Written By David Cusick
Last Updated February 2024
Owning a home can have many benefits, but it can also come with some downsides like maintenance. The older your house’s appliances and systems are, the more likely it is that you'll benefit from a home warranty. A home warranty is a way to protect your savings account from unexpected home repairs and expenses. With a home warranty in place, your repair costs can be considerably lower and allow you to live in your home with more peace of mind.
The home warranty market has many providers — all with different price points — so our team at Today's Homeowner has compiled this guide to help you choose the best home warranty companies in Half Moon Bay.
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
Choice Home Warranty offers the best overall home warranty in Half Moon Bay. The 2 plans that Choice offers include options for appliance and system coverage. Choice offers very high coverage caps and simple-to-understand service contracts. Plus, it also has great customer service, professional contractors, and lower out-of-pocket costs compared to other home warranties.
There are 2 home warranty plans from Choice Home Warranty: Basic Plan and Total Plan. Choice has coverage caps of around $3,000 for most appliances and systems, but some plans may have different coverage caps, so make 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 on this provider, read our comprehensive 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
Select Home Warranty offers the most cost-effective home warranty in Half Moon Bay. The 3 plans that Select offers include options for appliance and system coverage. Select offers a highly affordable service fee and free roof coverage upon purchase of a policy plan. Plus, it also has an extensive network of highly trained professionals all over the country who are experts in home maintenance.
There are 3 home warranty plans from Select Home Warranty: Bronze Care Plan, Gold Care Plan, and Platinum Care Plan. Select has coverage caps of around $2,000 for most appliances and systems, but some plans may have different coverage caps, so make 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 on this provider, read our comprehensive 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
American Home Shield offers the most customizable home warranty in Half Moon Bay. The 3 plans that AHS offers include options for appliance and system coverage. AHS offers the ability to customize your plan with the coverages that work specifically for your home. Plus, it also has a remarkably low claim denial rate in comparison to other home warranty companies.
There are 3 home warranty plans from American Home Shield: ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, and ShieldPlatinum. AHS has coverage caps of around $2,500 for most appliances and systems, but some plans may have different coverage caps, so make 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 on this provider, read our comprehensive 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
First American Home Warranty offers the best home warranty for appliance coverage in Half Moon Bay. The 2 plans that First American offers include options for appliance and system coverage. First American offers very affordable and comprehensive appliance coverage. Plus, 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.
There are 2 home warranty plans from First American Home Warranty: Basic Plan and Premier Plan. First American has coverage caps of around $1,500 for most appliances and systems, but some plans may have different coverage caps, so make 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 on this provider, read our comprehensive 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
Cinch Home Services offers the home warranty with the best workmanship guarantee in Half Moon Bay. The 3 plans that Cinch offers include options for appliance and system coverage. Cinch offers a 180-day workmanship guarantee that ensures your home systems and appliance repairs will be professionally done. Plus, it also has a broad range of coverage options that will give homeowners peace of mind.
There are 3 home warranty plans from Cinch Home Services: 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 some plans may have different coverage caps, so make 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 on this provider, read our comprehensive 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
The Home Service Club offers the best home warranty with the quickest service in Half Moon Bay. The 2 plans that HSC offers include options for appliance and system coverage. HSC offers quick coverage where the home warranty goes into effect just ten days after you pay for the plan, instead of the typical 30 days. Plus, it also has customer service representatives available 24/7, as well as a 30-day labor guarantee and a 90-day parts guarantee.
There are 2 home warranty plans from The Home Service Club: Standard Coverage Plan and Comprehensive Coverage Plan. HSC has coverage caps of around $2,000 for most appliances and systems, but some plans may have different coverage caps, so make 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 on this provider, read our comprehensive 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 | $7,680 |
Heating | $5,120 |
Electrical | $768 |
Toilets | $640 |
Washer/Dryer | $1,024 |
Plumbing | $768 |
Oven | $2,048 |
Fridge | $768 |
A home warranty is a protection policy that assists Half Moon Bay homeowners cut the expenses of appliance and system repairs. The plans offer financial coverage to repair or replace appliances and systems that malfunction due to normal wear and tear.
When something breaks down, you submit a claim and pay a service fee. The home warranty company then arranges a contractor to handle the fix or replacement. Homeowners may have out-of-pocket costs only if the repair or replacement exceeds the item's coverage limit. A home warranty gives peace of mind to homeowners, as it helps prevent costly emergency repairs. Home warranties are especially useful for older houses or those with aging systems. New homes with up-to-date appliances may not require a home warranty.
