Written By David Cusick
Last Updated April 2024
Homeownership in Palm Desert can be exciting for many, but it also comes with its fair share of challenges. Home repairs can be an unanticipated financial burden for many homeowners. A home warranty can help protect you by lowering the costs of major repairs and replacements on your home’s most important appliances and systems.
Finding the best home warranty on the market can be challenging because of the many options out there. If you're frustrated with trying to compare them all, keep reading for our guide to the top home warranty providers in Palm Desert.
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
In Palm Desert, Choice Home Warranty is the best overall home warranty. Choice has 2 simple plans, making the selection process easy. When you buy a plan 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 Home Warranty offers 2 plans for Palm Desert homeowners. The Basic Plan and Total Plan are the options they have, which have a mix of system and appliance coverage. Service fees from Choice are an affordable $85. The coverage caps are also about $3,000 at the maximum.
To receive a free quote from Choice Home Warranty, fill out this online form or give them a call at 929-400-6164. Read our thorough review of Choice Home Warranty to learn more.
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
In Palm Desert, Select Home Warranty is the most cost-effective home warranty. Select has 3 simple plans, making the selection process easy. When you buy a plan 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 Home Warranty offers 3 plans for Palm Desert homeowners. The Bronze Care Plan, Gold Care Plan, and Platinum Care Plan are the options they have, which have a mix of system and appliance coverage. Service fees from Select are a reasonable $60. The coverage caps are also about $2,000 at the maximum.
To receive a free quote from Select Home Warranty, fill out this online form or give them a call at 888-370-3953. Read our thorough review of Select Home Warranty to learn more.
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
In Palm Desert, American Home Shield is the most customizable home warranty. AHS has 3 simple plans, making the selection process easy. When you buy a plan 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.
American Home Shield offers 3 plans for Palm Desert homeowners. The ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, and ShieldPlatinum are the options they have, which have a mix of system and appliance coverage. Service fees from AHS are customizable and range from $75 to $125. The coverage caps are also about $2,500 at the maximum.
To receive a free quote from American Home Shield, fill out this online form or give them a call at 888-365-2839. Read our thorough review of American Home Shield to learn more.
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
In Palm Desert, First American Home Warranty is the best home warranty for appliance coverage. First American has 2 simple plans, making the selection process easy. When you buy a plan 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 Home Warranty offers 2 plans for Palm Desert homeowners. The Basic Plan and Premier Plan are the options they have, which have a mix of system and appliance coverage. Service fees from First American are a reasonable $85. The coverage caps are also about $1,500 at the maximum.
To receive a free quote from First American Home Warranty, fill out this online form or give them a call at 833-204-7164. Read our thorough review of First American Home Warranty to learn more.
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
In Palm Desert, Cinch Home Services is the home warranty with the best workmanship guarantee. Cinch has 3 simple plans, making the selection process easy. When you buy a plan 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 Home Services offers 3 plans for Palm Desert homeowners. The Appliances Plan, Built-in Systems Plan, and Complete Home Plan are the options they have, which have a mix of system and appliance coverage. Service fees from Cinch are customizable and range from $75 to $150. The coverage caps are also about $1,000-$2,000 at the maximum.
To receive a free quote from Cinch Home Services, fill out this online form or give them a call at 877-589-0505. Read our thorough review of Cinch Home Services to learn more.
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
In Palm Desert, The Home Service Club is the best home warranty with the quickest service. HSC has 2 simple plans, making the selection process easy. When you buy a plan 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 Service Club offers 2 plans for Palm Desert homeowners. The Standard Coverage Plan and Comprehensive Coverage Plan are the options they have, which have a mix of system and appliance coverage. Service fees from HSC are customizable and range from $65 to $90. The coverage caps are also about $2,000 at the maximum.
To receive a free quote from The Home Service Club, fill out this online form or give them a call at 800-750-9443. Read our thorough review of The Home Service Club to learn more.
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 | $6,702 |
Heating | $4,468 |
Electrical | $670 |
Toilets | $559 |
Washer/Dryer | $894 |
Plumbing | $670 |
Oven | $1,787 |
Fridge | $670 |
A home warranty is a protection plan that helps Palm Desert homeowners cut the high costs of household repairs. These plans offer financial protection to repair or swap out appliances and systems that stop working from normal wear and tear.
