Elite Home Warranty has a variety of features that make it unique. For example, Elite allows you to choose your preferred service technician to fix your major appliance or system breakdown. Elite also offers up to 30 optional add-ons, allowing you to fully customize your home protection plan.
Elite opened its doors in 2020 and quickly built a reputation for comprehensive coverage and solid customer service. It covers all states except California, Texas, Washington and Wisconsin.
Our team at Homefront analyzed Elite’s coverage plans, costs, additional features and sample contracts and determined it’s one of the best home warranty companies.
Our thoughts on Elite Home Warranty
Elite Home Warranty scored 4.4 out of 5 stars in our proprietary rating system. Elite scored well across most of our rating system’s categories, especially in the reputation and coverage options categories. It did drop points in a few customer service categories.
What we like
One of Elite’s standout features is its “Customize Your Own” plan. You can mix and match the home systems and appliances you need into one plan. Other home warranty providers we reviewed don’t offer that level of customization.
Elite also allows you to choose your service provider. The representative I spoke with said Elite must first verify that your technician is licensed and certified before authorizing a repair. He also noted that Elite’s 90-day workmanship guarantee won’t apply to repairs completed by your chosen technician.
Its workmanship guarantee is another standout feature. Based on our research, the industry standard for workmanship guarantees is 30 days — Elite’s is 90.
What we don’t like
Elite isn’t perfect. After reading its sample contract, I found that Elite charges an extra $80 per service call fee to repair pro-series appliances, raising its $70 fee to $150. Other home warranty companies won’t charge a higher service fee for these appliances.
Elite also lists coverage limitations for older systems in its sample contract. If a covered item is 10 years or older, Elite will only cover up to 50% of the item’s coverage cap. However, this limitation doesn’t apply to HVAC systems.
While more of a preference issue, Elite doesn’t provide personalized quotes online. When I filled out Elite’s online quote form, it didn’t display plan prices after I submitted my information. I needed to call Elite’s sales department to get pricing information. Once you speak with a representative, they will forward your quote to your email.
Compare top home warranty companies
Elite Home Warranty offers a fully customizable plan and an extensive workmanship guarantee. Other top-ranking companies, such as American Home Shield and Liberty Home Guard, feature more robust coverage and add-on variety.
See how the best home warranty companies compare on key factors:
The monthly premiums shown are national averages based on quotes we pulled for three ZIP codes in each state the providers service. We used 2,000-square-foot, single-family homes to obtain our quotes.
Coverage plans
Elite Home Warranty has three standard home warranty coverage plans and one customizable plan. It pairs each plan with a $70 service call fee. Below is a brief description of each Elite coverage plan:
- Elite Appliances: This plan covers home appliances, such as clothes washers and garbage disposals.
- Elite Systems: This plan covers major systems, including air conditioning and water heaters.
- Elite Complete: This plan bundles all covered items in the Elite Appliances and Systems plans.
- Customize Your Own: This plan is completely customizable. You can choose the number of covered items you need. However, the representative I spoke with cautioned that this plan increases in price quickly based on the number of items you add.
