ABC Home Warranty Review: Is It Worth It?
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Unexpected repairs, losses and damages to appliances and home systems is a part of every homeowners life. Many of these items come with basic manufacturer's warranties, but after those warranties expire, you're responsible for the cost of those repairs yourself.
A home warranty offers peace of mind for homeowners of all types, providing them with the security that routine repairs and damages to home appliances and systems will be covered in the event of a failure. Providers also assist by connecting you with reliable contractors.
When looking for a new home warranty, we want you to be armed with unbiased information before making the best choice for yourself. Our research team is held to the highest standards when it comes to vetting the best home warranty options for you.
We've taken a deep dive into ABC Home Warranty to provide you with the best info on their plans, cost, customer service and overall reliability. In fact, we've researched many companies and found the top home warranty providers for you.
Our top choice is American Home Shield. Get a free quote below:
About ABC Home Warranty
Located in central Ohio, ABC Home Warranty is a home warranty company that has been a part of the IGS family of companies since 2017. With the ABC Home Warranty team now onboard, IGS provides a range of home warranty products and internal resources to provide customers with home warranty services.
ABC Home Warranty Plans
ABC Home Warranty provides three plan options to customers (sample service agreements are linked)—Premier Plus Home Warranty, Premier Home Warranty and their Core Home Warranty. It also provides the option to receive services for Inside Line Protection and Total Line Protection. These plans apply to single family homes under 5,000 square feet.
Depending on the plan you purchase, your warranty can cover a variety of household appliances and systems.
ABC Home services will cover any items included in your plan unless:
There are hazardous substances like asbestos, mold or mildew present
A crane is needed for removal or repair
The item repair in question is refinishing
Here's what's covered in each plan.
Inside Line Protection: Inside Electric Line, Inside Gas Line, Inside Sewer Line, and Inside Water Line.
Total Line Protection: Inside Electric Line, Inside Gas Line, Inside Sewer Line, and Inside Water Line,Outside Electric Line, Outside Gas Line, Outside Sewer Line, Sidewalk Restoration (Only for Outside Sewer Line or Outside Water Line), Street Cutting (Only for Outside Sewer Line), and Outside Water Line.
Core+: Inside Electric Line, Inside Gas Line, Inside Sewer Line, and Inside Water Line, Outside Electric Line, Outside Gas Line, Outside Sewer Line, Sidewalk Restoration (Only for Outside Sewer Line or Outside Water Line), Street Cutting (Only for Outside Sewer Line), Outside Water Line, Heating and Cooling, and Water Heater.
Total Home: Inside Electric Line, Inside Gas Line, Inside Sewer Line, and Inside Water Line, Outside Electric Line, Outside Gas Line, Outside Sewer Line, Sidewalk Restoration (Only for Outside Sewer Line or Outside Water Line), Street Cutting (Only for Outside Sewer Line), Outside Water Line, Heating and Cooling, Water Heater, Clothes Dryer, Clothes Washing Machine, Cooktop/Wall Oven/Range, Dishwasher, and Refrigerator).
Total Home+: Inside Electric Line, Inside Gas Line, Inside Sewer Line, and Inside Water Line, Outside Electric Line, Outside Gas Line, Outside Sewer Line, Sidewalk Restoration (Only for Outside Sewer Line or Outside Water Line), Street Cutting (Only for Outside Sewer Line), Outside Water Line, Heating and Cooling, Water Heater, Clothes Dryer, Clothes Washing Machine, Cooktop/Wall Oven/Range, Dishwasher, Refrigerator, Exhaust Fans, Garage Door Opener, Garbage Disposal, Plumbing Stoppages, Sump Pump, Toilet, and Trash Compactor.
You can also purchase additional protection items a la carte with the Premier Plus and Premier Home Warranty Plans:
Limited Roof Leak Protection: $750
Pool and/or Inground Spa Equipment: $1,500
Well and Septic Protection: $4,000
Wet Bar Refrigerator / Wine Cooler / Ice Maker: $500
In addition, coverage of the following is available if needed:
Local building permits needed prior to repair (up to $250)
Inspections, additions or alterations required by law for repair (up to $500)
Diagnosis, access, repair or replacement of any items below or encased in concrete (up to $500)
Removal, disposal or relocation of items (up to $500)
What's Not Covered?
