On this page14 sections
- Ratings and complaints
- America's Preferred vs. competitors
- Pricing
- Step by step
- America's Preferred Home Warranty legitimacy and licensing
- America's Preferred pricing and coverage limits
- How America's Preferred claims work
- America's Preferred complaints and how to avoid problems
- Cancellation, refunds and the fine print
- The rules that protect you
- Who should look elsewhere
- What customers say
- Alternatives
- FAQ
America's Preferred Home Warranty (APHW)'s main draw is that you can use any licensed contractor instead of one the company sends. It is a legitimate, privately held home warranty company in Jackson, Michigan, BBB accredited since 2010 with an A+ rating and 64 complaints in the last three years. The tradeoff is coverage limits: the contract caps central air and heating at $2,250, pays only for a refrigerator's compressor up to $1,000, and limits the water heater to $500, so read the caps before you buy. It suits homeowners who already have a contractor they trust; if you want the company to find and schedule the repair for you, a network-based warranty may be easier.
- Company
- America's Preferred Home Warranty, Inc., a privately held company at 5775 Ann Arbor Road, Jackson, Michigan; BBB lists a 2000 start2
- Plans
- Monthly plans with a $50 or $100 deductible per claim and a 12-month contract term; the monthly price is quoted by ZIP code and not published (October 2026)1
- Contractor choice
- Any licensed contractor you pick; you must contact APHW for a claim number before work starts5
- Coverage caps
- Central air $2,250; heating $2,250; kitchen refrigerator compressor only, $1,000; water heater $500; roof leak $550; septic $500; washer and dryer $500 combined3
- Total limit
- Sample contract shows a $25,000 maximum for all claims combined and a waiting period set on your confirmation page4
- Cancellation
- Cancel in writing; full contract fee back within 30 days minus claims paid, after that a refund based on your payment plan4
- Disputes
- Binding arbitration through the American Arbitration Association, with arbitration costs split equally3
- Phone
- Claims 800-648-5006, 24/7; new quotes 866-521-13881
Pros
- Use any licensed contractor, including one you already trust
- BBB A+ and accredited since 2010
- Choice of a $50 or $100 claim fee
- Sample contract posted online with item-by-item caps
- Free ID and home title theft protection on qualifying plans
Cons
- Monthly price not published without a ZIP code quote
- Low caps on some items, such as $500 for a water heater and compressor-only refrigerator coverage
- You find and coordinate the contractor yourself
- Binding arbitration with costs split equally
Best for: Homeowners who have a licensed contractor they trust and want to use that person for covered repairs.
Skip it if: You want the warranty company to find, schedule and manage the repair for you, or you need high caps on expensive appliances.
America's Preferred vs. competitors
| Company | Choose any licensed contractor | Service fee | Example coverage caps | BBB |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| America's Preferred Home Warranty | Yes | $50 or $100 | A/C $2,250; refrigerator $1,000; $25,000 total in sample contract | A+, accredited since 2010 |
| Choice Home Warranty | $100 | $3,000 per item per year | B | |
| American Home Shield | You choose at purchase | $5,000 HVAC; $2,000 to $4,000 per appliance; $50,000 per term | ||
| Fidelity National Home Warranty | $75 in its sample California contract | Varies by item, such as $1,500 for a water heater | A+, accredited since 2005 |
America's Preferred pricing at a glance
America's Preferred Home Warranty costs and add-ons, as listed October 20261
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Base plan premium | Quoted by ZIP code; not published |
| Deductible per approved claim | $50 or $100, chosen at purchase |
| Additional refrigerators (compressor only) | +$5.00 |
| Gas fireplace | +$5.00 |
| Sprinkler system | +$5.00 |
| Termite control | +$5.00 |
| Water softener | +$7.92 |
| Inground pool or spa | +$18.33 |
| Salt water pool or spa | +$33.25 |
Add-on prices are shown on APHW's home page; the page does not say whether they are monthly. Third-party reviews report plans starting near $47 a month, which we could not confirm without a ZIP code quote. You also pay anything above a coverage cap.
America's Preferred, step by step
Get a quote
Enter your ZIP code online or call 866-521-1388, then pick the $50 or $100 deductible. Contracts run 12 months.
Wait out the waiting period
Claims made during the waiting period on your confirmation page are not covered, and items must be working on the start date.
Start a claim before any work
When something breaks, open a claim online or call 800-648-5006 to get a claim number before a contractor touches it.
