Select Home Warranty Review: Affordable Protection for Your Home Systems and Appliances

Select Home Warranty Plans & Pricing

Select Home Warranty offers three plans: Bronze, Gold, and Platinum. These plans cover a variety of home systems and appliances, with increasing levels of protection and value as you move from Bronze to Platinum.

Below is a detailed breakdown of the pricing and coverage for each plan:

1. Bronze Plan – Appliance Coverage

• Monthly Cost: Approximately $39.99/month (with a $75 service fee)
  • Annual Cost: Around $439/year

• Covered Items:
  
  • There are nine appliances, including a Refrigerator, Oven/Range/Stove, Dishwasher, Washer, Dryer, Garbage Disposal, Microwave, Cooktop, and Freezer.
  • Bronze Plan is designed to protect your essential home appliances.
• Service Fee:
  
  • $60 to $75 per service call (depending on your selected option).
• Who it’s Best For:
  
  • Homeowners who want basic appliance protection. This plan is perfect if your appliances are the priority and you need an affordable way to safeguard them.

2. Gold Plan – System Coverage

• Monthly Cost: Approximately $44.99/month (with a $75 service fee)
  • Annual Cost: Around $539/year

• Covered Items:
  
  • There are nine major home systems, including Heating, Air Conditioning, Plumbing, Electrical, Water Heater, Garage Door Opener, Ductwork, and Furnace.
  • Gold Plan is focused on protecting essential home systems.
• Service Fee:
  
  • $60 to $75 per service call.
• Who it’s Best For:
  
  • Homeowners who need protection for core home systems. The Gold plan is ideal if you’re more concerned about system breakdowns than appliances.

3. Platinum Plan – Comprehensive Coverage

• Monthly Cost: Approximately $49.99/month (with a $75 service fee)
  • Annual Cost: Around $599/year

• Covered Items:
  
  • There are 14 total items, covering both systems and appliances. This includes everything from the Bronze and Gold Plans, plus coverage for Refrigerator Ice Makers, Garbage Disposal, and Air Conditioning systems.
  • The Platinum Plan is the most comprehensive, covering appliances and systems with the most extensive protection.
• Service Fee:
  
  • $60 to $75 per service visit.
• Who it’s Best For:
  
  • Homeowners who want complete protection for both systems and appliances. The Platinum plan is ideal for those who need comprehensive coverage for their entire home.

Here is the table of all the plans offered by Select Home Warranty:

Additional Coverage Options 

Select Home Warranty also offers optional coverage that homeowners can purchase for additional protection. Below are the extra coverage options:

• Plumbing and Lighting Fixtures:
  
  • Covered Items: Includes faucets, showers, shower heads, electrical switches, outlets, smoke detectors, fluorescent fixtures, and more.
  • Exclusions: Excludes plumbing systems such as clogged drains, sewer lines, and water stoppages.
• Limited Roof Leak (Single Family Homes Only):
  
  • Covered Items: This covers roof leaks in the occupied living area of the home, such as shingles, tar, and gravel roofs.
  • Exclusions: Excludes porches, patios, metal roofs, cracked roofs, and chimney components.
• Pool/Spa Equipment:
  
  • Covered Items: Covers the heating, pumping, and filtration systems for pools and spas.
  • Exclusions: Excludes portable pools, spa equipment not in use, and water heaters.
• Well Pump:
  
  • Covered Items: The well pump and components like pipework and pressure switches.
  • Exclusions: Excludes underground piping and boosters.
• Sump Pump:
  
  • Covered Items: Covers all sump pump components, provided the pump is located within the home’s foundation.
  • Exclusions: Portable pumps and sewer ejector pumps are excluded.
• Central Vacuum:
  
  • Covered Items: Includes all components and parts of the central vacuum system.
  • Exclusions: Excludes ductwork, hoses, and accessories.

Select Home Warranty Pricing Analysis

Select Home Warranty offers three plans: Bronze Care, Gold Care, and Platinum Care. These plans are designed to meet various protection needs for home systems and appliances. The pricing for these plans is competitive, providing homeowners with affordable options for essential coverage. Below, we break down each plan’s pricing and cost details and compare them with industry standards.

Factors Affecting Select Home Warranty Pricing

Various factors influence the pricing of a home warranty plan, and Select Home Warranty’s cost is no exception. Understanding the elements that affect pricing will help you decide which plan is best for your needs and budget. Here are the key factors that impact the cost of Select Home Warranty plans:

1. Plan Type

Select Home Warranty offers three plans: Bronze Care, Gold Care, and Platinum Care. The cost varies depending on the plan selected:

• Bronze Care and Gold Care are priced at $44.42/month (or $479.99/year), offering basic protection for home systems or appliances.
• Platinum Care is slightly more expensive at $47.75/month (or $524.99/year) and provides comprehensive coverage for systems and appliances.

Choosing a more comprehensive plan like Platinum Care will increase your monthly premium but offer broader protection.

2. Home Size and Property Type

The size and type of your home can affect the cost of a home warranty plan. Larger homes with more systems and appliances generally require more coverage, which can lead to a higher monthly premium. Similarly, multi-family units or homes with complex systems may incur additional charges.

While Select Home Warranty’s pricing structure is relatively uniform across property types, homeowners with larger homes or additional features may face slightly higher costs due to the increased coverage required.

