Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Written By David Cusick
Last Updated February 2024
With a variety of seasons in Riverside, your home systems can experience quite a bit of wear and tear. There’s nothing worse than having your heater go out in the middle of winter. A home warranty can bring you the peace of mind you need and protect your bank account from large expenses by covering your home’s major appliances and systems.
Finding the best home warranty on the market can be quite a challenge because of the many options out there. If you're tired of trying to compare them all, keep reading for our guide on the top home warranty companies in Riverside.
Very highly rated among customer service reviews
Covers repairs with a 60-day workmanship guarantee
Extensive list of 20+ add-on coverages
Easy claims process
Won’t cover known or unknown pre-existing conditions
Liberty Home Guard is the most trustworthy home warranty for Riverside residents. When you buy a plan from Liberty, you will get a seamless complaint process and guaranteed service professionalism upon every repair visit. Liberty Home Guard also has a 60-day workmanship guarantee and some of the best customer service in the industry. Liberty offers 3 plans for you to decide between.
There are 3 home warranty plans from Liberty Home Guard: Appliance Guard, Systems Guard, and Total Home Guard. The coverage caps associated with Liberty’s plans are close to the $3,000 mark for most of the major systems and appliances, and service fees are an affordable $75.
To receive a free quote from Liberty Home Guard, fill out this online form or give them a call at 866-451-2281. To read more, visit our thorough review of Liberty Home Guard.
Appliance Guard
Systems Guard
Total Home Guard
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 Riverside residents. When you buy a plan from Choice, you will get very high coverage caps and simple-to-understand service contracts. Choice Home Warranty also has great customer service, professional contractors, and lower out-of-pocket costs compared to other home warranties. Choice offers 2 plans for you to decide between.
There are 2 home warranty plans from Choice Home Warranty: Basic Plan and Total Plan. The coverage caps associated with Choice’s plans are close to the $3,000 mark for most of the major systems and appliances, and service fees are an affordable $85.
To receive a free quote from Choice Home Warranty, fill out this online form or give them a call at 929-400-6164. To read more, visit our thorough review of Choice Home Warranty.
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 Riverside residents. When you buy a plan from Select, you will get a highly affordable service fee and free roof coverage upon purchase of a policy plan. Select Home Warranty also has an extensive network of highly trained professionals all over the country who are experts in home maintenance. Select offers 3 plans for you to decide between.
There are 3 home warranty plans from Select Home Warranty: Bronze Care Plan, Gold Care Plan, and Platinum Care Plan. The coverage caps associated with Select’s plans are close to the $2,000 mark for most of the major systems and appliances, and service fees are a reasonable $60.
To receive a free quote from Select Home Warranty, fill out this online form or give them a call at 888-370-3953. To read more, visit our thorough review of Select Home Warranty.
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 Riverside residents. When you buy a plan from AHS, you will get the ability to customize your plan with the coverages that work specifically for your home. American Home Shield also has a remarkably low claim denial rate in comparison to other home warranty companies. AHS offers 3 plans for you to decide between.
There are 3 home warranty plans from American Home Shield: ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, and ShieldPlatinum. The coverage caps associated with AHS’s plans are close to the $2,500 mark for most of the major systems and appliances, and service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $125.
To receive a free quote from American Home Shield, fill out this online form or give them a call at 888-365-2839. To read more, visit our thorough review of American Home Shield.
ShieldSilver
ShieldGold
ShieldPlatinum
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 Riverside residents. When you buy a plan from Cinch, you will get a 180-day workmanship guarantee that ensures your home systems and appliance repairs will be professionally done. Cinch Home Services also has a broad range of coverage options that will give homeowners peace of mind. Cinch offers 3 plans for you to decide between.
There are 3 home warranty plans from Cinch Home Services: Appliances Plan, Built-in Systems Plan, and Complete Home Plan. The coverage caps associated with Cinch’s plans are close to the $1,000-$2,000 mark for most of the major systems and appliances, and service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $150.
To receive a free quote from Cinch Home Services, fill out this online form or give them a call at 877-589-0505. To read more, visit our thorough review of Cinch Home Services.
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 Riverside residents. When you buy a plan from HSC, you will get quick coverage where the home warranty goes into effect just ten days after you pay for the plan, instead of the typical 30 days. The Home Service Club also has customer service representatives available 24/7, as well as a 30-day labor guarantee and a 90-day parts guarantee. HSC offers 2 plans for you to decide between.
There are 2 home warranty plans from The Home Service Club: Standard Coverage Plan and Comprehensive Coverage Plan. The coverage caps associated with HSC’s plans are close to the $2,000 mark for most of the major systems and appliances, and service fees are customizable and range from $65 to $90.
