Sears Home Warranty Review

Sears Home Warranty is a Sears-branded consumer home service contract program administered by Cinch Home Services. Plans are offered in a three-tier lineup (Appliances, Systems, and Whole Home) and use a per-claim Trade Service Fee. Availability, inclusions, and fees are determined by state-specific contracts and ZIP-code quotes on the official site (Sears Home Warranty). For homeowners who want combined systems-and-appliances coverage and an extended repair guarantee, Sears’ 180-day workmanship guarantee stands out versus the 30–60 day norm cited for major competitors (Sears FAQs; program overview; Cinch 180-day guarantee).

Current materials indicate an annual aggregate claims limit of up to $10,000 per agreement term, not per claim, plus common per-item and category sublimits described in the state contract. Frequently cited examples include HVAC around ~$1,500 per covered system per term, many major appliances around ~$2,000 per item, water heaters around ~$1,000, and optional roof-leak coverage around ~$1,500 per term (limits vary by plan/state; confirm your agreement). See Sears Terms & Conditions, and recent independent summaries from U.S. News 360 Reviews and Forbes Home.

Although the Sears retail footprint has contracted and continues to close its stores, the Sears Home Warranty program operates via Cinch’s service-contract framework with obligors disclosed in the agreement (typically HomeSure entities) and financial backing mechanisms required under state service‑contract laws (Cinch licenses; Sears program; state regulator overview). Before enrolling, review the contract for your state/ZIP to confirm caps, fees, and coverage.

The Claim

“A Sears Home Warranty is a single protection plan that covers multiple appliances and systems in your home, regardless of their age, brand or where they were purchased.”

Is it true?

Generally yes, with important limits. The Sears Whole Home plan bundles many major systems and appliances under one contract, and the Appliances and Systems plans cover narrower sets. However, coverage is governed by an annual aggregate limit (commonly up to $10,000 total per term) and per-item/category sublimits that vary by state and plan, along with standard exclusions for cosmetic issues, routine maintenance, and access/modification costs. Verify specifics in the state-specific Terms & Conditions and program pages (Sears; Cinch partner page; see also U.S. News and Forbes summaries).

Product Overview

Best for

Homeowners seeking combined systems-and-appliances protection with a longer repair guarantee; those comfortable with contract-defined caps and a per-claim Trade Service Fee (Sears program; Cinch 180-day guarantee).

Not for

Shoppers who want to fine-tune premiums by choosing their service fee (American Home Shield offers explicit $100 or $125 choices) or those prioritizing the lowest advertised monthly price over a longer workmanship guarantee (AHS plans).

Features

Annual aggregate cap up to $10,000

Sears materials and recent independent reviews indicate an annual aggregate claims cap of up to $10,000 total per agreement term across all approved repairs, plus per-item and category limits that can materially affect payouts. Commonly cited examples (confirm your state form) include HVAC ≈$1,500 per system, major appliances ≈$2,000 per item, water heaters ≈$1,000, and optional roof-leak coverage ≈$1,500 per term (Sears Terms; U.S. News; Forbes Home; ConsumerAffairs).

Comprehensive coverage

Three plan options are typical: Appliances-only, Systems-only, and Whole Home (combined). Covered categories and exclusions are defined in your state contract and may include refrigerators, ranges/ovens, clothes washers/dryers, built-in dishwashers, central heating/air, plumbing, electrical, and more, plus optional add-ons like pool/spa, well pump, septic, or limited roof-leak repair where available. A per-claim Trade Service Fee applies and is set in your agreement (amount varies by offer/state). Review the official program and Terms & Conditions before purchase.

Enrollment is done online or by phone; contracts commonly include a standard waiting period before claims are eligible, which is disclosed in your state-specific agreement (Sears Terms).

180-day workmanship guarantee

Sears advertises a 180-day workmanship guarantee on covered repairs—substantially longer than the 30-day window typically stated by American Home Shield and longer than many providers that cite 30–60 days. This six-month window reduces repeat-visit costs if a covered repair fails again within the guarantee period (Sears FAQs; Cinch 180-day guarantee).

