American Residential Warranty Review
American Residential Warranty is a home warranty company operating out of Boca Raton, Florida providing home warranties, electronics protection plans, and home security systems in all fifty states. Consumers have 30 days to decide whether to keep or change their plan or add options. Add-ons are available across several home repair categories so you can avoid paying for unneeded coverage, or increase coverage for specific systems and appliances. While home warranties are especially useful for older homes, American Residential Warranty plans cover both new and existing appliances and electronics.
Pros
- 24-hour claim support, all year round
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- Impressive warranty company affiliations
- Affordable add-ons customize home warranty plans
Cons
- No mention of enrollment fee until later in the sign-up process
American Residential Warranty Plan Features
It can cost hundreds of dollars to repair just one of your appliances or to fix a plumbing issue. Home-related repairs are expensive, and a home warranty can help you budget with regular payments. Another advantage to a home warranty is American Residential confirms the skills and integrity of the service professionals coming to your home. American Residential Warranty offers three levels of home warranty coverage as well as warranties specifically for kitchens, heating and cooling systems and electronics. You can tailor your home warranty to your needs with coverage from over 15 add-ons, including refrigerator ice makers not included in the warranty packages.
- American Residential Platinum Plan
The Platinum plan covers most major appliances in your home and central air, heating and humidifier units. Coverage includes:
- Built-in microwave
- Dishwasher, garbage disposal
- Kitchen exhaust fan, range, oven, and cooktop, refrigerator
- Interior electrical system, and water heater
If you want more coverage on parts and types of repairs than American Residential Warranty offers on the Platinum plan, consider the Platinum Premier plan or add-on options discussed below.
- Platinum Premier from American Residential Warranty
Source: American Residential WarrantyThe Platinum Premier plan expands coverage to more fixtures and plumbing repairs, adding the following protection to American Residential Warranty’s Platinum plan:
- Ceiling fans
- Ductwork
- Garage door opener
- Dishwasher
- Garbage disposal
- Range hood
- Interior electrical system
- Plumbing system and stoppages, excluding fixtures
- Water heater
- American Residential Warranty 3-In-1 Bundle
American Residential Warranty’s 3-In-1 Bundle combines the Platinum Premier plan, Deluxe Advantage and Ultimate Electronics Protection.
- System parts
- Code Violation coverage
- Electronics damage and repairs
The Deluxe Advantage plan is exclusive to the 3-In-1 Bundle, adding system parts like air conditioning coils and refrigerant, plumbing fixtures and faucets and major kitchen appliance parts. Coverage includes mismatched systems (heating or air conditioning inadequate for your home), garage door springs and tracks, water heater sediment buildup and much more. American Residential Warranty gives you permit/modification/code violation coverage within the Deluxe Advantage package, ideal if you buy an existing home where you may not find code violations for years after the purchase.
The Ultimate Electronics Protection covers devices in your home such as DVD players, TVs, computers, and gaming consoles for normal wear and tear, power surges and cracked screens or accidental damage. American Residential Warranty offers the Ultimate Electronics Protection plan with the backing of Asurion, which has 25 years experience delivering quality electronics repair and replacement services. Ultimate Electronics Protection covers all your personal technology, and you can buy this plan separate from the 3-In-1 Bundle.
- Kitchen Plus Warranty Plan
American Residential Warranty’s Kitchen Plus plan is designed to keep one of the most appliance-heavy rooms of your house functioning. This plan covers a built-in microwave, dishwasher, garbage disposal, kitchen exhaust fan, range, oven and cooktop, refrigerator, interior electrical system, and water heater.
- Heating and Cooling Warranty Plan
The Heating and Cooling plan from American Residential Warranty covers your central air conditioning and heating, built in humidifier, and interior electrical system.
American Residential Warranty Plan Costs
One of the advantages of a home warranty plan from American Residential is you can pay monthly, quarterly or yearly. However, we only found monthly pricing for the Ultimate Electronics Protection. Quarterly and annual payments offer discounts, and if you decide you don’t want your plan within 30 days of signing up, American Residential Warranty will refund your money.
You will pay a one-time $39 enrollment fee for an American Residential Warranty plan. The company occasionally offers a deal on the enrollment fee, like 20 percent off.
| Plan | Monthly | Quarterly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3-In-1 Bundle | $89.99 | $276.99 | $1,071.99 |
| Platinum Premier | $54.99 | $159.99 | $549.90 |
| Platinum | $46.99 | $136.99 | $469.90 |
| Kitchen Plus | $29.99 | $86.99 | $299.90 |
| Heating & Cooling | $35.99 | $104.99 | $359.90 |
| Ultimate Electronics Protection |
$24.99 | N/A | N/A |
American Residential Warranty Add-Ons
You can add coverage for specific components, systems and appliances to your American Residential Warranty plan to expand your protection. These options, called add-ons, include your washer and dryer, range/oven/cooktop, refrigerator, freezer, water heater, ice maker, air conditioner, heating, well pump, water line, sewer line, pool, pool/spa combo, spa, ceiling fan, and food spoilage.
Consumers can add multiple appliances to their warranty using add-ons. For example, if you have two freezers and your plan covers one, use an add-on to protect the other.
American Residential Warranty Complaints
Trustpilot awards American Residential Warranty 5 stars with the majority of consumer reviews rating the company great to excellent. The few low scores are from customers who did not read contracts or understand the warranty coverage limits. ConsumerAffairs rates American Residential Warranty 4.75 stars out of 5 based on feedback from 421 customers in the past year. The company has an “A+” rating with the Better Business Bureau, where the customer reviews for American Residential Warranty score a cumulative 4.5 out of 5 stars.
American Residential Warranty Q&A
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Can I choose the contractor for an American Residential Warranty service call?
Yes, within limits. American Residential Warranty has a working relationship with a group of pre-qualified professionals, but you can tell the claims representative you have a preferred contractor when you make a service request. You should speak to your contractor and let them know they have to call for authorization before making any repairs. -
Is there a waiting period before American Residential Warranty plans take effect?
Yes, there is a 30-day waiting period after you buy an American Residential Warranty plan. You will not have coverage during that time. -
Does American Residential Warranty charge a deductible for service or repairs?
Like most home warranties, American Residential Warranty plans have a trade service fee. Home warranties are not home insurance, so there is no deductible. The trade service fee covers up to two appliances per call, so verify the amount when you speak to your claims representative. -
What if American Residential Warranty’s repair technician can’t fix an appliance?
American Residential Warranty will either replace the appliance or pay you an amount to use toward the cost of a replacement. Read the terms of the contract before you finalize your home warranty to ensure you’re familiar with all plan policies. -
How long does it take American Residential Warranty to schedule service?
American Residential Warranty’s goal for emergency calls is within 24 hours. If your breakdown is not an emergency, the company will have a service tech at your door within 48 hours after placing your claim. -
Are there limits on an American Residential Warranty plan?
Yes, there are some limits, which vary depending on the plan and add-ons you choose. Some appliances and systems have a $1,000 per year cost limit for diagnosis and repair or replacement, while others may have a $600 coverage limit. Specific parts may be excluded from coverage, such as Freon in an air conditioning unit. Read the documentation thoroughly for each American Residential Plan you consider to make the best choice for your home.
Conclusion
Your homeowner’s insurance does not cover expensive appliance and other repairs that can put your bank account in the red. Consider the costs and benefits of a home warranty, and if you decide to buy one, American Residential Warranty offers customizable options for fine-tuning the coverage you need.