View details
Monthly fees
$45 and up
Service fees
$100 to $125
per claim
States available
25
states, and Washington, D.C.
View details
Old Republic Home Protection Review 2024
Flexible service fees and competitive caps on electrical and plumbing repairs make the company a contender.
Edited by Tina Orem
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With high coverage caps and flexible service fee options, Old Republic Home Protection is a good pick for homeowners who are looking for comprehensive coverage.
Old Republic Home Protection’s Basic plan covers a lot of appliances and systems, such as plumbing and electrical, compared to its competitors’ cheapest plans. All three of the company’s warranty plans feature high coverage caps for heating systems and no coverage caps for electrical repairs. The company also allows customers to choose between two service fees, which can lower their monthly premiums. Overall, Old Republic Home Protection has good customer satisfaction ratings.
Deciding factors | |
|---|---|
Monthly cost | $45 and up. |
Service fees | $100-$125. |
Annual cover cap* |
|
Average customer service rating† | 3.67 out of 5. |
Technician choice | You can use your own technician if the company approves the request. |
*Annual cover cap assumes a 12-month plan. †Average customer service rating is based on three sources: Trustpilot, ConsumerAffairs (both consumer review sites) and the Better Business Bureau. | |
How does Old Republic Home Protection work?
Getting repairs
When you need service on a covered item, you can go online or call Old Republic Home Protection to request that a service technician visit your home. However, if you need the technician to come back and look at an item again, or if you need to submit multiple claims at once, you'll have to call customer service.
Once a customer requests service, Old Republic Home Protection contacts a technician.
The company’s technicians typically schedule appointments within 48 hours.
Once the technician identifies the problem, they verify with Old Republic Home Protection that the home warranty plan will cover the repair; if it’s covered, the technician will then repair it.
» MORE: What is a home warranty?
Exclusions
Old Republic Home Protection covers items that fail because of everyday use, referred to as normal wear and tear. This includes issues related to corrosion, rust and buildup from sediment or chemicals. It doesn’t cover items that:
Have pre-existing conditions (issues that occurred before the start of the service agreement).
Incur damage from people, pests or pets.
Have cosmetic defects that don’t affect the item’s function.
Are missing components or parts.
Do not have the proper capacity.
Are improperly installed.
The manufacturer has recalled or determined to be defective.
The company also doesn’t pay for routine maintenance. This exclusion is common among competitors.
Plan types and additional coverage
Old Republic Home Protection has three plans:
The Basic plan covers a heating system with ductwork; plumbing including garbage disposal, instant hot/cold water dispensers, pipe leaks and valves, drain line stoppage, toilets, water pressure regulators and water heater; electrical systems such as electricity, garage door openers, central vacuums, rekeying service and ceiling fans; and most appliances, including dishwashers, exhaust fans, trash compactors, refrigerators, stoves, microwaves and ovens.
The Deluxe plan has everything in the Basic plan plus coverage for air conditioning systems, plumbing fixtures such as faucets, electrical garage door components (such as remotes and keypads) and one washer and dryer set. It also adds coverage for correcting code violations, improper installations and hauling away replaced items.
The Elite plan has everything in the Deluxe plan but has higher coverage limits for appliances and includes an HVAC tuneup.
» MORE: What does a home warranty cover?
Customers can also purchase add-on coverage for an additional fee. Old Republic Home Protection has optional coverage available for:
Pools and spas.
Septic tank and systems.
Additional refrigerators or freezers.
External plumbing and slab leaks.
Water softeners and filtration systems.
Guest homes up to 750 square feet.
HVAC tuneup.
Air conditioner for customers who purchase the Basic plan.
Coverage caps
Old Republic Home Protection limits how much it will cover toward a particular item, which is common among home warranty companies. These coverage caps include:
No cap for electrical.
Plumbing coverage varies by item ($600 for toilet replacement and $1,500 for plumbing pipe leaks, for example).
