Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Written By David Cusick
Last Updated April 2024
The cost of maintaining a home in Santee can be costly, especially as your home ages and your appliances and systems have to be updated or repaired. A home warranty policy can help protect homeowners by reducing the costs of major repairs and replacements on your home’s most important systems and appliances.
Finding the best home warranty on the market can be time-consuming, since there are so many companies to choose from. That’s why the Today's Homeowner team did the research and put together a list of the top home warranty companies in Santee 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 Santee, Choice Home Warranty offers the best overall home warranty. Choice has 2 plans for homeowners to decide between. With a home warranty from Choice, you can benefit from very high coverage caps and simple-to-understand service contracts. Not to mention, it has great customer service, professional contractors, and lower out-of-pocket costs compared to other home warranties.
Choice Home Warranty has 2 plans that offer a mix of system and appliance coverage. The coverage caps from Choice are about $3,000. The service fees are an affordable $85, which is cheaper than other providers in the Santee area.
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
In Santee, Select Home Warranty offers the most cost-effective home warranty. Select has 3 plans for homeowners to decide between. With a home warranty from Select, you can benefit from a highly affordable service fee and free roof coverage upon purchase of a policy plan. Not to mention, it has an extensive network of highly trained professionals all over the country who are experts in home maintenance.
Select Home Warranty has 3 plans that offer a mix of system and appliance coverage. The coverage caps from Select are about $2,000. The service fees are a reasonable $60, which is cheaper than other providers in the Santee area.
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
In Santee, American Home Shield offers the most customizable home warranty. AHS has 3 plans for homeowners to decide between. With a home warranty from AHS, you can benefit from the ability to customize your plan with the coverages that work specifically for your home. Not to mention, it has a remarkably low claim denial rate in comparison to other home warranty companies.
American Home Shield has 3 plans that offer a mix of system and appliance coverage. The coverage caps from AHS are about $2,500. The service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $125, which is cheaper than other providers in the Santee area.
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
In Santee, First American Home Warranty offers the best home warranty for appliance coverage. First American has 2 plans for homeowners to decide between. With a home warranty from First American, you can benefit from very affordable and comprehensive appliance coverage. Not to mention, it 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.
First American Home Warranty has 2 plans that offer a mix of system and appliance coverage. The coverage caps from First American are about $1,500. The service fees are a reasonable $85, which is cheaper than other providers in the Santee area.
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
In Santee, Cinch Home Services offers the home warranty with the best workmanship guarantee. Cinch has 3 plans for homeowners to decide between. With a home warranty from Cinch, you can benefit from a 180-day workmanship guarantee that ensures your home systems and appliance repairs will be professionally done. Not to mention, it has a broad range of coverage options that will give homeowners peace of mind.
Cinch Home Services has 3 plans that offer a mix of system and appliance coverage. The coverage caps from Cinch are about $1,000-$2,000. The service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $150, which is cheaper than other providers in the Santee area.
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
In Santee, The Home Service Club offers the best home warranty with the quickest service. HSC has 2 plans for homeowners to decide between. With a home warranty from HSC, you can benefit from quick coverage where the home warranty goes into effect just ten days after you pay for the plan, instead of the typical 30 days. Not to mention, it has customer service representatives available 24/7, as well as a 30-day labor guarantee and a 90-day parts guarantee.
The Home Service Club has 2 plans that offer a mix of system and appliance coverage. The coverage caps from HSC are about $2,000. The service fees are customizable and range from $65 to $90, which is cheaper than other providers in the Santee area.
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 | $7,320 |
| Heating | $4,880 |
| Electrical | $732 |
| Toilets | $610 |
| Washer/Dryer | $976 |
| Plumbing | $732 |
| Oven | $1,952 |
| Fridge | $732 |
A home warranty is a protection policy that assists Santee homeowners in reducing the costs of appliance and system repairs. The plans provide coverage to replace or fix 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 company then finds a contractor to handle the replacement or fix. Homeowners may have out-of-pocket costs only 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 avoid expensive emergency repairs. They're particularly valuable for those who live in older homes or ones with outdated systems. More modern homes with modern appliances probably don’t need a home warranty.
