Residential Warranty Services Review
Residential Warranty Services, headquartered in Caramel, Indiana, USA, has been a part of the home warranty industry since 1988. The company operates across 50 states, offering services to buyers, sellers, homeowners, and real estate experts. Residential Warranty Services has two plans to minimize repair and replacement costs that cover household mechanical equipment such as garage door openers, icemakers, refrigerators, humidifiers, heating systems, etc.
Pros
- No overtime fees for emergency claims
- Free SewerGard Protection with every Simple Plan purchase
- High aggregate limit in coverage cap
Cons
- Not liable to fix renovated appliances or systems.
- Not responsible for repairing damage due to natural disasters or acts of God
- Only two plans available
Premium
$375
Deductible
$75
Coverage Limits
N/A
BBB Rating
A+
Active States
50
Complaint Resolution Program
No
833-809-7446$5000
Estimated Appliance Coverage$10,000
Estimated System Coverage50
No. Of Active StatesNo
Complaint Resolution ProgramResidential Warranty Services Plans & Coverage
Residential Warranty Services offers two home warranty plans: the Simple Plan and the Advantage Plan.
- Simple Plan: This plan provides broad coverage servicing contracts for nearly every mechanical component at home. In addition, it includes free SewerGard protection.
- Advantage Plan: This basic plan offers coverage to many mechanical home systems and appliances, with options to expand protection.
- Central Heating System
- Refrigerator
- Washers
- Dryers
- Trash Compactor
- Garage Door Opener
- Electrical System
- Water Heater
- Garbage Disposal
- Well Pump
- Plumbing System
- Sump Pump
- Water Softener
- Drain Line Stoppages
- Microwave
- Sewer Ejector Pumps
- Exhaust Fans
- Central air conditioning
- Roof Leak Repairs
- Termite Protection Plan
- Garage Door Spring
- Range/Oven
- Dishwasher
- Dishwasher
- Trash Compactor
- Garage Door Opener
- Electrical System
- Water Heater
- Garbage Disposal
- Whirlpool Bathtub
- Sump Pump
- Central Heating System
- Microwave
- Kitchen Refrigerator
- Exhaust Fans
- Central air conditioning
- Range/Oven
Additional Coverage
Apart from the list mentioned above, Residential Warranty Services offers several items under Optional add- ons coverage for Advantage Plan.
- Additional HVAC Systems
- Sewage Pump
- Additional Water Heaters
- Garage Door Spring
- Sump Pumps
- Water Softener
- Well Pumps
- Roof Leak Repair
- Appliances Located in the Kitchen
- Termite Treatment
- Pool/Spa Mechanical
- Drain Line
- Septic Tank Pumping
Upgrade package (Gold Package)
RWS customers can also upgrade their Advantage plan by purchasing the Gold Package at $150 to get coverage for the following items
- Water Heater: Sediment
- Heating System: Disposable Filter and Heat Lamps
- Garage Door Opener: Hinges, Springs, and Remote Transmitter/Keypad
- Dishwasher: Racks, Baskets, and Rollers
- Microwave Oven: Interior lining, Clocks, and Shelves
- Range/Oven: Clocks, Rotisseries, Racks, Handles, Knobs, and Interior lining
- Smoke Detector: Both, Battery Operated and Hardwired Systems
- Drain Line Stoppage
- Washer/Dryer Coverage
- Roof Leak Repair Coverage
- Termite Treatment Coverage
Residential Warranty Services Cost
Residential Warranty Services pricing is based on a simple square footage method and can vary depending on the state of residence. Furthermore, the coverage period is offered up to 180-days per claim.
The cost of Residential Warranty Services contract plans may range between $435 and $535. The deductibles are $75 and $50 per claim, depending on the plan you choose, the appliances, and other factors. The Simple plan has a TCF of $150. The optional items cost an average of $110 but can go upto $185 at most. To get the pricing information based on your specific needs, you can submit a free quote
Residential Warranty Services Claims & Customer Service
A repair or replacement claim for the malfunction of the equipment submitted under the RWS contract is categorized under three claim types: Emergency Claim, Urgent Claim, and Non-Emergency Claim.
