Home Security of America Review (2023)

Home Security of America (HSA) is one of the oldest home warranty companies in the industry. It helps homeowners remove the stress of finding a local technician to repair or replace broken systems and appliances in their homes.

To better understand the pros and cons of Home Security of America, we’ve created this 2023 HSA review that includes an overview of the home warranty company, information about plans and pricing, and a summary of Home Security of America reviews. Keep reading to learn if Home Security of America is the best home warranty for you.

Pros & Cons

Pros

Been in business for 41 years
It doesn’t require a home inspection to get coverage
If you purchase the home warranty when buying a home, coverage begins the day of closing.

Cons

It doesn’t cover essential appliances like a washer and dryer under basic coverage.
It doesn’t have nationwide coverage.

Home Security of America plans, coverage, and cost

Home Security of America offers two plans—the Basic Coverage Plan and the Buyer 7 Star Upgrade—at an average of $40–$53 a month. HSA also provides optional coverage for items such as your swimming pool, washer, and dryer for an additional cost.

The actual price you pay for your home warranty plan will depend on where you live, the length of your contract, and the protection plan you choose.

Basic Coverage Plan: $40.00 per month ($480.00). This option is available for home buyers and sellers and covers most major home systems and appliances.

Central heat/air conditioning
Ductwork and attached humidifier
Water heater
Instant hot water dispenser
Plumbing parts
Primary sump pump
Faucets
Water, gas, drain, and waste lines
Polybutylene leaks
Toilets (toilet tank, bowl, and wax ring seals)

Whirlpool bathtub
Electrical system
Garage door opener
Ceiling fans, interior attic fans, and exhaust fans
Refrigerator
Oven
Stovetop/range
Dishwasher
Garbage disposal
Built-in microwave
Trash compactor

Failures due to lack of maintenance
Failures due to rust and corrosion
Failures due to water heater sediment
Septic system
Light fixtures
Central vacuum
Burglar alarms, fire alarms, and doorbell systems

Note: Under the Basic Coverage Plan for Sellers, the septic system, lighting fixtures, central vacuum, burglar alarms, fire alarms, and doorbell systems aren’t covered. Customers may add central heat, air conditioning, ductwork, and an attached humidifier to their plan for $50 a month.

Buyer 7 Star Upgrade: $37.50 per month ($450.00 per year). Available for buyers only, this upgrade covers everything in the Basic Coverage Plan, plus items like smoke alarms and permits up to $250.

Central heat/air conditioning (with additional coverage for registers, grills, filters, heat lamps, refrigerant recovery, and non-ducted/wall air conditioners)
Ductwork and attached humidifier
Water heater
Instant hot water dispenser
Plumbing parts
Primary sump pump
Faucets
Water, gas, drain, and waste lines
Polybutylene leaks
Toilets replaced with like quality (toilet tank, bowl, and wax ring seals)
Whirlpool bathtub
Electrical system
Garage door opener (with coverage for hinges, springs, keypad, and remote transmitter)

Ceiling fans, interior attic fans, and exhaust fans
Refrigerator (with coverage for refrigerant recovery and ice makers)
Oven/Stovetop/Range (with coverage for interior lining, clocks, rotisseries, racks, handles, knobs, and dials)
Dishwasher (with coverage for racks, baskets, and rollers)
Garbage disposal
Built-in microwave (with coverage for interior lining, door glass, clock, and shelves)
Trash compactor (with coverage for lock/key assembly and bucket)
Smoke alarms
Failures due to lack of maintenance
Failures due to rust and corrosion

Failures due to water heater sediment
Septic system
Light fixtures
Central vacuum
Burglar alarms, fire alarms, and doorbell systems
Crane charges for rooftop air conditioning or heating replacement
$250 toward code violations
$500 toward modifications on central heat, air, or water heater
Permits up to $250 per occurrence
Disposed of replaced equipment
Mismatched heating and air conditioning system
Improper installation/repair

Optional coverage: In addition to the HSA plans above, buyers can add optional coverage to their plan for the following items.

Water softener: $40
Water well pump: $75
Electronic air cleaner: $35
Clothes washer and dryer: $70
Home freezer: $30
Roof leaks: $45
Hot tub: $150
Swimming pool: $150
Pool/hot tub combination: $175

Concerning payment and fees, you can expect to pay a $75 service fee with each trade call. If multiple visits are required for the same repair, you won’t be charged an additional $75 for each visit.

In some cases, Home Security of America customers may be responsible to pay contractors directly and seek reimbursement from HSA afterward. HSA promises to reimburse its customers within 30 days of receipt of a paid invoice from the service contractor. You can send receipts and other proofs of payment by fax or mail, but not by email.

Our Top-Rated Alternatives to Home Security of America

Price of Home Security of America vs. Competitors

This graph represents the monthly premium customers would pay under HSA’s most basic plan against what they would pay for competitor plans. Note: these prices do not include the service fee amount.

