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Jesus Sanchez Garcia is a senior writer for USA TODAY Homefront. His expertise focuses on home warranties, with over 50 hours spent reviewing provider sample contracts to understand their benefits. He also regularly performs consumer research, such as surveys and customer interviews with an eye on incorporating data into his writing. Jesus has a bachelor’s in business administration from California State University, Stanislaus, and is still located within California’s vibrant Central Valley. When he is not researching or writing, he enjoys supporting his favorite sports teams, spending time with loved ones and chasing new adventures outdoors.
2-10 Home Buyers Warranty is one of the original companies that founded the home warranty industry — it has been serving homeowners since 1981 and has built a reputation for comprehensive home protection. The company provides low service call fees and coverage perks that other providers we reviewed don’t.
Unexpected breakdowns are part of the homeownership experience, especially for your home’s major appliances and systems. A leaky dishwasher or a broken furnace during the dead of winter are inconveniences you want to fix fast. Purchasing a home warranty can reduce repair time and the expense of replacing faulty appliances and systems.
We analyzed more than 13 home warranty companies and found that 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty is one of the best home warranty companies.
2-10 Home Buyers Warranty scored 4.8 out of 5 stars in our rating system. We analyzed 2-10’s coverage plans, payout limits, additional perks and more.
The company scored well in nearly all categories within our review standards, especially in the coverage plan options and price categories. It lost points because of coverage limits and limited state availability.
We like that 2-10 offers three coverage perks other home warranty companies don’t. We read through 2-10’s sample contract to understand its coverage terms and features and these stood out.
First, it provides four distinct programs that boost the value of your coverage plan, including its replacement appliance color matching and “Even if” service fee guarantee, which will refund your service call fee if the broken item isn’t covered under the warranty coverage terms.
Another feature that sets 2-10 apart is its plan-length workmanship guarantee, a stipulation that any subsequent breakdown repairs are free of charge. 2-10 is one of the few home warranty providers we’ve reviewed that features a workmanship guarantee that lasts the length of your service agreement.
2-10 also provides a Supreme upgrade package that covers items 2-10 normally wouldn’t within its basic and mid-tier plans, such as attic and bathroom exhaust fans. If you opt for an entry-level or mid-tier plan, you can purchase the Supreme upgrade as an add-on. However, you’ll bypass the extra add-on fee with 2-10’s comprehensive plan.
Additionally, 2-10’s accreditations with the National Home Service Contract Association (NHSCA) increase its reputability. The NHSCA is an organization that ensures member companies act in good faith toward consumers.
2-10 isn’t free of faults. While secret shopping on 2-10’s website, we noted it charges a 9.5% processing fee when you choose monthly premiums. You can avoid the monthly processing fee by paying the yearly premium.
We also noticed 2-10 doesn’t include clothes washer and dryer coverage within its basic appliance plan — it only has kitchen appliances, such as dishwashers and refrigerators. If you need coverage for those items, you must purchase an add-on or 2-10’s Pinnacle Home plan.
Another issue is 2-10’s lack of coverage in 14 states. Other home warranty providers we’ve reviewed cover a minimum of 45 states.
2-10 Home Buyers Warranty features unique coverage perks that increase the value of its home protection plans. In comparison, other top-ranking home warranty companies, such as American Home Shield and Liberty Home Guard, offer higher coverage limits and more varied add-on options.
The table below compares pricing, coverage caps and more. The monthly prices shown are a national average based on quotes for 2,000-square-foot, single-family homes in each state serviced by the provider.
2-10 is available in 36 states. It excludes the following states from coverage:
2-10 Home Buyers Warranty lists three standard home warranty coverage plans online and two additional plans within its sample contract. We called 2-10 to inquire about the two plans it omitted from its website. The representative stated that 2-10 doesn’t offer those plans online because of their limited coverage options.
Here is a summary of 2-10’s protection plans:
2-10 lists several factors that affect your coverage in its sample contract, such as its per-item coverage limits and plan workmanship guarantee. Here is what you need to know about both:
One warranty feature to note is 2-10’s annual coverage limit. Subsection four of the sample contract’s “terms of service” states it won’t cover repair or replacement costs once you exceed the $25,000 aggregate limit. This means 2-10 will cover all your service requests for the duration of your coverage plan so long as they don’t exceed $25,000 annually.
The following tables display all 2-10’s covered items based on coverage category per plan.
2-10 Home Buyers Warranty provides an extensive suite of additional coverage options, many of which are affordable. The quote we pulled listed coverage for freshwater and saltwater pools as the most expensive add-ons, priced at $18 and $30, respectively. 2-10 prices other add-ons, such as well pump protection, at $6 per month.
Another standout add-on 2-10 offers is its Luxury package. This add-on raises your plan’s coverage caps from $2,000 per claim to $5,000. We recommend the Luxury package if you want better coverage for standard items.
The add-ons 2-10 offers include the following:
Like all home warranty companies, 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty features notable coverage exclusions. For example, according to its service contract, 2-10 doesn’t cover HVAC units that exceed 5-ton capacities. For context, the U.S. Department of Energy states that a 1-ton HVAC unit heats or cools 800–1,000 square feet in a well-insulated house.
Other exclusions include malfunctions due to preexisting conditions, routine maintenance and more. Improper installation is also an exclusion because improperly installed items can break down due to poor installation rather than normal use. The same applies to preexisting conditions — companies won’t cover items already broken or under their manufacturer’s warranty.
Review 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty’s sample contract for more information.
