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With American Residential Warranty, you can pick an appliances‑focused plan (often called Kitchen/Kitchen Plus), a broader combo plan (Platinum Premier), or bundle add‑ons such as electronics protection. Pricing is quote‑by‑ZIP and varies with home details and promos; recent national testing places appliances‑only plans around $30–$45 per month and combo coverage roughly $50–$75 per month, with electronics bundles commonly near $100–$140 per month. Verify your exact monthly price and service fee in ARW’s online quote flow (plan menu; see also current ranges reported by Forbes Home, MarketWatch Guides, and This Old House Reviews).
American Residential Warranty Overview
- Plan types: Heating & Cooling, Kitchen Plus, Platinum, Platinum Premier, 3-In-1 Bundle, 4-In-1 Bundle. In practice, ARW centers on two core paths—an appliances plan (Kitchen/Kitchen Plus) and a comprehensive combo plan (Platinum Premier)—with optional bundles and add‑ons like electronics protection (ARW plans; comparative plan descriptions in MarketWatch and This Old House).
- Pricing: Appliances‑only typically about $30–$45/mo; combo (Platinum Premier) about $50–$75/mo; bundles with electronics often ~$100–$140/mo. Actual pricing varies by ZIP, home profile, and promotion (Forbes Home; MarketWatch; TOH Reviews).
- Service fees: Commonly $55–$100 per claim depending on plan/market; confirm at checkout (Forbes Home; MarketWatch; TOH Reviews).
- Workmanship guarantee: ARW’s recall/repair workmanship window is stated in your service contract and state addendum; always verify in writing. As a general trade benchmark, workmanship/labor guarantees in home services often run about one year for many contractor‑performed repairs, though home‑warranty recall windows can be shorter—ensure terms are clearly disclosed (Angi: contractor fee/guarantee norms; FTC warranty/guarantee disclosure rules).
- Contract length: Typically 12‑month terms with monthly or annual billing; promotions and plan menus can change. Review contract PDFs and any state addenda for your location.
- BBB rating: See current profile for the latest rating and complaint history.
- Home inspection required? Typically no inspection is required to enroll; eligibility and waiting periods are defined in the contract.
- States served: Availability and terms vary by state; home warranties are regulated at the state level. Example regimes: California Home Protection Companies (CA Insurance Code §12740 et seq.), Texas Residential Service Companies (TX Occ. Code Ch. 1303), Florida Home Warranty Associations (FL Ch. 634, Part II), Arizona Home Protection Companies (AZ §20‑1095 et seq.), Washington Service Contracts (WA RCW 48.110).
- Available appliance and system coverage: Refrigerator, Range/Oven/Cooktop, Dishwasher, Built-in Microwave, Ceiling Fans, Garbage Disposal, Kitchen Exhaust Fan, Water Heater, Refrigerant Recapture, Sewer and Water Lines, Central Air Conditioning, Central Home Heating, Humidifier, Interior Electrical System, Plumbing System, Plumbing Stoppages, Ductwork, A/C Refrigerant and Coils, Plumbing Faucets and Fixtures, Toilets and Internal Mechanisms, Garage Door Opener, Garage Door Springs and Tracks, Washer and Dryer. Available add-ons: Flat Screen TVs, Home Theater System, Desktops/Laptops, Tablets, Gaming Consoles, Printers, Routers, Hand-Held Gaming Devices. Optional items like pool/spa equipment, well or sump pumps, and secondary refrigerators/freezers may also be offered a la carte; availability varies by state (ARW plan comparison).
| HEATING & COOLING$ varies by ZIP | KITCHEN PLUS$ ~30–$45 /mo | PLATINUM$ varies by ZIP | PLATINUM PREMIER$ ~50–$75 /mo | 3-IN-1 BUNDLE$ ~100–$140 /mo | 4-IN-1 BUNDLE$ ~100–$140 /mo | |
| Central Air Conditioning | ✔ | – | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Washer & Dryer*Optional coverage at additional cost | ✔* | ✔* | ✔* | ✔* | ✔ | ✔ |
| Central Home Heating | ✔ | – | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Humidifier | ✔ | – | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Interior Electrical System | ✔ | – | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Refrigerator | – | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Range / Oven / Cooktop | – | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Dishwasher | – | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Built-In Microwave | – | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Garbage Disposal | – | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Kitchen Exhaust Fan | – | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Water Heater | – | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Plumbing System*Fixtures not included | – | – | – | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Plumbing Stoppages*Fixtures not included | – | – | – | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Ductwork | – | – | – | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Garage Door Opener | – | – | – | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Refrigerator Ice Maker | – | – | – | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Ceiling Fans | – | – | – | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Deluxe Advantage** | – | – | – | – | ✔ | ✔ |
| Ultimate Electronics Protection*** | – | – | – | – | ✔ | ✔ |
| Sewer & Water Lines | – | – | – | – | – | ✔ |
More Details
**Deluxe Advantage Includes:
- A/C refrigerant & coils
- Refrigerant recapture
- Plumbing faucets & fixtures
- Permits/modifications/code violations (where included)
- Toilets & internal mechanism
- Improper installation
- Mismatched systems
- Garage door spring/tracks
***Ultimate Electronics Protection Includes:
- Flat Screen TVs
- Home Theater System
- Desktops/Laptops
- Tablets
- Gaming Consoles
- Printers
- Routers
- Hand-Held Gaming Devices
- And Much More
Who is this best for?
