Written By David Cusick
Last Updated February 2024
Although homeownership in South Pasadena has many benefits — such as being surrounded by nature — there are also not so glamorous sides. One major issue many homeowners have to deal with inevitably is replacing or repairing their home appliances and systems. A home warranty can help protect homebuyers and current homeowners by covering major repairs and replacements on your home’s most important systems and appliances.
The home warranty market is saturated with a variety of providers — all with different offerings — so the Today's Homeowner team has done the research to help you find the best home warranty companies in South Pasadena.
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 South Pasadena, Choice Home Warranty is the best overall home warranty. 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. Choice has 2 simple plans, making the selection process quick and easy.
The 2 plans from Choice Home Warranty are Basic Plan and Total Plan. The coverage caps associated with Choice’s plans are around the $3,000 mark for many of the major systems and appliances, and service fees are an affordable $85.
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
In South Pasadena, Select Home Warranty is the most cost-effective home warranty. 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. Select has 3 simple plans, making the selection process quick and easy.
The 3 plans from Select Home Warranty are Bronze Care Plan, Gold Care Plan, and Platinum Care Plan. The coverage caps associated with Select’s plans are around the $2,000 mark for many of the major systems and appliances, and service fees are a reasonable $60.
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
In South Pasadena, American Home Shield is the most customizable home warranty. 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. AHS has 3 simple plans, making the selection process quick and easy.
The 3 plans from American Home Shield are ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, and ShieldPlatinum. The coverage caps associated with AHS’s plans are around the $2,500 mark for many of the major systems and appliances, and service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $125.
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
In South Pasadena, First American Home Warranty is the best home warranty for appliance coverage. 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. First American has 2 simple plans, making the selection process quick and easy.
The 2 plans from First American Home Warranty are Basic Plan and Premier Plan. The coverage caps associated with First American’s plans are around the $1,500 mark for many of the major systems and appliances, and service fees are a reasonable $85.
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
In South Pasadena, Cinch Home Services is the home warranty with the best workmanship guarantee. 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. Cinch has 3 simple plans, making the selection process quick and easy.
The 3 plans from Cinch Home Services are Appliances Plan, Built-in Systems Plan, and Complete Home Plan. The coverage caps associated with Cinch’s plans are around the $1,000-$2,000 mark for many of the major systems and appliances, and service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $150.
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
In South Pasadena, The Home Service Club is the best home warranty with the quickest service. 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. HSC has 2 simple plans, making the selection process quick and easy.
The 2 plans from The Home Service Club are Standard Coverage Plan and Comprehensive Coverage Plan. The coverage caps associated with HSC’s plans are around the $2,000 mark for many of the major systems and appliances, and service fees are customizable and range from $65 to $90.
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 | $7,475 |
Heating | $4,984 |
Electrical | $748 |
Toilets | $623 |
Washer/Dryer | $997 |
Plumbing | $748 |
Oven | $1,993 |
Fridge | $748 |
A home warranty is a protection policy that helps South Pasadena homeowners in lowering the expenses of appliance and system repairs. The plans provide coverage to replace or repair appliances and systems that stop working 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 repair. Homeowners may have out-of-pocket costs only if the repair or replacement costs go over the item's coverage limit. A home warranty gives homeowners reassurance, as it helps avoid high-priced emergency repairs. The coverage is especially helpful for owners of older houses or houses with systems near the end of their life span. However, homeowners with newer homes and working appliances might not need a home warranty.
Home warranties cover many household systems and appliances. Typical covered appliances include garbage disposals, microwaves, washers, refrigerators, dryers, dishwashers, and others. Covered systems include heating, electrical, plumbing, and air conditioning. Many home warranty plans offer additional coverage for central vacuums, septic systems, roof leaks, and even locksmiths. Most home warranty plans require South Pasadena homeowners to refrain from making claims for 30 days before they can use the policy to pay for repairs. Moreover, policies normally only cover repairs and replacements due to normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't cover cosmetic issues, natural disasters, pre-existing conditions, or misusing a system or appliance. To make sure your next repair or replacement is covered, keep up with preventative maintenance.
Home warranty contracts use several terms that you'll want to learn 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 vary widely in what they include. Most plans provide protection for heating, AC, electrical, plumbing, and appliances. More inclusive options also include coverage for other items such as pools, spas, roof leaks, and well pumps. Look for providers with an array of coverage options, such as upgraded plans. Flexibility helps you tailor your protection for your 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 speed of repairs, approval rates for claims, contractor quality, and customer satisfaction. Look at third-party review sites such as Google Reviews, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), or TrustPilot to research providers. Positive ratings and reviews indicate that a company is known for quality service.
Home warranty companies have networks of professionals that they use to tackle covered repairs. Wider networks raise the probability of getting skilled contractors to your home swiftly. Contact possible providers to learn how many contractors they have in South Pasadena. This helps you understand how long repairs could take in an urgent situation.
Home warranty companies may include extras such as energy efficiency upgrades, coverage for smart home devices, and maintenance discounts. These can add value beyond basic repair coverage. Added perks maximize the usefulness of the home warranty.
Temperatures in South Pasadena can get quite high in the summer, which means your air conditioner is most likely going to get a lot of use. As a homeowner in South Pasadena, one benefit of having a home warranty is knowing that these home systems and major appliances can be covered in the event they have to be repaired or replaced.
A home warranty also saves you time and energy. Instead of spending hours researching and selecting a contractor to fix your appliance or system, home warranty companies do the hard work for you and send a trusted professional to your door whenever you need them. A home warranty can also provide value in other ways. For instance, some plans can be transferred between owners during a home sale.
There are also some negatives to getting a home warranty policy, such as the coverage exclusions. For example, home warranties may not cover home systems or appliances that already have a manufacturer's warranty.
Plus, if you don’t maintain your home systems or appliances properly, or if they need repairs or replacements due to a natural disaster or animal infestation — anything other than normal wear and tear — the home warranty may not cover it.
A home warranty policy costs, on average, about $300 to $600 a year in South Pasadena. Our high-rated home warranty providers' most comprehensive coverage options vary from $546 to $840 per year. You can lower your monthly bill with some companies by choosing a higher service fee. Additionally, it's usually less expensive 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 covers normal wear and tear to systems and appliances in a home. A homeowners insurance plan protects your entire home in case of 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 dishwasher, unless the damage is a result of a natural disaster, which is somewhat common in South Pasadena.
First-time homebuyers, home sellers, real estate agents, landlords, and homeowners are all eligible for home warranty plans. A home warranty can help make your property more appealing to prospective buyers and save you money in the long run.
A home warranty will cover your appliances, systems, or both. Combination plans are great if you need more coverage for your home, but a system- or appliance-only plan can be a good idea if you want to save some money.
Home warranty plans typically offer coverage for a year. Many providers let you renew your plan each year, and some offer month-to-month plans as well.
Typically, the homeowner is the one who pays the premium and service fees. However, when buying a new home, sometimes the seller will pay for the policy. This can then be transferred to the new homeowner, who has to pay the service fees. In South Pasadena, where the median value of a home is $1,575,875, having the seller pay for the home warranty can save you some money on your new home.