After requesting an online quote for a 2,000-square-foot, single-family home in Denver, we found that 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty offers the most affordable basic plan compared to other home warranty companies. The Simply Kitchen plan, which is $25 per month, is half the cost of the national average of $56 per month. Even with 2-10’s 9.5% processing fee for monthly premiums, you’ll still have a lower basic plan rate.
2-10 also offers three service call fees you can select. Choosing the lower service call fee will reduce your monthly premium and vice versa.
After pulling a quote, we noticed that 2-10 doesn’t display cost information for its Simply HVAC and Essential Home plans. When we called a representative to clarify the omission, the representative said, “The Simply HVAC and Essential Home plans are priced higher than our standard plans, so we don’t display them on our website.” He added that you can request pricing information for those plans by calling a sales representative.
Here is the monthly cost data we obtained per plan:
2-10 Home Buyers Warranty holds accreditation and an A- rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB). However, it has a 1.24 out of 5 star customer review rating. The main purpose of BBB is to help customers resolve disputes with a company. Since customers know they can utilize BBB platform to file complaints, this may explain why 2-10 holds such poor ratings. Other third-party customer review sites we checked, such as Best Company, have more balanced customer reviews.
Some customers felt 2-10 provides poor claims payouts and confusing coverage terms. This Trustpilot review from Tammy M. outlines the unsatisfactory service and reimbursement options 2-10 offered for her oven repair.
Other reviews from customers highlighted positive claims resolutions. A review from Edie D. on Best Company mentions how well 2-10 handles requests. Edie adds that the contractor sent by 2-10 provided excellent service.
To best use your 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty plan, we recommend reading your service contract to understand its coverage terms, exclusions and how a home warranty works. After that, you’ll be on your way to filing a claim.
To avoid a denied claim or an unsatisfactory claims resolution, review 2-10’s service contract carefully. Often, negative customer reviews involve situations where 2-10 clearly outlines an exclusion that the customer didn’t notice.
The primary sections of 2-10’s sample contract include the following:
2-10 accepts claims through its 24/7 claims hotline and online homeowners portal. We highly recommend rereading 2-10’s sample contract to ensure it covers your broken item.
The “When is service available?” subsection of 2-10’s sample contract states, “We will generally assign a contractor within 48 hours to contact you to schedule a time, Monday through Friday during normal business hours, for diagnosis.”
Note that you will be responsible for all “overtime and additional fees” should a service contractor provide service during nonbusiness hours.
Your policy term will last 12 months unless you purchase a multiyear plan. Like most home warranty providers, 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty has a 30-day waiting period before you can file the first claim. 2-10 and other providers include this waiting period to ensure your systems or appliances are free from existing issues.
The “terms and service” section of the sample contract features an overview of 2-10’s cancellation policy. Our review of the section found no information on a free cancellation period. 2-10 will charge a $75 cancellation fee plus a prorated amount depending on any outstanding fees you may owe.
In the event of a dispute with 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty, you have multiple options to increase the likelihood of a resolution. You should take the following steps:
While 2-10 stands out for its affordability and coverage perks, you should compare home warranty companies to ensure you select the one that’s best for your specific needs.
Liberty Home Guard (LHG) is our top choice for a home warranty provider. While 2-10 is one of the cheapest home warranty companies, LHG is also affordable, with a comprehensive plan totaling under $70 per month. LHG is also one of the best home appliance insurance companies for its washer and dryer coverage, a feature 2-10 lacks in its basic coverage.
American Home Shield (AHS) offers AC and heater coverage in its lowest-priced plan, making it one of the best home warranty companies for HVAC. AHS’ lowest priced plan also covers plumbing, making it our pick for the best sewer line home warranty. 2-10 does not offer the same depth of coverage in these areas.
2-10 Home Buyers Warranty’s coverage perks, add-on options and unlimited workmanship make it a top home warranty company. Few home warranty companies can match the value at the price options 2-10 offers.
However, 2-10 isn’t available in 14 states, and its monthly processing fee is something that other top providers don’t charge. The company also doesn’t include washer and dryer coverage in its basic and mid-tier plans. We recommend comparing a few provider quotes to choose the right price and coverage plan for you.
We research and rate home warranty providers to help you choose the right option for your budget and your home. The best home warranty companies offer multiple coverage choices, high coverage limits, competitive pricing, good reviews, solid service and extra features.
We rate companies based on our in-depth methodology. We score companies out of 100 on factors related to their coverage options, coverage limits, pricing, reputation, customer service and extra features. We then divide the final score by 20 to obtain a 5-star rating in our reviews.
BBB ratings are accurate as of December 2023.
Editorial note: The name “Homefront” refers to the alliance between USA TODAY and Home Solutions that publishes review, comparison, and informational articles designed to help USA TODAY readers make smarter purchasing and investment decisions about their home. Under the alliance, Homefront provides and publishes research and articles about home service and home improvement topics.
Homefront has an affiliate disclosure policy. The opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Homefront editorial staff alone (see About Homefront). Homefront adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. The information is believed to be accurate as of the publish date, but always check the provider’s website for the most current information.
Liberty Home Guard is our top-rated home warranty company due to its extensive list of optional add-ons and nationwide coverage. 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty is a close second because of its affordability and robust home protection. Meet the expert Jesus Sanchez Garcia is a USA TODAY Homefront senior writer specializing in home warranty research. He…
2-10 Home Buyers Warranty is one of the original companies that founded the home warranty industry — it has been serving homeowners since 1981 and has built a reputation for comprehensive home protection. The company provides low service call fees and coverage perks that other providers we reviewed don’t. Unexpected breakdowns are part of the…
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