Home warranties safeguard your home systems and appliances. Common appliances covered under a home warranty include dryers, microwaves, refrigerators, garbage disposals, washers, dishwashers, and more. Covered systems include plumbing, heating, air conditioning, and electrical. Many home warranties offer additional add-on coverage options for central vacuums, septic systems, locksmiths, and even roof leaks. Most home warranty plans require Santee homeowners to refrain from making claims for 30 days before the plan will cover repairs. Moreover, policies normally only cover repairs and replacements resulting from normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't cover cosmetic issues, natural disasters, pre-existing conditions, or misusing a system or appliance. To help ensure your next repair or replacement is covered, keep up with preventative maintenance.
Home warranty contracts use several terms that you'll want to know before signing, such as:
When you're deciding on a home warranty provider, there are several important things to take into account:
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 extend protection to other items such as well pumps, pools, spas, and roof leaks. Look for providers with an assortment of coverage options, such as upgraded plans. Flexibility helps you tailor your protection for your home’s needs.
Homeowners should anticipate paying a $60–100 service fee when filing home warranty claims. These per-repair charges can potentially accumulate over time, so some homeowners prefer using providers with lower service fees to maximize savings. Some providers also offer disappearing deductibles when a homeowner goes a defined period without any repair requests.
A home warranty company's reputation provides insights into factors such as claim approval rates, contractor expertise, repair speed, and customer satisfaction. Read through review sites like the Better Business Bureau (BBB), Google Reviews, or TrustPilot to learn more about companies. Favorable feedback and ratings suggest a company known for providing quality service.
Home warranty companies have networks of local technicians to handle repairs in your area. Reach out to potential providers to ask how many repair professionals they have in Santee and get an idea for how quickly your repairs could take place in an emergency situation. Wider networks improve the likelihood of getting qualified contractors to quickly service your home.
Home warranty companies might offer perks such as energy efficiency upgrades, coverage for smart home devices, and maintenance discounts. These add value beyond basic repair coverage. Added perks can 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 Santee reaching an average high of 72℃F, you may find that certain appliances, like your air conditioning unit, get a lot of use. A home warranty can considerably lower out-of-pocket expenses should your HVAC system break down.
Not only does a home warranty offer some savings, but it also saves you time. If an appliance breaks, the last thing you want to do is find a technician and schedule a repair. A home warranty handles this process by sending trusted professionals to your door when you need them most. Plus, though it varies by company, some providers will let you 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.
There are also some downsides to getting a home warranty policy, like the coverage exclusions. For example, home warranties may not cover systems or appliances that already have a manufacturer's warranty.
Additionally, if you don’t maintain your home systems or appliances properly, or if they were damaged due to a natural disaster or animal infestation — anything besides normal wear and tear — the home warranty may not cover it.
A home warranty plan costs, on average, around $300 to $600 a year in Santee. Our high-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 choosing a higher service fee. In addition, it's typically less expensive to pay annually rather than monthly.
Home warranties and home insurance differ in what kinds 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 different kind of insurance that protects the entire home from natural disasters, which might not be too much of a concern in Santee. It doesn't cover a normal appliance or system damage.
A home warranty can help homebuyers, real estate agents, home sellers, homeowners, and investors. It can provide peace of mind to anyone involved in homeownership.
A home warranty policy 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 useful if you're concerned about one more than the other.
Generally, a home warranty lasts for a year and can be renewed yearly. Some companies may offer month-to-month options.
In general, the homeowner 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 transferred to the new homeowner, who has to pay the service fees when using the policy. In Santee, where the median value of a home is $757,907, having the seller pay for the home warranty can save you some money on your new home.