Home warranties help protect your home systems and appliances. Common appliances covered under a home warranty include refrigerators, garbage disposals, dishwashers, washers, dryers, microwaves, and more. Covered systems include electrical, air conditioning, plumbing, and heating. Many home warranty plans also offer add-on coverage options for locksmiths, septic systems, central vacuums, and even roof leaks. It's important for Half Moon Bay homeowners to know that most home warranty policies have a 30-day period you must wait before they can be used to cover repairs. Additionally, policies typically only cover repairs and replacements due to normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't cover things like pre-existing conditions, cosmetic issues, natural disasters, or misuse of a system or appliance. It's important to keep up with preventative maintenance to help ensure that your next repair or replacement will be covered by the policy.
Before signing a home warranty contract, you should learn key terms like:
There are several important considerations when choosing a home warranty provider:
Home warranty coverage varies widely in the items that are included. Most plans provide coverage for heating, electrical, AC, plumbing, and appliances. More robust coverage options also cover other items such as spas, pools, roof leaks, and well pumps. Look for a company that offers robust coverage options, including upgraded plans. You want the flexibility to customize coverage to fit your home's specific systems and needs.
With any home warranty claim, you'll pay a service fee that can range from $60 to $100, which is paid per claim you submit. The per-request costs can add up. You may decide to look for companies with more affordable fees to maximize your savings on each claim. Some firms also offer disappearing deductibles when customers go a period with no claims filed.
A home warranty provider's reputation provides insights into factors such as repair speed, contractor expertise, claim approval rates, and customer satisfaction. Look at review sites like Google Reviews, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), or TrustPilot to learn more about companies. Positive ratings and feedback suggest a company known for delivering quality service.
Home warranty companies maintain networks of technicians to handle covered repairs. Bigger networks raise the probability of getting qualified technicians to service your home ASAP. Contact potential providers to find out how many contractors they have in Half Moon Bay to get a sense of how quickly your repairs could happen in an emergency.
Home warranty companies may include extras such as coverage for smart home devices, maintenance discounts, and energy efficiency upgrades. These add value beyond basic repair coverage. Added perks help maximize the usefulness of the home warranty.
Temperatures in Half Moon Bay can vary greatly throughout the year, which means your air conditioner and heating systems are most likely going to get a good bit of use. As a homeowner in Half Moon Bay, one of the benefits of having a home warranty is that these home systems and major appliances can be covered in the event they need to be repaired or replaced.
On top of saving you money on out-of-pocket expenses, a home warranty can provide you peace of mind and save you the headache of trying to find a qualified technician to visit your home. Home warranties usually have a network of pre-vetted contractors who can handle any repair issues you may come across. A home warranty can also yield value in other ways. For example, some policies can be transferred between owners when you sell your home.
One of the main drawbacks of a home warranty is not every home system and appliance you care about may be covered. It’s important to research the different plans and opt for one that covers all the appliances, systems, and add-ons you need.
Another downside is that home warranties may exclude some repairs, such as those due to 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 in Half Moon Bay can cost between $30 and $60 a month. Higher-priced plans usually have higher coverage limits, a lower service fee, and broader coverage. 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.
The difference between a home warranty and homeowner's insurance lies in what types of damage each covers. A home warranty protects against normal wear and tear to systems and appliances in a home. Homeowners insurance protects your entire home in a situation such as a fire or natural disaster. With homeowners insurance, you won't be able to file a claim if you need a new refrigerator or dishwasher, unless the damage is due to a natural disaster, which isn't that common in Half Moon Bay.
First-time homebuyers, real estate agents, homeowners, landlords, and home sellers can all get home warranty plans. A home warranty can help make your home more attractive to prospective buyers and save you money in the long run.
The different kinds of home warranties in Half Moon Bay include plans that cover either appliances or systems as well as comprehensive plans. A comprehensive plan will cover your systems and appliances, including your washing machine, drier, and plumbing. A plan that only covers appliances or systems will cover only the specific items mentioned in the policy.
Generally, a home warranty policy lasts for a year and can be renewed annually. Some companies may offer month-to-month plans.
Usually the homeowner is responsible for paying for the home warranty. In some cases, though, the home seller may buy a home warranty policy and transfer the policy to the buyer. The new homeowner will then need to pay the service fees when using the policy. Considering that the average home value in Half Moon Bay is $1,508,843, a home warranty can be an added asset when buying a home.