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Plans, Pricing & What's Covered in 2026
Select Home Warranty (SHW) is a New Jersey-based home warranty provider founded in 2012. The company markets nationwide coverage, though some 2026 reviews list availability in 46 states, excluding Nevada, Washington, and Wisconsin, while others report full 50-state coverage. Availability can vary by ZIP code, so verify directly before signing up. Select 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 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, garbage disposal, microwave, and other major kitchen and laundry appliances |
| Gold Care | Systems-only protection | HVAC, heating, cooling, ductwork, electrical, plumbing, and water heater |
| 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 (valued at around $99), a perk that typically costs extra with other providers.
Pricing Breakdown
Pricing depends heavily on where you look. Independent 2026 reviews from NerdWallet and U.S. News that pulled real quotes without promotional discounts found monthly premiums between roughly $60.42 and $63.80, with pricing consistent across cities. MarketWatch reports an average of about $45.53 per month across all coverage levels when promotions are factored in (roughly 15% below the $53 national average), and USA Today notes plans starting near $44 with discounts applied. CNBC Select cites starting rates as low as $36/month, and Select's own website advertises plans "from $29.99/month."
| Plan | Standard Monthly Cost | With Promotions | Service Fee Per Claim |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bronze Care | ~$60.42 | ~$44 to $48 | $60 to $100 |
| Gold Care | ~$60.42 | ~$44 to $48 | $60 to $100 |
| Platinum Care | ~$63.75 to $63.80 | ~$47 to $64 | $60 to $100 |
Select frequently runs promotions offering up to $150 off the first year, free roof leak coverage ($99 value), and two extra months of service at no cost.
Coverage Limits You Need to Know
Low premiums come with real trade-offs. SHW places strict per-claim caps on covered items that are lower than most competitors:
| Item Type | Coverage Cap |
|---|---|
| HVAC (heating and cooling combined) | $3,000 per contract term |
| Appliances (each) | $500 per year |
| Plumbing systems | $500 per year |
| Electrical systems | $500 per year |
| Roof leak coverage | ~$500 per year |
| Add-ons (pool, well pump, etc.) | $400 per item |
These limits are significantly lower than competitors like American Home Shield, which offers up to $5,000 per system on ShieldSilver (and as high as $10,000 for HVAC on higher tiers), plus per-appliance caps of $2,000 to $4,000. 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 benchmarks in this home warranty cost guide and explore the full range of home warranty plan options available in 2026. For a deeper look at how caps affect real-world payouts, our guide on home warranty payout limits is worth reading.
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 (Updated 2026)
| Platform | Rating | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| BBB | B- (not accredited) | ~4,954 to 5,506 complaints in the last 3 years; ~1,304 closed in the last 12 months |
| BBB Customer Reviews | 1.49 / 5 | Predominantly negative |
| Trustpilot | Predominantly negative | 6,124+ reviews with widespread dissatisfaction |
| ConsumerAffairs | Mixed | Praise for easy signup, criticism for claim denials |
| U.S. News | 3.8 / 5 | 48-hour response time advertised |
Select Home Warranty is not BBB accredited, and its BBB rating slipped to B- in 2026 (down from B in earlier reports). The BBB itself cites the volume of complaints, over 4,900 filed in the last three years, as a reason for the rating. That complaint level is a major red flag that goes beyond the normal noise for a large company. According to a 2026 This Old House survey, only about 4% of surveyed homeowners use Select, compared with 41% for American Home Shield.
Most Common Complaints in 2025 to 2026
Based on BBB filings, Trustpilot, ConsumerAffairs reviews, and consumer forums, the most frequently reported issues include:
- Claim denials based on fine print. Reviewers report that many claims (sometimes every claim they file over multiple years) are denied for reasons like lack of maintenance, pre-existing conditions, or narrow coverage definitions.
- Labor and key parts excluded. Even when a part is approved, some customers say Select ships the part but refuses to send a technician to install it, forcing them to hire someone out of pocket.
- Low-ball settlements. Some customers receive small cash settlements (as low as $150) in lieu of a full repair or replacement, often tied to missing multi-year maintenance records.
- Scripted, offshore customer service. Long hold times, phone loops that never reach a live rep, and supervisors who are "not available" are common themes across Trustpilot and BBB filings. Reviewers specifically call out Philippines-based call centers with no escalation path.
- Cancellation and refund friction. Customers report a $75 cancellation fee, aggressive upsell attempts instead of processing cancellations, and prorated refunds that take 14 to 30+ days.
- Surprise renewals and double charges. Recent 2026 BBB complaints describe customers being charged $399.99 for a renewal, then charged again months later for a second policy of $525 they did not authorize.
