On this page13 sections
- Ratings and complaints
- Home Warranty of America vs. competitors
- Pricing
- Step by step
- Home Warranty of America legitimacy and licensing
- Home Warranty of America cost
- What HWA covers and the limits that matter
- HWA complaints and how to avoid problems
- How to cancel a Home Warranty of America plan
- Who should skip a home warranty
- What customers say
- Alternatives
- FAQ
Home Warranty of America's $5,000 per item cap is higher than many rivals, but many items have lower sub-limits, there is a $15,000 total cap and a 30-day wait, and BBB lists 978 complaints in three years. It is a legitimate home warranty seller, but today it is not the same company that sold plans in the 2010s: its contracts are issued by American Global Obligors and state affiliates at 90 Washington Valley Road in Bedminster, New Jersey, the same administrator and address behind Choice Home Warranty. It can work if you read the sample contract first and keep maintenance records, but expect to push on denied claims.
- Plans
- Premier and Premier Plus for homeowners, plus buyer and seller plans for real estate deals1
- Price
- Premier from $46.08 a month and Premier Plus from $59.92 a month with a $100 trade call fee, as listed October 2026; price varies by home type and size1
- Trade call fee
- Starts at $75 depending on plan and state; due for every service request, even if the claim is denied3
- Coverage caps
- $5,000 per covered item and $15,000 total per coverage period in the sample contract, with lower limits on many items4
- Waiting period
- Coverage starts 30 days after your first payment and contract start date4
- Cancellation
- Full refund within 30 days if no claim; after that, prorated refund less service costs and a fee of the lesser of $30 or 10% of the price2
- Who stands behind it
- American Global Obligors, Inc. or a state affiliate, administered by Warranty Administration Services, Bedminster, NJ; the Utah affiliate does business as Choice Home Warranty4
- BBB
- B, not accredited; 978 complaints in the last 3 years; business start listed as February 1, 20225
Pros
- Published starting prices, unlike many rivals
- $5,000 per item cap is higher than the $2,000 to $3,000 common on basic plans
- No age limits or inspection needed on Premier plans
- Full refund within 30 days if you have not filed a claim
Cons
- Many items have sub-limits of $400 to $2,000, and total payouts stop at $15,000
- Trade call fee is due on every request, including denied ones
- 30-day wait before any coverage
- BBB B rating with 978 complaints in three years
- Contract bars class actions, so disputes must be brought individually
Best for: Homeowners who want published pricing and a higher per-item cap, and who keep maintenance records for their HVAC and appliances.
Skip it if: You expect a smooth claims process or have older systems with unknown maintenance history, since denials for wear, maintenance and pre-existing problems are the top complaint.
Home Warranty of America vs. competitors
| Company | Starting price | Service fee | Main coverage cap | BBB |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home Warranty of America | $46.08 a month | From $75; $100 at listed price | $5,000 per item, $15,000 total | B, not accredited |
| Choice Home Warranty | Not published | $100 | $3,000 per item per year | B, not accredited |
| American Home Shield | $29.99 a month | Chosen at purchase | $5,000 HVAC, $50,000 per term | B, accredited |
| 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty | $39.99 a month | Chosen at purchase | $5,000 per system, $50,000 per term | A, accredited |
Home Warranty of America pricing at a glance
Home Warranty of America homeowner plans, as listed October 20261
| Plan | Starting price | Trade call fee | What it adds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Premier | $46.08 a month | $100 at this price | Basic coverage for appliances and home systems such as heating, plumbing and electrical |
| Premier Plus | $59.92 a month | $100 at this price | Adds air conditioning plus 30 more items not in Premier |
| Optional add-ons | Not published | Same as plan | Pool and spa, well pump, septic and other items, priced at checkout |
HWA says prices depend on home type and square footage and are based on a $100 trade call fee. Homes of 5,000 square feet or more need approval. Seller coverage on real estate plans is free.
