Written By David Cusick
Last Updated February 2024
There are many perks of owning a home, but as your Clearlake home ages, you may find yourself needing to update or repair your systems and appliances. A home warranty can give you the peace of mind you need and protect your bank account from unexpected expenses by covering your home’s major appliances and systems.
The home warranty market is saturated with a lot of providers — all with different plans — so the Today's Homeowner team has done the research to help you choose the best home warranty companies in Clearlake.
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 Clearlake, Choice Home Warranty is the best overall home warranty. Choice has over 15 years of experience in the home warranty market and in that time has built a an expansive network of service professionals nationwide. The home warranty company offers 2 plans to policyholders, which have various system and appliance coverage options. When you buy a home warranty from Choice, you will get very high coverage caps and simple-to-understand service contracts. Choice Home Warranty also has great customer service, professional contractors, and lower out-of-pocket costs compared to other home warranties.
The 2 plans from Choice Home Warranty are Basic Plan and Total Plan. Choice has coverage caps of around $3,000 for most appliances and systems, but with some plans, the coverage caps can be higher, so be sure to check with the provider. Service fees are an affordable $85.
To receive a free quote from Choice Home Warranty, fill out this online form or give them a call at 929-400-6164. For more information, read our detailed 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 Clearlake, Select Home Warranty is the most cost-effective home warranty. Select has over 11 years of experience in the home warranty market and in that time has built a an expansive network of service professionals nationwide. The home warranty company offers 3 plans to policyholders, which have various system and appliance coverage options. When you buy a home warranty from Select, you will get a highly affordable service fee and free roof coverage upon purchase of a policy plan. Select Home Warranty also has an extensive network of highly trained professionals all over the country who are experts in home maintenance.
The 3 plans from Select Home Warranty are Bronze Care Plan, Gold Care Plan, and Platinum Care Plan. Select has coverage caps of around $2,000 for most appliances and systems, but with some plans, the coverage caps can be higher, so be sure to check with the provider. Service fees are a reasonable $60.
To receive a free quote from Select Home Warranty, fill out this online form or give them a call at 888-370-3953. For more information, read our detailed 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 Clearlake, American Home Shield is the most customizable home warranty. AHS has over 26 years of experience in the home warranty market and in that time has built a an expansive network of service professionals nationwide. The home warranty company offers 3 plans to policyholders, which have various system and appliance coverage options. When you buy a home warranty from AHS, you will get the ability to customize your plan with the coverages that work specifically for your home. American Home Shield also has a remarkably low claim denial rate in comparison to other home warranty companies.
The 3 plans from American Home Shield are ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, and ShieldPlatinum. AHS has coverage caps of around $2,500 for most appliances and systems, but with some plans, the coverage caps can be higher, so be sure to check with the provider. Service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $125.
To receive a free quote from American Home Shield, fill out this online form or give them a call at 888-365-2839. For more information, read our detailed 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 Clearlake, First American Home Warranty is the best home warranty for appliance coverage. First American has over 39 years of experience in the home warranty market and in that time has built a an expansive network of service professionals nationwide. The home warranty company offers 2 plans to policyholders, which have various system and appliance coverage options. When you buy a home warranty from First American, you will get very affordable and comprehensive appliance coverage. First American Home Warranty 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.
The 2 plans from First American Home Warranty are Basic Plan and Premier Plan. First American has coverage caps of around $1,500 for most appliances and systems, but with some plans, the coverage caps can be higher, so be sure to check with the provider. Service fees are a reasonable $85.
To receive a free quote from First American Home Warranty, fill out this online form or give them a call at 833-204-7164. For more information, read our detailed 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 Clearlake, Cinch Home Services is the home warranty with the best workmanship guarantee. Cinch has over 44 years of experience in the home warranty market and in that time has built a an expansive network of service professionals nationwide. The home warranty company offers 3 plans to policyholders, which have various system and appliance coverage options. When you buy a home warranty from Cinch, you will get a 180-day workmanship guarantee that ensures your home systems and appliance repairs will be professionally done. Cinch Home Services also has a broad range of coverage options that will give homeowners peace of mind.
The 3 plans from Cinch Home Services are Appliances Plan, Built-in Systems Plan, and Complete Home Plan. Cinch has coverage caps of around $1,000-$2,000 for most appliances and systems, but with some plans, the coverage caps can be higher, so be sure to check with the provider. Service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $150.
To receive a free quote from Cinch Home Services, fill out this online form or give them a call at 877-589-0505. For more information, read our detailed 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 Clearlake, The Home Service Club is the best home warranty with the quickest service. HSC has over 15 years of experience in the home warranty market and in that time has built a an expansive network of service professionals nationwide. The home warranty company offers 2 plans to policyholders, which have various system and appliance coverage options. When you buy a home warranty from HSC, you will get quick coverage where the home warranty goes into effect just ten days after you pay for the plan, instead of the typical 30 days. The Home Service Club also has customer service representatives available 24/7, as well as a 30-day labor guarantee and a 90-day parts guarantee.
The 2 plans from The Home Service Club are Standard Coverage Plan and Comprehensive Coverage Plan. HSC has coverage caps of around $2,000 for most appliances and systems, but with some plans, the coverage caps can be higher, so be sure to check with the provider. Service fees are customizable and range from $65 to $90.
