If you’re looking for a way to avoid costly home repairs, American Residential Warranty might seem promising. The TV ads hype its low service fee and commitment to replacing items that can’t be repaired.
With that in mind, our team at Today’s Homeowner set out to test the company’s claims. We spent hours researching to uncover what there is to like and dislike about the company. Amongst other things, we found that the $55 service fee is low, but coverage limits aren’t high enough to fully replace much of anything.
Therefore, this company could work if you have money saved for upgrades but just want someone on call for repairs. But there are far too many excellent home warranty companies out there that will do the repairs and fully cover the replacement cost if they cannot.
So, in the end, we can’t recommend American Residential Warranty. Let’s take a look at what this company does right and where it goes wrong.
Our Rating
Our Preferred Home Warranty Companies
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American Residential Warranty Reviews
Total Score: 86.5 / 100 points
American Residential Warranty reviews offer real-world insights that reveal what to expect from the company. Its quality of service, responsiveness, and overall customer satisfaction all quickly come into focus. And, indeed, the feedback is truly a mixed bag.
While some customers have had positive experiences with this Boca Raton, FL, company, many others have faced challenges. Customers who are happy with their service speak highly of the low service fees, easy online claims process, and ability to choose their own technicians.
Negative reviews far outweigh the positive, however. Complaints about being unable to reach helpful customer support professionals and get prompt repairs often arise. The low coverage limits seldom fully cover the cost of items that need replacement, either.
Notably, the positive reviews have been on the decline since the company rebranded to ARW Home. The company has made many changes since then, like whittling down its plans to just three basic options. It also expanded service to all 50 states, but the changes are simply not enough to enable the company to compete with higher-rated home warranty brands.
American Residential Warranty Pros and Cons
Weighing the pros and cons is the best way to find a home warranty company that works for you. Here’s a quick summary of what there’s to like about American Residential Warranty and where its service starts to fall apart.
What We Like and Don’t Like
If you’re interested in a more in-depth rundown, you’ve landed in the right place. In this section, we’ll go over what we like and don’t like about how American Residential Warranty does business. By the end, you’ll better understand whether this home warranty brand has what you need.
Score: 17 / 24 points
With three plans to choose from, it’s easy to select the coverage level that aligns with your budget. The separate systems and appliance plans outline what’s covered and let you customize the protection to your home’s exact needs. If you want both, the Total Max plan’s pricing saves you over $20 per month.
American Residential Warranty earns extra points in our ratings by covering MVP items, like AC units and refrigerators, in its basic plans. Although it’s offered as optional coverage, the electronics protection plan is a welcome feature that helps prevent you from paying for costly repairs on TVs, computers, and other devices.
The $5,000 aggregate limit and $500 per item limits greatly impact the value of the ARW Home plans. These limits are far lower than other companies and don’t keep up with the increasing cost of repairs and replacement items. So you may still have to pay out of pocket to fix complex system issues or replace high-end appliances.
Constantly changing plan options is not ideal, either. The company is seemingly going through growing pains due to the rebranding, forcing customers to explore new plans nearly every renewal period.
Score: 21.5 / 22.5 points
Even the best home warranty companies charge a deductible, or service fee, for each repair request. And American Residential Warranty’s fee is the most affordable at just $55. By minimizing what homeowners have to pay upfront, it removes the barrier to getting service when it’s needed.
Furthermore, it’s really refreshing to see a home warranty company that’s completely transparent about its plan and add-on pricing. You just have to hop over to the website to see what you’ll pay monthly for each option — no quote needed. The pricing is standard across all states, which is not how many other home warranty companies do it.
If the repairs or item replacement exceeds the coverage limits, there’s a massive potential for high out-of-pocket costs. These expenses can quickly negate the savings of having a low service fee.
It’s even worse when the first repair visit doesn’t fix the problem, but the cost comes out of the coverage limit anyway. When that happens, many customers feel like they’re out the monthly charge and service fee without getting much for them.
Score: 15 / 18.5 points
American Residential Warranty has all the right elements for a fantastic customer service experience. One of the biggest things we appreciate is the 24/7 phone support line — so you can reach out for help no matter when an issue arises. They also have an emergency repair request process that reduces response times from 48 to 24 hours.
The online claims form is another big plus. It’s directly on the website, not hidden in an online portal. And it’s straightforward to fill out — just complete each field and then hit submit to get a prompt response.
