Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Written By David Cusick
Last Updated February 2024
With hot summers in Oakdale, your home systems can experience 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 you by cutting the costs of major repairs and replacements on your home’s most important appliances and systems.
The home warranty market is filled with a lot of providers — all with different offerings — so the Today's Homeowner team has compiled this guide to help you find the best home warranty companies in Oakdale.
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 Oakdale residents. Choice has been on the market for about 15 years, making it a respected company in the industry. The 2 plans from Choice are easy to understand and offer both system and appliance coverage. Choice offers very high coverage caps and simple-to-understand service contracts. Plus, it also has great customer service, professional contractors, and lower out-of-pocket costs compared to other home warranties.
The 2 plans from Choice Home Warranty are Basic Plan and Total Plan. The coverage caps associated with Choice’s plans are close to the $3,000 mark for many major systems and appliances, and service fees are an affordable $85.
For a more detailed breakdown, read our review of Choice Home Warranty. 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 Oakdale residents. Select has been on the market for about 11 years, making it a respected company in the industry. The 3 plans from Select are easy to understand and offer both system and appliance coverage. Select offers a highly affordable service fee and free roof coverage upon purchase of a policy plan. Plus, it also has an extensive network of highly trained professionals all over the country who are experts in home maintenance.
The 3 plans from Select Home Warranty are Bronze Care Plan, Gold Care Plan, and Platinum Care Plan. The coverage caps associated with Select’s plans are close to the $2,000 mark for many major systems and appliances, and service fees are a reasonable $60.
For a more detailed breakdown, read our review of Select Home Warranty. 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 Oakdale residents. AHS has been on the market for about 26 years, making it a respected company in the industry. The 3 plans from AHS are easy to understand and offer both system and appliance coverage. AHS offers the ability to customize your plan with the coverages that work specifically for your home. Plus, it also has a remarkably low claim denial rate in comparison to other home warranty companies.
The 3 plans from American Home Shield are ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, and ShieldPlatinum. The coverage caps associated with AHS’s plans are close to the $2,500 mark for many major systems and appliances, and service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $125.
For a more detailed breakdown, read our review of American Home Shield. 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 Oakdale residents. First American has been on the market for about 39 years, making it a respected company in the industry. The 2 plans from First American are easy to understand and offer both system and appliance coverage. First American offers very affordable and comprehensive appliance coverage. Plus, it 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 2 plans from First American Home Warranty are Basic Plan and Premier Plan. The coverage caps associated with First American’s plans are close to the $1,500 mark for many major systems and appliances, and service fees are a reasonable $85.
For a more detailed breakdown, read our review of First American Home Warranty. 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 Oakdale residents. Cinch has been on the market for about 44 years, making it a respected company in the industry. The 3 plans from Cinch are easy to understand and offer both system and appliance coverage. Cinch offers a 180-day workmanship guarantee that ensures your home systems and appliance repairs will be professionally done. Plus, it also has a broad range of coverage options that will give homeowners peace of mind.
The 3 plans from Cinch Home Services are Appliances Plan, Built-in Systems Plan, and Complete Home Plan. The coverage caps associated with Cinch’s plans are close to the $1,000-$2,000 mark for many major systems and appliances, and service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $150.
For a more detailed breakdown, read our review of Cinch Home Services. 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 Oakdale residents. HSC has been on the market for about 15 years, making it a respected company in the industry. The 2 plans from HSC are easy to understand and offer both system and appliance coverage. HSC offers quick coverage where the home warranty goes into effect just ten days after you pay for the plan, instead of the typical 30 days. Plus, it also 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 The Home Service Club are Standard Coverage Plan and Comprehensive Coverage Plan. The coverage caps associated with HSC’s plans are close to the $2,000 mark for many major systems and appliances, and service fees are customizable and range from $65 to $90.
For a more detailed breakdown, read our review of The Home Service Club. 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 | $6,444 |
| Heating | $4,296 |
| Electrical | $644 |
| Toilets | $537 |
| Washer/Dryer | $859 |
| Plumbing | $644 |
| Oven | $1,718 |
| Fridge | $644 |
A home warranty is a protection policy that assists Oakdale homeowners cut the expenses of appliance and system repairs. The plans offer financial coverage to repair or swap out appliances and systems that break down due to normal wear and tear.
