Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Written By David Cusick
Last Updated April 2024
San Carlos gives homeowners some great housing options and the opportunity to enjoy bright warm summers. However, scorching temperatures can put quite a strain on your home’s systems, such as your HVAC. A home warranty is a way to protect your savings account from unexpected expenses. With a home warranty in place, your repair costs can be considerably lower and allow you to live in your home with more peace of mind.
Choosing the best home warranty on the market can be challenging because of the many options available. If you're tired of trying to compare them all, keep reading for our guide to the top home warranty companies in San Carlos.
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 in San Carlos. 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 home warranty plans that Choice offers include differing levels of system and appliance coverage, as well as add-on options.
The 2 plans from Choice Home Warranty are Basic Plan and Total Plan. Service fees from Choice are an affordable $85. The coverage caps are also typically about $3,000.
To get a free quote from Choice Home Warranty, you can fill out this online form or call 929-400-6164. For a more detailed breakdown, read our review of Choice Home Warranty.
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 in San Carlos. 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 home warranty plans that Select offers include differing levels of system and appliance coverage, as well as add-on options.
The 3 plans from Select Home Warranty are Bronze Care Plan, Gold Care Plan, and Platinum Care Plan. Service fees from Select are a reasonable $60. The coverage caps are also typically about $2,000.
To get a free quote from Select Home Warranty, you can fill out this online form or call 888-370-3953. For a more detailed breakdown, read our review of Select Home Warranty.
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 in San Carlos. 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 home warranty plans that AHS offers include differing levels of system and appliance coverage, as well as add-on options.
The 3 plans from American Home Shield are ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, and ShieldPlatinum. Service fees from AHS are customizable and range from $75 to $125. The coverage caps are also typically about $2,500.
To get a free quote from American Home Shield, you can fill out this online form or call 888-365-2839. For a more detailed breakdown, read our review of American Home Shield.
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 in San Carlos. 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 home warranty plans that First American offers include differing levels of system and appliance coverage, as well as add-on options.
The 2 plans from First American Home Warranty are Basic Plan and Premier Plan. Service fees from First American are a reasonable $85. The coverage caps are also typically about $1,500.
To get a free quote from First American Home Warranty, you can fill out this online form or call 833-204-7164. For a more detailed breakdown, read our review of First American Home Warranty.
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 in San Carlos. 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 home warranty plans that Cinch offers include differing levels of system and appliance coverage, as well as add-on options.
The 3 plans from Cinch Home Services are Appliances Plan, Built-in Systems Plan, and Complete Home Plan. Service fees from Cinch are customizable and range from $75 to $150. The coverage caps are also typically about $1,000-$2,000.
To get a free quote from Cinch Home Services, you can fill out this online form or call 877-589-0505. For a more detailed breakdown, read our review of Cinch Home Services.
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 in San Carlos. 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 home warranty plans that HSC offers include differing levels of system and appliance coverage, as well as add-on options.
The 2 plans from The Home Service Club are Standard Coverage Plan and Comprehensive Coverage Plan. Service fees from HSC are customizable and range from $65 to $90. The coverage caps are also typically about $2,000.
To get a free quote from The Home Service Club, you can fill out this online form or call 800-750-9443. For a more detailed breakdown, read our review of The Home Service Club.
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 | $8,250 |
| Heating | $5,500 |
| Electrical | $825 |
| Toilets | $688 |
| Washer/Dryer | $1,100 |
| Plumbing | $825 |
| Oven | $2,200 |
| Fridge | $825 |
A home warranty is a protection plan that helps San Carlos homeowners cut the high costs of household repairs. These plans provide financial coverage to repair or replace 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 provider then arranges a contractor to make the repair or replacement. The only time you may pay out-of-pocket is if the cost of the repair or replacement goes over the item's coverage limit. A home warranty gives security for homeowners by helping them prevent expensive emergency fixes. 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 your home's systems and appliances. Common covered appliances include garbage disposals, dryers, microwaves, dishwashers, refrigerators, washers, and others. Protected systems include air conditioning, plumbing, heating, and electrical. Many home warranty plans offer extra coverage for central vacuums, septic systems, roof leaks, and even locksmiths. It's important for San Carlos homeowners to know that most home warranty policies have a 30-day waiting period before they can be used to cover repairs. Additionally, policies typically only cover repairs and replacements due to normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't cover things like cosmetic issues, pre-existing conditions, natural disasters, or improper use of a system or appliance. Make sure to keep up with preventative maintenance to help ensure that your next repair or replacement is covered by your policy.