Despite having a great system in place, the customer service representatives miss the mark more often than not. Customers report hold times in the three- to four-hour range. When they finally get someone on the line, they’ll likely be unable to fully address the issue. Long repair wait times and difficulty reaching a supervisor for complaint resolutions are commonly cited.
From my own interactions with the customer service team that experience is the norm, not the exception. Several customer service reps hung up on me instead of providing information about plan options and add-ons. Different agents would call back later, only to hang up again when it was clear the sale wasn’t happening that day.
Score: 15 / 17.5 points
An A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau is always a positive sign, and we’re glad to see it. This rating reflects the company’s commitment to resolving issues escalated through BBB channels, even if they don’t handle them through the customer service line.
You can see that same level of commitment when looking at reviews on Yelp, Google, and Trustpilot. The reputation management team is hard at work thanking people for positive reviews and offering to resolve problems shared in negative remarks.
Customers shouldn’t have to get the BBB involved or call out the company publicly to get help resolving their problems. Properly handling supervisor callback requests could prevent that and significantly improve the company’s reputation with its customers.
Score: 10.5 / 12.5 points
In today’s digital world, an online claims process is standard, but not all home warranty companies offer it. So, we’re pleased that ARW Home stepped into the modern age and now allows customers to submit their claims online.
Although service might be lacking later, the support reps do a good job of contacting customers to set up their initial service appointments. During that call, they’ll match customers up with a reputable repair professional in their area. But selecting your own technician is also possible, making for an even less stressful experience.
The 48-hour response times are a bit long in comparison to other home warranty companies. To earn full points in this category, American Residential Warranty would need to bring its response times down to the 12- to 24-hour range.
Score: 5 / 5 points
American Residential Warranty offers coverage for homeowners in all 50 states. Since it doesn’t get any better than that, this company earned the full points for this category.
Customers in Iowa, California, Texas, and Virginia get all the same plans, but a different company services the warranties. This can create problems when trying to handle problems with filing a claim and getting the right level of service.
Availability of American Residential Warranty By State
American Residential Warranty serves homeowners in all 50 states. The service request process differs for customers in Iowa, California, Texas, and Virginia. Residents of those states have to call a different claims number to reach Amynta, the company servicing those accounts.
American Residential Warranty Vs. Its Competitors
Let’s see how American Residential Warranty stacks up against its competitors. Here’s a comparison of the company and a couple of top industry figures:
| Provider | Best for | Monthly Cost | Service Fee | BBB Rating* | Date Founded | Company Reviews |
| American Residential Warranty | Best service fee | $46 – $85 | $55 | A+ | 2009 | Read our review of American Residential Warranty |
| American Home Shield | Best coverage limits | $35 – $75 | $75 – $125 | B | 1971 | Read our review of American Home Shield |
| Choice Home Warranty | Best claim acceptance rate | $46 – $55 | $85 | C | 2008 | Read our review of Choice Home Warranty |
* Better Business Bureau (BBB) ratings are accurate as of August 2023.
Video Overview of American Residential Warranty
Sometimes, it’s nice to see how a company presents itself versus the story told by its customers. American Residential Warranty is well known for potentially misleading infomercials and other ads like the one below. Check it out to see how the company markets its services and what it claims to offer.
American Residential Warranty Plans and Coverage Options
Homeowners can choose between three plans to get coverage from American Residential Warranty. The plans cover the home’s appliances, systems, or both. Each option covers the standard equipment you’d expect from a warranty company, with one exception. Coverage for laundry appliances comes standard instead of being offered as an add-on, as is common with other home warranty providers.
The three plan levels offered are Total Max, Systems Max, and Appliance Max, which we’ll cover further below.
| Service Fee | Total Max | Systems Max | Appliance Max |
| $55 | $85 | $60 | $46 |
Quotes listed in the tables above were collected on 08/02/2023 for a single-family residence in Washington State on a one-year contract term. Claim your free quote to learn more about pricing in your state or area.
Total Max: If you want whole-house coverage, the Total Max plan may work for your needs. It covers all the most common kitchen and laundry appliances plus major systems like HVAC, electrical, and plumbing.
Systems Max: Systems Max offers protection for the AC and heating systems, interior plumbing systems, and electrical systems, including the breaker box. It’s ideal for homeowners who live in an older home and are concerned about the high cost of repairing complex home systems.
