Sears Home Warranty Review
The National Association of Certified Home Inspectors appliance and home systems life expectancy charts list many appliances and home systems that can last a decade. The length of time these expensive items keep running well depends on use and maintenance. Home warranties cover the repair and replacement of systems likes air conditioning, plumbing, heating, electrical systems and others. As we explain in our Home Warranty Guide, these warranties do not replace homeowner’s insurance but protect you from sizable unexpected expenses.
Your home is probably your most valuable investment. Sears Home Warranty (underwritten by Cross Country Home Services) offers three types of home warranty plans to protect that investment. The Appliance Warranty plan covers up to 20 major appliances no matter their age, make, or model. Sears Home Warranty guarantees that if they cannot fix your appliance, they will replace it for you. The next level of coverage is the Systems Warranty plan which includes heating and air conditioning, plumbing, water heater, electrical system and more. Finally, the Whole House Warranty covers everything in both the Appliance Warranty and Systems Warranty. In addition to these three base plans, Sears Home Warranty can customize your coverage to meet your exact needs with add-on options.
Because Sears Home Warranty is part of the Sears brand that has been in business since 1886, they offer many benefits that other home warranty companies do not. For example, at no charge to you, Sears gives you two preventative maintenance checks on your heating and cooling systems each year. In addition to your warranty benefits, your plan includes membership in Shop Your Way, a promotional program for earning discounts at Sears, Kmart, and other retailers. With this membership, you receive free two-day shipping on many items that you can purchase.
While Sears Home Warranty plans are slightly more expensive than many other home warranty plans, they carry the trusted name of a long-established company along with a solid workmanship guarantee. Their value-packed packages are designed to give you peace of mind with generous coverage limits.
Pros
- 180-day workmanship guarantee
- Protection for more than 20 major appliances and systems
- 24/7 support and customer service
- Generous coverage cap of $10,000 per claim
- Generous annual claim limit of $50,000
- Two free yearly preventative maintenance checks (heating and cooling systems)
Cons
- More expensive than most other home warranty plans
- Limited time in the home warranty business
Sears Home Warranty Plans And Packages
A home warranty from Sears is one of the most expensive plans on the market, running $10 to $20 more a month than most of their competitors. However, when you choose a Sears Home Warranty package, you can expect a broad range of coverage, plus some extras other home warranty companies don’t offer.
Sears Appliance Warranty covers up to 20 appliances no matter their age, make, or model, including washing machine, clothes dryer, refrigerator, range, oven, dishwasher, microwave and trash compactor. Sears Home Warranty guarantees that if it cannot fix your appliance, it will replace it for you. You pay a service fee (or deductible) of $75 per visit with the appliance package and $50 per month for the warranty itself.
Sears System Warranty covers central heating and air conditioning, ductwork, plumbing, electrical, and other systems. You pay a service fee (or deductible) of $100 per visit with the systems warranty. This plan does not cover appliances but does offer a 25 percent discount on appliance repairs.
Sears Whole House Warranty provides the most comprehensive coverage and includes everything in both the Appliance Warranty and the Systems Warranty. This plan runs $70 per month, with a service fee of $100 per visit.
| Appliances Covered | Whole House Plan | Appliances Plan | Systems Plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washer and Dryer | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ |
| Refrigerator/Ice Maker | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ |
| Range/CookTop/Oven | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ |
| Exhaust Fan | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ |
| Built-In Dishwasher and Microwave | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ |
| Built-in Trash Compactor | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ |
| Central Heating and Air | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ |
| Ductwork | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ |
| Faucets | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ |
| Garbage Disposal | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ |
| Plumbing Systems and Stoppages | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ |
| Water Heater | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ |
| Water Softener | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ |
| Ceiling Fans | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ |
| Electrical System | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ |
| Garage Door Opener | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ |
| Pre-existing Conditions | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
Sears Home Warranty Costs
| Deductible (fee per service) | $100 | $75 | $100 |
| Cap Per Claim | $10,000 | $10,000 | $10,000 |
| Annual Cap | $50,000 | $50,000 | $50,000 |
| Service Request Limit | None | None | None |
| Service Guarantee | 180 Days | 180 Days | 180 Days |
| Hold on Claims | 30 Days | 30 Days | 30 Days |
With all three plans, there is a limit of $10,000 per claim and an annual limit of $50,000. There is no limit on the number of service requests you can make each year. Pre-screened, local service agents perform the inspections and work with a 180-day guarantee.
Cost-saving perks with each package include earning 15 percent back in points through the Shop Your Way program, 25 percent discounts on qualified repairs, and up to four $9.99 oil changes and four free tire rotations per year at a Sears Auto Center. Each oil change includes up to five quarts of Valvoline premium conventional oil and a $3.49 oil filter.
Besides these three base plans, Sears Home Warranty can extend your coverage to additional items such as pool and spa heaters, septic tank, sump pump, well, or standalone freezer. There is no cancellation fee, and you are only required to sign a one-year contract.
How To Purchase A Sears Home Warranty
If you are interested in a Sears Home Warranty plan, you can start by requesting a free quote online. You can also call Sears for a quote or choose their web-based chat feature to communicate with an online sales representative.
Sears Home Warranty Complaints
While Sears has been in business for more than 130 years and is well-established in the service and repair industry, they have only been offering home warranty services since 2014. For this reason, customer reviews are scarce. Sears emphasizes trust and dependability, and for the most part, consumers don’t take exception to these claims.
Sears Holding Corporation, the parent company, has an A rating on Better Business Bureau with an accreditation since 1926. Their composite score is 3.47 out five stars base on 1,057 customer reviews.
Sears Home Warranty Q&A
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Does a Sears Home Warranty cover older appliances?
Yes, Sears promises to repair or replace your covered appliances no matter their age, make, or model. However, it is essential to carefully read the terms, conditions, and limitations in your sample contract after you request a quote. Covered items must be in good working condition at the time your contract begins. Non-covered charges may apply to specific repairs and replacements, and coverage may vary by state. -
How does the replacement option work?
If, during a service call, the covered item is determined not to be repairable or too expensive to repair, Sears may elect to replace the item with a new one of like kind. -
What is the Shop Your Way program?
One perk of a Sears Home Warranty is free membership in the Shop Your Way program, a promotional rewards program offered by Sears Holdings Management Corporation. You will receive rewards for buying products and services through the Shop Your Way website. As a Sears Home Warranty customer, you’ll earn an additional 15 percent back in Shop Your Way points on all eligible purchases at Sears, Kmart, Lands’ End, and other stores. Also, when you enroll in Shop Your Way, you’ll also receive free two-day shipping on many items. -
Can I upgrade my Sears protection agreement to a Sears Home Warranty Plan?
If you purchased a home appliance or other merchandise with a Sears Purchase Protect plan, that agreement cannot transfer to a Sears Home Warranty. -
How do the preventative maintenance checks work?
Your Sears Home Warranty entitles you to two preventive maintenance checks each year, one for your heating system in the fall and one for your air conditioning system in the spring.
Conclusion
Sears, a company that is well-established in the service and repair industry, has been offering home warranty plans since 2014. Their warranty packages are a good value at a slightly higher price compared to the competition. Given their level of benefits, long-standing reputation, and trusted name, Sears Home Warranty is a good choice if you’re looking for a value-packed package with high coverage limits and a workmanship guarantee.