Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Written By David Cusick
Last Updated April 2024
With hot summers in San Leandro, your home systems can experience quite a bit of wear and tear. There’s nothing worse than having your air conditioning go out in the middle of summer. A home warranty can help protect homeowners by covering major repairs and replacements on your home’s most important systems and appliances.
Finding the best home warranty on the market can be difficult, as there are lots of companies to decide between. That’s why our team at Today's Homeowner did the research and put together a list of the best home warranty companies in San Leandro 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
Choice Home Warranty is the best overall home warranty for San Leandro residents. 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 home warranty provider offers 2 plans to policyholders, which have various options for appliance and system coverage.
The plans that Choice offers to homeowners are Basic Plan and Total Plan. The coverage limits from Choice are about $3,000. The service fees are an affordable $85, which is less than other providers in the San Leandro area.
To read more, visit our review of Choice Home Warranty. To receive a free quote from Choice Home Warranty, fill out this online form or give them a call at 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 is the most cost-effective home warranty for San Leandro residents. 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 home warranty provider offers 3 plans to policyholders, which have various options for appliance and system coverage.
The plans that Select offers to homeowners are Bronze Care Plan, Gold Care Plan, and Platinum Care Plan. The coverage limits from Select are about $2,000. The service fees are a reasonable $60, which is less than other providers in the San Leandro area.
To read more, visit our review of Select Home Warranty. To receive a free quote from Select Home Warranty, fill out this online form or give them a call at 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 is the most customizable home warranty for San Leandro residents. 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 home warranty provider offers 3 plans to policyholders, which have various options for appliance and system coverage.
The plans that AHS offers to homeowners are ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, and ShieldPlatinum. The coverage limits from AHS are about $2,500. The service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $125, which is less than other providers in the San Leandro area.
To read more, visit our review of American Home Shield. To receive a free quote from American Home Shield, fill out this online form or give them a call at 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 is the best home warranty for appliance coverage for San Leandro residents. 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 home warranty provider offers 2 plans to policyholders, which have various options for appliance and system coverage.
The plans that First American offers to homeowners are Basic Plan and Premier Plan. The coverage limits from First American are about $1,500. The service fees are a reasonable $85, which is less than other providers in the San Leandro area.
To read more, visit our review of First American Home Warranty. To receive a free quote from First American Home Warranty, fill out this online form or give them a call at 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 is the home warranty with the best workmanship guarantee for San Leandro residents. 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 home warranty provider offers 3 plans to policyholders, which have various options for appliance and system coverage.
The plans that Cinch offers to homeowners are Appliances Plan, Built-in Systems Plan, and Complete Home Plan. The coverage limits from Cinch are about $1,000-$2,000. The service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $150, which is less than other providers in the San Leandro area.
To read more, visit our review of Cinch Home Services. To receive a free quote from Cinch Home Services, fill out this online form or give them a call at 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 is the best home warranty with the quickest service for San Leandro residents. 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 home warranty provider offers 2 plans to policyholders, which have various options for appliance and system coverage.
The plans that HSC offers to homeowners are Standard Coverage Plan and Comprehensive Coverage Plan. The coverage limits from HSC are about $2,000. The service fees are customizable and range from $65 to $90, which is less than other providers in the San Leandro area.
To read more, visit our review of The Home Service Club. To receive a free quote from The Home Service Club, fill out this online form or give them a call at 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 | $7,328 |
| Heating | $4,886 |
| Electrical | $733 |
| Toilets | $611 |
| Washer/Dryer | $977 |
| Plumbing | $733 |
| Oven | $1,954 |
| Fridge | $733 |
A home warranty is a protection policy that helps San Leandro homeowners lower the high costs of household repairs. These plans provide financial coverage to fix or replace appliances and systems that break down 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 reassurance to homeowners, as it helps prevent costly emergency repairs. Home warranties are the most 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 cover your household systems and appliances. Covered appliances normally include garbage disposals, dishwashers, microwaves, washers, dryers, refrigerators, and more. Covered systems include heating, air conditioning, electrical, and plumbing. Many home warranty providers also offer add-on coverage for central vacuums, locksmiths, septic systems, and roof leaks. San Leandro homeowners should know that most home warranty plans begin with a 30-day waiting period before repairs are covered. What's more, most policies only help pay for repairs and replacements resulting from normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't include natural disasters, pre-existing conditions, cosmetic issues, or misusing a system or appliance. Make sure to keep up with preventative maintenance to help make sure your next repair or replacement is covered.
