Last updated: October 8, 2026
Select Home Warranty sells three plans (Bronze Care, Gold Care and Platinum Care) with a 30-day waiting period and a one-year term. We read the plan agreement it publishes, section by section, so this review is about what the paper says. The short version: the heating and cooling limit is $3,000 a year, but the limits listed for appliances, plumbing and electrical are only $500, the company chooses the technician, and the service fee is owed even when a claim is denied.
★★★☆☆ 2.9 / 5
Coverage: 2.8/5 | Price Value: 3.0/5 | Customer Service: 2.9/5
Editorial score from our review of the published plan agreement and plan pages, not a paid placement or a customer survey. See how we rate.
What we reviewed (and what we could not)
We read the plan agreement on Select’s site, which is labeled “Sample Agreement. Terms may vary in every states.” It names Select Home Warranty of CA Inc. and shows a 2026 copyright, with no version number or effective date. The three plan names come from Select’s own plan pages; the agreement itself does not list plan tiers, so check which items your plan actually includes. Select does not list base plan prices, only add-on prices and promotions that change.
The plans as Select describes them
| Plan | How Select describes it |
|---|---|
| Bronze Care | Appliance coverage, plus some systems such as heating and the water heater |
| Gold Care (marked “Most Popular”) | Systems such as A/C, heating, electrical, plumbing and the water heater, plus appliances like the refrigerator, dishwasher and stove/oven |
| Platinum Care | Full-home coverage with a similar list, including the garage door opener |
What the agreement covers
- Appliances (Sec. 6.2): refrigerator, oven/range/cooktop, built-in microwave, dishwasher, garbage disposal, washer, dryer and water heater (not solar or tankless systems).
- Plumbing (Sec. 6.3): water, drain, vent and waste lines, toilets, and stoppages within 100 feet of an accessible cleanout.
- Heating and cooling (Sec. 6.4): systems up to 5 tons and accessible duct connectors.
- Electrical (Sec. 6.5): interior wiring, panels, switches, standard receptacles and ceiling fans.
- Garage door opener (Sec. 6.6): factory-installed parts only.
Dollar limits (Sec. 10.1)
| Category | Annual maximum |
|---|---|
| Heating and cooling | $3,000 |
| Appliances, plumbing and electrical | $500 (listed by category) |
| Optional add-ons (Sec. 6.7) | $400 |
| Freon option, if selected | $150 |
Put those numbers next to a real repair: a $500 ceiling on an appliance or plumbing claim means you pay the rest. The agreement also limits replacement to the depreciated value, and Select may offer a cash settlement instead, paid within 30 days after you provide itemized proof. For comparison, the Choice agreement lists a general limit of $3,000 per item per year; see our Choice review and the Choice vs Select comparison.
Add-ons and the prices Select publishes
Add-ons must be bought within 30 days of the purchase date. They include plumbing and lighting fixtures, a limited roof leak, pool and spa equipment, well pump, sump pump, central vacuum, an extra refrigerator, a stand-alone freezer, the lawn sprinkler main box, septic components and an ice maker. As of October 8, 2026, Select’s home page listed these monthly add-on prices:
| Add-on | Monthly price listed |
|---|---|
| Central vacuum | $3.33 |
| Lawn sprinkler system | $5.83 |
| Pool | $8.33 |
| Roof leak | $0 |
| Septic system | $5.83 |
| Spa | $5.83 |
| Stand-alone freezer | $3.33 |
| Sump pump | $3.33 |
| Well pump | $3.33 |
The site also advertised promotions (a $150 discount and extra months free). Promotions change, so ask whether they appear in your written agreement.
Service fee and waiting period
The service fee is due every time a technician is dispatched, per issue, and is owed even if the claim is denied, limited or excluded, or if you cancel after the technician starts traveling. The agreement gives no dollar amount. If you do not pay, new service calls are blocked and the contract is suspended, and the suspension does not extend your end date. Coverage starts 30 days after the purchase date.
How a claim works
- Shut down the failing unit and contact authorities if there is a risk of injury.
- Contact Select before any service. Unauthorized service may void the claim.
- Report a non-emergency failure within 3 days of discovering it. Select aims to contact a technician within 48 hours under normal circumstances, and says repairs are paid “within a reasonable time.”
- For gas, fire or injury risks, safety comes first. Notify Select right after authorities clear the home.
