The Home Service Club
The Home Service Club has 15 years of experience providing homeowners with comprehensive home warranty coverage at competitive prices. It offers plans that cover essential home systems and appliances, such as air conditioning and plumbing, in all 50 states.
Our rating: 4.2 out of 5
Best for: Affordable add-ons
Availability: 50 states
The Home Service Club at a glance
Though The Home Service Club reduces out-of-pocket costs for home repairs, there are some drawbacks to consider.
Fast facts
- Founded in 2008 to make home warranty coverage accessible for homeowners in all 50 states
- Known for its affordable add-ons like coverage for jetted bathtubs, freestanding freezers and well pumps
- Has a 4.7 rating on Google (~4,000 reviews), but lower ratings on BBB (C+) and Trustpilot (2.8 out of 5)*
What we like
- Doesn’t require a home inspection
- Provides instant, hassle-free online quotes
- Offers affordable coverage (as add-ons) for items not always available through other providers, such as water softeners and sprinkler system lines
What we don’t like
- Service call fees go up to $125, which is higher than average
- Negative customer reviews on Better Business Bureau (BBB) and Trustpilot
- Higher contract cancellation and transfer fees than other providers
* Third-party ratings are accurate as of May 2024
The Home Service Club pros and cons
Getting coverage through The Home Service Club is pretty smooth. Unlike many providers, you don’t need a home inspection. Coverage begins 10 days after signing the contract, which is perfect if you need protection ASAP. Most other companies have a 30-day waiting period.
Most competitors charge around $75 per service call. But with The Home Service Club, you could pay up to $125 to get someone out to your place.
Pros
- Offers coverage for home appliances and systems of all makes, models and ages in 50 states
- Covers every main property type, including mobile homes, apartments, condos/townhomes, single-family homes and multi-family homes
- Allows customers to choose their preferred technicians
Cons
- $45 contract cancellation fee before or after the threshold
- Pattern of complaints on BBB, with a C+ rating (and not accredited)
- No human live-chat option
How much does The Home Service Club cost?
The Home Service Club offers two main coverage plans: Standard and Comprehensive. When ordering a warranty online, first-time customers automatically receive a 10% discount on either plan.
The coverage tier and payment plan you choose affect your overall investment. It’s more cost-efficient to pay in full, which is typical. You can save a little under $100 over 13 months on either plan. Of course, more extensive coverage brings up the overall price.
Here’s a breakdown of costs* without add-on coverage:
| Single Payment | Monthly Payment | |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | $584.96 for 13 months | $51.25 |
| Comprehensive | $719.96 for 13 months | $62.50 |
* We gathered quotes for a standard 2,000-square-foot home in Dallas.
What services does The Home Service Club offer?
The Home Service Club covers the expected basics, such as refrigerators, microwaves and water heaters. If you choose its Comprehensive plan, you also get less-common coverages, such as pest control and ductwork.
We love that The Home Service Club lets customers tailor policies to their homes’ unique needs. For example, you can add a la carte coverage for items like pools, extra appliances, water softeners and more.
pro tip
- Don’t let your policy lapse, or you’ll have to wait 30 days before coverage resumes.
Its service call fees are $65, $95 and $125, and you can choose the one you want when you select your coverage plan. Though the highest price is steeper than many competitors’ fees, The Home Service Club provides a 30- to 90-day workmanship guarantee on repairs, standing behind its service quality.
As for limitations, The Home Service Club covers normal wear and tear damages with coverage caps in place. For example, it will pay up to $2,000 for air conditioning repairs or replacement. Damage from external factors like lightning isn’t covered.
The Home Service Club services
| Standard Plan | Comprehensive Plan | |
|---|---|---|
| Central vacuum | ✓ | ✓ |
| Clothes dryer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Clothes washer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dishwasher | ✓ | ✓ |
| Food center | ✓ | ✓ |
| Garbage disposal | ✓ | ✓ |
| Garbage-trash compactor | ✓ | ✓ |
| Built-in microwave | ✓ | ✓ |
| Refrigerator ice maker | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stove/range/oven | ✓ | ✓ |
| Refrigerator | ✓ | ✓ |
| Air conditioning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boiler/water heater | ✓ | ✓ |
| Ceiling fans | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electrical | ✓ | ✓ |
| Furnace | ✓ | ✓ |
| Garage door opener | ✓ | ✓ |
| Heat pump | ✗ | ✓ |
| Plumbing | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm wiring | ✗ | ✓ |
| Ductwork | ✗ | ✓ |
| Gas leak | ✗ | ✓ |
| Pest control | ✗ | ✓ |
| Plumbing stoppage | ✗ | ✓ |
| Smoke detector | ✗ | ✓ |
| Sump pump | ✗ | ✓ |
| Telephone wiring | ✗ | ✓ |
| Water leak | ✗ | ✓ |
| Whirlpool | ✗ | ✓ |
The Home Service Club add-ons and optional features
Add-ons allow customization to match each home’s needs. Get a free quote online by entering your home address and selecting the desired coverage options. On the checkout page, you’ll see the breakdown of costs individually.
To understand the costs of add-ons, we got a quote for a standard 2,000-square-foot home in Dallas. For this home, roof coverage is about $200 and well pump coverage is around $130 for 13 months.
