Select Home Warranty (SHW) is one of the cheapest home warranty providers on the market. Plans start at about $45 per month, and its top-tier plan is only two dollars more expensive. That’s way less expensive than competitors like American Home Shield and Liberty Home Guard.

The trade-off? SHW’s coverage limits are lower than some competitors. That means if a major appliance or system breaks down, SHW may only cover part of the repair or replacement cost — leaving you to pay the rest. For example, while some providers offer up to $3,000 per claim, SHW typically caps payouts at $500 to $2,000, depending on the item.

SHW is available in every state except Nevada, Washington, and Wisconsin and offers solid basic protection for cost-conscious homeowners. Our team dug into customer reviews, scrutinized the fine print, and even secret-shopped their service. Here’s what we found.

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Here’s how we ranked and reviewed the nation’s top home warranty companies to bring you the most accurate information. Read our full Home Warranty Review Methodology for more details.

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Select Home Warranty: Best Value

If you’re trying to stick to a budget or have a fixed income, SHW offers the best home warranty value of all its competitors. It combines reasonably priced plans with low service fees and a 90-day workmanship guarantee.

Plans are as cheap as $44 a month with the discount I’ve been offered every time I’ve spoken with the company. When pricing out home warranty plans, don’t forget to factor in service fees. Some competitors’ service fees start at $100 and go up from there, charging even more for calls after business hours. However, every plan under Select Home Warranty charges a $75 to $85 service fee with no extra fees for emergency calls where emergency service is available. SHW also includes roof-leak coverage in all protection plans, while most other home warranty companies only offer roof-leak protection as a paid add-on.

In certain states, such as Kentucky and Maine, Select has a strong presence that allows them to have an emergency response team standing ready. This dedicated team provides same-day service for a water leak that won’t stop, air conditioning that fails during a heat wave, or a furnace that stops working mid-January. It’s an excellent perk, and if you live in one of their high-coverage areas, Select might become your top pick for a home warranty. 

While Select offers good value for the money, its biggest issue is its low reimbursement limits for covered appliances and all major systems except HVAC. SHW only pays up to $500 per claim for most covered items. Other home warranty companies have higher reimbursement limits for appliances and systems, and while you pay less for a SHW plan, its coverage value is compromised.

Additionally, its customer service is lacking. Many customers complain on review sites about long wait times for service technicians on non-emergency repairs. They also say that it’s difficult to cancel their policy, and Select is one of the few home warranty providers to charge a $75 cancellation fee.

Select Home Warranty only sells a few add-on options, too, which won’t be adequate for homes with non-standard or luxury features such as wine coolers or guest houses.


Select Home Warranty Bottom Line: 

8.4/10

If you live in the right state, Select offers an emergency response team for reasonable premiums and affordable service fees. The workmanship guarantee has a longer period (90 days) than with some competitors, such as Liberty Home Guard or American Home Shield, which only cover 60 and 30 days, respectively. 

However, while Select Home Warranty has low monthly premiums and service call fees, it doesn’t meet the coverage standards of other home warranty companies in the industry. The average appliance coverage cap is $2,000 per claim, while SHW’s appliance limits are just $500. Still, SHW makes sense if you need affordable HVAC coverage, as it pays up to $3,000 per repair.


Select Home Warranty Plans and Coverage 

8.3/10

The pricing for Select Home Warranty’s three coverage plans — Bronze Care, Gold Care, and Platinum Care — varies depending on discounts. For example, the Bronze Care plan costs $60.42 a month at normal rates but only $44.92 with discounts. Since you can’t get pricing for your area online, you’ll need to call to get a personalized quote. Also, at $75 to $85, SHW’s per-visit service fee is also one of the lowest among competitors. 

The three plans’ coverage options include either appliances, home systems, or both. Under the Bronze Care appliance plan, you’ll receive coverage for your refrigerator, including your ice maker and water dispenser (which many companies only offer for an additional charge or exclude entirely). It also includes other home appliances such as your range/oven/cooktop, clothes washer, dishwasher, clothes dryer, built-in microwave, garbage disposal, and ceiling fans.

The Gold Care plan could be a better pick if you already have manufacturer warranties on your appliances. It covers your air conditioning, heating, electrical, plumbing, water heater, and garage door opener. It also covers plumbing stoppages and plumbing fixtures (such as your faucet), which are either rarely included or cost more with other companies.

The Platinum Care plan combines the coverage of the other two plans to protect both home systems and appliances. All plans have a $75 to $85 service fee, depending on where you live.