Select has the exclusive right to pick the technician, the make and model of replacement parts, and to get a second opinion at no cost to you. Select is not liable for repair delays or for a technician’s negligence.
What can sink a claim
| Clause | What it means for you |
|---|---|
| Pre-existing conditions (Sec. 6.1.1) | Systems must work on the effective date. Defects found by an inspection company before the transfer of ownership are treated as pre-existing. |
| Maintenance (Sec. 9.1.2) | You must do the manufacturer-specified maintenance. Select may ask for maintenance logs. |
| Manufacturer warranties (Sec. 6.1.2) | Items covered by another warranty are excluded. |
| Upgrades and code (Sec. 9.1.2(f), 10.3) | Upgrades for capacity, sizing or code are excluded, and liability is limited to a depreciated cash settlement. |
| Rust and corrosion (Sec. 9.1.2(h)) | Rust, corrosion, sediment and metal fatigue are excluded. |
| Leak searches (Sec. 9.1.2(g)) | Leak searches, wire tracing and locating entry points are excluded. |
| Consequential damage (Sec. 12) | Water, fire and mold damage that results from a failure is excluded. |
| Structure (Sec. 9.1.4) | Foundation and structural components are excluded. |
Cancellation, renewal and disputes
- You cancel in the first 30 days: full refund only if no service has been provided.
- After day 30: pro rata refund at the non-discounted annual plan cost, minus a $75 cancellation fee and service costs.
- Select cancels only for fraud, misrepresentation or non-payment, with 30 days’ written notice.
- Renewal: you must contact Select before expiration, and Select sets new rates and terms and may deny renewal. With the monthly payment option, the plan renews automatically each year unless you give written notice 30 days before the end date.
- Disputes: California law governs and all disputes go to arbitration.
Who it fits
| Situation | Fit |
|---|---|
| Your main concern is a heating or cooling failure | ✓ $3,000 annual limit |
| You expect big appliance or plumbing repairs | ✗ $500 limits listed |
| You want to pick your own contractor | ✗ Advance authorization needed |
| You want to know the service fee before you buy | ✗ Amount not stated in the agreement |
| You want a short waiting period | ✗ Coverage starts after 30 days |
Pros and cons
Pros: a $3,000 annual limit for heating and cooling; add-on prices are listed on the site; pro rata refunds after day 30; Select can cancel only for fraud, misrepresentation or non-payment.
Cons: $500 limits for appliances, plumbing and electrical; service fee owed even on denied claims; a 30-day waiting period; a $75 cancellation fee; Select chooses the technician; you must report within 3 days; arbitration.
Ask before you sign
- What is the service fee for each issue, in writing?
- Which exact plan items and limits apply to my home, and what is the limit for each?
- Do the promotions appear in my agreement, and what happens to the price at renewal?
- Which state version of the agreement applies to me?
For prices companies actually publish, see our home warranty cost guide, and for how Select compares with other providers, the best home warranty companies comparison.
Frequently asked questions
Does Select Home Warranty let me use my own contractor?
Only with advance authorization. The agreement gives Select the exclusive right to choose the technician. If you want to use your own contractor, you must get Select’s approval first, and that contractor must contact Select directly. Unauthorized work gets no reimbursement.
Is there a waiting period with Select Home Warranty?
Yes. Coverage begins 30 days after the Purchase Date, and replacing an entire system, compressor, control board or motor is barred during the first 30 days.
Do I pay the service fee if my claim is denied?
Yes. The service fee is due each time a technician is dispatched, per issue, and is owed even if the claim is denied, limited or excluded. The agreement calls it a “minimal service fee” and gives no amount, so ask for it in writing.
What does Select’s roof leak coverage include?
Roof leak is an optional add-on, and the agreement describes it as limited to leaks under one square foot. Add-ons share an annual maximum of $400. Select’s site has listed roof leak at $0 per month, but check the current terms.
How much does it cost to cancel Select Home Warranty?
Within 30 days of the order date you get a full refund only if no service has been provided. After day 30 the refund is pro rata, based on the non-discounted annual plan cost, minus a $75 cancellation fee and service costs.
Sources
- Select Home Warranty, plan agreement (selecthomewarranty.com/terms-and-conditions), reviewed October 8, 2026.
- Select Home Warranty, home page and plan pages, reviewed October 8, 2026.
- FTC consumer alert: So what’s the deal with home warranties? (February 2023).