Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Written By David Cusick
Last Updated April 2024
Although homeownership in Livermore has many perks — such as the convenience of city life — there are also not so glamorous sides. One major hassle many homeowners have to deal with eventually is updating or repairing their home systems and appliances. A home warranty in Livermore can help reduce your out-of-pocket costs by covering repairs or replacements to major home systems and appliances that stop working due to normal wear and tear.
The home warranty market is filled with many providers — all with different plans — so our team at Today's Homeowner has compiled this guide to help you find the best home warranty companies in Livermore.
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 Livermore, Choice Home Warranty offers the best overall home warranty. Choice has been in business for over 15 years, making it a respected company in the industry. If you’re looking for very high coverage caps and simple-to-understand service contracts, Choice is the perfect provider for you. Plus, it has great customer service, professional contractors, and lower out-of-pocket costs compared to other home warranties. Choice offers 2 plans for homeowners to choose from.
Choice Home Warranty offers 2 plans for Livermore homeowners. The Basic Plan and Total Plan are the options they have, which have a mix of system and appliance coverage. The coverage caps associated with Choice’s plans are close to the $3,000 mark for most of the major systems and appliances, and service fees are an affordable $85.
Read our thorough review of Choice Home Warranty to learn more. To get 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
In Livermore, Select Home Warranty offers the most cost-effective home warranty. Select has been in business for over 11 years, making it a respected company in the industry. If you’re looking for a highly affordable service fee and free roof coverage upon purchase of a policy plan, Select is the perfect provider for you. Plus, it has an extensive network of highly trained professionals all over the country who are experts in home maintenance. Select offers 3 plans for homeowners to choose from.
Select Home Warranty offers 3 plans for Livermore 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 caps associated with Select’s plans are close to the $2,000 mark for most of the major systems and appliances, and service fees are a reasonable $60.
Read our thorough review of Select Home Warranty to learn more. To get 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
In Livermore, American Home Shield offers the most customizable home warranty. AHS has been in business for over 26 years, making it a respected company in the industry. If you’re looking for the ability to customize your plan with the coverages that work specifically for your home, AHS is the perfect provider for you. Plus, it has a remarkably low claim denial rate in comparison to other home warranty companies. AHS offers 3 plans for homeowners to choose from.
American Home Shield offers 3 plans for Livermore homeowners. The ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, and ShieldPlatinum are the options they have, which have a mix of system and appliance coverage. The coverage caps associated with AHS’s plans are close to the $2,500 mark for most of the major systems and appliances, and service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $125.
Read our thorough review of American Home Shield to learn more. To get 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
In Livermore, First American Home Warranty offers the best home warranty for appliance coverage. First American has been in business for over 39 years, making it a respected company in the industry. If you’re looking for very affordable and comprehensive appliance coverage, First American is the perfect provider for you. 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 offers 2 plans for homeowners to choose from.
First American Home Warranty offers 2 plans for Livermore homeowners. The Basic Plan and Premier Plan are the options they have, which have a mix of system and appliance coverage. The coverage caps associated with First American’s plans are close to the $1,500 mark for most of the major systems and appliances, and service fees are a reasonable $85.
Read our thorough review of First American Home Warranty to learn more. To get 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
In Livermore, Cinch Home Services offers the home warranty with the best workmanship guarantee. Cinch has been in business for over 44 years, making it a respected company in the industry. If you’re looking for a 180-day workmanship guarantee that ensures your home systems and appliance repairs will be professionally done, Cinch is the perfect provider for you. Plus, it has a broad range of coverage options that will give homeowners peace of mind. Cinch offers 3 plans for homeowners to choose from.
Cinch Home Services offers 3 plans for Livermore 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 caps associated with Cinch’s plans are close to the $1,000-$2,000 mark for most of the major systems and appliances, and service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $150.
Read our thorough review of Cinch Home Services to learn more. To get 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
In Livermore, The Home Service Club offers the best home warranty with the quickest service. HSC has been in business for over 15 years, making it a respected company in the industry. 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, HSC is the perfect provider for you. Plus, it has customer service representatives available 24/7, as well as a 30-day labor guarantee and a 90-day parts guarantee. HSC offers 2 plans for homeowners to choose from.
The Home Service Club offers 2 plans for Livermore 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 caps associated with HSC’s plans are close to the $2,000 mark for most of the major systems and appliances, and service fees are customizable and range from $65 to $90.