Here is how you can file a claim:
- You can call on the phone number (1-800-544-8156) of Residential Warranty Services to file the claim in between the working hours of 7:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. on weekdays (Monday through Friday).
- If the claim does not fall under the scheduled coverage, then you will be informed not to pay the deductible for the non-warranty issues.
- If the claim appears to fall under the warranty coverages provided, then the processor will forward your claim to a contractor.
- The contractor will then call you to schedule an appointment time at your earliest convenience.
- A service call fee is to be paid by you to the company or the contractor. RWS will, however, bear the expense of repair or replacement.
Residential Warranty Services claims to have provided warranty services to almost 3.7 million households. The company aims to build relationships with their customers.
Residential Warranty Services STATES AVAILABILITY
Residential Warranty Services offers services in all 50 states currently.
What are some of the exclusions of Residential Warranty Services Plans?
RWS contracts only cover the items within the perimeter of the home's foundation and associated garages. Appliances will only be treated if they are damaged due to normal wear and tear. The company will not cover appliances that have been damaged due to natural disasters or acts of God.
The company has the authority to determine whether a device should be fixed or replaced. The replacements will have comparable capacity and features; however, RWS is not responsible for matching brands, colors, measurements, or altering cabinets or structures of any sort. In addition, the company has the right to offer cash instead of item replacement (which may cost less than retail pricing).
They will not cover leased equipment and any systems and appliances with pre-existing conditions. Although they provide services for equipment that have been improperly installed, these services are subject to specific limitations and circumstances.
Residential Warranty Services is not liable for any damaged items due to a sewer or water line failure or repair. You may learn more about RWS restrictions and exclusions by going through the sample service contract.
Is Residential Warranty Services Worth The Money?
Residential Warranty Services has provided warranty services to almost 3.7 million households in 33 years of business. Their customers can avail of various benefits like the inclusion of accessory parts.
However, RWS Advantage Plan covers less than the industry standard. If you’re looking for a low-cost plan with limited coverage options for a newer home, have a look at the Best Home Warranty Companies of 2021. Based on the customer reviews and preferences, these three home warranty companies also offer a comprehensive coverage plan and good pricing.
RESIDENTIAL WARRANTY SERVICES FAQs
How do I contact Residential Warranty Services?
You can contact the Residential Warranty Services by calling at 1-800-544-8156 or by sending an email at RWSWarranty.com.
Who owns Residential Warranty Services?
Nathan Thornberry owns Residential Warranty Services. He is also the CEO of the RWS.
How do I cancel my Residential Warranty plan?
If you want to cancel your services amidst your coverage period, you must request a cancellation by emailing them or calling 1-800-544-8156, and you have to pay a $35 cancellation fee.
Should I get a home inspection for buying an RWS plan?
No, a home inspection is not mandatory. It is a good idea, though, to have your home evaluated to ensure that everything is in working condition. The warranty does not cover any known and unknown pre-existing conditions that are causing problems.
What issues can RWS solve for me?
RWS can assist you in resolving a variety of mechanical failures that may happen to your home system and appliances, such as:
- Dishwashers- Dishes remaining dirty and lack of water drainage
- Roof problems- Roof leaks or external pipes freezing
- Plumbing- Blockage in the drain and sewer lines, stoppages, leaks, and water breaks
For more information on what to expect from Residential WS in terms of issues they can help with, check out their sample contracts.
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Residential Warranty Services REVIEWS
Richard Turcotte , Carmel, IN
On Jul 18, 2021
The repairman discovered that the fan in our air conditioner was defective and needs to be replaced. He then submitted a request to have this replaced and it was approved. The repairman returned and fixed the air conditioner. So happy that my home is covered by RWS.