Before agreeing to a home warranty contract, you should understand key terms like:
When you're deciding on a home warranty provider, there are several important things to take into account:
Home warranties vary widely in terms of included coverage. Basic plans typically include heating, plumbing, electrical, AC, and appliances, while more comprehensive plans may also cover roof leaks, spas, pools, and well pumps. Look for a company that offers an extensive selection of coverage options, including upgraded plans. Flexibility is important when trying to fit a home warranty to 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 company with more affordable fees to maximize savings on every claim. Some providers also eliminate deductibles when customers have a claim-free period.
A home warranty company's reputation provides insights into factors such as claim approval rates, repair speed, contractor expertise, and customer satisfaction. Look at review sites like the Better Business Bureau (BBB), Google Reviews, or TrustPilot to learn more about companies. Favorable reviews and ratings suggest a company known for delivering quality service.
Home warranty companies maintain networks of professionals to handle covered repairs. Wider networks improve the likelihood of getting qualified technicians to service your home ASAP. Reach out to potential providers and ask how many contractors they have in San Leandro to get a sense of how quickly your repairs could happen in an emergency.
Some home warranty providers include bonuses such as smart home device protection, maintenance discounts, and energy efficiency upgrades. These perks can add value beyond just repair coverage. Added bonuses can maximize the usefulness of your home warranty.
San Leandro’s hot summers can put a strain on a home’s HVAC system. Whether it’s summer or winter, a home warranty can help cover your home’s appliances and systems in the event they need to be repaired or replaced. For example, if your air conditioner fails in the middle of July, a home warranty can cover the needed repairs, preventing you from spending unexpected money out of pocket.
Additionally, having a home warranty can save you time by removing the need to research technicians — most companies will send a trusted professional right to your door to carry out the repair or replacement. In addition, though home warranty companies vary, some providers will allow you to transfer your warranty in the event that you sell your home. This can make your home more attractive to potential homebuyers and maybe even help your home sell faster.
Home warranties also have some cons. While it can be convenient that the home warranty sends out a contractor who takes care of the repair for you, some people may not like this, and they would rather select their own contractor. If that’s the case for you, some home warranty companies let you choose a contractor.
Another downside is that home warranties may exclude some repairs, like those needed because of natural disasters. For example, if your house floods, the affected systems and appliances probably won’t be covered by the home warranty.
A home warranty in San Leandro can cost anywhere from $30 to $60 a month. Higher-priced plans tend to 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 opt for a higher service fee.
Home warranties and home insurance differ in what sorts of damage they cover. Home warranty policies cover issues related to systems and appliances that need repairs or replacements due to normal wear and tear. A home insurance policy is a larger plan that protects an entire home from natural disasters, which might not be too much of a concern in San Leandro. It doesn't cover a normal appliance or system repairs.
A home warranty can help real estate agents, investors, home sellers, homeowners, and homebuyers. It can offer peace of mind to anyone involved with homeownership.
The different types of home warranties in San Leandro include plans with coverage for either appliances or systems as well as combination plans. A combination plan covers many of your home systems and appliances, such as your dishwasher, washing machine, and HVAC. A plan that only covers appliances or systems will cover only the items mentioned in the contract.
Home warranty plans generally provide coverage for a year. Many companies let you renew your plan yearly, and some offer month-to-month plans as well.
Usually, the homeowner is the one who is responsible for paying the premium and service fees. However, if you have just bought a new home, sometimes the seller is the one who paid for the policy. This can then be given to the new homeowner, who will pay the service fees. In San Leandro, where the median home value is $834,456, having the seller pay for the home warranty can save you some money on your new home.
