Choice Home Warranty covers septic tank access lines, sewage ejector pumps, and septic system electrical components under their Total Plan. The Complete Plan excludes septic entirely. Coverage caps at $500 per repair call. For homeowners with aging septic systems, the warranty pays for itself with a single covered repair — but read the exclusions carefully before buying.
What Does Choice Home Warranty Cover for Septic Systems?
Choice Home Warranty's septic coverage is included in their Total Plan. Covered components typically include:
- Septic tank access lines — the pipes running from the house to the tank
- Sewage ejector pump — the pump that forces waste from below-grade fixtures into the main drain line
- Electrical components — wiring, float switches, and control panels associated with the pump system
- Pump-out services — routine scheduled tank pumping (frequency and cap vary by plan terms)
Coverage applies when components fail due to normal wear and tear — not pre-existing conditions or improper installation. The home must have an active plan at the time of failure, and the component must have been working correctly when coverage began.
Choice Home Warranty caps septic system repairs at $500 per service call. Pump replacements can exceed this — a sewage ejector pump replacement typically runs $800–$1,500 installed — so you'd pay the difference above $500.
What's Excluded
Understanding exclusions is as important as understanding what's covered. Choice Home Warranty's septic exclusions typically include:
- The septic tank itself — the physical tank structure is generally not covered
- Drain field / leach field — field replacement ($5,000–$20,000) is excluded
- Pre-existing conditions — failures that existed before the policy started
- Inadequate capacity — if the tank is too small for the household, resulting failures aren't covered
- Tree root damage — root intrusion damage is typically excluded
- Improper installation — systems not installed to code
- Aerobic treatment units — specialized aerobic systems may require a separate rider
The drain field is almost universally excluded by all home warranty providers — including Choice. Drain field replacement is the most expensive septic repair ($5,000–$20,000+). No home warranty covers it. This is the biggest limitation to understand before buying any warranty for a septic property.
Plans & Pricing
| Plan | Septic Coverage | Monthly Cost (est.) | Service Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Complete Plan | ✘ Not included | ~$46/mo | $85–$100 |
| Total Plan | ✔ Included | ~$55/mo | $85–$100 |
| Add-on (some regions) | ✔ Optional | +$5–$10/mo | $85–$100 |
Pricing varies by state, home age, and property size. Choice Home Warranty offers multi-year discounts and frequently runs promotions for new customers. The service fee ($85–$100) is paid per claim, not per visit.
Get Septic Coverage From $55/Month
Free quote in 2 minutes. No obligation. Coverage starts within 30 days of signing up. Total Plan includes septic system access lines and pump.
Get Your Free Quote →How to File a Septic Claim With Choice Home Warranty
Choice Home Warranty vs. Other Providers for Septic Coverage
| Company | Septic Covered? | Coverage Cap | Drain Field? | Monthly Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Choice Home Warranty (Total) | ✔ Yes | $500 | ✘ No | ~$55 |
| American Home Shield | ✔ Add-on | $500 | ✘ No | ~$60–$80 |
| Select Home Warranty | ✔ Add-on | $400 | ✘ No | ~$44 |
| First American | Varies by region | $500 | ✘ No | ~$47 |
| Liberty Home Guard | ✔ Add-on | $500 | ✘ No | ~$50 |
No home warranty provider covers drain field replacement — that's an industry-wide exclusion. Choice stands out by including septic coverage in its Total Plan rather than requiring a separate add-on.
Is Choice Home Warranty Worth It for Septic Homeowners?
The math is straightforward. At ~$55/month ($660/year) plus a $100 service fee per claim, you break even on the warranty if it covers a single repair costing $760+. Common covered repairs:
- Sewage ejector pump replacement: $800–$1,500 (warranty pays $500, you pay $400–$1,000)
- Access line repair: $300–$800 (warranty may cover in full after service fee)
- Electrical component replacement: $150–$400 (likely covered in full)
It makes most sense if:
- Your septic system is 10+ years old
- You're buying a home with an unknown septic history
- You want peace of mind without cash reserves for emergency repairs
- You have a pump-based system (mound, pressure-distribution) where pump failures are more frequent
It makes less sense if:
- Your system is brand new and under installer warranty
- Your primary concern is drain field failure (not covered anywhere)
- You're handy and can manage minor repairs yourself
FAQs
Yes, in some regions and under certain plan terms. Coverage for routine pumping is less consistent than coverage for pump failure and access line repairs — verify with Choice directly when getting your quote, as this varies by location and plan generation.
Choice pays up to $500 per septic service call. You pay the remainder. For a pump replacement costing $1,200, Choice would cover $500 and you'd owe approximately $700 plus the service fee. This cap is consistent with most home warranty providers in the industry.
No. The physical tank structure is generally not covered — neither by Choice nor by competitors. Coverage applies to the access lines, pumps, and electrical components of the system, not the tank or drain field themselves.
Standard aerobic treatment units may require a rider or may not be covered under base plans. Contact Choice directly during the quote process and specify that you have an aerobic system — coverage varies by region and plan.
Yes — typically 30 days. This is standard across all home warranty providers. Pre-existing conditions that existed before the policy start date are not covered. If you're buying a home, try to start coverage at closing so the 30-day period overlaps with your first month of ownership.