Written By David Cusick
Last Updated February 2024
Although homeownership in Petaluma has a lot of benefits — such as the convenience of city life — there are also downsides. One major hassle many homeowners have to deal with inevitably is replacing or repairing their home appliances and systems. A home warranty can offer you the peace of mind you need and shield your savings account from unexpected expenses by covering your home’s major appliances and systems.
Finding the best home warranty on the market can be difficult, as there are so many companies to decide between. That’s why the Today's Homeowner team did the research and made a list of the top home warranty companies in Petaluma 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
In Petaluma, Choice Home Warranty offers the best overall home warranty. Choice is a home warranty provider with 15 years of experience in the industry, and it has become one of the best providers in the business. 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. Choice has 2 simple plans, making the selection process quick and easy.
There are 2 home warranty plans from Choice Home Warranty: Basic Plan and Total Plan. The coverage caps associated with Choice’s plans are around the $3,000 mark for most of the major systems and appliances, and service fees are an affordable $85.
To receive a free quote from Choice Home Warranty, fill out this online form or call 929-400-6164. Read more by visiting 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
In Petaluma, Select Home Warranty offers the most cost-effective home warranty. Select is a home warranty provider with 11 years of experience in the industry, and it has become one of the best providers in the business. 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. Select has 3 simple plans, making the selection process quick and easy.
There are 3 home warranty plans from Select Home Warranty: Bronze Care Plan, Gold Care Plan, and Platinum Care Plan. The coverage caps associated with Select’s plans are around the $2,000 mark for most of the major systems and appliances, and service fees are a reasonable $60.
To receive a free quote from Select Home Warranty, fill out this online form or call 888-370-3953. Read more by visiting 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
In Petaluma, American Home Shield offers the most customizable home warranty. AHS is a home warranty provider with 26 years of experience in the industry, and it has become one of the best providers in the business. 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. AHS has 3 simple plans, making the selection process quick and easy.
There are 3 home warranty plans from American Home Shield: ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, and ShieldPlatinum. The coverage caps associated with AHS’s plans are around the $2,500 mark for most of the major systems and appliances, and service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $125.
To receive a free quote from American Home Shield, fill out this online form or call 888-365-2839. Read more by visiting 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
In Petaluma, First American Home Warranty offers the best home warranty for appliance coverage. First American is a home warranty provider with 39 years of experience in the industry, and it has become one of the best providers in the business. 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. First American has 2 simple plans, making the selection process quick and easy.
There are 2 home warranty plans from First American Home Warranty: Basic Plan and Premier Plan. The coverage caps associated with First American’s plans are around the $1,500 mark for most of the major systems and appliances, and service fees are a reasonable $85.
To receive a free quote from First American Home Warranty, fill out this online form or call 833-204-7164. Read more by visiting 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
In Petaluma, Cinch Home Services offers the home warranty with the best workmanship guarantee. Cinch is a home warranty provider with 44 years of experience in the industry, and it has become one of the best providers in the business. 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. Cinch has 3 simple plans, making the selection process quick and easy.
There are 3 home warranty plans from Cinch Home Services: Appliances Plan, Built-in Systems Plan, and Complete Home Plan. The coverage caps associated with Cinch’s plans are around the $1,000-$2,000 mark for most of the major systems and appliances, and service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $150.
To receive a free quote from Cinch Home Services, fill out this online form or call 877-589-0505. Read more by visiting 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
In Petaluma, The Home Service Club offers the best home warranty with the quickest service. HSC is a home warranty provider with 15 years of experience in the industry, and it has become one of the best providers in the business. 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. HSC has 2 simple plans, making the selection process quick and easy.
There are 2 home warranty plans from The Home Service Club: Standard Coverage Plan and Comprehensive Coverage Plan. The coverage caps associated with HSC’s plans are around the $2,000 mark for most of the major systems and appliances, and service fees are customizable and range from $65 to $90.
To receive a free quote from The Home Service Club, fill out this online form or call 800-750-9443. Read more by visiting 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 | $7,396 |
Heating | $4,931 |
Electrical | $740 |
Toilets | $616 |
Washer/Dryer | $986 |
Plumbing | $740 |
Oven | $1,972 |
Fridge | $740 |
A home warranty is a protection policy that helps Petaluma homeowners reduce the costs of appliance and system repairs. The plans provide financial coverage to fix or replace appliances and systems that malfunction due to normal wear and tear.
