TotalProtect Home Warranty Review (2020)

TotalProtect Home Warranty has 40 years of experience in the home warranty industry. With 24/7 service 365 days a year, nationwide coverage, and  a commitment to predictable, honest coverage, TotalProtect is one of the best home warranty companies on the market. 

We compiled TotalProtect Home Warranty reviews to create a comprehensive guide that helps homeowners decide whether TotalProtect is the right company with the right home warranty plan for them. Our review includes details about TotalProtect Home Warranty’s coverage and pricing, how they stack up against the competition, and general information about the company.

TotalProtect Home Warranty plans, coverage, and cost

TotalProtect Home Warranty offers three plans: an appliance plan, a systems plan, and a combo plan as well as optional add-ons. The plans range from $44–$59 per month. Note that there is an option for a cheaper service fee but an increased monthly fee if you contact a service representative at TotalProtect. Additionally, you can get a month free or up to $100 back if you pay annually in full. 

Appliances Plan: $34.95 (with a $100 service fee). TotalProtect offers coverage for 9 items under this plan–fairly standard for an appliance-only plan.

Systems Plan: $44.95 per month (with a $100 service fee). This plan covers 17 systems, an above-average amount for a systems-only plan. Note that none of the above appliances are covered under this plan.

Combo Plan: $58.95 per month (with a $100 service fee). This is the most comprehensive coverage plan offered by TotalProtect and offers all systems and appliances covered in the other two plans.

Optional coverage: For an additional cost, home buyers can include the below items to their existing plan. These vary in price but none are more than $20 per month. 

• Faucets
• Outside Gas Line
• Outside Sewer Line
• Outside Water Line
• Septic Tank/Septic Tank Pumping
• Standalone Freezer
• Surge Protection (This coverage is not available in the following states: CA, GA, ID, ME, MS, OH, OR, UT & VT)
• Swimming Pool and/or Spa or Combination
• Heater for Swimming Pool and/or Spa or Combination
• Water Softener
• Well Pump System with Booster Pump

TotalProtect also offers a Premier Upgrade Package as an additional add-on. This addition provides additional benefits on a covered claim and may cover additional fees that are not typically covered under a TotalProtect plan. These include (but are not limited to) disposal of equipment, duct, electrical modifications, plumbing, modifications, permits, code upgrades, and others. The upgrade package provides up to either $500 or $1000 towards one of the typically excluded non-covered charges.

Price of TotalProtect vs. competitors

Details for top TotalProtect systems and appliances

At House Method, we’re dedicated to providing the information readers want the most. With that in mind, our team surveyed 1,000 homeowners in the U.S. and asked them which systems and appliances were most valuable to them.

The data shows that the most important systems and appliances for homeowners are: electrical, plumbing, air conditioning, refrigerators, washer/dryer combos, and the oven/stove/range.

Here’s what coverage for those systems and appliances looks like with a TotalProtect home warranty:

Refrigerator

Refrigerators are covered under the Appliances Plan and the Combo Plan up to $3,000 per term. Covered under that are: electronic components, the compressor, condenser, evaporator, hinges, motors, power cords, internal wiring, ice maker and ice and water dispensers that are built into the refrigerator. Things not covered: water supply lines, doors, door seals, drawers, shelves, knobs, handles, light bulbs, and stand-alone freezers. 

Oven/stove/range

Like refrigerators, stoves, ranges, and wall ovens are covered up to $3,000 per term. That includes clock timer, heating elements/burners, switches, relays, touchpads, power cords, electronic components, internal wiring, gas valves, and ignitor and pilot assemblies. Not covered are doors, handles, latches, and door glass. These appliances are covered under the Appliances and Combo Plan. 

Clothes washer and dryer

Components covered for washers are: automatic soap and rinse dispensers, washing machine tubs and agitators, latch assemblies, belts, compressor, condensers, control timers, hinges, internal wiring, power cords, motors, water valves, and pumps. Not covered are: doors, handles, knobs, and damage to clothing. Washers are covered up to $3,000.

For dryers, heating elements, drums, drum rollers, power cords, hinges, gas valves, motors, and electronic components are covered up to $3,000 per term. Filters and screens, doors, handles, knobs, damage to clothing, venting, and rollers other than clothes dryer drum rollers are not covered.

Electrical

Covered under electrical are standard mechanical parts or components located within the perimeter of the outer load bearing walls. This can include ceiling fan motors and controls (but does not include transmitters and remotes), attic or whole house exhaust fans, door bells and chimes, interior standard light switches, smoke detectors, main breaker or fuse panel/box, and general line voltage wiring. 

Not covered under a plan are bathroom exhaust fans, DC wiring and systems, exterior wiring and components, wiring of components in a detached structure, fire or carbon monoxide alarm/detection systems, batteries, intercom or speaker systems, failures caused by inadequate wiring capacity, circuit overload, power surge, corrosion caused by moisture, and more. 

Plumbing

The following items are covered under plumbing: mechanical parts and components of garbage disposals, interior hose bibs, point of service water system/instahot, pressure regulating devices, shower and tub valves, toilet tanks, bowls, and toilet mechanisms within the toilet tank. Clearing plumbing stoppages is covered as well with some restrictions. The company’s sample contract has more specifics. Not covered under plumbing is work under the ground, in the foundation or slab, and any plumbing outside the perimeter of the foundation. Check the sample contract for additional plumbing exclusions. 

