Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Written By David Cusick
Last Updated February 2024
Owning a home in Indio has many great advantages, but there are some downsides. Hot summers can cause problems in a home and lead to wear and tear on systems like your HVAC. A home warranty plan can help protect homeowners by covering major repairs and replacements on your home’s most important systems and appliances.
The home warranty market is filled with many providers — all with different plans — so our team at Today's Homeowner has done the research to help you choose the best home warranty companies in Indio.
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 for Indio residents. With a home warranty from Choice, you can benefit from very high coverage caps and simple-to-understand service contracts. Not to mention, it has great customer service, professional contractors, and lower out-of-pocket costs compared to other home warranties. The 2 plans from Choice are easy to understand and offer a mix of both system and appliance coverage.
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 with some plans, the coverage caps can be higher, so make sure to check with the company. Service fees are an affordable $85.
To read more, visit our full review of Choice Home Warranty. To receive a free quote from Choice Home Warranty, fill out this online form or give them a call at 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 offers the most cost-effective home warranty for Indio residents. With a home warranty from Select, you can benefit from a highly affordable service fee and free roof coverage upon purchase of a policy plan. Not to mention, it has an extensive network of highly trained professionals all over the country who are experts in home maintenance. The 3 plans from Select are easy to understand and offer a mix of both system and appliance coverage.
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 with some plans, the coverage caps can be higher, so make sure to check with the company. Service fees are a reasonable $60.
To read more, visit our full review of Select Home Warranty. To receive a free quote from Select Home Warranty, fill out this online form or give them a call at 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 offers the most customizable home warranty for Indio residents. With a home warranty from AHS, you can benefit from the ability to customize your plan with the coverages that work specifically for your home. Not to mention, it has a remarkably low claim denial rate in comparison to other home warranty companies. The 3 plans from AHS are easy to understand and offer a mix of both system and appliance coverage.
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 with some plans, the coverage caps can be higher, so make sure to check with the company. Service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $125.
To read more, visit our full review of American Home Shield. To receive a free quote from American Home Shield, fill out this online form or give them a call at 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 offers the best home warranty for appliance coverage for Indio residents. With a home warranty from First American, you can benefit from very affordable and comprehensive appliance coverage. Not to mention, 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. The 2 plans from First American are easy to understand and offer a mix of both system and appliance coverage.
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 with some plans, the coverage caps can be higher, so make sure to check with the company. Service fees are a reasonable $85.
To read more, visit our full review of First American Home Warranty. To receive a free quote from First American Home Warranty, fill out this online form or give them a call at 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 offers the home warranty with the best workmanship guarantee for Indio residents. With a home warranty from Cinch, you can benefit from a 180-day workmanship guarantee that ensures your home systems and appliance repairs will be professionally done. Not to mention, it has a broad range of coverage options that will give homeowners peace of mind. The 3 plans from Cinch are easy to understand and offer a mix of both system and appliance coverage.
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 with some plans, the coverage caps can be higher, so make sure to check with the company. Service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $150.
To read more, visit our full review of Cinch Home Services. To receive a free quote from Cinch Home Services, fill out this online form or give them a call at 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 offers the best home warranty with the quickest service for Indio residents. With a home warranty from HSC, you can benefit from quick coverage where the home warranty goes into effect just ten days after you pay for the plan, instead of the typical 30 days. Not to mention, it 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 HSC are easy to understand and offer a mix of both system and appliance coverage.
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 with some plans, the coverage caps can be higher, so make sure to check with the company. Service fees are customizable and range from $65 to $90.
To read more, visit our full review of The Home Service Club. To receive a free quote from The Home Service Club, fill out this online form or give them a call at 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 | $6,488 |
| Heating | $4,325 |
| Electrical | $649 |
| Toilets | $541 |
| Washer/Dryer | $865 |
| Plumbing | $649 |
| Oven | $1,730 |
| Fridge | $649 |
A home warranty is a protection plan that helps Indio homeowners reduce the high costs of household repairs. These plans provide financial protection to repair or swap out appliances and systems that break down from normal wear and tear.
Homeowners submit a claim and pay a service fee when something breaks. The home warranty company then finds a contractor to make the fix or replacement. The only time you may pay out-of-pocket is if the cost of the repair or replacement goes over the item's coverage limit. A home warranty gives peace of mind for homeowners by helping them avoid expensive emergency repairs. They're particularly valuable for those who own older homes or ones with outdated systems. Newer builds with working appliances probably don’t require a home warranty.
