Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Written By David Cusick
Last Updated April 2024
Homeownership in Big Bear City can be gratifying for many people, but it also comes with its fair share of headaches. Updating your home’s appliances and systems can be an unexpected financial burden for many homeowners. A home warranty can bring you the peace of mind you need and shield your bank account from large expenses by covering your home’s major systems and appliances.
Finding the best home warranty on the market can be time-consuming, since there are lots of companies to decide between. That’s why the Today's Homeowner team did the research and made a list of the top home warranty companies in Big Bear City for you.
Over 10 years of experience
24/7 customer service team
Home inspections aren’t required
90-day repair guarantee
Plans aren’t customizable
Customers can’t choose their own contractor
Not available in washington
In Big Bear City, Choice Home Warranty offers the best overall home warranty. Choice has over 15 years of experience in the home warranty industry, and has provided great customer service at an affordable cost to its customers. The 2 home warranty plans that Choice offers include differing levels of system and appliance coverage, as well as add-on options. If you’re looking for very high coverage caps and simple-to-understand service contracts, this is the home warranty for you. Plus, it has great customer service, professional contractors, and lower out-of-pocket costs compared to other home warranties.
The plans that Choice offers to homeowners are Basic Plan and Total Plan. Service fees from Choice are an affordable $85. The coverage caps are also generally about $3,000 at the maximum.
To get a free quote from Choice Home Warranty, you can fill out this online form or call 929-400-6164. Read more by visiting our full review of Choice Home Warranty.
Basic Plan
Total Plan
Low service fees compared to other home warranty providers
Two months of free coverage
Has an appliance-only, systems-only, and combo plan option
90-day repair guarantee
Has a $75 cancellation fee
Low coverage caps
In Big Bear City, Select Home Warranty offers the most cost-effective home warranty. Select has over 11 years of experience in the home warranty industry, and has provided great customer service at an affordable cost to its customers. The 3 home warranty plans that Select offers include differing levels of system and appliance coverage, as well as add-on options. If you’re looking for a highly affordable service fee and free roof coverage upon purchase of a policy plan, this is the home warranty for you. Plus, it has an extensive network of highly trained professionals all over the country who are experts in home maintenance.
The plans that Select offers to homeowners are Bronze Care Plan, Gold Care Plan, and Platinum Care Plan. Service fees from Select are a reasonable $60. The coverage caps are also generally about $2,000 at the maximum.
To get a free quote from Select Home Warranty, you can fill out this online form or call 888-370-3953. Read more by visiting our full review of Select Home Warranty.
Bronze Care Plan
Gold Care Plan
Platinum Care Plan
The oldest and most trusted company in the industry
Allows customers to build their own plans
Ability to choose the service fee you want to pay
Broad coverage on up to 33 appliances and systems
Doesn’t let customers choose their own technician
Doesn’t provide coverage in alaska
In Big Bear City, American Home Shield offers the most customizable home warranty. AHS has over 26 years of experience in the home warranty industry, and has provided great customer service at an affordable cost to its customers. The 3 home warranty plans that AHS offers include differing levels of system and appliance coverage, as well as add-on options. If you’re looking for the ability to customize your plan with the coverages that work specifically for your home, this is the home warranty for you. Plus, it has a remarkably low claim denial rate in comparison to other home warranty companies.
The plans that AHS offers to homeowners are ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, and ShieldPlatinum. Service fees from AHS are customizable and range from $75 to $125. The coverage caps are also generally about $2,500 at the maximum.
To get a free quote from American Home Shield, you can fill out this online form or call 888-365-2839. Read more by visiting our full review of American Home Shield.
ShieldSilver
ShieldGold
ShieldPlatinum
Established company with a bbb accreditation
Doesn’t have a coverage cap on heating, cooling, or ductwork
24/7 service calls available
Offers replacement of some covered items that are too damaged to repair
Doesn’t let customers choose their own contractor
According to some customer reviews, the technical jargon in contracts is confusing
In Big Bear City, First American Home Warranty offers the best home warranty for appliance coverage. First American has over 39 years of experience in the home warranty industry, and has provided great customer service at an affordable cost to its customers. The 2 home warranty plans that First American offers include differing levels of system and appliance coverage, as well as add-on options. If you’re looking for very affordable and comprehensive appliance coverage, this is the home warranty for you. Plus, it has a unique add-on alongside common ones called the First Class Upgrade, which covers fees associated with the use of lifting equipment, up to $250 per local building permits, haul away services, and appliances and systems that have been insufficiently installed or modified.
