Written By David Cusick
Last Updated February 2024
Buying a home is a big step for many people, but the cost of maintaining it can get expensive over time, especially if your home in Santa Monica is on the older side. A home warranty policy can help protect you 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 overwhelming, as there are so many companies to decide between. That’s why our team at Today's Homeowner did the research and put together a list of the top home warranty companies in Santa Monica 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 Santa Monica, Choice Home Warranty is the best overall home warranty. Choice has 2 simple plans, making the selection process and policy coverage easily comprehensible. 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. Choice’s service fees are an affordable $85, and the coverage caps come out to about $3,000 for each covered appliance or system.
Read more by visiting our Choice Home Warranty full 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 Monica, Select Home Warranty is the most cost-effective home warranty. Select has 3 simple plans, making the selection process and policy coverage easily comprehensible. 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. Select’s service fees are a reasonable $60, and the coverage caps come out to about $2,000 for each covered appliance or system.
Read more by visiting our Select Home Warranty full 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 Monica, American Home Shield is the most customizable home warranty. AHS has 3 simple plans, making the selection process and policy coverage easily comprehensible. 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. AHS’s service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $125, and the coverage caps come out to about $2,500 for each covered appliance or system.
Read more by visiting our American Home Shield full 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 Monica, First American Home Warranty is the best home warranty for appliance coverage. First American has 2 simple plans, making the selection process and policy coverage easily comprehensible. 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. First American’s service fees are a reasonable $85, and the coverage caps come out to about $1,500 for each covered appliance or system.
Read more by visiting our First American Home Warranty full 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 Monica, Cinch Home Services is the home warranty with the best workmanship guarantee. Cinch has 3 simple plans, making the selection process and policy coverage easily comprehensible. 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. Cinch’s service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $150, and the coverage caps come out to about $1,000-$2,000 for each covered appliance or system.
Read more by visiting our Cinch Home Services full 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 Monica, The Home Service Club is the best home warranty with the quickest service. HSC has 2 simple plans, making the selection process and policy coverage easily comprehensible. 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. HSC’s service fees are customizable and range from $65 to $90, and the coverage caps come out to about $2,000 for each covered appliance or system.
Read more by visiting our The Home Service Club full 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 | $7,530 |
Heating | $5,020 |
Electrical | $753 |
Toilets | $628 |
Washer/Dryer | $1,004 |
Plumbing | $753 |
Oven | $2,008 |
Fridge | $753 |
A home warranty is a protection policy that assists Santa Monica homeowners lower the high costs of household repairs. These plans offer financial coverage to repair or swap out appliances and systems that break down from normal wear and tear.
Homeowners file a claim and pay a service fee when something breaks. The home warranty company 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 peace of mind to homeowners because it helps prevent costly emergency repairs. Home warranties are especially useful for owners of older homes or homes with aging systems. New homes with modern appliances may not require a home warranty.
Home warranties cover many household systems and appliances. Warranties usually cover appliances such as garbage disposals, washers, refrigerators, dishwashers, dryers, microwaves, and more. Covered systems include plumbing, heating, electrical, and air conditioning. Many home warranty providers also offer add-on coverage for septic systems, central vacuums, locksmiths, and roof leaks. Santa Monica homeowners should know that most home warranty policies have a 30-day period you must wait before they can be used to cover repairs. Additionally, most policies only cover repairs and replacements that result from normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't cover things like pre-existing conditions, cosmetic issues, natural disasters, or misuse 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.
Home warranty contracts use several terms that you'll want to understand before signing, such as:
There are several important factors to consider when selecting a home warranty provider:
Home warranty coverage varies widely in the items that are included. Most plans cover electrical, plumbing, heating, AC, and appliances. More robust coverage options also offer coverage on other items such as pools, roof leaks, spas, and well pumps. Look for a provider 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 when a homeowner goes a defined period without any repair requests.
A home warranty company's reputation can offer insight into things such as approval rates for claims, speed of repairs, contractor quality, and customer satisfaction. Use third-party review sites such as the Better Business Bureau (BBB), TrustPilot, or Google Reviews to research providers. Positive ratings and reviews indicate that a company is known for top-tier service.
Home warranty companies have networks of contractors to handle covered repairs. Wider networks increase the likelihood of getting qualified technicians to promptly service your home. Reach out to potential providers and ask how many contractors they have in Santa Monica to get a sense of how soon your repairs could be handled in an emergency.
Some home warranty providers include perks such as energy efficiency upgrades, reduced maintenance fees, and smart home device coverage. These extras can offer extra value beyond repair coverage. Added bonuses allow you to enhance your home and get the most from your home warranty.
Temperatures in Santa Monica can get quite high in the summer, which means your air conditioner is most likely going to get a good bit of use. As a homeowner in Santa Monica, one of the benefits of having a home warranty is knowing that these home systems and major appliances can be covered if they have to be repaired or replaced.
Not only can a home warranty save you money on repairs and replacements, it saves you time too. Instead of needing to vet contractors on your own, 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 make your house more attractive to potential homebuyers if you ever decide to sell in the future. Many home warranty companies will allow you to transfer your plan to a new owner and give them the same protection you’ve been getting.
One major drawback of a home warranty is not every home system and appliance may be covered. It’s important to research the different plans and sign up for one that covers all the appliances, systems, and add-ons you need.
Another thing to bear in mind is that some providers don’t cover pre-existing problems and may require an inspection before coverage begins. Ask the home warranty provider for clarification about it if you need more information or if this is an issue for you.
A home warranty costs, on average, about $300 to $600 a year in Santa Monica. Our top-rated home warranty companies' most comprehensive coverage options vary from $546 to $840 per year. You can decrease your monthly bill with some companies by opting for a higher service fee. Additionally, it's often cheaper 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 covers normal wear and tear to home systems and appliances. Homeowners insurance protects your home in case of something such as a natural disaster or fire. With homeowners insurance, you will not be able to file a claim if you need a new dryer or dishwasher, unless the damage is a result of a natural disaster, which is somewhat common in Santa Monica.
A home warranty plan can help investors, homebuyers, homeowners, home sellers, and real estate agents. It can provide peace of mind and savings to anyone involved with homeownership.
A home warranty plan can cover your home’s systems, appliances, or both. Combination plans are great if you'd like 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.
Home warranty plans generally provide coverage for a year. Many companies let you renew your plan yearly, and some offer month-to-month options as well.
Typically, the homeowner is responsible for paying for the home warranty. In some cases, however, the one selling the home may buy a home warranty plan 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 Santa Monica is $1,682,105, a home warranty can save you some money when buying a home.