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Old Republic Home Warranty: Coverage, Cancellation & Comparison

James Jackson Parker Mercer • 2026-07-10 • Reviewed by Hanna Berg

If your furnace gives out on the coldest night of the year, a home warranty can turn a crisis into a single phone call. Old Republic Home Protection, now rebranding as Old Republic Home Warranty, has been offering that safety net since 1974.

Coverage limit for HVAC: $6,500 per contract term ·
Years in business: Since 1974 ·
Phone number: 800-972-5985 ·
Customer rating: 4 stars on Trustpilot ·
Total reviews: 15,462+

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
3Timeline signal
4What’s next
  • Marketing materials, digital properties, and business correspondence updated throughout the year (Old Republic Title – corporate news)
  • Insurance companies listed on policies will not change (Old Republic Title – corporate news)

Six key facts at a glance — the pattern is clear: generous coverage limits paired with a cancellation policy that demands attention.

Label Value
Company Name Old Republic Home Protection (now Old Republic Home Warranty)
Coverage Limit for HVAC $6,500 per contract term
Service Fee $75–$125 estimated
Phone Number 800-972-5985
Average Rating 4/5 on Trustpilot
Total Reviews 15,462+

What does the Old Republic home warranty cover?

Covered appliances and systems

Coverage limits and caps

The HVAC limit of $6,500 is among the highest in the industry (US News & World Report – real estate). Combined coverage enhancements on the Deluxe plan are capped at $500; the Elite plan offers up to $1,000 (NerdWallet – personal finance).

How to file a claim

Service requests can be submitted through the Homeowner Central online portal or by calling 800-972-5985 (Old Republic Home Warranty – official site). Repairs are guaranteed for 30 days — no new service fee if the approved fix fails within that window (NerdWallet – personal finance).

The upshot

Homeowners with older HVAC systems get the most value: a $6,500 cap means major replacements are far more likely covered than with plans that cap at $2,500.

What this means: the HVAC limit alone makes Old Republic a strong pick for those with aging furnaces or AC units, but the enhancement caps on optional items require careful attention.

What is excluded from Old Republic home warranty?

Pre-existing conditions

Old Republic generally does not cover pre-existing conditions — any defect or damage that existed before the contract start date (NerdWallet – personal finance).

Improper installation and code violations

Damage resulting from improper installation, code violations, or lack of permits is excluded (NerdWallet – personal finance).

Routine maintenance and wear and tear

Normal wear and tear is covered but routine maintenance (like filter changes) is not. Cosmetic defects, pet or pest damage, and missing parts are also excluded (NerdWallet – personal finance).

The catch

The pre-existing condition clause is a common source of denied claims. A home inspection before signing can help identify potential issues upfront.

The trade-off: generous coverage limits lose value if a claim is blocked by the exclusion list — reading the fine print of your specific contract is essential.

Which is better Old Republic home warranty or Select Home Warranty?

Coverage comparison

Both providers offer system and appliance protection, but the differences matter. Old Republic caps HVAC at $6,500, while Select Home Warranty is known for lower coverage caps (exact figures vary by plan) (This Old House – home improvement).

Pricing and service fees

Old Republic’s service fee is estimated at $75–$125 per claim. Select Home Warranty’s service fee is typically around $75–$100, but plan prices can differ (US News & World Report – real estate).

Customer reviews and ratings

Old Republic holds 4 stars on Trustpilot from 15,462+ reviews. Select Home Warranty is rated 4.1 stars on Trustpilot (Trustpilot – Old Republic, Trustpilot – Select Home Warranty). Both have mixed feedback on claim processing.

One key difference: Old Republic’s contract does not auto-renew unless you opt in, while Select Home Warranty automatically renews (NerdWallet – personal finance).

Feature Old Republic Home Warranty Select Home Warranty
HVAC Coverage Limit $6,500 per term $3,500 per term (standard plan)
Service Fee $75–$125 $75–$100
Auto-Renewal Opt-in only Automatic by default
Repair Guarantee 30 days 30 days
Trustpilot Rating 4.0 / 5 (15,462 reviews) 4.1 / 5 (110,000+ reviews)

The pattern: Old Republic leads on coverage limits and non-automatic renewal; Select Home Warranty has a larger review base and slightly lower service fee. The right choice depends on your specific home’s biggest risk.

Can I cancel my Old Republic home warranty?

Cancellation policy overview

Old Republic allows cancellation at any time with written notice (Old Republic Home Warranty – plan PDF). However, the contract says cancellations are generally non-cancelable except for nonpayment, fraud, mutual agreement, or safety threats (Old Republic Home Warranty – plan PDF). This seems contradictory — in practice, many homeowners report being able to cancel with a prorated refund.

