Written By David Cusick
Last Updated February 2024
With hot summers, working home appliances and systems, particularly HVAC, are extremely important for homeowners in Walnut Creek. A home warranty in Walnut Creek can help bring down your out-of-pocket costs by covering repairs or replacements to major home appliances and systems that malfunction due to normal wear and tear.
Finding the best home warranty on the market can be overwhelming, since there are dozens of companies to choose from. That’s why the Today's Homeowner team did the research and put together a list of the best home warranty companies in Walnut Creek 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 in Walnut Creek. Choice has around 15 years of experience in the home warranty market and in that time has built a an network of service technicians in the country. With a home warranty from Choice, you can enjoy 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. The home warranty company offers 2 plans to policyholders that have various options for appliance and system coverage.
The 2 plans from Choice Home Warranty are Basic Plan and Total Plan. Service fees from Choice are an affordable $85. The coverage caps are also typically about $3,000 at the maximum.
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 is the most cost-effective home warranty in Walnut Creek. Select has around 11 years of experience in the home warranty market and in that time has built a an network of service technicians in the country. With a home warranty from Select, you can enjoy 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. The home warranty company offers 3 plans to policyholders that have various options for appliance and system coverage.
The 3 plans from Select Home Warranty are Bronze Care Plan, Gold Care Plan, and Platinum Care Plan. Service fees from Select are a reasonable $60. The coverage caps are also typically about $2,000 at the maximum.
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 is the most customizable home warranty in Walnut Creek. AHS has around 26 years of experience in the home warranty market and in that time has built a an network of service technicians in the country. With a home warranty from AHS, you can enjoy 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. The home warranty company offers 3 plans to policyholders that have various options for appliance and system coverage.
The 3 plans from American Home Shield are ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, and ShieldPlatinum. Service fees from AHS are customizable and range from $75 to $125. The coverage caps are also typically about $2,500 at the maximum.
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 is the best home warranty for appliance coverage in Walnut Creek. First American has around 39 years of experience in the home warranty market and in that time has built a an network of service technicians in the country. With a home warranty from First American, you can enjoy 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. The home warranty company offers 2 plans to policyholders that have various options for appliance and system coverage.
The 2 plans from First American Home Warranty are Basic Plan and Premier Plan. Service fees from First American are a reasonable $85. The coverage caps are also typically about $1,500 at the maximum.
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 is the home warranty with the best workmanship guarantee in Walnut Creek. Cinch has around 44 years of experience in the home warranty market and in that time has built a an network of service technicians in the country. With a home warranty from Cinch, you can enjoy 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. The home warranty company offers 3 plans to policyholders that have various options for appliance and system coverage.
The 3 plans from Cinch Home Services are Appliances Plan, Built-in Systems Plan, and Complete Home Plan. Service fees from Cinch are customizable and range from $75 to $150. The coverage caps are also typically about $1,000-$2,000 at the maximum.
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 is the best home warranty with the quickest service in Walnut Creek. HSC has around 15 years of experience in the home warranty market and in that time has built a an network of service technicians in the country. With a home warranty from HSC, you can enjoy 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 warranty company offers 2 plans to policyholders that have various options for appliance and system coverage.
The 2 plans from The Home Service Club are Standard Coverage Plan and Comprehensive Coverage Plan. Service fees from HSC are customizable and range from $65 to $90. The coverage caps are also typically about $2,000 at the maximum.
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 | $7,924 |
Heating | $5,283 |
Electrical | $792 |
Toilets | $660 |
Washer/Dryer | $1,057 |
Plumbing | $792 |
Oven | $2,113 |
Fridge | $792 |
A home warranty is a protection policy that helps Walnut Creek homeowners in lowering the costs of appliance and system repairs. The plans provide financial coverage to replace or fix 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 plan gives homeowners peace of mind and can help avoid expensive emergency repairs. They can be especially helpful for people purchasing older homes or homes with appliances near the end of their life span. However, newer homes with appliances and fixtures in good condition may not require a home warranty.
Home warranties safeguard your home systems and appliances. Common appliances covered under a home warranty include dishwashers, dryers, refrigerators, washers, microwaves, garbage disposals, and more. Covered systems include electrical, heating, plumbing, and air conditioning. Many home warranties also offer add-on coverage options for septic systems, locksmiths, central vacuums, and even roof leaks. It's important for Walnut Creek homeowners to understand most home warranty plans have a 30-day waiting period before repair claims will be approved. Most policies also only cover repairs and replacements resulting from normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't include cosmetic issues, natural disasters, pre-existing conditions, or improperly using a system or appliance. Stay current with preventative maintenance to ensure your next repair or replacement is covered.
Before agreeing to a home warranty contract, you should know key terms like:
When selecting a home warranty provider, there are several key factors to consider:
Home warranty coverage differs significantly when it comes to what's covered. Most plans cover electrical, AC, heating, plumbing, and appliances. More inclusive options also offer coverage on other items such as well pumps, roof leaks, pools, and spas. Look for companies with flexible coverage choices, including upgraded plans. This allows you to customize your plan to 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 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 gives insight into things such as repair timeliness, contractor quality, approval rates, and customer satisfaction. Use review platforms such as TrustPilot, Google Reviews, or the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to research companies. Positive ratings and feedback indicate a provider known for great service.
Home warranty companies maintain networks of contractors to handle covered repairs. Wider networks improve the probability of getting qualified technicians to service your home ASAP. Ask potential providers how many contractors they have in Walnut Creek to get a sense of how quickly your repairs could happen in an emergency.
Some home warranty providers include perks such as energy efficiency upgrades, smart home device coverage, and reduced maintenance fees. These can offer extra value beyond just repair coverage. Extra bonuses help you enhance your home and get the most from your warranty policy.
Walnut Creek’s hot summers can put a strain on a home’s HVAC system. Whether it’s summer or winter, a home warranty can 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 repairs, preventing you from spending unexpected money out of pocket.
A home warranty also can also save you time and energy. Instead of spending hours finding and selecting a contractor to fix your appliance or system, home warranty providers do the hard work for you and send a trusted professional to your door whenever you need them. A home warranty can also have value in other ways. For instance, some policies can be transferred between owners during a home sale.
As for the drawbacks of home warranties, system and appliance coverage varies by company, so it’s important to understand what each policy covers and excludes in the contract.
Another pain point of home warranties is that they don’t cover items that haven’t been properly maintained. This can lead to your repair requests being denied, so it’s important to carefully follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for maintenance of your home systems and appliances.
A home warranty in Walnut Creek can cost anywhere from $30 to $60 a month. Higher-priced plans tend to have broader coverage, higher coverage limits, and a lower service fee. This cost is often lower if you pay annually instead of monthly. Some providers will also reduce your up-front costs when you opt for a higher service fee.
Home warranties and home insurance differ in what kinds of damage they cover. Home warranties 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 plan that protects your entire home from natural disasters, which might not be too much of a concern in Walnut Creek. It doesn't cover a normal appliance or system repairs.
A home warranty plan can help real estate agents, investors, homeowners, homebuyers, and home sellers. 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 want to save some money.
Generally, a home warranty offers coverage for a year and can be renewed annually. Some companies may offer month-to-month plans.
Usually, the homeowner is the one who pays 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 given to the new homeowner, who has to pay the service fees when using the policy. In Walnut Creek, where the median value of a home is $1,085,063, having the seller pay for the home warranty can save you some money on your new home.