Thursday, September 11, 2025

Alternative Residence Guarantee Assessment (August 2023)

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On this Alternative Residence Guarantee (CHW) assessment, we at At the moment’s Home-owner checked out the whole lot you can consider to find out if shopping for a house guarantee with Alternative is value your cash or not.

Alternative serves greater than 1,650,000 properties throughout the U.S. This firm is among the many extra skilled within the trade, having processed greater than 5 million service requests since its inception in 2009.

The corporate has an unlimited service community made up of greater than 25,000 contractors, and every service supplier has educated technicians prepared to come back to your help ought to certainly one of your main residence programs break down.

I plan to get into all of that with this assessment, so in the event you’re available in the market for a house guarantee, sit again and revel in this in-depth assessment of Alternative Residence Guarantee.

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4.1

Score

Based mostly on our 23 level ranking system.

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Unique Provide:

$50 Off + 1 month free!

Response Time:

24-48 hrs.

States Coated:

24-48 hrs.

Most well-liked Residence Guarantee Firms

This assessment focuses on Alternative Residence Guarantee, however right here at At the moment’s Home-owner, there are a couple of residence guarantee firms we are likely to advocate to our readers. These often will change based mostly on our newest evaluations (we re-review firms usually). Beneath you’ll see the newest most popular residence guarantee suppliers in addition to their present ‘deal’ to save lots of you cash.

Greatest Protection Limits

american home shield

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Restricted Time:

$150 Off All Plans

Greatest Claims Acceptance

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Restricted Time:

$50 Off + 1 month free!

Greatest for Customization

liberty home guard logo

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Restricted Time:

$200 Off + 2 Months Free

Greatest Worth

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Restricted Time:

Use code HOUSE25 for $150 off


Alternative Residence Guarantee Assessment

As I discussed within the opening paragraph, Alternative Residence Guarantee has processed over 5 million service requests since its founding in 2009. However, there are quite a lot of unfavourable evaluations of Alternative, so what’s the deal? Are they good or not?

To reply that query, you’ll discover I first cowl the high-level execs and cons for Alternative, then dive into what we like and don’t like concerning the firm, briefly contact on the state availability so you realize if CHW covers your state, and I wrap up the assessment with a recap of our assigned scores.

We take an goal and unbiased strategy for every residence guarantee firm we assessment, CHW included. This begins with a qualitative assessment after which a quantitative assessment. Let’s dive in.

Our Assessment Scores For Alternative Residence Guarantee

Beneath is our quantitative scoring breakdown for Alternative Residence Guarantee. You may see there’s an ‘common’ represented by the grey line, and what CHW scored is represented by the inexperienced line. Its fame for service isn’t nice which resulted in scoring properly beneath our assessment common. We had been impressed by their claims course of and the way straightforward it was to get in contact with somebody, so we added factors there. Click on right here for extra on how these scores had been calculated.

Firm Execs and Cons

On this part, we cowl the high-level execs and cons for the assessment. These are extra normal in nature and observational factors as we conduct our assessment.

Complete protection: Many entry-level residence guarantee plans cowl both simply programs or simply home equipment. You gained’t must make this tradeoff with Alternative Residence Guarantee. Its primary plan covers each.
First rate protection caps: Alternative’s protection caps are $3,000 per merchandise, per yr for many main programs and home equipment. Whereas this isn’t essentially the most beneficiant available on the market, it’s above the trade common.
Exclusions: No exclusions for older properties, programs, or home equipment. Even with older properties, you’ll be able to nonetheless get a plan from Alternative Residence Guarantee.
BBB ranking: In the previous few years, Alternative Residence Guarantee has handled extra complaints, particularly surrounding declare denial and workmanship.
No plan customization: If you’d like quite a lot of management over your private home guarantee plan, Alternative might be not the most suitable choice.
Contractor community: Not like some residence guarantee suppliers, the corporate doesn’t assist you to decide who completes the job.