For a comparison of how customer complaints stack up at other providers, see our Choice Home Warranty review and American Home Shield review. If you want to know which providers to stay away from entirely, our guide on home warranty companies to avoid covers the biggest red flags. You can also check home warranty claim approval rates to see how Select stacks up statistically.
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 online portal, or the mobile app. Claims must be filed within three days of discovering the problem, and you'll need your policy number, a description of the issue, model/serial numbers, and photos.
- 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 Select's network is dispatched, typically within two business days (up to four days on weekends or holidays).
- 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.
- Workmanship guarantee. Select currently advertises a 90-day workmanship guarantee on covered repairs. If the same issue recurs within 90 days, a technician should return 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 (not covered under any Select plan)
- Breakdowns attributed to lack of maintenance, sometimes requiring 3 years of service records
- Claims falling outside the narrow coverage definitions in the plan agreement
- Contractor scheduling delays, particularly in areas with limited network coverage where customers report needing to find and pay their own technicians
- First 30 days of the contract, where full-system, compressor, control board, and motor replacements are typically excluded
If you want a broader primer, our guide on what a home warranty covers is a great starting point. For older homes where denials are especially common, see our guide on home warranty for old homes.
Select Home Warranty vs. American Home Shield vs. Choice
Here's how Select stacks up against the two biggest names in the space in 2026:
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | Select Home Warranty | American Home Shield | Choice Home Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly Cost | $44 to $64 | $29.99 to $89.99 | $49 to $65 |
| Service Fee | $60 to $100 | $100 or $125 | $100 |
| HVAC Cap | $3,000 combined | Up to $10,000 (ShieldPlatinum) | Standard mid-market |
| Appliance Cap | $500 per item | $2,000 to $4,000 | Mid-market limits |
| Roof Leak Coverage | ✅ Included free | ⚠️ Included on ShieldPlatinum | ❌ Add-on |
| Pre-existing Conditions | ❌ Not covered | ✅ Covered (undetectable) | ❌ Not covered |
| BBB Rating | B- (not accredited) | B | B |
| Complaints (3 yr) | ~4,954 to 5,506 | 15,400+ | 11,000+ |
The Verdict on Each
- Select Home Warranty wins on advertised price and included roof coverage, but low caps and heavy complaint volume are real downsides.
- American Home Shield offers much higher coverage caps and more flexible pricing tiers, making it the better long-term value for homes with aging systems. Read our full American Home Shield review for a complete breakdown.
- Choice Home Warranty sits in the middle on price and caps, but recently finalized an $11.8 million Arizona consumer fraud settlement in January 2026. Our Choice Home Warranty review covers that.
- First American Home Warranty is another solid alternative with a stronger BBB track record. See our First American Home Warranty review for details.
- Old Republic is worth considering if you want an A+ BBB provider with 50+ years of experience. Check our Old Republic Home Warranty review for the full breakdown.
For a broader comparison across all major providers, our best home warranty companies of 2026 guide and home warranty plans comparison resource cover 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 does not mean highly rated. The company holds a B- BBB rating and is not accredited, with roughly 4,954 to 5,506 complaints filed in the past three years. It does pay out some claims, but the volume of denial complaints and the low 1.49 out of 5 BBB customer review score suggest results are highly inconsistent.
What is Select Home Warranty's BBB rating in 2026?
Select Home Warranty holds a B- rating from the Better Business Bureau and is not BBB accredited as of 2026. The company has received between 4,954 and 5,506 complaints in the last three years across BBB profiles, with roughly 1,304 closed in the past 12 months. BBB customer reviews average just 1.49 out of 5, reflecting widespread frustration with claims and customer service.
How does Select Home Warranty handle HVAC claims?
HVAC coverage is included in Gold Care and Platinum Care plans with a combined cap of $3,000 per contract term for heating and cooling together. Customer reviews suggest HVAC claims can face delays and denials based on maintenance history, with some customers required to produce three years of maintenance records. That $3,000 cap falls well short of American Home Shield's higher-tier HVAC limits of up to $10,000.
Can I cancel my Select Home Warranty plan?
Yes, you can cancel your Select Home Warranty plan, but the process has been a common source of complaints in 2026. Customers report a $75 cancellation fee, difficulty reaching representatives through automated phone loops, aggressive upsell attempts, and delays of 14 to 30 days in receiving prorated refunds. Review the cancellation terms in your contract carefully before signing up, especially if you're purchasing an annual or multi-year 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 promotional 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. Homeowners with aging appliances or expensive home systems will likely be better served by a provider with higher coverage caps like American Home Shield, First American, or Old Republic.