$6,500 per heating and air conditioning system.
$3,500 per appliance for the Basic and Deluxe plans; $7,000 per appliance for the Elite plan.
$500 for additional services with the Deluxe plan; $1,000 for these services with the Elite plan.
» MORE: Are home warranties worth it?
How much does Old Republic Home Protection cost?
Old Republic Home Protection plans start at $45.
Examples of Old Republic Home Protection quotes for monthly premiums
Like its competitors, Old Republic Home Protection charges customers a service fee every time a technician replies to a claim. The company calls this a “trade call fee.”
Customers can choose to pay $100 or $125 for service fees when they sign up for a plan.
The monthly premium is higher if you choose a $100 service fee instead of a $125 service fee.
Customers pay the service fee even if Old Republic denies the claim.
Good to know! Old Republic Home Protection's service fees vary by state and by plan. Be sure to review the fine print in your contract to understand what your service fee will be.
Old Republic Home Protection, like most home warranty companies, guarantees technicians’ work for 30 days. If a customer has to request a second repair within the 30 days following the first repair, they won’t pay a service fee.
Monthly fees
$47 and up
Service fees
$75–$100
per claim
States available
49
states, and Washington, D.C.
Monthly fees
$20 and up
Service fees
$100 or $125
per claim
States available
48
states, and Washington, D.C.
Themes from customer reviews
NerdWallet considered customer reviews from three review websites to get a wider perspective of customer experiences. We’ve highlighted the types of experiences that we’ve found to be most common, keeping in mind that online reviews tend to lean toward negative experiences.
Trustpilot: 3.9 out of 5.
ConsumerAffairs: 3.8 out of 5.
Better Business Bureau: 3.33 out of 5.
Among negative reviews, customers highlighted unreliable technicians who were unable to repair covered items, as well as poor communication with customer service representatives. Customers who gave Old Republic Home Protection high marks comment on quick response times for repairs and helpful customer service.
Pros of Old Republic Home Protection
There are several benefits to Old Republic Home Protection’s plans, including:
High coverage limits. Old Republic Home Protection’s coverage caps are higher than most of its competitors, especially for HVAC systems and appliances. It also ranks high for electrical because it has no caps on those repairs.
Choice of technician. The company lets customers choose their own technicians if they request to do so. Not all home warranty companies have this option.
Good customer satisfaction. Old Republic Home Protection’s overall customer satisfaction scores are higher than some of its competitors, especially for quick repairs and customer service.
Cons of Old Republic Home Protection
There is a downside to Old Republic Home Protection:
Doesn’t pay for full access repair. If a technician needs to cut into a structure, such as a wall or ceiling, to access a covered item, Old Republic Home Protection’s plans won’t pay to repair the structure. It will pay to have it brought back to a rough finish but not textured or painted.
Alternatives to Old Republic Home Protection
First American Home Warranty
View details
Monthly fees
$42 and up
Service fees
$75, $100 or $125
per claim
States available
36
states, and Washington, D.C.
View details
Read review
on NerdWallet
Liberty Home Guard
View details
Monthly fees
$50 and up
Service fees
$70–$125
per claim
States available
50
states, and Washington, D.C.
View details
Get started
on Liberty Home Guard's website
American Home Shield
View details
Monthly fees
$20 and up
Services fees
$100 or $125
per claim
States available
48
states, and Washington, D.C.
View details
Get started
on American Home Shield's website
Select Home Warranty
View details
Monthly fees
$44 and up
Service fees
$75-$100
per claim
States available
47
states, including Washington, D.C.
View details
Get started
on Select Home Warranty's website
Methodology
NerdWallet's Home Services team evaluated home warranties across several factors, including cost, covered items, coverage limits, customer ratings, ability to choose your own technician and warranty on work completed. Because costs can vary by location, it's best to get quotes from multiple companies before making a decision. Read more about how NerdWallet rates home warranties.
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