Old Republic Home Protection Review (2024)
All products and services featured are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Old Republic Home Protection provides comprehensive appliance and system protection at a competitive price. Founded in California, it has expanded to most contingent states. It covers many major systems and appliances, plus rust, chemical, corrosion, and sediment damage. Our team analyzed Old Republic’s coverage options, limits, and more to determine if it meets our standards for the best home warranty companies.
Overview of Old Republic Home Protection
- Founded: 1974
- State availability: 27 (all but Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming)
- Service call fee: $85
- Number of plans: Four
Old Republic Home Protection Rating and Review
We rated Old Republic Home Protection 4.1 out of 5 stars due to its generous home appliance coverage limits and solid customer service ratings. Its list of unique additional coverage options, such as outdoor kitchen coverage, makes it an enticing choice for homeowners. However, when we secret-shopped on Old Republic’s website, we discovered that this provider primarily sells service contracts to those buying or selling a home. In addition, we found that we couldn’t request a quote online.
Here’s how we rated Old Republic Home Protection on key metrics:
- Available plans (4.8 out of 5): Old Republic offers abundant home protection with up to four home warranty plans and 19 add-ons.
- Plan coverage (4.5 out of 5): The company covers common major appliances and home systems. However, it lost points for its low built-in systems coverage caps.
- Price range (3 out of 5): Old Republic scored lower for price range because its monthly premium averages more than $50 per month. It also charges a trade call fee higher than $75.
- Industry reputation (4.7 out of 5): Old Republic has provided home warranty coverage plans since 1974 and holds an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau.
- Customer support (4.6 out of 5): The provider accepts claims via a 24/7 online portal and claims phone number. It lost points due to its short 30-day workmanship guarantee.
- Additional features (3 out of 5): Old Republic offers a coverage upgrade add-on and coverage for uncommon coverage items. However, it doesn’t cover high-end appliances or allow you to choose your service provider.
Benefits and Drawbacks of Old Republic Home Protection
Old Republic provides solid coverage plans and a reasonably priced service call fee. However, it limits who can purchase a plan and excludes coverage for an essential major system in its Standard plan.
Benefits
- Coverage for typically excluded items: Old Republic covers several conditions and items that many home warranty companies don’t cover, such as rust, chemical, corrosion, and sediment damage.
- Extensive coverage plans: Old Republic covers up to 25 different major appliances and systems in its most comprehensive plan.
- Generous appliance limits: The company pairs all appliances with a $5,000 coverage limit per covered appliance.
Drawbacks
- Excludes washer, dryer, and refrigerator coverage from most plans: The company only offers coverage for clothes washers, dryers, and refrigerators in two of its five coverage plans.
- Lack of an online quote tool: Old Republic requires you to call for a quote. Most providers offer an online quote and over-the-phone service.
Old Republic Home Protection Coverage Options
Old Republic Home Protection offers new and existing homeowners up to five coverage plans. Each plan includes a mix of home systems and appliance coverage. Only two plans include clothes washer, dryer, and refrigerator coverage; its other three plans require you to purchase washer, dryer, and refrigerator protection as an add-on. Additionally, Old Republic provides a 30-day workmanship guarantee per covered repair.
Here is a coverage breakdown of Old Republic Home Protection’s plan options:
Standard Plan
The Standard plan covers 18 major systems and five appliances, including attic, ceiling, exhaust, and whole house fans; built-in jetted bathtub motors and pumps; built-in microwaves; central vacuums; cooktops; dishwashers; drain line stoppages; ductwork; electrical systems; garage-door openers; garbage disposals; heating systems; instant hot and cold water dispensers; ovens; ranges; plumbing pipe leaks; recirculating pumps; sump pumps; toilets; trash compactors; water heaters; water pressure regulators; rekey services and limited pest control.
Ultimate Plan
The Ultimate plan covers everything listed in the Standard plan, as well as air conditioners and coolers, code upgrades, haul-away services, cranes, improperly installed items, mismatched systems, and refrigerant recapture and disposal. This plan includes the Ultimate Protection add-on.
Ultimate Plan with Washer, Dryer, and Refrigerator
This plan covers all Ultimate items, plus clothes washers, dryers, and refrigerators.
Platinum Plan
The Platinum plan also covers every system and appliance in the Ultimate plan. In addition, it increases the coverage limits of specific HVAC systems, plumbing systems, and zone controls. It adds additional coverage length for manufacturer’s warranties. It covers appliance and system modifications and plumbing stoppages caused by tree roots. Finally, it includes the Total Care package. This package includes external plumbing coverage plus enhanced concrete slab leak limits.
Platinum Plan with Washer, Dryer, and Refrigerator
This plan covers all items in the Platinum plan, plus clothes washers, dryers, and refrigerators.
Optional Add-ons
Old Republic Home Protection offers an extensive list of optional coverage options. Some of its add-ons are unique, such as coverage for solar hot water systems. Below is the full list of Old Republic add-ons:
- Additional refrigeration units
- Air conditioning
- Appliance limit upgrade
- Booster pump
- Enhanced slab leak limit and external plumbing
- Guest home
- Kitchen refrigerator
- Limited roof-leak repair
- Ornamental fountain and waterfall
- Outdoor kitchen
- Pre-season HVAC tune-up
- Septic system, pumping, and sewage ejector pump
- Solar hot water system
- Solar pool and spa components
- Swimming pool and spa equipment
- Ultimate Protection
- Washer and dryer
- Water filtration system
- Water softener and reverse osmosis system
- Well pump
Old Republic Home Protection Pricing
Our team called Old Republic and pulled a quote for a 2,500-square-foot, single-family home in Modesto, California. It charges between $32 for the Standard coverage plan and $69 for the Platinum plan with washer, dryer, and refrigerator protection. The Old Republic representative we spoke to stated that the company pairs all plans with an $85 trade call fee.
