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Fidelity National Home Warranty Review


ConsumersAdvocate.org Rating: 2 / 5 (Poor)
144 Customer Comments & Reviews - see all comments
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Fidelity National Home Warranties is a California-based company with over 25 years of experience in the industry.

The company offers a convenient automated repair tracking system and consistent customer support through a team of highly trained local service providers and sales agents.

Fidelity National Home Warranties holds a Better Business Bureau rating of A+.

How is Fidelity National rated?

Breakdown

0.0/5
Transparency
3.5/5
Claims Processing
3.0/5
Coverage Options
0.0/5
Additional Benefits
3.5/5
Customer Experience

Overall Rating: 2 / 5 (Poor)

Fidelity National's prices are inline with industry standards, though their service fees are slightly higher, and its guaranteed response time is a bit longer than that of other companies.

We feel the need to mention that Fidelity National has been the target of a state insurance regulatory action and a class action suit, requiring that customers give up their right to a jury trial in any legal dispute.

Coverage

Key Facts

Plan Types
Combo Plan
Benefit Limit Type
Per Item
Per Term
Typical Systems Benefit Limit
$1,000

Coverage Options - 3 / 5

Fidelity National covers many of the usual systems and appliances, as well as a few specialty items.

However, coverage for refrigerators, washers/dryers, air conditioning units, pool and spa equipment and septic tank leaks and roof leaks are not part of the standard coverage, but must be purchased separately when the contract is signed.

Unlike some other home warranty companies, the company does not cover system or appliance failures due to lack of maintenance.

What does Fidelity National cover?

Covered Built-In Systems

  • Air Conditioning
  • Heating
  • Electrical
  • Plumbing
  • Water Heater
  • Instant Hot/Cold Water Dispenser
  • Central Vacuums
  • Smoke Detectors
  • Doorbells
  • Ceiling Fans
  • Ductwork
  • Sump Pump
  • Telephone Wiring

Covered Appliances

  • Refrigerators
  • Dishwashers
  • Clothes Dryers
  • Clothes Washers
  • Ranges/Ovens/Cooktops
  • Built-in Microwaves
  • Freestanding Ice Makers
  • Built-In Trash Compactors
  • Garage Door Openers
  • Garbage Disposal
  • Stand Alone Freezer
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Exclusions

For a full list of Fidelity National exclusions, check out this page.

Specialty Items

  • Pool/Spa
  • Well Pump
  • Septic
  • Roof Leaks

Contract & Price

Contract Details

Annual Premium
Starting at $350
Minimum Contract Length
12 month(s)
Home Inspection Required for Contract?
Yes
Online Quote/Application

Contract & Price - 3 / 5

Fidelity National's minimum annual premium is $350, but add-ons for common coverages can raise this number considerably.

The contract is non-cancellable

Sample Contract

Fidelity National provides a sample contract for potential customers on its website: Fidelity National Sample Contract

Cancellation Policy

The contract is non-cancelable, except for non-payment of contract fees, fraud or misrepresentation of facts by the customer, or when the contract is for Seller's Coverage and close of sale does not occur.

If the contract is canceled, the customer is entitled to a prorated refund of the paid contract fee for the unexpired term, minus an administrative fee and any service cost incurred by the FNHW. A 10% penalty per month will be added to the refunded purchase price when not paid within 30 days of the date the contract was returned to FNHW.

The contract holder may cancel the contract after the initial 20 days and will be entitled to a prorated refund of the contract fee less a $50.00 administration fee and any service cost incurred by FNHW.

Cancellation requests must be submitted in writing.

Claims & Service

Claims

Waiting Period
30 days

Contractors & Service

Contractor Selection
Any Contractor
Service Recall Period
30 days

Claims Processing - 3.5 / 5

Upon receipt of a warranty claim, the company pledges to contact a qualified subcontractor within three business hours and within 48 hours on weekends or holidays.

Customers must pay a diagnostic fee of $65 on each claim, which must be paid even if the claim is subsequently denied.

Fidelity National Reputation

Company Details

Year Founded
1984
NHSCA Membership
Number of Employees
5001-10000
TrustPilot Rating
6.1 out of 5
BBB Rating
A+
BBB Positive Reviews
4
BBB Neutral Reviews
0
BBB Negative Reviews
97
Date Collected
2017-07-20

Reputation - 4.5 / 5

Fidelity National is accredited by the BBB and has an A+ rating. It has four positive reviews and 112 negative ones and 549 customer complaints.

However, it is not unusual in this industry for companies to have numerous negative customer reviews and complaints.

The company has no presence on Trust Pilot. In 2012, the company settled a claim against it by the Insurance Commissioner of California which alleged that the company had unlawfully paid rebates and offered inducements to real estate brokers.

