Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Written By David Cusick
Last Updated February 2024
There are a lot of perks of owning a home, but as your Castro Valley home gets older, you may need to factor in the cost of updating your appliances and systems. A home warranty can bring you the peace of mind you need and protect your bank account from unexpected expenses by covering your home’s major appliances and systems.
Finding the right warranty for your home can be time-consuming, so our team at Today's Homeowner has compiled this guide to help you find the best home warranty companies in Castro Valley. Keep reading for our top provider recommendations.
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 Castro Valley, Choice Home Warranty offers the best overall home warranty. Choice has been on the market for around 15 years, making it a respected company in the industry. Choice has established itself as a company with very high coverage caps and simple-to-understand service contracts. It also has great customer service, professional contractors, and lower out-of-pocket costs compared to other home warranties. Choice has 2 simple plans, making the selection process easy.
The plans that Choice offers to homeowners are Basic Plan and Total Plan. The coverage caps from Choice are around $3,000. The service fees are an affordable $85, which is less than other providers in the Castro Valley area.
To receive a free quote from Choice Home Warranty, fill out this online form or call 929-400-6164. Read our review of Choice Home Warranty to learn more.
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 Castro Valley, Select Home Warranty offers the most cost-effective home warranty. Select has been on the market for around 11 years, making it a respected company in the industry. Select has established itself as a company with a highly affordable service fee and free roof coverage upon purchase of a policy plan. It also has an extensive network of highly trained professionals all over the country who are experts in home maintenance. Select has 3 simple plans, making the selection process easy.
The plans that Select offers to homeowners are Bronze Care Plan, Gold Care Plan, and Platinum Care Plan. The coverage caps from Select are around $2,000. The service fees are a reasonable $60, which is less than other providers in the Castro Valley area.
To receive a free quote from Select Home Warranty, fill out this online form or call 888-370-3953. Read our review of Select Home Warranty to learn more.
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 Castro Valley, American Home Shield offers the most customizable home warranty. AHS has been on the market for around 26 years, making it a respected company in the industry. AHS has established itself as a company with the ability to customize your plan with the coverages that work specifically for your home. It also has a remarkably low claim denial rate in comparison to other home warranty companies. AHS has 3 simple plans, making the selection process easy.
The plans that AHS offers to homeowners are ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, and ShieldPlatinum. The coverage caps from AHS are around $2,500. The service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $125, which is less than other providers in the Castro Valley area.
To receive a free quote from American Home Shield, fill out this online form or call 888-365-2839. Read our review of American Home Shield to learn more.
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 Castro Valley, First American Home Warranty offers the best home warranty for appliance coverage. First American has been on the market for around 39 years, making it a respected company in the industry. First American has established itself as a company with very affordable and comprehensive appliance coverage. It also 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. First American has 2 simple plans, making the selection process easy.
The plans that First American offers to homeowners are Basic Plan and Premier Plan. The coverage caps from First American are around $1,500. The service fees are a reasonable $85, which is less than other providers in the Castro Valley area.
To receive a free quote from First American Home Warranty, fill out this online form or call 833-204-7164. Read our review of First American Home Warranty to learn more.
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 Castro Valley, Cinch Home Services offers the home warranty with the best workmanship guarantee. Cinch has been on the market for around 44 years, making it a respected company in the industry. Cinch has established itself as a company with a 180-day workmanship guarantee that ensures your home systems and appliance repairs will be professionally done. It also has a broad range of coverage options that will give homeowners peace of mind. Cinch has 3 simple plans, making the selection process easy.
The plans that Cinch offers to homeowners are Appliances Plan, Built-in Systems Plan, and Complete Home Plan. The coverage caps from Cinch are around $1,000-$2,000. The service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $150, which is less than other providers in the Castro Valley area.
To receive a free quote from Cinch Home Services, fill out this online form or call 877-589-0505. Read our review of Cinch Home Services to learn more.
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 Castro Valley, The Home Service Club offers the best home warranty with the quickest service. HSC has been on the market for around 15 years, making it a respected company in the industry. HSC has established itself as a company with quick coverage where the home warranty goes into effect just ten days after you pay for the plan, instead of the typical 30 days. It also has customer service representatives available 24/7, as well as a 30-day labor guarantee and a 90-day parts guarantee. HSC has 2 simple plans, making the selection process easy.
The plans that HSC offers to homeowners are Standard Coverage Plan and Comprehensive Coverage Plan. The coverage caps from HSC are around $2,000. The service fees are customizable and range from $65 to $90, which is less than other providers in the Castro Valley area.
To receive a free quote from The Home Service Club, fill out this online form or call 800-750-9443. Read our review of The Home Service Club to learn more.
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 | $7,604 |
| Heating | $5,069 |
| Electrical | $760 |
| Toilets | $634 |
| Washer/Dryer | $1,014 |
| Plumbing | $760 |
| Oven | $2,028 |
| Fridge | $760 |
A home warranty is a protection policy that helps Castro Valley homeowners in lowering the costs of appliance and system repairs. The plans offer financial coverage to replace or fix appliances and systems that malfunction due to normal wear and tear.