The plans that First American offers to homeowners are Basic Plan and Premier Plan. Service fees from First American are a reasonable $85. The coverage caps are also generally about $1,500 at the maximum.
To get a free quote from First American Home Warranty, you can fill out this online form or call 833-204-7164. Read more by visiting our full review of First American Home Warranty.
Basic Plan
Premier Plan
Offers home insurance deductible of $500
Extra long 180-day workmanship guarantee
Offers free cancellation in the first 30 days
Charges high service fees of $75-$150
Doesn’t allow customers to choose their own technician
Isn’t available in hawaii or alaska
In Big Bear City, Cinch Home Services offers the home warranty with the best workmanship guarantee. Cinch has over 44 years of experience in the home warranty industry, and has provided great customer service at an affordable cost to its customers. The 3 home warranty plans that Cinch offers include differing levels of system and appliance coverage, as well as add-on options. If you’re looking for a 180-day workmanship guarantee that ensures your home systems and appliance repairs will be professionally done, this is the home warranty for you. Plus, it has a broad range of coverage options that will give homeowners peace of mind.
The plans that Cinch offers to homeowners are Appliances Plan, Built-in Systems Plan, and Complete Home Plan. Service fees from Cinch are customizable and range from $75 to $150. The coverage caps are also generally about $1,000-$2,000 at the maximum.
To get a free quote from Cinch Home Services, you can fill out this online form or call 877-589-0505. Read more by visiting our full review of Cinch Home Services.
Appliances Plan
Built-in Systems Plan
Complete Home Plan
Policy starts in ten days
24/7 customer service support
Generous coverage caps on important systems and appliances
30-labor guarantee and 90-day parts guarantee
Offers utility and home service outside line coverage
Higher service fee of $95
Not accredited by the better business bureau (bbb)
Only 2 plan options
In Big Bear City, The Home Service Club offers the best home warranty with the quickest service. HSC has over 15 years of experience in the home warranty industry, and has provided great customer service at an affordable cost to its customers. The 2 home warranty plans that HSC offers include differing levels of system and appliance coverage, as well as add-on options. If you’re looking for quick coverage where the home warranty goes into effect just ten days after you pay for the plan, instead of the typical 30 days, this is the home warranty for you. Plus, it has customer service representatives available 24/7, as well as a 30-day labor guarantee and a 90-day parts guarantee.
The plans that HSC offers to homeowners are Standard Coverage Plan and Comprehensive Coverage Plan. Service fees from HSC are customizable and range from $65 to $90. The coverage caps are also generally about $2,000 at the maximum.
To get a free quote from The Home Service Club, you can fill out this online form or call 800-750-9443. Read more by visiting our full review of The Home Service Club.
Standard Coverage Plan
Comprehensive Coverage Plan
Today's Homeowner looks at dozens of datapoints on home warranty companies to come up with our data-driven rankings. It's not possible for a company to pay for preferential treatment in our rankings. We look at the following key factors in determining who should top our list:
| Home Appliance | Repair Cost |
|---|---|
| Air Conditioner | $6,481 |
| Heating | $4,321 |
| Electrical | $648 |
| Toilets | $540 |
| Washer/Dryer | $864 |
| Plumbing | $648 |
| Oven | $1,728 |
| Fridge | $648 |
A home warranty is a protection policy that assists Big Bear City homeowners in lowering the costs of appliance and system repairs. The plans provide coverage to replace or repair appliances and systems that break down due to normal wear and tear.
When something breaks down, you file a claim and pay a service fee. The home warranty company then finds a contractor to handle the replacement or fix. Homeowners may have out-of-pocket costs only if the cost of the repair or replacement goes over the item's coverage limit. A home warranty policy gives homeowners a sense of security and can help avoid costly emergency repairs. They can be especially helpful for buyers of older homes or homes with appliances near the end of their life span. However, newer homes with modern appliances and fixtures may not need a home warranty.
