Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Written By David Cusick
Last Updated April 2024
Owning a house can have many advantages, but it can also come with some downsides like maintenance. The older your house’s systems and appliances are, the more you may want to consider getting a home warranty. A home warranty can give you the peace of mind you need and safeguard your bank account from unexpected expenses by covering your home’s major systems and appliances.
Finding the best protection for your home can be difficult, so our team at Today's Homeowner has done the research to help you find the top home warranty companies in Oceanside. Keep reading for our home warranty recommendations.
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 in Oceanside. The home warranty company offers 3 plans to policyholders that have various system and appliance coverage options. Liberty has established itself as a company with a seamless complaint process and guaranteed service professionalism upon every repair visit. It also has a 60-day workmanship guarantee and some of the best customer service in the industry.
The 3 plans from Liberty Home Guard are Appliance Guard, Systems Guard, and Total Home Guard. Liberty 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 $75.
To read more, visit our review of Liberty Home Guard. To get a free quote from Liberty Home Guard, fill out this online form or call 866-451-2281.
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 in Oceanside. The home warranty company offers 2 plans to policyholders that have various system and appliance coverage options. 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.
The 2 plans from Choice Home Warranty are 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.
To read more, visit our review of Choice Home Warranty. To get 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 Oceanside. The home warranty company offers 3 plans to policyholders that have various system and appliance coverage options. 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.
The 3 plans from Select Home Warranty are 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.
To read more, visit our review of Select Home Warranty. To get 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 Oceanside. The home warranty company offers 3 plans to policyholders that have various system and appliance coverage options. 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.
The 3 plans from American Home Shield are 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.
To read more, visit our review of American Home Shield. To get a free quote from American Home Shield, fill out this online form or call 888-365-2839.
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 in Oceanside. The home warranty company offers 3 plans to policyholders that have various system and appliance coverage options. 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.
The 3 plans from Cinch Home Services are 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.
To read more, visit our review of Cinch Home Services. To get 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 Oceanside. The home warranty company offers 2 plans to policyholders that have various system and appliance coverage options. 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.
The 2 plans from The Home Service Club are 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.
To read more, visit our review of The Home Service Club. To get 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 | $7,172 |
| Heating | $4,781 |
| Electrical | $717 |
| Toilets | $598 |
| Washer/Dryer | $956 |
| Plumbing | $717 |
| Oven | $1,913 |
| Fridge | $717 |
A home warranty is a protection policy that helps Oceanside homeowners cut the high costs of household repairs. These plans offer financial protection to repair 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 provider then finds a contractor to make the fix or replacement. The only time you may pay out-of-pocket is if the repair or replacement costs exceed the item's coverage limit. A home warranty gives homeowners peace of mind, as it helps avoid expensive emergency repairs. The coverage is especially helpful for those living in older houses or houses with systems near the end of their life span. However, people with newer homes and functioning appliances may not require a home warranty.
Home warranties protect your home systems and appliances. Common appliances covered include dishwashers, washers, dryers, microwaves, garbage disposals, refrigerators, and more. Covered systems are normally air conditioning, electrical, plumbing, and heating. Many home warranty companies offer add-on coverage for septic systems, roof leaks, locksmiths, and central vacuums. Most home warranty plans require Oceanside homeowners to refrain from making claims for 30 days before they can use the policy to pay for repairs. Moreover, policies typically only cover repairs and replacements resulting from normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't cover pre-existing conditions, natural disasters, cosmetic issues, or misuse of a system or appliance. To make sure your next repair or replacement is covered, keep up with preventative maintenance.
Home warranties use several terms that you'll want to know before signing a contract, such as:
There are several key considerations when selecting a home warranty provider:
Home warranty coverage differs significantly when it comes to what's covered. Most plans include protection for plumbing, electrical, AC, heating, and appliances. More robust coverage options also cover other items such as well pumps, roof leaks, spas, and pools. Look for a company that offers comprehensive coverage choices, including upgraded plans. You want the flexibility to customize coverage to fit your home's specific systems and needs.
With any home warranty claim, you'll pay a service fee that can range from $60 to $100, which is paid per repair request filed. These per-claim charges can add up. You may decide to look for providers with lower service fees to maximize your savings on each claim. Some providers also offer disappearing deductibles if a homeowner doesn't submit claims for repairs for a specified period of time.
A home warranty provider's reputation gives insight into things such as approval rates, contractor quality, repair timeliness, and customer service. Check review platforms such as TrustPilot, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), or Google Reviews to research companies. Good ratings and feedback indicate a company known for exceptional service.
Home warranty providers have networks of local technicians to handle repairs in your area. Contact potential providers to find out how many repair contractors they have in Oceanside and get an idea for how fast your repairs might happen in an emergency situation. More extensive networks improve the chances of getting qualified contractors to swiftly service your home.
Certain home warranty companies provide perks such as protection for smart home devices, discounts on maintenance, and energy-efficient upgrades. These bonuses can offer extra value beyond repair coverage. Added perks enhance your home and maximize your home warranty.
Oceanside’s cold winters 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 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.
Not only can a home warranty give you some financial relief, but it also saves you time. If an appliance breaks, the last thing you want to do is find a technician and schedule a repair. A home warranty handles this process by sending trusted professionals to your door when you need them most. Additionally, having a home warranty can help make your house more attractive to potential homebuyers if you ever decide to sell later. Many home warranty companies will allow you to transfer your policy to a new owner and give them the protection you’ve been receiving.
One drawback of a home warranty is that there are usually exclusions. For instance, if one of your appliances already has a manufacturer's warranty, it may not be included in the home warranty, so it’s important to read through the contracts you’re considering carefully to understand what is included and what isn’t.
Another downside is that home warranties may not include some repairs, such as those due to natural disasters. For example, if your house floods, the impacted systems and appliances probably won’t be covered by the home warranty.
A home warranty policy costs, on average, around $300 to $600 a year in Oceanside. Our top-rated home warranty companies' most comprehensive coverage options vary from $546 to $840 per year. You can get a lower monthly payment with some companies by choosing a higher service fee. Additionally, it's typically cheaper to pay annually rather than monthly.
The difference between a home warranty and homeowner's insurance lies in what kinds of damage each covers. A home warranty plan protects against normal wear and tear to systems and appliances in a home. Homeowners insurance protects the entire home in case of something such as a natural disaster or fire. With a homeowners insurance plan, you won't be able to file a claim should you need a new dryer or stove, unless the damage is due to a natural disaster, which is somewhat common in Oceanside.
First-time homebuyers, homeowners, home sellers, real estate agents, and landlords can all get home warranty plans. A home warranty can help make your home more attractive to prospective buyers and save you money in the long run.
A home warranty plan will cover your 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 a good idea if you're concerned about one more than the other.
Home warranty plans usually provide coverage for a year. Many providers let you renew your plan yearly, and some offer month-to-month plans as well.
Usually the one who owns the home is responsible for paying for the home warranty. In some cases, however, the person who is selling the home may buy a home warranty and transfer the policy to the buyer. The new homeowner will then need to pay the service fees when using the policy. Considering that the average home value in Oceanside is $683,158, a home warranty can save you some money when buying a home.