Below are the additional add-ons available and their respective prices:
| Price for 13 months | |
|---|---|
| Additional appliances: Freezer, refrigerator, microwave, dishwasher or oven range cooktop | $59.95 (each) |
| Additional water heater | $149.95 |
| Jetted bathtubs | $199.95 |
| Plumbing sprinkler | $114.95 |
| Pool and spa | $199.95 |
| Pool spa equipment | $199.95 |
| Roof coverage | $199.95 |
| Refrigerator dual compressor | $225.95 |
| Sewage ejector pump | $99.95 |
| Service line | $249.95 |
| Water softener | $159.95 |
| Well pump | $129.95 |
What does The Home Service Club not cover?
Like most warranty providers, The Home Service Club doesn’t cover preexisting conditions or damage from natural disasters and external problems.
Other exclusions include:
- Asbestos-related ductwork
- Chimneys, flues and liners
- Cleaning/relighting burners
- Damages related to mold and termites
- External factors like earthquakes, lightning and floods
- External piping
- Failures caused by tree roots
- Landscaping, tree restoration and replanting
- Misuse, abuse and improper installation
- Water leaks (unless you get the Comprehensive plan)
The Home Service Club customer experience
You can reach The Home Service Club via email or the website 24/7. Alternatively, you can call (800) 601-1009 to request service. Filing claims is easy via the website’s customer portal. At the time of writing, the company doesn’t have a mobile app or a live chat option.
Reviews of customer service are mixed, with some commending its staff members’ warm and accommodating nature. For example, one customer applauded The Home Service Club for its quick service with a 4-star review:
However, other customers report issues getting claims approved and repairs made promptly. For instance, another customer gave a 2-star review, calling The Home Service Club “practically a scam”:
The bottom line? While phone representatives may be friendly, some have found roadblocks to getting covered repairs and replacements actually completed. Experiences vary in terms of response time and claim approval rates.
The fine print: Terms and conditions you should know
When considering The Home Service Club, two pieces of fine print stand out. First, it doesn’t have BBB accreditation, which some customers see as a red flag. Second, transferring the policy to new owners costs $75 if you sell your home.
The Home Service Club vs. competitors
The Home Service Club offers standard and comprehensive home warranty plans, which is common in the industry. The customizable add-ons are a key advantage, allowing you to expand coverage for items like a second fridge in the garage. This flexibility suits homeowners who need plans tailored to their needs.
pro tip
- Review a sample contract for detailed terms of service and full exclusion details.
Unlike some competitors, including Select Home Warranty and American Residential, which operate in only 46 states, The Home Service Club plans are available in all 50 states. Another differentiator is customers get to pick their preferred technician, while other companies, such as Home Warranty of America, assign technicians.
A downside to The Home Service Club is it charges a $45 cancellation fee before or after the threshold date. In contrast, many competitors only charge afterward or not at all.
The Home Service Club vs. competitors
| Our score | Best for | State availability | |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Home Service Club | 4.2 | Affordable add-ons | 50 |
| Select Home Warranty | 4.5 | Value | 50 |
| American Residential Warranty | 4.4 | Frequent claims | 50 |
| Home Warranty Inc. | 4.3 | Choosing your own contractor | 45 |
| 2-10 Home Buyer’s Warranty | 4.3 | Kitchen appliances | 48* |
| AFC Home Club | 4.3 | Flexibility | 47 |
| American Home Shield | 4.3 | Comprehensive coverage | 48 |
| Cinch Home Services | 4.3 | Perks | 50 |
| Home Warranty of America | 4.2 | Essential coverage | 50 |
* We were unable to confirm 2-10’s list of covered states with a customer service representative.
Methodology
The CNN Underscored editorial team provides unbiased, thoroughly researched advice homeowners can trust. We carefully analyze all the factors that impact real-world experiences with warranty providers. By weighting metrics and comparing quotes based on what today’s homeowners need, we work hard to deliver practical rankings tailored to the modern buyer.
To determine our home warranty company rankings, our editorial team analyzed 21 major providers across the following key categories:
- Availability (10%)
- Coverage (26%)
- Customer service (10%)
- Flexibility (8%)
- Guarantees (15%)
- Pricing (20%)
- Trust (11%)
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Shemaya Azreal Zakarin owns The Home Service Club as of Dec. 31, 2020.
A home warranty covers repairs and replacements when systems and appliances conk out from regular use — think AC units, ovens and plumbing. The warranty company handles everything from arranging service calls to supplying parts and sending out repairmen. In contrast, home insurance covers damage from disasters like fire or theft.
The cost of The Home Service Club home warranty depends on whether you pick standard or comprehensive coverage. Standard coverage is around $585 for 13 months, while comprehensive coverage is around $720 for 13 months. When checking out online, we found that first-time buyers get a 10% discount automatically applied when ordering coverage.
Home warranties have coverage limitations and often don’t cover preexisting conditions. Providers may also restrict which contractors or service companies you can use. Some customers experience long wait times for repairs when there’s high demand.
The Home Service Club covers all property types, including manufactured and mobile homes, condos, apartments, townhomes, single-family homes and multi-family homes.
A Home Service Club warranty can be a good investment for a new home if you need quick and reasonable coverage for the main systems and appliances. Its add-ons for extras like pool equipment, water softeners and sump pumps are affordable, too. Just beware of high service fees and contract cancellation fees.
