Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Written By David Cusick
Last Updated February 2024
With hot summers in Oakley, 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 in Oakley can help lower your out-of-pocket costs by covering repairs or replacements to major home systems and appliances that malfunction due to normal wear and tear.
The home warranty market has many providers — all with different price points — so the Today's Homeowner team has done the research to help you find the best home warranty companies in Oakley.
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 Oakley residents. Choice has established itself as a company with very high coverage caps and simple-to-understand service contracts. It also 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.
The plans that Choice offers to homeowners are Basic Plan and Total Plan. Choice’s service fees are an affordable $85, and the coverage caps come out to around $3,000 per covered appliance or system.
To get a free quote from Choice Home Warranty, fill out this online form or call 929-400-6164. For more information on this provider, read our Choice Home Warranty full review.
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 Oakley residents. Select has established itself as a company with a highly affordable service fee and free roof coverage upon purchase of a policy plan. It also 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.
The plans that Select offers to homeowners are Bronze Care Plan, Gold Care Plan, and Platinum Care Plan. Select’s service fees are a reasonable $60, and the coverage caps come out to around $2,000 per covered appliance or system.
To get a free quote from Select Home Warranty, fill out this online form or call 888-370-3953. For more information on this provider, read our Select Home Warranty full review.
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 Oakley residents. AHS has established itself as a company with the ability to customize your plan with the coverages that work specifically for your home. It also has a remarkably low claim denial rate in comparison to other home warranty companies. AHS offers 3 plans for homeowners to choose from.
The plans that AHS offers to homeowners are ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, and ShieldPlatinum. AHS’s service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $125, and the coverage caps come out to around $2,500 per covered appliance or system.
To get a free quote from American Home Shield, fill out this online form or call 888-365-2839. For more information on this provider, read our American Home Shield full review.
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 Oakley residents. First American has established itself as a company with very affordable and comprehensive appliance coverage. 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. First American offers 2 plans for homeowners to choose from.
The plans that First American offers to homeowners are Basic Plan and Premier Plan. First American’s service fees are a reasonable $85, and the coverage caps come out to around $1,500 per covered appliance or system.
To get a free quote from First American Home Warranty, fill out this online form or call 833-204-7164. For more information on this provider, read our First American Home Warranty full review.
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 Oakley residents. Cinch has established itself as a company with a 180-day workmanship guarantee that ensures your home systems and appliance repairs will be professionally done. It also has a broad range of coverage options that will give homeowners peace of mind. Cinch offers 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. Cinch’s service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $150, and the coverage caps come out to around $1,000-$2,000 per covered appliance or system.
To get a free quote from Cinch Home Services, fill out this online form or call 877-589-0505. For more information on this provider, read our Cinch Home Services full review.
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 Oakley residents. HSC has established itself as a company with quick coverage where the home warranty goes into effect just ten days after you pay for the plan, instead of the typical 30 days. It also 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 plans that HSC offers to homeowners are Standard Coverage Plan and Comprehensive Coverage Plan. HSC’s service fees are customizable and range from $65 to $90, and the coverage caps come out to around $2,000 per covered appliance or system.
To get a free quote from The Home Service Club, fill out this online form or call 800-750-9443. For more information on this provider, read our The Home Service Club full review.
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 | $7,330 |
| Heating | $4,887 |
| Electrical | $733 |
| Toilets | $611 |
| Washer/Dryer | $977 |
| Plumbing | $733 |
| Oven | $1,955 |
| Fridge | $733 |
A home warranty is a protection policy that assists Oakley homeowners cut the costs of appliance and system repairs. The plans provide 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 provider then arranges a contractor to handle the fix or replacement. Homeowners may have out-of-pocket costs only if the repair or replacement goes over the item's coverage limit. A home warranty plan gives homeowners peace of mind 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 require a home warranty.