If your item was not in proper working condition prior to your effective date, or if it was not properly reported to ABC Home Warranty when the damage occurred, you're not eligible for protection.
This includes failures, leaks and losses were known by you, pre-dated your home warranty contract, caused by user error, or multiple other reasons.
And finally, your warranty does not cover alterations, closing access to floors, walls, or ceilings needed to locate and losses, failures or leaks, or to perform repairs or replacement.
Eligibility for Protection
ABC Home Warranty plans only cover owned or rented residential property. Commercial property or residences being used as businesses are not covered.
Other properties not protected are common areas and facilities of mobile home parks, condominiums, dwellings comprised of five or more units, common systems, and appliances not located within the confines of each individual property.
In order to be eligible for protection, items have to be in proper operating condition with no failures or leaks on your effective date. The items must be within the perimeter of your main foundation, excluding:
Central Air Conditioning Unit or Heat Pump
Gas Lamps
Outside Buried Gas House Line
Outside Electric Line
Outside Sewer Line
Outside Water Line
Other Items for which the home buyer's Optional Protection is purchased
When Does the Warranty Start and End?
The length of your warranty depends on whether or not you're purchasing seller's protection, buyer's protection or homeowner's protection. Here's the breakdown:
Seller's Protection
Description: warranty plans for property sellers
Effective Date: The date IGS receives your enrollment, or when your home is listed on the Multiple Listing Service (MLS), whichever occurs first
Closing Date: 180 days, until closing of sale, or cancellation of MLS listing, whichever occurs first
Extension Opportunities: Extensions available at the sole discretion of IGS
Buyer's Protection
Description: Warranty plans for those whose seller's protection was effective prior to closing
Effective Date: Protection begins if your full payment is received by IGS 30 days prior to closing. Protection begins on your effective date
Closing Date: One year
Extension Opportunities: Extensions available in subsequent one-year terms at the discretion of IGS
Homeowner's Protection
Description: Warranty plans for homeowners
Effective Date: The 15th day after IGS receives your enrollment and full payment for protection
Closing Date: One year
Extension Opportunities: Extensions available in monthly or one year terms at the discretion of IGS
ABC Home Warranty Cost
Warranty plans from ABC Home Warranty are provided as flat rates, available on their website. The prices listed below are for single-family residences.
Premier Plus Home Warranty (under 5,000 sq ft): $725 (annual) v. $60.42 (monthly)
Premier Plus Home Warranty (5,000 to 8,000 sq ft): $1,265 (annual) v. $105.42 (monthly)
Premier Plus Home Warranty (condominium): $625 (annual) v. $52.08 (monthly)
*Monthly plans are automatically charged to your credit card.
If the cost of your repair is higher than your maximum limit of protection, ABC Home Warranty is responsible for communicating this to you, and you'll be responsible for the additional costs.
You have to make arrangements to pay additional costs with the contractors before repairs can happen. You have the right to a second opinion from any contractor after ABC Home Warranty's recommendation.
Service Fees
ABC Home Warranty has the right to make you pay a service fee to any contractor, which is equal to the amount set forth in your contract.
You'll either pay the contractor directly, or ABC Home Warranty will request the service fee on your credit card when you call to submit the claim. A separate service fee is applied to each failure or leak, even if you're servicing multiple items at one time.
Quote Process
If you're interested in an ABC Home Warranty, you'll need to call them directly to get started. They're available at 614-443-0300, from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm ET.
Their site also lists an email address, heroes@abc4u.com, although the site does ask that you call them for a quote.
Finally, there's also a form on their website that anyone can complete, but it does specify it's for customer communications.
Once you've called ABC Home Warranty, they'll start the process of collecting information about your home and drawing up your contract.
Claims Process
Depending on the type of claim, you'll need to contact either ABC Home Warranty or your local utility company. Information about the waiting period for a claim is not publicly available on their website.