When something breaks down, you file a claim and pay a service fee. The home warranty provider then arranges a contractor to handle the replacement or fix. Homeowners may have out-of-pocket costs only if the repair or replacement costs exceed the item's coverage limit. A home warranty gives reassurance to homeowners, as it helps prevent costly emergency repairs. Home warranties are the most useful for older houses or those with aging systems. New homes with modern appliances may not need a home warranty.
Home warranties protect your home systems and appliances. Common appliances covered include refrigerators, microwaves, dryers, garbage disposals, dishwashers, washers, and more. Covered systems are normally air conditioning, plumbing, heating, and electrical. Many home warranty companies provide add-on coverage for septic systems, central vacuums, locksmiths, and roof leaks. Most home warranty plans require Castro Valley homeowners to refrain from making claims for 30 days before the plan will cover repairs. Moreover, policies normally only cover repairs and replacements resulting from normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't cover natural disasters, pre-existing conditions, cosmetic issues, or misusing a system or appliance. To help ensure your next repair or replacement is covered, keep up with preventative maintenance.
Before signing a home warranty contract, you should understand key terms like:
There are several key factors to consider when selecting a home warranty provider:
Home warranties have significant variation in what they include. Basic plans typically cover heating, electrical, AC, plumbing, and appliances, while more comprehensive plans may also cover well pumps, roof leaks, spas, and pools. Look for a company that offers comprehensive coverage choices, including upgraded plans. Flexibility is important when trying to fit a home warranty to your home's specific systems and needs.
Expect to pay a per-service fee of $60-100 for each home warranty claim. With these per-request costs adding up over time as you file claims, some homeowners prefer to choose a company with lower service fees to maximize savings on every claim. Some companies also remove deductibles when customers have a claim-free period.
A home warranty company's reputation provides insights into factors such as repair speed, contractor expertise, claim approval rates, and customer satisfaction. Check review sites like the Better Business Bureau (BBB), TrustPilot, or Google Reviews to learn more about companies. Positive ratings and feedback suggest a company known for providing quality service.
Home warranty providers use networks of local repair technicians to manage repairs in a given area. Contact potential businesses to ask how many repair professionals they have in Castro Valley and get an idea of how quickly your repairs could be handled in an emergency. Larger networks increase the chance of getting qualified contractors to swiftly service your home.
Certain home warranty providers include perks such as protection for smart home devices, discounts on maintenance, and energy-efficient upgrades. These can offer extra value beyond repair coverage. Added perks can enhance your home and help maximize your home warranty.
Home warranties are an inexpensive way to protect your home systems and appliances from normal wear and tear. With temperatures in Castro Valley reaching an average high of 70℃F, you may find that certain appliances, like your air conditioner, get a lot of use. A home warranty can significantly decrease out-of-pocket expenses should your HVAC system break down.
A home warranty also saves you time and energy. Instead of spending hours finding and choosing a repair person to fix your appliance or system, home warranty companies do the hard work for you and send a trusted professional to your door whenever you need them. A home warranty can also provide value in other ways. For instance, some policies can be transferred to another owner when you sell your home.
As for the negatives of home warranties, system and appliance coverage varies by company, so it’s important to review what each policy covers and doesn’t include in the contract.
Another drawback is that home warranties may exclude some repairs, such as those needed because of natural disasters. For example, if your HVAC system is damaged from an animal infestation, the affected systems and appliances most likely won’t be covered by the home warranty.
A home warranty costs, on average, about $300 to $600 a year in Castro Valley. Our top-rated home warranty providers' most comprehensive coverage options vary from $546 to $840 per year. You can reduce your monthly bill with some companies by choosing a higher service fee. Additionally, it's usually less expensive to pay annually rather than monthly.
Home warranties and home insurance differ in what types of damage they cover. Home warranty plans cover issues related to systems and appliances that need to be repaired or replaced due to normal wear and tear. A home insurance policy is a different kind of plan that protects an entire home from natural disasters, which might not be too much of a concern in Castro Valley. It doesn't cover a typical appliance or system repairs.
Homebuyers, landlords, homeowners, real estate agents, and home sellers are all eligible for home warranty plans. A home warranty can help make your property more attractive to prospective buyers and save you money in the long run.
The different home warranties in Castro Valley include plans with coverage for either appliances or systems as well as combination plans. A combination plan will cover many of your systems and appliances, including your dishwasher, washing machine, and heating and cooling systems. An appliance or system plan will cover only the items listed in the policy.
Home warranty plans typically offer coverage for a year. Many companies let you renew your plan annually, and some offer month-to-month options as well.
Typically, the one who owns the home pays for the home warranty. In some cases, though, the person who is selling the home may buy a home warranty policy and transfer the policy to the buyer. The new homeowner will then be responsible for the service fees when using the policy. Since the average home value in Castro Valley is $1,120,000, a home warranty can be an added asset when buying a home.