Homeowners submit a claim and pay a service fee when something breaks. The home warranty company then finds a contractor to make the fix or replacement. The only time you may pay out-of-pocket is if the repair or replacement costs go over the item's coverage limit. A home warranty gives homeowners peace of mind by helping avoid expensive emergency repairs. The coverage is especially helpful for those living in older houses or houses with fixtures near the end of their life span. However, people with newer homes and functioning appliances may not need a home warranty.
Home warranties safeguard both your home systems and appliances. Common appliances covered under a home warranty include microwaves, refrigerators, washers, dishwashers, garbage disposals, dryers, and others. Covered systems include air conditioning, plumbing, electrical, and heating. Many home warranty plans offer additional add-on coverage options for central vacuums, septic systems, locksmiths, and even roof leaks. Palm Desert should understand that 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 due to normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't include cosmetic issues, natural disasters, pre-existing conditions, or misusing a system or appliance. Stay current with preventative maintenance to help guarantee your next repair or replacement is covered.
There are a number of home warranty terms to learn before signing an agreement, including:
When selecting a home warranty provider, there are several important factors to consider:
Home warranty coverage can have major differences in what's included. Most plans cover electrical, plumbing, AC, heating, and appliances. More comprehensive plans also include protection for other items such as well pumps, spas, pools, and roof leaks. Look for companies with a diverse range of coverage options, including upgraded plans. This helps you customize your plan to your 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 company with more affordable fees to maximize savings. Some providers also do away with deductibles when customers have a claim-free period.
A home warranty provider's reputation can offer insight into things such as speed of repairs, contractor quality, approval rates for claims, and customer satisfaction. Look at 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 have networks of technicians to handle covered repairs. Bigger networks improve the likelihood of getting qualified technicians to quickly service your home. Contact potential providers to find out how many contractors they have in Palm Desert to get a sense of how quickly your repairs could happen in an emergency.
Some home warranty plans provide bonuses such as energy efficiency upgrades, smart home device protection, and maintenance discounts. These can add value beyond repair coverage. Extra bonuses can maximize the usefulness of your home warranty.
Temperatures in Palm Desert can get quite high in the summer, which means your air conditioner is most likely going to get a lot of use. As a homeowner in Palm Desert, one benefit of having a home warranty is knowing that these home systems and major appliances can be covered in the event they have to be repaired or replaced.
A home warranty also can also save you time and energy. Instead of spending hours researching and selecting a contractor to fix your appliance or system, home warranty companies do the hard work for you and send a trusted professional to your door whenever you need them. Another benefit of having a home warranty is while selling your home, you can most likely transfer your home warranty to the new owners. This can make your house more attractive to potential homebuyers and help your home sell faster.
One of the major drawbacks of home warranties is not everything may be covered. It’s important to compare the different plans and sign up for one that covers all the appliances, systems, and add-ons you need.
Another thing to consider is that some providers don’t cover pre-existing damage and may require an inspection before coverage begins. Ask the home warranty provider for clarification about these things if you aren’t sure or if this is an issue for you.
A home warranty plan costs, on average, around $300 to $600 a year in Palm Desert. 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. In addition, it's usually 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 plan covers normal wear and tear to systems and appliances in a home. A homeowners insurance plan protects the entire home in a situation such as a natural disaster or fire. With a homeowners insurance plan, you will not be able to file a claim if you need a new washing machine or stove, unless the damage is a result of a natural disaster, which isn't that common in Palm Desert.
First-time homebuyers, landlords, real estate agents, home sellers, and homeowners can all get home warranty plans. A home warranty can help make your property more attractive to prospective buyers and save you money in the long run.
A home warranty policy will 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 helpful if you're concerned about one more than the other.
Generally, a home warranty offers coverage for a year and can be renewed annually. Some providers 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 will pay for the policy. This can then be given to the new homeowner, who has to pay the service fees when using the policy. In Palm Desert, where the median value of a home is $560,812, having the seller pay for the home warranty can be a good asset for your new home.