For protected utility lines, call your local utility company. If you suspect a gas leak, leave your home immediately and call the gas company. After the repair, it's your responsibility to call your utility company to restore service to your home if needed.
For a failure involving protected systems, contact ABC Home Warranty immediately. Call them at 614-443-0300 between 8:00 am and 6:00 pm ET. If your call is received, ABC Home Warranty will arrange to have an approved independent contractor to you as soon as possible, no later than 6:00 pm the next day.
If there's an emergency, you can call an after hours representative. Contact information will be given to you in your agreement.
For protected appliances, you have to notify ABC Home Warranty within 14 days of failure or leak.
ABC Home Warranty Reviews
ABC Home Warranty's BBB rating is A+ with an average of 2 stars in customer reviews. Their average Google review is 2.4 stars. Here's what a couple of customers had to say:
"This is our third home warranty company. The first was ok but it was through our mortgage company, which we lost when refinanced with another company. The second was awful. ABC gets a contractor in touch with you within 1 business day. I have nothing but good things to say about this company." - Lisa H, 5 Stars, BBB
"Bad Customer Service. You pay, and you won't get any service done, or you have to argue with five people to have them come. I regrettably waste my money, and I wish if I know how bad their service is. Avoid them by any cost." - Mohamed Omar, 1 Star, Google
Our Verdict on ABC Warranty
While ABC Home Warranty does provide adequate coverage for homeowners appliances and systems, there are some limitations when compared to other home warranty providers.
Pros
Flat rate for premiums disclosed publicly on website
Sample service agreements provided
Additional coverage for items like pools, septic tanks and other systems provided
Cons
Limited customer service hours outside of an emergency
Complex and long list of reasons items cannot or will not be liable for coverage
Reports of bad customer service
No online quote process
Our Recommended Provider: American Home Shield
While ABC Home Warranty has some positive traits, such as its strong BBB rating, we recommend American Home Shield (AHS) as the best overall home warranty provider because of its comprehensive coverage, variety of plan options, and strong reputation. In comparison to ABC Home Warranty, AHS offers 24/7 customer service, three plan options, and a simple online quote process.
American Home Shield has proven to hold the top spot according to our research team due to these highly valuable perks as a home warranty provider:
Three plan options. Customers can choose between the ShieldSilver™, ShieldGold™, or ShieldPlatinum™ plans.
Choose your service fee. Based on the monthly premium you select, you can adjust the amount you'll pay at the time of service.
Fast service request response: AHS assigns professionals to a customer's service request within the first 24 hours 98% of the time.
Strong reputation:
Founded the home warranty industry and is the oldest home warranty company
2019 America's Best Midsize Employers Award by Forbes
2014–2015 Women's Choice Award
2014 Home Warranty Awards "Best in Service" Award
Best Home Warranty Companies
Best Overall
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Best Basic Plan
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Best Discounts
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Best Coverage Upgrade
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Best Plan Variety
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Best Membership Perks
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Conclusion
Choosing a home warranty company is a major decision because your peace of mind depends on it. Our research team recommends American Home Shield as 'Best Overall' option. As always, we recommend that you request quotes from multiple providers and read all of the fine print first before making a decision.
Home Warranty Rating Methodology
The Home Service Research Team at Better Homes & Gardens strives to provide unbiased and objective reviews to readers by compiling relevant information on home warranty companies and rating the providers on a variety of factors.
Here's what our review process looks like:
We examine each provider's website to determine plan details, coverage, customer service offerings, and other benefits. We also speak with company representatives to get more insight on plan details.
We read sample contracts from each home warranty company to analyze and compare coverage details, limits, and exclusions.
We read at least 100 third-party customer reviews for each home warranty company to determine the real-life benefits and drawbacks of each provider.
We gather cost information for a variety of home warranty plans in different states by completing online quote forms and speaking with sales representatives to simulate the quote process.
We revisit each company's offerings on a seasonal basis, ensuring that we include the most up-to-date information in our reviews.
We also created a 100-point rating system to score companies based on objective factors, such as plan options, coverage, and customer service:
Overall, the Home Service Research Team has reviewed over 70 home warranty companies to select the top-rated providers in the industry.
