Ideal Home Warranty Review
Ideal Home Warranty offers coverage with three different plans, so you’re not locked into a “one-size-fits-all” service contract. The Gold Plan covers repairs to major household systems, and the Platinum plan is for appliances. The Ideal Plan combines the Gold and Platinum Plans and adds coverage for a ceiling and exhaust fan, garage door opener and whirlpool bathtub.
The home warranty company sells plans in all states and has 24/7 coverage for claims services. You can read the full contract terms on the website before you get a quote. Ideal Home Warranty assigns a dedicated claims specialist to your account, so you always work with someone familiar with your claim.
Pros
- No transfer fee if you sell your home
- Contract terms posted on website
- 24/7 claims service
- One claims specialist per case
Cons
- Cancellation fee after 30 days
Ideal Home Warranty Plan Benefits
Home warranties cover repairs of appliances and systems that fail from wear and tear, which your homeowners insurance doesn’t cover. An Ideal Home Warranty plan helps to pay for the cost of fixing household systems (like heating and plumbing), appliances, septic and well systems and more. You pay a monthly or annual fee, which is easier to budget for than the high cost of a household breakdown. Ask about a discount for a multiyear protection plan.
If a covered item breaks down, call Ideal Home Warranty’s customer service 24 hours a day to file a claim. A service professional will be at your door as soon as the same day to diagnose the problem and make repairs or replacements. You pay a small service fee on the first visit, but there are no other fees.
| Gold | Platinum | Ideal |
|---|---|---|
| – Heating and air conditioning– Electrical and plumbing– Plumbing stoppage– Water heater | – Garbage disposal– Refrigerator (kitchen)– Oven, range, stove, cooktop– Microwave (built-in)– Dishwasher– Washer and dryer | – Gold and Platinum coverage– Ceiling and exhaust fan– Garage door opener– Whirlpool bathtub |
Ideal Home Warranty Guarantee and Exclusions
Ideal Home Warranty pays to fix the system or appliance again if a repair fails. This guarantee is good for 90 days on parts and 30 days on labor, with no service fee.
All home warranties come with exclusions. For example, a service contract from Ideal Home Warranty won’t cover knobs on your washing machine, racks in your dishwasher or air conditioning filters. We recommend reading the home warranty contract and asking questions if you do not understand all the terms. Ideal Home Warranty contracts offer a great deal of coverage but include many exclusions.
Ideal Home Warranty does not provide contracts to homes with a business (such as a day care or professional office). Coverage does not extend to common areas shared with neighbors.
Customizing Your Ideal Home Warranty Service
Ideal Home Warranty allows you to customize your repair plan with optional coverage for many other systems and appliances inside and outside the home. You can immediately purchase any of these add-ons or wait up to 30 days after buying your primary plan.
Coverage for add-ons starts 30 days after Ideal Home Warranty receives payment and ends on the same day as your primary service contract.
| Exterior | Interior |
|---|---|
| – Pool and spa– Septic system– Well pumpLimited roof leak | – Refrigerator ice maker– Central vacuum– Sump pump– Water softener– Stand-alone freezer |
Ideal Home Warranty Costs and Cancellation Policy
Ideal Home Warranty says it provides service contracts for as little as $1 per day but does not publish sample pricing. Home warranty prices vary by location, and there is a separate service fee for each claim. The Ideal Home Warranty website says it offers one month of service free, although this may be a temporary promotion.
You can cancel your Ideal Home Warranty contract within 30 days of your order date for a full refund. Published contract terms say costs for service provided during that time get subtracted from the refund. However, Ideal Home Warranty’s service ordinarily doesn’t go into effect until 30 days after finalizing your contract.
Cancel after 30 days, and you get a prorated refund less service costs and administration and cancellation fees.
How to Buy an Ideal Home Warranty Service Agreement
You can click on the “Request a Free Quote” button on the website and complete the contact form to get a call from Ideal Home Warranty. Another option is to call the company at the listed number to discuss home warranty coverage. If you use any contact form on the site, you agree to contact by phone, email, text and prerecorded promotional messages.
Ideal Home Warranty Complaints
Ideal Home Warranty says you’ll find consumer reviews on Google and several websites. We found no reviews anywhere except on the Best Company review site. Ideal Home Warranty has a few enthusiastic customer comments on its site.
The Best Company review highlights the same things we like about Ideal Home Warranty: 24/7 claims service and tiered, customizable plans. The review noted the incomplete contact information found on the site and a lack of pricing information. Best Company criticized Ideal Home Warranty for not linking to the contract terms on its site, but the link is now in place.
Ideal Home Warranty Q&A
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Can I choose the contractor that makes repairs via Ideal Home Warranty?
Ideal Home Warranty selects the contractors who fulfill the service contract. If you have a favorite household repair company, they can join the network online. You could request this company if you file a claim, but Ideal Home Warranty gets the final word on contractors.
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Do Ideal Home Warranty service contracts cover multiple appliances of the same type?
No. If you want to cover multiple appliances, such as two refrigerators, speak to your Ideal Home Warranty agent about adding the second unit to your contract.
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Can renters buy an Ideal Home Warranty contract?
Renters don’t own the covered property, so they can’t buy a home warranty. Landlords owning single-family and multiunit homes can buy a service contract from Ideal Home Warranty and name the tenant(s) as an authorized party.
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How does Ideal Home Warranty vet contractors?
The terms on Ideal Home Warranty’s website do not specify a procedure for investigating repair contractors. The contract spells out that it’s not liable for damages related to service, contractor delays or a contractor’s failure to provide service. Speak to a representative to learn how Ideal Home Warranty vets contractors that visit your home.
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Is Ideal Home Warranty a maintenance company?
No. Ideal Home Warranty does not coordinate maintenance, only repair service. You must maintain systems and appliances according to manufacturer recommendations. Ideal Home Warranty doesn’t cover damage due to negligence.
Conclusion
Ideal Home Warranty offers a decent level of repair service coverage for homes under 2,500 square feet. Take some time to decide if a home warranty is a good fit for you before you buy one. If a home warranty makes sense, read the contract terms thoroughly. Ideal Home Warranty’s 24/7 claim center and having one agent assigned to your claim are notable conveniences.