Written By David Cusick
Last Updated February 2024
Buying a home is a big step in many people’s lives, but maintaining it can get costly over time, especially if your home in Hayward is on the older side. A home warranty is a way to protect your savings from unexpected home repairs and expenses. With a home warranty in place, your repair costs can be considerably lower and give you some peace of mind.
The home warranty market is saturated with a lot of providers — all with different price points — so our team at Today's Homeowner has compiled this guide to help you find the best home warranty companies in Hayward.
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 Hayward, Choice Home Warranty offers the best overall home warranty. The home warranty provider offers 2 plans to policyholders, which have various options for appliance and system coverage. If you’re looking for very high coverage caps and simple-to-understand service contracts, you’ll want to have this plan on your side. Plus, it has great customer service, professional contractors, and lower out-of-pocket costs compared to other home warranties.
Choice Home Warranty offers 2 plans for Hayward homeowners. The Basic Plan and Total Plan are the options they have, which contain a mix of system and appliance coverage. The coverage caps from Choice are about $3,000. The service fees are an affordable $85, which is lower than other providers in the Hayward area.
To receive a free quote from Choice Home Warranty, fill out this online form or give them a call at 929-400-6164. Read more by visiting our 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 Hayward, Select Home Warranty offers the most cost-effective home warranty. The home warranty provider offers 3 plans to policyholders, which have various options for appliance and system coverage. If you’re looking for a highly affordable service fee and free roof coverage upon purchase of a policy plan, you’ll want to have this plan on your side. Plus, it has an extensive network of highly trained professionals all over the country who are experts in home maintenance.
Select Home Warranty offers 3 plans for Hayward homeowners. The Bronze Care Plan, Gold Care Plan, and Platinum Care Plan are the options they have, which contain a mix of system and appliance coverage. The coverage caps from Select are about $2,000. The service fees are a reasonable $60, which is lower than other providers in the Hayward area.
To receive a free quote from Select Home Warranty, fill out this online form or give them a call at 888-370-3953. Read more by visiting our 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 Hayward, American Home Shield offers the most customizable home warranty. The home warranty provider offers 3 plans to policyholders, which have various options for appliance and system coverage. If you’re looking for the ability to customize your plan with the coverages that work specifically for your home, you’ll want to have this plan on your side. Plus, it has a remarkably low claim denial rate in comparison to other home warranty companies.
American Home Shield offers 3 plans for Hayward homeowners. The ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, and ShieldPlatinum are the options they have, which contain a mix of system and appliance coverage. The coverage caps from AHS are about $2,500. The service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $125, which is lower than other providers in the Hayward area.
To receive a free quote from American Home Shield, fill out this online form or give them a call at 888-365-2839. Read more by visiting our 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 Hayward, First American Home Warranty offers the best home warranty for appliance coverage. The home warranty provider offers 2 plans to policyholders, which have various options for appliance and system coverage. If you’re looking for very affordable and comprehensive appliance coverage, you’ll want to have this plan on your side. 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.
First American Home Warranty offers 2 plans for Hayward homeowners. The Basic Plan and Premier Plan are the options they have, which contain a mix of system and appliance coverage. The coverage caps from First American are about $1,500. The service fees are a reasonable $85, which is lower than other providers in the Hayward area.
To receive a free quote from First American Home Warranty, fill out this online form or give them a call at 833-204-7164. Read more by visiting our 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 Hayward, Cinch Home Services offers the home warranty with the best workmanship guarantee. The home warranty provider offers 3 plans to policyholders, which have various options for appliance and system coverage. If you’re looking for a 180-day workmanship guarantee that ensures your home systems and appliance repairs will be professionally done, you’ll want to have this plan on your side. Plus, it has a broad range of coverage options that will give homeowners peace of mind.
Cinch Home Services offers 3 plans for Hayward homeowners. The Appliances Plan, Built-in Systems Plan, and Complete Home Plan are the options they have, which contain a mix of system and appliance coverage. The coverage caps from Cinch are about $1,000-$2,000. The service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $150, which is lower than other providers in the Hayward area.
To receive a free quote from Cinch Home Services, fill out this online form or give them a call at 877-589-0505. Read more by visiting our 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 Hayward, The Home Service Club offers the best home warranty with the quickest service. The home warranty provider offers 2 plans to policyholders, which have various options for appliance and system coverage. 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, you’ll want to have this plan on your side. Plus, it has customer service representatives available 24/7, as well as a 30-day labor guarantee and a 90-day parts guarantee.
The Home Service Club offers 2 plans for Hayward homeowners. The Standard Coverage Plan and Comprehensive Coverage Plan are the options they have, which contain a mix of system and appliance coverage. The coverage caps from HSC are about $2,000. The service fees are customizable and range from $65 to $90, which is lower than other providers in the Hayward area.