Home Warranty of America, step by step
Get a quote and buy a plan
Pick Premier or Premier Plus online or by phone. Your price depends on your home's type and size and the trade call fee you choose.
Wait 30 days
Coverage starts 30 days after your first payment. Anything that breaks before then is your cost.
Request service
File online or by phone when a covered item breaks, and pay the trade call fee before the visit is scheduled.
Contractor diagnoses
A contractor from HWA's network inspects the item. HWA decides whether to repair, replace or deny based on the contract's exclusions and limits.
Renew or cancel
Plans renew automatically for one year at a time unless you call to stop it. You can cancel any time for a prorated refund.
Home Warranty of America legitimacy and licensing
Yes, it sells real, state-regulated home warranty contracts. The brand has changed hands, though. Direct Energy agreed to buy Home Warranty of America in November 2011, and today’s HWA contracts name American Global Obligors, Inc. or a state affiliate as the company that owes you service, with Warranty Administration Services, Inc. as administrator, all at 90 Washington Valley Road in Bedminster, New Jersey. That is the same administrator and address used by Choice Home Warranty, and HWA’s Utah affiliate does business as Choice Home Warranty.
The BBB profile for Home Warranty of America lists a business start of February 1, 2022, a B rating, no accreditation and 978 complaints in three years. Choice Home Warranty, its affiliate brand, agreed in January 2026 to pay $11.8 million to settle an Arizona Attorney General fraud suit; HWA was not named in that announcement.
Home Warranty of America cost
HWA lists Premier from $46.08 a month and Premier Plus from $59.92 a month, based on a $100 trade call fee. Your price depends on home type and square footage, and homes of 5,000 square feet or more need approval. That works out to about $553 to $719 a year before add-ons.
Each service request costs a trade call fee, which HWA says starts at $75 and varies by plan and state. The sample contract says you pay it before the visit is scheduled and that it applies even when a claim is denied or you miss the appointment.
What HWA covers and the limits that matter
Premier covers appliances and systems such as heating, plumbing, electrical, water heaters and kitchen appliances. Premier Plus adds air conditioning and more than 30 extra items, such as dishwasher racks and door seals. Items only qualify if they work when coverage starts and later fail from normal wear and tear.
The sample contract caps payouts at $5,000 per item and $15,000 per coverage period. Many items have lower limits, including $1,000 for concrete-encased plumbing, $1,000 for tankless water heaters, $1,500 for hot water or geothermal heating and $400 for items like central vacuums and alarms. Code upgrades and permits are excluded unless you buy optional coverage, which pays up to $250. HWA decides whether to repair or replace and pays $10 per pound for refrigerant.
What customers say about Home Warranty of America
Recurring themes across the review sites and complaint records listed above, not individual quotes.
Common praise
- Courteous, knowledgeable technicians
- Easy online claim filing
- Quick response on some repairs
- Low-pressure sales
Common complaints
- Claims denied for wear and tear, maintenance or missing records
- Long hold times and slow updates on urgent repairs
- Out-of-pocket costs above the trade call fee
- Hard-to-reach escalation and slow reimbursements
HWA complaints and how to avoid problems
Complaints on the BBB and Trustpilot most often involve denied claims (wear and tear, lack of maintenance, pre-existing problems), long waits for repairs, and costs beyond the trade call fee. Positive reviews mostly praise individual technicians and easy claim filing.
- Download the sample contract and read the limitations before you buy.
- Keep receipts for HVAC tune-ups, filter changes and appliance service.
- Report problems as soon as they start, and get the denial reason in writing.
- If a denial seems wrong, escalate in writing, then file with your state’s insurance or consumer agency and the BBB.
How to cancel a Home Warranty of America plan
You can cancel at any time by calling 1-800-496-7116. Cancel within 30 days of the contract start date with no claims and you get a full refund. After that, or if you filed a claim, you get a prorated refund minus what HWA paid for service and an administrative fee of the lesser of $30 or 10% of the price. Some states give extra rights.
