Home Warranty of America

Home Warranty of America: annual warranties for home appliances and systems

Home Warranty of America (HWA) is a U.S. company that offers annual service contracts, known as home warranties, designed to cover the repair or replacement of home appliances and home system components that break down with use. The company presents itself as a provider of warranties for homeowners, real estate professionals, and service contractors, and states that it has more than 25 years of experience in the industry.

What a home warranty covers

According to the company's information, a home warranty is an annual service contract that protects the policyholder against the cost of unexpected repairs. Commonly covered items include the refrigerator, washer and dryer, dishwasher, air conditioning and heating systems, plumbing systems, and garage door systems, among others. Coverage is subject to the terms of the contract and the exclusions specified in each plan.

Premier and Premier Plus plans

The offering is structured around two main plans. The Premier plan provides basic protection, while the Premier Plus plan expands coverage to include the air conditioning system and about 30 additional items not covered by Premier. The site's catalog listed prices starting at $46.08 per month for the Premier plan and starting at $59.92 per month for Premier Plus, based on plans with a $100 trade call fee. The company notes that pricing varies based on home type and square footage, and that the coverage period begins 30 days after the initial payment and contract start date. All warranties come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

How to request service

When a covered item breaks down, the policyholder can request service online or by phone, at any time of day. The company assigns a verified contractor, who contacts the customer to schedule an appointment. The policyholder pays the trade call fee (TCF), a fixed diagnosis fee based on the selected plan, and a licensed professional technician diagnoses the covered item and proposes a repair or replacement solution, subject to the limitations set out in the contract and coverage.

Customer profiles: homeowners, real estate agents, and contractors

HWA distinguishes three audiences. For homeowners, it offers plans that cover everything from appliances to plumbing, electrical systems, heating, and air conditioning. For real estate professionals, it offers buyers coverage, free sellers coverage, and sales tools designed to support their business. For contractors, the company offers the opportunity to join its nationwide network of service providers and thereby expand their business and customer relationships.

Reference repair and replacement costs

The site includes a comparison of average repair and replacement costs for various equipment, in order to illustrate the financial impact of breakdowns. Examples published include the heating system ($459 average repair and $6,589 replacement), the plumbing system ($352 and $1,501), the electrical system ($314 and $1,521), air conditioning ($490 and $9,733), the kitchen ($157 and $1,758), the refrigerator ($146 and $954), the washer ($191 and $634), and the dryer ($155 and $704). The company states that these figures are based on industry retail rates and may vary by geographic region.

Customer service and contact channels

The company has several phone numbers and an online customer area to manage the account and submit claims. The site allows claims to be submitted online 24 hours a day, every day of the year. The company also publishes a learning center with content on home maintenance and materials for real estate professionals.