Written By David Cusick
Last Updated February 2024
Homeownership in Tracy can be exciting for many, but it also comes with its fair share of headaches. Home repairs can be an unexpected financial burden for many homeowners. A home warranty is a way to protect your savings from unexpected expenses. With a home warranty in place, your repair costs can be significantly lower and allow you to live in your home with more peace of mind.
Finding the best home warranty on the market can be difficult, since there are lots of companies to choose from. That’s why our team at Today's Homeowner did the research and made a list of the best home warranty companies in Tracy 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
Choice Home Warranty is the best overall home warranty for Tracy residents. Choice has been in the home warranty industry for around 15 years. The 2 plans from Choice are easily comprehensible and offer a mix of both system and appliance coverage. If you’re looking for very high coverage caps and simple-to-understand service contracts, this is the provider for you. Plus, it 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. The coverage caps from Choice are about $3,000. The service fees are an affordable $85, which is less than other providers in the Tracy area.
Read our Choice Home Warranty Review to learn more. To get a free quote from Choice Home Warranty, you can 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 is the most cost-effective home warranty for Tracy residents. Select has been in the home warranty industry for around 11 years. The 3 plans from Select are easily comprehensible and offer a mix of both system and appliance coverage. If you’re looking for a highly affordable service fee and free roof coverage upon purchase of a policy plan, this is the provider for you. Plus, it 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. The coverage caps from Select are about $2,000. The service fees are a reasonable $60, which is less than other providers in the Tracy area.
Read our Select Home Warranty Review to learn more. To get a free quote from Select Home Warranty, you can 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 is the most customizable home warranty for Tracy residents. AHS has been in the home warranty industry for around 26 years. The 3 plans from AHS are easily comprehensible and offer a mix of both system and appliance coverage. If you’re looking for the ability to customize your plan with the coverages that work specifically for your home, this is the provider for you. Plus, it 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. The coverage caps from AHS are about $2,500. The service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $125, which is less than other providers in the Tracy area.
Read our American Home Shield Review to learn more. To get a free quote from American Home Shield, you can 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 is the best home warranty for appliance coverage for Tracy residents. First American has been in the home warranty industry for around 39 years. The 2 plans from First American are easily comprehensible and offer a mix of both system and appliance coverage. If you’re looking for very affordable and comprehensive appliance coverage, this is the provider for you. Plus, 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.
There are 2 home warranty plans from First American Home Warranty: Basic Plan and Premier Plan. The coverage caps from First American are about $1,500. The service fees are a reasonable $85, which is less than other providers in the Tracy area.
Read our First American Home Warranty Review to learn more. To get a free quote from First American Home Warranty, you can 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 is the home warranty with the best workmanship guarantee for Tracy residents. Cinch has been in the home warranty industry for around 44 years. The 3 plans from Cinch are easily comprehensible and offer a mix of both system and appliance coverage. If you’re looking for a 180-day workmanship guarantee that ensures your home systems and appliance repairs will be professionally done, this is the provider for you. Plus, it 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. The coverage caps from Cinch are about $1,000-$2,000. The service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $150, which is less than other providers in the Tracy area.
Read our Cinch Home Services Review to learn more. To get a free quote from Cinch Home Services, you can 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 is the best home warranty with the quickest service for Tracy residents. HSC has been in the home warranty industry for around 15 years. The 2 plans from HSC are easily comprehensible and offer a mix of both system and appliance coverage. If you’re looking for quick coverage where the home warranty goes into effect just ten days after you pay for the plan, instead of the typical 30 days, this is the provider for you. Plus, it 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. The coverage caps from HSC are about $2,000. The service fees are customizable and range from $65 to $90, which is less than other providers in the Tracy area.
Read our The Home Service Club Review to learn more. To get a free quote from The Home Service Club, you can 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 | $7,606 |
Heating | $5,071 |
Electrical | $761 |
Toilets | $634 |
Washer/Dryer | $1,014 |
Plumbing | $761 |
Oven | $2,028 |
Fridge | $761 |
A home warranty is a protection policy that helps reduce the high costs for Tracy homeowners needing appliance and system repairs. These plans provide financial coverage to repair or replace appliances and systems that break due to normal wear and tear.