To receive a free quote from The Home Service Club, fill out this online form or give them a call at 800-750-9443. Read more by visiting our 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 | $7,924 |
Heating | $5,283 |
Electrical | $792 |
Toilets | $660 |
Washer/Dryer | $1,057 |
Plumbing | $792 |
Oven | $2,113 |
Fridge | $792 |
A home warranty is a protection policy that helps Hayward homeowners lower the high costs of household repairs. These plans offer financial protection to repair or replace appliances and systems that stop working from normal wear and tear.
Homeowners file 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 gives homeowners peace of mind, as it helps avoid expensive emergency repairs. The coverage is particularly helpful for those living in older houses or houses with fixtures near the end of their life span. However, people with newer homes and modern appliances might not need a home warranty.
Home warranties cover many home systems and appliances. Common covered appliances are dryers, washers, refrigerators, dishwashers, garbage disposals, microwaves, and others. Protected systems include air conditioning, electrical, plumbing, and heating. Many home warranty plans offer additional coverage for central vacuums, roof leaks, septic systems, and even locksmiths. Hayward homeowners should know that most home warranty plans begin with a 30-day waiting period before repairs are covered. What's more, most policies only cover the cost of 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 make sure your next repair or replacement is covered.
Before agreeing to a home warranty contract, you should understand key terms like:
There are several key factors to consider when choosing a home warranty provider:
Home warranty coverage varies widely in the items that are included. Most plans include protection for electrical, heating, AC, plumbing, and appliances. More robust coverage options also cover other items such as well pumps, spas, pools, and roof leaks. Look for a provider that offers robust coverage options, 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, you may want to choose a provider with more affordable fees to maximize savings. Some providers also remove deductibles when customers have a claim-free period.
A home warranty provider's reputation provides insight into things such as approval rates, repair timeliness, contractor quality, and customer service. Check review platforms such as TrustPilot, Google Reviews, or the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to research companies. Good ratings and feedback indicate a provider known for exceptional service.
Home warranty companies maintain networks of contractors to handle covered repairs. Larger networks raise the probability of getting qualified technicians to service your home ASAP. Ask potential providers how many contractors they have in Hayward to get a sense of how soon your repairs could happen in an emergency.
Home warranty providers often offer bonuses such as energy efficiency upgrades, maintenance discounts, and coverage for smart home devices. These add value beyond repair coverage. Added perks help maximize the usefulness of the home warranty.
Temperatures in Hayward can get quite high in the summer, which means your air conditioner is likely to get a lot of use. As a homeowner in Hayward, one benefit of having a home warranty is knowing that these home systems and major appliances can be covered if they have to be repaired or replaced.
Not only can a home warranty save you some money on repairs and replacements, it saves you time too. Instead of needing to vet service technicians yourself, home warranty companies do the work for you and send a contractor from their network right to your door when you need them. Another good thing about having a home warranty is when you’re selling your home, you can most likely transfer your home warranty policy to the new owners. It can make your home more attractive to potential homebuyers and may help your house sell faster.
Home warranties also have some cons. While it can give you less to worry about since the home warranty sends out a repair person who does the repair for you, some homeowners may not like this, and they would prefer to choose their own contractor. If that’s the case for you, some home warranty providers let you select a contractor.
Another downside is that home warranties may not include some repairs, such as those needed because of natural disasters. For example, if your HVAC system is damaged from an animal infestation, the impacted systems and appliances most likely won’t be covered by the home warranty.
A home warranty in Hayward can cost between $30 and $60 a month. The higher-priced plans tend to have broader coverage, higher coverage limits, and a lower service fee. Home warranties are often cheaper when you pay annually instead of monthly. Some companies will also reduce your up-front costs when you agree to a higher service fee.
Home warranties and home insurance differ in what sorts of damage they cover. Home warranty policies cover problems 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 Hayward. It doesn't cover a typical appliance or system breakage.
A home warranty policy can help homeowners, home sellers, investors, real estate agents, and homebuyers. It can offer peace of mind to anyone involved with homeownership.
The different home warranties in Hayward include plans that cover either appliances or systems as well as comprehensive plans. A comprehensive plan covers almost all your home systems and appliances, including your refrigerator, washing machine, and HVAC. An appliance or system plan will cover only the specific items mentioned in the policy.
Home warranty plans usually offer coverage for a year. Many companies let you renew your plan annually, and some offer month-to-month options as well.
In general, the homeowner is the one who pays the premium and service fees. However, when buying a new home, sometimes the seller is the one who paid for the policy. This can then be transferred to the new homeowner, who has to pay the service fees when using the policy. In Hayward, where the median home value is $847,945, having the seller pay for the home warranty can save you some money on your new home.