Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Written By David Cusick
Last Updated April 2024
There are lots of advantages of owning a home, but as your Healdsburg home gets older, you may need to factor in the cost of updating your systems and appliances. A home warranty in Healdsburg can help lower your out-of-pocket costs by covering repairs or replacements to major home appliances and systems that stop working due to normal wear and tear.
Choosing the best home warranty on the market can be difficult because of the numerous options available. If you're overwhelmed by trying to compare them all, keep reading for our guide to the best home warranty companies in Healdsburg.
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 Healdsburg, Choice Home Warranty is the best overall home warranty. The 2 plans from Choice are comprehensive and offer both system and appliance 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.
Choice Home Warranty has 2 plans that provide a mix of system and appliance coverage. The coverage limits from Choice are about $3,000. The service fees are an affordable $85, which is lower than other providers in the Healdsburg area.
Read our comprehensive review of Choice Home Warranty to learn more. To receive a free quote from Choice Home Warranty, you can fill out this online form or call 929-400-6164.
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 Healdsburg, Select Home Warranty is the most cost-effective home warranty. The 3 plans from Select are comprehensive and offer both system and appliance 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.
Select Home Warranty has 3 plans that provide a mix of system and appliance coverage. The coverage limits from Select are about $2,000. The service fees are a reasonable $60, which is lower than other providers in the Healdsburg area.
Read our comprehensive review of Select Home Warranty to learn more. To receive a free quote from Select Home Warranty, you can fill out this online form or call 888-370-3953.
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 Healdsburg, American Home Shield is the most customizable home warranty. The 3 plans from AHS are comprehensive and offer both system and appliance 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.
American Home Shield has 3 plans that provide a mix of system and appliance coverage. The coverage limits 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 Healdsburg area.
Read our comprehensive review of American Home Shield to learn more. To receive a free quote from American Home Shield, you can fill out this online form or call 888-365-2839.
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 Healdsburg, First American Home Warranty is the best home warranty for appliance coverage. The 2 plans from First American are comprehensive and offer both system and appliance 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.
First American Home Warranty has 2 plans that provide a mix of system and appliance coverage. The coverage limits from First American are about $1,500. The service fees are a reasonable $85, which is lower than other providers in the Healdsburg area.
Read our comprehensive review of First American Home Warranty to learn more. To receive a free quote from First American Home Warranty, you can fill out this online form or call 833-204-7164.
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 Healdsburg, Cinch Home Services is the home warranty with the best workmanship guarantee. The 3 plans from Cinch are comprehensive and offer both system and appliance 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.
Cinch Home Services has 3 plans that provide a mix of system and appliance coverage. The coverage limits 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 Healdsburg area.
Read our comprehensive review of Cinch Home Services to learn more. To receive a free quote from Cinch Home Services, you can fill out this online form or call 877-589-0505.
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 Healdsburg, The Home Service Club is the best home warranty with the quickest service. The 2 plans from HSC are comprehensive and offer both system and appliance 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.
The Home Service Club has 2 plans that provide a mix of system and appliance coverage. The coverage limits 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 Healdsburg area.
Read our comprehensive review of The Home Service Club to learn more. To receive a free quote from The Home Service Club, you can fill out this online form or call 800-750-9443.
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 | $7,228 |
| Heating | $4,819 |
| Electrical | $723 |
| Toilets | $602 |
| Washer/Dryer | $964 |
| Plumbing | $723 |
| Oven | $1,928 |
| Fridge | $723 |
A home warranty is a protection policy that helps reduce the high costs for Healdsburg homeowners needing appliance and system repairs. These plans provide coverage to repair or swap out appliances and systems that stop working due to normal wear and tear.
Homeowners file a claim and pay a service fee when something breaks. The home warranty company then arranges a contractor to make the repair or replacement. The only time you may pay out-of-pocket is if the cost of the repair or replacement exceeds the item's coverage limit. A home warranty gives reassurance to homeowners because it helps prevent expensive emergency repairs. Home warranties are especially useful for owners of older homes or homes with aging systems. New homes with modern appliances may not need a home warranty.