What We Favored and Didn’t Like

As somebody studying a assessment of Alternative Residence Guarantee, you’re most likely searching for a prime residence guarantee supplier that offers you the protection you want on the most reasonably priced value. Hold studying to be taught extra about our analysis strategy and why we advocate Alternative Residence Guarantee. We dive into what we like and don’t like concerning the firm invthe context of various areas of the enterprise.

Alternative Residence Guarantee presents two plan choices for owners: the Complete Plan and the Fundamental Plan. Whereas the Fundamental Plan covers most programs and home equipment — besides your A/C unit, fridge, washer and dryer — the Complete Plan presents protection for almost the whole lot you want with a house guarantee.

Alternative Residence Guarantee doesn’t provide as many protection add-on choices as a few of our different suppliers. Nevertheless, it does provide protection for added programs it’s your decision in your house, corresponding to a pool, spa or central vacuum.

Affordability is among the classes by which Alternative Residence Guarantee scores the perfect. Each of the corporate’s guarantee plans are reasonably priced, costing lower than $60 monthly. Prospects may also add further providers and programs to the Fundamental Plan for lower than $15 per unit, which is among the most reasonably priced add-on choices we’ve discovered with any residence guarantee supplier.

Moreover, Alternative Residence Guarantee will at all times cost you an identical $85 service name price in the event you want a technician to come back to your private home for a restore.

You may also cancel your guarantee inside 30 days if you’re not glad with the service.

Alternative Residence Guarantee’s $85 service price just isn’t the most cost effective possibility amongst our residence guarantee suppliers. However whereas different suppliers provide a tiered price, Alternative Residence Guarantee’s set price ensures you’ll not have any sudden monetary surprises if a restore is required.

Alternative Residence Guarantee scores properly within the buyer expertise class due to its 24/7 buyer help and accessibility of representatives. The corporate additionally earned factors resulting from its brief 30-day ready interval, 60-day workmanship assure and 90-day elements assure.

It’s straightforward to get a quote from Alternative Residence Guarantee on-line. When you submit your info on the corporate’s web site, you may be taken to a quote web page the place you’ll be able to see your protection choices. You may also anticipate firm representatives to name after you submit a quote request. In our reviewer’s expertise, representatives are very useful and provide additional reductions on your private home guarantee plan. The corporate additionally permits you to view a pattern contract on-line, so you will have a greater concept of the entire value earlier than buying your guarantee.

Whereas Alternative Residence Guarantee’s on-line quote just isn’t overly detailed, you’ll be able to not less than see what every plan covers. Nevertheless, you cannot instantly evaluate prices like you’ll be able to with different residence guarantee suppliers. You’ll as a substitute must go to the checkout web page to see your complete residence guarantee value.

Whereas Alternative Residence Guarantee’s weakest class is fame, the corporate has a 4.7-star ranking on Glassdoor, indicating that staff like working there. Present and former staff report truthful pay and good working circumstances. An organization is just nearly as good because the well-being of its staff, so it is a good indicator of the corporate’s values and work tradition.

Not solely does Alternative Residence Guarantee have a D+ ranking with the Higher Enterprise Bureau (BBB), however the firm’s ranking on Google Critiques is only one.1 stars. 

The BBB additionally factors to lawsuits involving Alternative Residence Guarantee which can be at present below investigation, together with a case filed by the Arizona Lawyer Common in 2019. Some prospects declare that Alternative Residence Guarantee is a fraudulent firm that makes false guarantees to prospects.

Alternative Residence Guarantee presents a number of methods to file a declare if a coated merchandise breaks or malfunctions in your house, together with on-line or by cellphone. The corporate additionally presents 24/7 buyer help, 12 months a yr.

Many Alternative Residence Guarantee prospects report a quick and efficient claims course of, with repairs efficiently accomplished by educated technicians. Nevertheless, different prospects state the alternative expertise, reporting lengthy wait and restore occasions.

