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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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D
Dale E
6/1/2019
Worst customer service experience, perhaps in my lifetime. I've never yelled at a customer service rep, never felt so disrespected. I would never recommend this company and will be changing home warranty providers the minute my policy expires. Waste of time and money.


Nicky V
5/30/2019
God forbid you don't call them 1st to schedule a service visit in an emergency situation while your 400 miles away from home. They do not even attempt to help just decline coverage because you chose to have repairs by local licensed contractor no exceptions. They must be your first and only call and then as other reviews state good luck!!


John M
5/9/2019
Beyond a doubt the worst company I have ever dealt with. They find ways to not repair what should be covered items. They used a repairman with us who wasn't even listed on the web. He took our $75 service call fee and we never heard from him again. Old Republic couldn't even reach the guy. 8 weeks later and our microwave still has not been fixed.


S
Suzanne N
5/8/2019
My experience is that this company does not want to fix anything. They make you pay the $75 service call and then they don't want to replace the existing appliance with the same caliber and quality. When I offered to pay the difference in what they covered, it turns out that I would only get $25 towards replacing a $400 ceiling fan and I would be on my own to have it installed because they only covered a "standard" (meaning bottom of the line cheap and who cares if it matched the decor of your home) fan and its installation. Since the guy already showed up to do that, there were no more benefits available. Never mind that NO work was done and no fan received. Also, the guy showed up... Read More


Bryan D
3/21/2019
Total scam. Too much fine print they claim to avoid payment. Avoid at all costs!


Jenni O
2/19/2019
I had some pool issues. (Filter, control panel, pool light). I called Old Republic to start a claim and they said it looked like it would be covered. They sent a technician out from an outside pool company, which is standard practice, to make a report. Old Republic denied the claim stating that pool and control panel were the types that aren’t covered, and she blamed on the technician’s report. The woman from Old Republic explained everything to me and added that the pool guy said, “not to worry, that he would give me a good deal to fix it himself”. Hmmm... Someone trying to make a buck perhaps? Anyway, I disputed Old Republic, I sent emails from the builder stating what type of pool and... Read More


K
Kelli
1/28/2019
This is a scam - they have many loopholes and never replace anything


D
Debbie M
1/23/2019
OK people don't waste your money on this company! One Republic. They ask so many in depth questions to get you confused to begin with then after you want service on anything they tell you its not covered! Are you kidding me.....they try NOT to cover you on things based on the screwed up questions to throw you off its sickening to tell you this but its true. I'm not disgruntled I'm pissed as you pay a lot of money for a plan for them to find ways on NOT to cover things. I will be reporting them to BBB as well.


C
CV
1/5/2019
Our home was covered by Old Republic as the result of the purchase of our home. Our garage door opener stopped working shortly after our purchase. OR provided rapid response and the repairman was at our home very quickly. That was the end of the good service. I was very upset with the quality of the replacement and the lack of quality of workmanship. The new opener was an inferior model (less power) with only one opener (we previously had two) for a double garage door and the wiring looked like it was installed by a child. When I called OR to complain, I was told I received a new opener to replace the broken one and that this was a closed case. Nothing else. Never use this company.


B
Bianca T
12/12/2018
I just bought the house in May but when we moved in the air condition in one of my kid's room was not working and I called them to fix it. They came out and SAID " SORRY, BUT SOMETHING LIKE THIS IS A BIG JOB" And we can not cover it for you. They recommended to call the office and left. Next thing I rec the bill for $75. My refrigerator's door was not closed all the way and the ice maker was not making ice. They came and said" Sorry, this has to call the office for specialist about the manufacture" we can not fix it right away. Next 2 weeks later I rec another $75 to come out and say that to me. I got so mad and called them to cancel my policy in September,2018. Now check this out. They... Read More



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