Select Home Warranty Review (2024)
Select Home Warranty’s low monthly premiums and service call fees make it one of the best home warranty companies for homeowners on a budget. We also recommend Select for those in areas with hot summers and cold winters due to its high coverage caps on HVAC systems. The biggest benefits to Select Home Warranty are its low-cost, decent coverage, and discounts on multiyear plans.
We read hundreds of customer reviews, talked to industry experts, combed through policies, and analyzed claim processes for Select Home Warranty. Our team then took this information and assessed Select using our unbiased ratings and review standards. Below, we’ll share our findings and discuss everything you need to know about Select Home Warranty.
Editor’s Note: This review was updated on March 20, 2024, with our latest consumer survey data, competitor comparison details, and insights from industry experts.
Our Take on Select Home Warranty
We believe Select Home Warranty is worth considering if you need a budget-friendly home warranty or basic coverage for systems or appliances. Its included roof-leak coverage, affordable plans, and nationwide availability make it a solid option for homeowners.
Select does have some downsides that homeowners should consider before signing up. Customers mention poor post-signup service and somewhat inconsistent communication. Furthermore, its customer review scores are mixed compared to other home warranty companies.
Pros and Cons of Select Home Warranty
No home warranty company is perfect. Here are the most important pros and cons of Select Home Warranty to be aware of:
Pros
Cons
How We Rated Select Home Warranty
We assessed Select Home Warranty using our detailed review standards based on the criteria homeowners find most important. Select was awarded points in each category. The combined total of these points determined its final star rating of 4.3 out of 5. Here’s a breakdown of these categories and how Select performed in each one:
- Coverage: Select Home Warranty’s low coverage caps lost it some points.
- Value: Select earned a perfect score due to its relatively low prices.
- Trustworthiness and transparency: Select’s mixed reviews from websites like the BBB lost it points.
- Availability and service: Select scored well thanks to its excellent claim process and service flexibility.
Select Home Warranty Coverage Plans
Select offers three coverage options: Bronze Care, Gold Care, and Platinum Care. The Bronze Care plan provides appliance coverage such as for built-in microwaves, clothes washers and dryers, cooktops, and stovetops. Gold Care covers home systems including air conditioning, ductwork, plumbing, and water heaters. Select’s Platinum Care plan bundles the Bronze Care and Gold Care plans together for additional peace of mind. Select operates in all states other than Nevada, Washington and Wisconsin.
Select Home Warranty’s claims limit is below the industry standard at $500 per item. The one exception is HVAC under its Gold Care plan, which has a higher limit of $3,000. After reading Select’s sample contract, we found that it offers roof-leak coverage for all of its plans.
Coverage | Bronze Care | Gold Care | Platinum Care |
---|---|---|---|
AC/cooling | – | ✓ | ✓ |
Built-in microwave | ✓ | – | ✓ |
Ceiling fan | – | – | ✓ |
Clothes dryer | ✓ | – | ✓ |
Clothes washer | ✓ | – | ✓ |
Cooktop | ✓ | – | ✓ |
Dishwasher | ✓ | – | ✓ |
Ductwork | – | ✓ | ✓ |
Electrical system | – | ✓ | ✓ |
Garage-door openers | – | – | ✓ |
Garbage disposal | ✓ | – | ✓ |
Heating system | – | ✓ | ✓ |
Plumbing stoppages | – | – | ✓ |
Plumbing system | – | ✓ | ✓ |
Refrigerator | ✓ | – | ✓ |
Stove/oven | ✓ | – | ✓ |
Water heater | – | ✓ | ✓ |
Optional Add-Ons
Getting coverage on extra items can add significant value to your home warranty plan. Since standard plans don’t cover items like stand-alone freezers, getting extra coverage can provide protection for your home. Additionally, add-ons are a great way to supplement your coverage while keeping costs low.
Select’s add-ons range in price from $3.33 to $8.33 per month, making them cheaper than from other providers. Here is a more comprehensive breakdown of all the add-ons you can choose when purchasing from Select Home Warranty:
- Second refrigerator
- Stand-alone freezer
- Refrigerator
- Ice maker
- Well pump
- Sump pump
- Septic system
- Lawn sprinkler system
- Pool and spa equipment
- Pool
- Central vacuum
Why Would Select Home Warranty Deny a Claim?
