Compare Home Warranty Options in Ohio
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Plans, Pricing & What's Covered
Select Home Warranty (SHW) is a New Jersey-based home warranty provider founded in 2012. The company currently operates in 46 states and offers three tiered plans designed to fit a range of budgets. Whether you want to protect your appliances, your home's major systems, or both, there's a plan on paper for each scenario — but the details matter a lot.
The Three Plans at a Glance
| Plan | Best For | What's Covered |
|---|---|---|
| Bronze Care | Appliance-only protection | Refrigerator, stove, dishwasher, washer/dryer, and up to 8 appliances total |
| Gold Care | Systems-only protection | HVAC, heating, electrical, plumbing, and up to 6 major systems |
| Platinum Care | Full home protection | Everything in Bronze + Gold, plus garage door openers, ceiling fans, and plumbing stoppages |
All three plans include free roof leak coverage — a perk that typically costs $99 extra with other providers.
Pricing Breakdown
Monthly premiums generally fall between $44 and $64 per month, depending on your plan, location, and any active promotions. Select frequently runs deals such as $150 off, two free months, or reduced service fees.
| Plan | Est. Monthly Cost | Service Fee Per Claim |
|---|---|---|
| Bronze Care | ~$44–$48 | $60–$75 |
| Gold Care | ~$44–$48 | $60–$75 |
| Platinum Care | ~$47–$64 | $75–$100 |
Coverage Limits You Need to Know
Low premiums come with trade-offs. SHW places strict per-claim caps on covered items:
| Item Type | Coverage Cap |
|---|---|
| Appliances (each) | $500 per year |
| HVAC systems | $3,000 per contract term |
| Plumbing / Electrical | $500 per claim |
| Freon replacement | $200 per year |
| Add-ons (pool, well pump, etc.) | $400 per item |
These limits are significantly lower than competitors like American Home Shield, which can cover up to $5,000 per system. If your appliances are newer or higher-end, a $500 cap per item can leave you paying a large chunk out-of-pocket.
You can learn more about typical coverage benchmarks in this home warranty cost guide and explore the full range of home warranty plan options available in 2026.
Customer Satisfaction Ratings & Common Complaints
This is where Select Home Warranty's reputation gets complicated. Affordability attracts customers, but the reviews paint a concerning picture once claims are filed.
Ratings Summary
| Platform | Rating | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| BBB | B− (not accredited) | 5,300+ complaints filed in the last 3 years |
| BBB Customer Reviews | 1.49 / 5 | Based on 2,400+ reviews |
| Trustpilot | 2.4 / 5 | Mixed but predominantly negative |
| ConsumerAffairs | 3.8 / 5 | Highest rating, but still below average |
| This Old House | 3.7 / 5 | Industry benchmark site |
Select Home Warranty is not BBB accredited, meaning it has not agreed to BBB's Standards for Trust. More importantly, the volume of complaints — over 5,000 in three years — is a major red flag that goes beyond the normal noise for a large company.
Most Common Complaints From Real Customers
Based on BBB filings, Trustpilot, and ConsumerAffairs reviews, the most frequently reported issues include:
- Claim denials based on fine print — Many customers report coverage being denied for reasons like improper prior maintenance, pre-existing conditions, or excluded components not clearly disclosed at sign-up.
- Low-ball payouts — Even when a claim is approved, some customers receive reimbursements based on depreciated value rather than replacement cost. For example, receiving $150 for a washer deemed to have that "remaining value."
- Unresponsive customer service — Customers report long hold times, offshore call centers, and unresolved cancellation requests.
- Contractor quality concerns — BBB reviewers cite cases of improperly trained technicians and no-show appointments.
- Roof leak claim denials — Despite advertising free roof coverage as a key benefit, multiple customers report those specific claims being denied with fine-print justifications.
For a comparison of how customer complaints stack up at other providers, see our Choice Home Warranty review and American Home Shield review.
How the Claims Process Works
Understanding SHW's claims process helps set expectations before you need to use it.
Step-by-Step Claims Process
- File a claim — Available 24/7 via phone (1-855-267-3532), the company's online portal, or their mobile app. You'll need your policy number, a description of the issue, model/serial numbers, and photos of the unit.