Air conditioning

TotalProtect is specific in what they cover and what they do not cover in their sample contract when it comes to air conditioning. The air conditioner must be a maximum of five tons, residential, and centrally ducted. Covered under that is accessible ductwork, the air handler, blower fan motors, capacitors, compressors, condensers and condenser fan motors, fan blades, internal wiring, refrigerant, and more. 

Not covered are things like condensate pumps and lines, any ductwork or piping that has asbestos, ductwork insulation, and more. Their service contract goes into detail.

Coverage length

A TotalProtect home warranty typically is in a review period for roughly 30 days before coverage becomes effective. TotalProtect contracts typically run for a year with an option to renew at the end of the coverage term.

Coverage limits

TotalProtect has a sample contract on their site which provides robust details. What you’ll find is that most appliances, such as a dishwasher, washer and dryer, or a refrigerator have a coverage cap of $3,000. However, there are no aggregate caps on coverage in any of their plans. Caps on systems vary but an air conditioner, for example, has a cap of $1,5000.

TotalProtect offers nationwide service, a definite plus for this company, as not all home warranty providers have coverage in all states. 

Our take

TotalProtect is one of the best home warranty companies we’ve researched and reviewed. Their service line is open 24/7/365, not something that all competitors have, and they have a 180-day workmanship guarantee. That means that if any system or appliance that was repaired under your contract breaks down again within that 180-day window, they’ll fix it again. Additionally, they over nationwide coverage. 

TotalProtect has an incredibly detailed sample contract online for potential consumers to view. It goes into detail on what is covered and what is not covered for nearly every system or appliance in their plans. This level of detail can be a big plus if you’re looking to really dig deep into the specifics. 

Their three options for plans can be a little limiting, especially if you choose only the systems or only the appliances plan. However, for homeowners who are only looking for that type of coverage, it’s a benefit in that you aren’t paying for more than you want. Their all-inclusive plan, the Combo Plan, is a fair price which helps make up for the limited options. The Combo Plan covers more systems or appliances than the industry average, 

One reservation is that TotalProtect doesn’t have the best customer feedback. However, it’s important to note the company has been in business for several decades and provides guarantees and clear guidelines in their service contract.

Overall, we see TotalProtect as a great option if you’re looking choosing between home warranty providers.

What others are saying

As a consumer, you probably don’t have the time to sit around and sift through the hundreds of reviews left by TotalProtect customers. That’s where we come in. At House Method, we go through user complaints, reviews, and ratings of each home warranty company and compile that information in a chart that’s easy for you to read.

Below, we’ve included TotalProtect Home Warranty ratings compared to the industry average.

TotalProtect Home Warranty reviews

The BBB gives TotalProtect a B+ rating and the company is accredited. They have a 2-star rating on the BBB website and have over 2,000 complaints against them.

Here are some reviews from current customers.

Travas of Augusta, Georgia, on February 4, 2019:

It’s pretty expensive when stuff breaks, so I’d rather get a warranty and pay $125 than $4,000. And TotalProtect seemed to cover more stuff compared to other places. I usually go online to submit a claim with them and their website is pretty simple to navigate. Then, the contractor called me that afternoon and he came the enxt day. It was great dealing with him. Having this warranty is very valuable for me and I’ll tell my friends to check TotalProtect out.

Lyndon of Greensboro, North Carolina, on March 20, 2019:

We first heard about TotalProtect Home Warranty through a friend and we’ve been with the company for over 10 years now. Most recently, our water heater ruptured and needed it replaced. My wife took care of that claim and it went very smoothly for her. We got emails keeping us updated and the two technicians that installed the new heater were very nice. I would recommend TotalProtect, no question.

Final thoughts

House Method gives TotalProtect Home Warranty 4.25 out of 5 stars. The company has good coverage under its Combo Plan for an affordable price and clearly lays out what’s covered and what’s not. Additionally, their service lines are available year-round and offer a 180-day workmanship guarantee. All of these factors (and more) make TotalProtect one of our top choices for home warranties. 

TotalProtect is a good choice for you if…

• you value a service line that is available all day and all year long.
• you live in a state with limited choices for home warranty coverage.
• you prefer a lower premium with a higher service fee (potentially valuable trade-off).

TotalProtect may not be a good choice for you if… 

• you’d rather have a higher monthly premium than a high service fee.

Compare home warranty providers

Compare TotalProtect to the competition.

Methodology

At House Method, transparency and trust are our most important values for the reader. That’s why we took the time to create an objective rating system and score each home warranty provider according to our methodology. Our team spent hours on the phone speaking to representatives from each home warranty company to get information right from the source.

Our rating system involves a weighted, 100-point scale that scores home warranty companies on plans offered, coverage, state availability, cost, trustworthiness, customer service, and unique benefits.

For more details, check out our affiliate disclosure and rating methodology.

Company information

• Company name: TotalProtect, a product of Cinch Home Services, Inc.
• Founding date: 1978
• Years in business: 40+ years
• Telephone: 800.474.4047
• Address: 4700 Exchange Court, Suite 300 
• State/province: Boca Raton, FL
• Postal code: 33431
• State availability: 50 states
• Service fee: $100
• BBB rating: B+