When something breaks down, you file a claim and pay a service fee. The home warranty company then arranges a contractor to handle the repair or replacement. Homeowners may have out-of-pocket costs only if the cost of repair or replacement goes over the item's coverage limit. A home warranty provides security for homeowners by helping them avoid expensive emergency repairs. They're particularly valuable for those who live in older homes or ones with aging systems. Newer builds with functional appliances probably don’t need a home warranty.
Home warranties cover many household systems and appliances. Typical covered appliances are dishwashers, garbage disposals, refrigerators, dryers, microwaves, washers, and more. Protected systems include heating, plumbing, air conditioning, and electrical. Various home warranty plans offer extra coverage for roof leaks, central vacuums, septic systems, and even locksmiths. Oakdale should understand that most home warranty plans have a waiting period of 30 days before repairs are covered. Most policies also only cover repairs and replacements due to normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't include pre-existing conditions, natural disasters, cosmetic issues, or misusing a system or appliance. Be diligent about completing preventative maintenance to help guarantee your next repair or replacement is covered.
There are several home warranty terms to know before signing an agreement, including:
When selecting a home warranty provider, there are several key factors to consider:
Home warranties vary widely in terms of included coverage. Basic plans typically cover electrical, heating, plumbing, AC, and appliances, while more comprehensive plans may also cover pools, well pumps, roof leaks, and spas. Look for a company that offers comprehensive coverage choices, including upgraded plans. Flexibility is important when trying to fit a home warranty to your home's specific systems and needs.
Expect to pay a per-service fee of $60-100 for each home warranty claim. With these per-request costs adding up over time as you file claims, some homeowners prefer to choose a provider with more affordable fees to maximize savings on every claim. Some companies also do away with deductibles if a customer goes a period of time without filing any claims.
A home warranty company's reputation provides insights into factors such as claim approval rates, repair speed, contractor expertise, and customer satisfaction. Look at review sites like the Better Business Bureau (BBB), TrustPilot, or Google Reviews to learn more about providers. Favorable ratings and feedback suggest a company known for delivering quality service.
Home warranty providers have networks of technicians that they use to tackle covered repairs. Bigger networks raise the probability of getting qualified contractors to your home quickly. Reach out to possible providers to ask how many contractors they have in Oakdale. This helps you understand how long repairs could take in an urgent situation.
Some home warranty providers provide bonuses such as maintenance discounts, smart home device protection, and energy efficiency upgrades. These perks can add value beyond repair coverage. Extra bonuses help maximize the usefulness of your home warranty.
Home warranty policies are an inexpensive way to guard your home systems and appliances from normal wear and tear. With temperatures in Oakdale reaching an average high of 76℃F, you may find that some appliances, such as your air conditioner, get a lot of use. A home warranty can significantly bring down out-of-pocket costs should your HVAC system stop working.
In addition, having a home warranty can save you some time by getting rid of the need to research technicians — most companies will send a trusted professional right to your door to carry out the necessary repair or replacement. A home warranty can also yield value in other ways. For example, some policies can be transferred to another owner when you sell your home.
One of the main drawbacks of a home warranty is not every home system and appliance may be covered. It’s important to research the different policies and choose one that covers all the appliances, systems, and add-ons you need.
Plus, if you don’t maintain your home systems or appliances properly, or if they were damaged due to a natural disaster or animal infestation — anything besides normal wear and tear — the home warranty may not cover it.
A home warranty policy costs, on average, about $300 to $600 a year in Oakdale. Our high-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 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 types of damage each covers. A home warranty protects against normal wear and tear to systems and appliances in a home. A homeowners insurance plan protects the entire home in case of something 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 is somewhat common in Oakdale.
A home warranty plan can help real estate agents, homebuyers, home sellers, investors, and homeowners. It can provide peace of mind to anyone involved with homeownership.
A home warranty plan can cover your home’s systems, appliances, or both. Combination plans are great if you need more coverage for your home, but a system- or appliance-only plan can be a good idea if you want to save some money.
Generally, a home warranty offers coverage for a year and can be renewed annually. Some companies may offer month-to-month plans.
Typically, the homeowner is the one who is responsible for paying the premium and service fees. However, when buying a new home, sometimes the seller is the one who paid for the policy. This can then be given to the new homeowner, who has to pay the service fees. In Oakdale, where the median home value is $534,852, having the seller pay for the home warranty can be a good asset for your new home.