To receive a free quote from The Home Service Club, fill out this online form or give them a call at 800-750-9443. For more information, read our detailed 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 | $6,153 |
Heating | $4,102 |
Electrical | $615 |
Toilets | $513 |
Washer/Dryer | $820 |
Plumbing | $615 |
Oven | $1,641 |
Fridge | $615 |
A home warranty is a protection policy that helps cut costs for Clearlake homeowners needing appliance and system repairs. These plans provide financial coverage to fix or replace appliances and systems that stop working due to normal wear and tear.
Homeowners submit a claim and pay a service fee when something breaks. The home warranty provider then arranges a contractor to make the repair or replacement. The only time you may pay out-of-pocket is if the repair or replacement costs exceed the item's coverage limit. A home warranty provides security for homeowners by helping them prevent expensive emergency repairs. They're particularly useful for those who live in older homes or ones with aging systems. More modern builds with modern appliances probably don’t require a home warranty.
Home warranties help protect your home systems and appliances. Common appliances covered under a home warranty include dishwashers, washers, microwaves, dryers, garbage disposals, refrigerators, and others. Covered systems include heating, air conditioning, plumbing, and electrical. Many home warranty plans offer additional add-on coverage options for central vacuums, septic systems, locksmiths, and even roof leaks. Clearlake homeowners should know that most home warranty plans have a 30-day waiting period before repairs are covered. What's more, most policies only cover repairs and replacements resulting from normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't include natural disasters, pre-existing conditions, cosmetic issues, or misusing a system or appliance. Make sure to keep up with preventative maintenance to help make sure your next repair or replacement is covered.
Before signing a home warranty contract, you should know key terms like:
There are several key considerations when selecting a home warranty provider:
Home warranty coverage can have major differences in what's included. Most plans cover plumbing, heating, AC, electrical, and appliances. More robust coverage options also include protection for other items such as spas, pools, roof leaks, and well pumps. Look for a provider that offers an extensive selection of coverage options, including upgraded plans. You want the flexibility to customize coverage to fit your home's specific 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 provides insights into factors such as repair speed, claim approval rates, contractor expertise, and customer satisfaction. Read through review sites like the Better Business Bureau (BBB), Google Reviews, or TrustPilot to learn more about companies. Positive feedback and ratings suggest a company known for quality service.
Home warranty providers use networks of local repair professionals to manage repairs in a given area. Reach out to potential companies to ask how many repair technicians they have in Clearlake and get an idea of how fast your repairs could be handled in an emergency. Larger networks raise the likelihood of getting qualified contractors to quickly service your home.
Some home warranty companies include perks such as reduced maintenance fees, energy efficiency upgrades, and smart home device coverage. These extras can offer extra value beyond just repair coverage. Extra bonuses allow you to enhance your home and get the most from your home warranty.
Clearlake’s relatively mild winters and hot summers can put a strain on a home’s HVAC system. Whether it’s summer or winter, a home warranty is designed to cover your home’s appliances and systems if they need to be repaired or replaced. For example, if your air conditioner stops working in the middle of July, a home warranty can cover the needed repairs, saving you from spending unexpected money out of pocket.
Not only can a home warranty give you some financial relief, but it also saves you time. If an appliance breaks, the last thing you want to do is find a contractor and schedule a repair. A home warranty handles this process by sending trusted professionals to your door when you need them most. Plus, though home warranty companies vary, some providers will let you transfer your warranty in the event that you sell your home. This can make your home more attractive to potential homebuyers and maybe even help your home sell faster.
There are also some negatives to purchasing a home warranty plan, such as the coverage exclusions. For instance, home warranties may not cover systems or appliances that already have a manufacturer's warranty.
Another thing to keep in mind is that some providers don’t cover pre-existing issues and may require an inspection before your coverage can start. Ask the home warranty provider for clarification about it if you need more information or if this is an issue for you.
A home warranty in Clearlake can cost anywhere from $30 to $60 a month. Higher-priced plans usually have a lower service fee, broader coverage, and higher coverage limits. This cost is often lower if you pay annually instead of monthly. Some providers will also lower your up-front costs when you agree to a higher service fee.
The difference between a home warranty and homeowner's insurance lies in what kinds of damage each covers. A home warranty plan covers normal wear and tear to home systems and appliances. Homeowners insurance protects your entire home in case of a situation such as a fire or natural disaster. With a homeowners insurance plan, you won't be able to file a claim if you need a new washing machine or air conditioner, unless the damage is a result of a natural disaster, which isn't that common in Clearlake.
A home warranty policy can help investors, home sellers, homebuyers, homeowners, and real estate agents. It can provide peace of mind and savings to anyone involved with homeownership.
A home warranty plan can cover your appliances, systems, or both. Combination plans are beneficial if you'd like more coverage for your home, but a system- or appliance-only plan can be helpful if you're concerned about one more than the other.
Generally, a home warranty policy lasts for a year and can be renewed yearly. Some providers may offer month-to-month plans.
Usually the person who owns the home is responsible for paying for the home warranty. In some cases, however, the one selling the home may purchase a home warranty and transfer the policy to the buyer. The new homeowner will then need to pay the service fees when using the policy. Since the average home value in Clearlake is $223,883, a home warranty can save you some money when buying a home.