Written By David Cusick
Last Updated April 2024
Being a homeowner in Watsonville is an excellent option for those who like up-and-coming areas. However, as great as Watsonville is, homeownership always comes with its fair share of difficulties, such as trying to take care of your home repairs yourself. A home warranty can bring you the peace of mind you need and protect your savings account from unexpected expenses by covering your home’s major appliances and systems.
Finding the best protection for your home can be difficult, so our team at Today's Homeowner has compiled this guide to help you find the top home warranty companies in Watsonville. Keep reading for our home warranty recommendations.
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 Watsonville, Choice Home Warranty offers the best overall home warranty. 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. Choice has 2 simple plans, making the selection process quick and easy.
There are 2 home warranty plans from Choice Home Warranty: Basic Plan and Total Plan. Choice has coverage caps of around $3,000 for most appliances and systems, but with some plans, the coverage caps can be higher, so make sure to check with the company. Service fees are an affordable $85.
Read our Choice Home Warranty full 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
In Watsonville, Select Home Warranty offers the most cost-effective home warranty. 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. Select has 3 simple plans, making the selection process quick and easy.
There are 3 home warranty plans from Select Home Warranty: Bronze Care Plan, Gold Care Plan, and Platinum Care Plan. Select has coverage caps of around $2,000 for most appliances and systems, but with some plans, the coverage caps can be higher, so make sure to check with the company. Service fees are a reasonable $60.
Read our Select Home Warranty full 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
In Watsonville, American Home Shield offers the most customizable home warranty. 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. AHS has 3 simple plans, making the selection process quick and easy.
There are 3 home warranty plans from American Home Shield: ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, and ShieldPlatinum. AHS has coverage caps of around $2,500 for most appliances and systems, but with some plans, the coverage caps can be higher, so make sure to check with the company. Service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $125.
Read our American Home Shield full 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
In Watsonville, First American Home Warranty offers the best home warranty for appliance coverage. 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. First American has 2 simple plans, making the selection process quick and easy.
There are 2 home warranty plans from First American Home Warranty: Basic Plan and Premier Plan. First American has coverage caps of around $1,500 for most appliances and systems, but with some plans, the coverage caps can be higher, so make sure to check with the company. Service fees are a reasonable $85.
Read our First American Home Warranty full 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
In Watsonville, Cinch Home Services offers the home warranty with the best workmanship guarantee. 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. Cinch has 3 simple plans, making the selection process quick and easy.
There are 3 home warranty plans from Cinch Home Services: Appliances Plan, Built-in Systems Plan, and Complete Home Plan. Cinch has coverage caps of around $1,000-$2,000 for most appliances and systems, but with some plans, the coverage caps can be higher, so make sure to check with the company. Service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $150.
Read our Cinch Home Services full 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
In Watsonville, The Home Service Club offers the best home warranty with the quickest service. 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. HSC has 2 simple plans, making the selection process quick and easy.
There are 2 home warranty plans from The Home Service Club: Standard Coverage Plan and Comprehensive Coverage Plan. HSC has coverage caps of around $2,000 for most appliances and systems, but with some plans, the coverage caps can be higher, so make sure to check with the company. Service fees are customizable and range from $65 to $90.
Read our The Home Service Club full 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 | $7,140 |
Heating | $4,760 |
Electrical | $714 |
Toilets | $595 |
Washer/Dryer | $952 |
Plumbing | $714 |
Oven | $1,904 |
Fridge | $714 |
A home warranty is a protection plan that helps Watsonville homeowners reduce the high costs of household repairs. These plans offer financial coverage to fix or replace appliances and systems that break down from normal wear and tear.