Select has exclusions to its policies that are similar to those from any other home warranty provider. The most notable is that your major systems and appliances must be in working order before granting coverage. This exclusion applies to any system or appliance damaged from faulty installations or previous repair jobs. Select Home Warranty policies also leave out damages resulting from acts of nature, manufacturer defects, or foundational shifting.
Select excluded specific items within each plan as well as certain item components. Below are a few coverage exclusions from its policies:
- Solar or tankless water heaters
- Water softeners
- Solar heating systems
- Geothermal heat pumps
- Improperly installed ductwork
- Window air conditioners
- Humidifiers
Select Home Warranty Costs
Select Home Warranty’s monthly premium prices are between $44.42 and $47.72 based on sample quotes for a 2,100-square-foot, single-family home in Raleigh, North Carolina. The national average cost for home warranty premiums is between $54 and $61.
Plan | Monthly Cost | Service Fee | Coverage Cap |
---|---|---|---|
Bronze Care | $44.42 | $60–$75 | $500 |
Gold Care | $44.42 | $60–$75 | $500 (HVAC: $3,000) |
Platinum Care | $47.75 | $60–$75 | Coverage caps remain the same |
What Is Select’s Service Call Fee?
Select Home Warranty’s service call fees are $60–$75. This range is well below the industry average of $65–$125. The downside is that Select has an inflexible policy of charging multiple service call fees for a visit if several repairs are needed. Most home warranty companies charge a single service fee per visit regardless of the number of items repaired.
Select Home Warranty Claims Process
Home warranty coverage begins 30 days after you sign a contract. You can file a claim with Select if a covered item breaks down after 30 days. The claim filing process is as follows:
- Submit a claim through an online form or over the phone with Select’s 24-hour customer service team.
- Select will send an approved technician to your home to address the issue once your claim is approved.
- The technician will repair the damaged item and you’ll pay the service call fee directly to the repairperson.
In some cases, the technician can repair your issue on the spot. The service professional will schedule a time to return and complete the replacement if the item can’t be repaired.
Select Home Warranty Reviews
We gathered a mix of positive and negative customer reviews from sites such as Trustpilot, BestCompany, Consumer Affairs, Reddit, and the BBB. We looked for pain points, recurring complaints, praises, and general insights while searching through hundreds of responses.
What Homeowners Like
Homeowners who signed up with Select praise the professionalism of its staff and the promptness of its claim process. Other major positive themes include:
- Select’s sales representatives aren’t pushy and help customers find the best plans
- Select’s customer service professionals are polite, helpful, and accommodating
- Select’s claim process is user-friendly and easy to navigate
What Homeowners Dislike
Most critical comments point to poor post-signup service and communication. Other common pain points include:
- Restrictive service charge policy that homeowners must pay even if the technician can’t solve the problem
- Long callback wait times
- Frequent claim denial
Average Customer Rating
The average customer review rating for Select Home Warranty is 2.5 out of 5 stars. This range aligns with industry standards since most home warranty companies score 2 to 3 out of 5 stars.
Select Home Warranty Customer Reviews
Here’s a mix of positive and negative customer responses taken from independent review sites:
Positive Reviews
“All five top home warranty companies are very competitive and offer similar services, but what really impressed me was the representative I spoke with. He was courteous, professional, well informed, and made sure I understood how Select Home Warranty would be there for me.” — Samuel Dean, February 2024 on Trustpilot
“The assigned company responded quickly and arrived early. Constant communication announcing arrival time was much appreciated. Workman explained what he was doing and showed me the problem. He fixed it quickly and neatly.” — Kate Rose, January 2024 on Google reviews
Negative Reviews
“This is one of the worst customer service companies I have dealt with. Communication breakdown, in addition to poor follow-up with the company to do the work … It seems that not only are they lacking in completing work for the customer as soon as possible, but the appliance company they sent out to do a diagnostic review is lacking as well.” — Charlena J, March 2024 on Trustpilot
“I’m disappointed with this company and its service. They make appealing promises during the policy sale, but their actual service is the worst I’ve experienced. I’ve decided to cancel my existing policy immediately.” — Mahendra Kandel, March 2024 on Trustpilot
*BBB ratings are accurate as of March 2024
Select Home Warranty vs. Competitors
We recommend Select Home Warranty as one of the top home warranty providers in the U.S. However, there are plenty of other reliable home warranty companies to choose from. The following table compares Select to some of the best home warranty companies.
