Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Written By David Cusick
Last Updated February 2024
Homeownership in South Lake Tahoe can be satisfying for many, but it also comes with its fair share of difficulties. Home repairs can be an unexpected financial burden for many homeowners. A home warranty in South Lake Tahoe can help bring down your out-of-pocket costs by covering repairs or replacements to major home appliances and systems that stop working due to normal wear and tear.
The home warranty market is saturated with a variety of providers — all with different coverage — so the Today's Homeowner team has compiled this guide to help you find the best home warranty companies in South Lake Tahoe.
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 for South Lake Tahoe residents. Choice offers 2 plans for homeowners to choose from. 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.
There are 2 home warranty plans from Choice Home Warranty: 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 system or appliance.
For a more detailed breakdown, read our Choice Home Warranty full review. To receive 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
Select Home Warranty offers the most cost-effective home warranty for South Lake Tahoe residents. Select offers 3 plans for homeowners to choose from. 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.
There are 3 home warranty plans from Select Home Warranty: 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 system or appliance.
For a more detailed breakdown, read our Select Home Warranty full review. To receive 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
American Home Shield offers the most customizable home warranty for South Lake Tahoe residents. AHS offers 3 plans for homeowners to choose from. 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.
There are 3 home warranty plans from American Home Shield: 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 system or appliance.
For a more detailed breakdown, read our American Home Shield full review. To receive 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
First American Home Warranty offers the best home warranty for appliance coverage for South Lake Tahoe residents. First American offers 2 plans for homeowners to choose from. 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.
There are 2 home warranty plans from First American Home Warranty: 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 system or appliance.
For a more detailed breakdown, read our First American Home Warranty full review. To receive 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
Cinch Home Services offers the home warranty with the best workmanship guarantee for South Lake Tahoe residents. Cinch offers 3 plans for homeowners to choose from. 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.
There are 3 home warranty plans from Cinch Home Services: 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 system or appliance.
For a more detailed breakdown, read our Cinch Home Services full review. To receive 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
The Home Service Club offers the best home warranty with the quickest service for South Lake Tahoe residents. HSC offers 2 plans for homeowners to choose from. 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.
There are 2 home warranty plans from The Home Service Club: 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 system or appliance.
For a more detailed breakdown, read our The Home Service Club full review. To receive 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 | $6,435 |
| Heating | $4,290 |
| Electrical | $644 |
| Toilets | $536 |
| Washer/Dryer | $858 |
| Plumbing | $644 |
| Oven | $1,716 |
| Fridge | $644 |
A home warranty is a protection policy that helps South Lake Tahoe homeowners in reducing the expenses of appliance and system repairs. The plans offer financial coverage to swap out or fix appliances and systems that malfunction due to normal wear and tear.
When something stops working, you file a claim and pay a service fee. The home warranty company then finds a contractor to handle the replacement or repair. 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 peace of mind to homeowners because it helps prevent expensive 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 home systems and appliances. Covered appliances normally include dryers, refrigerators, washers, garbage disposals, dishwashers, microwaves, and others. Covered systems include electrical, plumbing, heating, and air conditioning. Many home warranty companies also offer additional coverage for septic systems, central vacuums, locksmiths, and roof leaks. It's important for South Lake Tahoe homeowners to 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 needed due to normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't cover problems such as natural disasters, pre-existing conditions, cosmetic issues, or improper use of a system or appliance. Make sure to keep up with preventative maintenance to help ensure that your next repair or replacement will be covered by the policy.
Before signing a home warranty contract, you should learn key terms like:
There are several important factors to consider when choosing a home warranty provider:
Home warranty coverage varies, although most plans provide coverage for electrical, heating, plumbing, AC, and appliances. More comprehensive options may also cover other things such as spas, well pumps, pools, and roof leaks. Look for providers with a diverse range of coverage options, including upgraded plans. This allows you to tailor protection to your home's needs.
You'll pay a repair fee, normally ranging from $60–100 for each claim filed with your home warranty provider. These fees to accumulate quickly with each claim, so you may look for providers advertising more affordable fees to optimize savings on each repair claim. Certain companies may eliminate deductibles when a homeowner submits no claims in a defined period.
A home warranty provider's reputation provides insights into factors such as contractor expertise, claim approval rates, repair speed, and customer satisfaction. Check review sites like Google Reviews, TrustPilot, or the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to learn more about providers. Good feedback and ratings suggest a company known for delivering quality service.
Home warranty companies have networks of contractors that they use to tackle covered repairs. More extensive networks raise the likelihood of getting skilled contractors to your home promptly. Reach out to possible providers to find out how many repair professionals they have in South Lake Tahoe. This helps you understand how long repairs might take in an urgent situation.
Some home warranty plans offer extras such as energy efficiency upgrades, maintenance discounts, and smart home device protection. These perks add value beyond just repair coverage. Added bonuses can maximize the usefulness of the home warranty.
Temperatures in South Lake Tahoe can vary greatly throughout the year, which means your air conditioner and heating systems are likely to get a good bit of use. As a homeowner in South Lake Tahoe, one of the benefits of having a home warranty is knowing that these home systems and major appliances can be covered if they need to be repaired or replaced.
In addition, having a home warranty can save you time by removing the need to research contractors — most companies will send a trusted professional right to your door to do the necessary repair or replacement. Another added benefit of having home warranty coverage is that it can raise your home’s real estate value. If you ever decide to sell your house, you may be able to transfer your home warranty plan to the new homebuyer depending on the company you have your home warranty with.
One drawback of signing up for a home warranty is that there are usually exclusions. For instance, if you already have a manufacturer's warranty on one of your appliances, it may be excluded from the home warranty, so it’s important to read through any contracts you’re considering carefully to understand what is included and what isn’t.
Another thing to take into consideration is that some providers don’t cover pre-existing conditions and may require an inspection before your coverage can begin. Ask the home warranty company for clarification about this if you need more information or if this is a problem for you.
A home warranty plan costs, on average, around $300 to $600 a year in South Lake Tahoe. Our top-rated home warranty companies' most comprehensive coverage options vary from $546 to $840 per year. You can get a lower monthly payment with some companies by choosing a higher service fee. In addition, it's typically cheaper to pay annually rather than monthly.
The difference between a home warranty and homeowner's insurance lies in what kinds of damage each covers. A home warranty plan protects against normal wear and tear to systems and appliances in a home. A homeowners insurance plan protects a home in a situation such as a natural disaster or fire. With homeowners insurance, you will not be able to file a claim should you need a new dryer or stove, unless the damage is a result of a natural disaster, which isn't that common in South Lake Tahoe.
A home warranty policy can help homeowners, homebuyers, investors, home sellers, and real estate agents. It can offer peace of mind to anyone involved in homeownership.
A home warranty can cover your systems, appliances, or both. Combination plans are beneficial if you'd like 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.
Home warranty plans generally provide coverage for a year. Many providers let you renew your plan yearly, and some offer month-to-month options as well.
Typically, the person who owns the home pays for the home warranty. In some cases, though, the person who is selling the home may buy a home warranty plan and transfer the policy to the buyer. The new homeowner will then be responsible for the service fees when using the policy. Considering that the average home value in South Lake Tahoe is $663,772, a home warranty can save you some money when buying a home.
