Does American Home Shield Cover Pool Leaks

Best Average Plan Cost: Totalprotect Home Warranty

• Service Fees: $75 / $100 / $125
• Annual Cost: $239 – $575

With an average yearly premium of just $423, TotalProtect is our top pick for Best Average Plan Cost. The company offers coverage in all 50 states plus the District of Columbia. While TotalProtect had an excellent overall score it did have lower customer satisfaction review ratings with the Better Business Bureau than most companies we reviewed. Still, if plan pricing, especially for a basic plan, is the main consideration then TotalProtect could be the way to go.

• Average annual plan cost of $423

• Six-month service guarantee

• No Better Business Bureau profile

• Relatively high service fees

The average TotalProtect policy costs $423, with a payout cap of $1,000 – $3,000 per covered item per year. The company says it responds to repair requests within 2-24 hours, with an average time of 13 hours.

TotalProtect offers three plans:

Total Protect offers various add-on coverage options, including:

• Faucets
• Heater for swimming pool and/or spa
• Outside gas line
• Premier upgrade package

Read the full TotalProtect review.

What Is A Pool Warranty

A pool warranty is a contract provided or sold by pool manufacturers, pool builders or home warranty companies. These warranties are designed to protect your pool from expensive repairs. There are three types of pool warranties that are separate from home warranty coverage:

• Pool manufacturer warranty: A manufacturer pool warranty covers pools with a vinyl liner and pools with a fiberglass pool shell. For pools with vinyl liners, the warranty covers the parts where the sections of the liner were melded together. These warranties typically last a few years. If your pool has a fiberglass pool shell, there is usually a 25-year structural warranty and an additional warranty for up to 15 years that covers the gel coat surface of the pool.
• Workmanship warranty: A workmanship pool warranty covers installation-caused errors such as plumbing leaks, leaks in the fittings in the pool and structural movement of the pool. This type of warranty is usually offered by builders and typically lasts for one year. Concrete pools are covered under this type of warranty since they have a builder and no manufacturer. Unfortunately, installation errors are unlikely to show up until at least a few years after installation.
• Equipment warranty: An equipment warranty is a pool warranty that covers some pool equipment, such as heaters, automatic vacuum cleaners, filters and lights. Equipment warranties usually last for one year.

Is Plumbing Covered Under A Home Warranty

Yes, home warranties cover plumbing. When you choose a home warranty plan that covers your homes systems, your plumbing system is covered. Of course, youll want to read the service agreement for each provider carefully. However, the typical plumbing systems included in home warranty coverage are parts of your sewer line leaks and breaks of water, drain, gas, waste or vent lines toilets faucets valves built-in whirlpool bathtubs well pumps sump pumps valves hoses and seals.

You can also review the add-on options offered by each provider to expand your coverage.

You May Like: How To Vacuum Above Ground Pool With Sand Filter

Our Home Warranty Review Methodology: How We Chose The Best Home Warranty Companies

The This Old House Reviews Team is committed to providing comprehensive and unbiased reviews to our readers. This means earning your trust through transparency and having the data to back up our ratings and recommendations. With that in mind, we spent time creating an objective rating system to score each home warranty company. Heres what that review process looks like:

• We call every home warranty provider, talking to sales agents and company representatives. We get quotes, ask questions, and fully understand the protection plan offerings.
• We test the customer service, including factors such as wait times, friendliness, and problem-solving ability.
• We analyze the sample contracts from each brand we review. This allows us to break down the industry jargon and see what is and isnt covered so we can give readers straightforward information.
• We update all of this information on a continuous basis, storing it in a proprietary database that allows us to compare dozens of home warranty companies against each other.

With all of that data, we created a rating system to score each home warranty company. Our rating system is a weighted, 100-point scale on the following factors:

To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our Reviews team at .

Best For Customer Satisfaction: Liberty Home Guard Home Warranty

Liberty Home Guard Home Warranty is our top pick for customer satisfaction because of the average Better Business Bureau customer review rating of 4.63, which involved over 1,200 verified reviews. This rating was by far and away the best satisfaction rating for any company we reviewed and reflects a strong pattern of treating their customers well. Liberty also has a very user-friendly website, transparent pricing, helpful live-chat customer service, discounts, and optional add-ons . The company offers policies in all states except Washington and Wisconsin, and it’s an accredited Better Business Bureau business with an A rating.

• Multi-year discounts on some plans

• Great selection of optional add-ons

• Can’t choose your service technician

• Lower-than-average payout benefit cap

The average Liberty Home Guard Home Warranty plan costs $587, with a payout cap of $2,000 per year per covered appliance or system. The company tries to dispatch repair technicians within 24-48 hours of service requests.

Liberty Home Guard offers three basic plans :

• Appliance Guard:washer/dryer, refrigerator, built-in microwave, dishwasher, garbage disposal, range/oven/cooktop, ceiling and exhaust fans, and garage door opener.
• Systems Guard: air conditioner, heating, ductwork, plumbing, electrical, and water heater
• Total Home Guard: everything the Appliance Guard and Systems Guard plans cover

Read the full Liberty Home Guard Home Warranty review.