3. Location of the Home

Your location can also impact the price of a home warranty plan. In areas where the cost of living is higher, the overall service costs (such as technician fees, parts replacement, and general service fees) may be reflected in the warranty price. Select Home Warranty operates in 48 states, so regional service network availability and local market conditions may influence the final price.

4. Service Fee

Another important cost factor is the service fee, which ranges from $60 to $75 per service call. This is the amount homeowners must pay for each service request or repair in addition to the monthly or annual premium.

While Select Home Warranty’s service fee is relatively low, it is essential to consider how often you anticipate needing to request service. For homeowners anticipating frequent claims, a lower service fee may result in significant savings over time.

5. Add-Ons and Customization

Select Home Warranty offers several optional add-ons that allow homeowners to customize their coverage. Add-ons such as pool/spa coverage, well pumps, roof leaks, and septic systems can increase the overall price of the plan. Depending on the specific items or systems you wish to cover, these add-ons are available for an additional fee.

If you have specialized needs, such as pool or septic system coverage, adding these options will increase your monthly premium. It’s essential to assess your home’s unique needs and determine which additional coverage options are essential.

6. Coverage Scope and Limits

Select Home Warranty’s coverage limits and exclusions also determine a plan’s overall cost. The Bronze Care and Gold Care plans cover appliances or systems, while the Platinum Care plan covers both. However, certain parts or components are subject to limitations and exclusions.

For instance, Select Home Warranty does not cover pre-existing conditions, cosmetic damage, or systems under an existing manufacturer’s warranty. The breadth of coverage—what is included and excluded—can also affect the plan’s overall price.

Coverage Details for Select Home Warranty

Select Home Warranty offers comprehensive coverage for various home systems and appliances designed to provide homeowners peace of mind. Below is a detailed breakdown of the systems and appliances covered under Select’s plans, including additional coverage options that can be purchased for a higher level of protection.

General Coverage Requirements

• Proper Working Order: All systems and appliances must be in proper working order on the Effective Date of the service contract. If a defect or malfunction is found before the service agreement begins, it will not be covered.
• Manufacturer’s Warranty: Select’s home warranty agreement excludes from coverage any systems or appliances still under the manufacturer’s warranty.

Appliances Covered

• Refrigerator:
  
  • Covered Items: This includes all components necessary for the refrigerator’s functionality, such as control boards, compressors, evaporator fan motors, condenser fan motors, pressure switches, relays, contactors, and start assist.
  • Exclusions: Sealed systems are not covered.
• Oven/Range/Stove Top:
  
  • Covered Items: Includes modules, components, and parts necessary for the oven’s functionality, such as burners, control boards, thermostats, broilers, temp controls, heating elements, and ignition modules.
  • Exclusions: The range hood is not covered.
• Built-In Microwave:
  
  • Covered Items: Covers all components and parts necessary for the functionality of the built-in microwave.
  • Exclusions: Portable, combo or countertop microwaves are excluded.
• Dishwasher:
  
  • Covered Items: All components necessary for the functionality of the dishwasher are included.

Systems Covered

• Air Conditioning/Heating/Ductwork:
  
  • Covered Items: Includes central air systems, heat pumps, ductwork, gas, electric, and oil systems.
  • Exclusions: Underground piping, well pumps, and water source heat pumps, as well as wood stoves, chimney components, and damper motors, are excluded.

Select Home Warranty Service & Reliability

Select Home Warranty offers a reliable service network that ensures quick response times and professional repairs. Here’s what to expect when using the service:

Filing a Claim:

Homeowners can easily file a claim online or by phone 24/7. After submitting a service request and paying the service fee, a contractor will be dispatched to assess the issue.

Contractor Network:

With an extensive network of licensed and insured contractors, Select Home Warranty ensures that only qualified professionals handle repairs and replacements. This network covers 48 states, excluding Alaska and Hawaii.

Response Time:

• Service requests are generally responded to within 48 hours. Emergency requests (like plumbing issues) may be expedited.

Repair/Replacement Process:

Coverage repairs are usually approved once the technician arrives and diagnoses the issue. Replacements will be arranged if the equipment is deemed beyond repair, subject to the plan’s coverage limits.

Alternatives & Comparison: Select Home Warranty vs. Top Competitors

When evaluating home warranty providers, it’s essential to consider the coverage, pricing, and customer service each provider offers. Select Home Warranty is a competitive option for homeowners, but it’s essential to compare it with other top players in the market to find the best fit for your needs. This section compares Select Home Warranty with American Home Shield, Choice Home Warranty, ServicePlus Home Warranty, and Home Warranty of America.

This comparison will help homeowners understand the differences between each provider’s plans, pricing, and additional coverage options, enabling them to make an informed decision.

Conclusion & Recommendation

Select Home Warranty offers affordable and comprehensive plans for homeowners looking to protect their systems and appliances. With low service fees and a range of plans, SHW is an excellent option for homeowners on a budget.

Recommendation:

• Best for: Homeowners seeking budget-friendly protection for essential systems and appliances.
• Ideal for: Those looking for affordable pricing and solid coverage for systems and appliances.
• Consider the Platinum Plan if you want comprehensive coverage for everything in your home, from heating systems to refrigerators.

Select Home Warranty is a solid option for cost-conscious homeowners who want to protect their home systems and appliances without breaking the bank.