PlanMonthly Cost*Service FeeAvailable Discounts
Bronze Care$44.92$75 to $85$150-off discount on the phone, and two months free if you pay the annual fee up-front
Gold Care$44.92$75 to $85$150-off discount on the phone, and two months free if you pay the annual fee up-front
Platinum Care$47.75$75 to $85$150-off discount on the phone, and two months free if you pay the annual fee up-front

* Note: monthly cost figures provided include the discounted rate offered at the time of writing. Select Home Warranty has been running this promotion since the beginning of this year.

Editor’s Note: The cost data mentioned in this article was sourced for a single-family, two-bedroom home under 5,000 square feet in Portland, Maine. The cost data presented was accurate at the time of writing.

Available Add-Ons

Select Home Warranty sells a very basic list of optional add-ons. It offers just nine options, so if you need more coverage, this could be frustrating. Both Elite Home Warranty and Liberty Home Guard have more than 30 options for additional coverage, so Select’s nine add-on options pale in comparison. 

Choose from the following list with SHW:

  • Central vacuum: $3.33/month
  • Lawn sprinkler system: $5.83/month
  • Pool: $8.33/month
  • Roof leak: $0/month
  • Septic system: $5.83/month
  • Spa: $5.83/month
  • Standalone freezer: $3.33/month
  • Sump pump: $3.33/month
  • Well pump: $3.33/month

I do like that roof leak coverage doesn’t cost extra, as many competitors charge around $10 for this coverage if they offer it at all. A roof leak that’s left dripping can lead to mold, mildew, or other damage in your home, so roof leak coverage can be extremely beneficial for preventing these types of damage. 

Exclusions

An exclusion in a home warranty contract is a repair or replacement the company will not cover. SHW doesn’t cover preexisting conditions or a problem that a customer reasonably should have known about. Some other prominent exclusions are: 

  • Secondary damage (i.e., your home warranty may cover roof damage but won’t cover water damage caused by the leak)
  • Incorrect installation or malfunctions due to construction damage or improper wiring
  • Issues with systems or appliances related to hazardous or toxic materials (for example, mold, asbestos, and gas leaks.) 
  • Common areas in condominiums or family homes
  • Solar heating systems
  • Damage caused by natural disasters and rust
  • Defects or damages caused by the foundation and structure of the home

You’ll read in the fine print of Select Home Warranty’s sample contract that the company reserves the right to request three years of maintenance records on covered systems and appliances before approving repairs. If you don’t have complete maintenance records, it will only cover up to $150 in repairs on any system or appliance. This is a big cut on coverage, so it’s important for customers to be aware of this ahead of time.

Editor’s Note: While this article highlights certain exclusions, it is imperative for readers to review their contracts as the mentioned exclusions are not exhaustive, and additional exclusions may apply.


Select Home Warranty Affordability 

9.1/10

Select charges moderate prices — from around $60 to around $64 — for its plans before any discounts are accounted for. I’ve now called Select five times while secret shopping to get a quote and have always received a discount, bringing the price down by $15 to $20 a month. Deals also include two free months of service, free roof leak coverage, and $150 off the annual fee. 

If you receive the discounted pricing, plans are cheaper than comparable plans at Liberty Home Guard or AFC Home Club. Select’s service fee is also on the low end — competitors’ fees go up to $125 per service call, and some charge more for service after business hours. 


Select Home Warranty Customer Experience

8.1/10

Even if you complete the online request for a quote, you can’t buy a policy online. Select Home Warranty forces customers to call them, but don’t worry about forgetting — they will call, email, and text you incessantly after you request a quote. After I’ve applied for a quote while secret shopping, they’ve texted me up to three times a day. 

Their website answers basic FAQs and has their plans’ details laid out in a chart format. However, it isn’t intuitive, and you may have to go to a search engine and enter a term to find a page. Sales representatives have been friendly and volunteered information about reviews and online rankings, but they’ve refused to comment on how fast you’ll receive service after filing a claim. 

When I’ve asked why customers complain about waiting days or weeks for service, customer service representatives refused to answer questions directly. Instead, they sidestepped the question and continued to reference their high scores with the Better Business Bureau and Trustpilot. This lack of transparency is not reassuring.


Select Home Warranty Company Reputation

8.0/10

Like many home warranty companies, Select Home Warranty has mixed reviews. By their very nature, home warranty companies will disappoint customers who don’t understand exclusions or coverage limits. However, SHW does have a B- rating from the BBB and relatively high scores on Trustpilot and Google. 

Positive reviews talk about how easy it was to sign up and pick a plan, but negative reviews address service and coverage. Numerous reviews mention that it took a while — sometimes weeks —for a service technician to show up and that Select didn’t keep the customer informed of their claim’s status. 

Customers also complain about excluded items or repairs that cost more than planned. Always read the fine print for exclusions to avoid unpleasant surprises. Some struggled to cancel their policy, even within the 30-day window. 

