American residential warranty reviews for 2024

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If you’re looking into which home warranty is best for you, you could check out American Residential Warranty. Based out of Boca Raton, Florida, American Residential Warranty (ARW) is one of the larger home warranty providers serving the United States. But how do you know if ARW is the right service for you? And how can you be sure it will pay out for the appliances and systems you want covered?

To help you make a decision on whether this company is the one for you, here’s a look at how ARW’s home warranty service works, what you might pay and how it stacks up to industry competitors.

American Residential Warranty overview

American Residential Warranty is a top home warranty company that will cover your home’s major appliances and systems. ARW offers several home service plans as well as water and sewer line plans and electronics plan, so you’ll be able to get the coverage you need for your home.

How does ARW work?

As with all home warranty providers, you'll pay a monthly fee for your plan. The amount of that fee depends on which plan you select. For example, ARW’s least expensive plan – the Appliance Max plan – is regularly $45.00 a month. The more expensive Total Max plan is $85.99 a month.

You'll also pay what ARW calls a trade service fee to your service technician whenever you need a home repair. Consider it a type of deductible: You pay the service fee first, and then ARW will pay for covered repairs or maintenance, up to the limit specified in your contract for each appliance or home system in your plan.

As long as you don’t go over these limits, your home warranty will cover the costs of repairing or replacing these items.

American Residential Warranty plans

One thing to consider when trying to find the best home warranty company to meet your needs is the various plans it offers. American Residential Warranty offers several plans in order to meet the needs of those it serves. The company offers three home service plans, tailored to the different budgets and needs of homeowners. They also offer plans for water lines, sewer lines and electronics. Here is a breakdown of each of ARW’s plans:

Home service plans

ARW’s Home service plans are as follows:

• Total Max: The Total Max plan offers the most comprehensive protection for homeowners. From kitchen appliances, heating and cooling systems, internal plumbing, electrical systems and more, the Total Max plan covers a home’s major features for the ultimate peace of mind.

• Systems Max: Homeowners looking for a medium amount of coverage may choose ARW’s Systems Max plan. While not as comprehensive as the Total Max plan, it offers coverage on certain heating and cooling, internal plumbing and electrical components.

• Appliance Max: The most basic of ARW’s home service plans, the Appliance Max plan offers protection for a home’s kitchen appliances as well as its washing machine and dryer. This plan is a great way to get coverage for your home while keeping your monthly payment as low as possible.

Additional plans

In addition to their standard home service plans, ARW also offers the following specialty plans:

• Water Line Protection Plan: This plan provides coverage on your home’s water line, including for repairs, replacements and relines.
• Sewer Line Protection Plan: The Sewer Line Protection Plan covers repairs and replacements for leaks, breakages and stoppages in a home’s private lateral sewage line.
• Water & Sewer Line Protection Plan: This plan combines the protection of the water line and sewer plans. It comes with a $100 deductible for repairs and provides up to $2,500 in coverage per line in a 12-month period.
• Ultimate Electronics Protection Plan: American Residential Warranty’s Ultimate Electronics Protection Plan covers many different devices, from computers to tablets to gaming consoles. Coverage includes mechanical defects, accidental drops and failures due to wear and tear among other issues.

Cost

Home Warranty plans have a wide range of costs depending on the company and the amount of coverage provided. To help you determine if a home warranty is worth it, here is a quick look at the costs of ARW’s warranty plans

American Residential Warranty reviews

What do others think of ARW and its service? Here are some reviews from across the Internet.

Forbes

Forbes gives American Residential Warranty a rating of 4.34 stars out of 5, calling out ARW’s affordable service fee and easy cancellation policy.

They note ARW’s major benefits as the fact that they allow customers to choose their own service technicians and that they offer a special plan that specifically covers electronics. On terms of cons, Forbes calls out that ARW’s electronics plan doesn’t cover smartphones and that there’s no way to submit a claim online.