Plans renew automatically for one-year periods, with at least 30 days’ notice of any price change. If you cancel after renewal, HWA says it will honor the request right away.
Who should skip a home warranty
A home warranty is a service contract, not insurance, and it does not cover damage from fire, storms or water leaks. If your systems are new, under manufacturer warranty or well maintained, or if you can set aside a few hundred dollars a year, you may come out ahead by self-insuring. Buyers can ask the seller to pay for a plan at closing so the first year costs them nothing.
Alternatives to Home Warranty of America
- A home repair savings fund Putting the $550 or more a year you'd spend on premiums into savings covers many single repairs with no denials, waits or trade call fees.
- American Home Shield Lower starting price and a $50,000 total cap per term, backed by a public company, Frontdoor. Read review
- 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty Flat $39.99 or $59.99 monthly pricing regardless of home size, and a BBB A rating. Read review
- Manufacturer and extended appliance warranties If only one new appliance worries you, its own warranty or a single-item plan may cost less than a whole-home contract.
Home Warranty of America reviews
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Frequently asked questions
Is Home Warranty of America a good company?
It is legitimate, but reviews are mixed. Trustpilot shows 4.0 out of 5 from 3,374 reviews, while the BBB gives a B rating with 978 complaints in three years, mostly about denied or slow claims.
Who owns Home Warranty of America now?
Its contracts are issued by American Global Obligors, Inc. or state affiliates and administered by Warranty Administration Services in Bedminster, New Jersey. That is the same administrator and address as Choice Home Warranty, and the Utah affiliate does business as Choice Home Warranty.
How much does Home Warranty of America cost?
Premier starts at $46.08 a month and Premier Plus at $59.92 a month with a $100 trade call fee, as listed October 2026. Your price depends on your home's type and size.
What is HWA's trade call fee?
It is the fee you pay for each service request, starting at $75 depending on plan and state. You pay it before the visit is scheduled, and it is not refunded if the claim is denied.
What is the coverage limit?
The sample contract pays up to $5,000 per covered item and $15,000 in total per coverage period. Many items have lower limits, such as $400 for central vacuums and $1,000 for tankless water heaters.
Is there a waiting period?
Yes. Coverage starts 30 days after your first payment, and anything that breaks before then isn't covered. Renewals don't have a new wait.
Does HWA cover pre-existing conditions?
No. Items must be working when coverage starts, and failures from pre-existing defects or poor maintenance are excluded. HWA does not require an inspection but may ask for one on a recently bought home.
Can I cancel HWA and get a refund?
Yes. You get a full refund within 30 days if you have made no claims, and after that a prorated refund less service costs and a fee of the lesser of $30 or 10% of the price.
Is HWA the same as Choice Home Warranty?
They are sold as separate brands with different plans and prices, but HWA's contracts name the same administrator, obligor and Bedminster address used by Choice Home Warranty.
Does Home Warranty of America cover air conditioning?
Only on Premier Plus or as an upgrade. The base Premier plan does not include AC.
Sources (9)
Facts on this page come from company websites, government agencies and regulators, checked on the dates shown. Editorial standards
- Home Warranty of America: Homepage and plan prices (accessed October 12, 2026)
- Home Warranty of America: 30-day money-back guarantee (accessed October 12, 2026)
- Home Warranty of America: Homeowner FAQs (accessed October 12, 2026)
- Home Warranty of America: Sample coverage terms (DTC-2022), PDF (accessed October 12, 2026)
- BBB: Home Warranty of America profile (accessed October 12, 2026)
- Trustpilot: Home Warranty of America reviews (accessed October 12, 2026)
- Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation: Residential service company list (accessed October 12, 2026)
- ACHR News: Direct Energy to acquire Home Warranty of America (November 15, 2011) (accessed October 12, 2026)
- Arizona Attorney General: $11.8 million settlement with Choice Home Warranty (accessed October 12, 2026)
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