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Old Republic Home Warranty Review


ConsumersAdvocate.org Rating: 2.2 / 5 (Average)
156 Customer Comments & Reviews - see all comments
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Old Republic Home Protection, formerly called Dependable Home Warranty, was founded in 1974 and became a subsidiary of Old Republic International in 1982. The California-based company has since undergone management changes that have contributed to its growth and expansion beyond California. It is currently considered the third largest home warranty company in the United States.

How is Old Republic rated?

Breakdown

0.0/5
Transparency
3.5/5
Claims Processing
3.5/5
Coverage Options
0.0/5
Additional Benefits
4.0/5
Customer Experience

Overall Rating: 2.2 / 5 (Average)

For 40 years, Old Republic Home Protection has remained among the three largest home warranty companies in the industry, providing comprehensive coverages for homeowners, home buyers, and real estate agents alike. Although their plans offer full protection for most systems and appliances, they can be rather pricey depending on the area of coverage and size of the home. Overall, Old Republic is a reliable option for anyone looking for enhanced protection and round-the-clock claims processing.

Coverage

Key Facts

Plan Types
Combo Plan
Build Your Own
Benefit Limit Type
Per Item
Typical Appliance Benefit Limit
$250
Typical Systems Benefit Limit
$1,000

Coverage Options - 3.5 / 5

Old Republic Home Protection offers three home warranty plans, the Standard Platinum, and Ultimate. The Standard coverage protects all main systems and most appliances, and clients can build on that coverage to customize their plans. The company also offers optional coverage for certain less usual items such as salt water equipment and ornamental fountains. On the downside, Old Republic's typical appliance benefit limit is $250, and their systems limit is $1,000, which is less than what other home warranty providers are currently offering.

What does Old Republic cover?

Covered Built-In Systems

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

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 Old Republic exclusions, check out this page.

Specialty Items

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

Contract & Price

Contract Details

Annual Premium
Starting at $295
Minimum Contract Length
13 month(s)
Online Quote/Application

Contract & Price - 4 / 5

Old Republic plans are on the higher end in terms of price, with annual premiums ranging from $260-$500 depending on the state, size, and condition of the home. Contracts with this company may be cancelled upon mutual agreement, in which case the customer would be entitled to a pro-rata refund of the paid plan fee minus a $50 processing fee and service costs.

Sample Contract

Old Republic provides a sample contract for potential customers on its website: Old Republic Sample Contract

Cancellation Policy

This Plan is non-cancellable, except for 1) nonpayment of fees; 2) fraud or misrepresentation of facts material to the Plan or a request for service thereunder; 3) upon mutual agreement between you and ORHP; or 4) if you harm or threaten the safety or well-being of ORHP, any employee of ORHP, a Service Provider, or any property of ORHP or of the Service Provider. If Plan is cancelled, you shall be entitled to a pro-rata refund of the paid Plan fee for the unexpired term less service cost incurred and a $50 processing fee. If a refund calculation results in you owing us for services rendered, we will bill you the net amount due or the unpaid Plan Contract fee, whichever is less.

Claims & Service

Claims

Maintenance Records Required for Service?
No
24/7 Claims Department?
Waiting Period
30 days

Contractors & Service

Contractor Selection
In-Network Only
Service Recall Period
30 days

Claims Processing - 3.5 / 5

Old Republic charges a different trade call fee, ranging from $55 to $100, depending on the state, size, and condition of the home. They have the standard 30-day waiting period before coverage can begin, a 30-day recall period on labor, and mostly restrict customers to their network of contractors, unless they have been previously authorized by the company. Nevertheless, Old Republic does have a 24/7 claims department, which many customers find convenient and isn't offered by all home warranty companies.

Old Republic Reputation

Company Details

Year Founded
1974
NHSCA Membership
Number of Employees
550
BBB Rating
A+
BBB Positive Reviews
11
BBB Neutral Reviews
3
BBB Negative Reviews
113

Reputation - 5 / 5

Old Republic Home Protection is NHSCA-certified and accredited by the Better Business Bureau. The company holds an A+ rating with the BBB and a composite score of 3.81 out of 5 stars based on 140 reviews. There have been a substantial number of complaints filed against the company, yet they have resolved each issue and seem committed to providing a good customer experience.