Home warranties cover many household systems and appliances. Warranties usually cover appliances such as refrigerators, washers, dishwashers, microwaves, garbage disposals, dryers, and others. Covered systems include electrical, air conditioning, plumbing, and heating. Many home warranty companies also provide additional coverage for locksmiths, roof leaks, septic systems, and central vacuums. Indio should understand that most home warranty plans have a waiting period of 30 days before repairs are covered. The majority of policies also only cover repairs and replacements due to normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't include natural disasters, pre-existing conditions, cosmetic issues, or misusing a system or appliance. Be diligent about completing preventative maintenance to ensure your next repair or replacement is covered.
Home warranties use several terms that you'll want to learn before signing a contract, such as:
There are several key factors to consider when selecting a home warranty provider:
Home warranties differ greatly in the items covered. Basic policies typically include plumbing, heating, AC, electrical, and appliances, while more comprehensive options may also cover pools, spas, roof leaks, and well pumps. Focus on companies with wide-ranging coverage selections including upgraded plans. This flexibility enables you to customize your plan to meet your needs.
Expect to pay a per-service fee of $60-100 for each home warranty claim. As this charge applies to every separate claim, some homeowners prefer to choose a provider with more affordable fees to maximize savings on every claim. Some companies also do away with deductibles for homeowners who don't file claims in a certain period.
A home warranty company's reputation gives you insight into things such as timeliness of repairs, claim approval rates, contractor quality, and overall customer satisfaction. Use third-party review sites such as TrustPilot, Google Reviews, or the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to research providers. Complimentary reviews and ratings indicate a provider known for stellar service.
Home warranty providers use networks of local repair professionals to manage repairs in a given area. Reach out to potential companies to learn the number of repair technicians they have in Indio and get an idea of how quickly your repairs could be handled in an emergency. Wider networks increase the chance of getting qualified contractors to quickly service your home.
Certain home warranty companies offer extras such as discounts on maintenance, energy-efficient upgrades, and protection for smart home devices. These offer extra value beyond repair coverage. Extra perks help improve your home and maximize your home warranty.
Since temperatures in Indio can easily reach 100 degrees, the extreme weather can put a lot of strain on your air conditioner. Buying a home warranty can help homeowners save money if one of these systems or appliances breaks down suddenly.
Not only can a home warranty give you some savings, but it also saves you time. If an appliance breaks down, the last thing you want to do is find a repair person and schedule a repair. A home warranty handles the research by sending trusted professionals to your door when you need them most. Another added benefit of having a home warranty plan is that it can increase your home’s property value. If you ever decide to sell your house, you may be able to transfer your home warranty plan to the new homebuyer depending on the company you have your home warranty with.
One downside of signing up for a home warranty is that there are often exclusions. For example, if one of your appliances already has a manufacturer's warranty, it may be excluded from the home warranty, so it’s important to read through any contracts you’re considering thoroughly to understand what is included and what isn’t.
Another thing to bear in mind is that some providers don’t cover pre-existing problems and may require an inspection before coverage begins. Ask the home warranty company for clarification about this if you aren’t sure or if this is a problem for you.
A home warranty in Indio can cost between $30 and $60 a month. The higher-priced plans typically have higher coverage limits, broader coverage, and a lower service fee. This cost is often lower if you pay annually instead of monthly. Some companies will also decrease your up-front costs when you opt for 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 covers normal wear and tear to systems and appliances in a home. Homeowners insurance protects your entire home in case of a situation such as a fire or natural disaster. Under a homeowners insurance plan, you will not be able to file a claim if you need a new washing machine or air conditioner, unless the damage is due to a natural disaster, which isn't that common in Indio.
First-time homebuyers, real estate agents, homeowners, home sellers, and landlords are all eligible for home warranty plans. A home warranty can help make your house more attractive to prospective buyers and save you money in the long run.
The different kinds of home warranties in Indio include plans with coverage for either appliances or systems as well as combination plans. A combination plan will cover almost all your home systems and appliances, including your washing machine, drier, and HVAC. An appliance or system plan will cover only the specific items mentioned in the policy.
Generally, a home warranty offers coverage for a year and can be renewed annually. Some companies may offer month-to-month options.
Typically, the homeowner pays for the home warranty. In some cases, though, the home seller may purchase a home warranty plan 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 Indio is $504,597, a home warranty can save you some money when buying a home.