When something breaks down, you submit a claim and pay a service fee. The home warranty provider then arranges a contractor to handle the repair or replacement. Homeowners may have out-of-pocket costs only if the repair or replacement exceeds the item's coverage limit. A home warranty plan gives homeowners a sense of security because it can help avoid expensive emergency repairs. They can be especially helpful for people purchasing 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 cover your household systems and appliances. Warranties usually cover appliances such as washers, microwaves, dishwashers, garbage disposals, refrigerators, dryers, and more. Covered systems include electrical, plumbing, heating, and air conditioning. Many home warranty companies also provide add-on coverage for roof leaks, septic systems, locksmiths, and central vacuums. Most home warranty plans require Petaluma homeowners to wait 30 days before the plan will cover repairs. Additionally, policies usually only cover repairs and replacements resulting from normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't cover natural disasters, cosmetic issues, pre-existing conditions, or misuse of a system or appliance. To help ensure your next repair or replacement is covered, keep up with preventative maintenance.
Home warranties use several terms that you'll want to understand before signing a contract, such as:
When you're deciding on a home warranty provider, there are several important things to take into account:
Home warranty coverage varies, although most plans cover plumbing, heating, AC, electrical, and appliances. More extensive plans may also include extra things such as pools, spas, roof leaks, and well pumps. Look for a provider that offers an extensive selection of coverage options, including upgraded plans. You want the flexibility to customize coverage to fit your home's specific 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. Some providers also eliminate deductibles for homeowners who don't file claims in a certain period.
A home warranty provider's reputation provides insights into factors such as repair speed, contractor expertise, claim approval rates, and customer satisfaction. Read through review sites like the Better Business Bureau (BBB), Google Reviews, or TrustPilot to learn more about providers. Favorable ratings and feedback suggest a company known for providing quality service.
Home warranty businesses keep networks of local technicians to handle repairs in your area. Reach out to potential providers to find out how many repair contractors they have in Petaluma and get an idea for how fast your repairs might happen in an emergency situation. Wider networks raise the likelihood of getting qualified contractors to quickly service your home.
Some home warranty companies offer bonuses such as maintenance discounts, smart home device protection, and energy efficiency upgrades. These can add value beyond just repair coverage. Added bonuses help maximize the usefulness of the home warranty.
Home warranty plans are an affordable way to guard your home systems and appliances from normal wear and tear. With temperatures in Petaluma reaching an average high of 64℃F, you may find that certain appliances, such as your A.C., get a lot of use. A home warranty can remarkably lower out-of-pocket expenses should your HVAC system stop working.
A home warranty also can also save you time and energy. Instead of spending hours researching and choosing a repair person to fix your appliance or system, home warranty providers do the hard work for you and send a trusted professional to your door whenever you need them. A home warranty can also give value in other ways. For instance, some plans can be transferred to another owner when you sell your home.
One major drawback of a home warranty is not every home system and appliance you care about may be covered. It’s important to weigh the different policies and get one that covers all the appliances, systems, and add-ons you need.
Another drawback is that home warranties may not include some repairs, like those needed because of natural disasters. For example, if your house floods, the impacted systems and appliances most likely won’t be covered by the home warranty.
A home warranty in Petaluma can cost anywhere from $30 to $60 a month. The higher-priced plans usually have a lower service fee, higher coverage limits, and broader coverage. Home warranties are often cheaper when you pay annually instead of monthly. Some providers will also decrease your up-front costs when you agree to 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 covers normal wear and tear to home systems and appliances. Homeowners insurance protects your home in case of a situation such as a fire or natural disaster. With homeowners insurance, you will not be able to file a claim should you need a new refrigerator or dishwasher, unless the damage is due to a natural disaster, which isn't that common in Petaluma.
First-time homebuyers, home sellers, landlords, real estate agents, and homeowners can all get home warranty plans. A home warranty can help make your home more appealing to prospective buyers and save you money in the long run.
The different home warranties in Petaluma include plans that cover either appliances or systems as well as comprehensive plans. A comprehensive plan covers your systems and appliances, such as your refrigerator, washing machine, and plumbing. A plan that only covers appliances or systems will cover only the items listed in the policy.
Home warranty plans typically offer coverage for a year. Many companies let you renew your plan annually, and some offer month-to-month plans as well.
Usually, the homeowner is the one who pays 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 transferred to the new homeowner, who has to pay the service fees. In Petaluma, where the median value of a home is $903,374, having the seller pay for the home warranty can be a good asset for your new home.