Your contractor diagnoses it
You call any licensed contractor. After the diagnosis, the contractor talks to APHW, which decides coverage by phone.
Payment
APHW says it can pay the contractor over the phone or reimburse you. You pay the deductible and any cost above the item's cap or outside the approved work.
Renew or cancel
APHW may offer renewal terms before the end date. To cancel, notify the contract administrator in writing.
America's Preferred Home Warranty legitimacy and licensing
Yes. America’s Preferred Home Warranty, Inc. is a real, privately held company at 5775 Ann Arbor Road in Jackson, Michigan. The BBB lists it as starting in 2000, accredited since October 29, 2010, with an A+ rating. It has 64 BBB complaints in the last three years, which is modest for a national warranty seller. Its contract is posted on its website and names APHW as the obligor.
On Trustpilot it scores 4.9 out of 5, but most of its 1,654 reviews were written in the last 12 months and the company invites customers to review, so treat the score as a sign of recent service rather than claim outcomes. Read the coverage caps before you buy; that is where most disappointment comes from.
America's Preferred pricing and coverage limits
APHW does not publish its monthly premium. You enter a ZIP code or call for a quote, and you choose a $50 or $100 deductible that you pay on each approved claim. Optional add-ons are listed on its home page, from $5.00 for an extra refrigerator, fireplace, sprinkler system or termite treatment up to $33.25 for a salt water pool or spa.
The caps matter more than the premium. Its homeowner terms list:
- Central air and heating: up to $2,250 each
- Kitchen refrigerator: compressor only, up to $1,000
- Water heater, septic, well pump, sump pump and humidifier: up to $500 each
- Roof leak repair: up to $550
- Washer and dryer: up to $500 combined
- Concealed plumbing and electrical: up to $500 combined
- Code violations: up to $250 over the life of the contract
The sample confirmation page shows a $25,000 limit for all claims combined. A replacement air conditioner can cost well above $2,250, so ask how a replacement would be handled before you sign.
How America's Preferred claims work
APHW does not dispatch technicians. You contact APHW for a claim number, then call any licensed contractor. After the contractor diagnoses the problem, it speaks with APHW, which approves or denies coverage, usually by phone. APHW says it offers several payment options, including paying the contractor directly over the phone; older reviews describe paying the contractor first and waiting for a check.
Work done before APHW approves it, or beyond what it approved, may not be covered. The contract also says repairs must be completed within 30 days of the claim. If you have no contractor in mind, APHW says it can suggest ones other customers in your area have used.
What customers say about America's Preferred
Recurring themes across the review sites and complaint records listed above, not individual quotes.
Common praise
- Friendly, patient phone staff who explain the coverage
- Help from a concierge team when starting a plan
- Being able to call a contractor you already use
- 24/7 claim line
Common complaints
- Claims denied as pre-existing conditions
- Claims denied for cosmetic damage or excluded parts
- Coverage limits that fall short of the real repair bill
America's Preferred complaints and how to avoid problems
The complaints we saw on Trustpilot and the BBB mostly follow the same pattern as other warranty companies: claims denied because the problem was pre-existing, cosmetic or caused by an excluded part, and payouts that stop at the cap. A few steps lower the risk:
- Get the full contract and confirmation page for your state before paying, and note the waiting period and caps.
- Have systems inspected or serviced before coverage starts, since items must be working on the start date.
- Call APHW before any contractor starts work, and keep the claim number.
- Ask the contractor for an itemized diagnosis that names the failed part.
- If a claim is denied, ask for the contract section in writing and file with the BBB or your state regulator.
Cancellation, refunds and the fine print
You can cancel by notifying APHW’s contract administrator in writing. If you cancel within 30 days of the start date, the contract says you get 100% of the fee paid minus any claims paid. After 30 days, any refund depends on your payment plan. Renewal is at APHW’s option, and paying the next term’s fee counts as agreeing to renew, so cancel in writing before the renewal date if you do not want another year.
Disputes go to binding arbitration through the American Arbitration Association, and each side pays its own representative and half the arbitration costs.
The rules that protect you
Home warranties are sold as service contracts, and most states regulate them, often through the state insurance department. APHW’s contract says its obligations are backed by a reimbursement insurance policy when a contract insurer is shown on your confirmation page; if APHW fails to pay a covered claim or a refund within 60 days of proof of loss or cancellation, you can submit the claim to that insurer. If no insurer is shown, the contract is backed only by APHW. Check your confirmation page for the insurer’s name, and contact your state insurance department if a claim stalls.