Appliance Max: Appliance Max is the most affordable plan, but it only covers kitchen and laundry appliances. This option works well for homes with aging appliances that are more prone to failure than their newer counterparts.
Explore this table to see the appliances and home systems each plan covers.
| Home System or Appliance | Total Max | Systems Max | Appliance Max |
| Electrical Systems | |||
| Built-in exhaust, vent and attic fan | ✓ | X | ✓ |
| Ceiling fan | ✓ | X | X |
| Doorbell and chimes | X | X | X |
| Garage door opener | ✓ | ✓ | X |
| Interior electrical lines | ✓ | ✓ | X |
| Main breaker and fuse panel box | ✓ | ✓ | X |
| Heating and Cooling Systems | |||
| Air conditioner | ✓ | ✓ | X |
| Ductwork | ✓ | ✓ | X |
| Heating unit | ✓ | ✓ | X |
| Plumbing Systems and Accessories | |||
| Faucets and valves | X | X | X |
| Interior plumbing lines | ✓ | ✓ | X |
| Toilets | ✓ | ✓ | X |
| Water heater | ✓ | ✓ | X |
| Whirlpool bathtub motor and components | ✓ | ✓ | X |
| Kitchen Appliances | |||
| Built-in microwaves | ✓ | X | ✓ |
| Cooktops/ranges | ✓ | X | ✓ |
| Dishwashers | ✓ | X | ✓ |
| Garbage disposal | ✓ | X | ✓ |
| Ice maker | ✓ | X | ✓ |
| Instant hot/cold water dispenser | ✓ | X | ✓ |
| Refrigerators | ✓ | X | ✓ |
| Stove/ovens | ✓ | X | ✓ |
| Laundry Appliances | |||
| Clothes dryers | ✓ | X | ✓ |
| Clothes washers | ✓ | X | ✓ |
| Roof | |||
| Roof leak repair | X | X | X |
What Optional Add-ons Does American Residential Warranty Offer?
American Residential Warranty only offers five add-on options for its coverage plans. These add-ons cover the home’s electronics, exterior plumbing system, and swimming pools. You can’t add any other appliances and systems not included in the coverage as you can with providers like Liberty Home Guard.
The table below shows the add-ons offered by ARW Home and the cost per month.
| Add-On | Cost Per Month |
| Pool | $14 |
| Sewer Line Protection Plan | $10 |
| Ultimate Electronics Protection Plan | $25 |
| Water and Sewer Line Protection Plan | $18 |
| Water Line Protection Plan | $8 |
The swimming pool add-on is only an option when signing up for the Total Max plan. For $14 more per month, this extra layer of protection covers all of its above-ground heating and pumping system parts.
Basic systems coverage just covers interior plumbing faults and stoppages. So, if you want your exterior water and plumbing lines covered, you must sign up for the Water and Sewer Line Protection plans. You can decide if you wish to protect your water lines, sewer lines, or both.
The Ultimate Electronics Protection Plan is a welcome addition that not many other home warranty companies offer. This add-on’s $5,000 aggregate limit gives you room to fix or replace even your most expensive electronics.
Asurion services this plan, which currently covers:
- Desktop computers
- External hard drives
- Gaming consoles
- Handheld devices
- Home theater systems
- Laptops
- Printers
- Routers
- TVs
Since this plan is designed for home devices, mobile phones are not covered. Other portable devices, like handheld gaming systems, do qualify for coverage.
Does American Residential Warranty Have Any Exclusions?
Like many other home warranty providers, American Residential Warranty lists many exclusions in the sample contract. The exclusions spell out precisely which faults aren’t covered under the warranty, limiting what you can have repaired.
For example, you can call for garbage disposal repairs, but the problem may not get fixed if it’s caused by a non-food object stuck in the blades. Pre-existing issues and anything beyond normal wear and tear are also not covered.
Moreover, the basic plans are only for single-family homes used solely for residential purposes. So, if you’ve turned your home into a daycare or use it for any other commercial purposes, you can’t sign up for warranty coverage.
The home must also be under 5,000 square feet. If not, that doesn’t totally exclude you from getting coverage, but you must call for a custom plan.
