any system or appliance.
Now that you know what both plans will cover, let’s read some reviews to get a better idea of what Choice Home Warranty has to offer.
Consumer Affairs is a customer review and consumer news platform that provides information for consumers making purchasing decisions around major life changes and milestones. Consumer Affairs said:
“A Choice Home Warranty plan can provide budget security and peace of mind for homeowners and can make your home more attractive to potential buyers, especially if covered major systems and appliances are older.”
U.S. News & World Report is a media outlet that publishes news, consumer advice, rankings, and analysis. Below is an excerpt of their review:
“Choice Home Warranty could be a good choice for customers who want to minimize their monthly expenses and start a new home warranty plan right away without waiting for the typical 30-day waiting period to pass. However, if you’re someone who’s hoping for roof coverage, Choice’s limited roof leak coverage plan has a lower than average coverage cap. You also won’t be able to choose your own contractor.”
There’s no one better to tell you about a service than an actual customer. Below are reviews from customers who have worked with Choice Home Warranty.
John B. – “When our A/C unit stopped working in one of the hottest periods, Choice Home Warranty was right on top of things, and got a service person out right away. When you have health problems, and the heat gets the best of you, it was a blessing to be able to breathe normally again.”
Pete – “The tech was amazing! Just had my water heater replaced. There was a bit of confusion between CHW and the tech that came out, but after calling customer support, the issue was resolved. The tech they sent (Carlos) was amazing. I was at work while he completed the work and treated my wife with respect and kept her informed of what he was doing. She was very impressed that he kept her informed and her safety in mind. Carlos communicated his process and was VERY FAST at completing the replacement – great job!!!”
Most warranty providers sell several different plans with different levels of coverage and costs. In most cases, the annual average cost of a home warranty ranges from $300 to $600, which breaks down to an average monthly payment of $25 to $50.
You can also expect to pay a service fee of around $60 to $100 each time a technician comes to your home. The benefit of a home warranty plan is that, instead of paying all repair costs out of pocket, you can enjoy the financial stability of a deductible toward service costs.
We’ve broken down some of the costs specific to Choice Home Warranty below.
There are two plans to choose from with Choice Home Warranty. The basic plan is $44 per month, and the total plan is a bit more at $50 per month.
In addition to your monthly premium, you’ll need to pay a service fee each time you call for service. Depending on your location and plan, the service fee will range from $75 to $125.
It’s worth noting that the service includes a 90-day guarantee on parts and a 30-day guarantee on labor.
Like anything else, investing in a home warranty plan has its pros and cons. It’s important for you to carefully weigh these advantages and disadvantages before making any commitments. Below are some benefits to consider when thinking of purchasing a home warranty.
Let’s address some frequently asked questions about Choice Home Warranty and home warranty plans in general:
In a buyer’s market, a seller may pay for a home warranty if they need an incentive to close a sale. In a seller’s market, a buyer will likely need to purchase their own home warranty plan if one is not included.
Choice Home Warranty is available in all states except the state of Washington.
The coverage for a given policy will begin 30 days after you enroll in the policy and pay for it. From there, the coverage will continue for the duration of the policy period.
A home warranty plan can help cover the cost to repair or replace your home’s major appliances and systems. If you’re considering purchasing a home warranty, make sure you spend time comparing what items the plan will cover and the condition of your home. If you’re handy and confident in your ability to make your own repairs, you may only need basic coverage. A new homeowner who doesn’t have the time or expertise to deal with broken appliances or a plumbing issue may want to consider the Total Plan and any add-ons that could further protect their home.
Are you ready to hit the ground running looking for your new home? Check out the Rocket HomesSM Learning Center for more tips and insight into today’s real estate market.
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