Written By David Cusick
Last Updated February 2024
Homeownership in Hillsborough comes with many benefits, but it also comes with worries and concerns. Your home’s appliances and systems will eventually need repairs, and this could mean a burdensome expense. A home warranty can give you the peace of mind you need and shield your bank account from unexpected expenses by covering your home’s major systems and appliances.
Finding the best home warranty on the market can be challenging, since there are so many companies to choose from. That’s why the Today's Homeowner team did the research and compiled a list of the best home warranty companies in Hillsborough for you.
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 is the best overall home warranty for Hillsborough residents. When you purchase a plan 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 home warranty provider offers 2 plans to policyholders with various system and appliance coverage options.
Choice Home Warranty offers 2 plans for Hillsborough homeowners. The Basic Plan and Total Plan are the options they have, which have 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 cheaper than other providers in the Hillsborough area.
Read more by visiting our review of Choice Home Warranty. To receive a free quote from Choice Home Warranty, 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
Select Home Warranty is the most cost-effective home warranty for Hillsborough residents. When you purchase a plan 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 home warranty provider offers 3 plans to policyholders with various system and appliance coverage options.
Select Home Warranty offers 3 plans for Hillsborough homeowners. The Bronze Care Plan, Gold Care Plan, and Platinum Care Plan are the options they have, which have 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 cheaper than other providers in the Hillsborough area.
Read more by visiting our review of Select Home Warranty. To receive a free quote from Select Home Warranty, 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
American Home Shield is the most customizable home warranty for Hillsborough residents. When you purchase a plan 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 home warranty provider offers 3 plans to policyholders with various system and appliance coverage options.
American Home Shield offers 3 plans for Hillsborough homeowners. The ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, and ShieldPlatinum are the options they have, which have 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 cheaper than other providers in the Hillsborough area.
Read more by visiting our review of American Home Shield. To receive a free quote from American Home Shield, 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
First American Home Warranty is the best home warranty for appliance coverage for Hillsborough residents. When you purchase a plan 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 home warranty provider offers 2 plans to policyholders with various system and appliance coverage options.
First American Home Warranty offers 2 plans for Hillsborough homeowners. The Basic Plan and Premier Plan are the options they have, which have 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 cheaper than other providers in the Hillsborough area.
Read more by visiting our review of First American Home Warranty. To receive a free quote from First American Home Warranty, 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
Cinch Home Services is the home warranty with the best workmanship guarantee for Hillsborough residents. When you purchase a plan 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 home warranty provider offers 3 plans to policyholders with various system and appliance coverage options.
Cinch Home Services offers 3 plans for Hillsborough homeowners. The Appliances Plan, Built-in Systems Plan, and Complete Home Plan are the options they have, which have 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 cheaper than other providers in the Hillsborough area.
Read more by visiting our review of Cinch Home Services. To receive a free quote from Cinch Home Services, 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
The Home Service Club is the best home warranty with the quickest service for Hillsborough residents. When you purchase a plan 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 home warranty provider offers 2 plans to policyholders with various system and appliance coverage options.
The Home Service Club offers 2 plans for Hillsborough homeowners. The Standard Coverage Plan and Comprehensive Coverage Plan are the options they have, which have 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 cheaper than other providers in the Hillsborough area.
Read more by visiting our review of The Home Service Club. To receive a free quote from The Home Service Club, 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 | $8,217 |
Heating | $5,478 |
Electrical | $822 |
Toilets | $685 |
Washer/Dryer | $1,096 |
Plumbing | $822 |
Oven | $2,191 |
Fridge | $822 |
A home warranty is a protection policy that helps Hillsborough homeowners cut the expenses of appliance and system repairs. The plans provide financial coverage to fix or swap out 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 repair or replacement. Homeowners may have out-of-pocket costs only if the repair or replacement exceeds the item's coverage limit. A home warranty policy gives homeowners peace of mind and can help avoid costly emergency repairs. They can be especially helpful for people purchasing older homes or homes with systems near the end of their life span. However, newer homes with appliances and fixtures in good condition may not need a home warranty.
