Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Written By David Cusick
Last Updated February 2024
With hot summers in Los Gatos, your home systems can go through quite a bit of wear and tear. There’s nothing worse than having your air conditioning go out in the middle of summer. A home warranty policy can help protect homeowners by reducing the costs of major repairs and replacements on your home’s most important systems and appliances.
Finding the best home warranty on the market can be difficult, as there are lots of companies to decide between. That’s why the Today's Homeowner team did the research and compiled a list of the top home warranty companies in Los Gatos 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 offers the best overall home warranty for Los Gatos residents. When you buy 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. The home warranty provider offers 2 plans to policyholders, which have various options for appliance and system coverage.
Choice Home Warranty has 2 plans that offer a combination of system and appliance coverage. Choice has coverage caps of around $3,000 for most appliances and systems, but with some plans, the coverage caps can be higher, so be sure to check with the provider. Service fees are an affordable $85.
For more information on this provider, read our detailed review of Choice Home Warranty. To get 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
Select Home Warranty offers the most cost-effective home warranty for Los Gatos residents. When you buy 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. The home warranty provider offers 3 plans to policyholders, which have various options for appliance and system coverage.
Select Home Warranty has 3 plans that offer a combination of system and appliance coverage. Select has coverage caps of around $2,000 for most appliances and systems, but with some plans, the coverage caps can be higher, so be sure to check with the provider. Service fees are a reasonable $60.
For more information on this provider, read our detailed review of Select Home Warranty. To get 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
American Home Shield offers the most customizable home warranty for Los Gatos residents. When you buy 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. The home warranty provider offers 3 plans to policyholders, which have various options for appliance and system coverage.
American Home Shield has 3 plans that offer a combination of system and appliance coverage. AHS has coverage caps of around $2,500 for most appliances and systems, but with some plans, the coverage caps can be higher, so be sure to check with the provider. Service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $125.
For more information on this provider, read our detailed review of American Home Shield. To get 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
First American Home Warranty offers the best home warranty for appliance coverage for Los Gatos residents. When you buy 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. The home warranty provider offers 2 plans to policyholders, which have various options for appliance and system coverage.
First American Home Warranty has 2 plans that offer a combination of system and appliance coverage. 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 be sure to check with the provider. Service fees are a reasonable $85.
For more information on this provider, read our detailed review of First American Home Warranty. To get 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
Cinch Home Services offers the home warranty with the best workmanship guarantee for Los Gatos residents. When you buy 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. The home warranty provider offers 3 plans to policyholders, which have various options for appliance and system coverage.
Cinch Home Services has 3 plans that offer a combination of system and appliance coverage. 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 be sure to check with the provider. Service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $150.
For more information on this provider, read our detailed review of Cinch Home Services. To get 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
The Home Service Club offers the best home warranty with the quickest service for Los Gatos residents. When you buy 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. The home warranty provider offers 2 plans to policyholders, which have various options for appliance and system coverage.
The Home Service Club has 2 plans that offer a combination of system and appliance coverage. HSC has coverage caps of around $2,000 for most appliances and systems, but with some plans, the coverage caps can be higher, so be sure to check with the provider. Service fees are customizable and range from $65 to $90.
For more information on this provider, read our detailed review of The Home Service Club. To get 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 | $8,250 |
| Heating | $5,500 |
| Electrical | $825 |
| Toilets | $688 |
| Washer/Dryer | $1,100 |
| Plumbing | $825 |
| Oven | $2,200 |
| Fridge | $825 |
A home warranty is a protection plan that helps Los Gatos homeowners in lowering the expenses of appliance and system repairs. The plans provide coverage to swap out or repair appliances and systems that malfunction due to normal wear and tear.
When something stops working, you submit 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 exceeds the item's coverage limit. A home warranty provides security for homeowners by helping them prevent expensive emergency repairs. They're particularly useful for those who live in older homes or ones with outdated systems. More modern homes with functional fixtures probably don’t require a home warranty.