HelpfulKM, Union City, OH
On Jul 13, 2021
Before we bought our house we had an inspection done We had never owned a house before so we did a lot of research. RWS thru our realty agent recommended an inspection company We went with them all seemed good until 2 months in Suddenly no water pressure We called rws after being on hold for 45 minutes we were told that it should be covered and they would send out a contractor ASAP Which means a ..Read Full Review
Before we bought our house we had an inspection done We had never owned a house before so we did a lot of research. RWS thru our realty agent recommended an inspection company We went with them all seemed good until 2 months in Suddenly no water pressure We called rws after being on hold for 45 minutes we were told that it should be covered and they would send out a contractor ASAP Which means a week The contractor took one look and said I can tell you just by looking what the problem is but I can fix it because it’s not up to code he said if I fix it I have to bring it up to code Long story short I get a bill for roughly $3000 if which warranty paid $500 To be fair their policy said the max they would pay is $500 with the basic plan we had If It had been up to code the total bill would have been about $1000 in which case I wouldn’t be writing this if the inspector they recommended had pointed out it was not up to code I would have negotiated the loan differently Their explanation was that the inspector doesn’t know if things are up to code If that’s the case why did he point out about 15 other things that weren’t up to code Also they would not let me upgrade my warranty fir the remainder of my contract with them I would avoid this company at all costs I know they went by the rules in their book But there were extenuating circumstances and they wouldn’t even listen ..View less
HelpfulRaul Padro , La Porte, IN
On Jul 13, 2021
Liar, horrible and real scammers. Furnace broke down in the middle of winter and they gave a tons of excuses to not pay for it. Now, water heater broke and also they’re playing the excuses games again!
HelpfulIAMSIRIOS Siriotis, Clermont, FL
On Jul 09, 2021
Horrible experience with this company, especially with J*** the manager. They just dont want to pay the claim. J*** was extremely condescending and made it clear that he would not cover the cost to remediate the amount of mold I had in my home even though he had an estimate right from the mold remediation company of how much mold there was. It was clear he didnt want to pay that much. I have been put of ..Read Full Review
Horrible experience with this company, especially with J*** the manager. They just dont want to pay the claim. J*** was extremely condescending and made it clear that he would not cover the cost to remediate the amount of mold I had in my home even though he had an estimate right from the mold remediation company of how much mold there was. It was clear he didnt want to pay that much. I have been put off by them for months (this started in January 2021) and I have been asked the same questions over and over again even though the questions were answered. Delay tactics to the hilt as can be seen through the multiple emails. They even switched my claim number so it would seem like a new claim (almost as though to reset the clock on this). Terrible company that does not hold up their end. ..View less
HelpfulMegan, Llano, TX
On Jun 29, 2021
I DO NOT recommend going with Residential Warranty Services (RWS). You don't know how bad a company is until you have to file a claim and I hope others can learn from my TERRIBLE experience with them and choose someone else! Only giving 1 star because 0 stars isn't an option. My AC went out in the middle of summer and ended up needing to be replaced ($7800 - which they won't cover). For context, they ..Read Full Review
I DO NOT recommend going with Residential Warranty Services (RWS). You don't know how bad a company is until you have to file a claim and I hope others can learn from my TERRIBLE experience with them and choose someone else! Only giving 1 star because 0 stars isn't an option. My AC went out in the middle of summer and ended up needing to be replaced ($7800 - which they won't cover). For context, they only cover the cost and labor for the repair of "failed parts", so if you find yourself in a situation like myself where the unit has to be replaced, you're screwed. Now it continues to get worse... My contractor wrote up the estimate for "hypothetical repairs and labor" of the failed part and repair as RWS asked me to provide. Because this company apparently goes off of "hypothical situations" when covering claims. It took me having to file a complaint with the better business bureau for my claim to get ANY attention, and they still failed to reimburse me for the total cost of "hypothetical repairs and labor". It was a BATTLE to get them to even cover $2300 of the $7800 I paid out of pocket. Save yourself from a lot of frustration and out of pocket costs and go with American Home Shield or Total Home Protection, or really ANYONE ELSE. ..View less
HelpfulAdam Dishong, Las Cruces, NM
On Jun 14, 2021
Customer service is terrible. Wait on Phone for 20 min then they say we can call you back. CS does not respond when u provide information. No repair person calls. 2 weeks since I first claim on leaky dw. They said busy with ac service but this a different repair person.
HelpfulMax Boll, Omaha, NE
On Jun 07, 2021
Terrible service. I've been getting the run around for the last 6 months on a claim which my contractor spelled out mechanical issues with the pre-existing water heater. Nobody on the customer service team knows how to get the job done.