Details for Top Home Security of America Systems and Appliances

Our team at Today’s Homeowner wanted to understand what customers valued most regarding home warranty coverage, so we surveyed 1,000 homeowners and asked them which home systems and appliances held the most importance.

The findings revealed that the top systems and appliances people care about are the electrical, plumbing, air conditioning, refrigerator, washer/dryer, and oven/stove/range.

Here’s what that coverage looks like under a Home Security of America home warranty plan.

Air conditioning

Customers can get air conditioning coverage under the Basic Coverage Plan for Buyers (sellers may add coverage for this system at an additional cost). If buyers upgrade their plan, they’ll receive coverage for registers, grills, filters, heat lamps, refrigerant recovery, non-ducted air conditioners, and wall A/C units. Note: most home warranty companies don’t offer coverage for wall air conditioners, so this is an advantage to HSA.

Electrical

Here are the electrical items covered under a Home Security of America home warranty: interior wiring, main service panels, receptacles, fuses, outlets, and switches. With the Buyer Upgrade, lighting fixtures are also covered—another item that home warranty companies don’t typically cover.

Plumbing

HSA has extensive plumbing coverage, protecting all interior leaks and breaks of water supply lines, gas lines, drain lines, and waste lines. Plumbing stoppages are also covered.

Refrigerator

Both buyers and sellers will receive coverage for their refrigerators under the Basic Coverage plan. Customers will receive additional coverage for refrigerant recovery and ice makers with the Buyer Upgrade.

Washer/dryer

Unfortunately, the washer and dryer aren’t covered under the Basic Coverage Plan or Buyer Upgrade. We see this as a disadvantage to HSA plans, considering that 90% of the other home warranty companies we reviewed provide coverage for these appliances in their most basic plans.

Oven/stove/range

These appliances are covered under HSA’s most basic plan. Customers will receive additional coverage for interior lining, clocks, rotisseries, racks, handles, knobs, and dials with the Buyer Upgrade.

Coverage length

For properties not involved in a real estate transaction, Home Security of America coverage begins 15 days after your enrollment and ends six to 12 months after the start date. The waiting period of 15 days is lower than the industry standard, which tends to be roughly 30 days.

If home warranty coverage is transferred to you as a homebuyer, coverage is effective on the date of closing and continues for 12 months. If you purchase home warranty coverage for a home you’re selling, coverage is effective on the date of application and continues for up to six months. For new construction, coverage begins on the first anniversary of the sale and continues for one or four years from that date.

The company offers 6-, 12-, and 36- month contracts, the length of which may decrease the monthly premium you pay. Check the fine print of your agreement to determine if premiums are subject to increase year after year if you choose to renew annually.

Coverage limits and restrictions

Estimated appliance coverage from Home Security of America is $300, and estimated systems coverage is $1,500. While the sample contract states that aggregate coverage is limited to $25,000 with a $5,000 limit per mechanical system, many sub-limits for specific items are listed throughout the contract.

For example, internal plumbing systems are covered up to $500 aggregate per contract period, and roof leaks are covered for up to $750 aggregate.

Home Security of America states that its coverage protects listed systems and appliances within the “interior” of the main foundation of the home or in an attached or detached garage, those that are correctly installed, those that become inoperative due to normal wear and tear, and those that are in proper working order on the effective date of your contract.

Keep in mind that the Home Security of America Basic Plan does not cover improper installation or improper repairs, but the Buyer 7 Star Upgrade plan does.

It’s essential to familiarize yourself with the Home Security of America warranty plans and terms of service. A sample contract is available online for you to read. Take note of coverage limits for specific systems and read the fine print about what Home Security of America will and won’t cover. For example, the refrigerator is covered in the Basic Plan, but the ice maker and beverage dispenser are not.

Additionally, HSA’s offerings for home buyers and home sellers differ. The optional coverage add-ons, like roof leaks, swimming pools, hot tubs, septic systems, and more, are only available for homebuyers purchasing their warranties.

See if your state is covered by Home Security of America

Home Security of America is only available in Delaware, Georgia, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Washington D.C. If you don’t live in one of these states, check out our State Home Warranty Guides and compare your state’s top home warranty companies.

Our Take

Home Security of America has been around for more than 40 years and has some of the best home warranty coverage for home buyers. Its Basic Coverage Plan protects essential home systems and appliances and allows buyers to tack on additional coverage for optional items.

Though the company has comprehensive coverage for buyers, it doesn’t provide the same for sellers, completely removing septic system coverage and protection for lighting fixtures, burglar alarms, fire alarms, and doorbell systems. It also charges an additional $50 fee for central heat, air conditioning, and ductwork—items buyers have the luxury of having for free.

Yet another disadvantage of HSA is that it has pretty low coverage limits ($300 for appliances), which is way lower than the industry average of $500 coverage caps.

We love Home Security of America because buyers can receive immediate coverage on the day of closing—this is one of the best “waiting periods” in the home warranty industry. Compare this to the standard 30-day waiting period that most customers have to endure.

If you’re a home buyer in need of coverage for major home systems, Home Security of America may be a great option. However, if you don’t fall under that categorization, we recommend looking at other home warranty companies for complete home protection.