Home warranties cover your home's systems and appliances. Common covered appliances include microwaves, refrigerators, dishwashers, washers, dryers, garbage disposals, and others. Covered systems include plumbing, heating, air conditioning, and electrical. Many home warranty plans offer extra coverage for central vacuums, roof leaks, septic systems, and even locksmiths. Big Bear City homeowners should know that most home warranty plans impose a 30-day waiting period before repairs are covered. Additionally, most policies only help pay for repairs and replacements due to normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't include cosmetic issues, natural disasters, pre-existing conditions, or improperly using a system or appliance. You must keep up with preventative maintenance to help ensure your next repair or replacement is covered.
Home warranties use several terms that you'll want to know before signing a contract, such as:
There are several key considerations when selecting a home warranty provider:
Home warranties vary widely in terms of included coverage. Basic policies typically include heating, plumbing, AC, electrical, and appliances, while more comprehensive options may also cover well pumps, pools, roof leaks, and spas. Look for companies with a diverse range of coverage options, including upgraded plans. This helps you customize your plan to your needs.
Homeowners should anticipate paying a $60–100 service fee when filing home warranty claims. These per-claim costs can add up, so some homeowners prefer using companies with more affordable per-claim fees to maximize savings. Some companies also offer disappearing deductibles after periods where a customer files no claims.
A home warranty provider's reputation can offer insight into things such as approval rates for claims, speed of repairs, contractor quality, and customer satisfaction. Look at third-party review sites such as the Better Business Bureau (BBB), TrustPilot, or Google Reviews to research providers. Good ratings and reviews indicate that a provider is known for top-tier service.
Home warranty providers use networks of local repair contractors to manage repairs in a given area. Reach out to potential providers to ask how many repair specialists they have in Big Bear City and get an idea of how fast your repairs could be handled in an emergency. Wider networks improve the likelihood of getting qualified contractors to quickly service your home.
Home warranty companies often offer bonuses such as maintenance discounts, energy efficiency upgrades, and coverage for smart home devices. These can add value beyond repair coverage. Added perks can maximize the usefulness of the home warranty.
Temperatures in Big Bear City can get quite high in the summer, which means your air conditioner is most likely going to get a decent amount of use. As a homeowner in Big Bear City, one benefit of having a home warranty is that these home systems and major appliances can be covered if they need to be repaired or replaced.
Not only can a home warranty save you money on repairs and replacements, it saves you time too. Instead of having to vet technicians yourself, home warranty companies do the work for you and send pre-screened technicians right to your door when you need them. A home warranty can also yield value in other ways. For instance, some plans can be transferred to another owner during a home sale.
One downside of a home warranty is that there are usually exclusions. For instance, if one of your appliances already has a manufacturer's warranty, it may be excluded from the home warranty, so it’s important to read through any contracts you’re considering carefully to understand what is included and what isn’t.
Another thing to keep in mind is that some companies don’t cover pre-existing issues and may require an inspection before coverage begins. Ask the home warranty company for clarification about these things if you need more information or if this is an issue for you.
A home warranty in Big Bear City can cost between $30 and $60 a month. The higher-priced plans usually have broader coverage, a lower service fee, and higher coverage limits. You can often lower this cost by paying annually instead of monthly. Some companies will also lower your up-front costs when you agree to a higher service fee.
Home warranties and home insurance differ in what types of damage they cover. Home warranty policies cover issues with home systems and appliances that need repairs or replacements due to normal wear and tear. A home insurance policy is a larger plan that protects an entire home from natural disasters, which might not be too much of a concern in Big Bear City. It doesn't cover a normal appliance or system damage.
First-time homebuyers, home sellers, real estate agents, homeowners, and landlords are all eligible for home warranty plans. A home warranty can help make your house more appealing to prospective buyers and save you money in the long run.
The different types of home warranties in Big Bear City include plans that cover either appliances or systems as well as comprehensive plans. A comprehensive plan will cover many of your home systems and appliances, including your refrigerator, washing machine, and plumbing. An appliance or system plan will cover only the specific items listed in the contract.
Home warranty plans usually provide coverage for a year. Many providers let you renew your plan each year, and some offer month-to-month options as well.
In general, the homeowner is the one who is responsible for paying the premium and service fees. However, if you have just bought a new home, sometimes the seller will pay for the policy. This can then be given to the new homeowner, who has to pay the service fees. In Big Bear City, where the median home value is $474,958, having the seller pay for the home warranty can be a good asset for your new home.