ARW suits homeowners who want to tailor coverage by prioritizing either appliances (Kitchen/Kitchen Plus) or a full combo plan (Platinum Premier), with optional add‑ons including electronics. Because pricing and service fees are quote‑by‑ZIP, you can adjust total cost to your home and selected add‑ons (plans; current benchmarks: Forbes, MarketWatch).
It’s also a fit for buyers who prefer flexible billing (monthly or annual) and online quotes. Note that availability and contract terms vary by state due to regulation; for example, California, Texas, Florida, Arizona, and Washington maintain distinct rules and contract requirements that can affect coverage and disclosures (CA; TX; FL; AZ; WA).
Pros:
- 2 Months Free: Seasonal promotions (including free months on annual prepay) are advertised periodically; offers vary by ZIP and time. Always confirm the final monthly premium and any trade service fee during checkout (ARW plans).
- Broad availability with state‑specific contracts: ARW markets plans across many states; terms and disclosures are adapted to state rules (e.g., CA, TX, FL).
- Electronics Protection: Extend beyond appliances and systems with an electronics add‑on bundled in select packages (plan comparison).
- Choose Your Contractor: If permitted, ARW may authorize your preferred contractor; pre‑authorization is required before work. Claims without prior authorization risk denial of reimbursement—review ARW’s sample contract and state addendum for details (ARW sample contract).
Cons:
- Waiting period: A waiting period typically applies before first claims are eligible; confirm your contract and state addendum.
- Coverage Limits: ARW contracts include per‑item and annual caps. For example, the sample contract shows up to $1,000 for the cost to diagnose/repair/replace a water heater or a dishwasher. Caps, exclusions (e.g., improper maintenance), and recall windows vary by state—verify the PDF for your ZIP and plan (Forbes Home; TOH Reviews).
The Competition
| American Residential Warranty | Home Service Club | American Home Shield | Cinch | |
| States served | Varies by state/ZIP (state‑specific contracts apply) | Varies by state/ZIP | Varies by state/ZIP | Varies by state/ZIP |
| Reviews rating | See recent independent review sources | See recent independent review sources | See recent independent review sources | See recent independent review sources |
| Service fee | $55–$100 typical | Varies; disclosed at checkout | $100–$125 (options shown at signup) | Varies; see provider site |
| Workmanship guarantee | See contract/state addendum; recall windows vary | See contract/state addendum | See contract/state addendum | See contract/state addendum |
| Customizable? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Other | Quote by ZIP; bundles and electronics add‑ons available | Two primary plan tiers; add‑ons available | Three standardized tiers (ShieldSilver/Gold/Platinum) | See provider site for promos/add‑ons |
*Information reflects sources accessed in 2025; pricing, fees, and terms vary by ZIP and state. Verify details directly with each provider’s checkout and contract PDFs.
American Residential Warranty compared to Home Service Club
ARW emphasizes two core paths (appliances‑only or the broader combo) plus optional bundles and promotions that change over time; confirm price and any free‑month offers during checkout (ARW plans). The Home Service Club offers two primary tiers with add‑ons. Both require an online quote for exact pricing and will disclose your trade service fee at signup. National roundups put ARW’s trade service fee commonly in the $55–$100 range, while HSC’s fee is disclosed at checkout and can vary by plan and market (Forbes Home; MarketWatch).
Coverage caps and exclusions differ. ARW’s sample contract lists per‑item caps such as up to $1,000 for water heaters and dishwashers (ARW sample contract), while HSC’s sample documents have historically shown lower caps for certain items (e.g., some appliance limits up to $500; see HSC sample contract). Always verify your state’s version before buying.
Bottom line: ARW is attractive if you want flexible bundles (including electronics) and potentially lower service fees; HSC favors a simpler two‑plan structure. In both cases, the best value depends on the per‑item caps you’re most likely to use and the service fee presented for your ZIP.
American Residential Warranty compared to American Home Shield
American Home Shield operates three standardized tiers (ShieldSilver/Gold/Platinum) and highlights a large contractor network. AHS commonly shows selectable service call fee options around $100–$125 during signup (AHS plans). ARW competes with flexible add‑ons and bundles (including electronics) and trade service fees that national roundups often cite in the $55–$100 range (Forbes Home; MarketWatch).
When comparing payout limits, AHS lists higher appliance caps in its sample terms—e.g., dishwashers up to $3,000 (AHS sample contract) versus ARW’s sample cap of up to $1,000 for dishwashers (ARW sample contract). Both companies enforce exclusions (pre‑existing conditions, improper installation/maintenance), waiting periods, and workmanship recall windows that may vary by state; confirm details in your contract PDFs.
As with any home warranty, set expectations around caps, state addenda, and service‑call economics. If you prefer standardized tiers and a large network, AHS can be a solid fit; if you want electronics bundles and potentially lower service fees, ARW merits a quote.
The Bottom Line
Expect quote‑by‑ZIP pricing, a typical $55–$100 trade service fee, and per‑item caps that materially affect total value. ARW’s appliances vs. combo paths plus electronics/bundle options make it easy to tailor coverage, but read the fine print and state addendum before you buy. Compare total annual cost (premium + likely service fees) and caps with other home warranty providers. Also remember state rules on price transparency and warranties require clear disclosures—insist on written, specific terms (CA Honest Pricing; FTC warranty/guarantee guides).
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