Select Home Warranty

What Is Select Home Warranty?

Select Home Warranty is a home service contract provider founded in 2012 and headquartered in Mahwah, New Jersey. Unlike traditional home insurance, a home warranty covers the repair or replacement of major household systems and appliances that break down from normal wear and tear. Select Home Warranty operates in all 50 states and uses a reimbursement-based service model, meaning homeowners pay their technician upfront and then submit a claim for reimbursement. This differs from companies like American Home Shield that dispatch their own contractor network directly.

The company offers coverage for a range of home systems and appliances without requiring a home inspection to enroll. A standard 30-day waiting period applies before coverage begins, which is industry standard. Select Home Warranty has gained attention for its competitive pricing, though its reimbursement model and coverage caps have drawn mixed reviews from consumers.

Select Home Warranty Plans and Coverage

Select Home Warranty offers three plan tiers designed to cover different homeowner needs. Understanding the differences is essential because coverage varies significantly between tiers.

Optional add-ons are available across all plans and include pool and spa equipment, septic systems, and additional roof leak coverage. A standout feature is that Select Home Warranty includes limited roof leak coverage in many of its standard agreements, a perk that competitors typically charge extra for.

How Much Does Select Home Warranty Cost?

Select Home Warranty is one of the more affordable options in the home warranty market. Monthly premiums typically range from $40 to $60 depending on the plan tier selected, with annual plans offering meaningful savings over monthly billing. The service call fee is $75 for most plans.

The company frequently runs promotions including free months of coverage and discount codes for new customers. However, it is important to understand that Select Home Warranty uses coverage caps, meaning the maximum payout per item is typically $500. For expensive systems like HVAC units that can cost $5,000 or more to replace, this cap may leave homeowners covering a significant portion out of pocket.

How the Claims Process Works

Select Home Warranty uses a reimbursement-based claims model that is different from what most competitors offer. Here is how the process typically works:

1. File a claim by phone or through the online portal.
2. Select Home Warranty reviews the claim and approves or denies coverage.
3. If approved, you hire a licensed technician of your choice to perform the repair.
4. Pay the technician directly and submit receipts.
5. Select Home Warranty reimburses you up to the coverage cap for that item.

The reimbursement model gives homeowners freedom to choose their own contractor rather than relying on a company-dispatched technician. However, this also means you are responsible for vetting the technician and paying upfront before receiving reimbursement, which typically takes 30 days. Some customers have reported longer reimbursement timelines.

What Select Home Warranty Covers and What It Does Not

Like all home warranty providers, Select Home Warranty has exclusions that homeowners should understand before signing up. Coverage applies to breakdowns caused by normal wear and tear only. Common exclusions include pre-existing conditions, improper installation or maintenance, commercial-grade equipment, and cosmetic defects. Outdoor systems and fixtures such as sprinkler systems and exterior lighting are generally not covered unless specifically added as an option.

The $500 per-item coverage cap is a critical detail. For minor repairs like a garbage disposal replacement, this cap is usually sufficient. For major items like a furnace, central air conditioner, or refrigerator, the cap may cover only a fraction of the actual cost. Homeowners with newer, high-value appliances should weigh this limitation carefully.

Select Home Warranty BBB Rating and Customer Reviews

Select Home Warranty has a mixed reputation among consumers. The company has received complaints filed with the Better Business Bureau related to claim denials, reimbursement delays, and coverage disputes. Common praise centers on the affordability of plans and the flexibility of choosing your own technician. Common complaints focus on the reimbursement timeline being longer than expected and the per-item coverage caps being insufficient for expensive repairs.

Consumer review platforms show a pattern: homeowners who file claims for smaller, straightforward repairs generally report positive experiences, while those with complex or high-cost claims are more likely to report dissatisfaction. This aligns with the coverage cap structure that favors lower-cost repairs.

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Select Home Warranty vs. Choice Home Warranty

Select Home Warranty offers lower service fees and included roof leak coverage, while Choice Home Warranty provides a simpler two-plan structure and a direct-dispatch service model that eliminates the need for homeowners to find their own technician. For homeowners who prefer convenience and not paying upfront, Choice is the better fit. For those who want a lower price point and the freedom to select their own contractor, Select may be more appealing.

Select Home Warranty vs. American Home Shield

American Home Shield is the industry pioneer with over 50 years of experience and significantly higher coverage limits. Their direct-dispatch model is more convenient for most homeowners. However, AHS premiums and service fees are notably higher. Select Home Warranty is the budget-friendly alternative for homeowners willing to manage the reimbursement process themselves and whose repair needs are likely to fall within the $500 coverage cap.

Select Home Warranty Lawsuit and Legal Concerns

Select Home Warranty has faced legal scrutiny and consumer complaints. Homeowners have raised concerns about claim denials, reimbursement delays, and difficulty canceling policies. These complaints appear in BBB filings and online consumer forums including Reddit, where threads warn prospective buyers about potential issues with the claims process.

For prospective buyers, understanding this history is important context. Before purchasing any home warranty, review the full contract terms, understand the claims process and coverage caps, and keep detailed records of all communications and receipts. If you encounter issues, file a complaint with the BBB or your state attorney general office.

Who Should Choose Select Home Warranty?

Select Home Warranty is best suited for budget-conscious homeowners who want basic protection against appliance and system breakdowns without paying premium prices. It works well for landlords managing multiple properties who need affordable coverage across their portfolio, and for homeowners who prefer the flexibility of choosing their own licensed repair technician rather than relying on a company-dispatched contractor.

Homeowners with newer, high-value appliances and systems should consider alternatives with higher coverage limits like American Home Shield. If convenience is your top priority and you prefer not to manage the reimbursement process, a direct-dispatch provider like Choice Home Warranty may be a better fit.