Beyond that, American Residential Warranty plans do not cover:
- Attic or whole house fans
- Breakage due to abuse or neglect
- Burned-in images on electronic devices
- Commercial appliances
- Cosmetic defects
- Damage from electrical shortages
- Electronic device batteries
- Fireplace and chimney
- Garage door springs and tracks
- Incorrectly installed equipment
- Improperly sized heating and air conditioning units
- Lawn or fire sprinkler systems
- Main water shutoff valve
- Mold and mildew remediation
- Plumbing fixtures
- Preventative maintenance
- Rust or corrosion failures
- Smart home technology
- Software repairs
- Solar water heaters
This list is not exhaustive by all means, and the company’s policy terms change often nowadays. Since rebranding to ARW Home, the company has revised its sample contract no less than three times already. But it does give a decent overview of what to expect from your plan.
Does American Residential Warranty Have Any Coverage Limits?
Coverage limits are the maximum amount the warranty pays for repairs or replacement of covered items. The aggregate limit is the total amount paid in the contract period, but many items also have their own limits.
All three warranty plans have a strict $5,000 aggregate limit. This payout limit is shockingly low, nearly equal to the per-item limit available through many leading warranty providers, including American Home Shield.
The per-item coverage limits are comparatively low, too, and greatly diminish the usefulness of the warranty coverage. Most home systems and appliances have a limit of $500 or the original purchase price, whichever is lower.
Despite claiming “no age limits” on the website, the age of the equipment actually does matter. Appliances and systems over 10 years old have coverage up to just $300. If you stick with the company, the limit goes up $50 per year, capping off at $500.
The limit applies to the repairs and replacement cost of each item during each contract period. If the company can’t repair your equipment, they’ll cut a check for whatever’s left over after any previous repairs. But even at the full $500, the amount you’ll get is unlikely to fully cover the replacement of the item, especially if you need a big-ticket item like a refrigerator.
| Covered Item | Coverage Limit |
| Ceiling fans | $500 |
| Ductwork | $500 |
| Electronics protection plan | $5,000 |
| External water or sewer lines | $2,500 |
| Food spoilage | $250 |
| Garage door opener | $500 |
| HVAC system | $1,000 |
| Interior electrical system | $500 |
| Kitchen and laundry appliances | $500 |
| Plumbing system | $500 |
| Septic system pumping | $500 per occurrence |
| Sewage ejector pump | $500 |
| Swimming pool | $500 |
| Water heater | $500 |
| Well pump | $1,000 |
American Residential Warranty Customer Reviews
American Residential Warranty has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau, but the reviews tell a completely different story. So, we went on a whirlwind trip through the reviews on Yelp, Google, and Trustpilot to get the inside scoop.
Reading hundreds of accounts from past and current clients painted a picture of the warranty coverage and overall service quality. And it wasn’t a pretty one. Negative feedback outweighs the positive by far, averaging out to a relatively low score across all the review sites.
Positive Reviews of American Residential Warranty
Finding positive reviews for American Residential Warranty services proved challenging, but they are out there.
Customers who had good experiences praised the company’s online claim filing process and quick response times. They’re also pleased with the option to hire their own service technician and get the charges reimbursed.
Negative Reviews of American Residential Warranty
While researching American Residential Warranty reviews, it quickly became quite obvious that the company often falls short of meeting its customers’ expectations.
The company seems to struggle with handling phone calls and providing repair services in a timely manner. Customers are also dissatisfied with the low coverage limits, which rarely cover the cost of replacing items that can’t be repaired.
How To File a Claim With American Residential Warranty
American Residential Warranty has recently made it easier to file a claim. In the past, you had to call the customer service team to file the claim and set up the service call. While you can still do that, it’s also possible to fill out the online form and wait for a callback.
Whether you use the online form or call them directly, the steps you’ll need to follow to file a claim are:
- Identify the issue: When something breaks down, assess the appliance or system fault the best you can and check if it’s covered under your warranty.
- Contact ARW Home: Reach out to the claim support team. The main claims phone number is 877-637-7890, but residents of California, Iowa, Texas, and Virginia will need to call 800-863-8600 instead. You can also use the form on the ARW website.
- Provide your info: Be ready to provide all your info during the call or while filling out the form. You will likely need your warranty number, contact information, and a brief description of the problem.
- Confirm coverage: The customer service team will assess the issue to confirm it’s covered by your warranty. If you fill out the online form, they’ll call to let you know the decision. Otherwise, they’ll tell you during the initial call.
- Pay the service fee: You will need to pay the service fee over the phone before scheduling the repair visit. The fee as of August 2023 is $55 per visit.
