Choice Home Warranty is best for homeowners who want simple, broad home warranty coverage without comparing too many plan tiers. The Basic Plan may work for homeowners who want essential systems and appliance protection, while the Total Plan is better for homeowners who want more complete coverage, including air conditioning, refrigerator, washer, and dryer. The biggest benefits are the simple plan structure, 24/7 claims access, and strong coverage list; the biggest drawbacks are coverage exclusions, contractor assignment rules, and claim limitations.

About Choice Home Warranty

Choice Home Warranty, often called CHW, offers home service contracts that help homeowners manage the cost of covered system and appliance breakdowns. A home warranty is different from homeowners insurance because it is designed for covered mechanical failures caused by normal wear and tear, not damage from events like storms, fire, theft, or flooding.

The company keeps its plan structure simple with two main options: Basic Plan and Total Plan. The Basic Plan covers many essential systems and appliances, while the Total Plan includes everything in the Basic Plan and adds key items such as air conditioning, refrigerator, clothes washer, and clothes dryer.

Choice also promotes a nationwide network of more than 25,000 contractors and says it has handled more than 8 million customer claims. This can make it appealing for homeowners who want a large provider with broad service access.

Key Features

• Two main plans: Choice Home Warranty offers the Basic Plan and Total Plan. The Basic Plan covers many core systems and appliances, while the Total Plan adds several high-value household items.
• 24/7 service requests: Choice says customers can request service 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
• Large contractor network: The company promotes a network of more than 25,000 contractors, which helps support service requests across many areas.
• Optional add-ons: Homeowners can add optional coverage for items such as pool/spa, well pump, sump pump, central vacuum, limited roof leak, septic system, second refrigerator, stand-alone freezer, and septic tank pumping.
• Coverage limits: Choice’s sample agreement lists a maximum liability of $3,000 per covered item per 12-month period, except where lower limits apply.

Home Warranty Plans

Choice Home Warranty offers two main plans: Basic Plan and Total Plan. The Basic Plan covers many essential systems and appliances, while the Total Plan includes everything in Basic and adds air conditioning, refrigerator, clothes washer, and clothes dryer.

Basic Plan

The Basic Plan is Choice Home Warranty’s entry-level option. It covers a mix of home systems and appliances, including heating, electrical, plumbing, plumbing stoppage, water heater, whirlpool bathtub, oven/range/stove, cooktop, dishwasher, built-in microwave, garbage disposal, ductwork, garage door opener, and ceiling and exhaust fans.

This plan may be a good fit for homeowners who want essential protection at a lower cost. However, it does not include some major items that many homeowners may want covered, including air conditioning, refrigerator, clothes washer, and clothes dryer.

Total Plan

The Total Plan is Choice Home Warranty’s more complete plan. It includes everything in the Basic Plan and adds coverage for air conditioning system, refrigerator, clothes washer, and clothes dryer.

This plan is likely the better choice for homeowners who want broader protection for both systems and everyday appliances. It is especially worth considering if you want coverage for cooling, refrigeration, and laundry items under one plan.

Optional Add-On Coverage

Choice Home Warranty offers optional coverage for items not included in the standard plans. Current optional coverage categories listed by Choice include pool/spa, well pump, sump pump, central vacuum, limited roof leak, septic system, second refrigerator, stand-alone freezer, and septic tank pumping.

Add-ons can make a plan more useful for homes with extra equipment, but they increase the total cost and may have lower coverage limits than standard covered items. Homeowners should only add coverage for items they actually own and want protected.

Pricing and Service Fees

Choice Home Warranty does not list one fixed national plan price on its main coverage page. Final pricing depends on the selected plan, property details, optional add-ons, location, and current promotion. Customers can request a personalized quote online or by phone.

The current promotional landing page advertises $75 off, plus 1 month free. Choice’s terms also state that the service fee is listed in the customer’s coverage details and must be paid for each service request.

Coverage Limits and Exclusions

Choice Home Warranty’s sample agreement states that covered systems must become inoperative due to normal wear and tear, be in proper working order on the effective date, and meet the contract’s requirements. The agreement also states that known or unknown pre-existing conditions are not covered.

Choice’s standard maximum liability is $3,000 per covered item per 12-month period, except where lower limits apply. Some optional items and specific coverage categories have lower caps, such as septic tank pumping at $250 and certain optional coverages at $500.

The agreement also says Choice may offer cash or cash equivalent instead of repair or replacement, based on its actual cost, which may be less than retail. Cash settlements may not include shipping, tax, or installation costs.

How to Get a Quote and File a Claim

Getting a Quote

To get a quote, homeowners can visit Choice Home Warranty’s website or promotional page and submit their ZIP code and contact details. The final quote depends on the plan, location, add-ons, property details, and current promotion.

Before enrolling, review the selected plan, optional add-ons, service fee, promotion terms, waiting period, coverage limits, exclusions, and whether your state has different contract terms.

Filing a Claim

When a covered item breaks down, customers must request service as soon as the malfunction is discovered and before the agreement expires. Choice’s sample agreement says the company begins contacting service providers after a service request, but in some cases it may take more than 48 hours for a provider to accept the request.

Choice has the sole right to select the service provider, and the agreement states that the company will not reimburse for services performed without prior approval. The customer pays the service fee listed in the coverage details for each service request.

Customer Support

Choice Home Warranty offers online and phone-based support for service requests. Its promotional page highlights 24/7 home warranty service, and its website includes customer login and request service options.

Customer experiences may vary, especially because Choice assigns the service provider and contract rules determine whether a repair or replacement is approved. Homeowners should keep records of claim numbers, service appointments, technician notes, approvals, denials, and service fee payments.

Choice has also faced recent legal scrutiny. The Arizona Attorney General announced an $11.8 million settlement resolving a consumer fraud lawsuit, while Choice denied the allegations and did not admit wrongdoing as part of the settlement.

Bottom Line

Choice Home Warranty is worth considering if you want simple home warranty coverage with two plan options, 24/7 service requests, and broad protection for many major systems and appliances. The Basic Plan may work for homeowners who want essential coverage, while the Total Plan is the better option for homeowners who want added protection for air conditioning, refrigerator, washer, and dryer.

The biggest advantages are Choice’s straightforward plan structure, large contractor network, current promotional savings, and broad Total Plan coverage. The biggest drawbacks are contractor assignment rules, exclusions for pre-existing conditions, lower limits on some categories, and recent legal concerns. Overall, Choice Home Warranty may be a good fit for homeowners who want simple coverage, but the contract should be reviewed carefully before enrollment.