Rating SiteRating# of Reviews
BBBB- / 1.12out of 5 stars2,058
Trustpilot3.8 out of 5 stars4,817
Google3.8 out of 5 stars19,805

Editor’s Note: The ratings provided were accurate at the time of writing.


Select Home Warranty Claims Process

7.6/10

If you need to request service, you can either call SHW or log into the customer portal and submit the request online. The company will contact a technician within 48 hours to schedule the repair, but it makes no promises about when the technician will come to your house to do the work. Only emergency repairs receive faster service. 

Other companies give customers a more concrete turnaround time. Given that some customer reviews mention that it took quite a while for a technician to come to their house, I find it concerning that Select has no commitment to service times. 


Select Home Warranty Availability

10/10

Select Home Warranty sells coverage plans in most states nationwide. It’s available online, by phone, or via email and accepts claims 24/7.


Select Home Warranty vs. The Competition

Select Home Warranty vs. Liberty Home Guard

Liberty Home Guard’s policies can cost more than Select Home Warranty’s, but it depends on your state. Liberty Home Guard offers significantly more add-ons than Select, with 42 options for additional coverage versus SHW’s nine. Select’s pricing for add-ons is generally cheaper, however. Select charges $3.33  a month for a central vacuum as compared to $8.99 a month with Liberty Home Guard. Adding a lawn sprinkler costs $5.83 a month with Select instead of $9.99 with Liberty. 

SHW’s service fee is also cheaper — $75 to $85 per service call vs. $125 with Liberty Home Guard. However, Liberty Home Guard has much higher customer satisfaction ratings online. We rated them lower than SHW for customer experience because some of its plans have longer wait period for plans to become effective after sign-up. 

Liberty says they will try to have a technician at your house within 24 to 48 hours of your filing a claim. In some areas, such as Allston, Massachusetts, it has statistics about average response time and service calls per day which support the claim it has an even faster response time. Unless price heavily influences your home warranty decision, I’d recommend Liberty Home Guard. 

Provider Subscores (10 Point Scale)Select Home WarrantyLiberty Home Guard
Plans and Coverage8.310.0
Affordability9.18.9
Customer Experience8.17.8
Company Reputation8.09.1
Claims Process7.610.0
Availability10.010.0
Overall8.49.3

Select Home Warranty vs. American Home Shield

American Home Shield (AHS) and Select Home Warranty both offer limited add-ons, probably because they’re both two of the cheapest home warranty companies. AHS does charge more affordable premiums for its two lower-tier plans, though pricing for its top-tier plan is comparable. Depending on your plan and where you live, when you file a claim with AHS, you’ll pay a service fee that’s $25 to $50 higher.

AHS’s workmanship guarantee only lasts 30 days — the shortest in the business. If a repaired item breaks again 45 days later, you’ll be paying an additional service fee. But, since AHS rates higher for plans and coverage, customer experience, and claims process, they’re my pick over Select.

Provider Subscores (10 Point Scale)Select Home WarrantyAmerican Home Shield
Plans and Coverage8.39.0
Affordability9.18.7
Customer Experience8.18.4
Company Reputation8.07.7
Claims Process7.68.4
Availability10.010.0
Overall8.48.6

Select Home Warranty vs. American Home Shield

Select Home Warranty vs. AFC Home Club

AFC Home Club and Select’s pricing for plans is quite similar when you look at Select’s Gold Care and Platinum Care next to AFC Home Club’s comparable Gold and Platinum plans. However, AFC gives customers flexible pricing. Picking a higher service fee of $125 lowers your monthly premiums. 

AFC Home Club sells a fourth plan that covers luxury electronics, which isn’t even an add-on with Select — so homeowners with top-tier home entertainment systems might prefer AFC’s coverage instead. AFC also has a workmanship guarantee for the life of the plan. As long as you keep renewing your policy, any older repairs fall under this guarantee.

If you need coverage for luxury electronics and want a better customer experience, AFC Home Club is your better choice.

Provider Subscores (10 Point Scale)Select Home WarrantyAFC Home Club
Plans and Coverage8.38.1
Affordability9.19.1
Customer Experience8.19.2
Company Reputation8.08.3
Claims Process7.66.8
Availability10.010.0
Overall8.48.5

Customer Thoughts on Select Home Warranty

Select Home Warranty has a B- rating on the Better Business Bureau (BBB). Customers rated SHW 1.1 out of 5 stars on BBB, with many citing poor customer service, denied claims, and low reimbursements for repairs. For example, one BBB review from Latasha F. mentioned that SHW issued a $125 check for her broken dryer, which was much less than the item’s value.

