Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Written By David Cusick
Last Updated April 2024
Buying a home is a big step in many people’s lives, but maintaining it can get costly over time, especially if your home in San Jose is on the older side. A home warranty can bring you the peace of mind you need and safeguard your savings account from large expenses by covering your home’s major appliances and systems.
Finding the best warranty for your home can be challenging, so our team at Today's Homeowner has done the research to help you find the top home warranty companies in San Jose. Keep reading for our home warranty recommendations.
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 Jose. The 2 home warranty plans that Choice offers include differing levels of system and appliance coverage, as well as add-on options. 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.
The 2 plans from Choice Home Warranty are Basic Plan and Total Plan. The coverage caps associated with Choice’s plans are close to the $3,000 mark for most major systems and appliances, and service fees are an affordable $85.
To get a free quote from Choice Home Warranty, fill out this online form or give them a call at 929-400-6164. Read more by visiting our comprehensive 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 Jose. The 3 home warranty plans that Select offers include differing levels of system and appliance coverage, as well as add-on options. 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.
The 3 plans from Select Home Warranty are Bronze Care Plan, Gold Care Plan, and Platinum Care Plan. The coverage caps associated with Select’s plans are close to the $2,000 mark for most major systems and appliances, and service fees are a reasonable $60.
To get a free quote from Select Home Warranty, fill out this online form or give them a call at 888-370-3953. Read more by visiting our comprehensive 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 Jose. The 3 home warranty plans that AHS offers include differing levels of system and appliance coverage, as well as add-on options. 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.
The 3 plans from American Home Shield are ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, and ShieldPlatinum. The coverage caps associated with AHS’s plans are close to the $2,500 mark for most major systems and appliances, and service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $125.
To get a free quote from American Home Shield, fill out this online form or give them a call at 888-365-2839. Read more by visiting our comprehensive 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 Jose. The 2 home warranty plans that First American offers include differing levels of system and appliance coverage, as well as add-on options. 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.
The 2 plans from First American Home Warranty are Basic Plan and Premier Plan. The coverage caps associated with First American’s plans are close to the $1,500 mark for most major systems and appliances, and service fees are a reasonable $85.
To get a free quote from First American Home Warranty, fill out this online form or give them a call at 833-204-7164. Read more by visiting our comprehensive 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 Jose. The 3 home warranty plans that Cinch offers include differing levels of system and appliance coverage, as well as add-on options. 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.
The 3 plans from Cinch Home Services are Appliances Plan, Built-in Systems Plan, and Complete Home Plan. The coverage caps associated with Cinch’s plans are close to the $1,000-$2,000 mark for most major systems and appliances, and service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $150.
To get a free quote from Cinch Home Services, fill out this online form or give them a call at 877-589-0505. Read more by visiting our comprehensive 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 Jose. The 2 home warranty plans that HSC offers include differing levels of system and appliance coverage, as well as add-on options. 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.
The 2 plans from The Home Service Club are Standard Coverage Plan and Comprehensive Coverage Plan. The coverage caps associated with HSC’s plans are close to the $2,000 mark for most major systems and appliances, and service fees are customizable and range from $65 to $90.
To get a free quote from The Home Service Club, fill out this online form or give them a call at 800-750-9443. Read more by visiting our comprehensive 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 | $8,143 |
| Heating | $5,429 |
| Electrical | $814 |
| Toilets | $679 |
| Washer/Dryer | $1,086 |
| Plumbing | $814 |
| Oven | $2,171 |
| Fridge | $814 |
A home warranty is a protection plan that helps San Jose homeowners lower the costs of appliance and system repairs. The plans provide coverage to fix 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 cost of repair or replacement goes over the item's coverage limit. A home warranty delivers peace of mind for homeowners by helping them avoid expensive emergency repairs. They're particularly valuable for those who live in older homes or ones with outdated systems. Newer homes with modern appliances probably don’t require a home warranty.
Home warranties cover your household systems and appliances. Covered appliances normally include refrigerators, microwaves, washers, garbage disposals, dryers, dishwashers, and others. Covered systems include plumbing, electrical, heating, and air conditioning. Many home warranty providers also offer additional coverage for roof leaks, locksmiths, septic systems, and central vacuums. It's important for San Jose homeowners to understand most home warranty plans have a 30-day waiting period before repairs are covered. The majority of policies also only cover repairs and replacements resulting from normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't include natural disasters, cosmetic issues, pre-existing conditions, or misuse of a system or appliance. Stay current with preventative maintenance to ensure your next repair or replacement is covered.
There are a number of home warranty terms to understand 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 provide protection for AC, electrical, plumbing, heating, and appliances, while more comprehensive plans may also cover roof leaks, pools, well pumps, and spas. Focus on providers with an expansive array of coverage choices including upgraded plans. This flexibility enables you to customize protection for your needs.
With any home warranty claim, you'll pay a service fee, usually falling in the $60 to $100 range, which gets paid per repair request filed. These per-claim charges can add up. You may decide to look for providers with lower service fees to maximize your savings on each claim. Some providers also offer disappearing deductibles for customers who don't file any claims over a certain timespan.
A home warranty company's reputation provides insight into things such as claim approval rates, contractor quality, timeliness of repairs, and overall customer satisfaction. Use third-party review sites such as the Better Business Bureau (BBB), Google Reviews, or TrustPilot to research companies. Favorable reviews and ratings indicate a company known for stellar service.
Home warranty companies use networks of local repair technicians to manage repairs in a given area. Contact potential providers to ask how many repair professionals they have in San Jose and get an idea of how fast your repairs could be handled in an emergency. Bigger networks raise the likelihood of getting qualified contractors to swiftly service your home.
Some home warranty plans include extras such as smart home device protection, energy efficiency upgrades, and maintenance discounts. These can add value beyond just repair coverage. Added bonuses maximize the usefulness of the home warranty.
Since temperatures in San Jose can easily reach 100 degrees, the extreme weather can put a lot of strain on your air conditioner. Purchasing a home warranty can help homeowners save money if one of these systems or appliances breaks down suddenly.
A home warranty also saves you time and energy. Instead of spending hours researching and choosing a repair person 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. Additionally, having a home warranty can make your house more appealing to potential homebuyers should you ever decide to sell later. Many home warranty companies will allow you to transfer your policy to a new owner and give them the same protection you’ve been getting.
One disadvantage of buying a home warranty is that there are often exclusions. For example, if one of your appliances already has a manufacturer's warranty, it may not be included in 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 potential pain point of home warranties is that they don’t cover systems or appliances that haven’t been properly maintained. This can lead to your repair requests being denied, so it’s important to make sure you follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for maintenance of your home systems and appliances.
A home warranty costs, on average, about $300 to $600 a year in San Jose. Our high-rated home warranty providers' 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 usually less expensive to pay annually rather than monthly.
Home warranties and home insurance differ in what sorts of damage they cover. Home warranty plans cover problems related to systems and appliances that need repairs or replacements due to normal wear and tear. A home insurance policy is a different plan that protects your entire home from natural disasters, which might not be too much of a concern in San Jose. It doesn't cover a typical appliance or system repairs.
A home warranty policy can help homebuyers, investors, home sellers, homeowners, and real estate agents. It can offer peace of mind to anyone involved with homeownership.
A home warranty will cover your 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 plan offers coverage for a year and can be renewed annually. Some providers may offer month-to-month options.
Typically, the one who owns the home is responsible for paying for the home warranty. In some cases, however, the one selling the home may purchase 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 San Jose is $1,304,766, a home warranty can save you some money when buying a home.