Read our thorough review of The Home Service Club to learn more. To get 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 | $8,130 |
| Heating | $5,420 |
| Electrical | $813 |
| Toilets | $677 |
| Washer/Dryer | $1,084 |
| Plumbing | $813 |
| Oven | $2,168 |
| Fridge | $813 |
A home warranty is a protection plan that assists Livermore homeowners in reducing the costs of appliance and system repairs. The plans offer coverage to swap out or fix appliances and systems that malfunction due to normal wear and tear.
When something stops working, you file a claim and pay a service fee. The home warranty provider then finds a contractor to handle the replacement or fix. Homeowners may have out-of-pocket costs only if the cost of the repair or replacement goes over the item's coverage limit. A home warranty gives homeowners reassurance, as it helps avoid expensive emergency repairs. The coverage is especially helpful for buyers of older houses or houses with systems near the end of their life span. However, homeowners with newer homes and functioning appliances may not require a home warranty.
Home warranties cover your home systems and appliances. Common covered appliances are washers, refrigerators, dishwashers, garbage disposals, microwaves, dryers, and more. Included systems are usually electrical, heating, plumbing, and air conditioning. Many home warranty providers offer add-on coverage for septic systems, locksmiths, central vacuums, and roof leaks. It's important for Livermore 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, most policies only cover repairs and replacements that result from normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't cover problems such as cosmetic issues, natural disasters, pre-existing conditions, or misuse of a system or appliance. You need to keep up with preventative maintenance to help ensure that your next repair or replacement will be covered by your policy.
Home warranties use several terms that you'll want to learn before signing a contract, such as:
There are several important factors to consider when selecting a home warranty provider:
Home warranties have significant variation in what they include. Basic plans typically include AC, electrical, heating, plumbing, and appliances, while more comprehensive plans may also cover spas, roof leaks, pools, and well pumps. Focus on providers with an expansive array of coverage choices including upgraded plans. This flexibility enables you to customize your plan to meet your home's 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 provides insight into things such as approval rates, repair timeliness, contractor quality, and customer service. Browse review platforms such as Google Reviews, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), or TrustPilot to research companies. Positive ratings and feedback indicate a company known for exceptional service.
Home warranty providers keep networks of contractors to handle covered repairs. Bigger networks improve the probability of getting qualified technicians to service your home ASAP. Reach out to potential providers and ask how many contractors they have in Livermore to get a sense of how quickly your repairs could happen in an emergency.
Some home warranty plans offer bonuses such as smart home device protection, energy efficiency upgrades, and maintenance discounts. These perks can add value beyond just repair coverage. Added bonuses help maximize the usefulness of your home warranty.
Home warranties are a great way to protect your home systems and appliances from normal wear and tear. With temperatures in Livermore reaching an average high of 70℃F, you may find that certain appliances, like your air conditioner, get a lot of use. A home warranty can significantly lower out-of-pocket expenses should your HVAC system stop working.
In addition to saving you money on out-of-pocket expenses, a home warranty can give you peace of mind and save you the pain of trying to find a qualified contractor to visit your home. Home warranties usually come with a network of pre-vetted technicians who can handle any repair problems you may have. Plus, though it varies by company, some providers will allow you to transfer your warranty if you sell your home. This can make your home more attractive to potential homebuyers and help your home sell faster.
One disadvantage of purchasing a home warranty is that there are generally exclusions. For instance, if you already have a manufacturer's warranty on one of your appliances, it may be excluded from the home warranty, so it’s important to read over any contracts you’re considering thoroughly to understand what is included and what isn’t.
Another thing to consider is that some companies don’t cover pre-existing conditions and may require an inspection before your coverage can start. Ask the home warranty company for clarification about these things if you aren’t sure or if this is an issue for you.
A home warranty in Livermore can cost anywhere from $30 to $60 a month. The higher-priced plans usually have broader coverage, a lower service fee, and higher coverage limits. Home warranties are often cheaper when you pay annually instead of monthly. Some companies will also decrease 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 kinds of damage each covers. A home warranty plan covers normal wear and tear to home systems and appliances. A homeowners insurance plan protects a home in case of a situation such as a natural disaster or fire. Under a homeowners insurance plan, you will not be able to file a claim should you need a new dryer or stove, unless the damage is due to a natural disaster, which isn't that common in Livermore.
First-time homebuyers, real estate agents, home sellers, homeowners, and landlords can all get 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 Livermore include plans that cover either appliances or systems as well as combination plans. A combination plan covers your home systems and appliances, including your dishwasher, washing machine, and plumbing. 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 providers let you renew your plan yearly, and some offer month-to-month plans as well.
Typically, the one who owns the home pays for the home warranty. In some cases, however, the one selling the home may buy a home warranty 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 Livermore is $1,076,226, a home warranty can save you some money when buying a home.