The company agreed to cease and desist from the allegedly unlawful practices and paid a settlement of $1.25 million and attorneys fees of $175,000, but admitted no wrongdoing.

In 2008, a class action suit was brought in California against Fidelity National which alleged false advertising and insurance bad faith. The case resulted in four separate appeals and was eventually refiled.

Contact & Additional Information

Homepage URL
Company Phone
(800) 862-6837
Headquarters Address
1850 Gateway Blvd, Suite 400, Concord, CA, 94520
Year Founded
1984

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144 Customer Comments & Reviews

Loading Reviews ...
sgafjr
8/28/2019
This company is really fast to hit your credit card for service fees but takes their time with warranty repairs. After 3 weeks in the Texas heat without A/C, I still cannot get a person on the phone to help. They only do "outbound" calls in the authorizations department, so you are at their mercy. The rest of the service people read a script. There is no oversight and no way to get a manager or helpful person on the phone. They just don't care. Will I use them again? Never. I now recommend this company to anyone I can't stand or who irritates me in line at the movie theater. Friends, walk away and find a better service provider. We are melting in the Texas heat with no AC and no help in... Read More


Derek B
8/28/2019
The selection of contractors they sent out is poor. They kept sending a very incapable AC company and I had to contact the local rep to override and get someone who knew what they were doing. The first company replaced the outside unit and it has not cooled correctly since. FNHW had no sympathy. I had electrical issues, and they sent out a pretty ragtag group to patch it together, and the "electricians" guaranteed it would fail again. I asked for a different company to come out but this one is all they had. Worthless Warranty it should be called. I have spent more money on callout fees and contract fees than I would have had I just had a real competent contractor address the problem on my... Read More


specopsscott
8/23/2019
Stay away. far far away. They'll use any excuse possible to deny coverage.


jelstromgreg
8/22/2019
Worst customer service ever! Fridge is dead, parts can't be located and it's OUR problem. They claim we need to find the parts! Now without a refrigerator for over 4 weeks and no help. They said "NO WAY" would they replace the unit even though all of advertising says they will. I just don't know how companies can get away with this.........


Diana G
8/20/2019
Easiest company to work with. The service department is always willing to help out regardless of the issue. I have worked with them for several years and am very pleased with how they deal with the customer and all the technicians in trying to resolve the issues.


Beatriz A
8/20/2019
This is the worst experience I have ever had dealing with any type of service provider. Every time I talk to someone the tell me a different story. Nobody know what is going on. A/c breaks, we need a new coil. It takes them a week to order the equipment, when it gets here it is the wrong size. 23 days later my a/c is still not fixed and now I am being told they don't even know if they can order the right piece (when two days ago I was told it HAD been ordered). To top things off, the A/C contractor they use J&S service are the rudest, more unprofessional people I have dealt with. This is a complete nightmare!!!


Debra J
8/12/2019
This company feels like a scam. After paying for the one year Comprehensive Plus plan, I called them for a problem with a covered appliance. They had to charge me more money to come look at it, the gentleman that came out was extremely rude, and would not fix it because he deemed it to be not under normal wear. I just bought the home and used the washer 5 times with very small loads. My complaints though are with the follow up. I was given the run around after many phone calls, told I could cancel my contract by sending an email with detailed answers to questions, then more phone calls to find out I cannot cancel before a year, but that I should call the complaint center who can... Read More


L
Lila
8/12/2019
This company is a complete sham. I will make sure that people are informed through social media about how horrible and ineffective your service is. I called a plumber to fix my toilets- I waited 3 weeks for an appointment and all day for a morning appointment and when he got there he said he could fix both of my toilets by rebuilding them but was a afraid to put on a shut off valve because I had one galvanized pipe so he submitted the repair request and it was turned don because it was called a REPIPE ?????????? Not even close. I called back to complain and was told sorry- you are out $75 and no repair. I called another plumber . He fixed one of my toilets for $175 and then told me to... Read More


atultcs
8/8/2019
DO NOT TAKE this is total riff off, anything big on your repair list is JUST NOT COVERED.....it will be lot of dissatisfaction and time waste. This is not covered as per this clause, this is not covered as per that clause ....... better to call a handy man and get things repaired.


Rick M
8/6/2019
They scheduled a plumber to fix a sump pump at my house that doesn't service my area. Yet they scheduled me and they gave me a 4 hour window. Got a confirmation text. Took time off work to be home. Then...No Show. No call. From either the plumber or Fidelity. This is the second plumber. First one couldn't fix it. It's been over a week and the sump pump is still not working. I would recommend you find another warranty company. Fidelity is very unorganized and doesn't have reputable, knowledgeable or competent companies that they contract with.



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