Helpfulmike butler, Sarasota, FL
On Jun 07, 2021
Never, ever use this company. First of all, it can take upwards of an hour to get through on the phone. They chose the repairman to attempt to fix my stove. After two attempts, the repairman was unable to repair the stove, you want to know why? Because the problem wasn't with the stove it was with the electrical system leading to the stoves outlet. It cost me $100 just to have their technician walk int ..Read Full Review
Never, ever use this company. First of all, it can take upwards of an hour to get through on the phone. They chose the repairman to attempt to fix my stove. After two attempts, the repairman was unable to repair the stove, you want to know why? Because the problem wasn't with the stove it was with the electrical system leading to the stoves outlet. It cost me $100 just to have their technician walk into my house. They wanted to send me $46. After all was said and done, they agreed to pay be $245. Now, since I thought it was the stove, I went to Lowe's and purchased (with my own money), a new stove for $1,500. I am currently trying to reach RWS to start a new claim on the electrical work, and then the flooring in my kitchen because the electrical wires run under the floor and are cemented in. I figure the total cost will be somewhere around $3,500. I filled out a new claim form online on Friday, it is currently Monday and I have yet to hear back from them. I know I've rambled here, but do yourself a favor and stay away from t If you these scam artists. If you read your policy, there are so many escape routes for them, that they almost never have to pay you anywhere near the cost to repair the problem. BOTTOM LINE, STAY AWAY! ..View less
HelpfulRobert N Pfeffer, Carmel, IN
On May 27, 2021
We filed on online claim and they responded the following day via email that a technician would be coming. The repairman arrived two days later and said that he had to replace the compressor. He called it in, and the request was approved. Repairman came back the next day and replaced the compressor and now everything’s working. Extremely happy with the whole experience.
HelpfulMichael Stinson, Glen Burnie, MD
On May 24, 2021
I have filed 2 claims with RWS since purchasing in July 2020. To date I have paid the cost in full plus over $1000 out of pocket for those 2 claims (more than RWS has paid towards the repairs) and neither has been satisfactorily resolved. One was fixed by me and not the contractor they sent and the other has been ongoing for over 3 weeks and they still have not authorized the repair to my AC.
HelpfulJim Duggan, Buford, GA
On May 24, 2021
I had good customer service and fair resolution on a difficult issue on the home I bought after I moved in. They were fast to respond and and the communication was great. They did ask me to provide additional info and get estimates, but I think that is fair.
HelpfulSabrina Harborth, Cypress, TX
On May 22, 2021
Filed a Cl aim in October 2020, took until April 2021 to get it approved. FINALLY Received a call the reimbursement would arrive by May 15, 2021. Its now May 22, 2021 and still no check. About to do a mass notice to all Realtors to NOT use this service with new HOme Buyers.
HelpfulTimothy Heilig, Marietta, GA
On May 17, 2021
Do not trust RWS and do not purchase a home warranty from this company. I filed a claim in early Jan 2021 for a refrigerator/freezer repair. The repair was completed a week later. Im still trying to get reimbursed per the terms of the home warranty, and its mid-May. This company utilizes this type of delay tactic to avoid paying claims, in hopes that you will just go away. I have filed a complaint ..Read Full Review
Do not trust RWS and do not purchase a home warranty from this company. I filed a claim in early Jan 2021 for a refrigerator/freezer repair. The repair was completed a week later. Im still trying to get reimbursed per the terms of the home warranty, and its mid-May. This company utilizes this type of delay tactic to avoid paying claims, in hopes that you will just go away. I have filed a complaint with the ***. Again dont waste your time and money with RWS. ..View less
HelpfulPat Mayert, New York, NY
On May 13, 2021
They immediately scheduled a tech visit after I called them about my defective refrigerator. The technician came the following day and said my compressor was not working. He called RWS and reported about the defective part, they approved the repair and he got my refrigerator working. They did a great job of getting it fixed quickly.