Home warranties cover your home systems and appliances. Common covered appliances are refrigerators, dishwashers, washers, garbage disposals, dryers, microwaves, and more. Included systems are usually heating, plumbing, electrical, and air conditioning. Many home warranty companies provide add-on coverage for septic systems, roof leaks, central vacuums, and locksmiths. It's important for Healdsburg 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, most policies only cover repairs and replacements due to normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't cover things like natural disasters, cosmetic issues, pre-existing conditions, or improper use of a system or appliance. Make sure to keep up with preventative maintenance to ensure that your next repair or replacement will be covered by the policy.
Before agreeing to a home warranty contract, you should understand key terms like:
When you're deciding on a home warranty provider, there are several key things to take into account:
Home warranties have significant variation in what they include. Basic policies typically provide protection for electrical, heating, AC, plumbing, and appliances, while more comprehensive options may also cover spas, roof leaks, well pumps, and pools. Look for providers with an array of coverage options, such as upgraded plans. Flexibility helps you tailor your protection for your needs.
With any home warranty claim, you'll pay a service fee, usually falling in the $60 to $100 range, which is paid per claim you submit. The per-request costs can add up. You may decide to look for providers with lower service fees to maximize your savings on each claim. Some providers also offer disappearing deductibles for customers who don't file any claims over a certain timespan.
A home warranty company's reputation can offer insight into things such as contractor quality, speed of repairs, approval rates for claims, and customer satisfaction. Use third-party review sites such as the Better Business Bureau (BBB), Google Reviews, or TrustPilot to research companies. Good ratings and reviews indicate that a company is known for top-tier service.
Home warranty providers use networks of local repair contractors to manage repairs in a given area. Contact potential providers to learn the number of repair professionals they have in Healdsburg and get an idea of how fast your repairs could be handled in an emergency. Bigger networks increase the probability of getting qualified contractors to swiftly service your home.
Certain home warranty providers include extras such as discounts on maintenance, protection for smart home devices, and energy-efficient upgrades. These bonuses provide extra value beyond repair coverage. Added perks help improve your home and help maximize your home warranty.
Healdsburg’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 will cover your home’s appliances and systems in the event they need to be repaired or replaced. For example, if your air conditioner breaks down in the middle of July, a home warranty can cover the needed repairs, saving you from spending a lot of money out of pocket.
Additionally, having a home warranty can save you some time by removing the need to research service technicians — most companies will send a trusted professional right to your door to carry out the repair or replacement. Another benefit of having a home warranty is if you want to sell your home, you can most likely transfer your home warranty plan to the new owners. It can make your home more attractive to potential homebuyers and may help your home sell faster.
Home warranties also have some cons. While it can be convenient that the home warranty sends out a repair person who does the repair for you, some may not like this, and they may want to select a contractor themselves. If that’s important to you, some home warranty companies allow you to choose a contractor.
Another pain point of home warranties is that they don’t cover items that have been improperly maintained. This can lead to your repair requests being rejected, so it’s important to make sure you follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for maintenance of your home systems and appliances.
A home warranty policy costs, on average, around $300 to $600 a year in Healdsburg. Our top-rated home warranty companies' most comprehensive coverage options vary from $546 to $840 per year. You can get a lower monthly payment with some companies by choosing a higher service fee. In addition, it's usually cheaper to pay annually rather than monthly.
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. A homeowners insurance plan protects your home in case of a situation such as a natural disaster or fire. Under a homeowners insurance plan, you won't be able to file a claim should 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 Healdsburg.
A home warranty policy can help home sellers, homebuyers, real estate agents, investors, and homeowners. It can offer peace of mind and savings to anyone involved with homeownership.
The different kinds of home warranties in Healdsburg include plans that cover either appliances or systems as well as combination plans. A combination plan covers your home systems and appliances, such as your refrigerator, washing machine, and HVAC. A plan that only covers appliances or systems will cover only the specific items mentioned in the contract.
Home warranty plans usually provide coverage for a year. Many companies let you renew your plan annually, and some offer month-to-month plans as well.
Typically, the homeowner is the one who pays the premium and service fees. However, when buying a new home, sometimes the seller will pay for the policy. This can then be transferred to the new homeowner, who will pay the service fees when using the policy. In Healdsburg, where the median home value is $1,115,583, having the seller pay for the home warranty can save you some money on your new home.