Contact & Additional Information

Homepage URL
Company Phone
(800) 445-6999
Mailing Address
P.O. Box 5017, San Ramon, CA, 94583
Year Founded
1974

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156 Customer Comments & Reviews

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C
Chad
8/21/2017
Old republic left us for 2 weeks, going on 3 without air conditioning in the middle of summer in North Carolina where it's as hot and humid.. not only was it hot but I had to leave my windows open all the time and had the risk of someone breaking in.. all they would have stopping them was a screen.


J
James Q
8/17/2017
Upon moving in to a new home after purchasing, my fridge began leaking water which would rapidly pool in the bottom of the fridge. This is a textbook example of an issue that is obviously covered by my Plan with Old Republic. When I called to request service, the agent, clearly following a script that all agents are forced to follow, asked me a series of leading questions, entrapping me into saying that I noticed the leak right away upon "moving in", which qualified it as a pre-existing condition, which means they would not cover it. Old Republic claims it does not matter that the fridge was not leaking at the time of my multiple walkthroughs of the property during the escrow process... Read More


J
Jim T
8/15/2017
ORHP cannot find my icemaker for replacement. A huge selling point for their warranty is that, if they cannot fix your appliance, they will replace it. That promise is NOT true! I was told that my refrigerator is "working fine" even though an icemaker is a VITAL part of a "working" refrigerator. Full disclosure; I have been offered a "cash out", but I am still out an icemaker AND my $100 co-pay!


D
Dean M
8/13/2017
Old Republic has always taken care of my issues with my home. I had switched to American Home shield and found there plumbing contractor was a crook. I stop using AHS. I think they are lousy.


Chaz W
7/30/2017
If I could give a zero rating I would. I purchased their "platinum" "top of the line " plan and less than 3 months into my home I learn what a joke Old Republic is. Bought a home less than 3 months ago and for piece of mind I purchased a home warranty for a home that was 20 years old. Less than 3 months in the House my HVAC unit goes out in the middle of Phoenix Summer. I think "it's a great thing I have Home Warranty. They specifically told me that my A/C unit was covered. They send out a technician the next day and I am told by Old Republic that my AC unit is still under manufacturer warranty and that warranty superceeds my home warranty. What does this mean to me? This means the... Read More


D
Dan N
7/8/2017
Hold times are way to long. I called and had my request escalated after being on hold for 1 hour and 20 mins. They said dispatch will contact someone to come to my house and you will have a email with in 1 hour and A day has gone by and I have nothing and my AC is blowing hot air and it is 108 outside.


R
roy
7/1/2017
The worst home warranty company to deal with. Not only are the wait times forever long so is the service for repair. Ac goes out and they expect you to wait 5 days to get repaired at earliest. After paying for their service for 10 years this is the way they provide customer service. Don't use them.


Walt M
6/30/2017
We have had four seperate contracts on separate houses over the last 12 years with Old Republic. Over this period, outside of the last years, we have been incident free. But, the current house has had multiple large issues mainly with appliances. Each incident resulted in replacement of the Appliance. Each time the process took between 4-8 weeks to remedy, and no less than 12 or more calls to follow up on each work order because they will NEVER follow up!!!! This last incident was a $500 built in microwave/vent-a-hood. Online service request made on 5/18/17. Their service provider came out took my $75 check, took measurements and specs of machine, told me the unit was shot and needed to be... Read More


D
Dan J
6/27/2017
I have been without a fully charged AC unit for about a month now. That means it runs constantly except for a few hours at night. Resulting in a power bill HUNDREDS of dollars higher than average! The first call to Old Republic a month before that was answered by a tech in a smart car that did not do anything other than get out of his car and charge the unit then leave. This time a contractor showed up actually knew what an AC unit was and found the condenser coil had a hole in it. Contractor stated that ORHP did not want to replace the unit and that he could not locate the coil due to the age of the unit. After contacting ORHP I was told they could order the part. Since then it has been... Read More


D
Dan J
6/27/2017
I have been without a fully charged AC unit for about a month now. That means it runs constantly except for a few hours at night. Resulting in a power bill hundreds of dollars higher than average! The first call to Old Republic a month before that was answered by a tech in a smart car that did not do anything other than get out of his car and charge the unit then leave. This time a contractor showed up actually knew what an AC unit was and found the condenser coil had a hole in it. Contractor stated that ORHP did not want to replace the unit and that he could not locate the coil due to the age of the unit. After contacting ORHP I was told they could order the part. Since then it has been... Read More



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