Don’t Miss: Creative Ways To Hide Pool Pump

Top 5 Best Home Warranty Companies For Pool Coverage

Owning a swimming pool can be one of the best parts of having a home. Spending warm summer days in your backyard enjoying your pool with your family is an ideal way to spend your day off that is until theres a breakdown. Having a pool means a heavy load of responsibility and maintenance to keep it in top-tip shape. A home warranty can protect you from expensive repairs and repairs on several parts of your pool including the heater, pump, filter, gaskets, motor, and more. Take a look at our top-rated best home warranty companies to find out if one could be the perfect fit for your home.

In this guide, we will cover . . .

• The best home warranty companies for pool coverage in 2022
• Costs of owning and maintaining a swimming pool
• Pool warranty limits and exclusions
• Common pool ownership complaints and concerns
• And much more!

Types Of Damage Covered By American Home Shield Warranty

American Home Shield covers a specific set of types of damage to your property. Any cause of damage or malfunction outside of these categories, or any damage from a specifically excluded cause, will not be paid for.

Covered damage causes include:

• Poor maintenance, rust or corrosion
• Improper installation or previous repair
• Unknown pre-existing conditions

The fact that AHS covers poor maintenance and neglect as acceptable causes of damage is notable. Most home warranty companies exclude damage to appliances due to neglect or poor maintenance.

You May Like: 25000 Gallon Pool Heater

One Exception To Clarks No Home Warranties Rule

That said, Clark does have one exception to his rule that you shouldnt buy a home warranty and its when youre selling a home.

If you are selling a home, you are a merchant trying to give the buyer a sense of confidence about your used home. So for peace of mind you spend $400 on a piece of paper thats not worth anything, Clark says.

It just may give you the edge as a seller trying to entice a buyer in a tough market. According to one study, homes that come with warranties sell 11 days quicker and for an average of $2,300 more than those without.

Read Clarks full take on home warranties here.

More Clark.com stories you may like:

What Do Home Warranties Not Cover

Home warranties generally exclude anything not explicitly covered by the policy. And even if an appliance or system is protected, home warranties won’t pay to repair/replace anything your homeowners’ insurance policy should cover.

Home warranties also usually exclude cosmetic damage , structural damage, damage from incorrect installation, pre-existing conditions, power surge damage, or anything not considered normal wear and tear .

Read Also: Inground Pool Do It Yourself

How Do American Home Shield Prices Compare To Other Providers

American Home Shield allows you to customize your monthly rates by choosing a service call fee of $75, $100, or $125. If you select a service call fee of $125, you could get the ShieldSilver plan for as low as $30 per month, which is one of the lowest monthly price points in the industry.

If you’re looking for a combo plan that covers both systems and appliances but want a lower service call fee, other providers may have cheaper options. For example, Choice Home Warranty has a Basic Plan, which covers systems and appliances for $47 per month with an $85 service call fee.

Cost: Select Home Warranty Vs American Home Shield

American Home Shield provides more coverage for your appliances and systems, but youll pay a slightly higher monthly rate for the added protection. Select Home Warrantys plans are overall cheaper.

All prices listed below are reflective of sample quotes our team received for a single-family home under 5,000 square feet. Because pricing may vary based on where you live and the plan you select, we recommend getting a free quote from each company for the most accurate pricing.

Read Also: Water Heaters For Above Ground Pools

What Voids A Home Warranty

Each home warranty provider has its own set of rules regarding what voids your home warranty for a specific system or appliance. In some cases, this can include:

• Unauthorized repairs, whether by using an unapproved contractor or attempting to do the repairs yourself
• Home improvement projects
• Failing to keep your home up to building codes
• Misplacing ownership documentation

The proper maintenance gray area

Sometimes home warranty coverage is contingent on the proper maintenance of systems and appliances. This means repairs wont be covered if the malfunction was caused by a failure to follow the manufacturers maintenance specifications. However, companies often dont provide clear guidelines as to what constitutes proper routine maintenance.

Some contracts give concrete examples such as:

• Changing filters
• Keeping proper refrigerant levels
• Cleaning coils

However, coverage will ultimately depend on whether the home warrantys service technicians decide there was proper maintenance.

TIP: If you buy a home warranty, we recommend you take pictures and document that maintenance of the appliances is being routinely performed.

Brand-new systems and appliances

If youve just installed new appliances or bought a brand new home, your appliances will probably already be protected by a manufacturers warranty. Since a home warranty wont cover anything thats already covered under another type of warranty, you might want to consult with a professional as to whether you need one.

Americas Preferred Home Warranty Review

In this Americas Preferred Home Warranty review, we examine the companys coverage, cost, and reputation to help you determine if its the right home warranty provider for you.

Americas Preferred Home Warranty was founded in 1999 and is based out of Jackson, Michigan. It does business under Christian-based principles and vows to maximize customer value through innovation and the use of technology. In addition to providing warranty coverage, Americas Preferred Home Warranty is an active advocate of charities within its communities, setting aside a portion of its profits to directly benefit hurting families, cancer research, and childrens hospitals.