Home warranties help protect both your home systems and appliances. Common appliances covered under a home warranty include garbage disposals, microwaves, refrigerators, dryers, dishwashers, washers, and others. Covered systems include plumbing, heating, air conditioning, and electrical. Many home warranties offer additional add-on coverage options for central vacuums, septic systems, locksmiths, and even roof leaks. It's important for Oakley homeowners to understand most home warranty plans have a waiting period of 30 days before repair claims will be approved. The majority of policies also only cover repairs and replacements resulting from normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't include cosmetic issues, pre-existing conditions, natural disasters, or improperly using 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 learn before signing an agreement, including:
There are several important considerations when selecting a home warranty provider:
Home warranties vary widely in terms of included coverage. Basic policies typically include plumbing, AC, electrical, heating, and appliances, while more comprehensive plans may also cover roof leaks, spas, well pumps, and pools. Focus on companies with broad coverage options including upgraded plans. This flexibility enables you to customize protection for your home's needs.
With any home warranty claim, you'll pay a service fee, usually falling in the $60 to $100 range, which is paid per repair request filed. The costs from multiple fees can add up. You may decide to look for companies with more affordable fees to maximize your savings on each claim. Some providers also offer disappearing deductibles if a homeowner doesn't submit claims for repairs for a specified period of time.
A home warranty company's reputation can offer insight into things such as speed of repairs, contractor quality, approval rates for claims, and customer satisfaction. Use third-party review sites such as TrustPilot, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), or Google Reviews to research providers. Positive ratings and reviews indicate that a company is known for quality service.
Home warranty companies keep networks of professionals to handle covered repairs. Larger networks improve the probability of getting qualified technicians to quickly service your home. Reach out to potential providers and ask how many contractors they have in Oakley to get a sense of how soon your repairs could be handled in an emergency.
Some home warranty companies provide extras such as energy efficiency upgrades, smart home device protection, and maintenance discounts. These can add value beyond just repair coverage. Extra bonuses can maximize the usefulness of the home warranty.
Oakley’s hot summers can put a strain on a home’s HVAC system. Whether it’s summer or winter, a home warranty can help cover your home’s appliances and systems in the event 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 repairs, preventing you from spending a lot of money out of pocket.
Not only can a home warranty give you some financial relief, but it also saves you time. If an appliance breaks down, the last thing you want to do is find a contractor and schedule a repair. A home warranty handles this process by sending trusted professionals to your door when you need them most. Another added benefit of having home warranty coverage is that it can raise 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 disadvantage of getting a home warranty is that there are often exclusions. For instance, if you already have a manufacturer's warranty on one of your appliances, it may not be covered under the home warranty, so it’s important to read over any contracts you’re considering carefully to get a sense of what is included and what isn’t.
Another drawback is that home warranties may exclude some repairs, like those due to natural disasters. For example, if your HVAC system is damaged from an animal infestation, the impacted systems and appliances most likely won’t be covered by the home warranty.
A home warranty policy costs, on average, about $300 to $600 a year in Oakley. Our high-rated home warranty companies' 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. Additionally, it's often cheaper to pay annually rather than monthly.
Home warranties and home insurance differ in what sorts of damage they cover. Home warranties cover issues related to systems and appliances that need to be repaired or replaced due to normal wear and tear. A home insurance policy is a larger insurance that protects your entire home from natural disasters, which might not be too much of a concern in Oakley. It doesn't cover a normal appliance or system repairs.
First-time homebuyers, homeowners, landlords, real estate agents, and home sellers can all get home warranty plans. A home warranty can help make your home more attractive to prospective buyers and save you money in the long run.
The different types of home warranties in Oakley include plans that cover either appliances or systems as well as comprehensive plans. A comprehensive plan covers many of your systems and appliances, including your washing machine, drier, and heating and cooling systems. An appliance or system plan will cover only the specific items mentioned in the contract.
Home warranty plans typically provide coverage for a year. Many companies 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 home seller may buy a home warranty policy and transfer the policy to the buyer. The new homeowner will then be responsible for the service fees when using the policy. Since the average home value in Oakley is $662,716, a home warranty can save you some money when buying a home.