ConsumerAffairs

ARW has a rating of 4.2 stars out of 5 from ConsumerAffairs. The site praises ARW for letting customers choose their own contractors.

ConsumerAffairs also noted that ARW doesn't require long-term contracts, serves all 50 states and offers a stand-alone electronics protection package. On the downside, ConsumerAffairs said that ARW doesn't provide enough coverage for more expensive items.

TrustPilot

TrustPilot gives American Residential Warranty a rating of 4.0 stars out of 5, which they also label as “Great.” Customers who reviewed American Residential Warranty cite the company's low service fee and fast service.

Those who gave the company negative reviews said that it took too long for technicians to arrive at their homes or that coverage limits were too low for some appliances or home systems. Some previous customers also mentioned issues when filing a claim over the phone.

Why we like American Residential Warranty

There are plenty of reasons to like the service provided by American Residential Warranty, including low service fees, 24-hour service and the flexibility that comes with so many warranty plans. Here are some of the reasons why we recommend this home warranty provider.

Guarantees service repairs for 30 days

ARW guarantees repairs and replacements for 30 days. If a technician fixes your refrigerator and then it breaks again 15 days later, ARW will cover the costs of fixing that appliance again, even if another visit by a technician would have pushed you past your coverage limits on that refrigerator.

Allows customers to use their own contractor

With ARW, you can request service from a contractor with whom you’ve worked in the past. This gives you the option to work with a service technician you already trust. You can also select a contractor from ARW’s own network of licensed technicians.

Offers 24-Hour Customer Support

You can file a claim with ARW 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Remember, though, just because you can file a claim at 2 a.m. doesn’t mean that a service technician will arrive at your home at that hour. Most plumbers, electricians and other contractors work normal business hours.

Lower service fees

All home warranty companies charge service fees, the charge you’ll pay whenever a service technician comes to your home to replace or repair a malfunctioning home system or appliance. ARW, though, charges a lower service fee than its competitors.

ARW Home Warranty FAQs

Still trying to decide if American Residential Warranty is the right company for you? Here are some answers to the most frequently asked questions about ARW.

How much does an American Residential Warranty policy cost?

ARW home warranties start as low as $45.99 a month with the Appliance Max plan. Of course, you can purchase more comprehensive policies, like the Systems Max or Total Max plan, or choose additional coverage with add-ons for a higher monthly cost.

Does American Residential Warranty charge a deductible for service or repairs?

Every time you call for a repair, ARW charges a service fee that you pay directly to your technician. Because ARW offers home warranties and not homeowners insurance, the company does not charge deductibles. The service fee, though, does act much like an insurance policy’s deductible: You pay the service fee before ARW’s coverage kicks in and covers the rest of your repair or replacement costs.

Are there limits on repairs and replacements?

You can call for service as often as you’d like. ARW does not restrict you to a certain number of service calls a month. The number of service calls you make during a month will also not cause your monthly fee to rise.

There are limits, though, to how much ARW will pay out to repair or replace appliances or systems covered by your plan. Contact ARW to find out how much coverage the company provides for each covered item.

What happens if a covered appliance or system can’t be repaired?

There might be times when a home system or appliance covered by your ARW home warranty can’t be repaired. The item might be too old or too damaged. In these cases, ARW will provide you with a payout to help replace the item with a new version.

How do you cancel an ARW policy?

ARW says on its website that it doesn’t require customers to sign written contracts. As the site says, you can keep your coverage for as long as you’d like. To cancel your warranty, start by calling ARW’s phone number and speaking with a customer service representative.

The bottom line

A home warranty plan from American Residential Warranty can provide financial protection when your home’s more expensive appliances and systems break down. The challenge lies in determining which home warranty, if any, makes sense for you. This depends on the age of your home’s systems, how well you’ve maintained your appliances and how big of an emergency financial fund you’ve built up. It also helps to learn more about the best home warranty companiesand the plans they offer.

Not convinced that American Residential Warranty is the right home warranty company for you? Learn about First American Home Warranty, another top home warranty company, and the coverage it offers.