Homeowners file a claim and pay a service fee when something breaks. The home warranty company then arranges a contractor to make the fix or replacement. The only time you may pay out-of-pocket is if the repair or replacement costs go over the item's coverage limit. A home warranty policy gives homeowners peace of mind because it 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 cover your home systems and appliances. Common appliances covered include microwaves, washers, refrigerators, dryers, garbage disposals, dishwashers, and more. Covered systems are normally heating, plumbing, air conditioning, and electrical. Many home warranty providers offer add-on coverage for septic systems, central vacuums, locksmiths, and roof leaks. Watsonville homeowners should know that most home warranty plans begin with a 30-day waiting period before repairs are covered. Additionally, most policies only cover repairs and replacements due to normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't include natural disasters, pre-existing conditions, cosmetic issues, or misuse of a system or appliance. Remember to keep up with preventative maintenance to help make sure your next repair or replacement is covered.
Home warranties use several terms that you'll want to understand before signing a contract, such as:
When choosing a home warranty provider, there are several key factors to consider:
Home warranties vary widely in terms of included coverage. Basic plans typically cover AC, electrical, plumbing, heating, and appliances, while more comprehensive options may also cover well pumps, roof leaks, spas, and pools. Look for providers with a range of coverage choices, such as upgraded plans. You'll want to tailor your protection for your needs.
Expect to pay a per-service fee of $60-100 for each home warranty claim. With these per-request costs adding up over time as you file claims, some homeowners prefer to choose a company with lower service fees to maximize savings. Some companies also remove deductibles if a customer goes a period of time without filing any claims.
A home warranty provider's reputation provides insights into factors such as repair speed, contractor expertise, claim approval rates, and customer satisfaction. Look at review sites like the Better Business Bureau (BBB), TrustPilot, or Google Reviews to learn more about companies. Favorable ratings and feedback suggest a company known for quality service.
Home warranty companies have networks of technicians that they use to tackle covered repairs. Larger networks improve the probability of getting qualified contractors to your home quickly. Reach out to possible providers to ask how many contractors they have in Watsonville. This helps you understand how long repairs might take in an urgent situation.
Some home warranty companies offer bonuses such as maintenance discounts, smart home device protection, and energy efficiency upgrades. These perks can add value beyond just repair coverage. Added bonuses help maximize the usefulness of the home warranty.
Watsonville’s hot summers can put a strain on a home’s HVAC system. Whether it’s summer or winter, a home warranty will cover your home’s appliances and systems in the event they need to be repaired or replaced. For example, if your air conditioner fails in the middle of July, a home warranty can cover the necessary repairs, saving you from spending unexpected money out of pocket.
A home warranty also saves you time and energy. Instead of spending hours finding and selecting a repair person 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. 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 home, you may be able to transfer your home warranty plan to the new homebuyer depending on the provider you purchased your home warranty through.
One major drawback 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 drawback is that home warranties may not include some repairs, like those due to natural disasters. For example, if a tree falls onto your house and damages the roof, the impacted systems and appliances most likely won’t be covered by the home warranty.
A home warranty plan costs, on average, about $300 to $600 a year in Watsonville. Our high-rated home warranty providers' most comprehensive coverage options vary from $546 to $840 per year. You can decrease your monthly bill with some companies by opting for a higher service fee. Additionally, it's often 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 plan covers normal wear and tear to home systems and appliances. Homeowners insurance protects the entire home in case of something such as a natural disaster or fire. Under homeowners insurance, you won't be able to file a claim should you need a new dryer or dishwasher, unless the damage is due to a natural disaster, which isn't that common in Watsonville.
Homebuyers, home sellers, real estate agents, homeowners, and landlords are all eligible for home warranty plans. A home warranty can help make your house more attractive to prospective buyers and save you money in the long run.
The different home warranties in Watsonville include plans that cover either appliances or systems as well as combination plans. A combination plan covers almost all your systems and appliances, such as your washing machine, drier, and HVAC. An appliance or system plan will cover only the specific items listed in the policy.
Generally, a home warranty lasts for a year and can be renewed yearly. Some companies may offer month-to-month options.
Typically, 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 transferred to the new homeowner, who will pay the service fees. In Watsonville, where the median home value is $820,096, having the seller pay for the home warranty can save you some money on your new home.