Written By David Cusick
Last Updated February 2024
Homeownership in Los Banos comes with many perks, but it also comes with its challenges. Your home’s appliances and systems will inevitably need repairs, and this could mean a burdensome expense. A home warranty can help protect you by reducing the costs of major repairs and replacements on your home’s most important systems and appliances.
Choosing the best home warranty on the market can be quite a challenge because of the many options available. If you're overwhelmed by trying to compare them all, keep reading for our guide to the top home warranty providers in Los Banos.
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 Los Banos residents. When you purchase a home warranty 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. Choice has 2 plans for homeowners to choose from.
The plans that Choice offers to homeowners are Basic Plan and Total Plan. The coverage caps associated with Choice’s plans are around the $3,000 mark for many of the major systems and appliances, and service fees are an affordable $85.
For more information on this provider, read our Choice Home Warranty full review. To get 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 is the most cost-effective home warranty for Los Banos residents. When you purchase a home warranty 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. Select has 3 plans for homeowners to choose from.
The plans that Select offers to homeowners are Bronze Care Plan, Gold Care Plan, and Platinum Care Plan. The coverage caps associated with Select’s plans are around the $2,000 mark for many of the major systems and appliances, and service fees are a reasonable $60.
For more information on this provider, read our Select Home Warranty full review. To get 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 is the most customizable home warranty for Los Banos residents. When you purchase a home warranty 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. AHS has 3 plans for homeowners to choose from.
The plans that AHS offers to homeowners are ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, and ShieldPlatinum. The coverage caps associated with AHS’s plans are around the $2,500 mark for many of the major systems and appliances, and service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $125.
For more information on this provider, read our American Home Shield full review. To get 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 is the best home warranty for appliance coverage for Los Banos residents. When you purchase a home warranty 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. First American has 2 plans for homeowners to choose from.
The plans that First American offers to homeowners are Basic Plan and Premier Plan. The coverage caps associated with First American’s plans are around the $1,500 mark for many of the major systems and appliances, and service fees are a reasonable $85.
For more information on this provider, read our First American Home Warranty full review. To get 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 is the home warranty with the best workmanship guarantee for Los Banos residents. When you purchase a home warranty 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. Cinch has 3 plans for homeowners to choose from.
The plans that Cinch offers to homeowners are Appliances Plan, Built-in Systems Plan, and Complete Home Plan. The coverage caps associated with Cinch’s plans are around the $1,000-$2,000 mark for many of the major systems and appliances, and service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $150.
For more information on this provider, read our Cinch Home Services full review. To get 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 is the best home warranty with the quickest service for Los Banos residents. When you purchase a home warranty 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. HSC has 2 plans for homeowners to choose from.
The plans that HSC offers to homeowners are Standard Coverage Plan and Comprehensive Coverage Plan. The coverage caps associated with HSC’s plans are around the $2,000 mark for many of the major systems and appliances, and service fees are customizable and range from $65 to $90.
For more information on this provider, read our The Home Service Club full review. To get 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 | $6,634 |
Heating | $4,423 |
Electrical | $663 |
Toilets | $553 |
Washer/Dryer | $885 |
Plumbing | $663 |
Oven | $1,769 |
Fridge | $663 |
A home warranty is a protection plan that assists Los Banos homeowners lower the expenses of appliance and system repairs. The plans offer 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 finds a contractor to handle the fix or replacement. Homeowners may have out-of-pocket costs only if the cost of repair or replacement exceeds the item's coverage limit. A home warranty plan gives homeowners a sense of security because it can help avoid expensive emergency repairs. They can be especially helpful for buyers of older homes or homes with appliances 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 help protect your home systems and appliances. Common covered appliances include dryers, refrigerators, washers, microwaves, dishwashers, garbage disposals, and more. Covered systems include heating, plumbing, electrical, and air conditioning. Many home warranties also offer add-on coverage options for central vacuums, septic systems, locksmiths, and even roof leaks. It's important for Los Banos homeowners to know that most home warranty policies have a 30-day waiting period before they can be used to cover repairs. Additionally, most policies only cover repairs and replacements that result from normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't cover problems such as natural disasters, cosmetic issues, 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 is covered by the policy.
Home warranties use several terms that you'll want to know before signing a contract, such as:
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 include heating, plumbing, AC, electrical, and appliances, while more comprehensive options may also cover pools, spas, well pumps, and roof leaks. Look for companies with an array of coverage options, such as upgraded plans. You'll want to tailor your protection for your home’s needs.
You'll pay a service fee, typically $60–100, for each claim filed with your home warranty provider. These per-claim charges can quickly add up, so you may look for providers advertising more affordable fees to optimize savings on each repair claim. Certain companies may eliminate deductibles if homeowners don't submit any claims within a set period of time.
A home warranty company's reputation gives insight into things such as claim approval rates, contractor quality, timeliness of repairs, and overall customer satisfaction. Look at third-party review sites such as TrustPilot, Google Reviews, or the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to research companies. Positive reviews and ratings indicate a company known for stellar service.
Home warranty companies maintain networks of technicians to handle covered repairs. Larger networks raise the probability of getting qualified technicians to service your home ASAP. Contact potential providers to find out how many contractors they have in Los Banos to get a sense of how quickly your repairs could happen in an emergency.
Some home warranty companies include perks such as energy efficiency upgrades, reduced maintenance fees, and smart home device coverage. These can provide extra value beyond repair coverage. Added bonuses help you enhance your home and get the most from your warranty policy.
Temperatures in Los Banos can get quite high in the summer, which means your air conditioner is most likely going to get a good bit of use. As a homeowner in Los Banos, one benefit of having a home warranty is knowing that these home systems and major appliances can be covered in the event they need to be repaired or replaced.
Not only can a home warranty offer some savings, but it also saves you time. If an appliance breaks, the last thing you want to do is find a repair person and schedule a repair. A home warranty takes care of 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 raise your home’s real estate 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 purchased your home warranty through.
One drawback of purchasing a home warranty is that there are often exclusions. For example, if one of your appliances already has a manufacturer's warranty, it may not be included in the home warranty, so it’s important to read over the contracts you’re considering thoroughly to get a sense of what is included and what isn’t.
Additionally, if you don’t maintain your home systems or appliances properly, or if they need repairs due to a natural disaster or animal infestation — anything besides normal wear and tear — the home warranty may not cover it.
A home warranty plan costs, on average, about $300 to $600 a year in Los Banos. Our top-rated home warranty providers' most comprehensive coverage options vary from $546 to $840 per year. You can lower your monthly bill with some companies by opting for a higher service fee. In addition, it's typically less expensive 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 covers normal wear and tear to systems and appliances in a home. A homeowners insurance plan protects your home in a situation such as a natural disaster or fire. With homeowners insurance, you won't be able to file a claim should you need a new refrigerator or stove, unless the damage is due to a natural disaster, which isn't that common in Los Banos.
A home warranty plan can help investors, home sellers, real estate agents, homebuyers, and homeowners. It can offer peace of mind to anyone involved in homeownership.
A home warranty can cover your systems, appliances, or both. Combination plans are beneficial if you'd like more coverage for your home, but a system- or appliance-only plan can be a good idea if you want to save some money.
Home warranty plans generally last a year. Many providers let you renew your plan yearly, and some offer month-to-month plans as well.
Typically, the homeowner is the one who pays the premium and service fees. However, if you have just bought 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. In Los Banos, where the median value of a home is $446,456, having the seller pay for the home warranty can save you some money on your new home.