Home Security of America ratings

Plan options: 3.8 / 5
Breadth of coverage: 3.4 / 5
State availability: 1.8 / 5
Cost: 4.5 / 5
Trustworthiness: 3.5 / 5
Customer service: 3.3 / 5
Unique benefits: 0 / 5

HSA Customer Reviews

As a consumer, you probably don’t have the time to sit around and sift through the hundreds of customer reviews left by Home Security of America customers—that’s where we come in. At Today’s Homeowner, we go through user complaints, reviews, and ratings of each home warranty company and compile that information into an easy chart for you to read.

Below, we’ve included HSA ratings compared to the industry average.

SUMMARY OF CUSTOMER FEEDBACK

REVIEWER	HOME SECURITY OF AMERICA RATINGS	INDUSTRY AVERAGE RATINGS
YELP	1.5 / 5 (out of 228 reviews)	1.2 / 5 (out of 375 reviews)
BBB	2.8 / 5 (out of 5188 reviews)	2.0 / 5 (out of 956 reviews)

Home Security of America Reviews

Reviewers of Home Security of America highlight the company’s quick responses, positive customer service representatives, and the lengths the company will go to locate hard-to-find repair parts. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) gives them a B rating and an average of 2.8 stars.

Here are a few Home Security of America BBB reviews from current customers:

Jeffrey M., on June 5, 2017, said:

Reputable home warranty company that provides excellent customer service. We have carried coverage with HSA for over five years. I highly recommend spending the extra money for the “Seven Star ” package.

Larry J., on June 18, 2017, said:

Bought a home where the seller bought their warranty as part of the contract…the refrigerator needed work and both HSA and their repair company were very responsive. Parts ordered and fixed within a few days. Very satisfied with both.

Will B., on April 6, 2017, said:

My experiences with HSA have been mostly positive, however sometimes they have been quite a hassle. Being new homeowners, the warranty has saved us a lot of money, but sometimes what they will cover vs won’t cover hits a grey area and then we have been out more money. The only real complaint I’ve had recently was when our water heater went out 2 days after we brought our newborn home. It was a Saturday night/Sunday morning ordeal and even after we explained the importance of having hot water available with less than a week old baby they gave us the “contractors aren’t required to work on weekends but if one is in the area they may come out.” We went a week and a half without a water heater. They used to have a clause that if there was a newborn in the house they would expedite service on major systems. We as new parents were not very happy.

Frequently Asked Questions About Home Security of America

How is a Home Security of America warranty different from homeowners insurance?

A home warranty is a service contract that covers appliances and home systems when they break down due to normal wear and tear. Homeowners’ insurance doesn’t cover appliances and systems, making a home warranty an excellent complement to standard insurance.

What’s covered under an HSA home warranty?

The coverage will vary depending on the plan you choose, where you live, and whether you opt for additional add-ons. You’ll have the option to select the program that gives you the most peace of mind.

How do I file a service request?

Home Security of America customers can file a claim 24 hours a day, seven days a week, by calling the HSA telephone line. A call initiates services without the requirement of a claim form or service application.

To submit a claim, customers can either call 1-800-367-1448 or sign into their online customer portal.

What does the claims process look like?

Making a claim is relatively easy with Home Security of America. It provides both telephone and online options to alert the company of the need for a repair or replacement. A Home Security of America-approved service contractor will perform the repair or replacement within 48 hours under normal circumstances. You can use a contractor of your choice, given the contractor is approved by HSA ahead of time.

HSA notes that it isn’t responsible for matching dimensions, colors, or brands of parts and materials that are replaced or repaired. The company also reserves the right to use non-original manufacturer parts.

Do I need a home inspection before I enroll with Home Security of America?

Home Security of America does not require a home inspection before enrollment. However, the contract states that items covered must be properly installed, maintained, and in good working condition to qualify for coverage from Home Security of America. HSA doesn’t cover any pre-existing conditions.

What happens if I sell my house while my Home Security of America plan is in effect?

Coverage is transferable from HSA, meaning that any remaining coverage will transfer to the new homeowner at the date of closing at no additional cost in states where that is permitted by law.

For example, if you have six months of coverage remaining at closing, the homebuyer will be covered for six months. Policyholders can transfer coverage to a new buyer by notifying HSA of the closing date and the buyer’s name. A copy of the settlement statement may be required for proof of sale.

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Final thoughts

Our team at Today's Homeowner gives Home Security of America 3.15 out of 5 stars. It’s a great home warranty for home buyers, but it still lacks essential coverage for washers and dryer items.

Home Security of America is a good choice if

you’re buying a new home.
You want coverage for major home systems.
You want coverage immediately and don’t want to wait 30 days for coverage to kick in.

Home Security of America may not be a good choice if

You’re selling a home or are a seasoned homeowner.
You live in one of the states not covered by the home warranty company.
You want high coverage caps for your systems and appliances.

Methodology

At Today's Homeowner, 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.