The This Old House Reviews Team has reviewed multiple home warranty companies and their plans, coverage, and pricing. In this Americas Preferred Home Warranty review, well discuss coverage, claims, costs, and customer reviews to help you decide if this is the best home warranty for you.

Read Also: Swimming Pool Tile Sealer

Cinch Home Services: Best For Additional Benefit

BBB Rating: B

Not only does Cinch Home Services provide an industry-leading, 180-day workmanship guarantee, but it also spoils its customers with additional protections, like rust and corrosion and unknown preexisting condition coverage. When you need to request service, you dont have to worry about making a call. Cinchs easy-to-use digital platform allows you to schedule service online from anywhere at any time of the day and it only takes a few minutes.

Other benefits include a $25 credit for air conditioning or water filters and a free water filter to help you detect leaks. In certain areas, even people without a protection plan can access Cinchs pool of prescreened service professionals and schedule a repair through the company.

American Home Shield Reviews

American Home Shield is accredited by the BBB and holds a B rating from the organization. As with any top-rated home warranty company, American Home Shields reviews feature a solid mix of positive and negative customer reviews. The positive reviews mostly focus on the professionalism of AHS representatives, while the negative reviews highlight a lack of communication between AHS and authorized contractors.

Heres a sampling of American Home Shield reviews:

Weve always been pleased working with AHS. Representatives are always professional and knowledgeable. The contractors they use have been prompt and resolved our issues in a timely manner. I recommend to friends that they get a warranty with AHS. Donna K. on AHS promptness

Very smooth process. AHS responded timely contractor was timely and efficient. William A. on AHS efficiency

Our A/C has been out for almost 3 weeks. AHS will not answer calls from the service provider to authorize a replacement part. There is no longer chat or email communication options. The wait time to call and connect with a person is over an hour. Chris A. on AHS wait times

Jeff W. on AHS delays

Note: When we reached out to American Home Shield as part of a simulated quote process about the negative American Home Shield ratings, we were told that the provider will schedule service at the earliest contractor availability.

Recommended Reading: Best Way To Get Rust Out Of Pool Water

The Largest Pool Ownership And Warranties Research In The Usa 2022 Updated

A pool is supposed to be a haven for stress-free relaxation. If your pool develops a major maintenance issue, however, it can quickly become a nightmare. Not only must you arrange for the repairs, but youve also got to shell out for an enormous, sudden bill. Such unexpected expenses can shatter your household budget and frustrate your plans.

If youre protected by a home warranty, the outcome could be different. If you have a good warranty on your side, which covers your swimming pool, the burden of paying for sudden, expensive repairs is lifted off of your shoulders.

What is a home warranty and how does it work? A small fee is usually all thats asked to have the home warranty provider locate a repairman, arrange and schedule the service, and cover almost all of the cost. All you need to do is make a phone call and submit a claim. Its not long before youre back to enjoying the pool youve invested so much in. If youre a pool owner, a good home warranty has the potential to make life much easier when things go wrong.

American Home Shield Coverage

American Home Shield also offers three plans: ShieldSilver, ShieldGold and ShieldPlatinum. The ShieldSilver plan covers major home systems, while the ShieldGold plan covers a variety of systems and appliances. The ShieldPlatinum plan is American Home Shields most comprehensive plan, covering 23 items plus a free HVAC tune-up and roof leak repairs.

In addition to these plans, American Home Shield offers five add-ons: Pool, spa, guest unit under 750 square feet, septic pump, well pump, electronics protection plan provided by Allstate Protection Plans

Also Check: Fishers Ymca Swim Lessons

Best Low Service Fee: American’s Preferred Home Warranty

• Service Fees: $50 / $100 / $125
• Annual Cost: $475 – $559

America’s Preferred Home Warranty tops our Best for Low Service Fee category due to its lowest-in-industry $50 service fee option . As the service fee goes up, the plan’s monthly cost goes down, so you can design a plan that fits your situation. While the company serves a limited number of states , it has earned an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau.

• A+ Better Business Bureau rating

• Offered in only 20 states

• Limited plan options

The average America’s Preferred Home Warranty plan costs $517, with an aggregate payout cap of $25,000. The company did not disclose its claim response time, stating that it varies depending on the independent contractor you choose.

While the company has flexible service fees, it offers two plans :

• Standard Coverage: central air conditioning, heating systems, water heater, built-in dishwasher, refrigerator, range/oven/cooktop, garbage disposal, built-in microwave, septic system, attic & exhaust fans, electrical system, plumbing, stoppages, garage door opener, sump pump, roof leak repair, ductwork, and humidifier
• Preferred Upgrade: includes everything in the Standard Coverage plan plus ceiling fans, fire alarms, burglar alarms, lighting fixtures, doorbells, a $250 allowance to fix code violations, and enhanced coverage for many of the items in the Standard Coverage plan

You can customize your plan by including coverage for any of the following:

• Additional refrigerators