Refund terms: prorated vs. full refund

  • Full refund within the first 30 days of coverage (minus any service costs already incurred) (Old Republic Home Warranty – plan PDF)
  • After 30 days, a pro-rata refund of the paid plan fee for the unexpired term, minus service costs incurred and a $50 processing fee (Old Republic Home Warranty – plan PDF)
  • Utah residents: $25 processing fee instead of $50 (Old Republic Home Warranty – plan PDF)

How to cancel: phone, online, mail

  1. Call customer service at 800-972-5985 (Old Republic Home Warranty – official site)
  2. Submit a cancellation request through the Homeowner Central online portal (Old Republic Home Warranty – official site)
  3. Send written notice via mail as specified in your contract (Old Republic Home Warranty – plan PDF)
What to watch

If your refund is not paid within 45 days of the cancellation request, you may be entitled to a 10% monthly penalty — but enforcing that requires careful tracking (Old Republic Home Warranty – plan PDF).

Why this matters: the processing fee and service cost deductions can eat into your refund significantly. Cancelling early (within 30 days) is the only way to get your full plan fee back.

Who is considered the best home warranty company?

Top contenders: Old Republic, American Home Shield, Choice Home Warranty

Industry rankings from CNBC and US News consistently place Old Republic, American Home Shield, and Choice Home Warranty among the top providers (US News & World Report – home warranty rankings). Old Republic stands out for its high HVAC coverage limits and opt-in renewal policy (NerdWallet – personal finance).

Factors: coverage, price, customer service

The best company for you depends on your home’s age, your budget, and which systems you care about most. Old Republic excels at covering major systems but has limited state availability (24 states according to This Old House) (This Old House – home improvement).

2026 rankings from CNBC and US News

In 2026, Old Republic (now under the Home Republic brand) continues to hold a strong position in US News’ ratings for coverage limits (US News & World Report – real estate).

Specification Old Republic (Gold Plan) Old Republic (Platinum Plan)
HVAC Coverage Limit $6,500 $6,500
Combined Enhancement Limit $500 $1,000
Service Fee Range $75–$125 $75–$125
Repair Guarantee 30 days 30 days
Auto-Renewal Opt-in Opt-in
States Available 24 states 24 states

The implication: while no single company is “best” for everyone, Old Republic’s combination of high caps, opt-in renewal, and a 30-day repair guarantee makes it a top contender for homeowners who prioritize big-ticket system coverage.

Confirmed facts and what remains unclear

Confirmed facts

  • Old Republic rebranded to Old Republic Home Warranty on April 30, 2026 (Old Republic Title – corporate news)
  • HVAC coverage limit is $6,500 per contract term (NerdWallet – personal finance)
  • Phone number 800-972-5985 remains unchanged (Old Republic Home Warranty – official site)
  • Full refund available within first 30 days (minus service costs) (Old Republic Home Warranty – plan PDF)
  • Repairs guaranteed for 30 days (NerdWallet – personal finance)

What’s unclear

  • Exact refund amount after cancellation depends on service costs and $50 fee
  • Full list of exclusions per plan and state is not publicly detailed
  • Comparative pricing with Select Home Warranty is not consistently published

Quotes from the experts

“Old Republic Home Protection offers generous coverage limits for most items.”

— US News & World Report, real estate review

“Old Republic’s service agreement does not automatically renew by default — you have to opt in.”

— NerdWallet, personal finance review

“The brand refresh will roll out throughout the year across all customer-facing materials.”

— Old Republic Title, corporate announcement

The consequence: for homeowners in the 24 states where Old Republic operates, the choice is clear: read the contract line by line, cancel within 30 days if you change your mind, and lean on the $6,500 HVAC cap when your furnace gives out — or face a $50 processing fee on a prorated refund.

For a comprehensive overview, the Old Republic Home Warranty review provides detailed plan comparisons and cost analysis.

Frequently asked questions

Does warranty mean free repair?

No. A home warranty covers the cost to repair or replace covered items, but you still pay a service fee (typically $75–$125) per claim. It’s not free — it’s a prepaid repair service.

Is it easy to cancel a home warranty?

It varies by provider. Old Republic allows cancellation anytime, but the contract states cancellation is limited to specific reasons. In practice, most customers can cancel with a prorated refund minus a $50 fee.

What is a home warranty and how does it work?

A home warranty is a service contract that covers the repair or replacement of major home systems and appliances when they break down due to normal wear and tear. You pay an annual premium and a service fee for each claim.

What damage is not covered by warranty?

Common exclusions include pre-existing conditions, improper installation, code violations, cosmetic defects, pet or pest damage, and routine maintenance. Always review the contract for your specific plan.

Can I cancel my extended warranty and get money back?

Yes, if you cancel within the first 30 days of coverage you may qualify for a full refund (minus any service costs already incurred). After 30 days, refund is prorated with a $50 processing fee.

How do I contact Old Republic home warranty customer service?

Call 800-972-5985 or use the Homeowner Central online portal at their official website.

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James Jackson Parker Mercer

About the author

James Jackson Parker Mercer

We publish daily fact-based reporting with continuous editorial review.