HelpfulBrittany B, Elkhorn, WI
On May 11, 2021
The wait times to speak to someone on the phone is insane. There is no online option to get in contact and their site is extremely limited on what you can do on there. I'm in SE WI and there are little to no contractors in their network. I've paid more out of pocket than what they covered. Reimbursement takes at least 2 months and it's never clear on how much you actually will get reimbursed because ..Read Full Review
The wait times to speak to someone on the phone is insane. There is no online option to get in contact and their site is extremely limited on what you can do on there. I'm in SE WI and there are little to no contractors in their network. I've paid more out of pocket than what they covered. Reimbursement takes at least 2 months and it's never clear on how much you actually will get reimbursed because they find any reason not to cover an entire claim. The one contractor they did hire for me (which took 4 months for them to find one), I ended up paying over $400 out of pocket and they paid less than $300 because of ridiculous things they don't cover (like an overflow sensor on a dishwasher that was overfilling). I wasted so much money with this company. ..View less
HelpfulBrent Riley , Carmel, IN
On May 10, 2021
Don't truest them with your repair work. Instead of fixing them up, be done with your worries, they actually cause more trouble and more headache for you. They did a plumbing repair in our house, and made more damage and a lot more to repair. So it costs us a lot more than what we should only be paying for.
HelpfulCecile Taylor, Fort Lauderdale, FL
On May 06, 2021
DO NOT USE THIS COMPANY!!!!!!! I have had 3 claims since January and only 1 has been paid out. I have sent the required back up 2 months ago for one of the claims, and still nothing. I cant get anyone to answer the phones (on hold for over an hour yesterday and no one answered and now I am on the phone for another 50 minutes and still no one is answering.) and when I do, the representatives keep tel ..Read Full Review
DO NOT USE THIS COMPANY!!!!!!! I have had 3 claims since January and only 1 has been paid out. I have sent the required back up 2 months ago for one of the claims, and still nothing. I cant get anyone to answer the phones (on hold for over an hour yesterday and no one answered and now I am on the phone for another 50 minutes and still no one is answering.) and when I do, the representatives keep telling me that they will escalate it to their Lead. However, I never hear anything back after the "escalation." I call every week- sometimes every other day- and still cant get anyone to follow up or help me. The one supervisor I was working with, who has since left the company, was helpful and did follow up and call me, however he has left so now I am back to the beginning when I thought I was making progress. I cant get anyone to respond to my new claim. I submitted a claim over 2 weeks ago to get permission on what they would reimburse me for, and even though the representatives said they would escalate it, I still havent heard anything. I have even tried twice to work with the RWS contractors in their network, however, the one they found for me was non-responsive for 3 weeks and I wasnt able to move forward because the contractor they selected had already come in and gave me the estimate, so I was already charged the service charge, and if I got someone else I would have to pay an additional service charge. If I could give this company negative stars, I would. This experience has been absolutely awful. The amount of time I have spent calling, staying on hold, talking to someone who says they are going to escalate but then never do so I have to call back, and never getting a response or reimbursement is unacceptable for a company. I will be writing to the *** next. ..View less
HelpfulJennifer , Acworth, GA
On May 06, 2021
I have 2 claims that have been open for MONTHS!! The people on the phone have been absolutely wonderful, but I can’t seem to get whoever needs to send the checks, to send the checks! Customer service tells me I have submitted everything needed, and that my claims have been approved, yet I am STILL waiting for them to send me the money needed! I would NEVER recommend this company, and I will NEVER b ..Read Full Review
I have 2 claims that have been open for MONTHS!! The people on the phone have been absolutely wonderful, but I can’t seem to get whoever needs to send the checks, to send the checks! Customer service tells me I have submitted everything needed, and that my claims have been approved, yet I am STILL waiting for them to send me the money needed! I would NEVER recommend this company, and I will NEVER be using them again! Waste of money and I feel like I’ve been scammed! ..View less
HelpfulJason, Crown Point, IN
On May 05, 2021
They were very responsive and had a technician the following day to check our microwave. The technician called in and said that the microwave was unfixable, and it had to be replaced. The claims representative approved the request and sent the replacement value for my appliance. It wasn’t the brand-new price, but it was better than nothing. Overall, I felt that it was a fair deal. Thanks.
HelpfulTom King, Carmel, IN
On May 05, 2021
Our water heater had a problem with the heating, it gets too hot you can almost burn yourself so we called them for a repair. It took them some time to come to our house, then they needed to take the entire thing because they cannot fix it on the spot. Took several weeks for them to get it back to us.
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Residential Warranty Services RATINGS
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