- Meet with the contractor: When the repair pro comes to your home, they’ll diagnose and fix the problem. If they can’t complete the repair, they’ll let you and the warranty company know at that time.
- Follow up: If you’re satisfied with the repairs, there’s nothing left to do. But if not, you can call the warranty support line to submit your complaint and attempt to work toward a resolution.
Is American Residential Warranty Worth It for You?
Upon navigating the American Residential Warranty website, the transparent pricing and straightforward sign-up process can prove tempting. However, the vast majority of homeowners end up regretting that decision or at least going elsewhere after a year. And through our research, it’s easy to see why.
When compared to other warranty companies like the ones cited below, ARW Home simply doesn’t offer coverage you can count on. The low coverage limits are likely to end up causing problems down the line and may even cost you a lot of money in the end. When coupled with the poor customer service experience, it’s instantly clear that you’re likely better off going elsewhere.
FAQs About American Residential Warranty
Did American Residential Warranty change its name?
American Residential Warranty changed its name to ARW Home Services in 2021. This change came with many revisions to its services, like replacing the 4-in-1 Bundle, Deluxe Advantage, and Kitchen Plus plans. Two years later, it’s still making changes to better align service offerings with the brand vision.
What is the parent company of American Residential Warranty?
American Residential Warranty’s parent company is American International Group, Inc., or AIG Warranty. This global insurance group began over 30 years ago but only opened the warranty division in 2009. AIG Warranty handles many tasks for ARW, including claims processing and customer service support.
Does American Residential Warranty charge monthly or annually?
American Residential Warranty allows you to pay for your plan on an annual or monthly basis. Paying upfront each year can save you about $5 a month. If you want to cancel midway through your annual plan, they’ll prorate the amount you paid and issue a refund for the remainder.
Is there a deductible for American Residential warranty?
The $55 service fee is the deductible. You will need to pay that amount each time you call for system or appliance repairs. The customer service rep will usually ask you to pay the fee over the phone when scheduling your appointment.
How long is the American Residential Warranty good for?
Signing up for a plan from American Residential Warranty gives you coverage for one year. You’re not locked in a contract, so you can cancel your plan at any time. Otherwise, the plan will auto-renew at the end of the year.
Methodology: How We Rank Home Warranty Companies
At Today’s Homeowner, we strive to bring you the most transparent, accurate information for your home improvement projects. Our home warranty company ratings emphasize what matters most to you — whether you’re looking for low-cost coverage, a hassle-free repair process, 24/7 assistance, or all of the above.
Our ratings are based on publicly available information about each company, secret shopping online and over the phone, customer-review analysis, and discussions with real estate professionals and repair contractors.
A company can earn a maximum of 100 points across six categories converted to a five-star scale. We researched more than 60 home warranty providers to develop the following formula:
- Plans and Coverage (24 points): A home warranty provider can earn the maximum point value in this category if it offers multiple robust plans that cover all basic systems and appliances and optional add-on coverage. We give bonus points to companies that cover uncommon items, such as electronics and roof leaks.
- Affordability (22.5 points): When evaluating costs, we not only consider monthly plan prices, but we also take into account the cost of add-on coverage, service fees, and whether companies offer free cancellation periods or money-back guarantees. If a provider allows potential customers to view sample contracts before getting a quote, that transparency earns more points in this category.
- Customer Experience (18.5 points): A home warranty company must give its customers ample support when they experience issues. We gauge overall support by looking at customer reviews and conducting homeowner surveys. We also go through the quotes process with each company and take meticulous notes about the friendliness of salespeople, how detailed each quote is, and how often the provider contacts us after giving a quote.
- Company Reputation (17.5 points): In this category, we look at a combination of customer reviews and reputable organizations such as the Better Business Bureau (BBB). We also consider the years of company experience, how satisfied its employees are, and whether it has been hit with any consumer rights violations or lawsuits.
- Claims Process (12.5 points): We score providers highly when they offer short response times, multiple ways to file claims, and around-the-clock availability. Companies can earn bonus points if they have a good reputation for quick and easy claims processing.
- Availability (5 points): Providers that serve more areas can have experience dealing with a wider range of homeowner headaches. A company earns the maximum points in this category if it offers services in most U.S. states.
We monitor company data on an ongoing basis to keep rankings and information up to date.