In its pattern service contract, Alternative Residence Guarantee states {that a} service supplier ought to get again to you inside 4 hours of submitting a declare. Nevertheless, relying on the supplier, it may possibly take as much as 48 hours.

As talked about above, some prospects additionally complain about how Alternative Residence Guarantee handles claims, together with lengthy response occasions, sudden expenses and unresolved repairs.

Alternative Residence Guarantee — based mostly in Edison, New Jersey — is accessible in 48 states and excludes solely Washington and California. Since Alternative Residence Guarantee is accessible all through many of the U.S., it performs properly and receives full marks on this class.

On account of service exclusions, owners in Washington and California cannot buy Alternative Residence Guarantee protection. 

Availability of Alternative Residence Guarantee By State

Beneath we offer a map visible to point out you the place Alternative Residence Guarantee has protection and the place it doesn’t. Given CHW has been round since 2009, they cowl many of the U.S. apart from Washington and California.


Alternative Residence Guarantee vs. Its Opponents

That will help you determine which residence guarantee supplier is greatest for you, we instantly in contrast Alternative Residence Guarantee to see the way it ranks towards different prime suppliers. 

47 states, ex. NV, WA, & WI

47 states, ex. CA, AK, & HI

42 states, ex. AK, HI, MT, NH, ND, OK, SD, & WY

34 states, ex. AK, CT, DE, HI, IL, LA, ME, MA, MN, NH, NJ, NY, ND, RI, VT, & WI


Video Overview of Residence Warranties

Beneath we pulled out a video we thought would assist provide you with an summary if residence warranties like with Alternative are value it.


Alternative Residence Guarantee Plans, Prices, and Protection 

This supplier presents two residence guarantee plan choices to cowl your main programs and home equipment. The price of every plan is low in comparison with different residence guarantee suppliers on our prime lists. With a month-to-month price of lower than $55, Alternative Residence Guarantee presents among the most reasonably priced residence guarantee choices.

Fundamental Plan Complete Plan
$46.83/mo $54.75/mo
These charges don’t embrace protection add-ons or service charges. Alternative Residence Guarantee expenses a regular service price of $85 every time service technicians are despatched to your private home.

Each plans cowl a number of residence programs and home equipment — the Complete Plan covers 18 programs and home equipment in your house, whereas the Fundamental Plan covers 14 below its month-to-month premium. 

The chart beneath outlines in additional element the programs and home equipment coated by every residence guarantee plan.

Fundamental Plan Complete Plan
Heating and Cooling
Air Conditioner X
Heating Unit
Ductwork
Electrical Methods
Constructed-in Exhaust, Vent & Attic Fan
Fundamental Breaker & Fuse Panel Field
Doorbell & Chimes
Inside Electrical Strains
Ceiling Fan
Storage Door Opener
Plumbing Methods & Equipment
Water Heater
Inside Plumbing Strains
Bogs
Taps & Valves
Whirlpool Bathtub Motor & Parts
Kitchen Home equipment
Fridges X
Ranges/Cooktops
Ovens
Dishwashers
Constructed-in Microwaves
Rubbish Disposal
On the spot Scorching/Chilly Water Dispenser X X
Laundry Home equipment
Washers X
Dryers X
Roof
Roof Leak Restore Add-on Add-on

What Non-compulsory Add-ons Does Alternative Residence Guarantee Provide?

Whereas the Complete Plan covers most important residence programs and home equipment, it doesn’t cowl each possibility. In case you have an unique system corresponding to a pool, spa or central vacuum, you’ll have to buy add-on protection to your Alternative Residence Guarantee service settlement. 

The excellent news is Alternative Residence Guarantee’s add-ons are among the many least expensive of all residence guarantee suppliers. The value monthly for this non-compulsory protection could be discovered within the desk beneath.