Elite lists additional factors, such as its workmanship guarantee and per-item coverage cap, that affect coverage. Elite has a $15,000 annual aggregate limit, meaning it will pay up to that amount per policy year. Below is an overview:
- Workmanship guarantee: 90 days
- Appliance coverage caps: $500–$3,000 per claim; $7,000 aggregate policy limit
- System coverage caps: $1,000–$4,000 per claim; $8,000 aggregate policy limit
The tables below display the items included in each Elite Home Warranty plan based on the coverage category:
| Appliance Coverage | Elite Appliances | Elite Systems | Elite Complete |
|---|---|---|---|
| Built-in microwave | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ |
| Ceiling fans | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ |
| Clothes dryer | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ |
| Clothes washer | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ |
| Cooktop | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ |
| Dishwasher | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ |
| Garbage disposal | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ |
| Oven | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ |
| Range | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ |
| Refrigerator, ice maker and water dispenser | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ |
| Electrical Coverage | Elite Appliances | Elite Systems | Elite Complete |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Garage door opener | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
| HVAC Coverage | Elite Appliances | Elite Systems | Elite Complete |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air conditioning system | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Heating system | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Plumbing Coverage | Elite Appliances | Elite Systems | Elite Complete |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plumbing fixtures | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Plumbing stoppages | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Plumbing system | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Water heater | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
Additional coverage options
Elite Home Warranty offers a robust variety of additional coverage options to supplement your standard plan. Below is the full list of add-ons:
- Annual maintenance
- Attic exhaust fan
- Central vacuum
- Effluent pump
- Ejector pump
- Freestanding freezer
- Freestanding ice maker
- Freestanding spa equipment
- Generator
- Geothermal heating and cooling system
- Grinder pump
- Guest house
- Jetted/hot tub
- Lawn sprinkler system
- Lift pump
- Limited roof-leak repair
- Pool and spa equipment
- Pool equipment
- Premium appliances
- Premium benefits
- Premium systems
- Premium systems plus
- Service line
- Septic system
- Sump pump
- Swamp cooler
- Water filtration system
- Water softener
- Well pump
- Wine cooler
Coverage exclusions
Elite Home Warranty has several exclusions listed in its sample contract. For example, it won’t cover routine maintenance, such as air conditioner filter replacement and cleanings. Elite also excludes malfunctions caused by misuse, abuse, acts of nature, sediment damage and structural and manufacturer defects.
You can find more information on Elite’s exclusions in its state-specific sample contract directory. I viewed sample contracts for several states and found them to be the same except for the supplemental state-specific provisions listed at the bottom.
Quotes and pricing
As mentioned above, Elite Home Warranty has a clunky quote process. The company will provide a plan premium via email after you call a representative. Speaking with a representative can be beneficial, though, because they can answer any questions about coverage. All other home warranty companies we’ve reviewed provide a price online after you submit your information, which is a feature we feel Elite should have.
When I called Elite to finish the quote process, I discovered that it provides two extra months of coverage when choosing an annual premium. The table below shows the monthly premium costs based on a 2,014-square-foot, single-family home in Marion, New York. Your pricing will vary depending on your home’s size and location as well as your plan selections.
| Plan Name | Average Monthly Cost |
|---|---|
| Elite Appliances | $48.98 per month |
| Elite Systems | $54.43 per month |
| Elite Complete | $59.99 per month |
| Customize Your Own | Varies |
Customer thoughts
Elite Home Warranty has a stellar A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau (BBB). In addition to having a good BBB rating, Elite holds solid customer ratings. On the three third-party review sites I checked, Elite holds a rating of at least 4 stars on each.
Many customers experienced great customer service from Elite representatives when filing a claim, as highlighted by this Trustpilot review from Robert. To confirm the validity of his experience, I interviewed a team member who filed a claim with Elite for his high-end appliance. He reported similar treatment from Elite representatives, noting their professionalism and attention to detail.
However, there were several negative reviews from customers who weren’t fully satisfied with the company’s communication during the claims process. Alicia’s Google review indicates she had a roof issue that needed additional work outside of Elite’s scope of repair. She also reported trouble with open communication, though Elite recommended a repair person to finish the job.
How do I use my Elite Home Warranty coverage plan?
Elite Home Warranty’s coverage plan takes effect 30 days after sign-up. During that initial waiting period, we recommend familiarizing yourself with how your home warranty works. Below is a quick summary of how to use your Elite coverage plan.
Read your service contract
Elite’s service contract lists all the information, provisions and instructions you need to file a claim. It links its service contract directory on its home page navigation bar for easy access. Below are the main sections of Elite’s contract terms to review:
- Definitions: This section lists the meaning of terms used throughout Elite’s service contract. It also has stipulations on what’s considered a covered item. For instance, Elite won’t cover an item that breaks down within the first 30 days of sign-up.
- Coverage Overview: This section has general information on how Elite’s coverage plans work. It also outlines provisions for cash payouts.