Who should look elsewhere
APHW makes the most sense if you already know a licensed plumber, electrician or HVAC company. If you would rather make one call and have the company send someone, a network-based warranty is less work. If your main worry is an expensive HVAC replacement or a high-end refrigerator, compare caps first, since APHW’s $2,250 and $1,000 limits are lower than some competitors. And if your systems are new or still under the manufacturer’s warranty, a savings fund may cost less than a year of premiums.
Alternatives to America's Preferred
- American Home Shield Higher published caps, such as $5,000 for HVAC, if you would rather have the company arrange the technician. Read review
- Fidelity National Home Warranty Lower service fee in its sample contract and an A+ BBB rating, though it sells in fewer states. Read review
- A repair savings fund Putting the monthly premium into a savings account costs nothing extra, and you keep the money if nothing breaks.
America's Preferred reviews
Written by readers, read by our moderators, never edited by the company.
No reader reviews yet. If you have used America's Preferred, yours will be the first.
Write a reviewHow do I know I can trust these reviews about America's Preferred?
- Every reviewer confirms an email address before a review can publish.
- Our moderators read every review before it publishes.
- Companies can respond publicly but can never edit, hide or remove a review.
- Paying BestGuide never changes the reader rating or which reviews publish.
Frequently asked questions
Is America's Preferred Home Warranty legitimate and safe to use?
Yes. It is a privately held company in Jackson, Michigan, in business since 2000 according to the BBB, accredited since 2010 with an A+ rating. It has 64 BBB complaints in three years. Read the caps in its contract before you buy.
How much does America's Preferred Home Warranty cost?
APHW quotes the monthly premium by ZIP code and does not publish it. You pick a $50 or $100 deductible per claim, and add-ons cost $5.00 to $33.25 as listed on its site. You also pay anything above a coverage cap.
Can I use my own contractor with APHW?
Yes. You can use any licensed contractor, but you must get a claim number from APHW first, and the contractor must get approval before doing the work.
What does America's Preferred not cover?
Pre-existing problems, cosmetic damage, items not working on the start date and parts listed as not covered, such as refrigerator ice makers. Several items also have dollar caps, for example $500 for a water heater.
Does APHW cover refrigerators?
It covers the kitchen refrigerator's compressor only, up to $1,000. Extra refrigerators, freezers and wine coolers can be added for $5.00 with the same compressor-only coverage.
Is there a waiting period?
Yes. The waiting period is shown on your confirmation page, and claims made during it are not covered. For real estate purchases, APHW says coverage usually starts at closing, though some cases have a 30-day delay.
How do I file a claim with America's Preferred?
Start a claim online or call 800-648-5006, available 24/7. Then have your licensed contractor diagnose the problem and call APHW for a coverage decision before starting repairs.
How do I cancel America's Preferred Home Warranty?
Notify the contract administrator in writing. Within 30 days you get the full fee back minus claims paid; after that, any refund depends on your payment plan.
Does APHW include identity theft protection?
APHW says buyers of a qualifying consumer policy, or a Gold or Premier package through a real estate sale, get identity and home title theft protection from American Identity Group at no extra cost.
Where is America's Preferred Home Warranty located?
5775 Ann Arbor Road, Jackson, Michigan 49201. Its claims line is 800-648-5006 and its email is [email protected].
Sources (9)
Facts on this page come from company websites, government agencies and regulators, checked on the dates shown. Editorial standards
- America's Preferred Home Warranty: Home page, plans, add-ons and FAQ (accessed October 12, 2026)
- America's Preferred Home Warranty: About us (accessed October 12, 2026)
- America's Preferred Home Warranty: Homeowner terms and conditions (accessed October 12, 2026)
- America's Preferred Home Warranty: Direct-to-consumer sample contract (PDF) (accessed October 12, 2026)
- America's Preferred Home Warranty: Choose your contractor (accessed October 12, 2026)
- America's Preferred Home Warranty: What we cover (accessed October 12, 2026)
- America's Preferred Home Warranty: Identity and home title theft protection (accessed October 12, 2026)
- BBB: America's Preferred Home Warranty, Inc. (accessed October 12, 2026)
- Trustpilot: America's Preferred Home Warranty reviews (accessed October 12, 2026)
BestGuide is free to use. Some companies we review pay us when you visit their site or contact them through us. Compensation may influence which companies we feature and their order. It doesn't change what our reviews say. Advertising disclosure