Add-on Price per Month
Pool $15
Spa $15
Further Spa $15
Restricted Roof Leak $5.83
Central Vacuum $3.33
Second Fridge  $3.33
Septic System $10
Septic Tank Pumping $5.42
Nicely Pump $8.33
Sump Pump $3.33
Stand Alone Freezer $3.33
Sprinkler System $8.33
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Restricted Time:

$50 Off + 1 month free!


Does Alternative Residence Guarantee Have Any Exclusions?

As with all residence guarantee suppliers, Alternative Residence Guarantee does have limitations to its residence equipment protection. 

In its pattern contract on-line, the corporate lists a number of residence home equipment which have full protection, together with:

  • Garments dryer
  • Garments washer
  • Constructed-in microwave
  • Oven/vary/cooktop
  • Dishwasher
  • Rubbish disposal
  • Fridge (besides audio/visible gear and WiFi elements) 
  • Ceiling fan

Different residence programs and home equipment — like your water heater, HVAC, electrical system and plumbing system — have some limitations. Nevertheless, you’ll be able to depend on protection for many main system elements. Beneath, we define which elements are excluded from Alternative Residence Guarantee protection. 

  • Water heater: Excludes gas tanks, vents, flues, thermal enlargement tanks, vitality administration programs, items over 75 gallons and secondary holding tanks
  • HVAC: Excludes window items, outdoors/underground pipes, gas storage tanks, transportable items, refrigerant line units, gas storage tanks, clogged ductwork and properly pumps
  • Electrical system: Excludes circuit overload, face plates, photo voltaic panel programs, turbines and vitality administration programs
  • Plumbing system: Excludes stoppages brought on by damaged drain outdoors residence’s most important basis, bathtubs, sinks, showers, bathe base pan/enclosure, bathroom lid and seat, jets, caulking, septic tanks, water filtration programs, holding or storage tanks and saunas
  • Storage door opener: Excludes storage door and door monitor assemblies

Does Alternative Residence Guarantee Have Any Protection Limits?

Alternative Residence Guarantee limits protection to $3,000 per merchandise inside your contract. So if it prices $2,700 to restore your air-con system or rest room exhaust fan, you’ll nonetheless have $3,000 for repairs to your dishwasher or different coated home equipment.

Nevertheless, the protection limits for add-ons could differ from the house programs and home equipment coated below your base guarantee plan. Swimming pools, spas, central vacuum, sump pumps and stand-alone freezers would not have restricted protection, however the gadgets listed beneath do have completely different protection limits.

Residence Equipment Protection Restrict
Nicely Pump As much as $500
Restricted Roof Leak As much as $500
Septic Tank Pumping As much as $250
Septic System As much as $500
Sprinkler System As much as $500
Stand Alone Ice Maker As much as $500
Trash Compactor As much as $500

How you can File a Declare With Alternative Residence Guarantee

To file a declare with Alternative Residence Guarantee, you’ll be able to both log on and submit a request or name the corporate’s 24/7 residence service line. Submit your declare as quickly as your private home system or home equipment malfunctions by following these directions:

choice home warranty claims process

Remember the fact that you need to submit a service request as quickly as you discover that your private home system or equipment has malfunctioned. Alternative Residence Guarantee doesn’t present reimbursement for residence repairs carried out with out prior approval.

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Restricted Time:

$50 Off + 1 month free!

FAQs About Alternative Residence Guarantee

Is Alternative Residence Guarantee official?

Alternative Residence Guarantee is a official residence guarantee supplier that may join you to service technicians and assist cowl the price ought to one thing break down in your house. Many Alternative Residence Guarantee prospects report optimistic experiences with the corporate, however others have had some points with protection.


Does Alternative Residence Guarantee cowl pre-existing circumstances?

Alternative Residence Guarantee doesn’t cowl pre-existing circumstances, that are points found earlier than your guarantee buy. You might want to wait not less than 30 days from while you buy your guarantee earlier than submitting a declare.