Old Republic Home Protection Coverage Caps
Our team read Old Republic’s sample contract and found it pairs different coverage caps per covered item. The representative we spoke with mentioned that picking any of the Platinum plans increases the coverage cap of certain items. You can purchase the Ultimate Protection add-on to increase coverage limits if you purchase a basic or mid-tier plan. The table below shows several coverage limits for Old Republic’s covered items, listed from lowest to highest. We recommend reading its service contract to understand its exact terms, exclusions, and limitations.
| Item | Coverage Cap |
|---|---|
|
Air conditioning |
$500–$1,500 |
|
Heating system |
$500–$1,500 |
|
Water heaters |
$500–$2,500 |
|
Ductwork |
$1,000 |
|
Plumbing |
$1,500–$2,500 |
|
Appliances |
$5,000 |
Old Republic Home Protection Reviews
Old Republic holds a stellar A+ rating with the BBB and a 3.8 out of 5-star rating on third-party review sites such as Trustpilot. Many customers praise the speed of Old Republic’s response time and knowledgeable in-network technicians. Others dislike Old Republic’s delayed communication with service providers and unexpected claim denials.
Here are several positive consumer reviews of Old Republic Home Protection:
“Great. Easy, quick. Got call from the repair firm the same day. An appointment was set for repairs not long after. The repair firm they contacted was excellent. I love not having to find a reliable repair company and can trust the people Old Republic sends out. Very happy with everything!” —John C. via BBB
“They are very efficient. My issues are solved very quickly, and the representatives are always courteous, friendly, and polite. You always get someone on the phone, and the online service is very good as well.” —Margarete via Trustpilot
“ORHP is a very good home warranty plan. This is my third house with an ORHP plan. They sent a great company to fix my dryer. The funny thing is that I thought it was the washing machine, but the repairman explained the marks came from my dryer. We were very happy with the quick service and the repairman’s knowledge and how very nice he was.” —Beth via Trustpilot
Here are a few negative consumer reviews:
“Not worth the paper it’s written on. If your realtor wants to give you a home warranty, make sure it’s one that actually covers things like an A/C compressor. I don’t need a warranty to cover $50 items. I can pay for that myself. The whole point of a warranty is to cover major problems. So I paid $75 for them to tell me they won’t cover my issue. Thanks for nothing Old Republic.” —Robert M. via BBB
“We had an appointment, but the vendor had to cancel and reschedule another week out. That seems a long time to wait for a reschedule. Not pleased.” —Martin H. via Trustpilot
“The coverage is comparable to other companies for a similar cost, but the service has been abysmal. We have been waiting four months for our microwave replacement after it was repaired twice for the same issue and we waited two months for parts. We’ve had the same issue with our dishwasher since October. The last time they came out, they said there was nothing wrong with it, but it still only works about half the time.” —Kristina via Trustpilot
How Old Republic Home Protection Compares to the Competition
The table below, listed from highest to lowest rating, displays how Old Republic Home Protection compares to other top home warranty companies.
| Provider | Monthly Cost | Service Fee |
|---|---|---|
| AFC Home Club | $38–$63 | $75–$125 |
| First American Home Warranty | $47–$87 | $75–$125 |
| Liberty Home Guard | $49–$60 | $65–$125 |
| American Home Shield | $29–$90 | $100–$125 |
| Old Republic Home Warranty | $32–$69 | $85 |
| Select Home Warranty | $44–$48 | $60–$75 |
Our Recommendation
Old Republic Home Protection is worth considering if you’re buying or selling a home. Its extensive coverage options, add-ons, competitive prices, and generous appliance limits make it an attractive home warranty provider. Providers such as American Home Shield may better suit your needs if you’re looking for comprehensive built-in system protection.
Before choosing a home warranty, we recommend pulling quotes from three providers to compare costs and coverage options.
Old Republic Home Protection FAQ
How do I file a claim with Old Republic Home Protection?
You can file a claim with Old Republic Home Protection by calling its 24/7 claims phone line. You can also request service by logging into Old Republic’s online portal. The company will send a service technician within 48 hours under normal circumstances.
What is a trade service call fee?
A trade service call fee is similar to an insurance deductible. You must pay your home warranty provider a fee to repair or replace an appliance or system breakdown.
What are the benefits of having an Old Republic Home Protection plan?
The benefits of owning an Old Republic protection plan include having comprehensive coverage for your home’s major appliances. It covers up to $5,000 per covered appliance, which is higher than most providers. In addition, Old Republic covers many common systems, such as central vacuum systems and HVAC tune-ups.
Does Old Republic Home Protection allow me to choose my service contractor?
Old Republic doesn’t typically allow you to choose your service contractor unless there is not an in-network technician near you. Before you find a contractor, contact Old Republic and get approval to ensure it will cover your repair.
How We Chose the Top Home Warranty Providers
Our team reviewed and researched dozens of home warranty providers, thoroughly analyzed sample agreements, and identified customer pain points based on analysis of customer reviews and interviews with industry experts. Our in-depth methodology guides our review process to provide transparent information about the companies we review.
During this process, we determined that the most critical aspects of a home warranty company include available service plans and add-ons, depth of coverage, plan cost, industry reputation, customer support infrastructure, and additional features. We also focused on the ability to choose your own contractor, upgrade your coverage package, transfer your plan to another owner, and cover roof leaks, high-end appliance brands, ceiling and exhaust fans, and faucets and fixtures.
Our research supported that plan coverage should carry the most weight, with customer support as the second-most important factor. Industry reputation, plan availability, and additional features were rated equally. We determined that price range, while worth considering, should not be the primary basis for choosing a home warranty provider for your home’s needs.