Home warranties cover your home systems and appliances. Warranties usually cover appliances such as garbage disposals, dishwashers, dryers, washers, refrigerators, microwaves, and more. Covered systems include heating, air conditioning, electrical, and plumbing. Many home warranty companies also offer additional coverage for central vacuums, locksmiths, septic systems, and roof leaks. It's important for Hillsborough homeowners to know that most home warranty policies have a 30-day period you must wait before they will cover the cost of any repairs. Additionally, policies typically only cover repairs and replacements needed due to normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't cover things like cosmetic issues, natural disasters, pre-existing conditions, or damage caused by improperly using a system or appliance. You need to keep up with preventative maintenance to ensure that your next repair or replacement is covered by the policy.
Home warranties use several terms that you'll want to know before signing a contract, such as:
There are several important factors to consider when selecting a home warranty provider:
Home warranty coverage differs significantly when it comes to what's covered. Most plans cover plumbing, AC, electrical, heating, and appliances. More robust coverage options also include protection for other items such as pools, roof leaks, spas, and well pumps. Look for a company that offers an extensive selection of coverage options, including upgraded plans. Flexibility is important when trying to fit a home warranty to your home's specific systems and 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 providers also offer disappearing deductibles when a homeowner goes a defined period without any repair requests.
A home warranty provider's reputation can give you insight into things such as contractor quality, repair timeliness, approval rates, and customer satisfaction. Check review platforms such as Google Reviews, TrustPilot, or the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to research providers. Positive ratings and feedback indicate a company known for great service.
Home warranty companies maintain networks of local contractors to handle repairs in your area. Contact potential providers to learn how many repair contractors they have in Hillsborough and get an idea for how quickly your repairs could take place in an emergency situation. Wider networks increase the chances of getting qualified contractors to swiftly service your home.
Some home warranty companies include bonuses such as smart home device protection, maintenance discounts, and energy efficiency upgrades. These perks add value beyond repair coverage. Extra bonuses can maximize the usefulness of your home warranty.
Temperatures in Hillsborough can vary greatly throughout the year, which means your air conditioner and heating systems are most likely going to get a decent amount of use. As a homeowner in Hillsborough, one of the benefits of having a home warranty is knowing that these home systems and major appliances can be covered if they need to be repaired or replaced.
A home warranty also can also save you time and energy. Instead of spending hours finding and choosing a contractor to fix your appliance or system, home warranty providers do the hard work for you and send a trusted professional to your door whenever 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 to the new owners. This can make your house more attractive to potential homebuyers and may help your home sell faster.
Home warranties also have some downsides. Although it can give you less to worry about since the home warranty sends out a repair person who handles the repair for you, some people may not like this, and they would rather choose a contractor themselves. If that’s important to you, some home warranty plans let you choose a contractor.
Another downside is that home warranties may not include some repairs, like those needed because of natural disasters. For example, if your house floods, the affected systems and appliances probably won’t be covered by the home warranty.
A home warranty in Hillsborough can cost between $30 and $60 a month. Higher-priced plans tend to have broader coverage, higher coverage limits, and a lower service fee. 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.
Home warranties and home insurance differ in what types of damage they cover. Home warranties cover problems with systems and appliances that need repairs or replacements due to normal wear and tear. A home insurance policy is a different kind of insurance that protects an entire home from natural disasters, which might not be too much of a concern in Hillsborough. It doesn't cover a typical appliance or system breakage.
First-time homebuyers, homeowners, landlords, home sellers, and real estate agents 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 Hillsborough include plans that cover either appliances or systems as well as comprehensive plans. A comprehensive plan will cover almost all your home systems and appliances, including your dishwasher, washing machine, and plumbing. A plan that only covers appliances or systems will cover only the items listed in the policy.
Home warranty plans usually provide coverage for a year. Many providers let you renew your plan each year, and some offer month-to-month plans as well.
Typically, the person who owns the home is responsible for paying for the home warranty. In some cases, though, the one 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. Considering that the average home value in Hillsborough is $5,143,752, a home warranty can save you some money when buying a home.