Does Alternative Residence Guarantee cowl roof leaks?

Alternative Residence Guarantee will cowl roof leaks for an extra month-to-month value. This add-on protection will cowl as much as $500 in roof leak harm.


Does Alternative Residence Guarantee require a house inspection?

Alternative Residence Guarantee doesn’t require a house inspection. All it’s a must to do is get a free quote, buy your guarantee and wait the 30-day ready interval.


How do Alternative Residence Guarantee residence warranties work?

First, it’s best to request and obtain a free quote from Alternative Residence Guarantee, then you should buy a plan. After the 30-day ready interval, you’ll be able to submit claims to your coated residence programs or home equipment. As soon as a declare is submitted, the corporate will ship a service supplier to your private home to evaluate any harm and restore or exchange your system or equipment.


Do I want Alternative Residence Guarantee protection if I’ve owners insurance coverage?

Whereas owners insurance coverage is required to personal your private home, residence warranties are non-compulsory. Residence insurance coverage covers harm and lack of property, whereas a house guarantee covers the price to repair residence programs and home equipment ought to they fail.


How do you cancel a Alternative Residence Guarantee coverage?

If you wish to cancel your private home guarantee plan, name the corporate’s 24/7 customer support line and a consultant will speak you thru your choices.



Methodology: How We Reviewed Alternative Residence Guarantee

To assist customers such as you select the perfect residence guarantee firms to your residence, we dive deep into each top-rated residence guarantee firm and price them based mostly on six components. As soon as we analysis an organization and have gathered all our knowledge, we use the next scoring system to grade every residence guarantee firm on a 100-point scale. We then convert the rating to a 5-star ranking. 

  • Plans + Protection Choices (24 Attainable Factors): Since each buyer has completely different wants and a distinct price range, we award extra factors to suppliers that supply extra plans and better flexibility. Alternative Residence Guarantee presents two nice plans at a superb value and has among the least expensive add-on choices, so it does properly on this class.
  • Affordability (22.5 Attainable Factors): Affordability is a vital issue as a result of many householders select residence warranties to keep away from excessive funds for residence equipment repairs. We consider every firm based mostly on the price of its plans and extra providers, service name charges and cancellation phrases. Alternative Residence Guarantee earned excessive marks on this class as a result of it has among the greatest costs of our prime residence guarantee firms.
  • Buyer Expertise (18.5 Attainable Factors): Your expertise as a buyer is essential, together with the help you obtain when contacting your private home guarantee supplier. We gauge general help by taking a look at buyer evaluations, conducting home-owner surveys and analyzing the quotes course of. Alternative Residence Guarantee scores properly on this class resulting from its 24/7 buyer help, pleasant and accessible representatives and simple quote course of.
  • Firm Repute (17.5 Attainable Factors): An organization’s fame is a mixture of evaluations from prospects and respected organizations just like the BBB. We additionally bear in mind the years of expertise an organization has, how glad its staff are and any previous or pending lawsuits. Alternative Residence Guarantee doesn’t rating properly on this class as a result of it has a D+ ranking with the BBB and is at present below authorized investigation.
  • Claims Course of (12.5 Attainable Factors): On this class, we have a look at the general claims course of, together with how straightforward it’s to file a declare and an organization’s response time. Whereas Alternative Residence Guarantee presents a number of methods to file a declare and round the clock customer support, buyer evaluations are blended by way of the standard of the claims course of.
  • Availability (5 factors): Availability refers to what number of states and places an organization serves. Alternative Residence Guarantee presents complete protection all through many of the U.S., so it does properly on this class.

Change Log For This Alternative Residence Guarantee Assessment

June 20

Up to date format and construction. Reworked the professionals and cons sections and mixed the ‘what we preferred’ part into one so it is simpler for readers to see our assessment notes in a single view.

June 16

Up to date the BBB ranking.

June 10

Up to date execs part.

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