Home warranties protect your household systems and appliances. Typical covered appliances are microwaves, dishwashers, washers, dryers, refrigerators, garbage disposals, and others. Covered systems include heating, plumbing, air conditioning, and electrical. Many home warranty plans offer add-on coverage for central vacuums, roof leaks, septic systems, and even locksmiths. Los Gatos homeowners should know that most home warranty plans impose a 30-day waiting period before repairs are covered. Additionally, most policies only address repairs and replacements resulting from normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't include pre-existing conditions, natural disasters, cosmetic issues, or improperly using a system or appliance. Make sure to keep up with preventative maintenance to help ensure your next repair or replacement is covered.
Here are some key home warranty words to understand before signing a contract:
There are several key considerations when choosing a home warranty provider:
Home warranties vary widely in terms of included coverage. Basic plans typically include electrical, heating, plumbing, AC, and appliances, while more comprehensive plans may also cover pools, spas, roof leaks, and well pumps. Focus on providers with wide-ranging coverage selections including upgraded plans. Flexibility like this will help you 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 company with more affordable fees to maximize savings. Some companies also remove deductibles if a customer goes a period of time without filing any claims.
A home warranty provider's reputation can offer insight into things such as approval rates for claims, speed of repairs, contractor quality, and customer satisfaction. Look at third-party review sites such as the Better Business Bureau (BBB), TrustPilot, or Google Reviews to research providers. Positive ratings and reviews indicate that a provider is known for top-tier service.
Home warranty providers keep networks of technicians to handle covered repairs. More extensive networks improve the likelihood of getting qualified technicians to service your home ASAP. Contact potential providers to find out how many contractors they have in Los Gatos to get a sense of how soon your repairs could be handled in an emergency.
Certain home warranty companies include perks such as discounts on maintenance, energy-efficient upgrades, and protection for smart home devices. These bonuses provide extra value beyond repair coverage. Added perks enhance your home and help maximize your home warranty.
Los Gatos’s hot summers can put a strain on a home’s HVAC system. Whether it’s summer or winter, a home warranty is designed to cover your home’s appliances and systems if they need to be repaired or replaced. For example, if your air conditioner fails in the middle of July, a home warranty can cover the needed repairs, preventing you from spending unexpected money out of pocket.
Not only does a home warranty give you some savings, but it also saves you time. If an appliance breaks, the last thing you want to do is find a contractor and schedule a repair. A home warranty handles the research by sending trusted professionals to your door when you need them most. Another benefit of having a home warranty is if you want to sell your home, some providers let you transfer your home warranty to the new owners. It can make your house more attractive to potential homebuyers and help your house sell faster.
There are also some negatives to purchasing a home warranty policy, such as the coverage exclusions. For instance, home warranties may not cover home systems or appliances that are already covered by a manufacturer's warranty.
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 denied, so it’s important to carefully follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for maintenance of your home systems and appliances.
A home warranty plan costs, on average, around $300 to $600 a year in Los Gatos. Our top-rated home warranty providers' 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. Additionally, 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 helps protect against normal wear and tear to home systems and appliances. Homeowners insurance protects a home in case of a situation such as a fire or natural disaster. With a homeowners insurance plan, you will not be able to file a claim should you need a new refrigerator or oven, unless the damage is due to a natural disaster, which isn't that common in Los Gatos.
First-time homebuyers, home sellers, homeowners, landlords, and real estate agents 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.
A home warranty can cover your home’s appliances, systems, or both. Combination plans are beneficial if you'd like more coverage for your home, but a system- or appliance-only plan can be helpful if you want to save some money.
Home warranty plans typically provide coverage for a year. Many providers let you renew your plan each year, and some offer month-to-month options as well.
Usually the one who owns the home pays for the home warranty. In some cases, though, the person who is selling the home may buy a home warranty plan and transfer the policy to the buyer. The new homeowner will then have to pay the service fees when using the policy. Since the average home value in Los Gatos is $2,469,439, a home warranty can save you some money when buying a home.