Homeowners file a claim and pay a service fee when something breaks. The home warranty provider then finds 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 exceeds the item's coverage limit. A home warranty gives reassurance to homeowners because it helps prevent costly emergency repairs. Home warranties are the most useful for owners of older homes or homes with aging systems. New homes with modern appliances might not need a home warranty.
Home warranties cover your household systems and appliances. Warranties usually cover appliances such as refrigerators, dishwashers, microwaves, dryers, garbage disposals, washers, and more. Covered systems include electrical, air conditioning, heating, and plumbing. Many home warranty companies also provide additional coverage for locksmiths, central vacuums, septic systems, and roof leaks. Most home warranty plans require Tracy homeowners to refrain from making claims for 30 days before the plan will cover repairs. Additionally, policies usually only cover repairs and replacements due to normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't cover natural disasters, cosmetic issues, pre-existing conditions, or misuse of a system or appliance. To help ensure your next repair or replacement is covered, keep up with preventative maintenance.
There are several home warranty terms to understand before signing an agreement, including:
When selecting a home warranty provider, there are several key factors to consider:
Home warranty policies can have major differences in covered items. Most plans provide protection for electrical, heating, AC, plumbing, and appliances. More comprehensive options also offer protection for other items such as well pumps, roof leaks, pools, and spas. 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 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 companies with more affordable per-claim fees to maximize savings. Some providers also offer disappearing deductibles after periods where a customer files no claims.
A home warranty provider's reputation can offer insight into things such as speed of repairs, contractor quality, approval rates for claims, and customer satisfaction. Use third-party review sites such as TrustPilot, Google Reviews, or the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to research companies. Good ratings and reviews indicate that a company is known for top-tier service.
Home warranty companies keep networks of professionals to handle covered repairs. Bigger networks increase the likelihood of getting qualified technicians to swiftly service your home. Reach out to potential providers and ask how many contractors they have in Tracy to get a sense of how quickly your repairs could be handled in an emergency.
Some home warranty companies may include perks such as reduced maintenance fees, smart home device coverage, and energy efficiency upgrades. These can offer extra value beyond repair coverage. Extra bonuses help you enhance your home and get the most from your home warranty.
Tracy’s hot summers can put a strain on a home’s HVAC system. Whether it’s summer or winter, a home warranty is designed to cover your home’s appliances and systems if they need to be repaired or replaced. For example, if your air conditioner stops working in the middle of July, a home warranty can cover the needed repairs, preventing you from spending a lot of money out of pocket.
Along with saving you money on out-of-pocket expenses, a home warranty can offer you peace of mind and save you the pain of trying to find a qualified technician to visit your home. Home warranties usually have a network of pre-vetted contractors who can handle any repair issues you may experience. Another good thing about having a home warranty is while selling your home, you can most likely transfer your home warranty policy to the new owners. It can make your home more attractive to potential homebuyers and help your home sell faster.
One of the major drawbacks of a home warranty is not every home system and appliance you care about 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 keep in mind is that some providers don’t cover pre-existing issues and may require an inspection before coverage begins. Ask the home warranty provider for clarification about this if you need more information or if this is an issue for you.
A home warranty in Tracy can cost between $30 and $60 a month. Higher-priced plans typically have a lower service fee, broader coverage, and higher coverage limits. Home warranties are often cheaper when you pay annually instead of monthly. Some providers will also lower 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 with home systems and appliances that need repairs or replacements due to normal wear and tear. A home insurance policy is a different kind of plan that protects the entire home from natural disasters, which might not be too much of a concern in Tracy. It doesn't cover a normal appliance or system breakage.
A home warranty policy can help investors, home sellers, homebuyers, homeowners, and real estate agents. It can offer peace of mind and savings to anyone involved in homeownership.
A home warranty plan can cover your home’s systems, appliances, or both. Combination plans are beneficial if you need 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 typically offer coverage for a year. Many providers let you renew your plan yearly, 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 given to the new homeowner, who has to pay the service fees when using the policy. In Tracy, where the median home value is $750,657, having the seller pay for the home warranty can be a good asset for your new home.