To receive a free quote from The Home Service Club, fill out this online form or give them a call at 800-750-9443. To read more, visit our thorough review of The Home Service Club.
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 | $6,255 |
| Heating | $4,170 |
| Electrical | $626 |
| Toilets | $521 |
| Washer/Dryer | $834 |
| Plumbing | $626 |
| Oven | $1,668 |
| Fridge | $626 |
A home warranty is a protection plan that helps reduce the high costs for Riverside 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 submit 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 plan gives homeowners a sense of security and can help avoid costly emergency repairs. They can be especially helpful for buyers of 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 need a home warranty.
Home warranties safeguard both your home systems and appliances. Common appliances covered under a home warranty include garbage disposals, dryers, microwaves, refrigerators, dishwashers, washers, and more. Covered systems include electrical, plumbing, heating, and air conditioning. Many home warranties offer additional add-on coverage options for locksmiths, septic systems, central vacuums, and even roof leaks. Most home warranty plans require Riverside homeowners to wait 30 days before the plan will cover repairs. Moreover, policies typically only cover repairs and replacements resulting from normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't cover natural disasters, cosmetic issues, pre-existing conditions, or misusing a system or appliance. To make sure your next repair or replacement is covered, keep up with preventative maintenance.
Here are some essential home warranty words to learn before signing a contract:
When you're deciding on a home warranty provider, there are several important things to take into account:
Home warranties have significant variation in what they include. Basic plans typically provide protection for AC, plumbing, electrical, heating, and appliances, while more comprehensive options may also cover well pumps, spas, roof leaks, and pools. Look for companies with an array of coverage options, such as upgraded plans. You'll want to tailor your protection for your home’s needs.
With any home warranty claim, you'll pay a service fee that can range from $60 to $100, which is paid per service call made. The per-request costs can add up. You may decide to look for providers with more affordable fees to maximize your savings on each claim. Some firms also offer disappearing deductibles when customers go a period with no claims filed.
A home warranty company's track record provides insight into things such as timeliness of repairs, claim approval rates, contractor quality, and overall customer satisfaction. Use third-party review sites such as TrustPilot, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), or Google Reviews to research companies. Positive reviews and ratings indicate a company known for stellar service.
Home warranty companies use networks of local repair professionals to manage repairs in a given area. Reach out to potential providers to ask how many repair specialists they have in Riverside and get an idea of how quickly your repairs could be handled in an emergency. Wider networks improve the likelihood of getting qualified contractors to swiftly service your home.
Some home warranty companies include perks such as energy efficiency upgrades, reduced maintenance fees, and smart home device coverage. These extras can provide extra value beyond repair coverage. Added bonuses allow you to enhance your home and get the most from your home warranty.
Since temperatures in Riverside can be quite cold in the winter, the weather can put a lot of strain on your HVAC system. Having a home warranty can help homeowners save money if one of these systems or appliances breaks unexpectedly.
Not only does a home warranty give you some savings, but it also saves you time. If an appliance breaks, the last thing you want to do is find a contractor and schedule a repair. A home warranty handles the research by sending trusted professionals to your door when you need them most. 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 company you have your home warranty with.
As for the drawbacks of home warranties, system and appliance coverage varies by provider, so it’s important to read what each plan covers and doesn’t include 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 rejected, so it’s important to be sure you follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for maintenance of your home systems and appliances.
A home warranty in Riverside can cost anywhere from $30 to $60 a month. The higher-priced plans typically have higher coverage limits, a lower service fee, and broader coverage. This cost is often lower if you pay annually instead of monthly. Some providers will also lower your up-front costs when you opt for a higher service fee.
Home warranties and home insurance differ in what types 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 insurance that protects an entire home from natural disasters, which can be a concern in Riverside. It doesn't cover a normal appliance or system breakage.
A home warranty can help investors, homebuyers, real estate agents, home sellers, and homeowners. It can offer peace of mind and savings to anyone involved in homeownership.
The different kinds of home warranties in Riverside include plans that cover either appliances or systems as well as comprehensive plans. A comprehensive plan will cover many of your systems and appliances, such as your washing machine, drier, and plumbing. A plan that only covers appliances or systems will cover only the specific items mentioned in the plan.
Generally, a home warranty offers coverage for a year and can be renewed annually. Some companies may offer month-to-month plans.
Generally, the homeowner is the one who pays the premium and service fees. However, if you have just bought 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 Riverside, where the median home value is $480,327, having the seller pay for the home warranty can be a good asset for your new home.