Possible drawbacks

Program structure amid Sears’ shrinking retail footprint

The Sears brand’s retail presence has been reduced in recent years, but the Sears Home Warranty program is administered by Cinch, with legal obligors and financial backing detailed in each state’s service contract—not by the retail entity. That structure helps insulate warranty performance from store closures, but you should still verify the obligor named on your contract and any reimbursement insurance backing (Cinch partner page; Cinch licenses; regulatory overview). Note also that Sears offers other “Protection Agreements” tied to individual appliances that are separate from the whole‑home warranties; confirm exactly which program you’re buying (Sears Protection Agreements).

Per-item sublimits and exclusions can constrain payouts

Beyond the $10,000 annual aggregate cap, state contracts list item/category sublimits and special caps on permits, code upgrades, haul-away, refrigerant handling, and access/openings. These caps—often a few hundred dollars for specific items—and exclusions (e.g., cosmetic issues, routine maintenance, improper installation) can limit reimbursements on higher-cost repairs. Typical sublimit magnitudes cited by recent sources include HVAC ≈$1,500, major appliances ≈$2,000, water heaters ≈$1,000, and roof-leak add-ons ≈$1,500 per term, but your agreement controls (Sears Terms; U.S. News; Forbes Home; ConsumerAffairs).

The Competition

Sears Home Warranty vs. American Home Shield

Both are national consumer programs with ZIP-based availability and state-specific contracts. A key difference: American Home Shield lets you choose your per-claim Service Call Fee (commonly $100 or $125), which directly affects your premium. Sears’ Trade Service Fee is stated in your contract and varies by offer/state (Sears). AHS also highlights coverage regardless of age and for undetectable pre-existing conditions and rust/corrosion in many states, subject to contract limits (AHS plans), but its workmanship guarantee is typically 30 days (AHS guarantee) versus Sears’ 180 days (Sears FAQs). Always compare per-item caps (HVAC, refrigerator, roof leak) and contract language for your state.

Sears Home Warranty vs. Choice Home Warranty

Choice Home Warranty offers two tiers (Basic and Total), with many high-value items (e.g., central A/C, refrigerator) typically added in Total. A per-call service fee applies, and coverage limits/exclusions are defined in the state-specific contract (CHW terms). Sears uses a three-plan lineup and an annual aggregate cap up to $10,000 per term with itemized sublimits (Sears terms). Sears’ workmanship guarantee is longer at 180 days, while CHW commonly cites 90 days for parts and 60 days for labor on completed repairs (CHW guarantee).

Sears Home Warranty vs. The Home Service Club

The Home Service Club features two tiers (Standard and Comprehensive) with optional add-ons; a Trade Service Call Fee applies per claim and is shown on the declarations page. Coverage caps and exclusions are detailed in the policy and vary by state (HSC terms). Sears offers three plans and a 180-day workmanship guarantee administered by Cinch (Sears FAQs; Cinch partner page). For either provider, verify ZIP-based pricing, fee amounts, per-item caps, and whether add-ons like roof-leak repair and well/septic coverage are available in your state.

Sears Home Warranty FAQ

Does Sears Home Warranty require a home inspection?

Enrollment is typically completed online or by phone without a home inspection, and a standard waiting period usually applies before claims are eligible. Exact requirements and the waiting period are disclosed in your state-specific contract, so review the Terms & Conditions at checkout for your ZIP.

Does Sears Home Warranty have a recall period for repairs?

Yes. Sears advertises a 180‑day workmanship guarantee on covered repairs, administered by Cinch. If a covered repair fails within 180 days, re-service is typically provided without another Trade Service Fee for the same issue (Sears FAQs; Cinch 180-day guarantee).

Is Sears going out of business?

Sears’ retail footprint has continued to shrink, but the Sears Home Warranty program is administered by Cinch Home Services with legal obligors disclosed in your contract (often HomeSure entities) and financial safeguards required by state service‑contract laws. That means performance obligations are tied to the Cinch/HomeSure framework, not directly to Sears’ retail operations (Cinch partner page; Cinch licenses; regulatory overview). If you are considering other Sears-branded offerings like Sears Protection Agreements (appliance-specific), review those agreements separately to identify the obligor and any insurance backing. For context on Sears’ broader retail challenges, see Reuters.

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