That said, SHW holds positive reviews on other third-party review sites. On Trustpilot, most customer reviews highlight SHW’s simple sign-up process and affordable prices. However, after reviewing more than 100 customer reviews, I found that most customer reviews that related to SHW’s claims process were negative.

How To Read Your Service Contract

After signing up, it’s a good idea to read SHW’s service contract again to understand the company’s coverage terms, limits, and exclusions.

Here are the main service contract categories to focus on:

  • Term: The term section of SHW’s contract outlines the duration of your coverage plan (typically 12 months unless you purchase a multi-year plan).
  • Claims procedure: This section provides information on how to file a claim, how long it will take SHW to respond to your claim, and other claims-related provisions.
  • Covered systems and appliances: This section contains information on all covered items in each coverage plan. This section also lists the item components SHW excludes. 
  • Select’s option: This section is important to understand because it highlights the general provisions SHW follows to approve or deny a claim. 
  • Exclusions to coverage: This section lists SHW’s general exclusion categories, such as hazardous materials, acts of nature, manufacturer defects, and more.
  • Select’s liability: This section lists the dollar amount of SHW’s coverage limits per covered item. It also outlines other notable limitations, including SHW’s stance on old appliance and system disposals, delays in service, and more.
  • Cancellation: The cancellation section gives information on SHW’s 30-day free cancellation period. SHW will fully refund your premium if you cancel your plan within the first 30 days of sign-up. It charges a $75 cancellation fee for cancellations after the free cancellation period.

How to File a Claim With Select Home Warranty

Select Home Warranty has a 24/7 hotline and an online portal for filing claims. After receiving your service request, SHW will reach out to an in-network service provider within 48 hours. 

How Long Does a Coverage Plan Last?

According to the “Term” section of Select Home Warranty’s service agreement, a coverage policy will last 12 months from the coverage effective date. The coverage effective date, which SHW refers to as the coverage waiting period, is 30 days after the sign-up date. 

SHW will expedite the coverage effective date if you provide proof of coverage from a different home warranty company. To receive a shorter waiting period, there must not be a lapse in your previous home warranty policy.

How Should You Handle a Dispute With Select Home Warranty?

Below are several steps to take if you have a contractual dispute with Select Home Warranty:

  • Confirm your coverage details: Read your service contract again to ensure SHW has a clause covering your issue. Most negative reviews relating to denied claims were from customers who likely didn’t confirm that SHW covered their breakdown.
  • Contact Select: Once you confirm your issue is a covered malfunction, contact SHW and state which section of the service contract lists your issue as a covered breakdown.
  • Document everything: Each time you call SHW, note who you speak with. Ensure you save any emails you exchange with SHW, too.
  • Contact your state’s consumer protection agency: You can file a complaint with your state’s consumer protection office if SHW continues to ignore your resolution attempts.

Who Is Select Home Warranty Best For?

Select Home Warranty is best for home warranty buyers on a budget. Select’s plan pricing is low-cost, but its coverage is comprehensive. For just $47.75 for the Platinum Care plan, you’ll have coverage for all your home’s systems and appliances. Competitors such as American Home Shield, Liberty Home Guard, and AFC Home Club all charge a higher monthly fee for their top-tier plans. 

In addition to reasonable monthly plan pricing, Select charges service fees of only $75 to $85, whereas some competitors charge $100 and up for each service call. Many of its options for additional coverage, such as a central vacuum or lawn sprinkler, also come in cheaper than those of competitors. 


FAQs About Select Home Warranty

Is Select Home Warranty Legit?

Yes, the company has been in business since 2012 and has respectable BBB ratings.

How Much Does Select Home Warranty Cost?

On average, Select’s plans cost $61.53 without a discount and $45.86 with discounts. Factors such as add-ons and your location impact your rate.

How Do You Cancel Select Home Warranty?

You can cancel within 30 days of signing up for a Select Home Warranty policy and receive a full refund if you haven’t used their services. After that period, the company refunds a prorated amount for time not used, less a $75 cancellation fee.


Other Resources for Homeowners

Editorial Contributors
avatar for Dena Landon

Dena Landon

Dena Landon has been writing in the real estate, finance, and insurance space for over ten years. Her work has appeared in national publications such as Good Housekeeping, Salon, and Homelight. Landon earned a Master of Business Administration from Capella University and a Master of Science in Accounting from the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth.

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photo of Lee Ann Merrill

Lee Ann Merrill

Chicago-based Lee Ann Merrill has decades of experience writing and editing across a wide range of technical and scientific subjects. Her love of DIY, gardening, and making led her to the realm of creating and honing quality content for homeowners. When she's not working on her craft, you can find her exploring her city by bike and plotting international adventures.

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