There are multiple home warranty terms to understand before signing an agreement, including:
There are several key considerations when selecting a home warranty provider:
Home warranty policies can have major differences in covered items. Most plans provide protection for electrical, AC, heating, plumbing, and appliances. More robust plans also offer protection for other items such as spas, pools, well pumps, and roof leaks. Focus on providers with broad coverage options including upgraded plans. This flexibility enables you to customize protection for your home's needs.
You'll pay a service fee, typically $60–100, for each claim filed with your home warranty provider. These fees to accumulate quickly with each claim, so you may look for companies advertising more affordable fees to optimize savings on each repair claim. Certain providers may eliminate deductibles if homeowners don't submit any claims within a set period of time.
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 Google Reviews, TrustPilot, or the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to research companies. Good ratings and reviews indicate that a provider is known for top-tier service.
Home warranty companies have networks of technicians that they use to tackle covered repairs. More extensive networks improve the likelihood of getting qualified contractors to your home promptly. Reach out to possible providers to learn how many contractors they have in San Carlos. This helps you understand how long repairs could take in an urgent situation.
Some home warranty companies provide bonuses such as smart home device protection, energy efficiency upgrades, and maintenance discounts. These can add value beyond repair coverage. Extra bonuses maximize the usefulness of the home warranty.
San Carlos’s relatively mild winters and hot summers can put a strain on a home’s HVAC system. Whether it’s summer or winter, a home warranty can cover your home’s appliances and systems in the event they need to be repaired or replaced. For example, if your air conditioner stops working in the middle of July, a home warranty can cover the needed repairs, saving you from spending unexpected money out of pocket.
Not only can a home warranty save you money on repairs and replacements, it saves you time as well. Instead of having to vet technicians by yourself, home warranty companies do the work for you and send pre-screened technicians right to your door when you need them. Plus, having a home warranty can help make your house more attractive to potential homebuyers should you ever decide to sell later. Many home warranty providers will allow you to transfer your policy to a new owner and give them the protection you’ve been benefiting from.
There are also some negatives to getting a home warranty policy, such as the coverage exclusions. For instance, home warranties may not cover systems or appliances that are already covered under a manufacturer's warranty.
Another stipulation is that home warranties usually only cover malfunctions due to normal wear and tear. They often won’t cover systems or appliances that have been damaged due to animal infestations, improper maintenance, natural disasters, etc.
A home warranty policy costs, on average, around $300 to $600 a year in San Carlos. Our high-rated home warranty companies' most comprehensive coverage options vary from $546 to $840 per year. You can lower your monthly bill 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 types of damage each covers. A home warranty plan helps protect against normal wear and tear to home systems and appliances. A homeowners insurance plan protects your entire home in case of something 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 San Carlos.
A home warranty policy can help homeowners, home sellers, investors, real estate agents, and homebuyers. It can provide peace of mind to anyone involved in homeownership.
The different kinds of home warranties in San Carlos include plans with coverage for either appliances or systems as well as comprehensive plans. A comprehensive plan covers almost all your systems and appliances, such as your refrigerator, washing machine, and HVAC. An appliance or system plan will cover only the items listed in the policy.
Home warranty plans typically last a year. Many companies let you renew your plan annually, and some offer month-to-month options as well.
Usually the one who owns the home is responsible for paying for the home warranty. In some cases, though, the home seller may purchase a home warranty policy and transfer the policy to the buyer. The new homeowner will then have to pay the service fees when using the policy. Considering that the average home value in San Carlos is $2,190,165, a home warranty can save you some money when buying a home.