- Claim review — SHW reviews the claim against your coverage. You'll be asked for your credit or debit card for the service fee at this stage.
- Technician assignment — If approved, a contractor from their network is dispatched. SHW advertises a 48-hour response window.
- Repair or replacement — The assigned technician performs the repair. If a replacement is needed, SHW may offer cash-in-lieu at depreciated value rather than a full replacement.
- 60-day workmanship guarantee — If the repair fails within 60 days, SHW should address it at no additional service fee.
What Slows the Process Down
Customer reviews consistently highlight delays at the approval stage. Factors that can stall or derail a claim:
- Items flagged as having pre-existing conditions (which SHW does not cover)
- Breakdowns attributed to lack of maintenance
- Claims on items that fall outside the narrow coverage definitions in the plan agreement
- Contractor scheduling delays, particularly in areas with limited network coverage
Understanding what a home warranty actually covers at a structural level can help you avoid surprises. Our guide on what is a home warranty is a great starting point.
Select Home Warranty vs. American Home Shield vs. Choice
Here's how Select stacks up against the two biggest names in the space:
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | Select Home Warranty | American Home Shield | Choice Home Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly Cost | $44–$64 | $19.99–$119.99 | $49–$58 |
| Service Fee | $60–$100 | $100–$125 | $100 |
| HVAC Cap | $3,000/term | $5,000/system | $3,000 combined |
| Appliance Cap | $500/item/year | $2,000–$4,000 | Varies |
| Roof Leak Coverage | ✅ Included free | ❌ Not standard | ❌ Not standard |
| Pre-existing Conditions | ❌ Not covered | ✅ Covered (undetectable) | ❌ Not covered |
| BBB Rating | B− (not accredited) | B | B |
| States Available | 46 | 49 | 47+ |
| This Old House Rating | 3.7/5 | 4.8/5 | N/A |
The Verdict on Each
- Select Home Warranty wins on upfront price and service fees, plus the included roof coverage is a genuine differentiator.
- American Home Shield is the better long-term value for homes with aging appliances or systems, offering much higher coverage caps and more flexible pricing tiers. Read our full American Home Shield review for a complete breakdown.
- Choice Home Warranty sits in the middle — more affordable than AHS, but carries its own controversy and claim denial issues similar to Select. Our Choice Home Warranty review dives deep on that.
- First American Home Warranty is another solid alternative with a stronger BBB track record — see our First American Home Warranty review for details.
For a broader comparison across all major providers, our home warranty plans comparison guide covers everything side by side.
Pros & Cons Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Select Home Warranty legit?
Select Home Warranty is a legitimate company that has been operating since 2012. However, "legitimate" doesn't mean "highly rated." The company holds a B− BBB rating and is not BBB accredited, with over 5,000 complaints filed in the past three years. It does pay out claims, but the volume of denial complaints and low satisfaction scores suggest that results are highly inconsistent.
What is Select Home Warranty's BBB rating?
Select Home Warranty holds a B− rating from the Better Business Bureau and is not BBB accredited. The company has received over 5,300 complaints through the BBB over the last three years, with around 1,500 resolved in the most recent 12-month period. Customer review scores on BBB average just 1.49 out of 5 stars.
How does Select Home Warranty handle HVAC claims?
HVAC coverage is included in the Gold Care and Platinum Care plans with a cap of $3,000 per contract term. This includes both heating and cooling systems. While this matches Choice Home Warranty's limit, it falls short of American Home Shield's $5,000 per system cap. Customer reviews suggest HVAC claims can face delays and occasional denials based on maintenance history.
Can I cancel my Select Home Warranty plan?
Yes, you can cancel your Select Home Warranty plan, but the cancellation process has been a common source of complaints. Customers have reported difficulty reaching customer service to process cancellations and delays in receiving refunds. It's important to review the cancellation terms in your contract before signing up — especially if you're purchasing an annual plan.
Who is Select Home Warranty best suited for?
Select Home Warranty is best suited for budget-conscious homeowners who want basic protection at the lowest possible monthly cost and don't expect to file many large claims. It can also be a reasonable choice for home sellers who need short-term coverage during a listing period. However, homeowners with aging appliances or expensive home systems will likely be better served by a provider with higher coverage caps, such as American Home Shield or First American Home Warranty.