Written By David Cusick
Last Updated February 2024
Owning a home can have many perks, but it can also come with some downsides like maintenance. The older your house’s systems and appliances are, the more likely it is that you'll benefit from a home warranty. A home warranty policy can help protect homebuyers and current homeowners by covering major repairs and replacements on your home’s most important systems and appliances.
Finding the right warranty for your home can be challenging, so our team at Today's Homeowner has compiled this guide to help you find the top home warranty companies in Santa Ana. Read on for our top provider 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
In Santa Ana, Choice Home Warranty offers the best overall home warranty. The 2 policies that Choice offers include options for appliance and system coverage. 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 plans that Choice offers to homeowners are Basic Plan and Total Plan. Choice has coverage caps of around $3,000 for most appliances and systems, but with some plans, the coverage caps can be higher, so make sure to check with the provider. Service fees are an affordable $85.
For more information, read our Choice Home Warranty Review. To get a free quote from Choice Home Warranty, fill out this online form or call 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
In Santa Ana, Select Home Warranty offers the most cost-effective home warranty. The 3 policies that Select offers include options for appliance and system coverage. 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 plans that Select offers to homeowners are Bronze Care Plan, Gold Care Plan, and Platinum Care Plan. Select has coverage caps of around $2,000 for most appliances and systems, but with some plans, the coverage caps can be higher, so make sure to check with the provider. Service fees are a reasonable $60.
For more information, read our Select Home Warranty Review. To get a free quote from Select Home Warranty, fill out this online form or call 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
In Santa Ana, American Home Shield offers the most customizable home warranty. The 3 policies that AHS offers include options for appliance and system coverage. 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 plans that AHS offers to homeowners are ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, and ShieldPlatinum. AHS has coverage caps of around $2,500 for most appliances and systems, but with some plans, the coverage caps can be higher, so make sure to check with the provider. Service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $125.
For more information, read our American Home Shield Review. To get a free quote from American Home Shield, fill out this online form or call 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
In Santa Ana, First American Home Warranty offers the best home warranty for appliance coverage. The 2 policies that First American offers include options for appliance and system coverage. 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 plans that First American offers to homeowners are Basic Plan and Premier Plan. First American has coverage caps of around $1,500 for most appliances and systems, but with some plans, the coverage caps can be higher, so make sure to check with the provider. Service fees are a reasonable $85.
For more information, read our First American Home Warranty Review. To get a free quote from First American Home Warranty, fill out this online form or call 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
In Santa Ana, Cinch Home Services offers the home warranty with the best workmanship guarantee. The 3 policies that Cinch offers include options for appliance and system coverage. 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 plans that Cinch offers to homeowners are Appliances Plan, Built-in Systems Plan, and Complete Home Plan. Cinch has coverage caps of around $1,000-$2,000 for most appliances and systems, but with some plans, the coverage caps can be higher, so make sure to check with the provider. Service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $150.
For more information, read our Cinch Home Services Review. To get a free quote from Cinch Home Services, fill out this online form or call 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
In Santa Ana, The Home Service Club offers the best home warranty with the quickest service. The 2 policies that HSC offers include options for appliance and system coverage. 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 plans that HSC offers to homeowners are Standard Coverage Plan and Comprehensive Coverage Plan. HSC has coverage caps of around $2,000 for most appliances and systems, but with some plans, the coverage caps can be higher, so make sure to check with the provider. Service fees are customizable and range from $65 to $90.
For more information, read our The Home Service Club Review. To get a free quote from The Home Service Club, fill out this online form or call 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 | $7,003 |
Heating | $4,669 |
Electrical | $700 |
Toilets | $584 |
Washer/Dryer | $934 |
Plumbing | $700 |
Oven | $1,867 |
Fridge | $700 |
A home warranty is a protection plan that assists Santa Ana homeowners reduce the expenses of appliance and system repairs. The plans provide financial coverage to repair or swap out appliances and systems that stop working 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 fix or replacement. Homeowners may have out-of-pocket costs only if the cost of repair or replacement exceeds the item's coverage limit. A home warranty gives peace of mind to homeowners, as it helps prevent expensive emergency repairs. Home warranties are especially useful for older construction homes with aging systems. New homes with modern appliances may not require a home warranty.
