Written By David Cusick
Last Updated February 2024
Owning a home in Orange has a lot of great advantages, but there are some downsides. Hot summers can cause problems in a home and lead to wear and tear on systems like your HVAC. A home warranty is a way to protect your savings account from unexpected home repairs and expenses. With a home warranty in place, your repair costs can be significantly lower and allow you to live in your home with more peace of mind.
Choosing the best home warranty on the market can be a challenge because of the many options available. If you're tired of trying to compare them all, keep reading for our guide to the best home warranty companies in Orange.
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 Orange residents. If you’re looking for very high coverage caps and simple-to-understand service contracts, you’ll want to have this plan on your side. Plus, it has great customer service, professional contractors, and lower out-of-pocket costs compared to other home warranties. The home warranty company offers 2 plans to policyholders, which have various system and appliance coverage options.
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 system or appliance.
To read more, visit our Choice Home Warranty Review. 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
Select Home Warranty offers the most cost-effective home warranty for Orange residents. If you’re looking for a highly affordable service fee and free roof coverage upon purchase of a policy plan, you’ll want to have this plan on your side. Plus, it has an extensive network of highly trained professionals all over the country who are experts in home maintenance. The home warranty company offers 3 plans to policyholders, which have various system and appliance coverage options.
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 system or appliance.
To read more, visit our Select Home Warranty Review. 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
American Home Shield offers the most customizable home warranty for Orange residents. If you’re looking for the ability to customize your plan with the coverages that work specifically for your home, you’ll want to have this plan on your side. Plus, it has a remarkably low claim denial rate in comparison to other home warranty companies. The home warranty company offers 3 plans to policyholders, which have various system and appliance coverage options.
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 system or appliance.
To read more, visit our American Home Shield Review. 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
First American Home Warranty offers the best home warranty for appliance coverage for Orange residents. If you’re looking for very affordable and comprehensive appliance coverage, you’ll want to have this plan on your side. 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. The home warranty company offers 2 plans to policyholders, which have various system and appliance coverage options.
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 system or appliance.
To read more, visit our First American Home Warranty Review. 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
Cinch Home Services offers the home warranty with the best workmanship guarantee for Orange residents. If you’re looking for a 180-day workmanship guarantee that ensures your home systems and appliance repairs will be professionally done, you’ll want to have this plan on your side. Plus, it has a broad range of coverage options that will give homeowners peace of mind. The home warranty company offers 3 plans to policyholders, which have various system and appliance coverage options.
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 system or appliance.
To read more, visit our Cinch Home Services Review. 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
The Home Service Club offers the best home warranty with the quickest service for Orange residents. 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, you’ll want to have this plan on your side. Plus, it has customer service representatives available 24/7, as well as a 30-day labor guarantee and a 90-day parts guarantee. The home warranty company offers 2 plans to policyholders, which have various system and appliance coverage options.
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 system or appliance.
To read more, visit our The Home Service Club Review. 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 | $7,489 |
Heating | $4,992 |
Electrical | $749 |
Toilets | $624 |
Washer/Dryer | $998 |
Plumbing | $749 |
Oven | $1,997 |
Fridge | $749 |
A home warranty is a protection policy that helps Orange homeowners in lowering the costs of appliance and system repairs. The plans provide financial coverage to swap out or repair appliances and systems that stop working 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 gives peace of mind to homeowners, as it helps prevent expensive emergency repairs. Home warranties are particularly useful for owners of older homes or homes with aging systems. New homes with up-to-date appliances may not need a home warranty.
Home warranties help protect both your home systems and appliances. Common appliances covered under a home warranty include garbage disposals, dishwashers, refrigerators, dryers, washers, microwaves, and more. Covered systems include air conditioning, electrical, plumbing, and heating. Many home warranties also offer add-on coverage options for locksmiths, central vacuums, septic systems, and even roof leaks. Most home warranty plans require Orange homeowners to wait 30 days before the plan will cover repairs. Moreover, policies typically only cover repairs and replacements resulting from normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't cover cosmetic issues, pre-existing conditions, natural disasters, or misusing a system or appliance. To make sure your next repair or replacement is covered, keep up with preventative maintenance.
There are several home warranty terms to learn before signing an agreement, including:
There are several important factors to consider when choosing a home warranty provider:
Home warranties differ greatly in the items covered. Basic policies typically provide protection for AC, plumbing, electrical, heating, and appliances, while more comprehensive plans may also cover well pumps, pools, roof leaks, and spas. Focus on providers with wide-ranging coverage selections including upgraded plans. Flexibility like this will help you customize your plan to meet your needs.
Homeowners should anticipate paying a $60–100 service fee when filing home warranty claims. These per-repair charges can potentially accumulate over time, so some homeowners prefer using companies with more affordable per-claim fees to maximize savings. Some companies also offer disappearing deductibles after periods where a customer files no claims.
A home warranty company's reputation can give you insight into things such as repair timeliness, contractor quality, approval rates, and customer service. Browse review platforms such as the Better Business Bureau (BBB), Google Reviews, or TrustPilot to research providers. Positive ratings and feedback indicate a company known for great service.
Home warranty providers keep networks of contractors to handle covered repairs. Wider networks raise the likelihood of getting qualified technicians to service your home ASAP. Ask potential providers how many contractors they have in Orange to get a sense of how quickly your repairs could be handled in an emergency.
Some home warranty providers may include perks such as smart home device coverage, reduced maintenance fees, and energy efficiency upgrades. These extras can offer extra value beyond repair coverage. Extra bonuses help you enhance your home and get the most from your home warranty.
Temperatures in Orange can get quite high in the summer, which means your air conditioner is likely to get a good bit of use. As a homeowner in Orange, one benefit of having a home warranty is that these home systems and major appliances can be covered in the event they need to be repaired or replaced.
Not to mention, having a home warranty can save you time by eliminating the need to research technicians — most companies will send a trusted professional right to your door to carry out the necessary repair or replacement. Another good thing about having a home warranty is when you’re selling your home, some providers let you transfer your home warranty policy to the new owners. It can make your home more attractive to potential homebuyers and help your house sell faster.
There are also some downsides to getting a home warranty policy, such as the coverage exclusions. For example, home warranties may not cover home systems or appliances that already have a manufacturer's warranty.
Another drawback is that home warranties may not include some repairs, like those due to natural disasters. For example, if a tree falls onto your house and damages the roof, the affected systems and appliances most likely won’t be covered by the home warranty.
A home warranty in Orange can cost between $30 and $60 a month. The higher-priced plans tend to have a lower service fee, higher coverage limits, and broader coverage. This cost is often lower if you pay annually instead of monthly. Some companies will also lower your up-front costs when you opt for 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 your home in case of something such as a fire or natural disaster. Under homeowners insurance, you will not be able to file a claim if you need a new washing machine or oven, unless the damage is a result of a natural disaster, which isn't that common in Orange.
A home warranty policy can help homeowners, real estate agents, homebuyers, home sellers, and investors. It can offer peace of mind and savings to anyone involved in homeownership.
The different kinds of home warranties in Orange include plans that cover either appliances or systems as well as combination plans. A combination plan covers almost all your home systems and appliances, such as your refrigerator, washing machine, and HVAC. An appliance or system plan will cover only the specific items mentioned in the policy.
Generally, a home warranty plan lasts for a year and can be renewed annually. Some providers may offer month-to-month plans.
In general, 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 when using the policy. In Orange, where the median value of a home is $985,554, having the seller pay for the home warranty can save you some money on your new home.