- Repair Technician Agreement Fees: This section highlights Elite’s provisions for using an in-network technician or your own contractor and its various service call fee rules.
- Coverage Details: This section lists Elite’s covered items, including their component exclusions and coverage caps per claim.
- General and Partial Exclusions: This section lists all of Elite’s coverage exclusions. We highly recommend understanding what they are to avoid a denied claim.
- Limitations on Liability: This section is important to review because it lists provisions on what Elite covers during the first 90 days of your policy. It also outlines the company’s total liability per policy term.
- Cancellation: This section highlights Elite’s cancellation policy. Like many home warranty companies, Elite provides a 30-day free cancellation period. If you cancel your policy during this time, your entire plan premium will be refunded. Elite doesn’t charge a cancellation fee if you cancel after the free cancellation period.
File a claim
At the time of this review, Elite only accepts claims over the phone via its 24/7 claims hotline. The representative who helped me with my quote mentioned that Elite is working on developing an online claims portal for more convenient claims submission.
The “Filing a Claim” section of Elite’s service contract states: “Under normal circumstances, service will commence within 24–48 hours after we receive your service request.” Our team member who filed a claim with Elite received service for his issue within that time frame.
How long does my coverage plan last?
Your Elite Home Warranty coverage plan will last for 12 months unless you sign up for a multiyear plan. As indicated in the “Definitions” section of Elite’s service contract, your plan takes effect after your “Agreement Effective Date” — which is 30 days after your purchase date. “This waiting period is in place to prevent repair requests for already broken items,” said the Elite representative who provided my quote.
How should I handle a dispute with Elite Home Warranty?
In the event of a contractual dispute with Elite Home Warranty, you have several options to increase the chance of a resolution. You should take the following steps:
- Verify coverage details: Before contacting Elite, verify that it lists your issue as a covered item within its service contract. Many clauses within the service contract exclude certain items, components and damages. Double-checking that your breakdown is covered can save you a potential headache later.
- Contact Elite: After verifying that Elite covers your issue, contact the company. Specify which section of its service contract outlines your issue as a covered breakdown.
- Take notes: Each time you contact Elite, jot down who you speak with as well as the date and time your conversation took place. Save any email exchanges you have with Elite, too.
- Contact your state’s consumer protection agency: If Elite ignores your resolution efforts after three attempts, reach out to your state’s consumer protection office. Its website has a form where you can submit a complaint.
Final take: Elite Home Warranty is the best choice for homeowners who value customization
Few home warranty companies provide the customization and add-on variety that Elite Home Warranty offers. It extends a generous 90-day workmanship guarantee on all completed repairs and has solid coverage caps per item. Elite also allows you to choose your own technician, giving you added flexibility.
However, that flexibility comes with a cost: Elite won’t include its 90-day workmanship guarantee when you work with your own technician. Elite also upcharges for high-end appliance repairs.
Fill out the Elite Home Warranty quote form to request your personalized quote. We recommend requesting quotes from multiple providers to compare costs, plan options and workmanship guarantees.
Our rating methodology for home warranty companies
We research and rate home warranty providers to help you choose the right one for your budget and home. Our research includes gathering customer insights via consumer surveys, interviewing industry experts, secret shopping all of the companies we review and analyzing customer reviews from third-party review sites such as Trustpilot and BBB.
We compare home warranty providers across the following five categories:
- Coverage plans and extra features
- Coverage limits
- Price
- Reputation
- Customer service
Read our full home warranty company methodology for more information.
BBB, Trustpilot and Google Reviews ratings are accurate as of January 2024.
Editorial note: The name “Homefront” refers to the alliance between USA TODAY and Home Solutions that publishes review, comparison, and informational articles designed to help USA TODAY readers make smarter purchasing and investment decisions about their home. Under the alliance, Homefront provides and publishes research and articles about home service and home improvement topics.
Homefront has an affiliate disclosure policy. The opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Homefront editorial staff alone (see About Homefront). Homefront adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. The information is believed to be accurate as of the publish date, but always check the provider’s website for the most current information.
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