Home warranties help protect your home systems and appliances. Common covered appliances include washers, refrigerators, dishwashers, garbage disposals, dryers, microwaves, and others. Covered systems include electrical, plumbing, heating, and air conditioning. Many home warranties offer additional add-on coverage options for septic systems, locksmiths, central vacuums, and even roof leaks. It's important for Santa Ana 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 due to normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't include pre-existing conditions, natural disasters, cosmetic issues, or improperly using a system or appliance. Be diligent about completing preventative maintenance to ensure your next repair or replacement is covered.
There are a number of home warranty terms to know before signing an agreement, including:
When choosing a home warranty provider, there are several key factors to consider:
Home warranty coverage varies, although most plans cover plumbing, electrical, AC, heating, and appliances. More extensive plans may also include additional items such as well pumps, pools, roof leaks, and spas. Look for a company that offers robust coverage options, including upgraded plans. Flexibility is important when trying to fit a home warranty to your home's specific systems and needs.
Homeowners should anticipate paying a $60–100 service fee when filing home warranty claims. These per-claim costs can add up, so some homeowners prefer using providers with more affordable per-claim fees to maximize savings. Some companies also offer disappearing deductibles after periods where a customer files no claims.
A home warranty company's reputation provides insight into things such as contractor quality, approval rates, repair timeliness, and customer service. Browse review platforms such as the Better Business Bureau (BBB), TrustPilot, or Google Reviews to research providers. Good ratings and feedback indicate a company known for exceptional service.
Home warranty providers have networks of technicians that they use to tackle covered repairs. Bigger networks increase the likelihood of getting qualified contractors to your home promptly. Reach out to possible providers to learn how many contractors they have in Santa Ana to understand how long repairs could take in an urgent situation.
Some home warranty plans offer bonuses such as smart home device protection, maintenance discounts, and energy efficiency upgrades. These perks add value beyond just repair coverage. Added bonuses maximize the usefulness of your home warranty.
Home warranty policies are an affordable way to protect your home systems and appliances from normal wear and tear. With temperatures in Santa Ana hitting an average high of 70℃F, you may find that certain appliances, such as your air conditioning system, get a lot of use. A home warranty can remarkably bring down out-of-pocket expenses should your HVAC system stop working.
Not to mention, having a home warranty can save you time by getting rid of the need to research repair people — most companies will send a trusted professional right to your door to do the necessary repair or replacement. Another good thing about having a home warranty is while selling your home, you can most likely transfer your home warranty to the new owners. It can make your house more attractive to potential homebuyers and may help your home sell faster.
There are also some downsides to purchasing a home warranty plan, like the coverage exclusions. For example, home warranties may not cover systems or appliances that already have a manufacturer's warranty.
Another consideration is that home warranties usually only cover repairs needed due to normal wear and tear. They most likely won’t cover systems or appliances that need repairs or replacements due to animal infestations, improper maintenance, natural disasters, etc.
A home warranty in Santa Ana can cost between $30 and $60 a month. The higher-priced plans typically have higher coverage limits, a lower service fee, and broader coverage. This cost is often lower if you pay annually instead of monthly. Some companies will also reduce your up-front costs when you agree to a higher service fee.
Home warranties and home insurance differ in what kinds of damage they cover. Home warranty policies 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 insurance that protects your entire home from natural disasters, which might not be too much of a concern in Santa Ana. It doesn't cover a typical appliance or system damage.
Homebuyers, landlords, home sellers, real estate agents, and homeowners can all get home warranty plans. A home warranty can help make your house more appealing to prospective buyers and save you money in the long run.
The different types of home warranties in Santa Ana include plans that cover either appliances or systems as well as comprehensive plans. A comprehensive plan covers many of your systems and appliances, such as your washing machine, drier, and heating and cooling systems. An appliance or system plan will cover only the specific items mentioned in the plan.
Generally, a home warranty plan lasts for a year and can be renewed yearly. Some providers may offer month-to-month options.
Usually the person who owns the home is responsible for paying for the home warranty. In some cases, however, the one selling the home may buy a home warranty policy and transfer the policy to the buyer. The new homeowner will then need to pay the service fees when using the policy. Considering that the average home value in Santa Ana is $748,103, a home warranty can save you some money when buying a home.