Company | BBB Rating | Monthly Cost | Service Fee | Visit Site |
---|---|---|---|---|
B- | $44–$47 | $60–$75 | VISIT SITE | |
NR | $49–$59 | $65–$125 | VISIT SITE | |
B | $29–$89 | $100–$125 | VISIT SITE | |
B | $42–$82 | $75–$125 | VISIT SITE | |
A | $27–$70 | $65–$100 | VISIT SITE | |
B+ | $30–$56 | $100–$150 | VISIT SITE |
Select Home Warranty vs. American Home Shield
American Home Shield (AHS) and Select Home Warranty fulfill two distinct roles in the home warranty industry. AHS is a high-end provider with some of the steepest costs in the industry. This high price comes with broad coverage plans, generous coverage caps, and uncommon inclusions. For example, AHS’s coverage cap for systems is $5,000, 10 times that of Select.
Select is far more budget-friendly than AHS, with service fees and monthly premiums that are half the price. Furthermore, its home warranty policies are more customizable than AHS’s. Select has plans for appliances, systems, or both while AHS offers combined packages.
Select Home Warranty vs. Liberty Home Guard
Liberty Home Guard has steeper premiums and service fees than Select but comes with a wider selection. Each of Liberty’s plans includes more items than Select’s and an additional 40 add-ons to pick from. Liberty also has much higher coverage caps, at $5,000 for systems and $2,000 for major appliances. Overall, Liberty offers more robust coverage at a steeper cost.
How To Choose a Home Warranty
New homeowners can find choosing the right home warranty service difficult. We recommend taking the following steps before signing up with a home warranty provider:
Home Warranty Cost Calculator
We created a calculator to break down the estimated annual cost of owning a home warranty.
To calculate your projected annual cost, use the following steps:
- Enter your monthly premium
- Enter your service call fee
- Enter your estimated number of claims
It’s best to request a quote directly from one of our recommended providers since annual costs and service fees vary.
Use the table below to compare your calculated cost to repair and replacement costs for common appliances.
Appliance | Average Repair Cost | Average Replacement Cost |
---|---|---|
Dehumidifier |
$50–$200 |
$1,300–$2,800 |
Microwave |
$50–$400 |
$60–$2,000 |
Dishwasher |
$50–$500 |
$400–$3,000 |
Exhaust Fans |
$16–$300 |
$250–$950 |
Electric Range |
$100–$500 |
$230–$3,000 |
Gas Range |
$100–$500 |
$230–$3,000 |
Dryer |
$100–$400 |
$450–$2,300 |
Oven |
$100–$430 |
$400–$3,000 |
Washer |
$50–$450 |
$400–$2,300 |
Freezer |
$90–$500 |
$160–$2,900 |
Refrigerator |
$40–$350 |
$200–$5,000 |
Life span and repair cost data sourced from the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors (InterNACHI) and Home Depot.
Select Home Warranty: Final Verdict
Select Home Warranty’s included roof-leak coverage, affordable plans, and nationwide availability make it a solid option for homeowners. We discovered that Select’s customer service after signup isn’t as strong as its offerings. The company’s low coverage caps mean that you may have to pay out of pocket if an expensive item breaks down. Overall, Select is worth considering if you need a budget-friendly home warranty or basic coverage for a few appliances.
FAQ About Select Home Warranty
What are the benefits of Select Home Warranty?
The main benefits of Select Home Warranty are its low costs and included roof-leak coverage.
How long has Select Home Warranty been in business?
Select Home Warranty has been in business since 2012.
What does Select Home Warranty cover?
Select Home Warranty covers appliances with its Bronze Care plan, home systems with its Gold Care plan, and both with its Platinum Care plan.
Does Select Home Warranty cover roof leaks?
Yes, Select Home Warranty offers roof-leak coverage in all of its plans.
Does Select charge a cancellation fee?
Select Home Warranty does charge a cancellation fee if you opt out of your policy after the cancellation period. You can cancel your policy and get a refund for your monthly premium if you cancel within the first 30 days of signing up. Additionally, you won’t be able to contact service providers during this waiting period.
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