Universal Home Protection
Is This Your Business?Author: Kalicia Bateman
Universal Home Protection was founded in 1992 and is headquartered in Madison, Wisconsin. The company's warranties are priced competitively; however, it only provides service to Wisconsin, northern Illinois, and the Chicago area.
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Pros
Personalized Customer Service
Universal Home Protection is a small company, and as such able to offer its customers personalized service. The company's social media channels illustrate its commitment to connect with its customers on a personal level, both those who have been complementary as well as those who have not.
Comprehensive and Competitive Protection
Customers receive comprehensive protection for their home's systems and built-in appliances with Universal Home Protection's plans. The premium for these plans and the deductibles are comparable to many in the industry.
Cons
Exclusions to Coverage
Existing customers have complained about the company's exclusions to coverage, such as for a leaking dishwasher, air conditioning unit, or plumbing problems on Universal Home Protection's Facebook page. Of these complaints, the company has made efforts with several to connect and explain the reasons that the repairs were not covered. Any problem that is deemed to be pre-existing or having been previously worked on is subject to refusal by the company.
Per-Incident Charges
Of note is that if separate incidents are included in a service call, these are each liable to the deductible, without exception. For example, if a customer has a problem with the sink, shower, and toilet, the deductible for repair would be $75 each, rather than $75 for the visit.
Small Geographic Service Area
At the writing of this review, the company only serves the state of Wisconsin and northern Illinois (including Chicago). This limitation is obviously exclusionary to the majority of the population of the United States.
The Bottom Line
Universal Home Protection offers coverage for systems that other companies only include in their higher-tiered plans. The company's prices are comparable with many of its competitors. As such, the company is able to protect more of its customers' homes at a lower price than many of its primary competitors. Protection is available for homeowners or property managers and can be transferred to another homeowner. Transfer is subject to approval by the company and must be requested in writing. The company can offer a home warranty as an add-on for real estate transactions, making the property more attractive to potential buyers.
